Tech Startups vs Trade Businesses

Why We're NOT Competing With Revolut Business

Revolut Business is excellent for tech startups, SaaS companies, and service businesses.
We exclusively serve importers/exporters moving physical goods across borders with $1M+ annual FX.

When compliance and settlement speed matter as much as the rate, you've outgrown Revolut.

Use Revolut Business If... / Use Unicorn If...

Use Revolut Business If:

  • You're a tech startup or SaaS company
  • You need expense cards, invoicing, accounting integrations
  • You're doing under $1M annual FX
  • You want an all-in-one business banking app
  • You don't deal with physical goods or logistics

Our Honest Recommendation:

Revolut Business is excellent for tech startups, digital businesses, and service companies. Modern UX, expense management, great for under $1M FX. Perfect for their market.

Use Unicorn If:

  • You're an importer/exporter moving physical goods
  • You need container tracking + treasury in one platform
  • You're doing $1M+ annual FX volume
  • You want specialist treasury tools, not multi-tool apps
  • You manage supplier bills in multiple currencies

Why Revolut Can't Do This:

Revolut Business focuses on tech/service businesses. No container tracking, no logistics integration, no bill-level FX exposure tools. Excellent multi-tool app, but not built for trade operations.

The Key Difference

Revolut Business: Multi-Tool App

Revolut Business is a Swiss Army knife - expenses, cards, accounting integrations, and basic FX. Great for tech startups and service businesses. Not built for physical goods trade.

What Revolut Business Doesn't Have:

  • Real-time FX P/L tracking on bills
  • Container tracking and demurrage alerts
  • 15-second FX rate locks
  • Bill-level exposure visibility
  • Logistics integration
  • Dedicated account manager for B2B
  • Trade finance focus

Unicorn Currencies: Trade Finance Platform

Purpose-built for businesses that move physical goods across borders. If you deal with containers, suppliers, foreign invoices, and logistics, you need specialized tools.

What We Offer That Revolut Doesn't:

  • Real-time FX P/L on every supplier bill
  • FREE container tracking (saves £5k-10k annually)
  • 15-second rate locks for decision-making
  • Upload bills, see live exposure
  • Logistics + Treasury in one platform
  • Dedicated B2B support
  • Import/export business focus

Feature Comparison

FeatureRevolut BusinessUnicorn Currencies
Target CustomerTech startups, service businesses, SMEsImport/export, manufacturers, traders
Real-Time FX P/L on BillsNot availableUnique feature - upload bills, see exposure
Container TrackingNot offeredFREE - save £5k-10k on demurrage
FX Rate LocksMarket order only15-second lock window
Settlement SpeedInstant (within Revolut)Same-Day
FX Spread0.5-1% (weekends higher)0.5% (flat, 24/7)
Multi-User AccessUnlimited usersUnlimited team members with roles
Expense CardsPhysical & virtual cardsTreasury-focused, no cards
Accounting IntegrationsXero, QuickBooks, etc.API for Xero, QuickBooks, Sage
Invoicing PlatformNot availableCreate & send invoices with auto banking details
SupportChat only (often slow)Dedicated support, phone available
RegulationFCA (UK), Various EUFINTRAC registered · Bank of Canada RPAA registered

Why Import/Export Businesses Need More Than Revolut Business

Revolut Shows Rates. We Show Impact.

Revolut shows you EUR/GBP rate. We show you what that rate means for YOUR £50k invoice from your French supplier. See live P/L in red/green. Know what waiting costs.

This feature doesn't exist on Revolut Business.

Revolut Can't Track Your Containers

If you're importing goods, demurrage penalties cost £1,000-£2,000 per container. Our FREE tracking with 48-72h alerts saves £5k-10k annually. Revolut doesn't offer logistics.

Logistics + Treasury in one platform.

Time to Think Before Locking Rates

Revolut executes at market instantly. You have no time to calculate margins or check inventory. Our 15-second rate locks let you think, calculate, and confirm before committing.

Better decisions = better margins.

Built for Trade, Not Tech Startups

Revolut is great for SaaS startups paying contractors. We're built for physical goods: containers, suppliers, invoices, demurrage. Different business, different needs.

Trade finance specialization.

When Revolut Business Works vs When You Need Unicorn Currencies

Revolut Business Works Well For:

  • Tech startups and SaaS businesses
  • Service businesses (no physical goods)
  • Expense management and employee cards
  • Paying freelancers and contractors
  • Simple business banking needs
  • No logistics or container tracking needed

You Need Unicorn Currencies If:

  • You import/export physical goods
  • You deal with containers and shipping
  • You need to track FX exposure on bills
  • Demurrage is a risk
  • You need 15-second rate locks
  • You want treasury + logistics integrated
  • You need dedicated B2B support

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Unicorn Currencies compare to Revolut Business?

Unicorn Currencies is purpose-built for trade finance and import/export businesses, while Revolut Business is designed for general business banking needs like tech startups and service companies. We offer specialized features that Revolut Business doesn't have: real-time FX exposure tracking on supplier bills, integrated container tracking with demurrage alerts, and 15-second rate locks for decision-making. If you're moving physical goods across borders, you need treasury tools built for trade operations.

What about FX rates? How do Unicorn Currencies rates compare to Revolut Business?

Unicorn Currencies offers a flat 0.5% spread with 15-second rate locks, giving you time to calculate margins before committing. Revolut Business has variable rates typically ranging from 0.5-1%, with higher spreads on weekends, and executes at market price instantly with no lock window. Our rate locks let you see the exact cost, check your inventory, and make informed decisions rather than rushing to execute.

Does Unicorn Currencies offer business cards like Revolut Business?

No, we don't offer business expense cards. Unicorn Currencies focuses exclusively on treasury management and international payments for import/export businesses. If you need day-to-day business banking features like expense cards, employee spending controls, or accounting integrations for operational expenses, Revolut Business is better suited for those needs. We specialize in trade finance: FX exposure management, supplier payments, and logistics integration.

Is settlement faster with Unicorn Currencies than Revolut Business?

For pre-funded transfers, Unicorn Currencies settles wallet-to-wallet in just 2.3 seconds. Revolut Business offers instant transfers within their network as well. The key difference isn't just speed—it's our 15-second rate lock that lets you confirm the exact amount before settlement, giving you certainty on large supplier payments rather than executing at whatever the market rate happens to be at that moment.

Who is Unicorn Currencies best for compared to Revolut Business?

Unicorn Currencies is specifically built for import/export businesses with $1M+ annual FX volume who need treasury visibility and logistics integration. If you deal with containers, foreign supplier invoices, and demurrage risks, our platform combines FX management with container tracking to save you £5k-10k annually on penalties alone. Revolut Business is better suited for tech startups, SaaS companies, and service businesses under $1M FX who need general business banking features like expense cards and accounting integrations.

What Only Unicorn Offers

  • Bank of Canada–supervised PSP with FINTRAC registration (MSB: C100000159) — not just a fintech licence
  • 2.3-second settlement within our network — not "same day" or "next day"
  • FREE real-time container tracking with demurrage alerts — no other FX provider includes logistics visibility
  • Real-time FX P&L on every supplier bill — treasury-grade exposure tracking, not just a rate feed
  • Built exclusively for $1M+ annual FX — we don't dilute our platform for retail or small business

Verify our regulatory status: How We're Regulated.

See Unicorn in Action

Case Studies →

How $1M+ businesses saved with Unicorn

Solutions →

Pay on arrival, repatriate instantly, track containers free

Import/Export Business with $1M+ FX? Get Specialist Tools

Real-time FX tracking • FREE container monitoring • Local account with a local US bank accountSame-Day settlement

FINTRAC registered · Bank of Canada RPAA registered.

Tech startup or under $1M FX? Revolut Business is excellent for your needs. We specialize in trade businesses with $1M+ FX only.