When you need an exchange rate, you probably reach for Google or your bank app. Both work — until they don’t. Here’s an honest comparison of the three common ways to check rates, and where each one falls short.
Google search
Fast and free, and it shows the mid-market rate. But Google needs internet, can’t notify you when a rate hits a target, has no widgets, and won’t show fuel prices or a clean history chart for planning. It’s great for a one-off glance, weak for anything ongoing.
Your bank’s app
Convenient and tied to your account — but the rate usually includes a spread in the bank’s favor, so it’s not the true rate (see mid-market vs bank). It also won’t help you compare currencies you don’t hold.
A dedicated converter (Currencies)
Currencies is built for exactly this job: the mid-market rate with no markup, offline support, home-screen widgets, rate alerts and scheduled notifications, history charts, 150+ currencies plus crypto, and fuel prices by country.
Quick comparison
- Real (mid-market) rate — Google ✅, Bank ❌, Currencies ✅
- Works offline — Google ❌, Bank ❌, Currencies ✅
- Rate alerts — Google ❌, Bank ❌, Currencies ✅
- Home-screen widgets — Google ❌, Bank ❌, Currencies ✅
- Crypto + fuel prices — Google ❌, Bank ❌, Currencies ✅
For a one-time check, Google is fine. For anything you do regularly — travel, shopping, transfers — a dedicated converter saves time and money.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google good enough for exchange rates?
For a single quick look, yes. For offline use, alerts, widgets or planning, a dedicated app does much more.
Why not just use my bank app?
Bank apps usually bake a spread into the rate, so you don’t see the true mid-market value.
What’s the best currency converter app for travel?
One that works offline with the mid-market rate and home-screen widgets — which is exactly what Currencies is built for.