XE Review

The XE app makes currency conversion a breeze.
By: Bob Tedeschi

Category: International
Cost/Platforms: Free on Android, BlackBerry and Apple devices.

Overall Rating:travel app rating
Multiplatform:travel app rating
Lots of function for nothing:travel app rating
Fun and easy to use:travel app rating
Solves travel need or challenge:travel app rating

The only currency-conversion app you will need.

Why we like it -- XE makes currency conversion a breeze. Choose a currency pairing, and the app delivers the latest rates, with an easy-to-read chart. XE is nicely comprehensive, with more than 180 world currencies in its database, along with the previous 12 months' worth of historical data for each currency pairing.

You'll see real-time data when you have a network connection; when you're off the grid, the app delivers data from the most recent time you opened it while connected.

Foreign-bound travelers should check the app briefly before they depart. And if your trip involves multiple countries, you can keep a list of 10 different currencies to track.

Perhaps the best thing about the app is its heritage. XE.com is one of the Web's pioneering currency-conversion sites, and its deep roots in this category suggest the app will have a long and distinguished run.

Improvements we'd like to see -- The app is generally intuitive, but first-time users may waste some time clicking around before they understand how to navigate XE.

More app reviews >>

Next Up

Skype Review

Instead of swallowing exorbitant charges for international cell-phone calls, just download Skype and point yourself to a Wi-Fi hot spot.

TripIt Review

TripIt allows you to consolidate all your travel information into a nicely-organized folder.

iTranslate Review

iTranslate offers decent language translation in a pinch.

FlightTrack Review

FlightTrack tells you the arrival time and gate of every flight and offers alternate routes if your flight is cancelled.

Kayak Review

This app lets you shop across a wide range of travel providers with ease.

WorldMate Review

Forward your travel confirmation emails to WorldMate and it creates a folder for each trip.

Yelp Review

Yelp offers listings and user reviews of businesses and restaurants in most US cities, plus London and Paris.

Point Inside Review

Point Inside lets you dial down quickly on the layout of an airport terminal (as long as you have a network connection) or a mall.

Trip Advisor Review

Trip Advisor's app gets you quick, reliable information on accommodations, food and sights.

Rewards Network Dining Review

You could log onto the web and check for the closest available eatery in your rewards program, or you could just pull out your phone and launch this app.

More Creepy Content

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss Travel Channel in your favorite social media feeds.

On TV