Compare International Money Transfer Services
Compare transfer fees, exchange rates, delivery speeds, and receiving options before sending money internationally.
Transfer costs and delivery times vary by destination, amount, payment method, exchange rate, and receiving method. Always check the provider's live quote before completing a transfer.
Featured Services
Popular International Transfer Services
Wise
Low-cost bank-to-bank transfers with transparent, mid-market exchange rates and upfront fees.
- Speed
- Seconds to less than 1 day for many transfers; varies by route.
- Fee structure
- Variable fee based on currency, amount, and payment method. Uses the mid-market exchange rate.
- Best for
- Low-cost bank-to-bank transfers and transparent exchange rates.
Western Union
Broad international coverage with an extensive cash-pickup network and multiple delivery options.
- Speed
- Minutes to several days depending on transfer method.
- Fee structure
- Varies by destination, transfer amount, payment method, delivery method, and exchange rate.
- Best for
- Cash pickup and broad international coverage.
Remitly
AffiliateInternational remittances with flexible delivery-speed options for sending money to family abroad.
- Speed
- Express can be very fast; Economy may take longer. Exact options are shown before sending.
- Fee structure
- Varies by destination, transfer amount, payment method, delivery option, and exchange rate.
- Best for
- International family remittances and flexible delivery options.
WorldRemit
Multiple receiving options including bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile money, and airtime top-ups.
- Speed
- Often within minutes, depending on destination and receiving method.
- Fee structure
- Varies by destination, receiving method, transfer amount, and payment method.
- Best for
- Bank deposits, cash pickup, mobile money, and airtime top-ups.
Xoom
International transfers by PayPal, convenient for existing PayPal users.
- Speed
- Often fast, but timing varies by destination and delivery method.
- Fee structure
- Transaction fee plus exchange-rate margin; varies by destination, amount, currency, transaction type, and payment method.
- Best for
- International transfers, especially for users already using PayPal.
Main Comparison
Money Transfer Service Comparison
| Service | Typical Fees | Exchange Rate | Typical Speed | Bank Deposit | Cash Pickup | Mobile Wallet | Best For | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Variable fee based on currency, amount, and payment method. Uses the mid-market exchange rate. | Mid-market rate (no markup) | Seconds to less than 1 day for many transfers; varies by route. | Low-cost bank-to-bank transfers and transparent exchange rates. | Fees shown upfront; uses the mid-market exchange rate. | |||
| Western Union | Varies by destination, transfer amount, payment method, delivery method, and exchange rate. | Exchange-rate margin may apply | Minutes to several days depending on transfer method. | Cash pickup and broad international coverage. | Large agent network for cash pickup worldwide. | |||
| Remitly | Varies by destination, transfer amount, payment method, delivery option, and exchange rate. | Exchange-rate margin may apply (Economy vs Express) | Express can be very fast; Economy may take longer. Exact options are shown before sending. | International family remittances and flexible delivery options. | Choose between Express and Economy delivery speeds; exact options shown before sending. | |||
| WorldRemit | Varies by destination, receiving method, transfer amount, and payment method. | Exchange-rate margin may apply | Often within minutes, depending on destination and receiving method. | Bank deposits, cash pickup, mobile money, and airtime top-ups. | Supports airtime top-ups and mobile money in many destinations. | |||
| Xoom | Transaction fee plus exchange-rate margin; varies by destination, amount, currency, transaction type, and payment method. | Exchange-rate margin may apply | Often fast, but timing varies by destination and delivery method. | International transfers, especially for users already using PayPal. | PayPal-owned; convenient if you already use PayPal. |
Fees vary — check live quote. Typical pricing is illustrative and changes by route, amount, and method.
Cost Example
How Much Does an International Transfer Cost?
There is no universal transfer fee. The final cost depends on many factors:
- Amount being sent
- Sending country
- Receiving country
- Currency
- Payment method
- Bank transfer vs. card
- Cash pickup vs. bank deposit
- Exchange-rate markup
- Transfer speed
- Promotional offers
- New-customer discounts
Compare the amount the recipient actually receives, rather than simply comparing the advertised transfer fee.
The cheapest advertised fee isn't always the cheapest transfer.
An international transfer can have a low upfront fee but still cost more because of an unfavorable exchange rate. Compare the final amount received.
New for 2026
The 1% U.S. Remittance Transfer Tax
Since January 1, 2026, the United States charges a 1% federal excise tax on certain money transfers sent from the U.S. to recipients in foreign countries. The tax applies only when the transfer is funded with cash or a physical instrument — not when it's funded electronically from a bank account or card.
Effective date
January 1, 2026
Tax rate
1% of the transfer amount
Legal authority
IRC Section 4475 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025)
Triggers the 1% tax
Transfers funded with any of these physical instruments are subject to the tax:
- Cash
- Money order
- Cashier's check
- Other similar physical instruments
Not subject to the tax
Transfers funded electronically are exempt — the 1% tax does not apply:
- Bank account / ACH funding
- Debit card funding
- Credit card funding
- Wire transfers funded electronically
How it works in practice
- Who pays: The sender is legally liable for the tax, but the remittance transfer provider (e.g., Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria) is required to collect it at the point of sale and send it to the IRS.
- Provider reporting: Providers file Form 720 (Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return) and make semimonthly deposits to the IRS. If a provider fails to collect, the tax becomes the provider's liability.
- Practical tip: Funding your transfer from a bank account or debit card instead of cash avoids the 1% tax entirely — a meaningful saving on larger transfers.
Worked example
A $1,000 transfer funded with cash to a recipient abroad is subject to a $10.00 remittance tax (1% of $1,000). The same $1,000 transfer funded from a bank account or debit card owes $0.
Source: U.S. Treasury / IRS proposed regulations under IRC Section 4475 (April 2026). Rules are still being finalized — confirm current guidance with the provider and the IRS before transferring.
Read the IRS guidanceSpeed Comparison
How Fast Is the Transfer?
Almost instant / seconds
Some digital routes settle in seconds.
Minutes
Common for cash pickup and some card-funded transfers.
Same day
Many bank-deposit transfers arrive the same day.
1–2 business days
Typical for bank-funded transfers.
Several business days
Slower economy options or complex routes.
Speed depends heavily on the destination and receiving method. Do not assume a specific delivery time unless the provider gives a live estimate for that particular transaction.
Receiving Options
Receiving Methods by Service
| Receiving option | Wise | Western Union | Remitly | WorldRemit | Xoom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank account deposit | |||||
| Cash pickup | |||||
| Debit card payout | |||||
| Mobile wallet | |||||
| Airtime / mobile top-up |
Availability varies by country. Confirm supported receiving methods for your specific destination with the provider.
Which Service Should I Use?
Recommendations by Use Case
Best for transparent exchange rates
Low-cost bank-to-bank transfers and transparent exchange rates.
Best for family remittances
International family remittances and flexible delivery options.
Affiliate link — we may receive compensation at no cost to you.
Best for mobile money & multiple receiving options
Bank deposits, cash pickup, mobile money, and airtime top-ups.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you use our Remitly link to sign up or transfer money, we may receive compensation at no additional cost to you.
Transfer Cost Calculator
Compare Available Providers
Important Cost Explanation
Transfer Fee vs. Exchange Rate
Providers may earn revenue in different ways:
- 1
Explicit transfer fee
A clear, upfront fee shown before sending.
- 2
Exchange-rate margin
A markup hidden inside the exchange rate.
- 3
Both
A fee plus an exchange-rate margin.
Illustrative example (not real pricing)
You send $1,000.
Provider A — $5 fee
Charges a $5 fee but gives an exchange rate that results in the recipient receiving $990 equivalent.
Provider B — $0 fee
Charges $0 but provides a less favorable exchange rate, resulting in the recipient receiving $975 equivalent.
Provider A may actually be cheaper even though its advertised fee is higher.
Safety
Important Money Transfer Safety Tips
Verify the recipient's name and account information.
Never send money to someone you do not trust.
Be cautious of requests for urgent payments.
Never share passwords or verification codes.
Confirm the exchange rate before sending.
Check the total amount the recipient will receive.
Keep the transaction receipt and confirmation number.
Use official websites and applications.
Be especially cautious when sending money for purchases, investments, employment offers, romance relationships, or unexpected emergencies.
If a transfer is suspicious, stop before sending the money.
Official Sources
Verify Current Pricing
Use official provider sources rather than third-party comparison websites. For Remitly, the affiliate link is used instead of the normal homepage.
Pricing, exchange rates, promotional offers, supported countries, and delivery times can change. Always verify the current quote directly with the provider.
Educational Disclaimer: Transfer costs and delivery times vary by destination, amount, payment method, exchange rate, and receiving method. This page is for general comparison only and is not financial advice. Always check the provider's live quote before completing a transfer.
Compare Before You Send
Transfer fees and exchange rates can make a significant difference in how much money reaches your recipient. Compare the total cost and final amount received before choosing a provider.