Money Transfer Comparison

Compare fees, exchange rate markups, and delivery speed across the top international money transfer services.

Wise (TransferWise)

Best overall value
4.7/ 5.0
Transfer Fee
0.4%–1.5%
Rate Markup
0%–0.05%
Speed
1–2 business days
Min. Send
$1

Uses mid-market rate with transparent, low fees. No hidden markup on exchange rates.

OFX

Best for large transfers
4.5/ 5.0
Transfer Fee
$0 (spread only)
Rate Markup
0.4%–1.0%
Speed
1–3 business days
Min. Send
$1,000

No transfer fee but makes money on the spread. Great for transfers above $10,000.

Remitly

Best for speed to developing countries
4.5/ 5.0
Transfer Fee
$0–$4.99
Rate Markup
0.5%–2.0%
Speed
Minutes to 3 days
Min. Send
$1

Express delivery available in minutes to select countries. Great for remittances.

PayPal (Xoom)

Best for convenience
3.8/ 5.0
Transfer Fee
$0–$4.99
Rate Markup
3.0%–4.5%
Speed
Minutes to 3 days
Min. Send
$1

Easy to use if you already have PayPal. High exchange rate markup makes it expensive for large amounts.

Western Union

Best for cash pickup worldwide
3.5/ 5.0
Transfer Fee
$5–$50+
Rate Markup
1.5%–5.0%
Speed
Minutes to 5 days
Min. Send
$1

Largest agent network globally. Cash pickup available in 200+ countries. Fees vary widely by corridor.

MoneyGram

Best alternative for cash pickup
3.5/ 5.0
Transfer Fee
$5–$30+
Rate Markup
1.0%–4.0%
Speed
Minutes to 3 days
Min. Send
$1

Similar to Western Union with extensive cash pickup network. Often slightly cheaper for certain corridors.

Revolut

Best for frequent small transfers
4.4/ 5.0
Transfer Fee
$0–$5
Rate Markup
0%–1.5%
Speed
Instant to 3 days
Min. Send
$1

Free transfers at mid-market rate up to a monthly limit ($1,000 on free plan). Weekend markup of 1% applies.

Bank Wire Transfer

Most widely available
3/ 5.0
Transfer Fee
$15–$50
Rate Markup
2.0%–5.0%
Speed
3–5 business days
Min. Send
Varies

Available at any bank but typically the most expensive option. Both sender and receiver may be charged fees.

Example: Sending $1,000 USD to India (INR)

Approximate total cost comparison (fee + exchange rate markup combined):

Wise
$5–$10(~0.7%)
OFX
$6–$10(~0.8%)
Remitly
$5–$15(~1.0%)
Revolut
$0–$15(~0.5%–1.5%)
PayPal / Xoom
$30–$50(~3.5%)
Western Union
$20–$60(~3.0%–6.0%)
Bank Wire
$40–$80(~5.0%–8.0%)

* Costs are approximate and vary by corridor, amount, payment method, and delivery speed. Always check the provider for exact quotes.

Tips for Cheaper Transfers

Compare total cost, not just fees

The exchange rate markup often costs more than the upfront fee. A provider with $0 fee but 4% markup is more expensive than one with a $5 fee and 0.5% markup on a $1,000 transfer.

Check the corridor

Prices vary dramatically by country pair. A provider that is cheapest for USD to INR may not be cheapest for USD to EUR.

Consider speed vs. cost

Express transfers cost more. If you can wait 2-3 days, you will almost always get a better deal.

Avoid weekends

Some providers (like Revolut) apply weekend surcharges because forex markets are closed.

Send larger amounts less often

Many providers have flat fees that make small frequent transfers expensive. Consolidate when possible.

Watch for promotions

Many services offer fee-free first transfers for new customers. Take advantage of introductory offers.

Disclaimer

Fees, rates, and services listed on this page are approximate and for informational purposes only. They may change without notice. USDConverter.com is not affiliated with any money transfer provider listed above. Always verify current pricing directly with the provider before making a transfer.