Find the Cheapest Way to Send Money Internationally

The cheapest way depends on your corridor and amount. Specialist providers like Wise and Remitly typically beat banks by using near-mid-market exchange rates and charging low, transparent fees. Banks often add a 3–5% markup on top of the exchange rate plus a flat wire fee of $25–$50. For most personal transfers under $10,000, digital-first providers offer the best value.

Most transfers take between a few minutes and 3 business days depending on the provider, corridor, and delivery method. Express options from Remitly or Western Union can arrive in minutes via cash pickup. Bank-to-bank transfers through Wise or OFX typically take 1–2 business days. Weekends, holidays, and compliance checks can add extra time.

Yes — reputable providers like Wise, Remitly, and Revolut are regulated by financial authorities such as the FCA (UK), FinCEN (US), and ASIC (Australia). They use bank-grade encryption (256-bit SSL), two-factor authentication, and anti-fraud monitoring. Always verify that a provider is licensed in your country before sending money.

Money transfer companies charge two types of fees: a transfer fee (flat or percentage-based, typically $0–$5 for digital providers) and an exchange rate markup (the difference between their rate and the mid-market rate, usually 0.3%–4%). The total cost varies by provider and corridor. Our comparison tool factors in both to show the true amount your recipient receives.

The best way to compare is by looking at the total amount your recipient will receive — not just the exchange rate or fee in isolation. Enter your send amount, origin, and destination in our comparison tool. We calculate the net receive amount across 60+ providers so you can see which service delivers the most money for your specific transfer.