The Basic Options
Money generally moves across the border one of three ways: a bank-to-bank transfer, a cash-pickup service, or a mobile/digital wallet. Each has different speed, cost, and convenience tradeoffs, and availability varies a lot by country.
What Actually Drives the Cost
The advertised "fee" is only part of the real cost. The exchange rate markup — the gap between the rate a service gives you and the real market rate — is often the larger hidden cost, especially with services that advertise "no fee" transfers.
Cash Pickup vs. Bank Deposit
Cash pickup is faster to access if the recipient doesn't have a bank account, but usually costs more. A bank deposit is often cheaper but requires the recipient to have an account and can take longer to arrive.
Compare Before You Send
Fees, rates, and availability change often and vary by country corridor. See the Resources section's money transfer comparison for current provider options.
Money Transfer Options
Options to Compare
Wise
PartnerInternational money transfers with transparent fees.
Why it may help
Transparent transfers for people receiving support from family overseas.
Remitly
Fast money transfers from the USA to 100+ countries.
Why it may help
Popular option for families sending money from the USA.
WorldRemit
Global remittance in 130+ countries.
Why it may help
Global remittance for international transfers.
MoneyGram
Cash pickup and worldwide money transfer.
Why it may help
Cash pickup and worldwide transfer options.
Western Union
One of the largest cash-pickup networks worldwide.
Ria Money Transfer
Money transfer with a large cash-pickup agent network.
Related Country Guides