Instarem Review
- Number of Currencies
- 36
- Minimum Transfer Amount
- $1
- Pay By
- Bank transfer, Credit card, Debit card, PayID
- Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
- From 0%
Our verdict
Earn loyalty points each time you send with Instarem.
Instarem has a lot going for it. Competitive exchange rates, zero transfer fees on certain currencies, loyalty points that convert to savings and fast delivery speeds explain why Instarem is a worthy contender for your next money transfer overseas. While it does add a markup to exchange rates, these often fare better than many other transfer providers.
However, Instarem is less useful if your recipient doesn’t have a bank account, as cash pickup is only available in the Philippines (up to PHP 50,000 per transfer). You’ll also want to check the transfer limits against what you plan to send, as these vary depending on the receiving country.
Pros
-
Good for earning loyalty points and fast transfers.
Cons
-
Not ideal for large transfers or recipients without a bank account
-
Zero-margin rates apply only to some currencies at certain times
Details
Product details
| Product Name | Instarem |
| Pay By | Bank transfer, Credit card, Debit card, PayID |
| Receiving Options | Bank account, Cash pickup (Philippines only) |
| Customer Service | Phone, Live chat, Email |
| Maximum Transfer Amount | Unlimited |
| Number of Currencies | 36 |
Why should I consider Instarem?
- Reward points. Earn InstaPoints when you sign up, verify your account, refer friends and make eligible transfers. You can redeem them as discounts on future transfers.
- Competitive exchange rates. Instarem's AUD to USD and AUD to INR rates were at or very close to the mid-market rate as of October 2026. A small transfer fee applies instead, which was AUD 5–6 on a AUD 1,000 transfer.
- Fast transfers. Most transfers arrive instantly or within the same day.
What to be aware of
- Low transfer limits. There are no bank transfer or PayID limits but you'll have to look elsewhere if you need to send more than AUD$20,000 per transaction using a debit or credit card.
- Sign up process. Activating your account can take longer than advertised.
- Coverage. Instarem sends to 60+ countries, but cash pickup is only available in the Philippines (up to PHP 50,000 per transfer). Everywhere else, your recipient will need a bank account.
How much are Instarem's transfer fees?
Instarem's transfer fee varies depending on the following factors:
- The country you are sending from
- Your transfer destination
- The transfer amount
- Your chosen payment method
How are Instarem's exchange rates?
Instarem's exchange rates can be at or very close to the mid-market rate, though this can vary by currency and time of day. When we checked on 27 October 2026, Instarem's rates for sending AUD 1,000 to the US (1 AUD = 0.7023 USD) and India (1 AUD = 66.802 INR) were both in line with the mid-market rate. Instead of a large exchange rate markup, Instarem charges a transfer fee, which was AUD 5 for USD and AUD 6 for INR (waived on our quote as a promotion). Always check the rate and fee in the app before sending, as they can change.
What your transfer could look like with Instarem
Finder Score for money transfer
We review money transfer providers for different features to assign them a score out of 10. The higher the score, the more competitive the product.
What are the ways I can send money abroad with Instarem?
Instarem supports both personal and business transfers. Most transfers are paid into the recipient's bank account, but cash pickup is available for transfers to the Philippines, with funds usually ready for collection within 2–3 business days. While Instarem doesn't offer forex tools like forward contracts, it does offer specialised help for business transfers.
How to make an international money transfer with Instarem
To get started with Instarem, you will first need to register for an account.
Is Instarem safe to use?
Since launching in 2014, Instarem has become an established money transfer provider. It has served more than 1 million customers and moves around US$6 billion annually. Instarem is a brand of Nium, and in Australia, Nium Pty Limited holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (No. 464627) and is registered with AUSTRAC as an independent remittance dealer.
Instarem's reviews are mostly positive on platforms such as Trustpilot where they have a rating of 4.1 out of 5, based on more than 8,000 reviews (updated 27 October 2026).
The company is licensed in 11 countries, including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, the US and the European Economic Area.
- Security and regulation: Government regulated
- Established: 2014
- Reviews: Trustpilot gives Instarem a score of 4.1 out of 5, based on over 8,930 reviews
- Investors: Moore Capital, New View Capital, Riverwood Capital, Vertex Ventures
What are Instarem's payment options?
In Australia, you can pay for your Instarem transfer by bank transfer, PayID, or debit or credit card, though available methods can vary by destination.
Cash pickup in the Philippines
If you're sending money to the Philippines, your recipient can collect it as cash instead of receiving it in a bank account. They'll need the cash pickup reference ID, which Instarem emails to you both once the funds are ready, plus a valid government-issued ID. Funds are usually ready for collection within 2–3 business days, and your recipient has 90 days to collect before the transfer is automatically cancelled. Instarem doesn't charge recipients a fee to collect, and cash pickup transfers are capped at PHP 50,000.
How long does a transfer with Instarem take?
Most Instarem transfers arrive instantly or on the same day, though some can take 1–2 business days depending on the currency, payment method, verification checks and bank processing times. Cash pickups in the Philippines are usually ready for collection within 2–3 business days.
For your first transfer, you'll need to go through the verification process which will take a bit longer. To speed things up, make sure the documents you upload (like your ID) are as accurate and up to date as possible.
How does Instarem compare to other money transfer services?
Finder Score for money transfer
We review money transfer providers for different features to assign them a score out of 10. The higher the score, the more competitive the product.
Frequently asked questions
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Rosie Finder
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