Alternatives to Western Union
Need a cheaper alternative for sending money overseas?
Key takeaways
- Many providers offer lower fees or better exchange rates for international transfers.
- Some providers suit large transfers over $2000 others offer cash pickup options.
- WorldRemit and MoneyGram offer fast transfers and extensive global networks.
Providers similar to Western Union
1. TorFX
TorFX specialises in helping customers send large transfers abroad. Unlike other services, it requires funds to be cleared by individuals who hold TorFX accounts. The money must be sent in advance before the transaction can be performed.
Pros
- Strong exchange rates on major currency pairs
- Great for transfers above $2,000
- Price match guarantee
- Assigned dedicated currency expert
Cons
- Can only send from Australia
- Offer a limited number of currencies
- Only offer bank account to bank account
2. WorldRemit
WorldRemit provides a variety of transfer options, letting you send money from over 50 countries, and to more than 130 countries. It offers online, bank-to-bank and cash transfers. Similar to Western Union, the fees vary by country and situation.
Pros
- Flexible payment options and quick transfer process
- Transfers to mobile wallet accounts
- Cash pickup available
- Mobile airtime account transfers
Cons
- Fees vary widely and can sometimes be high
- No options to hedge currency risk
3. OFX
Like Western Union, OFX offers money transfers to many countries in a variety of currencies. But with higher maximum transfer amounts and no transfer fee on amounts of A$10,000 or more (A$15 below that), OFX could be better if you're doing business overseas or relocating.
Pros
- Offer services to over 170 countries
- Wide range of transfer options available
- Android and iOS apps available for mobile transfer and tracking
- Great for large transfers
Cons
- $250 transfer minimum
- Limited currency options
- No cash payment or pickup, only bank deposits
- Not compatible with all online marketplaces yet
4. Xe Money Transfer
XE Money Transfers is an online platform with competitive exchange rates and low fees. It is often preferred over Western Union due to its strong exchange rates, lower transaction costs, and user-friendly interface. It charges $4 for transfers below $500.
Pros
- A trusted and established name in money transfers
- Low fees and competitive exchange rates
- Offers limit orders, forward contracts and other features
Cons
- Charges a $4 fee on transfers below $500
- Need to create an account to get a quote
5. Wise
Wise is one of the few transfer providers that offers the mid-market exchange rate. However, it also charges fees of a fraction of a percent of the total transfer plus a flat amount.
Pros
- Offers mid-market exchange rates
- Easy to use and quick sign-up process
- Straightforward fees
Cons
- Transfers to bank accounts only. No cash pick-up option
- High fees can offset the benefits of mid-market exchange rates
6. Ria
Ria is the world's third-largest money transfer service, with more than 600,000 agent locations in over 190 countries. It's known for its simple transfers, and aims to offer competitive fees and exchange rates.
Pros
- Wide variety of transfer options
- Charges a flat transfer fee of $2.98
- Online price calculator simplifies money conversion
Cons
- Cost-effectiveness varies depending on where you send money
- Maximum transfer limits may be too small for your needs
7. MoneyGram
As the second-largest international money transfer service in the world, MoneyGram is one of Western Union's biggest contenders. It transfers and exchanges currencies in over 200 countries and territories around the world to hundreds of thousands of agent locations worldwide.
Pros
- Secure and reliable provider with a long track record
- Extensive global network of cash pickup agent locations
- Fast transfers, with same-day service in many locations
Cons
- Maximum online transfer amounts may be too low for your needs
- Fees can be high depending on payment type and transfer destination
- Exchange rates vary and may not always be the most competitive
8. PayPal
In addition to payment support for online purchases, PayPal also offers overseas transfers to more than 200 countries and territories. While PayPal is like a digital banking service, its rates are competitive compared with most banks and financial institutions.
Pros
- Available worldwide
- Offers recurring payments
- Set currency conversion fee of 4% above PayPal's base exchange rate on personal transfers in another currency, and 3% on other conversions
- Clear transfer fees, starting from $0.99
Cons
- Fees increase with the amount transferred
- Credit card payments incur fees of a percentage of the total transfer
- Recipient also needs a PayPal account
Still looking for the right money transfer provider? Compare more options below
Our table below lets you compare services you can use to send money abroad. Compare fees, exchange rates and discounts from different money transfer services, and when you have made your choice, click Go to site.
Alternatively, learn more about Western Union in our review.
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How we picked theseFinder 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.
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