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Western Union vs Ria

We compare the well-known Western Union with Ria, a growing international money transfer service that could save you money.

Last updated: 21 January 2019

Western Union is perhaps the most well-known international money transfer service, but newer companies like Ria offer competitive rates to save you money. We compare what the two look like next to each other in terms of delivery speed, fees and exchange rates.

The fees and rates used in this comparison are accurate as of 9 January 2019.

Quick verdict

Lower fees:
Ria

Exchange rates:
Ria

Fast transfers:
Tie

I want to send

	Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
	AUD 2	1 - 2 days	AUD 15.00	0.665	USD 655			Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 2.00 Transfer methods Online, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Email, Branch Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BOB, BRL, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, DJF, DOP, DZD, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, MAD, MDL, MMK, MNT, MRO, MXN, MYR, MZN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SEK, SLL, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, XAF, XOF Read the full review
	AUD 1	Same day	AUD 20.00	0.662	USD 649	Send money online to friends and family around the world with Western Union.		Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer, International Money Order Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUC, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, FKP, GBP, GEL, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LTL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SRD, STD, SVC, SYP, SZL, THB, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, LVL Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

The "Rate" and "Amount Received" displayed are indicative rates that have been supplied by each brand or gathered by Finder.

Exchange rates are volatile and change often. As a result, the exchange rate listed on Finder may vary to the actual exchange rate quoted for the brand. Please confirm the actual exchange rate and mention "Finder" before you commit to a brand.

Which has lower fees?

Western Union

Western Union's fees vary depending on how much you're transferring, how you're sending it and where you're sending it to. Most transfer fees start at $5, but they can skyrocket up to $45 or more if you're paying by credit or debit card or for cash pickup in certain countries.

While the fee is different for each currency, here's an example of what a $500 transfer to a cash pick-up location would look like:

To India: $9 ($15 if you pay by card)
To Mexico: $7 ($35 if you pay by card)

Ria

The fees with Ria also change from currency to currency. The cheapest way to send money is through a bank transfer, with credit cards racking up higher fees. Here is what the same $500 transfer at Ria would look like:

To India: $5 ($9 if you pay by card)
To Mexico: $4 ($18 if you pay by card)

Winner: Ria

Although both have higher fees if you pay by card, Ria's fees are generally cheaper across the board.

Let's crunch the numbers: Sending $300 and $4,000 to New Zealand

Let's look at an example to put this into context better. We're going to go through what two different transfers look like with Ria and Western Union. In this scenario, we're going to pay with a credit card (which means higher fees than with a bank transfer), and we're going to send the money to a cash pick-up location.

Keep in mind that other currencies will have different fees and transfer times.

Sending $300 to New Zealand

	Western Union	Ria
Transfer fee	$15	$18
Exchange rate	AUD$1 = NZD$1.0244	AUD$1 = NZD$1.0352
Transfer speed	Instant	Instant
Total dollars received	NZD$307.33	NZD$310.56
Receiver gets	NZD$3.23 less	NZD$3.23 more

Sending $4,000 to New Zealand

	Western Union	Ria
Transfer fee	$30	$18
Exchange rate	AUD$1 = NZD$1.0244	AUD$1 = NZD$1.0352
Transfer speed	Instant	Instant
Total dollars received	NZD$4,097.77	NZD$4,140.80
Receiver gets	NZD$43.03 less	NZD$43.03 more

For both of these transfers, you end up with more money at the end with Ria. Ria's fee may be more for the smaller $300 transfer, but the better exchange rate makes up for this in the end.

Which offers better exchange rates?

Western Union

Depending on the country you're sending money to, a typical exchange rate at Western Union can be up to 6% above the mid-market rate. This means that if you're sending a large amount overseas, you're losing out on hundreds of dollars.

For example:

Mid-market rate: AUD$1 = SGD$0.97
Western Union's exchange rate: AUD$1 = SGD$0.935

This is a margin of 3.59%.

Ria

Ria also adds a margin to the exchange rate, ranging between 0.3% and 4%. The same example of sending money to Singapore looks like this:

Mid-market rate: AUD$1 = SGD$0.97
Ria's exchange rate: AUD$1 = SGD$0.944

This ends up being a margin of 2.71%.

Winner: Ria

Ria tends to add a smaller margin to the mid-market rate than Western Union, making it a better choice for fairer exchange rates. This means that your recipient will end up getting more money with Ria's exchange rates than with Western Union's.

Which is faster?

Western Union

Western Union's delivery speeds vary, depending on your transfer options. At an agent location or by phone, your transfer could be delivered in minutes (at higher costs). Your cheapest options could take five days or longer, depending on the country.

Ria

Ria's transfer speeds also depend on how you want to send the money. When you use your credit or debit card, the exchange typically takes 15 minutes or less. Cheaper transfers from your bank account can take up to four days.

Winner: Tie

Both Ria and Western Union offer an instant transfer option as well as a slower, cheaper option.

General features

	Payment methods	Receiving options	Minimum and maximum transfers	Transfer speeds	Currencies
Western Union	Bank transfer, credit card, debit card, cash	Bank account, cash pick-up location	Minimum: $1 Maximum: $5,000	Same day	95+ currencies
Ria	Bank transfer, credit card, debit card, cash	Bank account, cash pick-up, door delivery	Minimum: $2 Maximum: $4,999	1 - 2 days	95+ currencies

Western Union

To transfer money online with Western Union, visit its site, enter the amount you're transferring and to where, and then confirm how much you need to pay for the exchange. Once complete, Western Union converts and delivers your money to a bank account or for cash pickup at locations worldwide.

Ria

To transfer money online with Ria, go to its site, enter the amount you'd like to transfer and to which country, and choose your payment and payout methods. On the same page, you'll see the exchange rate and transfer fee for your particular exchange.

Read review: Western Union
Read review: Ria

Bottom line

Western Union and Ria offer similar options, but you end up saving more money with Ria's lower fees and lower exchange rates.

Looking for more options?

Check out what fees and exchange rates some other money transfer services are offering with our calculator below.

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
AUD 1	2 days	AUD 9.00	0.664	USD 3,314	Transfer to over 99 countries via online banking, phone banking or through an ANZ bank branch.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email, Branch Available currencies AED, AUD, BDT, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KWD, MUR, MXN, NOK, NZD, OMR, PGK, PHP, PLN, SAR, SBD, SEK, SGD, THB, TOP, TRY, USD, VUV, WST, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 2,000	1 day	AUD 0.00	0.683	USD 3,414	TorFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. Conditions apply. Send money overseas in 30+ currencies with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 2,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HRK, HUF, ILS, JPY, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 3,000	1 day	GBP 20.00	0.679	USD 3,384	Global Reach will match any competitor's exchange rates. Conditions apply. No transfer fee when transferring more than £10,000 or equivalent. Send money in over 130 currencies. No maximum transfer amount.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 3,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat, Email, Branch Available currencies AED, AUD, BBD, BGN, BHD, BSD, CAD, CHF, CNY, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, GHS, HKD, HRK, HUF, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KWD, KYD, MUR, MXN, NOK, NZD, PHP, PLN, RON, RUB, SDG, SEK, THB, TRY, UGX, USD, XCD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 2,000	1 day	AUD 0.00	0.683	USD 3,414	Better exchange rates for Finder customers. Send 60+ currencies at competitive rates and no fees. If you find a better eligible quote, WorldFirst will beat it.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 2,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, BBD, BGN, BHD, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, COP, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KRW, KWD, LKR, MAD, MUR, MXN, MYR, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, QAR, RON, RUB, SAR, SEK, SGD, THB, TND, TRY, TTD, TZS, UGX, USD, VND, XCD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 2,000	1 day	AUD 0.00	0.683	USD 3,414	SendFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. T&Cs apply. Fee-free transfers in 30+ currencies to over 200 countries.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 2,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, BGN, BHD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KWD, MXN, NOK, NZD, OMR, PHP, PLN, QAR, RON, SAR, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 250	1 - 2 days	AUD 15.00	0.683	USD 3,403	$0 transfer fees for Finder customers. No-maximum limit transfers with competitive exchange rates for 100+ currencies. No transfer fee over AUD$10,000.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 250.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, AZN, BGN, BND, CAD, CHF, CNY, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KRW, KWD, LKR, MAD, MGA, MXN, MYR, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, RUB, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, THB, TOP, TRY, TWD, TZS, USD, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 2,000	1 day	AUD 0.00	0.683	USD 3,414	BFX can help you send fee-free transfers to 30+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 2,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Agent, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, BDT, CAD, CHF, CNY, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, LKR, MXN, NOK, NPR, NZD, PHP, PKR, PLN, QAR, RON, SAR, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 5	1 - 2 days	EUR 3.00	0.679	USD 3,392	Special offer: Pay zero fees on your first 5 transfers. Get bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 5.00 Transfer methods Online Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, INR, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	Within an hour	AUD 3.99	0.677	USD 3,383	An online money transfer service with cash pickup, bank account to bank account and airtime transfers available.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SOS, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
AUD 50	Same day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Instant transfers to India from anywhere in the world with $0 transfer fees. New customers who create an account with Remit2India and make a transfer of AUD$500 or more for the first time will receive a complimentary $25 Coles/Myer e-voucher. Click 'Go to site' for T&Cs.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 50.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AUD, INR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 200	1 day	AUD 0.00	0.68	USD 3,400	Low minimum transfer amount of just AU$200, with no set-up fees or transfer fees.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 200.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CNY, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, INR, JPY, MXN, NOK, NZD, SEK, SGD, THB, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

The "Rate" and "Amount Received" displayed are indicative rates that have been supplied by each brand or gathered by Finder.

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Rosie Russell

Rosie Russell is a money transfers writer at Finder. She is on a mission to make personal finance easier to understand and is constantly planning her next trip overseas. Rosie has a double degree in Journalism and International Studies from the University of Technology Sydney.

MoneyGram vs Ria Review: Hawk FX international money transfers

ANZ International Money Transfer

Transfer to over 99 countries via online banking, phone banking or through an ANZ bank branch.

More info

TorFX International Money Transfers

TorFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. Conditions apply.
Send money overseas in 30+ currencies with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.

More info

Global Reach (formerly FC Exchange) International Money Transfers

Global Reach will match any competitor's exchange rates. Conditions apply.
No transfer fee when transferring more than £10,000 or equivalent. Send money in over 130 currencies. No maximum transfer amount.

More info

WorldFirst International Money Transfers

Better exchange rates for Finder customers.
Send 60+ currencies at competitive rates and no fees. If you find a better eligible quote, WorldFirst will beat it.

More info

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Western Union vs Ria

We compare the well-known Western Union with Ria, a growing international money transfer service that could save you money.

Quick verdict

Compare up to 4 providers

Which has lower fees?

Western Union

Ria

Let's crunch the numbers: Sending $300 and $4,000 to New Zealand

Sending $300 to New Zealand

Sending $4,000 to New Zealand

Which offers better exchange rates?

Western Union

Ria

What's the mid-market rate?

Which is faster?

Western Union

Ria

General features

Western Union

Ria

Bottom line

Looking for more options?

Compare up to 4 providers

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