Xoom vs Western Union

See whether Xoom or Western Union is better for your next money transfer.

Updated Jun 5, 2019

Fact checked

Xoom is an international money transfer app from PayPal while Western Union is one of the world's oldest money transfer services.

We look at their fees, exchange rates and additional features side by side to see which of the two is best for your next money transfer.

The fees and rates used in this comparison are accurate as of 20 March 2019.

Quick verdict

Lower fees:
Tie

Exchange rates:
Tie

Fast transfers:
Western Union

I want to send

	Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
	AUD 1	Same day	N/A	N/A	N/A	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.

Xoom is not available in Australia

Unfortunately, you won't be able to sign up for an account in Australia unless you have a bank account in either the US or Canada.

Which has lower fees?

Xoom

Xoom's transaction fees vary depending on your payment method, how much you're sending, the destination and the currency. Based on these factors, fees can range from a couple of dollars to over $200.

Western Union

Western Union's transaction fees also vary based on payment method, amount sent, destination and currency. They also start at a few dollars and can potentially run up to hundreds of dollars.

Trophy icon
Winner: Tie

Both Xoom and Western Union fees start low but can get very high in certain situations, but generally sit within a similar range.

Let's crunch the numbers: Sending US$500 and US$5,000 to Mexico

The table below shows how much it costs in fees and exchange rates to send money to Mexico with Xoom and Western Union.

It both cases it assumes you're taking the slower but cheaper option of using bank transfers only, rather than paying with card or requesting a cash pick-up.

Sending $500 to Mexico

	Xoom	Western Union
Transfer fee	$4.99	$2.99
Exchange rate	1 USD = 18.4242 MXN	1 USD = 18.8148 MXN
Transfer speed	Up to 4 business days	6 business days
Total Mexican pesos received	MXN$9,120	MXN$9,351
Receiver gets	MXN$231 less	MXN$231 more

Sending $5,000 to Mexico

	Xoom	Western Union
Transfer fee	$4.99	$15
Exchange rate	1 USD = 18.4242 MXN	1 USD = 18.8148 MXN
Transfer speed	Up to 4 business days	6 business days
Total Mexican pesos received	MXN$92,029	MXN$93,791
Receiver gets	MXN$1,762 less	MXN$1,762 more

In both cases Western Union is a more cost-effective option than Xoom, thanks to its more favourable exchange rates.

Your loved ones will get MXN$231 more with Western Union than Xoom when sending $500 and MXN$1,762 more with Western Union than Xoom when sending $5,000.

Which offers better exchange rates?

Xoom

Xoom adds a margin to the exchange rates it offers customers. This varies depending on currencies and other factors and can range from less than 1% to over 3%.

Here's an example of USD to EUR:

If the mid-market rate is 1 USD = 0.8811 EUR
Xoom's exchange rate might be 1 USD = 0.8734 EUR

This ends up being a margin of 0.87%.

Western Union

Western Union's margins on international transfers also vary widely and can range from around 1% to more than 5%, depending on the situation.

Here's an example of USD to EUR:

If the mid-market rate is 1 USD = 0.8811 EUR
Western Union's exchange rate might be 1 USD = 0.8634 EUR

This ends up being a margin of 2%.

Trophy icon
Winner: Tie

Both Xoom and Western Union have varying margins, and neither is consistently better than the other.

Which is faster?

Xoom

Xoom transfers vary depending on the location, and might be processed by the same or next day in some cases, while taking up to four business days in others. Transfers of $10,000 will also take an additional 2-3 days on top of the norm.

Western Union

Western Union bank transfers can take around three days on either end, adding up to six business days if you both send money through a bank transfer, and the recipient receives it the same way. It offers consistent express options for cash pick-ups around the world though.

Trophy icon
Winner: Western Union

Western Union can consistently offer transfers within minutes for cash pick-ups all around the world. Meanwhile, Xoom transfer times vary widely and are dependent on making a deposit early enough in the day.

General features

	Payment methods	Receiving options	Maximum and minimum transfers	Transfer speeds	Currencies
Xoom	Bank transfer, credit card, debit card	Cash pick-up, bank transfer	Minimum: $10 Maximum: $10,000	2-3 business days	20+ currencies
Western Union	Bank transfer, credit card, debit card, cash	Cash pick-up, bank transfer	Minimum: $1 Maximum: $50,000	Same day	100+ currencies

Xoom

To send money with Xoom, you'll need a US or Canadian bank account. With that, you can sign up for an account online or by downloading the Xoom app. You can also log in with a PayPal account, but you won't be able to draw on your PayPal account balance for Xoom transfers.

Once you're signed in, you can send money online through Xoom.

Western Union

You'll need to create an account if you want to send money online through Western Union, but you won't need to if you'd rather go to a Western Union branch or make a payment over the phone.

In all cases, you will need to have the recipient's details on hand and be able to make a payment before you can send money overseas.

Read review: Xoom
Read review: Western Union

Bottom line

It's neck and neck! Whether Xoom or Western Union is better for your needs depends on the situation. Neither will always be faster or more cost-effective than the other, so it's worth getting a quote from each to see which comes out on top.

Looking for more options?

It's worth comparing a wide range of options beyond Xoom and Western Union to see if you can save money on your next transfer.

The calculator below can make it much easier. Just enter the details of your transfer below, and it will crunch the numbers to see how much different providers may cost.

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
AUD 2,000	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	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 2,000	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	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, CNY, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KWD, MXN, MYR, 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	N/A	N/A	N/A	$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	N/A	N/A	N/A	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, CNY, 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
GBP 3,000	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Global Reach will match any competitor's exchange rates. Conditions apply. Get no fees for both business and personal transfers when you send your money overseas with Global Reach.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount GBP 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 1	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Pay no fees on your first two transfers, up to $3,000. SingX offers the real exchange rate every time you make a transfer and can help you send money across the world.	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, Chat, Email Available currencies AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, IDR, INR, LKR, NZD, PHP, SGD, USD Go to site Read the full review
AUD 0	Same day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers. Quick, affordable transfers around the world with both express and economy options.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 0.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BOB, BRL, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DOP, EGP, ETB, GHS, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, INR, JMD, KES, KMF, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NGN, NIO, NPR, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RWF, THB, TND, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Get fast transfers with no fees and a range of foreign currency tools.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments, Market orders Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AMD, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BND, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KRW, KWD, KZT, LKR, LSL, MAD, MKD, MUR, MWK, MXN, MYR, NAD, NGN, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SZL, THB, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UGX, USD, VUV, WST, XCD, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 5	1 - 2 days	N/A	N/A	N/A	Special offer: Zero fees on your first 10 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	Same day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Use promo code 3FREE to send your first 3 transfers with no fee. Conditions apply. An online money transfer service with cash pick-up, 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

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.

Thank you for your feedback!

Andrew Munro

Andrew Munro is the cryptocurrency editor at Finder. He was initially writing about insurance, when he accidentally fell in love with digital currency and distributed ledger technology (aka “the blockchain”). Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales, and has written guides about everything from industrial pigments to cosmetic surgery.

Best places to exchange currency in Wollongong Review: Send international money transfers

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

SendFX International Money Transfers

SendFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. T&Cs apply.
Fee-free transfers in 30+ currencies to over 200 countries.

More info

OFX (Ozforex) International Money Transfers

$0 transfer fees for Finder customers.
No-maximum limit transfers with competitive exchange rates for 100+ currencies. No transfer fee over AUD$10,000.

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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Xoom vs Western Union

See whether Xoom or Western Union is better for your next money transfer.

Quick verdict

Compare up to 4 providers

Xoom is not available in Australia

Which has lower fees?

Xoom

Western Union

Let's crunch the numbers: Sending US$500 and US$5,000 to Mexico

Sending $500 to Mexico

Sending $5,000 to Mexico

Which offers better exchange rates?

Xoom

Western Union

What's the mid-market rate?

Which is faster?

Xoom

Western Union

General features

Xoom

Western Union

Bottom line

Looking for more options?

Compare up to 4 providers

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