Sendwave money transfer Canada review
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- Minimum Transfer Amount
- CAD$1
- Fastest Transfer Speed
- Within an hour
- Receiving Options
- Bank account
Our verdict
A fee-free way to send money to select African and Asian countries.
If you need to transfer money to Africa and Asia, Sendwave is a decent option but you'll need to find another option to send anywhere else. That said, transfers start from as little as $1 and the mobile app makes it even easier to transfer on the go.
While transfers can only be sent through the app and not the website, recipients can receive funds through a bank account, mobile wallet or cashpickup. Delivery is quick and almost instant in some cases while cash pickups and bank transfers will take longer. And your only option for depositing money into a Sendwave account is with debit cards. Credit card or PayPal payments are not supported.
Pros
-
Send money on the go
-
Easy signup
-
Low minimum transfer limit
-
Quick transfers
Cons
-
Limited sending destinations
-
Limited payment options
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Only for mobile
Details
Product details
Product Name | Sendwave |
Pay By | Bank transfer |
Receiving Options | Bank account |
Customer Service | Phone, Email |
Available Currencies | CAD, EUR, GBP, GHS, KES, NGN, TZS, UGX, USD |
Why should I use Sendwave?
- Send money on the go.
Manage all of your Sendwave money transfers through the Sendwave app, at home or on the go. - Easy signup.
To get started all you need to submit is your name, email and phone number. - Low minimum transfer limit.
Transfer as little as $1 to most destinations. - Quick transfers.
Transfers are nearly instantaneous, according to Sendwave.
What should I watch out for?
- Limited sending destinations.
Sendwave is only available for transfers to a handful of countries in Africa and Asia. - Limited payment options.
Sendwave only accepts payment by debit card when sending from Canada. - Only for mobile.
Sendwave transfers must be sent through your phone, transfers cannot be sent through the Sendwave website.
How does Sendwave work?
Sendwave lets you send money from a debit card to select Asian and African countries abroad, from South Africa to India. You sign up for the app, enter sending and payment details and then send money at your leisure.
Sendwave doesn’t charge transfer fees for most destinations. Instead, it makes money by offering you rates slightly worse than the mid-market rate when you exchange currency.
Keep in mind that other big players in Canada like Western Union and MoneyGram make money on both exchange rate markups and fees that can be higher for specific types of transactions, like paying with your debit card. With Sendwave, you cut out the fee altogether and only have to worry about the exchange rate.
What are Sendwave’s fees and exchange rates?
When you make an international money transfer with Sendwave in Canada, you typically enjoy fee-free transfers to most destinations in Asia and Africa — including Hong Kong, Indonesia and Kenya. Do note that some locations, like Liberia and Senegal, are subject to transfer fees.
Depending on your recipient’s currency, you’ll see a spread on the mid-market rate that could range from 1-5%.
What would your Sendwave transfer look like?
Use the table below to find out more details about what making a money transfer with OFX looks like. Click the Go to site button to visit OFX’s site and get a quote for your transfer.
What are Sendwave’s payment options?
Sendwave allows transfers from Canada to mobile wallets like M-Pesa, MTN and Airtel, bank accounts and cash pickup locations. Delivery methods depend on the country you are sending to, and include:
Mobile wallets
- Bangladesh
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Uganda
Bank accounts
- Bangladesh
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Sri Lanka
Cash pickup locations
- Nigeria
- Senegal
How to create an account with Sendwave
To send money abroad with Sendwave in Canada, you first need to register an account. It’s quick and easy to do — just complete the following steps:
How to make an international money transfer with Sendwave
Once your account is set up you can send a transfer in Canada. Enter your recipient’s name and phone number, input the chosen currency and amount, and send your money over.
What are Sendwave’s payment options?
When sending from Canada, debit cards are the only accepted form of payment for Sendwave transfers. Sendwave says it doesn’t accept credit card or PayPal payments in order to keep costs down.
How long does a transfer with Sendwave take?
Sendwave money transfers in Canada are typically delivered within 30 seconds to your recipient’s mobile wallet.
In other cases, money transfers could take a couple of minutes to be fully processed.
Transfers can take longer if you’re sending money for cash pickup, so double-check delivery speeds before sending if time is crucial.
Transfers typically take
Within an hour
Is Sendwave safe to use?
Sendwave is a licensed money transmitter in every country it operates in. It encrypts transactions through a 128-bit connection and doesn’t store your personal or financial info in its databases. Additionally, Sendwave doesn’t hold any of your money in its own bank accounts, all money is instantly moved to your recipient. It is therefore typically considered safe to use.
How does Sendwave compare to other services?
Want to compare Sendwave with other services side-by-side?
Bottom line
Sendwave is a simple way to get money to Asian and African countries not often served by other money transfer services. It charges no fees to transfer funds directly to mobile money accounts – and it’s as easy as sending a text. Combine Sendwave with other money transfer services in Canada to find the best option for you.
Frequently asked questions
What are Sendwave's sending limits?
Sendwave's sending limits for new customers in Canada start out at:
- $999 per day.
- $2,999 per month.
If you verify your account with Sendwave using a government-issued ID, limits can be raised to:
- $2,999 per day.
- $12,000 per month.
Additionally, due to Thailand's domestic regulations, you can only send up to 50,000 THB at a time per transfer.
What currencies can I send with Sendwave?
When sending from Canada, Sendwave supports transfers to a growing number of destinations. Supported countries and associated currencies include:
- Bangladesh (BDT)
- Ghana (GHS)
- Kenya (KES)
- Nigeria (USD)
- Senegal (CFA/XOF)
- Sri Lanka (LKR)
- Tanzania (TSH)
- Uganda (UGX)
Does Sendwave have a mobile app?
Yes, money transfers through Sendwave are mainly done via its mobile app.
Sendwave's app is available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. The app makes it possible to:
- Signup in minutes. Creating your account typically takes only a few minutes using an email and phone number.
- Track orders. Get real-time status updates on your transfer so you'll know exactly when it will arrive.
- Send money on the go. Sending money through Sendwave is as easy as sending a text message.
Ratings accurate as of June 2022 | |
---|---|
Google Play Store | 4.5 out of 5 – based on 27,831 customer ratings |
Apple App Store | 4.6 out of 5 – based on 10,580 customer ratings |
How do I track my Sendwave transfer?
Once the recipient receives your transfer, Sendwave emails you confirmation to track your money transfer. Also, you'll see your transfer marked Funds Delivered in the app's transaction tab. If the transaction runs into any issues Sendwave will contact you to sort it out.
Can I cancel a Sendwave transaction?
Yes, as long as the funds haven't been delivered yet. Because Sendwave sends fast transactions, canceling may be difficult even if you do it immediately after sending. To cancel, select the transaction in the Sendwave app and choose Cancel.
How do I contact Sendwave's customer support?
Customer support information can be found in the Sendwave app. The app also allows you to call or text customer support, whichever is easier for you.
Your reviews
Zak Finder
Publisher
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