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Western Union vs. Walmart2Walmart

Walmart now offers a fast, low-fee way to send money domestically that may beat Western Union's prices.

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Western Union

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  • Track your money transfer in real time
  • Send money online, through our app, or at an agent location
  • Fast money transfers to 200+ countries and territories
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Walmart2Walmart is a service powered by Ria that lets you transfer money within the US, Mexico and Puerto Rico almost instantly — but you’ll have to pick up the cash in a Walmart store and you can’t send an international transfer.

How they work?

While Western Union allows for online transfers to anywhere in the world, Walmart2Walmart is mostly a domestic service that transfers money from store to store only.

Western Union

To transfer money online with Western Union, you visit its site and enter how much you’re transferring and to which country. You’re able to see the exchange rate and select a transfer options and associated fees.

Once you confirm, Western Union converts and delivers your money to a bank account or makes it available for cash pickup at locations worldwide. You also have the option of initiating a transfer by phone or in person at an agent location.

Read review: Western Union

Walmart

Walmart has been in the international money transfer business since 1999 through a partnership with MoneyGram. But Walmart2Walmart is an entirely separate service with the backing of Ria money transfers service. With Walmart2Walmart, you send money from one Walmart location to another and Bodega Aurrera stores.

That’s right: You walk into your local Walmart, specify the amount you’d like to send and to which US state, and hand over your cash or debit card for payment. Within minutes, it’s available for pickup at any Walmart store within the state you’ve specified. You can also use Walmart’s app to pay your bills to over 3,000 merchants or to send money internationally through its Walmart2World service.

Read review: Walmart

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Who offers lower fees?

Western Union

How much you’ll pay varies by how much you’re transferring, how you’re sending it and the country you’re sending it to. Fees start at $5 but can soar to up to $45 or higher when paying by credit or debit card for cash pickup in specific countries. To send $100 from bank account to bank account in the US carries a fee of $14.

Walmart2Walmart

Walmart2Walmart offers a fee structure with two transparent pricing tiers:

  • $4 for transfers up to $50
  • $8 for transfers of $51 to $1,000
  • $16 for transfers of $1001 to $2,500

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Winner: Varies

Ultimately, who’s best depends on your circumstances. Given its clear pricing structure, you’ll definitely save with Walmart2Walmart. But you’re limited to in-person store-to-store transfers of $2,500 or less. With Western Union, you’ll pay more — though how much more depends on many factors, but you can send money online and worldwide.

Who offers better exchange rates?

To understand who offers better exchange rates, you’ll need to first look at the mid-market rate. This is the true exchange rate that averages the buying and selling rate of a global currency — and the rate banks and transfer services use when they trade among themselves. We’ll look at the rates Western Union offer compared to the mid-market rate.

Western Union

Depending on the country you’re sending money to, a typical exchange rate at Western Union could be up to 6% above the mid-market rate. If you’re sending a large amount overseas, this means hundreds of dollars goes straight into Western Union’s pocket.

Let’s use the example of a transfer to euros (EUR):

  • If the mid-market rate is 1 USD = 0.95 EUR
  • Western Union’s exchange rate might be 1 USD = 0.88 EUR

Walmart2Walmart

With Walmart2Walmart, there are no worries about exchange rates — because you can only send domestically.

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Winner: Western Union

Walmart2Walmart does not send money abroad, so Western Union is your only option for money transfers into foreign currencies.

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Who’s faster?

Western Union

Delivery speed varies with 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.

Walmart2Walmart

No matter how you pay, your transfer is delivered from your Walmart to any Walmart in your recipient’s state in minutes.

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Winner: Walmart2Walmart

While both Western Union and Walmart2Walmart offer instant delivery for certain situations, Walmart2Walmart will get your money where it needs to go faster than Western Union every time.

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Who offers more options?

Payment MethodsMinimum and maximum transfersDelivery methodsTransfer speedsCountries and currencies
Western UnionBank account, credit or debit card, cash$1 minimum. Maximum varies by method and paymentBank transfer, cash pickup, e-walletVaries from minutes to 5+ days200+ countries
Walmart2WalmartCash or debit card$1 minimum; $2,500 maximumWalmart and Bodega Aurrera store pickupIn minutes3 countries

Compare other transfer services

Our table lets you compare the services you can use to send money abroad. Compare services on transfer speeds and fees, then click Go to site when you're ready to send.
1 - 12 of 12
Name Product USFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
Instarem
24 hours
From 0%
New Instarem customers will get a special FX rate and zero-fees on their first transfer.
Instarem offers offers rewards on every transaction.
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Airwallex
Airwallex
Within minutes
$0
After spending $15k in your first 90 days, receive a one-time $500 bonus that will automatically be credited to your account on any FX conversion.
Airwallex can help you make business payments to 150+ countries in 60+ currencies.
OFX International Money Transfers (Business)
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
CurrencyTransfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
Xe Money Transfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
Currencies Direct (business)
24 hours
$0
Minimizes costs of international transactions and offers custom solutions for business clients. Currencies Direct may call you to confirm your transfer, so be prepared for a phone call shortly after initiating a transfer.
Xe
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
CurrencyTransfer
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
Currencies Direct
24 hours
$0
CurrenciesDirect makes transferring money abroad simple with bank-beating exchange rates. Currencies Direct may call you to confirm your transfer, so be prepared for a phone call shortly after initiating a transfer.
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WorldRemit: First Transfer FREE

You first transfer is free with WorldRemit when you use this coupon code. Send or pick up cash in the US or around the world.

Bottom line

Walmart2Walmart can save you time and money with transfers in minutes, but you’re limited to sending to Walmart and Bodega Aurrera store locations in the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Western Union will send your money to any of its more than 500,000 agent locations globally.

Ultimately, you’ll want to compare your options to find a service that’s right for your situation.

Whether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.

Name Product USFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
OFX International Money Transfers (Business)
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
Xe
Within minutes
From $0
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Instarem
24 hours
From 0%
New Instarem customers will get a special FX rate and zero-fees on their first transfer.
Instarem offers offers rewards on every transaction.
Xe Money Transfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
CurrencyTransfer
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
WorldRemit - 4free
Within minutes
From $0.99
Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
PayPal (business)
Within minutes
$0
Provides business solutions for small business owners in over 24 currencies worldwide. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
Wise (TransferWise) International Money Transfers Business
Within minutes
From $8.16
Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 40 currencies, while saving up to 90% over local banks.
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
Wise (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
CurrencyTransfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
WorldRemit
Within minutes
From $0.99
Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
CurrencyFair
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
CurrencyFair
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
Remitly
Within minutes
From $0
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
PayPal
Within minutes
From $0
Use PayPal to safely send money and receive payments from around the world in over 25 currencies with just an email address or mobile number. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
Xe
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
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Editor

Leah Fallon is a freelance journalist and editor, specializing in personal finance and small business. She owns Birch Tree Bookstore in Leesburg, Virginia. See full bio

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22 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    CLIVENCEJanuary 24, 2019

    Greetings…
    will someone be able to receive money from another country, where He/She resides; which is another country? (Western Union).

      AvatarFinder
      ValJanuary 28, 2019Finder

      Hi Clivence,

      Thank you for leaving a questions. If we are checking on Western Union – yes they will be able to receive the money if you send the money via Western Union by advising the receiver to visit the closest Western Union branch. Western Union converts and delivers your money to a bank account or for cash pickup at locations worldwide. You also have the option of initiating a transfer by phone or in person at an agent location.

      This may also depend on which country your receiver is residing at. You may ask them to check first for the nearest Western Union branch.

      Hope this helps.

      Regards,
      Val

    Default Gravatar
    TinaJuly 13, 2018

    Any chance you can call ahead to confirm that the money has been sent?

    Say if I had money being sent to me, can I call give them my name and they can let me know yes it’s there now I can make the drive?

      Default Gravatar
      shelleyAugust 22, 2018

      why woukd walmart 2 walmart refuse to complete a transaction. returning money to sender.

      Default Gravatar
      joelmarceloAugust 23, 2018

      Hi Shelley,

      Thanks for leaving a question on finder.

      If you are the sender, I strongly suggest that you speak with Walmart directly on why your transaction was declined since they rarely do it. If you are receiver, you can check with the sender on why it was declined. Sorry to hear about what happened. I hope this gets resolved soon.

      Cheers,
      Joel

      Default Gravatar
      joelmarceloJuly 13, 2018

      Hi Tina,

      Thanks for leaving a question on finder.

      If your friend sent you a transfer via Western union, you can visit their website and select Track Transfer. You’ll need the name of the person who sent you the money and the tracking number. Same goes for Walmart who is powered by Moneygram. You will need to go to their website and use the tracking tool from there. There is no option to call you but Western Union can send an SMS to the sender to notify them if the money is ready for pick up and if it has been already picked up. You can coordinate this with the sender and ask them to inform you when the money is ready to be picked up.

      Cheers,
      Joel

    Default Gravatar
    KimberlyJanuary 9, 2018

    Do you have to be 18 to receive money?

      AvatarFinder
      RenchJanuary 9, 2018Finder

      Hi Kimberly,

      Thanks for your inquiry. Please note that we are not affiliated with any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.

      Yes, you have must be at least 18 years old to send or receive money with Western Union, Walmart or any other money transfer companies. The law requires a person to 18 to send or receive a wire transfer as it is a legal contract.

      If you pick up the money in person, you also need to present a valid government-issued ID, tracking/reference number, and your sender details to receive it.

      Best regards,
      Rench

    Default Gravatar
    ShamereJanuary 7, 2018

    If someone does Walmart to Walmart can I pick up at any western union

      AvatarFinder
      JoanneJanuary 8, 2018Finder

      Hi Shamere,

      Thanks for reaching out.

      With Walmart to Walmart, you can send money from one Walmart to another Walmart ONLY. That would mean when you walk into your local Walmart, you specify the amount you’d like to send and to which Walmart store, then hand over your cash, credit card or debit card for payment. Within minutes, funds would be available for pickup at the Walmart store you’ve specified.

      Cheers,
      Joanne

    Default Gravatar
    PaulDecember 22, 2017

    Does the sender have to name a specific store for the recipient to receive it at?

      AvatarFinder
      RenchDecember 23, 2017Finder

      Hi Paul,

      Thanks for your inquiry. Please note that we are not affiliated with Walmart or any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.

      If you are referring to Western Union or Walmart-2-Walmart money transfer, there’s no need to name a specific store on where you can receipt the money transfer. As long as you have the tracking number and the personal details of the money transfer, you should be able to receive the money by providing those information at a Western Union / Walmart-2-Walmart branch. May sure also that you have a valid ID with you to present.

      Cheers,
      Rench

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