Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

WorldRemit vs. Ria

We compare these popular transfer services side by side to find the best value for money.

Promoted

WorldRemit

WorldRemit logo
  • No minimum transfers.
  • Wide range of destinations.
  • Competitive exchange rate.

WorldRemit and Ria offer convenient international money transfers to more than 140 countries. Both support a variety of payment and transfer methods. But which company is the best choice for your next overseas transfer depends on where and how you’re sending money.

The fees and rates used in this comparison are accurate as of Feb 7, 2019.

Product USFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
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.
Within minutes
From $1.00
Ria lets you send money to 130+ countries with cash pick-up at 240,000 locations.
loading

Which has lower fees?

WorldRemit

WorldRemit charges a flat transaction fee on all transfers. However, the fee amount varies depending on the size of your transaction, where you’re sending the funds and the type of transfer you select. Bank transfers with WorldRemit commonly attract a fee of $3.99, but the total cost of a transaction really depends on the specifics of your transfer. The good news is that you can easily calculate the cost of your transfer by visiting the WorldRemit website.

For example, let’s say you want to send a $500 cash pickup transfer to two locations:

  • To Sri Lanka. $12.99
  • To Kenya. $11.99

Ria

Like WorldRemit, Ria also offers an easily accessible online tool to help you calculate the cost of your transaction. Ria’s fees vary depending on your payment method, where you’re sending money and how your recipient will access the funds. As you’d expect, credit and debit card transfers attract higher fees than bank transfers.

Using the same example, let’s look at the cost of sending a $500 cash pickup transfer:

  • To Sri Lanka. $3 ($5 if you pay by card)
  • To Kenya. $15 ($18 if you pay by card)

Trophy icon
Winner: Tie

It’s too hard to split WorldRemit and Ria based on transfer fees. While one service will come out ahead for one particular transfer, using a different payment method or sending to a different destination could mean cheaper fees from the other provider.

The most important thing to remember is to compare quotes from both services for the exact transfer you want to send you’ll then be able to check the fees and exchange rates to work out which offers better value.

Which offers better exchange rates?

WorldRemit

WorldRemit adds a margin on top of the mid-market rate. The size of the margin varies from one currency to the next but is generally around 1–2%. For example, we compared the margin offered on transfers to five destinations:

  • Australia. Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 1.39362 AUD. WorldRemit rate: 1 USD = 1.37455 AUD.
  • France. Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 0.87987 EUR. WorldRemit rate: 1 USD = 0.86358 EUR.
  • United Kingdom. Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 0.764676 GBP. WorldRemit rate: 1 USD = 0.74623 GBP.
  • India. Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 70.9853 INR. WorldRemit rate: 1 USD = 70.36218 INR.
  • The Philippines. Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 51.9271 PHP. WorldRemit rate: 1 USD = 50.70354 PHP.

Ria

Ria also adds a margin on top of the mid-market exchange rate, but we found that this varied from less than 1% up to around 4% depending on the currency selected. For example:

  • Australia. Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 1.39362 AUD. Ria rate: 1 USD = 1.3678 AUD.
  • France. Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 0.87987 EUR. Ria rate: 1 USD = 0.8676 EUR.
  • United Kingdom. Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 0.764676 GBP. Ria rate: 1 USD = 0.7483 GBP.
  • India. Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 70.9853 INR. Ria rate: 1 USD = 70.92 INR.
  • The Philippines. Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 51.9271 PHP PHP. Ria rate: 1 USD = 51.0776 PHP.

Trophy icon
Winner: Tie

While we found that WorldRemit offered better rates for major currencies like AUD, Ria came out ahead when sending to popular transfer destinations like India and the Philippines.

Once again, make sure you calculate the exchange rate each provider offers for your specific transfer to see which will net your recipient more money.

Let’s crunch the numbers: Sending $500 to the UK

To give you a better idea of how WorldRemit and Ria compare, let’s take a look at a hypothetical example: sending a $500 bank transfer to the UK.

WorldRemitRia
Transfer fee$2.99$5
Transaction cost$503.99$515
Exchange rate1 USD = 0.74623 GBP1 USD = 0.7483 GBP
Transfer speed1 working day24–48 hours
Total received (in GBP)£373.12£374.15

As you can see, it’s nearly a dead tie in this scenario. While you’ll send £1.03 less with WorldRemit, you’ll also save $2.01 in transfer fees.

Which is faster?

WorldRemit

WorldRemit transfer times depend on where you send your money and how your recipient will access those funds. Transfer times are as follows:

  • Bank transfer: Instant transfers to selected banks, 1–3 working days in other cases.
  • Cash pickup: Available to collect instantly.
  • Mobile money: Instant or near-instant.
  • Airtime top-up: Instant or near-instant.
  • Home delivery: 24 hours to 7 days.

Ria

Delivery times with Ria vary based on how you pay for your transfer and how it’s received. Transfers paid for with your credit or debit card typically reach your recipient within 15 minutes, while transfers from your bank account take 24–48 banking hours. Cash pickup transfers and home deliveries are usually available on the same day.

Trophy icon
Winner: WorldRemit

WorldRemit’s wide range of instant or near-instant transfer options sees it edge ahead in this category.

WorldRemit vs. Ria: How they work

ProviderPayment methodsMinimum and maximum transfersDelivery methodsTransfer speedsCountries and currencies
WorldRemit
  • Bank transfer
  • Credit card
  • Debit card
  • Android Pay
  • Apple Pay
  • Minimum: $1
  • Maximum: $9,000
  • Bank transfer
  • Mobile wallet
  • Cash pickup
  • Airtime top-up
  • Door-to-door delivery
Within minutes145+ countries
Ria
  • Bank transfer
  • Credit card
  • Debit card
  • Cash
  • Minimum: $1
  • Maximum: $2,999
  • Bank transfer
  • Cash pickup transfer
  • Home delivery
Within minutes149 countries

WorldRemit

WorldRemit is an online transfer service that allows you to send funds overseas within minutes. You’ll need to sign up for an online account to get started, then specify how much money you want to send, in which currency and where to. Supported payment methods are bank account transfer, credit/debit card, Android Pay and Apple Pay, while you have the option to send five types of transfers.

Ria

There are two ways to send a transfer with Ria: in-store at one of its agent locations or online. Once you’ve created an account, you can set up a transfer by selecting the country you want to send to and the amount you want to send, as well as providing your recipient’s details. You can pay for your transaction via bank transfer, credit/debit card or cash, while your beneficiary will receive the funds via your choice of bank transfer, cash pickup or home delivery.

Bottom line

Generally speaking, it’s pretty hard to split WorldRemit and Ria. However, exchange rates and transaction fees with the two providers can vary markedly depending on payment and payout methods as well as the currency you’re sending. With this in mind, it’s worth getting quotes from each service for the exact transfer you want to send.

Of course, you should also compare a wide range of international money transfer services alongside WorldRemit and Ria to find one that’s right for your needs.

Looking for more options?

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
Product USFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
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.
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Airwallex
Airwallex logo
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.
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
24 hours
$0
Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
24 hours
$0
Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
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.
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
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.
loading

Frequently asked questions

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.

Product USFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
Within minutes
From $0
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
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.
24 hours
$0
Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
Within minutes
From $0
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
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.
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
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.
Within minutes
From $8.16
Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 40 currencies, while saving up to 90% over local banks.
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
24 hours
$0
Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
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.
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
loading

Are you visiting from outside the US?

Select an option to continue

Tim Falk's headshot
Written by

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site