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Compare international money transfer services

Compare to find the best rates and lowest fees for your next international money transfer from the US.

International money transfers make it easier for you to send money around the world, but providers differ in terms of fees, exchange rates and speed. By comparing banks, money transfer apps, and services that send cash, you can save money and time on your next transfer.

We’ve scoured the market to find the best international money transfer services based on low fees, strong exchange rates, fast delivery and flexible delivery options. Here’s what you need to know.

Compare international money 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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We only list services that are overseen by a government regulator.
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Every service we compare has been assessed and reviewed by our editorial team.

What is an international money transfer?

An international money transfer is the process of sending money between people or financial accounts in different countries. Every day, trillions of dollars are transferred between people and businesses all over the world.

Typically, you need to give a bank or money transfer service your recipient’s details and the money you want to send. The bank or transfer service then converts your funds to the currency in which it will be received and electronically sends the payment to your recipient.

Depending on the money transfer service, you should be able to send funds online, via mobile app, over the phone or in person.

How can I pay for my money transfer?

Not all money transfer services accept the same payment methods, but you may be able to pay by the following:

  • Debit card
  • Credit card
  • Bank transfer (requires your account number)
  • Cash

If you want to pay in cash, you’ll need to visit a bank branch or money transfer agent in person. If you transfer funds online or via mobile app, you can only pay electronically by card or bank transfer.

How can my recipient receive the money?

Again, receiving options vary between transfer services, but your recipient may be able to receive funds the following ways:

  • Bank account
  • Mobile wallet
  • Cash pick-up at a bank or money transfer location
  • Airtime top-up

What are the benefits of using an online money transfer service?

While it might be easy to assume that big banks are the best way to go when sending an international money transfer, there are many reasons why an online money transfer service might be just as good if not better:

  • Security. Similar to banks, online transfer services follow industry-standard security practices to protect your money and personal information. This often includes encrypted data transfer, SSL certificates, two-factor authentication, security questions/answers and personal identity verification.
  • Regulation. Money transfers are regulated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  • Cost savings. Online transfer services often translate to lower fees and stronger exchange rates
  • Fast. Online money transfer companies often use the latest financial technology to get your money where it needs to go fast. In some cases transfers can be almost instant but others can take days.
  • Easy. Mobile apps and online platforms make it easy to send money anytime from anywhere. Additionally, many transfer services offer features that let you set up recurring transfers, making it easy to pay bills, send regular remittances, manage international business payments and more.

Compare money transfer services

How do I send money overseas?

There are multiple options to consider when sending money overseas:

Transfer methodDescriptionProsCons
Online money transfer serviceElectronic funds transfer through an online money transfer service.
  • Can be done from anywhere via mobile app
  • Low cost (compared to banks)
  • Fast
  • Cannot pay in cash
  • Many online services don’t support cash pickup (some like WorldRemit and Remitly do)
In-person money transfer serviceCash or electronic transfer by visiting a money transfer service location in person.
  • Multiple transfer options
  • In-person customer service
  • Requires local travel
  • Can only be done within business hours
BankWire transfer or international money transfer through a bank.

(Note: All major banks support wire transfers, but not all offer additional in-house money transfer services.)

  • Considered a very secure way to send money
  • Can be expensive
  • Can only be funded through your bank account
CheckWrite a check and mail it to your recipient.
  • Can be postdated to delay payment.
  • Can be canceled in transit.
  • No transaction fee (assuming you already own checks)
  • Additional time for delivery
  • Check could get lost in the mail
Money orderGet a certified money order printed and mail it to your recipient.
  • Difficult to cash fraudulently
  • Can be canceled in transit
  • Additional time for delivery
  • Money order could get lost in the mail

How to send money using an online money transfer service

Online money transfer services are increasingly competitive with big banks, in many cases offering more flexible options and lower fees. Sending an international money transfer through an online service is simple:

  1. Compare services, and select one that suits your needs.
  2. Create an account by entering personal details like your name, email, address, phone number and Social Security number (SSN).
  3. You may need to submit a scanned copy of your personal ID (i.e. passport photo page or driver’s license) to qualify for higher transfer limits.
  4. Link your bank account, debit card or credit card to your newly-created account, so you can pay for transfers. Alternatively, you may need to transfer funds from your bank account.

Most of the time, you can access your account immediately after submitting all the required information. For some services (particularly transfer services for businesses), there may be a delay while your information is reviewed and a transfer specialist is assigned to your account.

What do I need to send and receive money abroad?

Make sure you have the following on hand when sending an international money transfer.

  • Your personal details. Name, phone number, and government-issued identification like a driver’s license or passport. Additional details may be required for security purposes, particularly for very large transfers.
  • Your recipient’s personal details. Name, phone number and residential address.
  • Your recipient’s bank information. Bank name, address, routing number, SWIFT code and your recipient’s account number.
  • Payment. Check beforehand what types of payment methods are acceptable. For example, not all money transfer services accept credit cards.

What documents do I need to send money abroad?

For transfers under USD$10,000, you don’t need any particular documents for sending money overseas other than government-issued personal identification.

If you’re sending more than USD$10,000, you may also need to provide your Social Security number (SSN) and proof of residence like your most recent utility bill or bank statement.

According to US law, if you receive more than USD$10,000, make sure you report this amount to the IRS using Form 3520 — Annual Return to Report Transactions with Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts.

Compare money transfer services

How much does it cost to transfer money internationally?

The cost of sending an international money transfer varies between service providers. Factors like the type of transfer, destination country and amount being sent can affect your total cost.

Generally, banks and money transfers services make money from international transfers in two ways:

  1. Transfer fee. This is typically a flat fee or a percentage of the transfer amount.
  2. Exchange rate margin. Most banks and money transfer services make a profit by taking a fee worth a small percentage of the mid-market rate (the “true” exchange rate between two currencies). This fee is called a “markup.” To save money, look for services that have as small a markup as possible.

Transfer for cash pickup can cost more than transfers to a bank account. Some companies charge higher fees for large transfers, while others will actually slash fees for large transfers.

Companies that offer fee-free transfers may make up for it with a poor exchange rate. This is why it’s important to look at the total cost of your transfer, not just the transfer fee or exchange rate.

Best money transfer services in the US

  • CurrencyTransfer – Best for large transfers
  • Xe – Best for small transfers
  • MoneyGram – Best for cash transfers
  • OFX – Best for business transfers
  • Wise – Best for exchange rates

CurrencyTransfer – Best for large transfers

If you need to make a large money transfer, you will want to find a provider with no transfer limit but that also offers strong exchange rates and low fees.

CurrencyTransfer is just such a service. When we compared the rates and fees for transfers of $25,000, CurrencyTransfer proved to be the most cost-efficient. We found the combination of its exchange rate and lack of transfer fee made it the cheapest option for a transfer of that size.

Here’s why CurrencyTransfer is our winner for large transfers:

  • No maximum limit
  • Competitive exchange rates
  • No fees
  • Positive user experience and easy-to-use platform
  • Personal account manager
  • Trustpilot score of 4.9 out of 5*

*According to Trustpilot on 11 July 2022.

Xe – Best for small transfers

When it comes to small money transfers, you don’t want the cost of fees or weak exchange rates to eat into the amount your recipient gets.

We picked Xe as our best money transfer for small transfers as it has no fees and good exchange rates, resulting in the lowest cost for a $1,000 transfer. You can also “buy now, send later” and lock in a rate in advance. Xe does charge a small flat fee for transfers below $500, but anything above that amount has no fees and strong exchange rates when compared to other providers.

Another decent option for smaller transfers is CurrencyFair, but due to its relatively limited reach, it’s best used for major currencies only.

Here’s what made Xe our winner for small transfers:

  • No fees on most transactions
  • Competitive exchange rate for smaller amounts
  • Worldwide network
  • Forward contracts available

MoneyGram – Best for cash transfers

If you need to get cash to a loved one abroad then there is no better option than money transfer titan MoneyGram. As one of the most established international money transfer services, MoneyGram has 350,000 cash pick-up locations in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.

It’s only competition being Western Union, you are likely to find a MoneyGram location in whichever country or city you need. So if you need to get cash to someone without a bank account, or it’s important the funds get there fast, MoneyGram’s extensive network and experience are a huge help.

Here’s what we liked about MoneyGram for cash transfers:

  • 350,000 agent locations in more than 200 countries
  • Money sent in as little as 10 mins during normal business hours
  • MoneyGram Plus Rewards which offer discounts on fees

OFX – Best for business transfers

If you are a business that makes regular international money transfers, you will be looking for a service which offers tools such as recurring payments or forward contracts to help you lock in the best rate in advance.

We compared the best business transfer services around and our top pick is OFX. It has a feature which means that you can easily set up recurring transactions to pay salaries or invoices. Added to this there are no transfer limits and flexible options. So you can fix your rate up to 12 months in advance using a forward contract.

It was a close-run competition between OFX and CurrencyTransfer, but we picked OFX for its wide reach of over 50 currencies and 190 countries.

Our main reasons for picking OFX as our top pick for business transfers are:

  • Recurring payments
  • Forward contracts and limit orders
  • Wide range of currencies
  • No transfer fees

Wise – Best for exchange rates

It’s hard to beat Wise when it comes to exchange rates as it is one of the few providers to offer the mid-market rate. The mid-market rate, or the interbank rate, is the one banks use to exchange currencies with each other. Money transfer providers typically add a markup to the mid-market rate in order to make money from the transfer.

Wise prides itself on offering the mid-market rate, choosing instead to add a transfer fee as its way to make money. This means that whatever exchange rate you are quoted by Wise is going to be the best exchange rate around. However, exchange rates are just one piece of the puzzle, so it is still worth comparing the overall cost of the transfer to make sure you are getting the best deal for you.

Close runners-up were OFX and Remitly. OFX offers competitive exchange rates but doesn’t quite have the same reach or easy-to-use user experience as Wise. Meanwhile, if you are a new customer with Remitly, you can benefit from a promotional rate which makes them very competitive. But if you are an existing Remitly user, then the exchange rate is comparatively weak.

Here are the key features that meant we picked Wise as our winner for best exchange rates:

  • Always offers the mid-market rate
  • Wide reach – send money to 80 countries
  • Multiple payment options including Google Pay & Apple Pay
  • Tips to save money on your international transfer

    Looking for low fees and strong exchange rates isn’t the only way to save on your next international money transfer besides. The following tips can also help keep your costs down:

    • Use a service that offers zero markup the exchange rate. The mid-market rate is the “true” exchange rate between two currencies. While most transfer services add a margin on the mid-market rate to make money, some don’t. Instead, these services prefer to make money through transfer fees and possibly other charges. Depending on the type of transfer, it may work in your favor to use such a service.
    • Send larger transfers. Some services offer discounted or waived transfer fees if you send at, or above, a minimum amount.
    • Use forward contracts and limit orders. A forward contract lets you lock in a favorable exchange rate for future transfers. This means you’ll avoid unpredictable movements in exchange rates. A limit order allows you to wait until a favorable exchange rate is found before locking in your transfer.
    • Watch out for scams. Scams cost Americans $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021, up 70% from $3.4 billion in 2020. With this number increasing each year, it’s important to keep an eye out for the most common money transfer scams. It’s usually best to avoid sending money to anyone you don’t know personally.
    • Pay attention to taxes and regulations. Every country regulates money transfers differently. Make sure your recipient is aware of any tax or reporting obligations that apply to your transfer. Learn more about tax guidelines and regulations for large transfers to the US in our guide.

    Best international money transfer apps

    Frequently asked questions

    Sending money to a specific country? Learn more

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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Stacie Hurst's headshot
Written by

Associate editor

Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio

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Co-written by

Publisher

Zak Killermann was a technical publisher at Finder who specialized in currencies and investing. Zak’s expertise was in breaking down technical finance concepts into approachable, digestible nuggets of information. See full bio

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4 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    MarioOctober 15, 2019

    I’m trying to get money transfer tracking number that I’d made on August 15 of 2019. I honestly forgot to give my sender the tracking number, and I totally lost the receipt. Can you please help me and get me the tracking number the way my family can receive the money?

      Default Gravatar
      nikkiangcoOctober 15, 2019

      Hi Mario,

      Thanks for your comment. I’m sorry to hear that you lost the tracking number of the money transfer. I wish I could help you out in finding the tracking number however we are not working with any money transfer providers seen on our site.

      It would be best to contact the customer service team of the money transfer provider you used to make the transfer and inform them of the situation, I’m sure they’d be happy to help you out!

      Hope this helps and best of luck!

      Cheers,
      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    KnorthcottSeptember 18, 2019

    Are there locations for Ria in Gastonia, NC

      Default Gravatar
      BrianSeptember 18, 2019

      Hi Knorthcott,

      Thanks for reaching out.

      It looks like there are several locations where Ria is available in Gastonia, NC, several of which can be found in Walmart stores in the area. You can see where the closest Ria service is in your area by using their location finder tool.

      Hope this helps!

      Best,
      Brian

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