Remitly vs Western Union

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Last updated on September 17th, 2025Why trust usDisclosure

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The main difference between Remitly and Western Union is that Remitly currently supports international transfers from 17 countries to over 50 countries while Western Union enables you to send money to over 200+ countries around the world.

There are plenty of money transfer operators on the market these days with the ability to send your money internationally fast, quickly, and often entirely digitally. With so many to choose from, though, how do you know which company is best? In this head-to-head comparison, we’re looking at Remitly vs Western Union to help you figure out which service is best for your money transfer needs.

7.7 Expert Rating

Visit Remitly

6.5 Expert Rating

Fees & Rates

8.0

Transfer Speed

7.0

Safety & Trust

9.0

Product Offering

8.7

Transfer Limits

7.5

Ease of Use

8.0

Customer Feedback

9.0

8.2 Overall

Fees & Rates

7.5

Transfer Speed

7.0

Safety & Trust

9.0

Product Offering

9.5

Transfer Limits

8.0

Ease of Use

7.2

Customer Feedback

8.2

8.1 Overall

Overall, our findings between Remitly vs Western Union are that you will typically find lower rates, faster transfer times, and more efficient customer service when using Remitly's services.

Remitly receives excellent reviews, offers competitive rates, and can complete the majority of transfers with minutes.

If you are sending to a less well-known destination, however, Western Union may be a viable option for you due to the sheer number of countries it supports.

Remitly wins

8.2

Remitly Read review

Fees

None

Exchange Rate Markup

0.1% - 1.3%

Transfer Speed

Minutes - 3 days

Visit

"Remitly focuses on sending money to friends and family in Asia, Africa and South America. Wide coverage and well-suited to regular transfers home."

Which brand has lower fees?

Remitly

Remitly charges fees for making transfers that will depend on:

How much you are sending
The delivery method you choose

The provider has ‘Express’ and ‘Economy’ options to choose from, and the ‘Express’ method (which has a faster transfer time) will incur more fees than the slower transfer time option.

Here are a few examples of live fees from Remitly for various amounts when sending money from the US.

GBP

Currency pair	Remitly fees	Receive amount
GBP / AUD	-	-
GBP / BDT	-	-
GBP / CAD	-	-
GBP / EUR	-	-
GBP / INR	-	-
GBP / MAD	-	-
GBP / PHP	-	-
GBP / PKR	-	-
GBP / THB	-	-
GBP / USD	-	-
GBP / ZAR	-	-

Last updated at 6/23/2026

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Western Union

Western Union’s fees will vary depending on:

The country you are sending to
The size of the transfer
Your chosen payment method (debit/credit card will have higher fees than bank transfer)
Payout method
How you are sending you money (online vs at an agent location)

And here are the same examples for Western Union.

GBP

Currency pair	Western Union fees	Receive amount
GBP / AUD	£0.00	$930.21
GBP / BDT	£0.00	৳82,264.00
GBP / CAD	£0.00	$933.20
GBP / EUR	£0.00	€575.67
GBP / INR	£0.00	₹64,062.00
GBP / MAD	£0.00	MAD 6,253.69
GBP / PHP	£0.00	₱41,790.79
GBP / PKR	£0.00	Rs 185,142.09
GBP / THB	£0.00	฿22,062.61
GBP / USD	£0.00	$649.36
GBP / ZAR	£0.00	R 11,012.25

Last updated at 6/23/2026

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✅ Verdict: It's a tie

Comparing Remitly vs Western Union, the fees applied by both of these providers are extremely variable depending on a number of factors, so it’s difficult to say which one is ‘better’ when judging solely on fees. Moreover, as both providers add a markup on the exchange rate, we don’t get a true picture of the total charges you can expect to incur for your transfer until we look at this aspect, too.

Which brand offers better exchange rates?

Remitly

Remitly adds an exchange rate margin typically between 1 and 3.7% on international transfers, which can vary depending on the currency pairs you are looking to make an exchange between.

The exchange rate markup you’ll get on your transfer depends on the currency you are converting to as well as the transfer time you select, although the provider does tend to offer promotional rates for new customers so this is worth bearing in mind if you haven’t used them before.

Similar to the fees, here are a few examples of the live exchange rates from Remitly based on different pairs and transfer amounts.

GBP

Currency pair	Remitly exchange rates	Receive amount
GBP / AUD	-	-
GBP / BDT	-	-
GBP / CAD	-	-
GBP / EUR	-	-
GBP / INR	-	-
GBP / MAD	-	-
GBP / PHP	-	-
GBP / PKR	-	-
GBP / THB	-	-
GBP / USD	-	-
GBP / ZAR	-	-

Last updated at 6/23/2026

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Western Union

Western Union charges a markup on the mid-market rate - exactly how much of a markup isn’t always clear and can vary depending on where you are sending your money, how much you are sending, and the payment method you’re using.

While the provider will almost always offer better exchange rates than your bank, they are rarely competitive when compared to other money transfer providers who tend to offer much smaller markups on the mid-market rate.

Here's how Western Union rates compare to Remitly for the same transfer.

GBP

Currency pair	Western Union exchange rates	Receive amount
GBP / AUD	1.8604	$930.21
GBP / BDT	164.5268	৳82,264.00
GBP / CAD	1.8663	$933.20
GBP / EUR	1.1513	€575.67
GBP / INR	128.1235	₹64,062.00
GBP / MAD	12.5074	MAD 6,253.69
GBP / PHP	83.5816	₱41,790.79
GBP / PKR	370.2842	Rs 185,142.09
GBP / THB	44.1252	฿22,062.61
GBP / USD	1.2987	$649.36
GBP / ZAR	22.0245	R 11,012.25

Last updated at 6/23/2026

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✅ Verdict: Remitly's exchange rates tend to be more competitive

Although both companies change their exchange rate margin depending on a number of factors mentioned above, when compared to Remitly vs Western Union, Remitly does tend to offer more competitive exchange rates than Western Union.

Which brand covers more locations?

Remitly

Remitly currently supports international transfers from 17 countries to over 50 countries around the world. However, the company does seem to be expanding quickly, with many countries listed as ‘coming soon’ on their website.

Western Union

Western Union enables you to send money to over 200+ countries around the world and has over 500,000 agent locations that make cash payouts easily accessible. As one of the longest established money transfer companies on the market, it’s no surprise that the company has an extremely wide reach.

✅ Verdict: Western Union covers more locations

As a long-standing player in the money transfers space, it’s no surprise that Western Union has a wider reach than Remitly.

Which is faster?

Remitly

Remitly’s option for either ‘Express’ or ‘Economy’ transfers is useful because it lets you decide whether low fees or fast transfer time is more important to you.

With Express transfers, the money will be processed immediately - which is a good option for anyone needing to send money internationally urgently.

The Economy option, on the other hand, can take between 3 - 5 business days to arrive in the recipient’s bank account.

Western Union

Western Union’s transfer times range from less than a day to up to 7 working days, depending on:

Your payment method
The transfer type (cash is faster than a bank deposit, for example)
The amount you are sending
Where you are sending to

Using Western Union’s transfer tool will provide you with a clearer look into exactly how long your transfer should take depending on the specific transfer you need to make.

✅ Verdict: Remitly has faster transfer times overall

Between Remitly vs Western Union, both operators do offer instant transfers, however, Western Union’s instant transfers are only available under specific conditions (cash pay-outs), whereas Remitly has specifically designed their service offerings to benefit people in need of rapid transfer times.

Equally, on the other end, Remitly promises their transfers will take a maximum of 5 working days, whereas Western Union transfers can take up to 7.

Which brand offers more transfer & payment options?

Remitly

Remitly supports the following payment options:

Credit or debit card
Bank account (US, Canada, Australia only)
Prepaid cards
Bank transfers (UK)
iDeal (Netherlands)
Klarna (Austria and Germany)
SEPA (Italy and France)

Your beneficiary can receive the funds sent through their bank account, cash pickup points, debit card, their mobile money transfer wallet, or have the money delivered to their doorstep.

Western Union

Western Union offers the following payment options for international transfers:

Credit or debit card
Bank transfer
Cash

You can select for your recipient to receive the transfer either as a cash pickup or as a bank deposit. Cash pickups are typically available instantly, whilst bank deposits can take between 0-2 working days.

✅ Verdict: It's a tie

Between Western Union vs Remitly, both companies offer an excellent range of payment options and payout options, so you should be able to find an arrangement that benefits you and your recipient with either of these two operators.

What do users have to say about each brand?

Remitly

Remitly has over 29,000 reviews on Trustpilot and an overall ‘Excellent’ rating of 4.5 out of 5. Positive reviews frequently mention:

Excellent conversion rates
Fast transfer times
Hassle-free service

In terms of poor reviews, customers most frequently comment on the lack of accessible customer service after initiating a transfer, and Express transfers taking longer than promised in some circumstances.

Western Union

Western Union has over 17,000 reviews on Trustpilot and an overall ‘Average’ rating of 3.3 out of 5 - a somewhat surprising score for the size of the company and how long it has been running. Elsewhere on the internet, the provider has mixed reviews.

While many users are loyal to the service and particularly like the ease of having a physical agent location to visit for cash pickups and payments, the company has many negative reviews from customers who have had issues with their transfer being delayed, paying expensive fees and exchange rates, or simply not being able to contact an agent for help with their transfer.

✅ Verdict: Remitly has better reviews

Despite being a newcomer to the scene compared to Western Union, Remitly already has glowing reviews for it's competitive rates and efficient service.

What brand offers a better ease of use, accessibility & security?

Remitly

The Remitly website supports 11 different languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin. Remitly also has an app for more convenient money transfers, and this is available on both iOS and Android. For customer service, you have the option of live chat 24/7 or calling the support centre by phone.

When using Remitly, you will likely be asked to verify your identity in order to keep your money safe. This will normally be in the form of uploading a photo of your passport and driving license.

In terms of security, the company uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) with 256-bit encryption, the industry-standard in secure server protection. Your account is also protected by a unique password that you create.

Western Union

Western Union has designed its services to be extremely accessible to people all over the world. The app is available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin and is available on both iOS and Android.

In terms of security, the website or app (whichever you’re using) both take you through a series of steps to verify your identity, which may include uploading a photo of your passport and driving license as a form of ID.

In addition, the provider has implemented Software Composition Analysis (SCA). This is a customer authentication security layer applied to both payment booking and account access and manipulation. It is part of the two-factor authentication (2FA) security protocol.

✅ Verdict: It's a tie

Between Western Union vs Remitly, both providers have a number of security and verification steps in place to protect your identity and bank accounts, and have accessible apps to make transferring money a convenient process for people all over the world.

Additional features you might be interested in...

Remitly

Remitly offers additional promotions to entice new customers to use its services, such as no fees on your first transfer.

If you haven’t used the operator before and are looking for a low-cost transfer option, this could be a good option for you.

Western Union

After setting up your international transfer, Western Union provides you with a tracking number, with which you can track the progress of your transfer.

This is useful if you have a deadline to send your money or simply want to keep in touch with the recipient to let them know when they can expect the money to be available in their bank.

Sending various amounts with Remitly and Wise

In these Remitly vs Western Union case studies, we'll look at the fees, exchange rate, and transfer times you could expect when transferring money abroad.

AmountSmall TransferMedium TransferLarge Transfer

Last updated at 06/23/2026

GBP USD

Mid Market Rate £1 = $1.3239£1 = $1.3239£1 = $1.3239

Transfer Amount £1,000£10,000£100,000

Western Union

Remitly

Western Union

Remitly

Western Union

Remitly

$1,298.99

1.2990

1.90%

Debit card

£0.00

Visit

EUR USD

Mid Market Rate €1 = $1.1423€1 = $1.1425€1 = $1.1424

Transfer Amount €1,000€10,000€100,000

Western Union

Remitly

Western Union

Remitly

Western Union

Remitly

$1,128.06

1.1281

1.25%

Debit card

€0.00

Visit

EUR GBP

Mid Market Rate €1 = £0.8627€1 = £0.863€1 = £0.8628

Transfer Amount €1,000€10,000€100,000

Western Union

Remitly

Western Union

Remitly

Western Union

Remitly

£866.12

0.8661

-0.39%

Debit card

€0.00

Visit

Remitly vs Western Union - Who is Better?

Overall, Remitly tends to receive better reviews from previous customers, offers faster transfer times, and more competitive rates when compared with Western Union.

These variables are all dependent on the type of transfer you are making, however, this is why we always recommend using our comparison tool (scroll to the top of this page) to compare the right provider for you based on your needs.

Visit Remitly

FAQs

Do money transfer providers offer different deals?

Yes, the deals across various money transfer companies differ significantly. For example, some companies focus on matching the mid-market rate for most currency transfers. This is great for business transfers and customers who want to send money to friends and family in a different country.

Many money transfer companies also provide referral codes that allow you to earn money when recommending the service to friends and family. This deal is great if you have a large social circle that is not using a good money transfer provider.

Which is better, Remitly or Western Union?

We believe that Remitly is the better money transfer company. That is because they tend to receive better reviews from the user base, provide faster processing times and have better rates than Western Union. Overall, you will have a better experience with Remitly when sending money internationally.

However, if you are looking for a company that beats both of these options, then WorldRemit is an excellent choice. They provide flexible payment options with 30,000 agent locations worldwide, multiple delivery channels, over 130 countries worldwide, and a quick registration process.

Can you use more than one money transfer provider?

No rules prohibit users from registering with multiple money transfer companies. However, we recommend that you register with more than one company to take advantage of various benefits. This enables you to find the best deal when making the transfer.

For instance, Wise offers currency conversion rates that match the mid-market rate but a limited number of destination countries. However, when you need to take advantage of a far-reaching global network.

What is better than Remitly?

Remitly is a respectable money transfer company, but for business transfers, TorFX would be a far better choice. That is because they offer custom money transfer options that allow businesses to automate and improve efficiency. For example, you can use mass international payments to pay multiple suppliers and employees in one transaction.

Additionally, TorFX business account users receive dedicated customer service assistance. This ensures you can get personalized help relating to your account. Over time the account manager will become familiar with the unique challenges of your business.

For personal transfers, while Remitly offers very quick transfer turnarounds, Wise emerges as the better choice due to the use of mid-market rates and better transparency. For more detailed information, visit our Remitly vs Wise comparison.

How fast is a Remitly money transfer?

Remitly provides two transfer speeds. The Economy option takes around 3-5 business days to arrive in your account, but it is the cheaper option for international transfers. However, you can opt for the Express transfer, which dramatically increases the speed. The disadvantage of this approach is that you have to decide between transfer speed and paying a fee.

In comparison, Wise enables you to send fee-free balance transfers that take just a couple of seconds to process for most transactions. Therefore, this money transfer solution is practical and applicable for most users.

Which is safer, Remitly or Western Union?

Both money transfer companies are safe options for sending money abroad. Remitly provides a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) with 256-bit encryption. Also, they verify transactions and have an automated flagging system for questionable ones.

On the other hand, Western Union uses Software Composition Analysis, which is an advanced customer authentication system. This is used when users are sending money and requesting account access. Finally, they require 2-factor authentication when carrying out account-sensitive tasks.

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Apr 8, 2026

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Contributors

Author

Yasmin Purnell

Writer

Yasmin is an accomplished Content Writer and Editor for MoneyTransfers.com, who specializes specializing in personal finance, student life, and business topics. Her reputation as a financial authority is acknowledged by top publications such as BBC Worklife, Cash Matters, Yahoo Finance, and CEO Blog Nation, which have featured her as a trusted source. She is also the founder of The Wallet Moth, a popular blog focusing on money and lifestyle.