Top 5 Money Transfer Apps in India

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Last updated on June 9th, 2025Why trust usDisclosure

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If you're sending money to India, exchange rates and fees vary a lot, especially for smaller transfers, UPI payments, or card transactions.

If you just need the best app to send money in India, we recommend Aspora (previously Vance) as it offers the best combination of fees, speed, and exchange rates for those in the UK, UAE, Ireland, or Italy.

For other countries, Wise is a good option as they have a bigger coverage but are slightly more expensive compared to Aspora.

We’ve tested and reviewed all top-rated apps in India to help you choose the best one based on speed, cost, and convenience.

Best money transfer apps to India at a glance

Here’s a quick summary of the top 5 money transfer apps in India:

Aspora - Best for ultra-low fees and mid-market rates from the UK, UAE, and Europe
Remitly - Best for instant transfers and flexible payout options (UPI, cash, mobile wallet)
XE - Best for large, high-value transfers with no fees
Wise - Best for transparent pricing and multi-currency features
Ria Money Transfer - Best for cash pickup, home delivery, and hard-to-reach locations

Below, I’ll go over these in a bit more detail.

Aspora App

Cheapest INR transfers from the UK, UAE, IT, and IE via the app

Aspora

Aspora is the best option for sending money to India cheaply and efficiently.

It uses the mid-market exchange rate same as Wise (the rate you see on Google), and charges a flat, capped fee:

Up to £3 for transfers from the UK
Up to €3 for transfers from Ireland or Italy
Currently no fees for transfers from the UAE

Transfers often arrive the same day, and in most cases instantly.

However, if you're after online transfers or recurring payments, it's not the best option.

How Aspora compares to other apps:

Cheaper than Remitly and Ria for UPI or bank deposits under £1,000
Often beats Wise on GBP to INR due to lower fixed fees
Limited withdrawal options if your recipient needs cash pickup or delivery, for example

Show moreHide

Exchange Rate	Mid-market (no markup)
Fees	0.003%-0.30%, capped at £3/€3 or free from UAE
Speed	Same-day, sometimes instant
Transfer Limits	£5 min / £400,000 max (or local equivalent)
App/Platform	Mobile-only (iOS, Android)
Customer Support	In-app chat, email (slow response times)
Regulation	UK, Canada, Lithuania, UAE
Extras	First transfer is free, no recurring payments

Read review Visit Aspora

Remitly App

Fast & flexible INR transfers with UPI, cash pickup, and home delivery

Remitly

Remitly supports nearly every payout method in India, including UPI, cash pickup, and home delivery.

They offer two transfer options, Express and Economy:

Express transfers usually arrive in minutes
Economy takes a few days but costs less

It’s great for people sending from the US, UK, or EU who want speed and flexibility.

But exchange rate markups can get expensive, especially for small or frequent transfers.

Here's how Remitly compares to other apps in India:

More flexible than Aspora or Wise if you need cash delivery or in-person payout
Slower and more expensive than Aspora or Wise for direct UPI transfers
Better suited to first-time users who want fast, no-fuss delivery options

Show moreHide

Exchange Rate	1%–3.7% above mid-market
Fees	£2.99–£35.99 depending on speed and country
Speed	Express: minutes, Economy: 3–5 days
Transfer Limits	Up to £25,000 (UK), $10,000/day (US)
App/Platform	Web and mobile (iOS, Android)
Customer Support	24/7 chat, email, phone
Regulation	FCA, FinCEN, EU, Canada
Extras	Lock-in rates, UPI, cash pickup, promos

Read review Visit Remitly

XE App

Best for large INR transfers with low fees

Xe

XE offers one of the highest sending limits in the market (including India).

If you are sending large amounts (over 500 USD, GBP, or EUR), transfers have much lower fees (often free) and offer better rates than banks.

However, there’s no UPI support or cash pickup, and smaller transfers come with higher markups and flat fees.

We'd recommend picking XE only for large or business transfers to India.

Here's how XE compares to similar apps in India:

Better than Wise or Remitly for large bank transfers to India
Not ideal for small transfers, use Aspora or Wise instead
No UPI or non-bank payout support, for these, try Ria or Remitly if your recipient needs that

Show moreHide

Exchange Rate	~1%–1.2% markup (better for high amounts)
Fees	£2/$3 under threshold; free above £250/$500
Speed	1–4 days, 90% within 24 hours
Transfer Limits	Up to £350,000 (UK), $535,000 (US)
App/Platform	Web and mobile (iOS, Android)
Customer Support	24/5 live chat and phone
Regulation	FCA, FinCEN, ASIC, Dutch Central Bank
Extras	Rate alerts, business FX tools

Read review Visit Xe

Wise App

Transparent INR transfers with mid-market rates and low fees

Wise

Wise shows you exactly how much your recipient will get, using the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup.

It is often known as the best option for small to mid-size transfers, however, for transfers to India, it is actually a bit more expensive than Aspora.

For example, a £2000 transfer from the UK to India would cost you £10.66 with Wise vs £3 with Aspora.

Now, if you send money back home every month, that's a £91.92 difference per year.

Most transfers to India with Wise are usually fast where UPI and bank transfers often arrive same day or faster.

It also offers a multi-currency account with a prepaid card, making it ideal if you’re managing money across borders or spending in INR.

However, the card is only available to open in the UK and the EU, so you won't be able to open it in India.

This option is better if you live in the EEA and frequently travel back home to India.

Here's why and when we recommend using Wise:

Often cheaper than Remitly or Ria for smaller or recurring transfers
Not as fast as Aspora for GBP to INR transfers
No cash pickup, use Ria or Remitly if your recipient needs that

Show moreHide

Exchange Rate	Mid-market (no markup)
Fees	Fixed + percentage, shown upfront
Speed	Seconds to 2 days, depending on the method
Transfer Limits	Up to $1.2M (wire), $15K/day (ACH)
App/Platform	Web and mobile (iOS, Android)
Customer Support	24/7 via phone, chat, email
Regulation	FCA, FinCEN, MAS, EU-wide, and more
Extras	Multi-currency account and travel card

Read review Visit Wise

Ria App

Best for cash pickup or home delivery in rural India

Ria Money Transfer

Ria supports cash pickup, UPI, mobile wallet, and even home delivery in India, making it ideal if your recipient cannot accept a bank deposit.

Transfers made via card to India can arrive in minutes, especially if your receiver is picking it up as cash.

However, it’s not cheap compared to other apps on the list.

The fees and exchange rates can vary widely depending on the transfer method, the amount, and the withdrawal method.

For regular or digital transfers to Indian bank accounts, Ria will cost more than Wise or Aspora.

Here's when and why we recommend using Ria Money Transfer:

Best for offline access, cash, or UPI in remote areas (they have the biggest coverage of all)
More expensive than Aspora and Wise for digital transfers
Not suitable for high-value or business online transfers, consider using XE instead

Show moreHide

Exchange Rate	0.26%–4.81% markup (depends on currency)
Fees	$0.99–$9+ based on method and country
Speed	15 minutes (cards), up to 4 days (bank)
Transfer Limits	$14,999.99/month (US, verified users)
App/Platform	Web, app, 500,000+ physical locations
Customer Support	Phone, live chat, help center
Regulation	FinCEN, OFAC, EU, PCI DSS compliant
Extras	Cash pickup, UPI, home delivery, eWallet

Read review Visit Ria Money Transfer

Other money transfer apps worth considering

While the top apps cover most use cases for sending money to India, there are a few others that could be a better fit depending on your preferences, especially if you’re looking for a strong first-time offer, UPI support, or transfers from specific countries.

WorldRemit

WorldRemit supports UPI, mobile wallet, and cash pickup to India, and has one of the most flexible recipient options (including airtime and transfers to phone numbers).

It’s an option for transfers to India when you don't have the full recipient bank details. However, it is generally more expensive than similar apps.

Atlantic Money

A similar option to Aspora, however, it is limited mostly to the UK customers.

They charge a flat £3 fee, no exchange rate markup, and offer same-day INR delivery from the UK. This makes it a very competitive option if you're sending GBP to India.

However, the biggest limitation is, well, lack of coverage compared to other options.

Instarem

Instarem usually has a fair few promos running for various transfers, including for transfers to India. They support UPI transfers and have decent transfer speed.

It’s an option for those looking for a good deal on the first transfer, however, similar companies like Aspora also have promo rates on your first transfer.

However, with Aspora for example, subsequent transfers to India will still be cheap, while with Instarem rates go up by a fair bit.

Profee

Profee has a strong EUR to INR rates and capped fees. This makes them a decent choice for transfers to India from Europe.

However, based on recent user reviews, their support options and delivery speed is not as good as others we’ve mentioned above.

ICICI Money2India

ICICI Money2India is a reliable, bank-run service with £1 flat fees from the UK. Some users with NRE accounts also report better rates and personalized support.

The whole experience is very outdated and difficult to navigate, however, if you prefer to use a more traditional banking service this is a good option.

LemFi

LemFi offers INR transfers via UPI, with same-day delivery and a straightforward app. They are fairly new to the game and their fees are not as competitive compared to Aspora and Wise.

This is a popular option recommended online (especially on Reddit), however, I’d recommend trying Aspora or Wise unless you already have an account with LemFi.

Skydo (Business only)

Skydo is a specifically business payments app for business transfers to India.

With Skydo you can make large business transfers to India and make use of multi-currency IBANs.

It’s a decent option if you’re paying freelancers in India or running a business in India and receiving international payments.

Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay to fund a transfer to India?

Some providers support it.

Aspora accepts Apple Pay, and Remitly may offer Google Pay depending on the country you are sending money from.

Always confirm within the app during checkout.

Choosing the right app for sending money to India

When sending money to India (regardless of what app or platform you use), there are a few things you should know about beforehand.

UPI support

One of the fastest ways to deliver money to India is through UPI (the Unified Payments Interface) that powers instant transfers to most Indian bank accounts.

Apps like Remitly, Ria, WorldRemit, and Aspora support UPI, often enabling the money to arrive within minutes.

If your recipient prefers speed and convenience over physical pickup, choose a provider that supports UPI payouts.

Exchange rates and fees

If value matters more than convenience, look for providers that combine mid-market exchange rates with transparent, low-cost fees.

Wise and Aspora stand out since both use the real mid-market rate, with minimal or capped fees.

Atlantic Money also does this, though it's more limited in features.

Apps like XE and Profee become especially cost-effective for larger transfers, where fees are waived or capped, and rates improve with volume.

INR transfer speed

If you need money now, send cash or a UPI transfer.

If you need the money to arrive instantly or same-day, Remitly (Express) and Ria (with card funding or in-store) consistently deliver in 15 minutes or less.

Aspora, Wise, and WorldRemit also offer same-day delivery to India (thanks to the UPI transfers).

Receiving methods

Not all recipients in India have easy access to digital banking.

If your family member or recipient prefers cash, look for apps with cash pickup or home delivery.

Ria and Xoom have large payout networks across India for in-person collection, while Remitly supports both pickup and UPI.

For rare situations where doorstep delivery is needed, Ria is one of the few apps offering it.

Transfer size

If you’re sending more than ₹10 lakh (approx. £10,000 or $12,000), costs and limits become more important.

XE and Wise offer generous transfer limits with relatively competitive rates and no hidden fees.

Remitly supports mid-size transfers, especially if you're in Tier 2 or Tier 3 verification (it's a bit more expensive than others, but it offers cash pickup)

These apps are typically better suited than cash-first platforms for larger, documented remittances.

Recurring payments

Whether you're supporting family monthly or paying tuition regularly, only a few apps allow recurring or scheduled payments.

Wise supports this using its balance feature, and Ria offers scheduled transfers in its app.

However, platforms like Aspora and Atlantic Money don’t currently support recurring or future-dated payments and you’ll need to initiate each transfer manually.

Cancellations

Usuaully, you can cancel your transfer unless it's been already delivered.

For fast options (like UPI or card-funded transfers), cancellation is often not possible.

You’ll need to contact your chosen providers support immediately.

When to use a currency broker instead?

If you're transferring over ₹1 crore (around £100,000), or need hands-on support for a large or complex payment, consider a currency broker instead of an app. Providers like Currencies Direct, TorFX, and Key Currency offer personal account managers, rate alerts, and more tailored support. They're ideal for one-off high-value transfers where timing, rate negotiation, and reassurance matter.

Learn more about currency brokers

Ways to receive money in India

One of the big advantages of using international transfer apps is flexibility, and India supports more payout options than almost any other country.

Here are the most common ways money can be received in India via apps, and how they compare.

UPI (Instant bank-linked payment)

This is the fastest and most popular option today.

Most major apps, including Aspora, Remitly, WorldRemit, and Ria, support UPI as a payout method in India.

All you need is the recipient’s VPA (UPI ID), and the money typically arrives in seconds or minutes.

This option is best for those with an Indian bank account and a UPI-enabled app (e.g., Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm).

Bank transfer (NEFT/IMPS)

Almost every app supports sending directly to a bank account.

Transfers arrive via NEFT or IMPS, depending on the app’s partner and the bank’s setup.

Expect same-day or next-day delivery in most cases.

This is usually the best option for those who prefer traditional bank transfers or who don’t use UPI.

Cash pickup

Apps like Ria, Remitly, and Xoom let recipients collect money in person at thousands of partner locations (e.g., Muthoot Finance, Manappuram, or bank counters).

It’s useful for recipients without digital banking access or those living in rural areas.

Mobile wallet

A few services support wallet payouts (like Paytm or MobiKwik), but this is much less common than UPI or bank transfers.

Make sure the app you choose lists mobile wallet support for India before making a transfer if that's important for you.

Home delivery

Available only via Ria and in select regions, this option delivers cash to the recipient’s doorstep.

It’s rare, slightly more expensive, and best suited for elderly recipients or those without access to pickup points.

What happens if my transfer to India is delayed or held for compliance checks?

Transfers may be paused for verification (especially first-time or high-value transfers).

Most providers will request ID or source-of-funds docs before resuming.

This is common and usually resolved within a few days.

Regulations in India on money transfers

Sending money to India is generally straightforward from countries like the UK, the US, or Europe, especially when using regulated apps.

That said, it’s helpful to understand the basics of how the process is monitored on both ends.

Transfers into India are governed by RBI (Reserve Bank of India) regulations, which allow individuals to receive foreign remittances freely for personal use, family support, tuition, or investments.

If you’re sending money to someone’s NRE or NRO account, make sure you know the difference, some apps (like DollarPe or XE) only support one or the other.

What’s the difference between NRE and NRO accounts when sending money to India?

Here's a quick overview of the two accounts:

NRE (Non-Resident External): For foreign income, tax-free in India, accepts only foreign currency.
NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary): For Indian income, taxable, accepts INR from abroad.

Not all services support transfers to NRE accounts, so always check before sending.

Apps like Wise, Remitly, Ria, and Aspora all work with licensed Indian partners and follow RBI-compliant flows.

They’ll ask for your recipient’s account details and sometimes full name as per bank records, especially for UPI transfers.

As a sender, your own country’s limits or ID checks might apply. For example:

UK: Providers like Wise or XE may ask for proof of address or ID for large transfers.
US: Remitly and others follow state-level money transmitter laws and federal limits.
EU: Apps may verify your identity once you cross certain yearly thresholds (often around €10,000).

Can I send large transfers to India without getting flagged for verification?

Usually no, most providers will trigger identity checks for high-value transfers. XE, Wise, and TorFX offer higher limits but still require additional documents for large amounts.

A bit more about transfers to India

Can I send money to India without the recipient having a bank account?

Yes, services like Ria, Remitly, and WorldRemit support cash pickup, UPI, or mobile wallet transfers where the recipient doesn’t need a bank account.

Are Indian recipients taxed on money received from abroad?

No tax applies for personal remittances from family/friends.

But gifts above ₹50,000 may attract tax unless sent by a close relative.

Business transfers are treated differently.

Do I need to provide recipient IFSC codes for UPI or account transfers?

For bank transfers, yes, you’ll need the IFSC code. For UPI, most apps only require the recipient’s UPI ID or phone number linked to their UPI wallet.

Sources & further reading

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Best Currency Brokers in 2026

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Contributors

Author

Artiom Pucinskij

Financial Content Strategist

artiom.pucinskij@intent.uk

With 6+ years of hands-on experience in international money transfer services, Artiom has tested and analyzed dozens of companies, services, and apps firsthand. From sending money between the UK, EU, US, JP, and ID, to helping friends and family transfer large amounts abroad, he combines deep personal experience with industry insight. He has worked on content and product at MoneyTransfers.com since 2019, with a focus on FX rates, transfer apps & companies, and comparison tools. His work has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, Decrypt, PoundSterling, and more.