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Save money with fee-free transfers & bank-beating exchange rates. Compare the best money transfer services for quick, safe transfers 24/7.
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Before you get started sending your money across the world, you may have some questions. The money transfer process should be easy, inexpensive, and timely, but it pays to understand the journey before sending your money. You'll find answers to the top 10 frequently asked questions here.
A: Money transfer services often provide users with better exchange rates and lower fees than they would receive at their bank. These services are also often faster than banks and are optimized for use with mobile devices.
A: The fees—or lack thereof—depend on the money transfer company you use. There isn’t a single fixed fee for sending money, rather most companies charge either a flat transfer fee or a small percentage of the amount that you send. Other companies don’t charge any fees, rather, they make money by working with the exchange rate differences on currencies. Keep in mind though that even if the company doesn’t charge any fees, if you’re doing a bank to bank transfer, you may be charged processing fees by the bank.
XE offers fast and easy way to send money with no fees. XE uses enterprise-grade security to handle transactions in 139 currencies across the world, with no minimum or maximum daily transfer. The company offers multiple ways to send and receive funds, and allows you to track your account online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
WorldRemit specializes in small transfers of $5,000 or less. Users can send money from the United States internationally to more than 130 countries in a variety of ways, including bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile app, and mobile airtime.
Currencies Direct was the first European money transfer service to open its doors over 2 decades ago. With branches in 21 locations all over the world, over 40 currencies to trade in, and helpful features, Currencies Direct makes sending money internationally fast, easy, and simple for everyone.
A: The amount of time it takes for a money transfer to reach its destination can depend on a number of factors. If it’s a bank-to-bank transfer, it may take at least one business day to transfer, especially if the banks are in different countries—especially in the developing world, where there can be more delays. Some companies also don’t carry out bank-to-bank transfers on the weekend or on bank holidays. If you’re doing a direct person-to-person digital transfer, some companies can process the transfer instantaneously.
A: Money transfer companies determine the exchange rate based on the daily rates given by the foreign exchange market. Users are shown the exchange rate by the transfer company before the transaction goes through, so they have the ability to take their business elsewhere if they don’t like the rate. A number of companies will also allow you to lock in a specific exchange rate for a set period of time, while some also vow to match any exchange rate given by your bank.
A: Many companies allow users to lock in an exchange rate for a future exchange, even for a year or more. These companies do often stipulate that the agreement is final though, so be sure it’s the right rate for you. Look for a time when the currency you’re using—or that you’re paid in—is higher than the one that you’re sending to.
A: There are quite a few options for money transfer delivery, and long gone are the days when your only option was your local bank branch. In addition to bank-to-bank transfers, you can do mobile-to-mobile transfers, and a number of companies even operate their own storefronts where you can pick up the money, and even will deliver the funds to a physical address. When it comes to mobile phone top-ups, these can be done directly to the other person’s phone, from anywhere in the world.
A: Many money transfer companies will state that they don’t have a minimum or maximum sending limit, though this isn’t technically true. Typically you can’t send less than a dollar and if you try to send $1,000,000, most won’t allow it. For those companies that do have a minimum amount it can usually hover around $100-$200 or so, while the daily maximum can be in the several thousand dollars range, and often less if the transfer is international.
A: Money transfer companies put in a number of security measures including encryption and cybersecurity tools to keep data and transactions safe. They also take steps to screen the person sending the money, and if it’s a bank-to-bank transfer, then the bank’s own security measures should come into play as well. Regardless, when comparing money transfer companies, always take a look at the security measures that the company implements and see if they go the extra mile.
A: If someone has a prepaid mobile phone, many transfer companies will allow you to send money to fill up the minutes on the phone (i.e., to “top up” the phone). This is a great way to maintain contact with someone who is overseas and may not be able to afford a cell phone plan or have reliable access to the internet.
Sending money for business or pleasure can be simple. Consider the sending times, methods and currencies available for your chosen money transfer company, create an online account (or download the mobile phone app), and click go. If you're ready to compare providers, take a look at the top 10 on our homepage to choose the one that best suits your needs.
*Funds may be delayed or services unavailable based on certain transaction conditions, including amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory issues, identification requirements, Agent location hours, differences in time zones, or selection of delayed options.
