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Expats wiring money home to their families, businesses securely paying their international employees, savvy entrepreneurs investing in ventures across the globe- everyone has their own reasons for sending money abroad. Compared to banks, online wire transfers are a more affordable and accessible way to wire funds internationally.
However, not all wire transfer services are created equal. Before you wire funds, it’s important that you get the facts. We’ve selected the top 5 wire transfer services so you can easily compare and select the right one for you. Start sending money overseas quickly and securely, without breaking the bank.
Rates and fees for overseas transfers used to be high. Banks can charge up to 5% in hidden costs when wiring money to an overseas bank account. They may hit you with transfer charges and your recipient with conversion charges, as well as offer an exchange rate that’s significantly marked-up from the market rate.
Now, high fees are no longer the rule, but the exception, thanks to the growth of online money transfer companies. Startups like TransferWise have disrupted the market with peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer services that bypass traditional bank-to-bank transfers and eliminate fees. A handful of more established players like Western Union are also offering online payment services alongside their cash pick-up services.
P2P and other innovative services cut out the middleman. By doing so, they can charge the sender only a minimal service charge and wire the money within 1-2 business days.
| Company | Transfer Fee | Explore |
|---|---|---|
| XE | None | Visit Site |
| WorldRemit | Low fees | Visit Site |
| None |
XE offers fast and easy international wire transfers 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 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 wire 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 wire 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 transferring money internationally fast, easy, and simple for everyone.
While Western Union and MoneyGram are the most well-known online money transfer services, there are a number of other companies that offer similar high-quality service and security. The question then becomes, with so many choices out there, how can you decide which online money transfer service to use?
Here are a few factors to consider when making your decision:
Every company charges a fee for money transfer, and the fees usually differ based on:
Because each individual person’s circumstances are different, it’s a good idea to check out the fees for a few top companies so you’re able to compare and get the most favorable deal. Many companies have a Fee/Rates Estimator that you can use so you can predict the fee of your international money transfer before you actually transfer it.
In the same vein as finding the company with the lowest fees, it’s also important to know that when you wire money overseas, there will be currency exchange rates involved. Some transfer services make money on the exchange rates; others, like , offer assistance in getting you the most favorable exchange rate. The currency you’re sending and the cut the money transfer service takes should also be a factor you consider when deciding which company to use.
If an international family member has an emergency and you need to wire them money ASAP, you probably won’t think twice about a company’s fees and rates; rather, you’ll look for a company that offers wire transfer within minutes. Both and MoneyGram offer options to make wire transfers overseas within minutes, but make sure to find out if the recipient will need to get to a kiosk to pick up the funds (and if they can get to a kiosk).
On the other hand, let’s say you wire money back to your international family every month. In this case, it’s not an emergency situation and you have the time to use a company that offers the most favorable rates, even if the money takes a few days to get there. OFX, for example, is a top-rated wire transfer company that caters specifically to people who transfer money to their families regularly. While the typical transfer time is 1-2 business days, if you’re not in a rush, it’s a good option.
Money transfer services are a good option for anyone looking for an affordable and accessible way to make international wire transfer. Before deciding which money transfer platform is right for you, it’s worth taking the time to compare fees, transfer limits, and transfer times. Some wire transfer services like XE and OFX charge no service fees, but do add a markup on the exchange rates they offer. Other companies such as WorldRemit and add no markup, but will charge you a service fee. Compare the top money transfer services today and choose the one for you.
*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.
