The short answer
Use ACH for almost everything: it's free (or a few dollars), and the one-to-three-day wait rarely matters for payroll, bills or moving money between your own accounts. Reach for a wire only when you need same-day, guaranteed settlement — a house deposit, a time-sensitive business payment — or when you're sending internationally and the recipient's bank requires it. The wire's speed costs $25–$50, and it can't be undone once sent.
ACH vs wire, compared
| ACH transfer | Wire transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free–$5 | $25–$50 |
| Speed | 1–3 business days | Same day (1–5 intl) |
| Reversible? | Often (disputable) | No — final once sent |
| Coverage | US only | Worldwide |
| Best for | Routine US payments | Urgent, large or international |
A wire is final — that's the risk. Because wires can't be reversed, they're the scammer's favorite. ACH payments can usually be disputed and clawed back. Only wire to people and businesses you trust.
When to use each
- • Payroll, bills, subscriptions, moving your own money: ACH — free and reliable, and the timing is predictable.
- • Closing on a house, a same-day business payment, a deposit with a deadline: wire — when the money has to land today with certainty.
- • Sending abroad: a wire works, but compare it against a specialist first — the bank's exchange-rate markup usually costs more than the fee.
- • Paying someone you don't fully trust: avoid a wire — its irreversibility offers you no protection.
Paying for a wire? Make sure it's worth it. The wire transfer fee calculator shows the true all-in cost, and the bank wire fee comparison covers Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
The cheaper international option
ACH can't cross borders, and an international bank wire is the most expensive way to send money abroad once you add the $40–$50 fee, the 2–4% exchange-rate markup and intermediary deductions. For cross-border transfers, a specialist like Wise or OFX uses the real mid-market rate with no markup and no correspondent fees — usually a fraction of a bank wire, and often faster too.
See exactly how much the rate markup costs with the exchange-rate markup calculator, or compare every option on the money transfer hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ACH and a wire transfer?
ACH moves money in batches through the US automated clearing house network — it is free or under $5 but takes one to three business days. A wire moves funds individually and settles the same day domestically, but costs $25–$50. ACH is reversible if something goes wrong; a wire is effectively final once sent.
Is ACH or a wire cheaper?
ACH, by a wide margin — it is free or a few dollars at most, while a domestic wire runs $25–$35 and an international one $40–$50 plus an exchange-rate markup. The wire’s only advantage is speed and certainty, so pay for it only when you actually need same-day, guaranteed settlement.
Can I send an international payment by ACH?
Standard ACH is a US-only network, so it cannot send money abroad directly. International ACH-style payments exist but are slow and limited. For cross-border transfers a bank wire works but is expensive, while a specialist like Wise or OFX is usually far cheaper — the real exchange rate with a small transparent fee.
Is a wire transfer safe?
A wire is secure and final, which is exactly why scammers favor it: once sent, it is almost impossible to reverse. ACH offers more protection, since unauthorized or mistaken payments can often be disputed and clawed back. Only wire money to people and businesses you trust, and double-check the details first.
How long does each one take?
An ACH transfer clears in one to three business days. A domestic wire usually arrives the same business day if sent before the cutoff; an international wire takes one to five business days as it passes through correspondent banks. If timing is not critical, ACH saves you the fee.