Money Transfer Fees by Service
Estimate fees for services like Wise, Skrill, Revolut and more when sending money abroad. Compare international transfer costs and find the best rates for your needs.
New: Exchange Rate Markup Calculator → The biggest transfer cost is the hidden rate markup — enter the real rate and the one you were quoted to see it.
New: Wire Transfer Fee Calculator → Sending by bank wire? See the true all-in cost — fee, markup and intermediary fees — and what you'd save with Wise.
Wise
International money transfers with real exchange rates
Remitly
International money transfer service
Western Union
Global money transfer and payment services
Instarem
Fast and affordable international money transfers to 60+ countries with competitive rates
Taptap Send
Zero fees on most transfers with best exchange rates for Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Paysend
Flat-fee card-to-card international transfers to 170+ countries
XE
Trusted currency exchange and international transfers since 1993
Sendwave
Send from the US, Europe, UK and Canada to Africa, Asia and Latin America — mobile wallets, cash and bank
BOSS Money
Send from the US to Latin America, Africa and Asia — cash pickup, bank deposit, mobile wallet and debit-card
Pangea
Send from the US to Latin America, India, the Philippines and more — no transfer fee, cash pickup and bank
MoneyGram
Global money transfer with 350,000+ locations for cash pickup and online transfers
Ria Money Transfer
490,000+ pickup locations worldwide with fast cash pickup and multiple delivery options
WorldRemit
Digital money transfers to 130+ countries with mobile wallet delivery
TransferGo
Fast, low-cost international transfers from Europe and the UK to 160+ countries
Revolut
Digital banking: ~0.3% fees, SEPA FREE, Revolut-to-Revolut FREE
Xoom
Fast international transfers powered by PayPal to 160+ countries
OFX
Large-transfer specialist: flat fee waived on big amounts, plus a ~2-3% exchange-rate margin, to 190+ countries
Profee
Fast money transfers to Eastern Europe and CIS countries with competitive rates
Skrill
International money transfers and digital wallet with cryptocurrency support
Complete Guide to Money Transfer Service Fees in 2026
Money transfer service fees range from 0.4% (Wise) to 10%+ (traditional banks). Understanding these costs is crucial when sending money abroad. For someone transferring $500 monthly, choosing Wise over Western Union saves $276 annually.
Money Transfer Fees Comparison Table
| Service | Typical Fee | $500 Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 0.4% + $0.43 | $2.43 | 1-2 days |
| Revolut | 0.5% avg | $2.50 | Minutes |
| Western Union | $8 + 3-5% | $23-33 | Minutes |
| Remitly | $3.99-9.99 | $3.99-9.99 | Hours-days |
| Bank Wire | $25-50 + 3% | $40-65 | 3-5 days |
Hidden Cost Alert
Western Union advertises an $8 fee but adds 3-5% to the exchange rate. On $500, that is $15-25 hidden costs plus the $8 fee = $23-33 total. Wise charges $2.43 with transparent mid-market rates.
How to Save on International Transfers
Use Digital Services
Wise and Revolut cost 0.4-1% versus banks at 3-6%. Save 70-90% on fees by using modern digital platforms.
Avoid Credit Cards
Pay with bank transfer or debit card. Credit cards add 3-4% extra fees on top of transfer costs.
Send Larger Amounts
Fixed fees hurt small transfers. Send $1,000 monthly instead of $250 weekly to minimize per-transaction costs.
Understanding International Transfer Fees
Types of Transfer Costs
- • Transfer fees: Fixed or percentage-based charges
- • Exchange rate markup: Hidden costs in poor exchange rates
- • Intermediary fees: Charges from correspondent banks
- • Receiving fees: Charges to the recipient's bank
Delivery Options
- • Bank transfer: Direct to recipient's bank account
- • Cash pickup: Recipient collects cash at agent locations
- • Mobile wallet: Transfer to digital wallet services
- • Home delivery: Cash delivered to recipient's address
How to Choose the Best Money Transfer Service
Compare Total Cost
Look at both fees and exchange rates to find the true cost.
Check Speed
Consider how quickly you need the money to arrive.
Verify Coverage
Ensure the service operates in your destination country.
Read Reviews
Check customer reviews and regulatory compliance.
Typical Fee Ranges by Service Type
| Service Type | Typical Fee Range | Transfer Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital First (Wise, Revolut) | 0.4% - 1% | Minutes to hours | Regular transfers, tech-savvy users |
| Traditional Banks | $15 - $50 + markup | 1-5 business days | Large amounts, existing customers |
| Money Transfer Operators | $5 - $30 + markup | Minutes to hours | Cash pickup, emerging markets |
| Specialist Services | $3 - $15 | 1-3 business days | Specific corridors, remittances |
Money Transfer Fees: Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical money transfer fees?
Fees range from 0.4% (Wise) to 10%+ (banks). Digital services like Wise charge 0.4-1%, Western Union $8-30 plus exchange markup, and banks $15-50 plus 3-6% markup. For $500, costs range from $2.43 (Wise) to $65 (banks).
Which service has the lowest fees?
Wise has the lowest fees for most routes (0.4-1%). Taptap Send offers zero fees to Africa/Asia. Profee has ultra-low fees (0.5%) to Eastern Europe. Always compare total cost including exchange rates.
Are there hidden fees in money transfers?
Yes, exchange rate markup is the biggest hidden fee. Services add 2-6% to rates. On $500, a 4% markup is $20 hidden cost. Wise and Revolut use real mid-market rates. Always compare recipient amount, not just fees.
How do Western Union fees compare to Wise?
Western Union costs 5-10x more. For $500, Western Union charges $23-33 total versus Wise $2.43. However, Western Union offers cash pickup in 200+ countries, valuable for recipients without bank accounts.
Do fees depend on how much I send?
Yes. Percentage fees (Wise 0.4%) scale with amount, while fixed fees (Remitly $3.99) do not. For $100, a $3.99 fixed fee = 4%. For $1,000, it is 0.4%. Fixed fees work better for larger transfers.
Calculate Your Transfer Costs
Use our calculators to compare exact costs and find the best deal for your transfer.
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