Remitly Fee Calculator
Calculate Remitly transfer fees for international money transfers. Compare Express and Economy options to find the best balance of speed and cost for your needs.
Remitly Fee Calculator
Remitly Fee Structure:
- • Fixed fee: $3.99
- • Minimum fee: $3.99
Remitly is a leading digital money transfer service that specializes in international remittances to developing countries. Founded in 2011, Remitly has become a trusted platform for millions of people sending money to family members abroad, particularly in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The company went public in 2021 (NASDAQ: RELY) and has processed over $50 billion in transfers to more than 100 countries.
What sets Remitly apart is their focus on major remittance corridors and user-friendly mobile experience. They offer two service tiers: Express for fast transfers that arrive in minutes, and Economy for cost-conscious users who can wait 1-3 business days. Understanding Remitly fees is important because they vary significantly based on the speed you choose, destination country, and how your recipient receives the money.
Our Remitly fees calculator helps you compare the costs of Express versus Economy transfers, so you can choose the right balance of speed and affordability. Whether you're supporting family abroad or making business payments to international partners, calculate your exact costs before sending money through Remitly.
How Remitly Fees Are Calculated
Remitly offers two main transfer options with different fee structures. Express transferscost $3.99 and arrive in minutes to hours, while Economy transfers typically cost $0-$3.99 and take 1-3 business days. The exact fees depend on your destination country, payment method, and how the recipient receives the money.
Remitly Service Options:
Express Transfers
- • Arrives in minutes to hours
- • Fixed fee: $3.99 (most destinations)
- • Better exchange rates
- • Available 24/7
- • Best for urgent transfers
Economy Transfers
- • Arrives in 1-3 business days
- • Often $0-$1.99 fee
- • Standard exchange rates
- • Business hours processing
- • Best for cost savings
Unlike some competitors, Remitly's fees are generally fixed rather than percentage-based, making them particularly competitive for larger transfers. However, they make money through exchange rate spreads, typically adding 1-3% above the mid-market rate depending on the currency pair and transfer speed.
Example: $500 Transfer to Mexico
Express Option:
- • Transfer amount: $500
- • Transfer fee: $3.99
- • Exchange rate: 18.50 MXN/USD
- • Recipient receives: ~9,250 MXN
- • Total cost: $503.99
Economy Option:
- • Transfer amount: $500
- • Transfer fee: $0.99
- • Exchange rate: 18.30 MXN/USD
- • Recipient receives: ~9,150 MXN
- • Total cost: $500.99
Using the Remitly Fee Calculator
Our Remitly fees calculator helps you compare the true cost of Express versus Economy transfers. Enter your transfer amount and destination to see side-by-side comparisons of fees, exchange rates, and final amounts received. This helps you make informed decisions about whether speed or cost savings is more important for your specific transfer.
Calculator Benefits:
- Express vs Economy comparison
- Total cost including exchange rates
- Multiple destination countries
- Real-time rate estimates
Best For:
- • Family remittances
- • Emergency money transfers
- • Regular support payments
- • Business payments to Latin America/Asia
- • Comparing transfer options
The calculator is particularly useful for determining the break-even point between Express and Economy transfers. For smaller amounts, the fixed fee difference might make Economy more attractive. For larger amounts or urgent transfers, Express might provide better overall value despite the higher upfront fee.
Comparing Remitly with Other Options
Remitly is particularly competitive for transfers to major remittance destinations like Mexico, Philippines, India, and Latin America. Their fees are often lower than traditional money transfer companies like Western Union or MoneyGram, especially for larger amounts. However, services like Wise might be cheaper for transfers to developed countries with better infrastructure.
Remitly vs Competitors:
Remitly Strengths:
- • Fixed, predictable fees
- • Strong focus on major remittance corridors
- • User-friendly mobile app
- • Multiple delivery options (bank, cash pickup)
- • Fast Express transfers
Considerations:
- • Exchange rate markups (1-3%)
- • Limited to 100+ countries (not global)
- • Higher fees for some developed countries
- • Economy transfers can be slow
- • Less competitive for small amounts
For regular remittances to family abroad, Remitly's consistent pricing and reliable delivery make it an excellent choice. However, for business transfers or one-off payments to countries like those in Europe, Wise or traditional banks might offer better rates. Consider your specific corridor, transfer frequency, and urgency needs when choosing.
Tips to Save on Remitly Fees
Choose the Right Speed:
- • Use Economy for non-urgent transfers
- • Plan ahead to avoid Express fees
- • Express only when truly needed
Optimize Transfer Size:
- • Send larger amounts less frequently
- • Fixed fees favor bigger transfers
- • Compare cost per dollar sent
Payment Methods:
- • Use bank transfers for lower fees
- • Avoid credit cards when possible
- • Check for promotional rates
Delivery Options:
- • Bank deposits often have best rates
- • Cash pickup may have additional fees
- • Mobile wallet delivery when available
Pro Tip:
Sign up for Remitly's promotional emails to get notified about special rates and fee discounts. New customers often get their first transfer free or at reduced rates, which can provide significant savings on your initial transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Remitly charge for international transfers?
Remitly charges $3.99 for Express transfers (minutes to hours) and typically $0-$3.99 for Economy transfers (1-3 business days). The exact fee depends on your destination country, payment method, and how your recipient receives the money.
What is the difference between Remitly Express and Economy?
Express transfers arrive in minutes to hours and cost $3.99 with better exchange rates. Economy transfers take 1-3 business days but often have lower or no fees. Express is best for urgent transfers, while Economy saves money when speed isn't critical.
Which countries does Remitly serve?
Remitly serves 100+ countries with a focus on major remittance corridors. Popular destinations include Mexico, Philippines, India, Guatemala, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and most of Latin America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa and Europe.
Is Remitly safe and regulated?
Yes, Remitly is regulated by financial authorities and licensed in all states where it operates. The company is publicly traded (NASDAQ: RELY), uses bank-level security, and has processed over $50 billion in transfers since 2011. Customer funds are protected and segregated.