Barclays vs Remitly: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
Barclays
3.5Barclays offers international payments for existing account holders through online banking and the Barclays app. Convenient but with higher costs than specialist providers.
Remitly
4.6Remitly specializes in personal international money transfers with a focus on remittances to developing countries, offering competitive rates and fast delivery.
Barclays and Remitly are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. Barclays, founded in 1690 and headquartered in London, UK, is best known for international money transfers. Remitly, operating since 2011 from Seattle, USA, focuses on cash pickup and global coverage. This comparison uses real transfer data collected from both providers across 6 popular corridors to show you exactly which one offers better value for your specific needs. Our data shows the difference can be significant — on a £1,000 GBP → EUR transfer, Remitly delivers €18.15 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Barclays vs Remitly across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Barclays vs Remitly on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Barclays | Remitly | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | — | ₹96,140.07 | N/A |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,122.47 | €1,140.62 | Remitly (+€18.15) |
| USD → PHP($500) | — | ₱29,950.27 | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | — | MX$17,091.78 | N/A |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | — | ₨189,195.87 | N/A |
| USD → NGN($200) | — | ₦272,299.44 | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Barclays and Remitly
Barclays vs Remitly: Feature comparison
| Feature | Barclays | Remitly |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.5/5 (Good) | 4.6/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | £5-£25 per international payment | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer |
| Exchange rate markup | 2% - 3.5% above mid-market | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Same day to 3 business days | Minutes to 3-5 days |
| Supported countries | 200+ | 100+ |
| Supported currencies | 30+ | 40+ |
| Max transfer | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery |
| Regulators | FCA, PRA | FinCEN, FCA |
| Founded | 1690 | 2011 |
Pros and cons
Barclays
Pros
- Trusted UK high street bank
- Easy online/app transfers
- Strong security and regulation
Cons
- £5-£25 transfer fees
- Exchange rate markup (2-3%)
- Slower than specialist providers
Remitly
Pros
- Express transfers arrive in minutes
- Cash pickup available in many countries
- Mobile money delivery option
- First transfer promotions often available
- Home delivery in select countries
Cons
- Rates less competitive for large transfers
- No multi-currency account
- Focused mainly on remittance corridors
When to choose Barclays vs Remitly
Choose Barclays if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You're sending large amounts (Barclays supports up to $50,000)
- You need wider country coverage (200+ vs 100+ countries)
Choose Remitly if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- Your recipient needs cash pickup instead of bank deposit
- You want to send to a mobile money wallet (M-Pesa, GCash, etc.)
- You want zero transfer fees (From $0 to $3.99 per transfer)
- Speed is your top priority — transfers can arrive in minutes
Verdict: Barclays or Remitly?
Cost winner: Remitly
Remitly wins on cost in 1 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on GBP → EUR (£1,000), the recipient gets €18.15 more with Remitly. Remitly achieves this through transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate.
Faster: Remitly
Remitly is generally faster, with transfers arriving in Minutes to 3-5 days, compared to Same day to 3 business days for Barclays.
Wider coverage: Barclays
Barclays has broader coverage with 200+ countries and 30+ currencies. Barclays also offers Bank Deposit.
Bottom line
Overall, Remitly edges ahead for most users thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. That said, Barclays is the better pick if you need international money transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barclays or Remitly cheaper for international transfers?
Based on our data, Remitly is generally cheaper across most corridors. Remitly charges From $0 to $3.99 per transfer with a 0.5% - 2% above mid-market exchange rate markup, while Barclays charges £5-£25 per international payment with a 2% - 3.5% above mid-market markup. For example, on a £1,000 GBP → EUR transfer, Remitly delivers €18.15 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Barclays or Remitly?
Barclays typically completes transfers in Same day to 3 business days, while Remitly takes Minutes to 3-5 days. Actual speed depends on the corridor, payment method, and delivery option you choose. Bank transfers tend to be slower than card-funded transfers, and bank deposits are generally faster than cash pickups.
Are Barclays and Remitly safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Barclays is regulated by FCA, PRA and has a 3.5/5 Trustpilot rating. Remitly is regulated by FinCEN, FCA with a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for Barclays vs Remitly?
Barclays has a maximum transfer of $50,000 (minimum $1), while Remitly allows up to $10,000 (minimum $1). Limits may vary by corridor, account verification level, and payment method. New accounts typically start with lower limits that increase over time.
Can I get cash pickup with Barclays or Remitly?
Barclays offers Bank Deposit. Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. Remitly supports cash pickup for recipients without bank access.
Should I use Barclays or Remitly to send money internationally?
For most users, Remitly offers better overall value thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. However, Barclays is the better choice if you need international money transfers. The best provider for you depends on your corridor, transfer size, and whether you need features like Home Delivery.