Remitly vs Currencies Direct: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
Remitly
4.6Remitly specializes in personal international money transfers with a focus on remittances to developing countries, offering competitive rates and fast delivery.
Currencies Direct
4.6Currencies Direct is a UK-based FX specialist offering competitive exchange rates for large international transfers, with no transfer fees and dedicated account managers.
Remitly and Currencies Direct are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. Remitly, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Seattle, USA, is best known for cash pickup and global coverage. Currencies Direct, operating since 1996 from London, UK, focuses on large transfers and business payments. 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 €2.69 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Remitly vs Currencies Direct across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Remitly vs Currencies Direct on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Remitly | Currencies Direct | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹94,869.14 | — | N/A |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,144.11 | €1,141.42 | Remitly (+€2.69) |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱29,949.95 | — | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$16,972.45 | — | N/A |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨188,842.93 | — | N/A |
| USD → NGN($200) | ₦270,986.25 | — | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Remitly and Currencies Direct
Remitly vs Currencies Direct: Feature comparison
| Feature | Remitly | Currencies Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.6/5 (Excellent) | 4.6/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer | No transfer fees |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market | 0.3% - 0.7% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Minutes to 3-5 days | 1-2 business days |
| Supported countries | 100+ | 200+ |
| Supported currencies | 40+ | 40+ |
| Max transfer | $10,000 | No limit |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card | Bank Transfer |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery | Bank Deposit |
| Regulators | FinCEN, FCA | FCA, CNMV, BdP |
| Founded | 2011 | 1996 |
Pros and cons
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
Currencies Direct
Pros
- No transfer fees
- Competitive rates for large transfers
- Dedicated account managers
- Forward contracts and limit orders
Cons
- Not ideal for small transfers
- No cash pickup
- Bank transfer funding only
When to choose Remitly vs Currencies Direct
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
Choose Currencies Direct if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You need to transfer large sums (Currencies Direct has no upper limit)
- You want to lock in an exchange rate with a forward contract
- You need a business account for commercial payments
- You need wider country coverage (200+ vs 100+ countries)
Verdict: Remitly or Currencies Direct?
Cost winner: Remitly
Remitly wins on cost in 1 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on GBP → EUR (£1,000), the recipient gets €2.69 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 1-2 business days for Currencies Direct.
Wider coverage: Currencies Direct
Currencies Direct has broader coverage with 200+ countries and 40+ currencies. Currencies Direct 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, Currencies Direct is the better pick if you need large transfers and business payments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Remitly or Currencies Direct 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 Currencies Direct charges No transfer fees with a 0.3% - 0.7% above mid-market markup. For example, on a £1,000 GBP → EUR transfer, Remitly delivers €2.69 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Remitly or Currencies Direct?
Remitly typically completes transfers in Minutes to 3-5 days, while Currencies Direct takes 1-2 business 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 Remitly and Currencies Direct safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Remitly is regulated by FinCEN, FCA and has a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating. Currencies Direct is regulated by FCA, CNMV, BdP 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 Remitly vs Currencies Direct?
Remitly has a maximum transfer of $10,000 (minimum $1), while Currencies Direct allows up to no published upper limit (minimum $100). 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 Remitly or Currencies Direct?
Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. Currencies Direct offers Bank Deposit. Remitly supports cash pickup, which is useful when recipients don't have a bank account.
Should I use Remitly or Currencies Direct to send money internationally?
For most users, Remitly offers better overall value thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. However, Currencies Direct is the better choice if you need large transfers and business payments. The best provider for you depends on your corridor, transfer size, and whether you need features like Home Delivery.