Remitly vs MoneyGram 2026 — Digital Speed vs Global Cash Pickup Network
MoneyGram wins · 3 of 4 corridors
Cheaper than Remitly on the transfers we sampled below.
Remitly
4.6Remitly specializes in personal international money transfers with a focus on remittances to developing countries, offering competitive rates and fast delivery.
MoneyGram
4.0MoneyGram is a global money transfer company with a large agent network, offering both online and in-person transfer options to 200+ countries.
Remitly and MoneyGram both specialize in international remittances, but they come from different eras. Remitly is a digital-first app built for smartphone users — fast delivery, competitive rates, mobile wallet support. MoneyGram is a legacy cash transfer network with 350,000+ agent locations in 200 countries. This comparison shows where each wins and when to use which.
In this article
Live comparison: Remitly vs MoneyGram across popular corridors
| Corridor | Remitly | MoneyGram | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹95,833.41 | ₹95,383.64 | Remitly |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,142.19 | €1,144.01 | MoneyGram |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱29,915.84 | ₱30,246.21 | MoneyGram |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,001.15 | MX$17,080.04 | MoneyGram |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Overview: Remitly vs MoneyGram at a glance
| Feature | Remitly | MoneyGram |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 (Seattle, US) | 1940 (Dallas, US) |
| Best for | Digital remittances, Express speed | Cash-based transfers, global reach |
| Fee model | $0–$3.99 (Express) / $0.49+ (Economy) | $0–$10+ (varies by corridor) |
| Exchange rate | 0.4%–3% markup | 0.4%–2% markup |
| Transfer speed | Minutes (Express) / 3–5 days (Economy) | Minutes (cash) / 1–3 days (bank) |
| Destination countries | 170+ | 200+ |
| Cash pickup locations | 460,000+ | 350,000+ |
| Send from | App or website | App, website, or in-store |
| Fund with cash | No (digital only) | Yes (walk-in service) |
| Mobile wallets | GCash, bKash, M-Pesa, Easypaisa | Limited mobile wallet support |
| Multi-currency account | No | No |
| Trustpilot | 4.6/5 (108K reviews) | 4.1/5 (14K reviews) |
| Regulated by | FCA, FinCEN | FinCEN, FCA, various |
Key takeaway: Remitly is cheaper for digital senders. MoneyGram is essential for people who need to send or receive cash in person. If you have a smartphone and bank account, Remitly is almost always the better value.
Fees and exchange rates: Remitly wins on cost
Both providers charge a transfer fee plus an exchange rate markup. Here's how they compare:
| Cost component | Remitly | MoneyGram |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee (bank-funded) | $0–$3.99 | $0–$5 (online) / $5–$10 (in-store) |
| Transfer fee (card-funded) | $0–$14.99 | $2–$10 |
| Transfer fee (cash in-store) | N/A | $5–$10+ |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.4%–3% | 0.4%–2% |
MoneyGram's exchange rate is surprisingly competitive — often similar to Remitly. The cost difference comes from transfer fees, especially for in-store cash transactions.
Example: $500 USD to Philippines (bank-funded)
- Remitly Express: ~$3.99 fee + 1% markup = ~$9 total cost
- MoneyGram online: ~$2 fee + 0.8% markup = ~$6 total cost
- MoneyGram in-store: ~$8 fee + 0.8% markup = ~$12 total cost
Surprise: MoneyGram online can actually beat Remitly on some corridors. Always compare at your exact amount — use our comparison tool.
Delivery: Both offer cash pickup, but different digital strengths
| Delivery method | Remitly | MoneyGram |
|---|---|---|
| Bank deposit | 170+ countries | 200+ countries |
| Cash pickup | 460,000+ locations | 350,000+ locations |
| GCash (Philippines) | Yes — instant | No |
| M-Pesa (Kenya) | Yes — instant | Limited |
| bKash (Bangladesh) | Yes — instant | No |
| Express (minutes) | Yes — most corridors | Cash pickup only |
| Economy (cheap, slow) | Yes — 3–5 days | No equivalent tier |
| In-store sending | No | Yes — walk-in service |
Remitly's edge: Mobile wallet delivery (GCash, bKash, M-Pesa) and the two-tier Express/Economy system. MoneyGram's edge: walk-in service for cash senders and slightly wider country coverage (200+ vs 170+).
When MoneyGram is the right choice
Despite Remitly's digital advantages, MoneyGram wins in specific scenarios:
- You want to pay with cash. If you don't have a bank account or prefer cash, MoneyGram's walk-in service is the only option. Remitly is digital-only. Note: the US 1% remittance tax now applies to cash-funded transfers.
- Your recipient is in a very remote area. MoneyGram's 350,000+ locations in 200+ countries include some regions Remitly doesn't reach.
- You want online MoneyGram for the rate. MoneyGram's online platform sometimes beats Remitly on exchange rates for specific corridors. Always compare.
- Your recipient needs cash quickly and has no mobile wallet. Both offer minutes-fast cash pickup, but MoneyGram has decades of trust in developing countries.
Verdict
Choose Remitly if:
- You send digitally (app or website) — better fees and faster delivery
- Your recipient uses mobile wallets (GCash, bKash, M-Pesa, Easypaisa)
- You want Express delivery in minutes to a bank account
- You want the Economy option to save money on non-urgent transfers
Choose MoneyGram if:
- You need to send cash in person at a walk-in location
- Your recipient is in a very remote area where digital providers don't reach
- MoneyGram's online rate beats Remitly on your specific corridor (check first)
For most digital senders, Remitly offers better value. But MoneyGram fills a critical gap for cash-based senders and the hardest-to-reach destinations. Compare both live.
Remitly vs MoneyGram: Summary table
| Feature | Remitly | MoneyGram |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.6/5 (Excellent) | 4.0/5 (Good) |
| Fee structure | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer | From $1.99 to $11.99+ |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market | 1% - 3% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Minutes to 3-5 days | Minutes to 3 days |
| Supported countries | 100+ | 200+ |
| Supported currencies | 40+ | 50+ |
| Max transfer | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card, Cash |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Wallet |
| Regulators | FinCEN, FCA | FinCEN, FCA |
| Founded | 2011 | 1940 |
| Best for | Large transfers, transparency, business | Small remittances, speed, cash pickup |
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
MoneyGram
Pros
- Large global agent network
- Cash pickup available worldwide
- Transfers can arrive in minutes
- In-store and online options
- Crypto integration with Stellar
Cons
- Higher fees for smaller transfers
- Exchange rate markup can be steep
- Online experience less polished