Remitly vs Ria Money Transfer: 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.
Ria Money Transfer
4.1Ria Money Transfer is one of the largest money transfer companies in the world, offering transfers to 190+ countries via bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile wallets.
Remitly and Ria Money Transfer 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. Ria Money Transfer, operating since 1987 from Buena Park, California, 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 $200 USD → NGN transfer, Remitly delivers ₦4731.41 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Remitly vs Ria Money Transfer across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Remitly vs Ria Money Transfer on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Remitly | Ria Money Transfer | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹94,613.02 | ₹94,842.66 | Ria Money Transfer (+₹229.64) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,145.44 | €1,119.44 | Remitly (+€26.00) |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱29,375.75 | ₱30,390.26 | Ria Money Transfer (+₱1014.51) |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$16,902.42 | MX$16,934.64 | Ria Money Transfer (+MX$32.22) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨187,984.49 | ₨188,749.49 | Ria Money Transfer (+₨765.00) |
| USD → NGN($200) | ₦272,917.21 | ₦268,185.80 | Remitly (+₦4731.41) |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Remitly and Ria Money Transfer
Remitly vs Ria Money Transfer: Feature comparison
| Feature | Remitly | Ria Money Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.6/5 (Excellent) | 4.1/5 (Good) |
| Fee structure | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer | $0-$8 depending on corridor and payment method |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market | 0.5% - 3% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Minutes to 3-5 days | Minutes to 2 days |
| Supported countries | 100+ | 190+ |
| Supported currencies | 40+ | 50+ |
| Max transfer | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| 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, ASIC |
| Founded | 2011 | 1987 |
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
Ria Money Transfer
Pros
- Massive global network (500,000+ cash pickup locations)
- Competitive rates on popular corridors
- Cash pickup option in remote areas
Cons
- Rates vary significantly by corridor
- Exchange rate markup can be high for small amounts
- App experience less polished than Wise/Remitly
When to choose Remitly vs Ria Money Transfer
Choose Remitly if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- 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)
Choose Ria Money Transfer if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You're sending large amounts (Ria Money Transfer supports up to $25,000)
- You need wider country coverage (190+ vs 100+ countries)
- You want zero transfer fees ($0-$8 depending on corridor and payment method)
Verdict: Remitly or Ria Money Transfer?
Cost winner: Ria Money Transfer
Ria Money Transfer wins on cost in 4 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on USD → INR ($1,000), the recipient gets ₹229.64 more with Ria Money Transfer. Ria Money Transfer achieves this through transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate.
Speed: Similar delivery times
Both providers offer similar transfer speeds. Remitly typically delivers in Minutes to 3-5 days, while Ria Money Transfer takes Minutes to 2 days. The actual speed depends on the corridor and delivery method.
Wider coverage: Ria Money Transfer
Ria Money Transfer has broader coverage with 190+ countries and 50+ currencies. Ria Money Transfer also offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Wallet.
Bottom line
Overall, Ria Money Transfer edges ahead for most users thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. That said, Remitly is the better pick if you need cash pickup and global coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Remitly or Ria Money Transfer cheaper for international transfers?
Based on our data, Ria Money Transfer is generally cheaper across most corridors. Ria Money Transfer charges $0-$8 depending on corridor and payment method with a 0.5% - 3% above mid-market exchange rate markup, while Remitly charges From $0 to $3.99 per transfer with a 0.5% - 2% above mid-market markup. For example, on a $1,000 USD → INR transfer, Ria Money Transfer delivers ₹229.64 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Remitly or Ria Money Transfer?
Remitly typically completes transfers in Minutes to 3-5 days, while Ria Money Transfer takes Minutes to 2 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 Ria Money Transfer safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Remitly is regulated by FinCEN, FCA and has a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating. Ria Money Transfer is regulated by FinCEN, FCA, ASIC with a 4.1/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for Remitly vs Ria Money Transfer?
Remitly has a maximum transfer of $10,000 (minimum $1), while Ria Money Transfer allows up to $25,000 (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 Remitly or Ria Money Transfer?
Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. Ria Money Transfer offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Wallet. Remitly supports cash pickup, which is useful when recipients don't have a bank account. Ria Money Transfer supports cash pickup for recipients without bank access.
Should I use Remitly or Ria Money Transfer to send money internationally?
For most users, Ria Money Transfer offers better overall value thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. However, Remitly is the better choice if you need cash pickup and global coverage. The best provider for you depends on your corridor, transfer size, and whether you need features like Home Delivery.