Remitly vs SkyRemit: 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.
SkyRemit
4.1SkyRemit is a China-based money transfer service specialising in outbound CNY transfers. It offers competitive exchange rates with a low fixed fee of ¥79 per transfer, supporting WeChat Pay and Alipay as payment methods.
Remitly and SkyRemit 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. SkyRemit, operating since 2018 from China, 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.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Remitly vs SkyRemit across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Remitly vs SkyRemit on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Remitly | SkyRemit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹96,140.07 | — | N/A |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,140.62 | — | N/A |
| 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 Remitly and SkyRemit
Remitly vs SkyRemit: Feature comparison
| Feature | Remitly | SkyRemit |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.6/5 (Excellent) | 4.1/5 (Good) |
| Fee structure | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer | ¥79 fixed fee + 0.38% float fee |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market | 0.4% - 1% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Minutes to 3-5 days | Minutes to 2 days |
| Supported countries | 100+ | 50+ |
| Supported currencies | 40+ | 50+ |
| Max transfer | $10,000 | $300,000 |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card | WeChat Pay, Alipay, Bank Transfer |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery | Bank Deposit |
| Regulators | FinCEN, FCA | PBOC (China) |
| Founded | 2011 | 2018 |
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
SkyRemit
Pros
- Low fixed fee of ¥79 per transfer
- Accepts WeChat Pay and Alipay
- Supports 50+ receive currencies
Cons
- Only sends from CNY
- Less known outside China
- No cash pickup option
When to choose Remitly vs SkyRemit
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 need wider country coverage (100+ vs 50+ countries)
- You want zero transfer fees (From $0 to $3.99 per transfer)
Choose SkyRemit if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You're sending large amounts (SkyRemit supports up to $300,000)
- SkyRemit's strengths (Bank Deposit) match your needs
Verdict: Remitly or SkyRemit?
Cost: Too close to call
Remitly and SkyRemit are closely matched on cost. Across our 6 sample corridors, neither provider consistently delivers more to the recipient. The best choice depends on your specific corridor.
Speed: Similar delivery times
Both providers offer similar transfer speeds. Remitly typically delivers in Minutes to 3-5 days, while SkyRemit takes Minutes to 2 days. The actual speed depends on the corridor and delivery method.
Wider coverage: Remitly
Remitly has broader coverage with 100+ countries and 40+ currencies. Remitly also offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery.
Bottom line
Overall, Remitly edges ahead for most users thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. That said, SkyRemit is the better pick if you need large transfers and business payments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Remitly or SkyRemit cheaper for international transfers?
It depends on the corridor. Our data across 6 routes shows Remitly and SkyRemit are closely matched on total cost. Remitly charges From $0 to $3.99 per transfer with a 0.5% - 2% above mid-market exchange rate markup, while SkyRemit charges ¥79 fixed fee + 0.38% float fee with a 0.4% - 1% above mid-market markup. We recommend comparing rates for your specific transfer using our calculator.
Which is faster, Remitly or SkyRemit?
Remitly typically completes transfers in Minutes to 3-5 days, while SkyRemit 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 SkyRemit safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Remitly is regulated by FinCEN, FCA and has a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating. SkyRemit is regulated by PBOC (China) 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 SkyRemit?
Remitly has a maximum transfer of $10,000 (minimum $1), while SkyRemit allows up to $300,000 (minimum $500). 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 SkyRemit?
Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. SkyRemit offers Bank Deposit. Remitly supports cash pickup, which is useful when recipients don't have a bank account.
Should I use Remitly or SkyRemit to send money internationally?
For most users, Remitly offers better overall value thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. However, SkyRemit 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.