Remitly vs United Overseas Bank (UOB): 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.
United Overseas Bank (UOB)
3.5UOB is a leading Singaporean bank offering international money transfers across Southeast Asia. Strong in ASEAN corridors with competitive SGD rates.
Remitly and United Overseas Bank (UOB) 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. United Overseas Bank (UOB), operating since 1935 from Singapore, 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 United Overseas Bank (UOB) across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Remitly vs United Overseas Bank (UOB) on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Remitly | United Overseas Bank (UOB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹95,833.41 | — | N/A |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,142.19 | — | N/A |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱29,915.84 | — | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,001.15 | — | N/A |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨189,852.24 | — | N/A |
| USD → NGN($200) | ₦272,575.90 | — | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Remitly and United Overseas Bank (UOB)
Remitly vs United Overseas Bank (UOB): Feature comparison
| Feature | Remitly | United Overseas Bank (UOB) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.6/5 (Excellent) | 3.5/5 (Good) |
| Fee structure | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer | SGD 5-$25 per transfer |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Minutes to 3-5 days | 1-3 business days |
| Supported countries | 100+ | 50+ |
| Supported currencies | 40+ | 25+ |
| Max transfer | $10,000 | $200,000 |
| 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 | MAS (Singapore) |
| Founded | 2011 | 1935 |
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
United Overseas Bank (UOB)
Pros
- Strong Southeast Asian network
- Competitive SGD transfer rates
- High transfer limits
Cons
- Singapore-focused (limited for other markets)
- Wire fees for non-UOB recipients
- Exchange markup higher than fintechs
When to choose Remitly vs United Overseas Bank (UOB)
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 United Overseas Bank (UOB) if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You're sending large amounts (United Overseas Bank (UOB) supports up to $200,000)
- You need a multi-currency account to hold and convert balances
Verdict: Remitly or United Overseas Bank (UOB)?
Cost: Too close to call
Remitly and United Overseas Bank (UOB) 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.
Faster: Remitly
Remitly is generally faster, with transfers arriving in Minutes to 3-5 days, compared to 1-3 business days for United Overseas Bank (UOB).
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, United Overseas Bank (UOB) is the better pick if you need large transfers and business payments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Remitly or United Overseas Bank (UOB) cheaper for international transfers?
It depends on the corridor. Our data across 6 routes shows Remitly and United Overseas Bank (UOB) 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 United Overseas Bank (UOB) charges SGD 5-$25 per transfer with a 0.5% - 2% above mid-market markup. We recommend comparing rates for your specific transfer using our calculator.
Which is faster, Remitly or United Overseas Bank (UOB)?
Remitly typically completes transfers in Minutes to 3-5 days, while United Overseas Bank (UOB) takes 1-3 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 United Overseas Bank (UOB) safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Remitly is regulated by FinCEN, FCA and has a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating. United Overseas Bank (UOB) is regulated by MAS (Singapore) with a 3.5/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for Remitly vs United Overseas Bank (UOB)?
Remitly has a maximum transfer of $10,000 (minimum $1), while United Overseas Bank (UOB) allows up to $200,000 (minimum $10). 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 United Overseas Bank (UOB)?
Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. United Overseas Bank (UOB) offers Bank Deposit. Remitly supports cash pickup, which is useful when recipients don't have a bank account.
Should I use Remitly or United Overseas Bank (UOB) to send money internationally?
For most users, Remitly offers better overall value thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. However, United Overseas Bank (UOB) 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.