Remitly vs Western Union: 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.
Western Union
4.3Western Union is one of the world's oldest and largest money transfer companies, with an extensive agent network for cash pickups in 200+ countries.
Remitly and Western Union 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. Western Union, operating since 1851 from Denver, 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 ₦7553.62 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Remitly vs Western Union across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Remitly vs Western Union on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Remitly | Western Union | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹94,613.02 | ₹94,679.65 | Western Union (+₹66.63) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,145.44 | €1,135.64 | Remitly (+€9.80) |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱29,375.75 | ₱29,428.28 | Western Union (+₱52.53) |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$16,902.42 | MX$16,931.20 | Western Union (+MX$28.78) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨187,984.49 | ₨186,361.20 | Remitly (+₨1623.29) |
| USD → NGN($200) | ₦272,917.21 | ₦265,363.59 | Remitly (+₦7553.62) |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Remitly and Western Union
Remitly vs Western Union: Feature comparison
| Feature | Remitly | Western Union |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.6/5 (Excellent) | 4.3/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer | From $0 to $10+ depending on method |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market | 1% - 4% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Minutes to 3-5 days | Minutes to 5 days |
| Supported countries | 100+ | 200+ |
| Supported currencies | 40+ | 130+ |
| Max transfer | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| 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, Various |
| Founded | 2011 | 1851 |
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
Western Union
Pros
- Massive global agent network
- Cash pickup in 200+ countries
- Transfers can arrive in minutes
- Cash payment option available
- Well-established and trusted
Cons
- Higher fees than digital-only competitors
- Exchange rate markup can be significant
- Online rates differ from in-store
When to choose Remitly vs Western Union
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 Western Union if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You're sending large amounts (Western Union supports up to $50,000)
- You need a business account for commercial payments
- You need wider country coverage (200+ vs 100+ countries)
- You want zero transfer fees (From $0 to $10+ depending on method)
Verdict: Remitly or Western Union?
Cost: Too close to call
Remitly and Western Union 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 Western Union takes Minutes to 5 days. The actual speed depends on the corridor and delivery method.
Wider coverage: Western Union
Western Union has broader coverage with 200+ countries and 130+ currencies. Western Union also offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Wallet.
Bottom line
Remitly and Western Union serve different needs well. Remitly is best for cash pickup and global coverage, while Western Union excels at cash pickup and global coverage. Your best choice depends on what matters most: cost, speed, coverage, or delivery options.
Frequently asked questions
Is Remitly or Western Union cheaper for international transfers?
It depends on the corridor. Our data across 6 routes shows Remitly and Western Union 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 Western Union charges From $0 to $10+ depending on method with a 1% - 4% above mid-market markup. We recommend comparing rates for your specific transfer using our calculator.
Which is faster, Remitly or Western Union?
Remitly typically completes transfers in Minutes to 3-5 days, while Western Union takes Minutes to 5 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 Western Union safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Remitly is regulated by FinCEN, FCA and has a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating. Western Union is regulated by FinCEN, FCA, Various with a 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for Remitly vs Western Union?
Remitly has a maximum transfer of $10,000 (minimum $1), while Western Union allows up to $50,000 (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 Western Union?
Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. Western Union offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Wallet. Remitly supports cash pickup, which is useful when recipients don't have a bank account. Western Union supports cash pickup for recipients without bank access.
Should I use Remitly or Western Union to send money internationally?
It depends on your priorities. Choose Remitly for cash pickup and global coverage, or Western Union for cash pickup and global coverage. We recommend comparing rates for your specific transfer amount and corridor using our calculator above.