Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal): Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
Remitly ahead on USD → NGN; Xoom (PayPal) nowhere.
Remitly
Won 1 of 1 routes here
4.6
Xoom (PayPal)
Won 0 of 1 routes here
4.6Both are digital-first remittance specialists with cash pickup and mobile delivery options, which makes this one of the more direct like-for-like comparisons on the site. Remitly reaches 100 countries with home delivery as an extra option; Xoom reaches 130 countries with mobile reload as its differentiator, backed by PayPal's funding infrastructure for existing PayPal users.
Live comparison: Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal) across popular corridors
Recipient payout route by route, Remitly against Xoom (PayPal), from collected quotes (not guaranteed).
| Corridor | Remitly | Xoom (PayPal) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹96,029.16 | — | N/A |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,162.02 | — | N/A |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱30,308.98 | — | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,818.20 | — | N/A |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨181,471.80 | — | N/A |
| USD → NGN($200) | ₦267,358.91 | ₦262,684.82 | Remitly (+₦4674.09) |
Key differences between Remitly and Xoom (PayPal)
Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal): Feature comparison
| Feature | Remitly | Xoom (PayPal) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.6/5 (Excellent) | 4.6/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer | From $0 to $4.99 |
| 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+ | 130+ |
| Supported currencies | 40+ | 50+ |
| Max transfer | $300,000 | $50,000 |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Reload |
| Regulators | FinCEN, FCA | FinCEN |
What we measured: Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal)
5 of 101 of the corridors we price went to Remitly against 2 of 73 for Xoom. Remitly's average shortfall when it isn't cheapest is 2.98%, against 5.61% for Xoom.
A worked example: $1,000 to Pakistan
On $1,000 USD→PKR the gap is Rs3,825, with Remitly delivering more — 0.35% all-in for Remitly against 1.73% for Xoom. Both price cash pickup differently from bank deposit, and Xoom's funding is instant for existing PayPal users, which this figure doesn't capture.
When to choose Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal)
Pick Remitly for wider country reach and home delivery
Remitly's narrower currency list (40 against Xoom's 50) is offset by home delivery, a payout option Xoom doesn't have. Its Trustpilot rating is the higher of the two, and its express tier settles in minutes on the corridors it prices sharply.
Pick Xoom if you already use PayPal, or need mobile reload
Xoom's advantages are account-shaped: if you already hold a PayPal balance, funding is immediate and identity checks are largely done. It supports transfers to $50,000 against Remitly's $300,000 US ceiling — Remitly's is higher, but Xoom's is still ample for most remittances — and offers mobile reload, which Remitly doesn't.
What the Remitly and Xoom (PayPal) figures don’t settle
Both price cash pickup differently from bank deposit, and Remitly's promotional first-transfer rates are excluded. Confirm your corridor and payout method before sending.
Verdict: Remitly or Xoom (PayPal)?
Cost winner: Remitly
Remitly led 5 of 101 of the corridors we price against 2 of 73 for Xoom, with average shortfalls of 2.98% and 5.61%. Both are digital-first specialists priced closer to the leaders than a bank or a broad payments account.
Speed: Similar delivery times
Both settle in minutes on their express tiers. The more meaningful speed variable is funding: Xoom is instant for an existing PayPal user, while Remitly's funding speed depends on the payment method chosen.
Wider coverage: Xoom (PayPal)
Xoom's 130 countries and mobile reload edge out Remitly's 100 countries; Remitly answers with home delivery, a payout method Xoom doesn't offer, and a meaningfully higher Trustpilot rating.
Bottom line
This is a close, direct comparison between two purpose-built remittance apps. Xoom's edge is PayPal-account convenience and mobile reload; Remitly's is broader payout flexibility and a stronger trust record.
Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal): your questions
Does having a PayPal account make Xoom cheaper?
It doesn't change Xoom's price, but it removes the slowest part of a first transfer — funding is immediate and identity checks are largely already done. Remitly has no equivalent shortcut for an existing-account holder.
Can Remitly top up a recipient's phone the way Xoom can?
No — mobile reload is specific to Xoom in this comparison. If that's the payout method needed, Xoom is the option here regardless of Remitly's pricing on the corridors it serves.
Which has the better Trustpilot rating?
Remitly, by a clear margin. That measures whether transfers felt reliable and arrived as promised, a different question from which is cheaper on a specific corridor.
Does Remitly offer home delivery everywhere?
No — home delivery availability depends on the specific destination country and network. Check coverage for your corridor rather than assuming it's universal.