Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal): 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.
Xoom (PayPal)
4.6Xoom, a PayPal service, offers fast international money transfers with options for bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile reload in 130+ countries.
Remitly and Xoom (PayPal) 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. Xoom (PayPal), operating since 2001 from San Francisco, 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 £500 GBP → PKR transfer, Remitly delivers ₨5360.43 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal) across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal) on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Remitly | Xoom (PayPal) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹94,943.71 | ₹95,010.39 | Xoom (PayPal) (+₹66.68) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,153.47 | €1,125.01 | Remitly (+€28.46) |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱29,729.90 | ₱31,366.72 | Xoom (PayPal) (+₱1636.82) |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,130.99 | MX$17,610.39 | Xoom (PayPal) (+MX$479.40) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨186,817.60 | ₨181,457.17 | Remitly (+₨5360.43) |
| USD → NGN($200) | ₦274,568.98 | ₦270,650.48 | Remitly (+₦3918.50) |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
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 | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Reload |
| Regulators | FinCEN, FCA | FinCEN |
| Founded | 2011 | 2001 |
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
Xoom (PayPal)
Pros
- Fast delivery to many countries
- Cash pickup widely available
- Mobile reload option
- Backed by PayPal
- No fees on some corridors
Cons
- Exchange rate includes markup
- Limited to personal transfers
- Not available in all countries for sending
When to choose Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal)
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 Xoom (PayPal) if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You're sending large amounts (Xoom (PayPal) supports up to $50,000)
- You want zero transfer fees (From $0 to $4.99)
Verdict: Remitly or Xoom (PayPal)?
Cost: Too close to call
Remitly and Xoom (PayPal) 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 Xoom (PayPal) takes Minutes to 3 days. The actual speed depends on the corridor and delivery method.
Wider coverage: Xoom (PayPal)
Xoom (PayPal) has broader coverage with 130+ countries and 50+ currencies. Xoom (PayPal) also offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Reload.
Bottom line
Overall, Xoom (PayPal) 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 Xoom (PayPal) cheaper for international transfers?
It depends on the corridor. Our data across 6 routes shows Remitly and Xoom (PayPal) 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 Xoom (PayPal) charges From $0 to $4.99 with a 1% - 3% above mid-market markup. We recommend comparing rates for your specific transfer using our calculator.
Which is faster, Remitly or Xoom (PayPal)?
Remitly typically completes transfers in Minutes to 3-5 days, while Xoom (PayPal) takes Minutes to 3 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 Xoom (PayPal) safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Remitly is regulated by FinCEN, FCA and has a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating. Xoom (PayPal) is regulated by FinCEN with a 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for Remitly vs Xoom (PayPal)?
Remitly has a maximum transfer of $10,000 (minimum $1), while Xoom (PayPal) 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 Xoom (PayPal)?
Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. Xoom (PayPal) offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Reload. Remitly supports cash pickup, which is useful when recipients don't have a bank account. Xoom (PayPal) supports cash pickup for recipients without bank access.
Should I use Remitly or Xoom (PayPal) to send money internationally?
For most users, Xoom (PayPal) 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.