Western Union vs Remitly: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
Western Union
3.8Western 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
4.5Remitly specializes in personal international money transfers with a focus on remittances to developing countries, offering competitive rates and fast delivery.
Western Union and Remitly are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. Western Union, founded in 1851 and headquartered in Denver, USA, is best known for cash pickup and global coverage. Remitly, operating since 2011 from Seattle, 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 ₦10075.40 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Western Union vs Remitly across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Western Union vs Remitly on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Western Union | Remitly | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹93,647.56 | ₹93,969.24 | Remitly (+₹321.68) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,130.95 | €1,153.17 | Remitly (+€22.22) |
| USD → PHP($500) | — | ₱29,896.01 | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$16,978.64 | MX$18,269.79 | Remitly (+MX$1291.15) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | — | ₨188,078.26 | N/A |
| USD → NGN($200) | ₦270,822.52 | ₦280,897.92 | Remitly (+₦10075.40) |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Western Union and Remitly
Western Union vs Remitly: Feature comparison
| Feature | Western Union | Remitly |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.8/5 (Good) | 4.5/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | From $0 to $10+ depending on method | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer |
| Exchange rate markup | 1% - 4% above mid-market | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Minutes to 5 days | Minutes to 3-5 days |
| Supported countries | 200+ | 100+ |
| Supported currencies | 130+ | 40+ |
| Max transfer | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card, Cash | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Wallet | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery |
| Regulators | FinCEN, FCA, Various | FinCEN, FCA |
| Founded | 1851 | 2011 |
Pros and cons
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
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
When to choose Western Union vs Remitly
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)
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)
Verdict: Western Union or Remitly?
Cost winner: Remitly
Remitly wins on cost in 4 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on USD → INR ($1,000), the recipient gets ₹321.68 more with Remitly. Remitly achieves this through transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate.
Speed: Similar delivery times
Both providers offer similar transfer speeds. Western Union typically delivers in Minutes to 5 days, while Remitly takes Minutes to 3-5 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
Overall, Remitly edges ahead for most users thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. That said, Western Union is the better pick if you need cash pickup and global coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Western Union or Remitly cheaper for international transfers?
Based on our data, Remitly is generally cheaper across most corridors. 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. For example, on a $1,000 USD → INR transfer, Remitly delivers ₹321.68 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Western Union or Remitly?
Western Union typically completes transfers in Minutes to 5 days, while Remitly takes Minutes to 3-5 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 Western Union and Remitly safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Western Union is regulated by FinCEN, FCA, Various and has a 3.8/5 Trustpilot rating. Remitly is regulated by FinCEN, FCA with a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating. Both companies are required to safeguard customer funds under their respective regulatory frameworks.
What are the transfer limits for Western Union vs Remitly?
Western Union has a maximum transfer of $50,000 (minimum $1), while Remitly allows up to $10,000 (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 Western Union or Remitly?
Western Union offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Wallet. Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. Western Union supports cash pickup, which is useful when recipients don't have a bank account. Remitly supports cash pickup for recipients without bank access.
Should I use Western Union or Remitly to send money internationally?
For most users, Remitly offers better overall value thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. However, Western Union 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.