XE Money Transfer vs Xoom (PayPal): Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
XE Money Transfer
4.4XE is a trusted name in currency exchange, offering international money transfers with competitive rates and no transfer fees for most corridors.
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.
XE Money Transfer and Xoom (PayPal) are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. XE Money Transfer, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Newmarket, Canada, is best known for large transfers and business payments. 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, XE Money Transfer delivers ₨2414.44 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: XE Money Transfer vs Xoom (PayPal) across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through XE Money Transfer vs Xoom (PayPal) on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | XE Money Transfer | Xoom (PayPal) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹94,734.14 | ₹95,010.39 | Xoom (PayPal) (+₹276.25) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,144.33 | €1,125.01 | XE Money Transfer (+€19.32) |
| USD → PHP($500) | ₱30,402.93 | ₱31,366.72 | Xoom (PayPal) (+₱963.79) |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,272.91 | MX$17,610.39 | Xoom (PayPal) (+MX$337.48) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | ₨183,871.61 | ₨181,457.17 | XE Money Transfer (+₨2414.44) |
| USD → NGN($200) | — | ₦270,650.48 | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between XE Money Transfer and Xoom (PayPal)
XE Money Transfer vs Xoom (PayPal): Feature comparison
| Feature | XE Money Transfer | Xoom (PayPal) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.4/5 (Excellent) | 4.6/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | No transfer fees | From $0 to $4.99 |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 1.5% above mid-market | 1% - 3% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | 1-4 business days | Minutes to 3 days |
| Supported countries | 130+ | 130+ |
| Supported currencies | 130+ | 50+ |
| Max transfer | $500,000 | $50,000 |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Reload |
| Regulators | FCA, FinCEN, ASIC, FINTRAC | FinCEN |
| Founded | 1993 | 2001 |
Pros and cons
XE Money Transfer
Pros
- Well-known and trusted brand
- No transfer fees for most transfers
- Supports 130+ currencies
- Rate alerts available
- Excellent currency data and tools
Cons
- Exchange rates include a markup
- No cash pickup option
- Transfer speed can be slow
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 XE Money Transfer vs Xoom (PayPal)
Choose XE Money Transfer if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You're sending large amounts (XE Money Transfer supports up to $500,000)
- You want to lock in an exchange rate with a forward contract
- You need a business account for commercial payments
Choose Xoom (PayPal) if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- Your recipient needs cash pickup instead of bank deposit
- You want zero transfer fees (From $0 to $4.99)
- Speed is your top priority — transfers can arrive in minutes
Verdict: XE Money Transfer or Xoom (PayPal)?
Cost winner: Xoom (PayPal)
Xoom (PayPal) wins on cost in 3 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on USD → INR ($1,000), the recipient gets ₹276.25 more with Xoom (PayPal). Xoom (PayPal) achieves this through transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate.
Faster: Xoom (PayPal)
Xoom (PayPal) is generally faster, with transfers arriving in Minutes to 3 days, compared to 1-4 business days for XE Money Transfer.
Wider coverage: XE Money Transfer
XE Money Transfer has broader coverage with 130+ countries and 130+ currencies. XE Money Transfer also offers Bank Deposit.
Bottom line
Overall, Xoom (PayPal) edges ahead for most users thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. That said, XE Money Transfer is the better pick if you need large transfers and business payments.
Frequently asked questions
Is XE Money Transfer or Xoom (PayPal) cheaper for international transfers?
Based on our data, Xoom (PayPal) is generally cheaper across most corridors. Xoom (PayPal) charges From $0 to $4.99 with a 1% - 3% above mid-market exchange rate markup, while XE Money Transfer charges No transfer fees with a 0.5% - 1.5% above mid-market markup. For example, on a $1,000 USD → INR transfer, Xoom (PayPal) delivers ₹276.25 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, XE Money Transfer or Xoom (PayPal)?
XE Money Transfer typically completes transfers in 1-4 business 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 XE Money Transfer and Xoom (PayPal) safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. XE Money Transfer is regulated by FCA, FinCEN, ASIC, FINTRAC and has a 4.4/5 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 XE Money Transfer vs Xoom (PayPal)?
XE Money Transfer has a maximum transfer of $500,000 (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 XE Money Transfer or Xoom (PayPal)?
XE Money Transfer offers Bank Deposit. Xoom (PayPal) offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Reload. Xoom (PayPal) supports cash pickup for recipients without bank access.
Should I use XE Money Transfer 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, XE Money Transfer 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 Mobile Reload.