XE vs Remitly: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
XE
4.3XE is a trusted name in currency exchange, offering international money transfers with competitive rates and no transfer fees for most corridors.
Remitly
4.5Remitly specializes in personal international money transfers with a focus on remittances to developing countries, offering competitive rates and fast delivery.
XE and Remitly are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. XE, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Newmarket, Canada, is best known for large transfers and business payments. 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 $1,000 USD → MXN transfer, Remitly delivers MX$1156.43 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: XE vs Remitly across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through XE vs Remitly on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | XE | Remitly | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹93,666.48 | ₹93,969.24 | Remitly (+₹302.76) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,145.54 | €1,153.17 | Remitly (+€7.63) |
| USD → PHP($500) | — | ₱29,896.01 | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,113.36 | MX$18,269.79 | Remitly (+MX$1156.43) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | — | ₨188,078.26 | N/A |
| USD → NGN($200) | — | ₦280,897.92 | N/A |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between XE and Remitly
XE vs Remitly: Feature comparison
| Feature | XE | Remitly |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.3/5 (Excellent) | 4.5/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | No transfer fees | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 1.5% above mid-market | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | 1-4 business days | Minutes to 3-5 days |
| Supported countries | 130+ | 100+ |
| Supported currencies | 130+ | 40+ |
| Max transfer | $500,000 | $10,000 |
| Payment methods | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card |
| Delivery methods | Bank Deposit | Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery |
| Regulators | FCA, FinCEN, ASIC, FINTRAC | FinCEN, FCA |
| Founded | 1993 | 2011 |
Pros and cons
XE
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
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 XE vs Remitly
Choose XE if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You're sending large amounts (XE 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 Remitly if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- Your recipient needs cash pickup instead of bank deposit
- 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)
- Speed is your top priority — transfers can arrive in minutes
Verdict: XE or Remitly?
Cost winner: Remitly
Remitly wins on cost in 3 of 6 corridors we tested. For example, on USD → INR ($1,000), the recipient gets ₹302.76 more with Remitly. Remitly achieves this through transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate.
Faster: Remitly
Remitly is generally faster, with transfers arriving in Minutes to 3-5 days, compared to 1-4 business days for XE.
Wider coverage: XE
XE has broader coverage with 130+ countries and 130+ currencies. XE also offers Bank Deposit.
Bottom line
Overall, Remitly edges ahead for most users thanks to transparent pricing with the real mid-market exchange rate. That said, XE is the better pick if you need large transfers and business payments.
Frequently asked questions
Is XE 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 XE charges No transfer fees with a 0.5% - 1.5% above mid-market markup. For example, on a $1,000 USD → INR transfer, Remitly delivers ₹302.76 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, XE or Remitly?
XE typically completes transfers in 1-4 business 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 XE and Remitly safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. XE is regulated by FCA, FinCEN, ASIC, FINTRAC and has a 4.3/5 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 XE vs Remitly?
XE has a maximum transfer of $500,000 (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 XE or Remitly?
XE offers Bank Deposit. Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. Remitly supports cash pickup for recipients without bank access.
Should I use XE 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, XE 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 Home Delivery.