Ria Money Transfer vs Remitly: Fees, Rates & Speed Compared
Ria Money Transfer
4.1Ria Money Transfer is one of the largest money transfer companies in the world, offering transfers to 190+ countries via bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile wallets.
Remitly
4.5Remitly specializes in personal international money transfers with a focus on remittances to developing countries, offering competitive rates and fast delivery.
Ria Money Transfer and Remitly are both popular choices for international money transfers, but they take different approaches. Ria Money Transfer, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Buena Park, California, 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 ₦18114.40 more to the recipient.
In this comparison
Live comparison: Ria Money Transfer vs Remitly across popular corridors
The table below shows how much the recipient receives when sending through Ria Money Transfer vs Remitly on 6 popular corridors. Data is refreshed every 6 hours from provider APIs and websites.
| Corridor | Ria Money Transfer | Remitly | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD → INR($1,000) | ₹92,540.21 | ₹93,969.24 | Remitly (+₹1429.03) |
| GBP → EUR(£1,000) | €1,119.72 | €1,153.17 | Remitly (+€33.45) |
| USD → PHP($500) | — | ₱29,896.01 | N/A |
| USD → MXN($1,000) | MX$17,535.75 | MX$18,269.79 | Remitly (+MX$734.04) |
| GBP → PKR(£500) | — | ₨188,078.26 | N/A |
| USD → NGN($200) | ₦262,783.52 | ₦280,897.92 | Remitly (+₦18114.40) |
Amounts shown are what the recipient receives. Based on current scraped data, updated every 6 hours.
Key differences between Ria Money Transfer and Remitly
Ria Money Transfer vs Remitly: Feature comparison
| Feature | Ria Money Transfer | Remitly |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.1/5 (Good) | 4.5/5 (Excellent) |
| Fee structure | $0-$8 depending on corridor and payment method | From $0 to $3.99 per transfer |
| Exchange rate markup | 0.5% - 3% above mid-market | 0.5% - 2% above mid-market |
| Transfer speed | Minutes to 2 days | Minutes to 3-5 days |
| Supported countries | 190+ | 100+ |
| Supported currencies | 50+ | 40+ |
| Max transfer | $25,000 | $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, ASIC | FinCEN, FCA |
| Founded | 1987 | 2011 |
Pros and cons
Ria Money Transfer
Pros
- Massive global network (500,000+ cash pickup locations)
- Competitive rates on popular corridors
- Cash pickup option in remote areas
Cons
- Rates vary significantly by corridor
- Exchange rate markup can be high for small amounts
- App experience less polished than Wise/Remitly
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 Ria Money Transfer vs Remitly
Choose Ria Money Transfer if:
- You want the real mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup
- You're sending large amounts (Ria Money Transfer supports up to $25,000)
- You need wider country coverage (190+ vs 100+ countries)
- You want zero transfer fees ($0-$8 depending on corridor and payment 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: Ria Money Transfer 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 ₹1429.03 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. Ria Money Transfer typically delivers in Minutes to 2 days, while Remitly takes Minutes to 3-5 days. The actual speed depends on the corridor and delivery method.
Wider coverage: Ria Money Transfer
Ria Money Transfer has broader coverage with 190+ countries and 50+ currencies. Ria Money Transfer 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, Ria Money Transfer is the better pick if you need cash pickup and global coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ria Money Transfer 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 Ria Money Transfer charges $0-$8 depending on corridor and payment method with a 0.5% - 3% above mid-market markup. For example, on a $1,000 USD → INR transfer, Remitly delivers ₹1429.03 more. However, costs vary by corridor, so always compare for your specific route.
Which is faster, Ria Money Transfer or Remitly?
Ria Money Transfer typically completes transfers in Minutes to 2 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 Ria Money Transfer and Remitly safe to use?
Yes, both are regulated money transfer services. Ria Money Transfer is regulated by FinCEN, FCA, ASIC and has a 4.1/5 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 Ria Money Transfer vs Remitly?
Ria Money Transfer has a maximum transfer of $25,000 (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 Ria Money Transfer or Remitly?
Ria Money Transfer offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Wallet. Remitly offers Bank Deposit, Cash Pickup, Mobile Money, Home Delivery. Ria Money Transfer 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 Ria Money Transfer 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, Ria Money Transfer 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.