Remitly vs Western Union: Fees, Exchange Rates, and Features Compared

Who should you pick?

Here's a quick outline of both.

Exchange rates and fees

Both charge transfer fees and add an exchange-rate margin, but paying cash through Western Union can add a further 1% federal tax.

For an online transfer, the amount and destination affect the price, along with your payment method and how your recipient receives the money.

These live comparisons show the fees, exchange rates and recipient amounts for popular destinations when sending $500 or $2,000.

Amount

AmountUSD 500USD 2,000Custom

Last updated at 10/26/2026

USD MXN

Mid Market Rate $1 = $18.7159$1 = $18.6684

Transfer Amount $500$2,000

1

Remitly

1

Remitly

They get (after fees)

Transfer fees

FX Rate

Markup

Cheapest payment method

Delivery time

$9,495.00

$0.00

18.9900

-1.45%

Debit card

Within a week

Visit

$37,400.00

$0.00

18.7000

-0.17%

-

Next day

Visit

USD INR

Mid Market Rate $1 = ₹95.1057$1 = ₹95.1449

Transfer Amount $500$2,000

1

Remitly

1

Remitly

They get (after fees)

Transfer fees

FX Rate

Markup

Cheapest payment method

Delivery time

₹47,780.00

$0.00

95.5600

-0.48%

Debit card

Within minutes

Visit

₹191,100.00

$0.00

95.5500

-0.42%

Debit card

Within minutes

Visit

USD PHP

Mid Market Rate $1 = ₱63.8945$1 = ₱63.8965

Transfer Amount $500$2,000

1

Remitly

1

Remitly

They get (after fees)

Transfer fees

FX Rate

Markup

Cheapest payment method

Delivery time

₱32,785.00

$0.00

65.5700

-2.59%

Debit card

Within a week

Visit

₱128,820.00

$0.00

64.4100

-0.80%

-

Within a week

Visit

USD PKR

Mid Market Rate $1 = Rs 276.1232$1 = Rs 276.1232

Transfer Amount $500$2,000

1

Remitly

1

Remitly

They get (after fees)

Transfer fees

FX Rate

Markup

Cheapest payment method

Delivery time

Rs 138,895.00

$0.00

277.7900

-0.60%

Debit card

Within minutes

Visit

Rs 554,760.00

$0.00

277.3800

-0.45%

-

Within minutes

Visit

USD BDT

Mid Market Rate $1 = ৳123.4057$1 = ৳123.4057

Transfer Amount $500$2,000

1

Remitly

1

Remitly

They get (after fees)

Transfer fees

FX Rate

Markup

Cheapest payment method

Delivery time

৳61,670.00

$0.00

123.3400

0.05%

Debit card

Within minutes

Visit

৳246,500.00

$0.00

123.2500

0.13%

-

Within minutes

Visit

USD GTQ

Mid Market Rate $1 = Q 7.6275$1 = Q 7.6275

Transfer Amount $500$2,000

1

Remitly

1

Remitly

They get (after fees)

Transfer fees

FX Rate

Markup

Cheapest payment method

Delivery time

Q 3,888.25

$0.00

7.7765

-1.93%

Debit card

Within a week

Visit

Q 15,207.80

$0.00

7.6039

0.31%

-

Within a week

Visit

USD DOP

Mid Market Rate $1 = $61.2038$1 = $61.2038

Transfer Amount $500$2,000

1

Remitly

1

Remitly

They get (after fees)

Transfer fees

FX Rate

Markup

Cheapest payment method

Delivery time

$30,565.00

$0.00

61.1300

0.12%

Debit card

Within a week

Visit

$121,000.00

$0.00

60.5000

1.16%

Debit card

Within a week

Visit

USD COP

Mid Market Rate $1 = $3,160.53$1 = $3,160.53

Transfer Amount $500$2,000

1

Remitly

1

Remitly

They get (after fees)

Transfer fees

FX Rate

Markup

Cheapest payment method

Delivery time

$1,637,415.00

$0.00

3274.8300

-3.55%

Debit card

Within a week

Visit

$6,393,620.00

$0.00

3196.8100

-1.14%

-

Within a week

Visit

USD GBP

Mid Market Rate $1 = £0.7477$1 = £0.7479

Transfer Amount $500$2,000

1

Remitly

1

Remitly

They get (after fees)

Transfer fees

FX Rate

Markup

Cheapest payment method

Delivery time

£375.85

$0.00

0.7517

-0.54%

Debit card

Within minutes

Visit

£1,502.60

$0.00

0.7513

-0.46%

-

Within minutes

Visit

USD EUR

Mid Market Rate $1 = €0.8916$1 = €0.8927

Transfer Amount $500$2,000

1

Remitly

1

Remitly

They get (after fees)

Transfer fees

FX Rate

Markup

Cheapest payment method

Delivery time

€445.85

$0.00

0.8917

-0.02%

Debit card

Within minutes

Visit

€1,784.60

$0.00

0.8923

0.04%

-

Within minutes

Visit

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Live Remitly exchange rates and fees

Remitly offers promotional rates and fees on first transfers, which can make a substantial difference to the amount your recipient gets.

Here are Remitly's promotional prices for the same destinations at three different amounts.

Live Western Union exchange rates and fees

Western Union also makes money from currency exchange, so a low transfer fee does not tell you the full cost.

Its online, app and agent prices can differ, making the payment channel part of the price decision.

Here is what Western Union offers for the same destinations and amounts, alongside the transfer time for each result.

Cash funding and extra charges

A taxable $500 cash-funded international transfer adds $5 in federal tax (1%), while a $2,000 transfer adds $20 before the normal transfer costs.

The tax applies to cash and certain physical payment instruments, with qualifying bank-account withdrawals and US-issued debit or credit card payments exempt.

Cash pickup abroad does not trigger the tax when you pay using an exempt method, so the sender's funding choice determines this extra cost.

A credit card can also bring a cash-advance fee and interest from your card issuer, separately from either company's transfer fee.

I suggest comparing the final recipient amount first, then deciding whether Western Union's cash payment option is worth its additional cost.

Transfer speed

Both can deliver quickly, and Western Union's fast options include cash pickup and selected bank or mobile-wallet transfers.

Remitly transfer speed

Remitly Express uses card funding for faster delivery on some destinations, while bank-funded options can take longer to reach your recipient.

Here are Remitly's transfer times for the destinations and amounts used above.

Western Union transfer speed

Western Union can make eligible cash and mobile-wallet payments available in minutes, while bank transfers can take from minutes to five business days.

Here are Western Union's transfer times for the same destinations and amounts, so you can compare the delivery estimate directly.

For cash collection, your recipient also needs an open agent location and the identification required to collect the transfer.

Neither has a universal speed advantage, since a fast cash transfer and a slower bank deposit solve different recipient needs.

For an urgent payment, I suggest choosing the delivery estimate your recipient can use, including the pickup location's opening hours.

Transfer limits

Remitly gives you more room for a large international payment, with up to $300,000 per transfer against Western Union's approximate $50,000 verified limit.

The available amount depends on your verification, payment method and destination, along with the receiving bank, wallet or cash pickup restrictions.

Western Union's higher limit requires identity verification, and a large transfer can also require evidence of your income or the payment's purpose.

Remitly's higher maximum is useful above $50,000, but it does not mean every customer or payout method can send $300,000 immediately.

Our guide to sending a large amount overseas explains the documents and receiving limits that can affect a larger payment.

Products & features

Western Union offers more ways to send and pay domestically, while Remitly adds higher international limits and borrowing options for eligible Card customers.

Global reach

Western Union has over 500,000 transfer agents across 200+ countries, which helps when you need to send beyond the countries covered by Remitly.

Both let you send from the US, with the receiving method depending on the destination rather than the headline country count.

Deposit and funding methods

Western Union is better when you need to pay cash, while both accept bank and card payments for online transfers.

Western Union lets you prepare the transfer in its app and then pay at a participating agent, reducing the information you enter in person.

Remitly's online funding works well when you already have a bank account or card and do not need an agent to accept cash.

Delivery methods

Both offer cash pickup, bank deposits and mobile wallets, with home delivery available in selected destinations, including Vietnam through Western Union.

For someone receiving money in the Philippines, both offer GCash and Maya alongside bank deposits and cash pickup.

Western Union's cash funding is a separate benefit from cash collection, since Remitly can also send cash to a recipient abroad.

Our send money to the Philippines guide compares the available ways to receive money in that destination.

Wallets and cards

Both have wallet and card products, with Remitly offering a dollar Wallet and Western Union adding the separate Vigo Money app.

Remitly's older US Wallet holds dollars, with no Remitly fee for adding or withdrawing money, although transfer fees and currency conversion still apply.

Its Global Card uses a separate Stripe-powered wallet and Visa conversion for foreign purchases, without an added foreign transaction fee.

The basic Card has no monthly fee or minimum balance, with access available to eligible invited customers and a waitlist for others.

Vigo Money lets you add funds, receive a virtual Visa immediately and order a physical Pathward prepaid card after eligible US signup.

You need a US address and an SSN or ITIN, and Vigo supports adding money by card or redirecting an incoming Western Union transfer.

Western Union also has a separate reloadable prepaid Visa with direct deposit, which should be compared using its own fee schedule.

Western Union's standalone prepaid card can charge up to $3.95 for reloading, plus $5.95 monthly after 180 inactive days with funds remaining.

Vigo's separate card has its own terms, while Remitly's basic Card is the stronger fit for overseas spending without an added foreign transaction fee, provided you have access to it.

Domestic payments and rewards

Western Union offers more domestic payment options compared to Remitly.

Transfers between Vigo wallets within the US have no Western Union transfer fee and typically arrive the same day, although delays and other fees are possible.

Western Union also supports payments to US billers, money orders and mobile top-ups, giving it more uses beyond sending money abroad.

Its free Rewards program gives 100 points for qualifying completed transfers, with points redeemable toward transfer-fee discounts and other available offers.

Remitly's optional Card plan costs $9.99 per month and includes Pay Later through Coastal Community Bank for eligible customers.

Pay Later has 0% APR, but usual transfer fees remain, with an $8 late fee if your payment is more than three days late.

Depending on approval and state availability, you can qualify for $50 when joining, or $50–$250 if you already use Remitly.

Full, on-time Pay Later AutoPay repayments earn a 1% transfer discount, capped at $5 per month, which cannot cover the monthly plan fee alone.

Older One and Flex offers have different terms, so their benefits should not be added to the current Card plan.

I would not buy the Card subscription just for its rewards, while Western Union's free loyalty program is easier to justify for occasional sending.

Business accounts

Remitly is the better choice for company payments, with a dedicated US business service for suppliers and contractors.

Remitly Business lets you pay several recipients and use Send by Link so a contractor can provide their own payment details.

Eligible US sole proprietorships, LLCs and corporations can apply, with verification of the company and its owners required.

Western Union sold its former Business Solutions operation, now Convera, so those business currency tools are separate from its current consumer transfer account.

Personal promotional prices above do not establish Remitly Business costs, which include the applicable transfer fee and exchange-rate cost.

Customer service

Western Union adds in-person agent assistance, while Remitly includes specialist Concierge help after qualifying US transfers of at least $5,000.

Remitly Concierge access lasts 90 days after your latest qualifying transfer, giving you specialists to contact about larger payments.

That access does not mean a dedicated account manager handles every transfer, but it is a useful addition when sending substantial amounts.

Western Union is better when you want help arranging an agent transfer in person, although each location has its own opening hours.

Remitly offers support in 18 languages, with language availability varying between phone, chat and other contact channels.

Ease of use

Western Union connects app setup with agent payments, while Remitly's recipient links can reduce the details you need to collect.

Both have web, iOS and Android sending, with saved recipients and tracking for following a transfer after you pay.

Western Union's app includes an agent finder, card scanning and repeat transfers, which help when you switch between digital and in-person sending.

Remitly's Send with Text lets selected US customers share a link so recipients can choose an available bank, wallet or cash collection option.

That is useful when you know who needs the money but want them to choose how to receive it.

I like Western Union's app-to-agent option for cash payments, while Remitly's recipient-chosen delivery makes sense for sending to family with changing needs.

Safety and regulations

Both operate under US money-transfer rules, while protection for a wallet or prepaid balance depends on that specific product.

Remitly and Western Union follow applicable US licensing requirements, with identity checks and transfer tracking helping protect the payment process.

Western Union also supports app biometrics, but these safeguards do not guarantee recovery if you authorize a transfer to a scammer.

For ordinary transfers, contact the company immediately if something is wrong, since cancellation becomes harder after the recipient collects or receives the money.

Remitly's older USD Wallet holds money at Lead Bank, but your balance remains an unsecured claim against Remitly under its agreement.

Bank insurance does not cover Remitly's failure, theft or fraud, and its newer Card wallet has separate Stripe terms.

Registered funds on Western Union's standalone prepaid card can qualify for FDIC protection, subject to the bank's insurance conditions and aggregation limits.

That protection belongs to eligible prepaid funds and should not be applied to every Western Union transfer or its separate Vigo wallet.

I would choose by the transfer you need, then read the specific wallet or card terms before leaving a substantial balance there.

Reviews and feedback

Remitly has higher ratings across Trustpilot, the US App Store and Google Play, giving it the stronger customer-feedback scores here.

These scores favor Remitly, but they do not change Western Union's advantage when you need an agent to accept cash.

Heres what our users have to say about both companies.

Alternatives

Other companies offer agent sending, foreign-currency accounts and specialist help with larger payments, depending on what these two services leave uncovered.

Revolut offers account and card features through US partner banks, rather than operating as a US bank itself.

Use the live comparison above to compare your recipient's amount, then choose the payment and delivery methods that suit both of you.