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How to Send Money To and From a Debit Card: Low-Cost Options, Ranked for 2024

Sending money via bank transfer can be slow, complicated, and expensive. The standard turnaround time is 3-5 business days, and you need lots of account details to make the transfer happen.

Avoid this by sending money directly to a debit card.

Here, we show you how to make debit to debit transfers, list the best, fastest ways you can do it, and cover the debit card details needed to complete your transfer.

Mehdi Punjwani
Author 
Mehdi Punjwani
5 minutes
January 12th, 2024
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How to send money to a debit card

You can send money from debit card to debit card via some money transfer providers. Here's how:

Choose a provider
Sign up or log in
Add transfer details
Choose delivery method
Add required details
Review and confirm

Best ways to send money to a debit card

So you know how to make debit to debit transfers, now you need to find a provider that will let you do it. Skip the bank accounts and send directly to debit cards using one of the providers below.

Wise
Wise

The main selling point of Wise is their mid-market exchange rate. They don't add a markup to currency exchanges, so you'll always get what your money's worth. Instead, they add a small fee to all transfers, which can be calculated before you transfer in their app or on their website.

Wise is also one of the easiest providers to use, with a great user interface.

While Wise allows you to make payments to debit cards, these are often more expensive than their standard bank transfers. On top of the standard Wise transfer fees, there's an additional cost of 1.5% for transfers to debit cards, with a minimum fee of $0.31.

  • Transparent fees and exchange rates

  • User-friendly interface

  • Faster small transfers than most competitors

MoneyGram
MoneyGram

Our overall score for MoneyGram is 6.2 out of 10 - while it isn't the strongest provider on our list in terms of cost or service, MoneyGram the biggest and most well-known money transfer services, make it our pick for reliable transfers to debit cards.

  • Huge company with a worldwide reputation

  • Fast transfers to debit cards

Paysend
Paysend

PaySend is our pick for the cheapest transfers on our list. It offers the lowest transfer fees, costing either $2, £1, or €1.5 to send money to a debit card.

  • Transfer fees are relatively low

  • Transfers to debit cards are fast, often done in minutes

  • Relatively wide range of countries where you can pay to a debit card

Remitly
Remitly

Remitly are a solid money transfer provider when sending money to a debit card - and their customer service makes them stand out.

  • 24/7 customer service via phone and chat for English and Spanish-speaking customers, and 24/7 chat support for French-speaking customers

  • Easy-to-use app available in 14 languages

  • Multiple payment methods

TransferGo
TransferGo

Overall, TransferGo is one of the strongest money transfer providers on the market - and they're exceptionally useful for transfers to debit cards in Europe

  • Wide coverage in Europe, even with more exotic European currencies

  • Fast card-to-card transfers

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How to send money to someone's debit card instantly

Debit card payments are often quicker than bank transfers, but it will depend on your provider and the countries you're sending money between.

The fastest money transfer providers for debit card payments are:

Provider

Average speed

Wise

Within minutes

MoneyGram

Within minutes

Paysend

Within minutes

TransferGo

Within minutes

Faster transfers are usually more expensive

With any kind of money transfer, it’s likely to cost more if you want the funds available instantly. However, it’s always worth comparing providers to see what deals are out there - this way you can be sure you’re getting the best available for your money.

Pros and cons

  • They can be quick to arrive, especially if you pay from a debit card too

  • You only need the recipient’s card number, rather than their bank account details

  • Transfers are simple, and the recipient doesn’t need to do anything to get the money

Best ways to send money from a debit card

Sending money from a debit card is easy with a transfer provider. You can log in, enter your card details, and arrange the transfer in minutes. However, some providers will be quicker than others, and some may charge higher fees.

A lot of providers allow you to make money transfers using your debit card, we've listed some of the top options below.

Provider

Best for

Wise

Lowest exchange rates

XE

Fast transfers

Instarem

Low fees on smaller transfers

TorFX

Large money transfers

Currencies Direct

Exchange rate contracts

How to send money from a debit card

Sending money using your debit card is easy. Here's how to do it:

Choose a provider
Sign up or log in
Add transfer details
Choose sending method
Add required details
Review and confirm

Alternatives to sending money to and from a debit card

While using the above providers to send money to and from a debit card does offer some benefits, it’s not always the most available and far-reaching method. We always recommend using local bank transfers as the preferred payment and deposit method - it generally works out cheaper, and you’re more likely to find providers that accept this method.

Debit cards vs bank transfers

The main differences between using your debit card to transfer money and transferring directly from your bank are speed and cost. Debit card payments are usually processed much faster, but come with extra fees as a result.

Debit card transfers

Bank transfers

Fees

Often come with extra fees

Usually the lowest of all your options

Exchange rates

You can sometimes get less favorable rates when paying by card

You’ll normally get the provider’s best rate if paying from your bank

Transfer speed

Usually within a day

Often 1-3 days

Availability

Not widely available

Available with most providers

Money transfer services also offer the ability to fund the transfer directly through your bank. This can be a good way of avoiding certain fees associated with debit or credit cards, however, you may find that bank transfers take longer to process.

When you make a local ACH bank transfer to your chosen provider, it credits the same amount - minus fees and rate margins - from one of its accounts in the destination country to the recipient’s bank account. This way no money actually crosses any borders, so transfer costs are minimized - this is how money transfer providers can offer the rates they do.

Almost all of the biggest money transfer services allow paying by local bank transfer, and depositing into the recipient’s bank account, including WorldRemit, Wise and XE. It’s a much more widely available practice compared to paying from and to a debit card.

Debit cards vs credit cards

The main difference between using a debit and credit cards for your money transfer is the cost. Credit card payments come with higher fees as you’re technically borrowing the money to pay for your transaction.

Debit card transfers

Credit card transfers

Fees

Higher than bank transfers but lower than credit cards

Usually the most expensive by way of fees

Exchange rates

Around the same

Around the same

Transfer speed

Usually within a day

Usually within a day

Availability

Not widely available

Not widely available

You might be considering whether it’s better to use a debit card or credit card when you send money online. With a credit card, you get added security and convenience, as your transactions are protected and you get extra time to pay the money back.

However, it’s important to remember that sending money via credit card often includes extra fees like cash advance charges, as well as potential interest payments you may need to make. It’s likely a better option to use your debit card.

Can I send money from a debit card to a debit card?

All the money transfer providers listed accept card to card payments. These include:

Provider

Fees

Wise

1.5% fee, plus standard transfer fee

MoneyGram

From £1.99

Paysend

£1

Remitly

No fee

TransferGo

No fee

Profee

€1, £1, €1, RUB 85 or the currency equivalent depending on the origin and destination of the transfer

FAQs

Can I transfer money using debit cards online?
What details are required for online money transfer using a debit card?
Do international money transfer apps support the use of debit cards in cross currency transfers?
Are money transfers with a debit card expensive?
How can the recipient receive their money when sending with a debit card?
Can I transfer money from an ATM?
Is a debit card the same as a prepaid card?

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Contributors

Mehdi Punjwani
Mehdi is an accomplished writer and editor, specializing in personal finance with over five years of experience. His expertise is reflected in his work for prominent brands such as MoneySuperMarket, Equifax, and The AA. Additionally, Mehdi contributes as an author at USA Today, further showcasing his proficiency in the field.