Compare the best ways to send money from United States to Ethiopia

We compared 6 companies sending money from the United States to Ethiopia. WorldRemit is the best and cheapest, while TapTap Send is the fastest.

Sending $7,000 with WorldRemit gets your recipient 374,860.54 ETB at 53.5591 ETB per USD.

Best companies for USD/ETB transfers

6 of 6 providers

Last updated on 28 October 2026

Based on 7,000 USD transfer

Best companies for USD/ETB transfers

Sort Cheapest
Promoted

Wise

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $69.56 1 USD = 160.9920 ETB +1.22% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,115,745.40 Within a week
Multi-currency cardReceive to bank accountDedicated support for large transfers

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with Wise when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositWithin a weekAvailable via:SWIFT
$69.561 USD = 160.9920 ETB
ETB 1,115,745.40You pay$7,000.00
Promoted

Xe

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $210.00 1 USD = 181.0000 ETB -10.48% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,228,990.00 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with Xe when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
$210.001 USD = 181.0000 ETB
ETB 1,228,990.00You pay$7,000.00

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Showing top United States to Ethiopia deals for 7,000 USD. Do a live search with your exact amount for today's best rates.

TapTap Send

Pay via Debit card
Fee $0.00 1 USD = 180.0000 ETB -9.93% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,260,000.00 Minutes
CheapestFastest
Receive to bank account

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with TapTap Send when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes
Free1 USD = 180.0000 ETB
ETB 1,260,000.00You pay$7,000.00
Mobile moneyMinutesAvailable via:Amole, HelloCash, M-PESA, TeleBirr
Free1 USD = 180.0000 ETB
ETB 1,260,000.00You pay$7,000.00

Xe

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $210.00 1 USD = 181.0000 ETB -10.48% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,228,990.00 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with Xe when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
$210.001 USD = 181.0000 ETB
ETB 1,228,990.00You pay$7,000.00

Xe

Pay via Credit card
Fee $210.00 1 USD = 181.0000 ETB -10.48% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,228,990.00 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with Xe when paying by credit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
$210.001 USD = 181.0000 ETB
ETB 1,228,990.00You pay$7,000.00

Xe

Pay via Debit card
Fee $210.00 1 USD = 181.0000 ETB -10.48% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,228,990.00 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountDedicated support for larger transactions

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with Xe when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
$210.001 USD = 181.0000 ETB
ETB 1,228,990.00You pay$7,000.00
$0 fee on first online transfers

MoneyGram

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $2.99 1 USD = 173.7069 ETB -6.38% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,215,948.30 Minutes - 24 hours

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with MoneyGram when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Select Banks
$2.991 USD = 173.7069 ETB
ETB 1,215,948.30You pay$7,002.99
Mobile walletMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Select Wallets
$105.001 USD = 160.2628 ETB
ETB 1,121,839.60You pay$7,105.00
$0 fee on first online transfers

MoneyGram

Pay via Debit card
Fee $2.99 1 USD = 173.7069 ETB -6.38% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,215,948.30 Minutes - 24 hours

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with MoneyGram when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Select Banks
$2.991 USD = 173.7069 ETB
ETB 1,215,948.30You pay$7,002.99
Mobile walletMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Select Wallets
$1.991 USD = 160.2628 ETB
ETB 1,121,839.60You pay$7,001.99
$0 fee on first online transfers

MoneyGram

Pay via Credit card
Fee $177.99 1 USD = 173.7069 ETB -6.38% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,215,948.30 Minutes - 24 hours

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with MoneyGram when paying by credit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Select Banks
$177.991 USD = 173.7069 ETB
ETB 1,215,948.30You pay$7,177.99
Mobile walletMinutes - 24 hoursAvailable via:Select Wallets
$210.001 USD = 160.2628 ETB
ETB 1,121,839.60You pay$7,210.00
Exclusive: First Transfer Deal

Regency FX

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $0.00 1 USD = 162.5326 ETB +0.27% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,137,728.08 Minutes - 24 hours
Personal account managerReceive to bank accountProfessional, personal service

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with Regency FX when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositMinutes - 24 hours
Free1 USD = 162.5326 ETB
ETB 1,137,728.08You pay$7,000.00

Wise

Pay via Bank transfer
Fee $69.56 1 USD = 160.9920 ETB +1.22% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 1,115,745.40 Within a week
Recommended
Multi-currency cardReceive to bank accountDedicated support for large transfers

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with Wise when paying by bank transfer.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Bank depositWithin a weekAvailable via:SWIFT
$69.561 USD = 160.9920 ETB
ETB 1,115,745.40You pay$7,000.00
Only available via Mobile App

WorldRemit

Pay via Debit card
Fee $0.99 1 USD = 53.5591 ETB +101.06% vs mid-market Recipient gets ETB 374,860.54 Minutes - 2 days
Receive to bank account or cash pickup

Ways to receive money in Ethiopia with WorldRemit when paying by debit card.

MethodFee & ratesRecipient gets
Mobile moneyMinutes - 2 days
$0.991 USD = 53.5591 ETB
ETB 374,860.54You pay$7,000.00
Bank depositMinutes - 2 days
$0.991 USD = 53.2872 ETB
ETB 372,957.72You pay$7,000.00
Cash pickupMinutes - 2 days
$1.991 USD = 52.4716 ETB
ETB 367,196.71You pay$7,000.00
How Our Results Work
Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 162.9726 ETB Updates every 60 minutes.

How to send money from US to Ethiopia

Pick a company

If you're sending a one-off transfer, then WorldRemit is the best option.

WorldRemit was the cheapest on 0 of the 20 days it quoted $7,000 transfers to Ethiopia.

For recurring transfers, I'd suggest using an app or a multi-currency account with WorldRemit.

For large transfers, a broker like Xe is the best option.

If your recipient needs cash, MoneyGram is the cheapest.

How much you send will affect the best option for you right now.

Pay for it

You have 3 ways to pay for your transfer to Ethiopia, including bank transfer, debit card, and credit card.

Usually, using bank transfer to fund your transfer is the cheapest but slowest option (ACH and takes a day or two).

You can use a debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay for quicker deposit but its a bit more expensive.

I suggest avoiding credit cards since these are most expensive and have cash advance fees (Amex is very rarely accepted in general).

Check and send

First time round you'll need to confirm who you are.

An SSN isn't required, an ITIN or a foreign passport works with most companies here.

Compare amounts

How much USD are you sending to Ethiopia?

How much USD you send to Ethiopia heavily affects the best ways and the cheapest options. Use the table below to check how the cheapest options change and how much more you'd get by comparing.

Our analysis shows WorldRemit was the cheapest in 0% of the transfers from $5,000 it quoted, and in 0% of all the transfers it quoted.

Cheapest service
$500-9.93%$0.00ETB 90,000.00with debit card to bank deposit+ETB 10,542.74
$2,000-9.93%$0.00ETB 360,000.00with debit card to bank deposit+ETB 35,475.36
$5,000-9.93%$0.00ETB 900,000.00with debit card to bank deposit+ETB 100,115.81
$7,000This page-9.93%$0.00ETB 1,260,000.00with debit card to bank deposit+ETB 137,685.11
$10,000-9.93%$0.00ETB 1,800,000.00with debit card to bank deposit+ETB 196,598.79
$50,000$0.00ETB 9,000,000.00with debit card to bank deposit+ETB 1,291,742.93
$100,000-9.93%$0.00ETB 18,000,000.00with debit card to bank deposit+ETB 776,062.43
$250,000-10.48%$0.00ETB 45,250,000.00with bank transfer to bank deposit+ETB 1,737,299.03

Mid-market rate: 1 USD = 162.9726 ETB

USD/ETB Exchange Rate History

Is today a good time to send money from US to Ethiopia?

The cheapest way to send USD to ETB can change every day, or stay with the same company all month.

We've compared the mid-market rate with the cheapest option each day (today it's WorldRemit), across 30 days of comparisons for 7,000 USD transfers to Ethiopia.

ETB received for $7,000, after fees

Wed, Oct 28, 2026Mid-market rateETB 1,140,808.26 TapTap Send ETB 1,260,000.00TapTap SendETB 1,260,000.00XeETB 1,228,990.00MoneyGramETB 1,215,948.30

1.10M
1.15M
1.20M
1.25M
1.30M
At the mid-market rateWith the cheapest optionTapTap SendXeMoneyGram
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.0624 – ETB 1,141,437.03
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 104,562.97
MoneyGram 173.1367 $2.99 ETB 1,211,956.90 +ETB 70,519.87
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 67,182.97
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 160.9497 – ETB 1,126,647.58
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 119,352.42
MoneyGram 173.1424 $2.99 ETB 1,211,996.80 +ETB 85,349.22
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 81,972.42
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 160.9998 – ETB 1,126,998.68
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 119,001.32
MoneyGram 173.1424 $2.99 ETB 1,211,996.80 +ETB 84,998.12
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 81,621.32
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 160.9999 – ETB 1,126,999.47
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 119,000.53
MoneyGram 173.1424 $2.99 ETB 1,211,996.80 +ETB 84,997.33
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 81,620.53
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 161.0250 – ETB 1,127,175.28
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 118,824.72
MoneyGram 173.1424 $2.99 ETB 1,211,996.80 +ETB 84,821.52
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 81,444.72
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 162.9758 – ETB 1,140,830.59
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 105,169.41
MoneyGram 173.1424 $2.99 ETB 1,211,996.80 +ETB 71,166.21
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 67,789.41
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.2128 – ETB 1,142,489.61
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 103,510.39
MoneyGram 173.1424 $2.99 ETB 1,211,996.80 +ETB 69,507.19
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 66,130.39
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.0009 – ETB 1,141,006.21
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 104,993.79
MoneyGram 173.0044 $2.99 ETB 1,211,030.80 +ETB 70,024.59
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 67,613.79
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 161.0000 – ETB 1,126,999.85
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 119,000.15
MoneyGram 173.0055 $2.99 ETB 1,211,038.50 +ETB 84,038.65
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 81,620.15
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 161.4103 – ETB 1,129,872.09
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 116,127.91
MoneyGram 173.0066 $2.99 ETB 1,211,046.20 +ETB 81,174.11
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 78,747.91
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 162.8351 – ETB 1,139,845.97
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 106,154.03
MoneyGram 173.0313 $2.99 ETB 1,211,219.10 +ETB 71,373.13
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 68,774.03
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 162.4807 – ETB 1,137,365.24
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 108,634.76
MoneyGram 173.0332 $2.99 ETB 1,211,232.40 +ETB 73,867.16
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 71,254.76
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 162.4807 – ETB 1,137,365.24
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 108,634.76
MoneyGram 173.0332 $2.99 ETB 1,211,232.40 +ETB 73,867.16
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 71,254.76
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 162.3649 – ETB 1,136,553.96
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 109,446.04
MoneyGram 173.0332 $2.99 ETB 1,211,232.40 +ETB 74,678.44
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 72,066.04
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.6460 – ETB 1,145,521.94
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 100,478.06
MoneyGram 173.0332 $2.99 ETB 1,211,232.40 +ETB 65,710.46
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 63,098.06
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.0343 – ETB 1,141,240.37
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 104,759.63
MoneyGram 173.0332 $2.99 ETB 1,211,232.40 +ETB 69,992.03
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 67,379.63
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 160.8750 – ETB 1,126,124.95
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 119,875.05
MoneyGram 173.0332 $2.99 ETB 1,211,232.40 +ETB 85,107.45
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 82,495.05
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.3597 – ETB 1,143,517.61
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 102,482.39
MoneyGram 173.2934 $2.99 ETB 1,213,053.80 +ETB 69,536.19
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 65,102.39
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.5860 – ETB 1,145,101.99
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 100,898.01
MoneyGram 173.4694 $2.99 ETB 1,214,285.80 +ETB 69,183.81
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 63,518.01
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.5860 – ETB 1,145,101.99
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 100,898.01
MoneyGram 173.6454 $2.99 ETB 1,215,517.80 +ETB 70,415.81
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 63,518.01
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.8834 – ETB 1,147,183.79
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 98,816.21
MoneyGram 173.6454 $2.99 ETB 1,215,517.80 +ETB 68,334.01
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 61,436.21
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 160.9051 – ETB 1,126,335.99
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 119,664.01
MoneyGram 173.6714 $2.99 ETB 1,215,699.80 +ETB 89,363.81
Xe 178.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,208,620.00 +ETB 82,284.01
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.0422 – ETB 1,141,295.22
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 104,704.78
Xe 181.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,228,990.00 +ETB 87,694.78
MoneyGram 173.6714 $2.99 ETB 1,215,699.80 +ETB 74,404.58
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.8074 – ETB 1,146,651.59
TapTap Send Cheapest 178.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,246,000.00 +ETB 99,348.41
Xe 181.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,228,990.00 +ETB 82,338.41
MoneyGram 173.7045 $2.99 ETB 1,215,931.50 +ETB 69,279.91
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 163.7151 – ETB 1,146,005.58
TapTap Send Cheapest 180.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,260,000.00 +ETB 113,994.42
Xe 181.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,228,990.00 +ETB 82,984.42
MoneyGram 173.7010 $2.99 ETB 1,215,907.00 +ETB 69,901.42
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 162.5382 – ETB 1,137,767.58
TapTap Send Cheapest 180.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,260,000.00 +ETB 122,232.42
Xe 181.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,228,990.00 +ETB 91,222.42
MoneyGram 173.7063 $2.99 ETB 1,215,944.10 +ETB 78,176.52
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 162.5382 – ETB 1,137,767.58
TapTap Send Cheapest 180.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,260,000.00 +ETB 122,232.42
Xe 181.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,228,990.00 +ETB 91,222.42
MoneyGram 173.7063 $2.99 ETB 1,215,944.10 +ETB 78,176.52
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 162.3006 – ETB 1,136,104.51
TapTap Send Cheapest 180.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,260,000.00 +ETB 123,895.49
Xe 181.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,228,990.00 +ETB 92,885.49
MoneyGram 173.7063 $2.99 ETB 1,215,944.10 +ETB 79,839.59
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 164.1495 – ETB 1,149,046.56
TapTap Send Cheapest 180.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,260,000.00 +ETB 110,953.44
Xe 181.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,228,990.00 +ETB 79,943.44
MoneyGram 173.7069 $2.99 ETB 1,215,948.30 +ETB 66,901.74
Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference
Mid-market rate 162.9726 – ETB 1,140,808.26
TapTap Send Cheapest 180.0000 $0.00 ETB 1,260,000.00 +ETB 119,191.74
Xe 181.0000 $210.00 ETB 1,228,990.00 +ETB 88,181.74
MoneyGram 173.7069 $2.99 ETB 1,215,948.30 +ETB 75,140.04

Exchange rateFeeRecipient getsDifference

Each line shows what the recipient gets when you send $7,000, after fees, as quoted by each company. The mid-market line shows what $7,000 converts to at the real exchange rate, with no fees or markup. Rates are checked once a day. Sponsored placements never affect this data. There are no bank quotes for this period.

Understanding USD/ETB exchange rate

The dashed line is what you'd get at the mid-market rate with no fees, and the blue line is the cheapest option that day.

When the blue line goes above the dashed one, you're getting more ETB per USD than the mid-market rate can offer.

This could be due to money transfer offers, FX rate adjustments, or market competitiveness.

In the past month, a money transfer company beat the mid-market rate on 30 of the last 30 days.

Right now, WorldRemit pays 374,860.54 ETB on 7,000 USD, which is 765,947.72 ETB less than the mid-market amount.

Today's payout is the highest in the past month.

Cheapest over time

Picking the cheapest money transfer company

Just because a company is the cheapest today doesn't mean it's always the best option for sending money to Ethiopia.

We've tracked 207 comparisons to check how often today's top companies were the cheapest across 8 amounts over the past month.

  1. TapTap SendAppeared in 196 comparisons

    Cheapest in 91% of them

  2. XeAppeared in 167 comparisons

    Cheapest in 11% of them

  3. MoneyGramAppeared in 204 comparisons

    Cheapest in 4% of them

Based on 207 comparisons across 8 amounts over the last 30 days.

Is the cheapest money transfer company always the best?

Different companies can come out cheapest depending on the day and the amount you send.

To keep things fair, we only count the comparisons each company appeared in, and only analyze companies that appeared in at least 50% of all comparisons (so occasional cheapest options don't skew it).

Today WorldRemit is the cheapest, but it only quotes some of the amounts we track, so it isn't included in these figures.

TapTap Send (today's second cheapest) was the cheapest in 91% of its comparisons, so if you send money to Ethiopia regularly, it's worth comparing it with WorldRemit before each transfer.

Ways to send money from the US to Ethiopia

There are 6 companies available for sending money from the US to Ethiopia, across app, online, broker, in person, multi-currency account, and global account, and more.

For regular transfers home

Money transfer apps

If you send a few hundred dollars home every payday, an app is usually the cheapest way and the least work.

WorldRemit charges $0.99 on a $7,000 transfer with 101.06% markup, saves your recipient's details for next time, and ETB arrives in minutes - 2 days.

Over the past month, WorldRemit was the cheapest app on 0% of the days it appeared for $7,000 transfers.

Funding from a US bank account or debit card avoids the 1% federal tax that applies to cash-funded transfers.

For one-off transfers

Online transfers

For a one-off transfer, an online service funded from your checking account is usually the cheapest way to send money to Ethiopia.

Of all online companies listed here, Xe gets you the most ETB per USD.

On a $7,000 transfer, you will get 1,228,990 ETB after a $210 fee and -10.48% markup.

In our comparisons over the past month, it was the cheapest online service on 8 of the 30 days it quoted.

But, bank funding (ACH) takes 1 to 3 business days to clear, while debit cards (and Google Pay/Apple Pay) are usually instant but cost a bit more.

For transfers over $10,000

Currency brokers

For large transfers to Ethiopia (e.g. a property purchase, tuition, or moving to Ethiopia), a broker like Xe charges no fee, gives you a dedicated account manager, and adds -10.48% markup on USD/ETB that gets lower the more you send.

Our analysis shows Xe was the cheapest broker in 100% of the transfers from $5,000 it quoted.

It's also good to check Wise since you get a bulk discount on transfers over $25,000.

Business payments from the US

Global accounts

Global accounts are for US businesses paying people abroad.

Companies like Airwallex, WorldFirst, or Payoneer handle the recurring and batch payments, invoicing, tracking, and more.

Holding & spending currencies

Multi-currency accounts

A multi-currency account like Wise is the best for holding and receiving ETB.

This is useful for traveling to Ethiopia, building up ETB balance, or receiving payments in ETB.

Wise converts $7,000 at 1.22% markup plus small fee and holds the ETB until you spend it.

Over the past month, it came out cheapest among multi-currency accounts on 100% of days.

Ways to fund USD and receive ETB in Ethiopia

With WorldRemit, paying by debit card and receiving through mobile money is the cheapest combination. Sending $7,000 gives your recipient 374,860.54 ETB.

Deposit USD by bank transfer, debit card, and credit card.

The simplest way is to pay from your US checking account

Pay by bank transfer using your routing and account numbers.

An ACH payment is usually cheaper than a card, but it may take some time for it to clear before a money transfer company can send the money to Ethiopia.

Zelle, Venmo and Cash App only support domestic transfers, so they cannot send money to Ethiopia.

Your recipient in Ethiopia can collect ETB through bank deposit, mobile money, mobile wallet, and cash pickup.

They can collect cash in Ethiopia

Your recipient can collect ETB from a participating MoneyGram location in Ethiopia.

They should take a valid photo ID and the collection reference, and check that the name on the transfer matches their ID.

  1. 1
    Debit card Bank deposit

    You pay $7,000.00

    Br1,260,000

    Cheapest

  2. 2
    Debit card Mobile money

    You pay $7,000.00

    Br1,260,000

    Br0

  3. 3
    Bank transfer Bank deposit

    You pay $7,000.00

    Br1,228,990

    -Br31,010

  4. 4
    Credit card Bank deposit

    You pay $7,000.00

    Br1,228,990

    -Br31,010

  5. 5
    Debit card Mobile wallet

    You pay $7,001.99

    Br1,121,840

    -Br138,160

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  1. 6
    Bank transfer Mobile wallet

    You pay $7,105.00

    Br1,121,840

    -Br138,160

  2. 7
    Credit card Mobile wallet

    You pay $7,210.00

    Br1,121,840

    -Br138,160

  3. 8
    Debit card Cash pickup

    You pay $7,000.00

    Br367,197

    -Br892,803

Things to consider before sending USD to Ethiopia

The way you fund the transfer now affects the tax, while US law gives you specific rights if something goes wrong.

Find the right USD/ETB company

Cheapest way to send money to Ethiopia

The cheapest option is WorldRemit, funded by debit card with mobile money for the payout. Your recipient gets 374,860.54 ETB, which is -236.13% more than the next best option.

Fastest way to send money to Ethiopia

The fastest option is TapTap Send. Pay by debit card and choose bank deposit for the payout. Your recipient gets 1,260,000 ETB, with the money arriving in minutes.

Cash-funded transfers now carry a 1% tax

Since January 1, 2026, a 1% federal tax applies when an international transfer is funded with cash, a money order, a cashier's check or a traveler's check.

Funding from a US bank account, including ACH, or with a US-issued debit or credit card is exempt.

The rule applies to how you pay in, so your recipient can still collect cash without triggering the tax.

The $10,000 rule is not a transfer limit

There is no federal cap on how much of your own money you can send electronically abroad.

Your bank or transfer company can set its own limit and ask for proof of where a large or unusual payment came from.

Cash reports and the declaration for physically carrying more than $10,000 across the US border are separate rules.

Do not split cash transactions to avoid a report.

You normally have 30 minutes to cancel

The US Remittance Transfer Rule requires a covered company to show the exchange rate, fees and expected amount received before you pay.

You can normally cancel within 30 minutes at no charge, provided the money has not been deposited or collected.

You also have error-resolution rights if the wrong amount arrives or the transfer never turns up.

Contact the company first and keep the receipt.

The CFPB explains the cancellation and error process.

Need to send a large amount of USD to Ethiopia?

For transfers over $10,000, WorldRemit is the best option.

It offers the best exchange rate, which is more important than the fee for large transfers to Ethiopia.

While WorldRemit may not always be the cheapest or fastest way to send ETB, they offer years of experience, and will offer you the peace of mind you need when sending large amounts abroad.

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How we analyze the market

We track, save, and analyze the cost, speed, and product offerings of the leading money transfer services available between Ethiopia and United States.


We work with leading money transfer companies to provide real time fees and exchange rates. In the past 30 days alone, we analyzed 207 comparisons across 8 amounts.

This page covers the cheapest and fastest options for USD/ETB transfers. This is how we pick them:

  • Cheapest: the company that gets your recipient the most, after fees and the exchange rate. On a tie, live pricing from the company takes priority over the rates we collect by hand.

  • Fastest: the company with the shortest estimated delivery time once you’ve paid. On a tie, the one that pays out more takes priority.

For a deeper understanding of our commitment to integrity and transparency, check out these articles:

Any tax information is for general guidance only and does not constitute tax advice. Speak to a qualified tax adviser about your circumstances.