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Best ways to transfer money internationally
Compare our picks for the best services when you need to send money internationally.
Guides
Exchange Rates
The best way to transfer money internationally depends on your sending needs, so we’ve dug through 100+ providers to help highlight the differences. Banks are convenient but you’ll pay a premium, so instead find the money transfer company that best fits your situation using our hand-picked list.
Best services to send money internationally
| Best for… | Service | Why use it? | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No fees |  | XE | Easily create market orders and forward contracts | |
| Large transfers |  | OFX | Send as much as you need fee-free with no maximum limit | |
| Best exchange rates |  | Wise | Transparent fees combined with the mid-market rate makes sending money overseas a breeze | |
| Time-sensitive transfers |  | Remitly | Money-back guarantee if your money doesn’t arrive on time | |
| Huge network |  | Western Union | Send to 200+ countries with this household name |
Our approach to helping you pick a money transfer service
Our users have diverse needs, so we investigated a variety of companies and compared factors like fees, consumer sentiment, transfer limits and user experience to find some of the most popular money transfer products.
Note: All sending and receiving limits are based on the highest limits a user can unlock with each service.
Our picks to transfer money internationally
When you’re sending money internationally, the most important things to look at are the money transfer service’s exchange rates, fees and what currencies are available.
Here is a curated list of what we consider the best ways to transfer money internationally, why we like them and key alternatives.
XE
What we like:
- No minimum or maximum limit — send however much you wish
- Set up market orders and forward contracts
What we don’t like:
- No cash pickup and no credit card payments
Why use XE?
Online transfers you plan to send from your bank account may benefit from XE’s competitive rates and $0 fees. There are no weekly or monthly transfer limits and you can schedule transfers using forex tools to secure better rates in the future.
XE’s fees and limits:
| Fees | Transfer limits | Exchange rate margin |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | Minimum: $1 Maximum: $500,000 | Typically between 0.4% and 1% above mid-market |
Alternative:
- WorldRemit: Like XE, WorldRemit can help with smaller, frequent transfers. It also sends to a much wider range of currencies. Find out more about its fees and rates.
OFX
What we like:
- Lower exchange rates with the more you send means it’s better for larger transfers
- 55+ currencies supported for both personal and business transfers
What we don’t like:
- First transfer requires phone verification and a high minimum transfer may prevent new users from joining
Why use OFX?
Users planning to send large amounts of money can benefit from OFX’s nonexistent fees and forex transfer tools without having to worry about the high minimum transfer amounts. Plus, the larger your transfer is, the smaller the exchange rate margin will be.
OFX’s fees and limits:
| Fees | Transfer limits | Exchange rate margin |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | Minimum: $1,000 Maximum: No limit | Typically 1.5% or less above mid-market |
Alternative:
- CurrencyTransfer: While also specializing in sending large amounts, CurrencyTransfer is slightly different — it’s an online marketplace. This means you get to choose between different brokers to get the best exchange rate. Find out more about how it works.
Wise
What we like:
- Transparent fees presented before transferring make it easy to compare costs
- No margin added to the mid-market exchange rate
What we don’t like:
- Fees increase with larger transfers
Why use Wise?
Wise puts all of the necessary information up front on its website so you can compare your transfer prices and fees while knowing how much your recipient will get. Wise also offers an international debit card, so if you’re traveling abroad, you can take advantage of the competitive exchange rates by using it for purchases.
Wise’s fees and limits:
| Fees | Transfer limits | Exchange rate margin |
|---|---|---|
| Depends on payment method, amount sent and currency pair | $1,000,000 per transfer for licensed US states | Mid-market rate |
Alternative:
- InstaReM: Like Wise, InstaReM offers the mid-market rate, but be aware that this is only for some currencies during certain times. Customer loyalty points can add up over time if you’re frequently using the service, which helps save you more down the line. Read further about what currencies InstaReM supports.
Remitly
What we like:
- Pairs with Ria to offer a growing number of global cash pickup locations with an on-time money back guarantee
What we don’t like:
- Faster transfer times directly correlate with higher fees
Why use Remitly?
Although it’s a smaller, lesser-known option, Remitly offers competitive fees and exchange rates to keep customers loyal. It may offer fewer currency pairs than larger competitors, but its on-time promise means if your money doesn’t arrive on time, you get a refund. Remitly’s fees are proportionate to the speed you want your transfer sent, so if you aren’t in a rush, it’s often a cheaper option for international transfers.
Remitly’s fees and limits:
| Fees | Transfer limits | Exchange rate margin |
|---|---|---|
| Vary depending on country, can be as low as $0 for popular destinations | $10,000 per 24 hours, $30,000 per 30 days, $60,000 per 180 days | Can be 1% or more above the mid-market rate, updated daily and depends on transfer speed and destination country |
Alternative:
- Xoom: Send money to your recipient’s bank account, front door or a cash pickup location nearby. Xoom is powered by PayPal and has a money-back guarantee if your transfer doesn’t arrive. Learn more about Xoom’s exchange rates and fees.
Western Union
What we like:
- Gas stations, grocery stores and corner bodegas are often home to this money transfer giant
- The price of convenience is high, making Western Union a poor choice if you can plan ahead and use a different service
Why use Western Union?
When you need to send money to someone fast, or you need to send cash for someone to pick up, chances are there is a Western Union near them to help you out. Although sending limits could be higher and fees could be lower, Western Union operates a massive network of over 500,000 locations to meet your needs.
Western Union’s fees and limits:
| Fees | Transfer limits | Exchange rate margin |
|---|---|---|
| Fees vary heavily and depend on sending destination, origin, method of payment and preferred delivery | $10,000 per transaction | Can be up to 6% above the mid-market rate |
Alternative:
- MoneyGram: MoneyGram is one of Western Union’s most well-known competitors and offers almost as many transfer destinations. Chances are high there’s a MoneyGram location near you, making this company a contender when you need to move money fast to someone without a bank account. Discover more about MoneyGram.
Bottom line
No provider fits the bill as the best way to transfer money internationally for everyone, which is why picking options based on your specific needs matters. All of the money transfer providers in our list are free to sign up for, so we encourage you to compare them hands-on to find the best fit.
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Ask an Expert
Is there a wire transfer exchange called – buride – in the city of dubai?
Hi Michael,
Thanks for your comment and I hope you are doing well.
Upon checking, we don’t have any information on Buride on our page. I went ahead and did a quick web search of Buride and didn’t find any relevant information as well. It would be best to find other money transfer options in Dubai.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
Best,
Nikki