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Best international money transfer apps

Send money overseas with these top-rated mobile money transfer apps.

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Xe Money Transfers

Xe Money Transfers logo
  • Send money overseas in just one day
  • More than 40 different currencies available
  • Low transfer fees
  • Keep track of your transaction 24/7 online
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When it comes to sending money overseas, banks aren’t your only option. You’ll often get lower fees and more convenient transfer options with a money transfer app.

We’ve scoured the market to find the best international money transfer apps, comparing transfer fees, exchange rates, speed, user friendliness and more. Here are our top picks.

1. Xe Money Transfers

Best for sending free or low-fee transfers

With a high maximum transfer amount and no fees for transfers over CAD500, Xe Money Transfers are cost effective if you send funds frequently. But if you need to send cash or pay in cash, you'll have to look elsewhere.

Rated 3.5/5 on Google Play and 4.3/5 on the Apple App Store

  • Free for transfers over $500 (otherwise a fee applies)
  • Same-day delivery for some transfers
  • Competitive exchange rates
  • No cash pick-up option
  • Some destinations not supported (incl. China, Russia, Cayman Islands and Egypt)
Receiving options Bank account
Pay By Credit card
Debit card
Bank transfer

2. Remitly

Best for highly-rated mobile app

With the Remitly app, you'll be given the exact date and time your money will be available for your recipient. If your transfer is late, Remitly has a money-back guarantee. Learn more about this and other features before downloading the app to make sure it's the right fit for you.

Rated 4.8/5 on Google Play and 4.9/5 on the Apple App Store

  • Competitive exchange rates and offer great promotional offers for first-time users
  • Diverse delivery options - send money to bank accounts, for cash pickup and to mobile wallets
  • Low max transfer limits for new customers - limited to $999 per day and $2,999 per 7-day period
  • No hedging options
  • Inconsistent markups added to exchange rates across different countries
Receiving options Bank account
Pay By Bank transfer

3. Wise

Best for exchange rate

Send payments using the mid-market rate in 80 countries with the Wise app. It includes a calculator you can use to get exchange rates and fees for specific transfers and offers an easy way to upload a photo of any personal ID needed to get started with Wise.

Rated 4.1/5 on Google Play and 4.5/5 on the Apple App Store

  • No markup on the exchange rate
  • Easy to use app with great UX
  • Low transfer minimum and high sending limits
  • No cash pick-up option
  • Not suitable for large transfers due to transfer fees
  • Recipient must have a bank account
Receiving options Bank account
Mobile wallet
Prepaid phone credit
Alipay (China only)
Pay By Credit card
Debit card
Bank transfer

4. WorldRemit

Best for variety of delivery options

WorldRemit's network is smaller than providers like Western Union, but you'll often find better rates and lower fees with WorldRemit. WorldRemit's app shows you upfront the exchange rate and fees you'll be paying without needing to sign up.

Rated 4.7/5 on Google Play and 4.8/5 on the Apple App Store

  • Flexible payment options
  • Cash pickups, wallet transfers and airtime top-ups available within minutes after sending
  • Send money to over 130 countries
  • Maximum daily limits
  • Inconsistent markups across currencies, exchange rate markups range from 1-4%
Receiving options Cash pickup location
Bank account
Mobile wallet
Prepaid phone credit
Alipay (China only)
Pay By Credit card
Debit card
Bank transfer

5. OFX

Best for sending large transfers

OFX is a money transfer service that allows you to make large transfers in more than 50 currencies to over 190 countries from Canada. They provide dedicated account experts to advice customers and allow you to lock-in exchange rates ahead of time.

Rated 4.8/5 on Google Play and 4.2/5 on the Apple App Store

  • OFX supports over 50 currencies
  • No transfer fees over $10,000
  • You can hedge your risk and lock in exchange rates 12 months ahead of time
  • Not suitable for transfers for $2,000
  • Recipient must have a bank account
  • First transfer requires phone verification
Receiving options Bank account
Pay By Debit card
Bank transfer

6. Western Union

Best for Large global network

Western Union is an established brand in the money transfer space and has a wide reach their online platform, mobile app and over 2,500 agent locations in Canada.

Rated 4.3/5 on Google Play and 4.6/5 on the Apple App Store

  • User-friendly app that offers fast cash transfers
  • Massive network with over 200,000 agent locations worldwide
  • Higher fees for cash pickups
  • Expensive for domestic transfers
  • Not possible to send more than $7,500 online
Receiving options Cash pickup location
Bank account
Pay By Bank transfer

How do I find the best money transfer app?

Consider the following factors when comparing the value and quality of money transfer services:

Foreign exchange graphic: Currency symbols in a circle

Exchange rates

  • Mid-market rate. This is the “true” exchange rate between a pair of currencies (without any fees deducted for transfer services).
  • Exchange rate markup. Many transfer services deduct a small percentage of the midmarket rate as a fee.
  • Exchange rate vs fees. Pay attention to both fees and exchange rates. Some services offer $0 fees but charge a wide margin on the exchange rate.

Fees graphic: Calculator and money bag

Fees

  • Transfer fee. Can be a flat fee, percentage fee or even free.
  • Transfer amount. Percentage fees add up for large transfers. Some providers waive the fee at a certain threshold.
  • Payment method. Credit card payments can be expensive. Paying by bank transfer is often cheaper.
  • Receiving fee. Your recipient’s bank may charge a fee for receiving funds.

Clock watch icon

Speed

  • Financial network. Money typically passes through a complex network of intermediary banks to get to its destination. This impacts the speed of the transfer.
  • Transfer methods. Cash transfers often arrive quicker than bank wire transfers.
  • Time of transfer. Your transfer may be delayed if you send on weekends or holidays.

Cybersecurity icon showing a lock in a network of nodes

Security

  • Encryption and account protection. Transfer services often use SSL certificates to encrypt user data and multi-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access to accounts.
  • Customer reviews. Find out which money transfer apps are reputable by checking out real customers reviews on sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Compare money transfer services

Our table below lets you compare services you can use to send money abroad. Compare fees, exchange rates and discounts from different money transfer services, and when you have made your choice, click Go to site.
1 - 13 of 13
Name Product Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
Xe Money Transfers
Within minutes
$0
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
Xe Money Transfers
Within minutes
$0
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
OFX
Finder Award
OFX
24 hours
$0
Exclusive offer: Discounted exchange rates for your first and ongoing transactions. $0 transfer fee.
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.
CurrencyTransfer
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
Xe Business Transfers
Xe Business Transfers
Within minutes
$0
Xe Money Transfer can help your business unlock international transfers. Forward contract and limit order options available.
Remitly
Finder Award
Remitly
Within an hour
$1.99
Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
Wise (TransferWise) - Under 10k
24 hours
From 0.35%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies.
Simplii Financial
Within minutes
$0
Up to $300 off your first Global Money Transfer with our code GMTEVENT depending on the amount you send. For cash pickups instead, earn $50 using code CASH. Limits and regulations apply.
Send money without fees and at competitive exchange rates to 130+ countries.
Simplii Financial
Within minutes
$0
Up to $300 off your first Global Money Transfer with our code GMTEVENT depending on the amount you send. For cash pickups instead, earn $50 using code CASH. Limits and regulations apply.
Send money without fees and at competitive exchange rates to 130+ countries.
Africhange
Within an hour
$0
Send money in CAD to Africa on this blockchain and P2P powered provider.
OFX
Finder Award
OFX
24 hours
$0
Exclusive offer: Discounted exchange rates for your first and ongoing transactions. $0 transfer fee.
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 50+ currencies.
Instarem
Within minutes
From $0
Use code FINDER to get CAD 20 off on first two transfers on a min transfer of CAD 250
Instarem offers zero transfer fees on all transfers.
WorldRemit
417 days
Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
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Bottom line

To find the best international money transfer app, you need to look at fees, exchange rates, transfer options, speed and safety. Consider whether you’ll be sending small or large transfers, how often you need to send money, and which payment methods are the most convenient for you. To learn more about sending money overseas, check out our guide to international money transfers.

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