International money transfer apps make it quick and easy to send money abroad. But with a long list of apps to choose from, which one is best?
To find out, we downloaded and tested 19 international money transfer apps—and the 7 apps featured here performed the best in our real-world tests.
Please note that the exchange rates providers offer can vary greatly depending on where and when you’re sending money, so no single provider will always be the cheapest in every scenario. That’s why it’s well worth downloading 3 to 4 of your favourite apps to compare costs for your transaction.
How we found the best money transfer apps
Finder experts collected 65 points of data for more than 17 money transfer apps operating in Canada. Finder used this data to create a proprietary weighting formula that scores each lender based on rates, fees, amounts, app experience, delivery methods, payment methods, customer support, and reputation, among other features. The providers shown on the best list are those who scored highest based on this data-driven methodology. They are providers that are available and not available through Finder. While we aimed to review a wide range of money transfer apps, the apps listed do not reflect the entire market. Read more about the Finder money transfer app ratings methodology.We calculated the true cost markups of the best money transfer apps
How much does it really cost to send an international money transfer? To find out, we checked how much each app featured in this guide charges to send money to the following destinations: India, Nigeria, the Philippines, France, Mexico and Australia.
We chose the cheapest payment and receiving methods available, and we compared the exchange rates quoted for a $250 transfer. Please note that the figures quoted in the table below are approximates, so costs may vary for your specific transfer.
True cost markup calculations
| Transfer app | Country | Mid-market rate (1 CAD) | Exchange rate offered (1 CAD) | Fee charged | Exchange rate markup | Fee markup | Total cost markup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remitly | India | 68.11 INR | 66.99 INR | $1.99 | 1.64% | 0.80% | 2.44% |
| Nigeria | 974.63 NGN | 982.42 NGN | $0 | -0.80% | 0% | -0.80% | |
| Philippines | 43.50 PHP | 43.18 PHP | $0 | 0.74% | 0% | 0.74% | |
| France | 0.6168 EUR | 0.6026 EUR | $0 | 2.30% | 0% | 2.30% | |
| Mexico | 12.30 MXN | 12.23 MXN | $1.99 | 0.57% | 0.80% | 1.37% | |
| Australia | 1.0123 AUD | 1.0071 AUD | $0 | 0.51% | 0% | 0.51% | |
| Western Union | India | 68.1412 INR | 67.7146 INR | $9.50 | 0.63% | 3.80% | 4.43% |
| Nigeria | 974.6288 NGN | 992.6382 NGN | $8 | -1.85% | 3.20% | 1.35% | |
| Philippines | 43.5053 PHP | 43.9670 PHP | $8.50 | -1.06% | 3.40% | 2.34% | |
| France | 0.6168 EUR | 0.6132 EUR | $0.99 | 0.58% | 0.40% | 0.98% | |
| Mexico | 12.2960 MXN | 12.2974 MXN | $7.50 | -0.01% | 3% | 2.99% | |
| Australia | 1.0122 AUD | 0.9891 AUD | $7.50 | 2.28% | 3% | 5.28% | |
| Paysend | India | 67.66 INR | 67.701 INR | $2.21 | -0.06% | 0.88% | 0.82% |
| Nigeria | 971.23 NGN | 983.185 NGN | $0 | -1.23% | 0.00% | -1.23% | |
| Philippines | 43.13 PHP | 43.0466 PHP | $0 | 0.19% | 0.00% | 0.19% | |
| Ukraine | 32.08 EUR | 31.6946 EUR | $3 | 1.20% | 1.20% | 2.40% | |
| Mexico | 12.30 MXN | 12.2186 MXN | $3 | 0.66% | 1.20% | 1.86% | |
| Australia | 1.00 AUD | 1.0102 AUD | $0 | -1.02% | 0.40% | -0.62% | |
| Wise | India | 68.1287 INR | 68.1470 INR | $3.44 | -0.03% | 1.38% | 1.35% |
| Nigeria | 974.693 NGN | 985.455 NGN | $3.73 | -1.10% | 1.49% | 0.39% | |
| Philippines | 43.6205 PHP | 43.4883 PHP | $3.68 | 0.30% | 1.47% | 1.17% | |
| France | 0.6171 EUR | 0.6171 EUR | $2.98 | 0% | 1.19% | 1.19% | |
| Mexico | 12.2941 MXN | 12.2943 MXN | $3.63 | 0% | 1.45% | 1.45% | |
| Australia | 1.0124 AUD | 1.0124 AUD | $3.17 | 0% | 1.27% | 1.27% | |
| Remitbee | India | 68.13 INR | 67.85 INR | $2.99 | 0.41% | 1.20% | 1.61% |
| Nigeria | 974.6744 NGN | 984.4868 NGN | $2.99 | -1.01% | 1.20% | 0.19% | |
| Philippines | 43.5009 PHP | 43.2013 PHP | $2.99 | 0.69% | 1.20% | 1.89% | |
| France | 0.6168 EUR | 0.6143 EUR | $2.99 | 0.41% | 1.20% | 1.61% | |
| Mexico | 12.2973 MXN | 12.0951 MXN | $2.99 | 1.64% | 1.20% | 2.84% | |
| Australia | 1.0124 AUD | 1.0025 AUD | $2.99 | 0.98% | 1.20% | 2.18% | |
| MoneyGram | India | 68.12 INR | 67.76 INR | $4.99 | 0.53% | 2% | 2.53% |
| Nigeria | 974.61 NGN | 969.91 NGN | $4.99 | 0.48% | 2% | 2.48% | |
| Philippines | 43.60 PHP | 43.48 PHP | $3.49 | 0.28% | 1.40% | 1.68% | |
| France | 0.61 EUR | 0.61 EUR | $4.99 | 0% | 2% | 2% | |
| Mexico | 12.29 MXN | 12.17 MXN | $4.89 | 0.98% | 1.96% | 2.94% | |
| Australia | 1.01 AUD | 0.99 AUD | $5.99 | 1.98% | 2.40% | 4.38% | |
| Pesa | India | 70.23 INR | 70.05 INR | $0 | 0.26% | 0% | 0.26% |
| Nigeria | 997 NGN | 1,003 NGN | $0 | -0.60% | 0% | -0.60% | |
| Philippines | 44.88 44.88 PHP | 44.77 44.77 PHP | $0 | 0.25% | 0% | 0.25% | |
| France | 0.63 EUR | 0.62 EUR | $0 | 1.59% | 0% | 1.59% | |
| Mexico | 12.65 MXN | 12.4 MXN | $0 | 1.98% | 0% | 1.98% | |
| Australia | 1.02 AUD | 1.01 AUD | $0 | 0.98% | 0% | 0.98% |
How to choose the best money transfer app
Make sure you consider the following factors when comparing money transfer apps.
Exchange rate
The mid-market rate is the “true” exchange rate between a pair of currencies. Some providers give you the mid-market rate when you send an international transfer, but most don’t. Instead, they add a margin on top of the mid-market rate when they convert your Canadian dollars to another currency.
We found that this markup can range anywhere from 0.1% to 5%, depending on the provider and where you send money. So even if an app advertises “$0 transfer fees,” don’t be tricked into thinking your transfer is free.
It’s also important to remember that some providers offer special promo rates for your first transfer, but their regular rates are not as good.
Fee
Some providers charge a transfer fee. This could be a flat fee or an amount calculated as a percentage of your transaction. Percentage fees add up for large transfers, but some providers waive the fee on large transfers. Paying with a credit card often attracts higher fees, so it may be cheaper to pay by e-Transfer or bank transfer.
Supported currencies and countries
Some apps support a handful of currencies, while others let you send money to just about any country around the world. Make sure the app you choose supports the right transfer destinations.
Payment methods
Check how you can pay for your transfer. Common methods include e-Transfer, bank transfer, wire transfer, debit card and credit card. Some providers also let you pay cash in-store.
Payout methods
Depending on the app you choose, you might be able to send funds to your recipient’s bank account, mobile wallet or debit card. Some providers also allow you to send cash pickup transfers or offer cash home delivery.
Take note that not all receiving methods are available in all destinations—for example, a provider may only offer cash pickup or mobile wallet transfers in specific locations.
Transfer speed
Check how long it will take for your recipient to get the money. Cash, debit and credit card transfers typically arrive quicker than bank wire transfers, and in some cases, it’s possible to complete a transaction in minutes.
Customer support
Check how you can contact customer support if you have a problem with your transfer. Are phone, email and live chat available? During what hours? Do other customers leave positive reviews about the support they receive?
Regulation and security
Check whether the transfer app is registered as a Money Services Business with FINTRAC. You can also check reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot for added peace of mind.
Don’t forget to read up on any security features the app offers to protect your funds, such as data encryption and multi-factor authentication.
Bottom line
There are lots of great options if you want to send an international money transfer from Canada. The best apps offer great exchange rates, low fees, fast transfers, and support for a wide range of payment methods. Compare your options today to find the best international money transfer app for the transfer(s) you want to send.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
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