MoneyGram is a giant in the international money transfer industry, but younger online services like Ria offer competitive rates that can help you save money. We compare fees, exchange rates and transfer speed between MoneyGram and Ria to find out which one comes out ahead.
MoneyGram’s fees vary depending on the destination country, transfer amount, payment method and receiving method. Most online transfers cost just $4.99. But if you opt to pay in cash at an agent location in Canada, the fee is usually around $10.00.
Ria
Money transfer fees with Ria also vary based on the destination country, transfer amount, payment method and receiving amount. It’s generally cheaper to pay by debit and send to a bank account than it is to pay by credit and send funds for cash pickup.
Fee amounts typically start around $3 but can go as high as $65 for transfers at the maximum amount ($2,999). Some types of transfers come with zero fees.
Winner: Ria
Ria’s minimum transfer fee is lower than MoneyGram. The fact that Ria’s maximum fee is higher than MoneyGram’s makes sense given that Ria lets you send more online. Plus, Ria regularly offers zero fees for some transfers, putting it ahead in our comparison.
Which offers better exchange rates?
The midmarket rate is the “true” exchange rate between 2 currencies, or the real value of one currency when exchanged for another currency. The exchange rate you get from money transfer services like Ria and MoneyGram is the midmarket rate minus a small fee worth a percentage of the midmarket rate. This fee is sometimes referred to as a markup on the exchange rate.
A lower exchange rate means more of your money is pocketed by the transfer service and your recipient gets less money. A higher exchange rate means the transfer service pockets less of your money and more goes to your recipient.
MoneyGram
We found that MoneyGram’s exchange rates are often anywhere from just under 1% to 4% less than the midmarket rate, depending on the destination country. For perspective, a 2-3% margin on the exchange rate means you could lose hundreds of dollars on transfers of $10,000 or more.
Here’s how MoneyGram’s exchange rate markup could work if you’re sending CAD to euros (EUR):
We found that the exchange rate margin deducted by Ria and MoneyGram is similar, although the exact rate you get from either could differ depending on the type of transfer.
Which is faster?
MoneyGram
The amount of time it takes to send funds through MoneyGram depends largely on the receiving method. Transfers for cash pickup are usually available within minutes of sending funds. Funds deposited into bank accounts are usually available within several hours.
Ria
Ria’s transfer speed depends on the way you pay. When you use your credit or debit card, transfers typically arrive within 15 minutes. Transfers funded from your bank account can take up to 4 business days.
Winner: MoneyGram
Both services offer transfers that can be completed within minutes. However, unlike MoneyGram, some transfers through Ria may take up to 4 business days, giving MoneyGram the winning edge.
MoneyGram vs. Ria: Sending $500 to the Philippines
Here’s how fees, exchange rates and transfer speeds break down if you send $500 from Canada to the Philippines through MoneyGram and Ria. In this example, we assume funds are sent to a bank account, payment is made by debit and the fee is paid on top of the sending amount (not deducted from it). This information is current as of March 26, 2022.
MoneyGram
Ria
Transfer fee
$4.99
$5
Exchange rate
1 CAD = 41.3979 PHP
1 CAD = 40.8666 PHP
Transfer speed
Within hours
Within minutes
Total received
20,698.95 PHP
20,433.30 PHP
In this case, MoneyGram and Ria charge basically the same transfer fee, but MoneyGram offers a stronger exchange rate, resulting in your recipient getting more money.
It’s important to check all the details of your transfer. Lower fees might not mean your recipient gets more money. Similarly, a stronger exchange rate might not mean every other features of a transfer service is also advantageous.
MoneyGram
Ria
Availability
200+ countries
Approx. 160 countries
Fees
Starts around $4.99
Starts around $3 ($0 fee for some transfers)
Exchange rates
Typically from just under 1% to 4%
Typically between 1% and 3%
Speed
Minutes to hours
15 minutes up to 4 business days
Transfer limits
Minimum: None
Maximum: $990 CAD per online transfer. Send more in person at an agent location.
Minimum: $1.00
Daily maximum: $2,999
30-day maximum: $7,999
Payment methods
Debit
Credit
Cash
Debit
Credit
Bank account
Cash
Receiving methods
Cash pickup
Direct deposit to bank account
Mobile wallet
Cash pickup
Direct deposit to bank account
Home delivery (available for select countries)
How it works
Visit MoneyGram’s website or login to the mobile app.
Select the destination country.
Enter the sending or receiving amount.
From here, you can see the exchange rate and the total cost. Choose your payment method and the way you want the money received.
Enter your receiver’s details, and complete the transaction.
Visit Ria’s website or login to the mobile app.
Enter the destination country, sending amount, currency, payment method and receiving method. You can see details like the fee, receiving amount and transfer time.
Enter the recipient’s information.
Enter the details of the receiving method (i.e. bank deposit)
Enter your payment information, and complete the transfer.
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.
Both MoneyGram and Ria offer competitive money transfer services. MoneyGram transfers may sometimes be faster, but Ria might offer lower fees for some types of transfers. Before sending an international money transfer, carefully compare your options to find the best service for your needs.
Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in a wide range of topics including stock trading, money transfers, loans, banking products, online shopping and streaming. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she completed one year of law school in the United States before deciding to pursue a career in the publishing industry. When not working, Stacie can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family.
If you’re looking for a secure way to send money overseas, an international bank draft could be for you — but if speed is important, consider using a money transfer service instead.
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Winner: Ria