Key takeaways
- MoneyGram isn’t your only option — its low maximum transfer cap and variable fees push many senders to look at alternatives like Wise, Xe and WorldRemit.
- Bigger limits are out there, providers such as Xe, OFX and TransferMate advertise very high or no maximum transfer limits, which helps if you’re sending large amounts.
- Watch the exchange rate, not just the fee, some services use the mid-market rate while others add a markup, so the cheapest option depends on how much and where you’re sending.
- Match the service to how you pay and receive, options range from cash pickup to bank-to-bank only, so check payment methods and delivery before you commit.
MoneyGram is one of the largest international money transfer services in the world with service to almost 200 countries and territories through more than 350,000 agent locations. But because of MoneyGram’s low maximum transfer cap and its varying fees, you may want to take your business elsewhere.
Use this list of alternatives to MoneyGram to see what other companies might bring you closer to your ideal transfer.
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WorldRemit's global coverage isn't as extensive as MoneyGram's, but its exchange rates are typically more competitive. Both companies offer low transfer maximums and fees that depend on where and how much you're sending.
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Pros
- Bank-to-bank transfers, cash pickups and mobile top-ups available
- Pay by bank account, debit or credit card
- Transparent fees and exchange rates
Cons- Small daily maximum transfer amount of $9,000
- Requires a government-issued ID
- Inconsistent markups of 1% to 4% on the mid-market rate
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Pay By Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer, Apple Pay Receiving Options Cash pickup location, Bank account, Mobile wallet, Home delivery, Prepaid phone credit Available Currencies AED, ALL, ARS, AUD, BDT, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, DOP, EGP, ETB, FJD, GBP, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HNL, IDR, INR, JMD, KES, KHR, LAK, LKR, MAD, MGA, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NGN, NPR, NZD, PEN, PHP, PKR, PYG, RWF, SGD, SRD, THB, TND, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, SLE
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Wise uses mid-market exchange rates and has a sliding fee schedule that depends on the amount you are sending. It offers significantly higher sending limits than MoneyGram.
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Pros
- Guaranteed better exchange rates than most competitors
- Easy to sign up and transfer money within minutes
- High maximum transfer limits and daily caps
Cons- Sliding fee schedule, the more you send, the higher the fee
- Social Security number (SSN) required to send from the US
- Bank-to-bank transfers only
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Pay By Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer, SWIFT, Wire transfer, iDeal, Trustly, SOFORT, POLi, Educational transfers from BRL, PayPal Receiving Options Bank account, Alipay (China only), Amazon, Stripe, Upwork, Etsy, GOAT Available Currencies AED, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BYN, BZD, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, FKP, GBP, GEL, GGP, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, IMP, INR, ISK, JEP, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MRU, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SRD, SVC, SZL, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, XPF, ZAR, ZMW
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Although CurrencyTransfer has a smaller network than MoneyGram, its best-price guarantee and lack of transfer fees make it a solid alternative for the markets both companies serve.
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Pros
- Typically offers stronger exchange rates than MoneyGram
- No fees for money transfers, no matter the amount
- Users can send to multiple recipients after locking in a guaranteed rate
Cons- Limited sending and receiving options
- Almost always restricted to bank-to-bank transfers
- Proof of ID may be required before transferring
- Can only send and receive on business days
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Pay By Bank transfer Receiving Options Bank account Available Currencies AED, AUD, BGN, CAD, CHF, CNY, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MUR, MXN, NOK, NZD, PLN, QAR, RON, SAR, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR
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Instarem offers the mid-market exchange rate on some currencies at certain times, but isn't transparent about what these are. You can often find promo codes to get money off your first transfer.
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Pros
- Transparent fees
- Same-day transfers for most supported currencies
- Loyalty points system that can be redeemed against transactions
- Send to over a dozen Filipino e-wallets
Cons- Transfers must be sent to a bank account outside of Philippines
- Fewer supported currencies than many competitors
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Pay By Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer, Wire transfer, ACH/Direct Debit Receiving Options Cash pickup location, Bank account, Mobile wallet, Alipay (China only) Available Currencies AUD, EUR, GBP, HKD, INR, MYR, SGD, USD
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OFX has no maximum limit, which makes it a good option when sending large amounts at once.
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Pros
- No maximum transfer limit
- Hedging options such as forward contracts and limit orders
- Special product for business transfers
Cons- Must transfer to and pay with a bank account
- High minimum transfer amount of $1,000
- No cash pickup options
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Pay By Bank transfer Receiving Options Bank account Available Currencies AUD, AZN, BGN, BHD, BND, CAD, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, KRW, KWD, LKR, MAD, MGA, MYR, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, THB, TOP, TRY, TWD, TZS, USD, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF
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In addition to providing payment support for online purchases, PayPal also offers overseas transfers to more than 200 countries and territories. PayPal is similar to digital banking services in rates, though, making it better to use only in specific situations.
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Pros
- Clear transfer fees starting from $0.99
- Combine business and personal transfer services with your PayPal account
Cons- Fees increase with amount transferred
- Credit card fees incur additional fees
- Recipient needs a PayPal account
- Fixed exchange rate at 2.5% above mid-market is higher than most on this list
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Pay By Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer Receiving Options Bank account, Mobile wallet Available Currencies AUD, BRL, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MXN, MYR, NOK, NZD, PHP, PLN, RUB, SEK, SGD, THB, TWD, USD
TransferMate
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TransferMate also has a large range of currencies you can send to. Although it typically focuses on business transfers, it allows personal transfers for orders over $1,000.
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Pros
- No maximum sending limit
- Same-day transfers available through the SWIFT network, sometimes as short as 10 minutes
- Small margin added on to the mid-market rate for transfers
Cons- Flat $10 fee for transactions under $1,000
- Must pay for transfer through wire transfer or ACH, cannot use debit or credit card
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Pay By Bank transfer Receiving Options Bank account, Prepaid phone credit Available Currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BWP, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUP, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, IRR, ISK, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SRD, SVC, SZL, THB, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, STD, MRO
Still looking for other options?
Alternatively, learn more about MoneyGram in our review.
Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseWhether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.
Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseAre you visiting from outside the US?
Zak Killermann was a technical publisher at Finder who specialized in currencies and investing. Zak’s expertise was in breaking down technical finance concepts into approachable, digestible nuggets of information. See full bio
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