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Alternatives to Western Union

Is Western Union’s extensive network worth the extra fees and less competitive exchange rates?

Western Union is a global brand with physical locations and cash pickup hubs in more than 200 countries, but its high fees and weak exchange rates may be driving you to seek out alternative options. Finding better exchange rates may be what brought you here, but these competitors have even more to offer than that.

We’ve listed out some of the more popular alternatives and highlighted what features they have that Western Union doesn’t.

PROMOTED

Xe

Go to site Read review
Xe offers individual transfers in addition to its business account services, so you can use it for more than just sending money to friends and family abroad.
Maximum Transfer Amount$500,000
PROMOTED

OFX

Go to site Read review
OFX typically beats out Western Union with its fee-less transfers. You can also send a lot more money in one transaction with OFX.
Maximum Transfer AmountUnlimited
PROMOTED

Wise (TransferWise)

Go to site Read review
Wise uses a peer-to-peer exchange system that allows you to exchange your funds with others seeking to convert their money to your currency.
Maximum Transfer Amount$20,000,000
PROMOTED

CurrencyTransfer

Go to site Read review
CurrencyTransfer services fewer countries than Western Union, but it's best-price guarantee and zero fees make it a serious competitor.
Maximum Transfer AmountUnlimited
PROMOTED

WorldRemit

Read review
WorldRemit supports a large number of countries, currencies, payment and transfer options.
Maximum Transfer Amount$9,000
PROMOTED

MoneyGram

Go to site Read review
Like Western Union, MoneyGram has a large global reach and may offer cheaper fees depending on your sending destination.
Maximum Transfer Amount$25,000
PROMOTED

Instarem

Go to site
Instarem is one of very few money transfer services to offer the mid-market currency exchange rate for some of its transfers during certain trading hours. It also offers a straightforward fee schedule to make calculating costs a breeze.
Maximum Transfer AmountUnlimited

Xoom

Read review
Xoom is a PayPal service and is one of the few money transfer services in the industry to back its transfer times with a money-back guarantee. This is useful when you need the money to get there by a certain time or not at all.
Maximum Transfer Amount$2,999

Still looking for other options?

Our table lets you compare the services you can use to send money abroad. Compare services on transfer speeds and fees, then click Go to site when you're ready to send.
Alternatively, learn more about Western Union in our review.
1 - 15 of 15
Product Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
Instarem
Instarem  logo
24 hours
From 0%
New Instarem customers will get a special FX rate and zero-fees on their first transfer.
Instarem offers offers rewards on every transaction.
Wise logo
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
Kraken logo
Within minutes
0
Choose from over 300+ fiat and crypto assets to send payments to any Kraken client for free.
MoneyGram  logo
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Airwallex
Airwallex logo
Within minutes
$0
After spending $15k in your first 90 days, receive a one-time $500 bonus that will automatically be credited to your account on any FX conversion.
Airwallex can help you make business payments to 150+ countries in 60+ currencies.
OFX logo
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
CurrencyTransfer for Business
CurrencyTransfer  logo
24 hours
$0
Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
Xe Money Transfer for Business
Xe logo
24 hours
$0
Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
Currencies Direct (business)
Currencies Direct  logo
24 hours
$0
Minimizes costs of international transactions and offers custom solutions for business clients. Currencies Direct may call you to confirm your transfer, so be prepared for a phone call shortly after initiating a transfer.
Lili logo
24 hours
From $15
Get 30 days free plus 40% off for 3 months.
Send and receive U.S. dollars wire transfers in 25+ countries, including Canada, the UK, Australia, and more. This feature is available for all business customers (not SSN or DBA customers) regardless of the account plan.
OFX logo
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
Xe logo
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
Kraken logo
Within minutes
0
Choose from over 300+ fiat and crypto assets to send payments to any Kraken client for free.
CurrencyTransfer  logo
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
Currencies Direct  logo
24 hours
$0
CurrenciesDirect makes transferring money abroad simple with bank-beating exchange rates. Currencies Direct may call you to confirm your transfer, so be prepared for a phone call shortly after initiating a transfer.
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Whether 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.

Product Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
OFX logo
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
Xe logo
Within minutes
From $0
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
MoneyGram  logo
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Remitly  logo
Within minutes
From $0
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
CurrencyTransfer  logo
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
WorldRemit  logo
Within minutes
From $0.99
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.
OFX logo
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
PayPal logo
Within minutes
$0
Provides business solutions for small business owners in over 24 currencies worldwide. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
Wise logo
Within minutes
From $8.16
Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 40 currencies, while saving up to 90% over local banks.
Wise logo
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
Wise logo
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
WorldRemit  logo
Within minutes
From $0.99
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.
CurrencyFair logo
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
OFX logo
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
CurrencyFair logo
24 hours
€3
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
Remitly  logo
Within minutes
From $0
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.
Remitly  logo
Within minutes
From $0
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.
Remitly  logo
Within minutes
From $0
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.
PayPal logo
Within minutes
From $0
Use PayPal to safely send money and receive payments from around the world in over 25 currencies with just an email address or mobile number. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
Xe logo
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
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Leah Fallon's headshot
Written by

Editor

Leah Fallon is a freelance journalist and editor, specializing in personal finance and small business. She owns Birch Tree Bookstore in Leesburg, Virginia. See full bio

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8 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    PapeMay 14, 2019

    I need expert help. I need someone who will assist me to transfer money.

      Default GravatarFinder
      JoshuaMay 15, 2019Finder

      Hi Pape,

      Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃

      If you need help in transferring money, you may refer to the table that allows you to conveniently compare international money transfer service providers. You can compare based on the minimum transfer amount, transfer speed, and others. Moreover, you can also specify how much you want to send and which currency. Please note that our table’s calculator is only an estimate and you would need to check directly with the provider for the exact amount you will receive. Once you found the right one for you, click on the “Go to site” green button to learn more or start sending money.

      If you need further help, please click the chat icon found on the lower right corner of this page.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

    Default Gravatar
    WilliamMarch 29, 2019

    I need to transfer $6700 to court in New Jersey and I’m being refused by western union and RIA BECAUSE OF SOMEONE WHO HACKED ME AND STOLE MY IDENTITY. HOW CAN I DO IT I’VE TAKEN CARE OF THE HACKING THRU POLICE AND COURT BUT I CAN’T USE WU AND RIA. How can I transfer money?

      Default GravatarFinder
      JeniMarch 31, 2019Finder

      Hi William,

      Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

      Sorry to hear about your trouble with sending money to a court in New Jersey.

      Our list of international money transfer services has various money transfer companies like Western Union. You may know more about their money transfer service by clicking their name as you will be redirected to their review page. Banks also process money transfers. I suggest that you contact your bank to help you transfer money to a court in New Jersey without any hassle.

      I hope this helps.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

    Default Gravatar
    OwomugishaJanuary 24, 2019

    How about Global Money Transfer Service, are they there or not?

      Default GravatarFinder
      ValJanuary 28, 2019Finder

      Hi Owomugisha,

      Thank you for leaving a question. There are 14 options for Global Money Transfer on the page that you are checking like XE Money Transfer, World First, WorldRemit, Western Union. TransferWire, Xoom, MoneyGram, Ria and many more. If you are pertaining to a particular one you may click on more info and get in touch with them. If not, you may want to consider checking on the fees and transfer rates they offer.

      Hope this helps.

      Regards,
      Val

    Default Gravatar
    RichardOctober 10, 2018

    Please, can you please give me an online transfer site which is user friendly…which make transfers very easy.

      Default Gravatar
      nikkiangcoOctober 12, 2018

      Hi Richard,

      Thanks for reaching out!

      We are unable to give you specific recommendations however, there are several international money transfer services you can use to send money online, from the US.

      As of this time, we don’t have access to service providers that allows you to send money from Ukraine. You might want to check the money service providers available in Ukraine.

      I hope this helps.

      Regards,

      Nikki

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