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Western Union vs. MoneyGram

Take a look at how MoneyGram and Western Union’s money transfer services stack up against each other.

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Western Union

Western Union logo
  • Track your money transfer in real time
  • Send money online, through our app, or at an agent location
  • Fast money transfers to 200+ countries and territories
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MoneyGram leans slightly cheaper and averages faster transfer speeds than Western Union – but your experience is likely to vary depending on your specific transfer. As there are many variables – including transfer type, destination and amount – you’ll want to compare MoneyGram and Western Union against each other to see which is the best fit for you.

Compare Western Union vs. MoneyGram

Name Product USFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Western Union
Within minutes
From $0
Enjoy $0 fee on your first online transfer. Western Union makes money from currency exchange. Not valid on credit cards or sends to Cuba.
Western Union sends money online to friends and family in 200+ countries and territories around the world.
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How they work

The process to transfer money overseas with Western Union is very similar to MoneyGram. So much so, we can describe them both at the same time: You go to their sites, enter the amount you’re sending, its destination and see how you’ll pay for the transfer. Both services also give the option to call, visit an office or use a mobile app to transfer money. After the transaction is complete it converts and delivers your money to a bank account or makes it available for cash pickup at any location worldwide.

Who offers lower fees?

Western Union

Figuring out how much you’ll pay to transfer money internationally is tricky. Although most fees start at $5, they can be as much as $100 when paying by credit or debit card for cash pickup in certain countries such as China. But when sending money to high-traffic countries such as Mexico or India, agents offer free transfer options.

MoneyGram

Fees vary depending on how much you’re transferring, how you’re sending it and the country you’re sending it to. Unless you actually initiate a transfer, it’s challenging to find out how much you’ll pay.

For example, to send $1,000 to India, you won’t pay anything in fees for a bank transfer, but you’ll pay $3.99 for a cash pickup. To compare, sending $1,000 to Brazil, once again you pay anything for a bank account to bank account transfer, but you’ll pay $5.99 for a cash pickup. This climbs to $34.99 if you pay by credit card.

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Winner: Tie

Whether MoneyGram or Western Union offers lower fees may depend on where you’re sending the money, how you choose to pay and how your recipient chooses to receive the cash.

Who offers better exchange rates?

To understand who offers better exchange rates, you’ll need to first look at the mid-market rate. This is the true exchange rate that averages the buying and selling rate of a global currency — and the rate banks and transfer services use when they trade among themselves.

Western Union

Depending on the country you’re sending money to, a typical exchange rate markup at Western Union can range between 2% to 4%. If you’re sending a large amount overseas, this means hundreds of dollars straight into Western Union’s coffers.

We’ll use the example of a transfer to euros (EUR):

  • If the mid-market rate is 1 USD = 0.93 EUR
  • Western Union’s exchange rate might be 1 USD = 0.91 EUR

MoneyGram

MoneyGram also skews exchange rates for a profit. Depending on where you’re sending your money, the exchange rate could be 5% or more above the mid-market rate. Like Western Union, this means hundreds of dollars on a large transfer is diverted to MoneyGram’s pockets.

So if you’re sending money to Europe:

  • If the mid-market rate is 1 USD = 0.93 EUR
  • MoneyGram’s exchange rate may be 1 USD = 0.91 EUR

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Winner: Tie

Both MoneyGram and Western Union are pretty equal when it comes to the markup they apply to their exchange rates.

Who has faster transfer speeds?

Western Union

Delivery speeds vary with transfer options. At an agent location or by phone, your transfer could be delivered in minutes – at higher costs. Your cheapest options could take five days or longer, depending on the country.

MoneyGram

Like Western Union, delivery speed with MoneyGram also varies by transfer option, with cash transfers in person or by phone delivered in minutes, again with higher costs. MoneyGram’s cheaper options take two to four business days.

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Winner: It depends

These services are similar enough that the time it takes to deliver your cash will depend on the country, your payment method and how your recipient chooses to receive the transfer.

Who offers more transfer options?

Western Union

Western Union has an array of transfer options, many of which take advantage of its substantial global network. Customers can choose from the following ways to receive their money:

  • Cash (in-store)
  • Bank account
  • Mobile wallet
  • Prepaid card
  • Pay your bills

MoneyGram

As an established money transfer provider, MoneyGram utilizes its extensive network of agent locations to provide several options for how your intended recipient can get their money:

  • Bank account.
  • Cash pickup.
  • Debit card.
  • Mobile wallet.
  • Doorstep delivery.
  • Pay your bills.
  • Send money to an inmate.

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Winner: MoneyGram

Although both have multiple transfer options, MoneyGram offers slightly more unique services like sending money to an inmate.

Who has better coverage?

Western Union

With over 500,000 agent locations worldwide in more than 200 countries, Western Union is one of the world’s largest money transfer providers. In terms of how much a customer can send, this will depend on the transfer destination, their transaction history and the type of payment they are making.

MoneyGram

MoneyGram has over 350,000 agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories. It does have limits on how much money customers can send on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis. As these can change due to market conditions, it’s best to check before confirming your transfer.

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Winner: Western Union

Both have a wide reach and an established network, but Western Union narrowly pulls ahead with its number of agent locations available worldwide.

Who has more payment options?

Western Union

Each of Western Union’s payment options come with their own set of limits, fees and restrictions. You can choose to pay with a credit or debit card, bank account, with cash (in-store) or with a wire transfer.

MoneyGram

If you are making an online money transfer, then you can pay through your bank account, or with a credit or debit card. When making an in-person transfer you can also pay with cash.

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Winner: Tie

MoneyGram and Western Union are both evenly matched when it comes to payment methods. Both stand out for the facility to make cash payments in person.

Which is better: Western Union or MoneyGram?

Western Union and MoneyGram are similar in terms of fees charged, exchange rates and transfer options. In recent times, Western Union is running promotions to entice new users and will waive the transfer fee on your first transaction. Also, if your recipient needs to pick up your transfer as cash, Western Union’s 500,000 agent locations worldwide beats MoneyGram’s 350,000.

These two services aside, you could almost always do better with another money transfer specialist. Be sure to compare your options to find a provider that’s perfect for your situation.

Looking for more 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.
1 - 12 of 12
Name Product USFMT Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
Instarem
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 (TransferWise)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.
MoneyGram
Within minutes
From $0
MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
Airwallex
Airwallex
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 International Money Transfers (Business)
24 hours
$0
Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
CurrencyTransfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
Xe Money Transfer for Business
24 hours
$0
Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
OFX
24 hours
$0
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
Currencies Direct (business)
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.
Xe
Within minutes
$3
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
CurrencyTransfer
24 hours
$0
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
Currencies Direct
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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