Sending money during the coronavirus
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Best ways to send money online
Our picks for the best services to use when transferring money to someone – within the US and internationally.
Choosing the right service to send money can save you time, money and headaches. And although your bank may offer wire transfers, it’ll often be more expensive than the many other options available to you.
To help you decide, we’ve narrowed those options done to our top picks for sending money and go into more details on each below the tables.
Best services to send money internationally
| Best for… | Service | Why use it? | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No fees |  | XE | Easily create market orders and forward contracts | |
| Large transfers |  | OFX | Send as much as you need fee-free with no maximum limit | |
| Best exchange rates |  | TransferWise | Transparent fees combined with the mid-market makes sending money overseas a breeze | |
| Time-sensitive transfers |  | Remitly | Money-back guarantee if your money doesn’t arrive on time | |
| Huge network |  | Western Union | Send to 200+ countries with this household name |
Best services to send money within the US
| Best for… | Service | Why use it? | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No frills transfers |  | Cash App | Easily send and receive money from debit cards and bank accounts | Free, with fees for extra options |
| Fast transfers |  | Google Pay | Combines contactless payments, an electronic wallet and money transfer services in an easy-to-use app | Free, with fees for extra options |
| Free transfers between PayPal accounts |  | PayPal | PayPal is a convenient option for free domestic transfers, paying businesses and sending money internationally. | Free, with fees for extra options |
Sending money internationally
When you’re sending money internationally, the most important things to look at are the money transfer service’s exchange rates, fees and what currencies are on offer.
Below is a curated list of the most popular services to send money internationally, why we like them and other alternatives.
XE
What we like:
- No minimum or maximum limit — send however much you wish
- Set up market orders and forward contracts
What we don’t like:
- No cash pickup and no credit card payments
Why use XE?
Online transfers you plan to send from your bank account may benefit from XE’s competitive rates and $0 fees. There are no weekly or monthly transfer limits and you can schedule transfers using forex tools to secure better rates in the future.
XE’s fees and limits:
| Fees | Transfer limits | Exchange rate margin |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | Minimum: $1 Maximum: $500,000 | Typically between 0.4% and 1% above mid-market |
Alternative:
- WorldRemit: Like XE, WorldRemit can help with smaller, frequent transfers. It has a much wider range of currencies it sends to. Find out more about its fees and rates.
OFX
What we like:
- Exchange rates get less the more you send, making it better for larger transfers
- 55+ currencies supported for both personal and business transfers
What we don’t like:
- First transfer requires phone verification and a high minimum transfer may prevent new users from joining
Why use OFX?
Users planning to send large amounts of money can benefit from OFX’s nonexistent fees and forex transfer tools without having to worry about the high minimum transfer amounts. Plus, the larger your transfer is, the smaller the exchange rate margin will be.
OFX’s fees and limits:
| Fees | Transfer limits | Exchange rate margin |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | Minimum: $1,000 Maximum: No limit | Typically 1.5% or less above mid-market |
Alternative:
- CurrencyTransfer: While also specializing in sending large amounts, CurrencyTransfer is slightly different — it’s an online marketplace. This means you get to choose between different brokers to get the best exchange rate. Find out more about how it works.
TransferWise
What we like:
- Transparent fees presented before transferring make it easy to compare costs
- No margin added to the mid-market exchange rate
What we don’t like:
- Fees increase with larger transfers
Why use TransferWise?
TransferWise puts all of the necessary information upfront on its website so you can compare your transfer prices and fees while knowing how much your recipient will get. TransferWise also offers an international debit card, so if you’re traveling abroad, you can take advantage of the competitive exchange rates by using it for purchases.
TransferWise’s fees and limits:
| Fees | Transfer limits | Exchange rate margin |
|---|---|---|
| Depends on payment method, amount sent and currency pair | $1,000,000 per transfer for licensed US states | Mid-market rate |
Alternative:
- InstaReM: Like TransferWise, InstaReM offers the mid-market rate, but be aware that this is only for some currencies during certain times. Customer loyalty points can add up over time if you’re using the service frequently, which helps save you more down the line. Read further about what currencies InstaReM supports.
Remitly
What we like:
- Pairs with Ria to offer a growing number of global cash pickup locations with an on-time money back guarantee
What we don’t like:
- Faster transfer times directly correlate with higher fees
Why use Remitly?
Although it’s a smaller, less known option, Remitly offers competitive fees and exchange rates to keep customers loyal. It may offer less currency pairs than larger competitors, but its on-time promise means if your money doesn’t get there on time, you get a refund. Remitly’s fees are proportionate to the speed you want your transfer sent, so if you aren’t in a rush, it’s often a cheaper option for international transfers.
Remitly’s fees and limits:
| Fees | Transfer limits | Exchange rate margin |
|---|---|---|
| Vary depending on country, can be as low as $0 for popular destinations | $10,000 per 24 hours, $30,000 per 30 days, $60,000 per 180 days | Can be 1% or more above the mid-market rate, updated daily and depends on transfer speed and destination country |
Alternative:
- Xoom: Send money to your recipient’s bank account, front door or a cash pickup location nearby. Xoom is powered by PayPal and has a money-back guarantee if your transfer doesn’t arrive. Learn more about Xoom’s exchange rates and fees.
Western Union
What we like:
- Gas stations, grocery stores and corner bodegas are often home to this money transfer giant
- The price of convenience is high, making Western Union a poor choice if you can plan ahead and use a different service
Why use Western Union?
When you need to send money to someone fast, or you need to send cash for someone to pick up, chances are there is a Western Union near them to help you out. Although sending limits could be higher and fees could be lower, Western Union operates a massive network of over 500,000 locations to meet your needs.
Western Union’s fees and limits:
| Fees | Transfer limits | Exchange rate margin |
|---|---|---|
| Fees vary heavily and depend on sending destination, origin, method of payment and preferred delivery | $10,000 per transaction | Can be up to 6% above the mid-market rate |
Alternative:
- MoneyGram: MoneyGram is one of Western Union’s most well-known competitors and offers almost as many transfer destinations. Chances are high there’s a MoneyGram location near you, making this company a contender when you need to move money fast to someone without a bank account. Discover more about MoneyGram.
Sending money within the US
Here are some of the most popular options — and their alternatives — for transferring money to friends or family within the country.
Cash App
What we like:
- Straightforward app with no receiving limits and offers a way to purchase Bitcoin
- Easy and fast to pay friends back
What we don’t like:
- Instant withdrawals charge a higher fee than some competitors
Why use Cash App?
For users seeking a clean, simple interface and straightforward payment options, Cash App is high on our list. If all you want to do is send and receive money without social feeds or having to share your bank account numbers, this may be the choice for you.
Cash App’s fees and limits:
| Instant deposit | Transfer limits | Other fees |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5% (minimum $0.25) | Send: $2,500/week Receive: Unlimited | 3% to send from credit card |
Alternatives:
- Venmo: Like Cash App but more social — explore Venmo’s features in our review and guide on this app.
- Facebook Messenger: Basic money sending service integrated with Facebook’s chat. Learn how to start using it today.
Google Pay
What we like:
- Integrates with other Google services like Google Home and Gmail
- Easy to use
What we don’t like:
- When paying merchants, you have to use your phone — no physical card exists to spend your Google Pay balance
Why use Google Pay?
Google Pay is integrated with Android phones, but can also be used through a browser and iPhone app. It works well with many of the existing Google Services, such as Gmail, Google Assistant and Messages. It comes with enhanced security and has the option for Two-Factor Authentication and sign-in notifications — must-have features for anyone who’s prone to losing phones.
Google Pay’s fees and limits:
| Instant deposit | Transfer limits | Other fees |
|---|---|---|
| Free to bank account | Send: $10,000/week Receive: Unlimited | Google Pay charges no fees for bank transfers, but your bank may — contact it to find out |
Alternative:
- Apple Pay: Send and receive money directly in the iMessage app. A strong alternative to Google Pay for iPhone users. Find out more about Apple Pay.
PayPal
What we like:
- Fraud protection covers the sending and receiving of funds for both domestic and international purchases
- Free transfers to other PayPal accounts
What we don’t like:
- Fees can add up quickly when sending money abroad
Why use PayPal?
Transferring money for both businesses and individuals is one of PayPal’s strengths, and its network of global coverage makes it a good option for international users trying to figure out how to wire money online safely. Sending money domestically is free between PayPal accounts, but pay attention to fees when sending money across borders from a linked bank account. PayPal also offers money transfer protection when making purchases online from other individuals, something Cash App and Google Pay lack.
PayPal’s fees and limits:
| Instant deposit | Transfer limits | Other fees |
|---|---|---|
| 1% (up to a maximum of $10) | Unlimited for both sending and receiving | 2.9% + $0.30 to send from credit card |
Alternative:
- Zelle: Although Zelle imposes no limits, your bank probably does — check the terms and conditions on your bank account. And be wary when making purchases from other individuals with Zelle since it offers no buyer protection. Support for Zelle varies by bank, and if your bank isn’t supported, there isn’t much you can do. Learn more about Zelle.
Bottom line
There are a range of options that can securely transfer your money from A to B while avoiding steep bank fees — be it within the US or internationally. The best one depends on your situation, how fast you need the money transferred and to where.
But there’s no need to commit to just one service. With so many options available, it pays to road test a few first or keep several accounts at once.
Our approach to helping you pick a money transfer service
Understanding that our users have diverse needs, to find some of the most popular money transfer products, we investigated a variety of companies by comparing factors like fees, consumer sentiment, transfer limits and user experience.
All of the sending and receiving limits are based on the highest limits a user can unlock with each service.
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