PayPal vs bank transfer: Which can save you more?

PayPal and bank transfers are both popular ways to get your money where it needs to go, but by comparing fees, rates and speeds, you might be able to figure out which offers the better deal.

Quick verdict

Lower fees: Banks

Exchange rates: PayPal

Fast transfers: PayPal

At a glance: General features

	Payment methods	Minimum and maximum transfers	Delivery methods	Transfer speeds	Countries
PayPal	Bank transfer, credit or debit card, PayPal Credit	Minimum: $1 Maximum: US$10,000 or equivalent	PayPal transfer, bank transfer	1 day	190+ countries
Bank Transfers	Online, in-person, mobile app (when available)	Varies by bank	Bank transfer	Typically within 2 business days	190+ countries

PayPal

Bank transfer, credit or debit card, PayPal Credit

Minimum: $1

Maximum: US$10,000 or equivalent

PayPal transfer, bank transfer

1 day

190+ countries

Bank Transfers

Online, in-person, mobile app (when available)

Varies by bank

Bank transfer

Typically within 2 business days

190+ countries

Which has lower fees?

PayPal

There’s no transaction fee when you send payments with PayPal as the recipient covers that. If you send a payment overseas in a different currency, a small conversion fee ranging from 3.5% to 4% applies.

Take note that if you pay by credit or debit card, your provider may charge you fees such as currency conversion fees, international transactions fees, or other fees.

Bank transfers

Most of our banks offer free bank-to-bank domestic transfers. As for international money transfer, most major banks in Singapore offer fee-free transfers to selected countries. For instance, DBS offers fee-free transfers to 49 destinations, and OCBC charges no fees for transfers in 18 currencies.

However, some banks such as UOB charge higher fees – anywhere from $10 to $30, depending on the details of your transfer – and a bigger variety of fees. Also, do look out for fees that may be imposed by agent banks.

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Winner: Banks

In the recent years, many banks have waived their exorbitant transfer fees to remain competitive. However, this is usually limited to selected destinations and major currencies such as AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, USD, CAD, HKD and JPY.

So if you’re looking to transfer exotic currencies to countries, PayPal may offer a more affordable option. Before you transfer, make sure to compare your bank’s or PayPal’s fees against other money transfer specialists to find the best deal possible.

Which offers better exchange rates?

PayPal

To calculate the exchange rate it offers to customers, PayPal takes the current mid-market rate and adds a margin. PayPal updates this rate twice a day. The margin depends on what currency you’re sending to, but in general:

To USD or CAD: 3.5%
To other currencies: 4%

What does this mean for you? If you want to make a transfer in euros (EUR):

If the mid-market rate is 1 SGD = 0.62 EUR
PayPal’s exchange rate might be 1 SGD = 0.60 EUR

Bank transfers

Nearly all banks skew the mid-market exchange rate for a profit, but you’ll typically pay higher margins than you would with PayPal.

Using the example of a transfer to euros (EUR):

If the mid-market rate is 1 SGD = 0.62 EUR
Your bank’s exchange rate might be 1 SGD = 0.58 EUR

Let’s crunch the numbers: Sending $1,000 to Germany

Let’s bring this into context a little. In our scenario, we’re going to send $1,000 to Germany using both PayPal and a local bank to see which is better. Keep in mind, rates vary for other countries.

	PayPal	Major Singapore bank
Exchange rate	1 SGD = 0.62 EUR	1 SGD = 0.6 EUR
Transfer fee	$0	$0
Transfer speed	1 business day	3 to 5 business days
Transfer options	Bank transfer	Bank transfer
Total euros received	EUR€620	EUR€600
Receiver gets	EUR€20 more	EUR€20 less

The result? A transfer through PayPal results in your recipient receiving EUR€20 more and you save on transfer fees as well.

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Winner: PayPal

PayPal’s exchange rates are typically more competitive than those offered by your local bank. Check out the exchange rates offered by other money transfer providers and compare them with PayPal’s in the table below.

Which is faster?

PayPal

Money transfers with PayPal are speedy. If you’re transferring between PayPal accounts, funds are available immediately. If you withdraw money from your PayPal account into a bank account, you can expect the funds to get there within the next business day.

Bank transfers

Most banks offer international money transfers that will arrive within two business days, but your transfer speed depends on your specific bank and type of account.

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Winner: PayPal

Even though both PayPal and a bank transfer can get your money where it needs to go pretty quickly, PayPal edges out the competition with instant transfer options between PayPal accounts. See how PayPal’s transfer speed stacks up against other money transfer companies.

How do they work?

PayPal

To transfer money through PayPal, you’ll need to create a free PayPal account. You can then send a transfer to your recipient’s PayPal account, funding it with your PayPal balance, bank account, credit card, debit card or PayPal Credit. After your recipient receives the money, they can either keep the funds in their PayPal account or withdraw the money to their bank account.

Bank transfers

A bank transfer lets you move your money from one bank account to another through existing banking networks. While in the past you had to visit a bank branch to initiate a money transfer, these days most banks allow you to initiate transfers online and by phone as well. However, delivery options are typically limited to bank account deposits, usually within a few days. You might also hear it referred to as a telegraphic transfer (TT) or a SWIFT transfer.

Learn more about using PayPal to send money abroad

Bottom line

Although much of the comparison between PayPal and a bank transfer varies depending on your bank account, PayPal tends to come out on top thanks to lower transfer fees, stronger rates and faster service.

Ultimately, you’ll want to compare your options to find the service that best fits your individual needs.

Looking for more options?

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
USD 60	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Skrill offers easy transfers to many popular destinations, but keep an eye out for added fees.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount USD 60.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AUD, BDT, EUR, GBP, IDR, INR, KES, LKR, MXN, MYR, NPR, PHP, PKR, PLN, SGD, THB, USD, VND Go to site Read the full review
SGD 0	Same day	N/A	N/A	N/A	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.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount SGD 0.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ALL, AMD, ARS, BDT, BGN, BIF, BOB, BRL, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, LAK, LKR, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MXN, MYR, NIO, NPR, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SGD, SLL, THB, TND, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
SGD 250	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Exclusive offer: Discounted exchange rates for your first and ongoing transactions. $0 transfer fee. OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount SGD 250.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ARS, AUD, AZN, BGN, BHD, BND, BRL, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KRW, KWD, LKR, MAD, MGA, MXN, MYR, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, RUB, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, THB, TOP, TRY, TWD, TZS, USD, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
SGD 2,000	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	TorFX guarantee to beat any competitor's exchange rate for a transaction. Conditions apply. TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount SGD 2,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Agent Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HRK, HUF, ILS, JPY, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
SGD 1	Same day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Use promo code 3FREE to send your first 3 transfers with no fee. Conditions apply. WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount SGD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, ZWD, BYN Go to site Read the full review
SGD 250	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Send guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. T&Cs apply. Send has fee-free transfers in 30+ currencies to over 200 countries.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount SGD 250.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, BGN, BHD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KWD, MXN, NOK, NZD, OMR, PHP, PLN, QAR, RON, SAR, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, YER, ZAR, CHE Go to site Read the full review
SGD 1	1 - 2 days	N/A	N/A	N/A	Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount SGD 1.00 Transfer methods Online Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NGN, NOK, NPR, NZD, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, RON, RUB, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XOF, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review
SGD 5	1 - 2 days	N/A	N/A	N/A	Special offer: Zero fees on your first 10 transfers. CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount SGD 5.00 Transfer methods Online Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CLP, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, NOK, NZD, PAB, PHP, PLN, SEK, SGD, THB, USD, YER, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
SGD 1	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Pay no fees on your first two transfers, up to S$3000. SingX offers the real exchange rate every time you make a transfer and can help you send money across the world.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount SGD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AUD, BDT, CAD, CNY, EUR, GBP, HKD, IDR, INR, JPY, KRW, LKR, MYR, NPR, NZD, PHP, PKR, SGD, THB, USD, VND Go to site Read the full review
SGD 200	2 days	N/A	N/A	N/A	Exclusive: Use code FINDER10 to receive US$10 off your first transaction. InstaReM offers simple transfers with a flat 0.5% transfer fee for most transfers.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount SGD 200.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ARS, AUD, BDT, CAD, CLP, CNY, COP, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, INR, KRW, LKR, MXN, MYR, NOK, NPR, PEN, PHP, PLN, SEK, SGD, THB, USD, VND, YER Go to site Read the full review