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PayPal vs Singapore banks for international transfers
We compare the digital payments giant against your typical bank transfer to see which offers the better deal.
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.
The fees and rates used in this comparison are accurate as of 30 March 2021.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Check out some other international money transfer options in the table below.
Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.
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