Alternatives to Western Union

Need a cheaper alternative for sending cash transfers?

Around for more than 160 years, Western Union is one of the oldest and most recognisable names in money transfers. Available in 200 countries and territories across the globe and with more than 500,000 agent locations worldwide, money pickups are easy and accessible. But for all that, it’s not fantastically competitive on pricing – several transfer specialists founded after Western Union have undercut it and could save you money.

A closer look at these services

TorFX logo

1. TorFX

TorFX (visit site) is a broker, so it scours popular forex providers to find the best rate it can for your transfer. That means that while Western Union supports transfers to 142 currencies, TorFX can tap into the currency support and distribution network of a whole range of transfer services. Both platforms let you pay by debit card or bank transfer but Western Union additionally supports credit card payment. With Western Union your recipient can pick up cash, so no bank account is needed, but that facility's not available through TorFX. TorFX also offers "forward contracts" (locking in a rate today for a transfer in the future) and "limit orders" (setting a target exchange rate at which your transfer is triggered).

Transfers to a bank account can be a little slower with TorFX but the transfer speed will depend on the country you're sending to.

TorFX is running a special offer – Get a £50 Amazon voucher for each friend you refer who transfers £5,000 or more. T&Cs apply.

WorldRemit logo

2. WorldRemit

Next up, WorldRemit (visit site) supports transfers to 80 fewer currencies than Western Union (notably missing euros). Both apps let you pay by debit/credit card or bank transfer. With both services your recipient can pick up cash, so no bank account is needed. Like Western Union, WorldRemit has an app you can use to arrange and track your international transfers.

Transfers to a bank account can be a little slower with WorldRemit but again, this varies by destination.

WorldRemit is running a special offer – Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.

Atlantic Money logo

3. Atlantic Money

Newcomer Atlantic Money (visit site) supports transfers to 132 fewer currencies than Western Union (notably missing Indian rupees). With Western Union your recipient can pick up cash, so no bank account is needed, but that facility's not available through Atlantic Money. Like Western Union, Atlantic Money has an app you can use to arrange and track your international transfers, but Atlantic Money's is only available for iPhone.

Transfers to a bank account can be a little slower with Atlantic Money.

Atlantic Money is running a special offer – Pay no fees on your first Atlantic Money transaction with this link.

Wise logo

4. Wise

Wise (visit site) supports transfers to 89 fewer currencies than Western Union, but major remittance currencies including euros, Philippine pesos and Indian and Pakistani rupees are supported. Both apps let you pay by debit/credit card or bank transfer. With Western Union your recipient can pick up cash, so no bank account is needed, but that facility's not available through Wise. Like Western Union, Wise has an app you can use to arrange and track your international transfers or to set up recurring payments.

Transfers to a bank account can be a little slower with Wise.

Wise is running a special offer – Refer 3 friends to receive up to £50 referral bonus.

Remitly logo

5. Remitly

Remitly (visit site) supports transfers to 11 fewer currencies than Western Union, but euros, Philippine pesos and Indian and Pakistani rupees are supported. Both platforms let you pay by debit/credit card or bank transfer. With both services your recipient can pick up cash, so no bank account is needed.

Transfers to a bank account can be a little slower with Remitly.

Revolut logo

6. Revolut

The multi-purpose banking app Revolut (visit site) supports transfers to 105 fewer currencies than Western Union. Both apps let you pay by debit/credit card or bank transfer. With Western Union your recipient can pick up cash, so no bank account is needed, but that facility's not available through Revolut. Like Western Union, Revolut has an app you can use to arrange and track your international transfers or to set up recurring payments.

Transfers to a bank account can be a little slower with Revolut.

Revolut is running a special offer – Sign up and get 3 months of Revolut Premium for free. T&Cs apply.

PassTo logo

7. PassTo

PassTo (visit site) supports transfers to 111 fewer currencies than Western Union, but euros, Philippine pesos and Indian and Pakistani rupees are supported. Both apps let you pay by debit/credit card or bank transfer. With both services your recipient can pick up cash, so no bank account is needed. Like Western Union, PassTo has an app you can use to arrange and track your international transfers.

Transfers to a bank account can be a little slower with PassTo.

PassTo is running a special offer – No fees on your first transfer. Refer 3 friends to PassTo and earn £50 once they each make a transfer of at least £200. They'll earn £5 too. T&Cs apply.

Paysend logo

8. Paysend

Finally, Paysend (read review) supports transfers to 25 fewer currencies than Western Union, but euros, Philippine pesos and Indian and Pakistani rupees are supported. Both apps let you pay by debit/credit card or bank transfer. With both services your recipient can pick up cash, so no bank account is needed. Like Western Union, Paysend has an app you can use to arrange and track your international transfers.

Transfers to a bank account take a similar amount of time with Paysend or Western Union.

Still looking for other options?

Table: sorted by promoted deals first
Our table below lets you compare services you can use to send money abroad. Compare fees, exchange rates and discounts from different money transfer services, and when you have made your choice, click Go to site.
1 - 20 of 20
Name Product Filter values Ratings Pay by Receiving options Fastest transfer Fee (pay by bank transfer) Key benefits
OFFER
TorFX
Finder rating
★★★★★
Debit card, Bank transfer
Bank account
Within minutes
£0
Get a £50 Amazon voucher for each friend you refer who transfers £5,000 or more. T&Cs apply.
Key Currency
Not rated yet
Bank transfer
Bank account
24 hours
£0
OFFER
Wise (TransferWise)
Finder rating
★★★★★
Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer
Bank account, Alipay (China only)
Within minutes
From 0.41%
Refer 3 friends to receive up to £50 referral bonus
Equals Money Account
Not rated yet
Bank transfer
Bank account
3 hours
£0
OFX
Finder rating
★★★★★
Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer
Bank account
24 hours
£0
CurrencyTransfer
Not rated yet
Bank transfer
Bank account
24 hours
£0
OFFER
Currencies Direct
Finder rating
★★★★★
Debit card, Bank transfer
Bank account
24 hours
£0
Get a £50 Amazon voucher for each friend you refer who transfers £5,000 or more. T&Cs apply.
DISCOUNT
PassTo
Finder rating
★★★★★
Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer
Cash pickup location, Bank account, Mobile wallet
Within minutes
From £1.40
No fees on your first transfer. Refer 3 friends to PassTo and earn £50 once they each make a transfer of at least £200. They'll earn £5 too. T&Cs apply.
OFFER
Atlantic Money
Not rated yet
Bank transfer
Bank account
Within minutes
£3
Pay no fees on your first Atlantic Money transaction with this link.
Remitly
Finder rating
★★★★★
Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer
Cash pickup location, Bank account, Mobile wallet, Home delivery
Within minutes
From £0
OFFER
CurrencyFair
Finder rating
★★★★★
Bank transfer
Bank account
Within minutes
€3
New customers get unlimited fee-free transfers for their first 3 months. T&Cs apply.
OFFER
Revolut
Not rated yet
Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer
Bank account, Mobile wallet
Within an hour
From £0
Sign up and get 3 months of Revolut Premium for free. T&Cs apply.
OFFER
WorldRemit
Finder rating
★★★★★
Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer, Apple Pay
Cash pickup location, Bank account, Mobile wallet, Home delivery, Prepaid phone credit
Within minutes
From £1.99
Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
OFX
Finder rating
★★★★★
Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer
Bank account
24 hours
£0
TorFX Business
Finder rating
★★★★★
Debit card, Bank transfer
Bank account
Within minutes
£0
Currencies Direct Business
Finder rating
★★★★★
Debit card, Bank transfer
Bank account
24 hours
£0
OFX Business
Not rated yet
Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer
Bank account
24 hours
£0
CurrencyFair Business
Not rated yet
Bank transfer
Bank account
Within minutes
€3
Zero fees on your first 10 transfers. T&Cs apply.
WorldFirst Business
Not rated yet
Debit card, Bank transfer
Bank account, Mobile wallet
24 hours
£0
Lloyds Bank International Transfers
Not rated yet
Bank transfer
Bank account
24 hours
Varies
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Learn more about Western Union in our review.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

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