Western Union vs. Ria: Who wins for better transfers?

When you need to transfer money overseas, you now have many options to choose from. Western Union is perhaps the most well-known international money transfer service, but newer companies like Ria offer competitive rates to save you money.

	Western Union	Ria
Fees	Starts from $5	Starts from $3
Exchange rates	Up to 6% above the mid-market rate	Can be less than 1% on the mid-market rate
Speed	Minutes up to 5 days or more	15 minutes up to 4 days
Max Transfer Amount	Varies by country	$2,999 a day or $7,999 a month maximum
	Read review	Read review

Quick verdict

Lower fees:
Tie

Exchange rates:
Ria

Fast transfers:
Ria

Western Union and Ria: How they work

Western Union and Ria both offer online and in-person transfers.

Western Union

To transfer money online with Western Union, visit its site, enter the amount you’re transferring and to where, and confirm how much to pay for the exchange. Once complete, Western Union converts and delivers your money to a bank account or for cash pickup at locations worldwide.

Read review: Western Union

Ria

To transfer money online with Ria, go to its site, enter the amount you’d like to transfer and to which country, and choose your payment and payout methods. On the same page, you’ll see the exchange rate and transfer fee for your particular exchange.

Read review: Ria

Which offers lower fees?

Western Union

Western Union’s fees vary depending on how much you’re transferring, how you’re sending it and where you’re sending it to. Most transfer fees start at $5, but they can skyrocket up to $45 if you’re paying by credit or debit card or for cash pickup in certain countries. However, some transfers to high-traffic countries such as Mexico or India offer no-fee transfer options.

Ria

Money transfer fees with Ria also vary by payment method, country and the amount you’re sending. The cheapest way to send money is by bank transfer, with a typical fee that’s lower than $5. However, fees for credit card payments can be as high as $45.

Trophy icon
Winner: Tie
Western Union and Ria offer similar transfer fee options. Although if you’re planning to pay by bank transfer, Ria may have a slight edge.

Compare other transfer services

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
$1,000	1 day	USD 0.00	0.831	EUR 4,154	OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, AZN, BGN, BHD, BND, CAD, CHF, 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, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
GBP 1,000	1 - 2 days	USD 0.00	0.831	EUR 4,154	Exclusive: Minimum transfer of $1,000 for Finder readers (normally $5,000). CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount GBP 1,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MXN, NOK, NZD, PLN, RON, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
USD 1	Same day	USD 0.00	0.835	EUR 4,177	XE has fast transfers with no fees and a range of foreign currency tools.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount USD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUC, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, FKP, GBP, GEL, GGP, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, IMP, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JEP, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KPW, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SPL, SRD, SVC, SYP, SZL, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TVD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XDR, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, ZWD, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$10	Within an hour	USD 1.99	0.822	EUR 4,110	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 10.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ALL, AMD, ARS, AZN, BAM, BDT, BGN, BIF, BOB, BRL, BSD, 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, KZT, LKR, LRD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MWK, MXN, MYR, NIO, NPR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SLL, SRD, SVC, THB, TJS, TND, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$1	1 - 2 days	USD 40.00	0.839	EUR 4,162	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 1.00 Transfer methods Online Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, 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
$1	Within an hour	USD 3.99	0.836	EUR 4,175	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 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, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SOS, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
USD 10,000	1 - 2 days	N/A	N/A	N/A	Dunbridge Financial offers diverse transfer options to more than 120 countries. Powered by Currencycloud.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount USD 10,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ARS, AUD, AZN, BAM, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BOB, BRL, BWP, BYR, CAD, CHF, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, IQD, ISK, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MUR, MVR, MXN, MYR, MZN, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, THB, TJS, TND, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

Which 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.Let’s take a look at the rates that Western Union and Ria offer compared to the mid-market rate.

Western Union

Depending on the country you’re sending money to, a typical exchange rate at Western Union can be up to 6% above the mid-market rate. This means that If you’re sending a large amount overseas, hundreds of dollars go straight into Western Union’s pocket.

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

If the mid-market rate is 1 USD = 0.96 EUR
Western Union’s exchange rate might be 1 USD = 0.86 EUR

Ria

Ria takes a much smaller margin than Western Union, with rates that can be less than 1% on the mid-market rate.

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

If the mid-market rate is 1 USD = 0.96 EUR
Ria’s exchange rate might be 1 USD = 0.92 EUR

Trophy icon
Winner: Ria
Ria’s competitive exchange rates make it the clear winner here.

Which is faster?

Western Union

Western Union’s delivery speeds vary, depending on your 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.

Ria

Ria’s transfer speed also depends on the method that you choose to send your money. When you use your credit or debit card, the exchange typically takes 15 minutes or less. Transfers from your bank account can take up to four days.

Trophy icon
Winner: Ria
Although Western Union and Ria have similar delivery options, most transfers with Ria using your bank account will be delivered in four days or less without having to pay extra for faster service, giving Ria a leg up.

Which offers more options?

	Payment Methods	Minimum and maximum transfers	Delivery methods	Transfer speeds	Countries and currencies
Western Union	Bank account, credit or debit card, cash	$1 minimum; maximum varies by method and payment	Bank transfer, cash pickup, e-wallet	Varies from minutes to 5+ days	200+ countries
Ria	Bank account,credit or debit card,cash	$1 minimum; $2,999 a day or $7,999 a month maximum	Bank transfer, cash pickup	15 minutes to 4 business days	144 countries

Case study:$1,000 to Italy

Imagine that you’re sending $1,000 to your aunt who has recently moved to Italy. Here’s what an online bank-to-bank transfer would be with Western Union and Ria.

	Western Union	Ria
Transfer fee	$5	$5
Exchange rate	1 USD = 0.86 EUR	1 USD = 0.92 EUR
Transfer speed	6 days	4 days or less
Total received	864.81 EUR	920.60 EUR

With Ria, you get a stronger exchange rate, and your aunt gets 55 euros more — and at least two days sooner.

Bottom line

Western Union and Ria offer similar options, but you save money with Ria’s competitive exchange rates and faster delivery speeds.

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

Frequently asked questions

When processed through a reputable bank or company, your funds are safely tracked until in the hands of the recipient. And if you’re sending money internationally, federal protections are in place that require banks, credit unions and money transfer companies to, for example, disclose all fees up front and gives you 30 minutes to cancel a transfer, assuming it hasn’t yet been picked up or deposited.

Thank you for your feedback!

Gabrielle Pastorek

Gabrielle Pastorek is a staff writer at Finder, helping readers to round up the best deals, coupons, retailers, products and services to make sound financial decisions. She's written more than 800 articles on the site and is a quoted expert in Best Company and DealNews. She earned an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh, with essays and short stories published in The Collagist, Blue Monday Review, Blotterature and others. When she’s not writing, Gabrielle can be found out in the barn with her horse, Lucy.

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Western Union vs. Ria: How do they compare?

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