Sending money to family or friends abroad involves more than choosing the lowest transfer fee. The exchange rate, payment method and delivery option can all affect the cost—and how much your recipient receives.
For the same total amount paid in U.S. dollars, compare how much arrives in the recipient’s currency, when it arrives and how they can collect it.
Whether you are making your first international transfer or sending money regularly, this guide explains what to compare before you pay.
Compare money transfers from the U.S. →
Start with the destination country
A provider’s pricing and delivery options can differ between countries. An option that works well for one destination may be less suitable for another.
Start with where you are sending money, then choose the currency and delivery method your recipient needs.
| Destination | Currency to compare | Questions to answer |
|---|---|---|
| India | Indian rupees — INR | Does the provider support the recipient’s bank or UPI, where available? |
| Philippines | Philippine pesos — PHP | Does your recipient need bank deposit, a supported mobile wallet or cash pickup? |
| Mexico | Mexican pesos — MXN | Which receiving banks or pickup locations are available? |
| Other destinations | The currency your recipient needs | Does the provider support that country, currency and receiving method? |
For example, Remitly publishes bank deposit and UPI options for India, and bank deposit, mobile wallet and cash pickup options for the Philippines and Mexico. Availability and conditions depend on the particular transfer.
Choose your destination and explore transfer options →
What is the cheapest way to send money internationally?
There is no single cheapest provider for every transfer.
The result can change with:
The destination country and receiving currency.
The amount you send.
How you pay.
How your recipient receives the money.
Your eligibility for a promotional offer.
The exchange rate available when you confirm.
Providers calculate pricing using factors such as the transfer amount, payment method and currencies involved. Compare quotes for your actual transfer rather than assuming one provider will always cost less.
Compare the same total U.S. dollar budget
Two providers may treat fees differently. One might deduct its fee from the amount you enter; another might add it on top.
For a fair comparison, ask:
“If I pay $500 in total, how much will my recipient receive?”
Alternatively, if your recipient needs a specific amount, compare how much you must pay to deliver that amount.
Understand the full cost of a transfer
1. Transfer fees
This is the charge shown by the transfer provider. It may vary with the amount, payment method, delivery method or speed.
A $0 transfer fee does not necessarily mean the transfer has no cost.
2. Exchange-rate differences
The provider’s exchange rate determines how much foreign currency your dollars buy.
Compare the offered rate with a current reference rate for the same currency pair. A less favorable rate can reduce the recipient’s amount even when the visible fee is low.
3. Other charges or deductions
Depending on the transfer, additional charges may come from your payment provider, intermediary banks or the receiving institution. Some foreign taxes and third-party charges may not be included in the displayed recipient amount; check the disclosure for exclusions.
4. Applicable transfer taxes
Since January 1, 2026, certain U.S. remittance transfers funded with cash, money orders, cashier’s checks or similar physical instruments are subject to a 1% federal remittance transfer tax.
The law excludes transfers funded through qualifying financial institution accounts or U.S.-issued debit or credit cards. Ask the provider whether the tax applies to your funding method and review the total before paying.
Why a lower fee can still mean less money received
The example below uses invented figures to explain the calculation. These are not current exchange rates or provider quotes.
Scenario: You have $500 in total to send to the Philippines.
| Example A | Example B | |
|---|---|---|
| Total you pay | $500 | $500 |
| Fee deducted from your budget | $0 | $5 |
| Amount converted | $500 | $495 |
| Exchange rate | 55 PHP per USD | 56 PHP per USD |
| Recipient receives | ₱27,500 | ₱27,720 |
Despite its $5 fee, Example B delivers ₱220 more because its exchange rate is better.
This illustration assumes no additional taxes or recipient deductions.
Compare transfer costs and recipient amounts →
Reference exchange rates versus provider quotes
These numbers serve different purposes.
| Information | What it tells you | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Reference exchange rate | A benchmark for understanding currency conversion. | The rate a provider will offer you or the final amount received. |
| Provider exchange rate | The rate offered for a particular transfer scenario. | The full cost unless fees, taxes and other charges are also known. |
| Verified transfer quote | Provider-supplied pricing for a defined amount, route and payment method at a recorded time. | A permanent price or guaranteed availability after the quote expires. |
| Illustrative calculation | How a calculation works under stated assumptions. | An available transfer offer. |
Multiplying dollars by a reference exchange rate does not produce a verified recipient amount. Provider fees, conversion terms and applicable deductions must also be known.
If a comparison does not have a current provider quote, check the provider directly before deciding.
How to compare verified money transfer quotes
When recipient amounts are available, check that the quotes use comparable conditions.
| Comparison detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Destination and currency | Different routes can have different pricing. |
| Total USD paid | Keeps the sender’s budget consistent. |
| Payment method | Bank funding and card funding may cost different amounts. |
| Receiving method | Bank deposit and cash pickup may have different terms. |
| Customer status | New-customer promotions may not apply to repeat transfers. |
| Fees and taxes | Shows what is included in the total. |
| Recipient amount | Shows the quoted payout, with any exclusions identified. |
| Delivery estimate | Helps you assess whether the transfer meets your deadline. |
| Quote time and expiry | Shows when the pricing was checked and any validity conditions. |
A quote checked earlier may differ from the price available at checkout. Review the final provider disclosure before confirming.
Choose how to pay
Bank account
Compare the provider’s bank-funded quote and funding timeline. Check whether you need to link an account, initiate a bank transfer or complete another verification step.
Debit card
Check the fee for the specific card-funded transfer. Do not assume it matches the bank-funded price.
Credit card
Confirm that the provider accepts credit cards and ask your card issuer how the transaction will be treated. A money transfer can trigger a cash-advance fee or other charges from the card issuer.
Cash
If the provider supports cash funding, check participating locations, identification requirements, fees and any applicable remittance transfer tax.
Compare the total cost of the payment method you will actually use.
Choose how your recipient receives the money
Bank deposit
Check the recipient’s name, bank details, receiving currency and any relevant account restrictions.
Cash pickup
Confirm that the pickup location is convenient and ask what identification or reference number the recipient needs.
Mobile wallet
Check that the provider supports the exact wallet, that the recipient’s number is correct and that any wallet limits are suitable.
Other local receiving methods
Some routes support additional options, such as UPI in India. Availability depends on the provider and transfer details.
The right receiving method is one your recipient can use reliably, at an acceptable total cost.
How long does an international money transfer take?
Use the delivery estimate for your specific quote.
Timing can depend on the payment and receiving methods, transaction review and system availability. A provider’s fastest advertised service may not apply to your transfer.
Before sending money for an urgent bill or emergency:
Check the quoted arrival date or time.
Complete any requested verification promptly.
Confirm the recipient’s details.
Keep the transfer reference and support information.
Allow extra time when the provider says further checks or funding steps are required.
What information do you need to send money abroad?
Requirements vary, but prepare to provide:
| About you | About your recipient |
|---|---|
| Legal name and contact details | Name matching the receiving account or identification |
| Address and requested identification | Destination country and contact details |
| An accepted payment method | Bank, wallet or pickup details |
| Additional information requested during verification | Any route-specific information the provider requires |
Providers may request additional documents based on the amount or when they cannot complete identity verification.
Use the provider’s official website or app to submit sensitive information.
Check promotional offers carefully
A first-transfer offer may include a reduced fee, a special exchange rate or another benefit.
Before relying on it, check:
Who qualifies as a new customer.
Whether there is a promotional amount limit.
Which funding and receiving methods qualify.
Whether a code is required.
When the offer ends.
What pricing applies to later transfers.
If you send money regularly, compare the repeat-transfer price as well as the introductory offer.
Your rights if something goes wrong
For transfers covered by U.S. federal remittance protections, providers generally must disclose key information about fees, exchange rates and the amount to be delivered.
Can you cancel a transfer?
Generally, you can cancel a covered transfer without a cancellation fee within 30 minutes after payment, unless the money has already been picked up or deposited into the recipient’s account. Contact the provider immediately.
What if the transfer is missing or incorrect?
Keep your receipt and report the issue promptly. For covered errors, you generally have 180 days from the disclosed availability date to notify the provider. The available remedy depends on the circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Is a $0-fee transfer always the cheapest?
No. A less favorable exchange rate can outweigh the benefit of a lower fee. Compare recipient amounts using the same total USD budget.
Should I compare providers for every transfer?
It is useful to recheck, particularly when the amount, destination, payment method or promotional eligibility changes. Pricing can vary between transfers.
Can I send money without a bank account?
Some providers support alternative funding methods, such as cards or cash. Check eligibility, availability and total cost for your route.
Can my recipient receive money without a bank account?
Potentially. Cash pickup and supported mobile wallets are available on some routes. Check the exact country, provider and receiving requirements.
Is a reference-rate calculator a transfer quote?
No. It shows a conversion benchmark. A provider quote must account for the provider’s offered rate, fees and applicable transfer conditions.
Does the highest recipient amount always mean the best option?
It is an important comparison point, but also consider delivery time, receiving convenience, eligibility and any excluded charges.
Compare your next transfer before you send
Choose your destination, enter your budget and compare the receiving methods available to your recipient.
Where current, verified quotes are available, compare fees, offered exchange rates and recipient amounts under the same conditions. Where pricing is unavailable, confirm it directly with the provider.
Compare options for sending money abroad →
This guide provides general educational information. Pricing, eligibility, delivery estimates and receiving options can change. Review the provider’s final quote and disclosures before paying.