Western Union vs Remitly

Western Union

Global money transfer network with 500,000+ locations in 200+ countries. Best for cash pickup — no bank account needed.

Pricing

$5/mo

Key Features

• ✓500,000+ agent locations in 200+ countries — largest physical money transfer network in the world
• ✓Cash pickup — recipient can collect money in person without needing a bank account
• ✓Multiple send methods: online, mobile app, by phone, or in person at any agent location
• ✓Multiple receive methods: cash pickup, bank deposit, mobile wallet, home delivery (select countries)
• ✓Transfer speed: minutes for cash pickup, 1-5 business days for bank deposits
• ✓Track your transfer in real time with SMS and email notifications

Pros

• +Largest physical network — 500,000+ agent locations reach rural areas that digital-only services cannot
• +Cash pickup is irreplaceable — recipients without bank accounts can still access funds immediately
• +Multiple send and receive options — online, app, phone, in-person at agent, bank, mobile wallet, cash
• +Fast for cash pickup — minutes, not days, for the recipient to collect
• +Real-time tracking with SMS notifications for every transfer stage

Cons

• −Higher fees than digital-first competitors — the physical network commands a premium price
• −Exchange rate markup of 1%–5% above mid-market — significantly worse than Wise or Revolut
• −Cash pickup fees can be $50+ for large transfers to certain destinations
• −Bank transfers can take 1-5 business days — slower than digital-first alternatives
• −Not transparent about pricing — fees vary by destination and are not always shown upfront online

Platforms

Web, iOS, Android

Remitly

Personal remittance platform with 170+ destination countries, multiple delivery methods (bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet, home delivery), and both Economy and Express transfer options.

Pricing

Free

Key Features

• ✓170+ destination countries — one of the broadest reach in the category
• ✓Multiple delivery methods: bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet, home delivery (select countries)
• ✓Express transfers — debit/credit card funded, often arrive within minutes
• ✓Remitly One — subscription membership with reduced fees and better rates for frequent senders
• ✓On-time delivery guarantee — fee refund if transfer doesn't arrive on time
• ✓Supports UPI deposits in India, GCash in Philippines, M-Pesa in Kenya, Orange Money in Morocco

Pros

• +Best for personal remittances with cash pickup needs — thousands of cash pickup locations in countries where bank account access is limited
• +170+ destination countries — broadest reach for sending to developing markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
• +Multiple delivery options match recipient's situation — bank account, mobile wallet, or cash pickup
• +On-time delivery guarantee provides peace of mind — fee refund if transfer doesn't arrive on schedule
• +Express option for urgent transfers — debit/credit card funded with delivery often in minutes
• +Strong remittance corridors: Philippines, India, Mexico, Colombia, Vietnam — among the most competitive for these routes
• +Remitly One subscription can reduce costs for frequent monthly senders

Cons

• −Exchange rate markup is the primary hidden cost — advertises 'zero fee' for bank-funded transfers but makes money through rate markup of 0.5-3.0%
• −Total cost requires checking the live rate — comparing against Wise mid-market rate reveals the actual cost of the markup
• −First-transfer promotional rate misleads comparison — promotional rate for first $1,000 does not reflect ongoing transfer costs
• −Express fees on top of rate markup — urgency adds a flat fee plus the markup
• −Not suitable for business transfers — focused entirely on personal/family remittances
• −Sending limits vary by corridor and verification level

Platforms

Web, iOS, Android

Your recipient lives in a remote or rural area where digital banking and mobile money agents are scarce. They need a nearby physical location to collect cash.

Your recipient has a smartphone and uses mobile money (M-Pesa, GCash) or has a bank account. You want lower fees and a better digital experience.