Sending money overseas should be simple. But for many people, it’s anything but.
That $300 bank wire to help family back home? Between wire fees, hidden exchange-rate markups, and slow processing times, it can quietly cost $25–$45 just to move your own money. The same transfer through the right money transfer app can cost under $5—and arrive in hours instead of days.
Whether you’re supporting family abroad, paying international freelancers, sending tuition money, or managing finances across borders, choosing the right money transfer app can save you hundreds of dollars or more a year.
After comparing fees, exchange rates, speed, geographic coverage, and real-world usability, here are the best apps to send money overseas with low fees in 2026—and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Author's Note:
I’ve personally used Wise and Western Union to send and receive money locally and abroad. I continue to use these apps, with Wise being a regular. Wise is great for sending amounts under a few thousand. Once you send a higher amount in foreign currency, Western Union becomes the lower-fee option. I would suggest comparing at least two of the apps listed in this article before transferring funds.
How We Compared International Money Transfer Apps
Not all “low-fee” apps are actually low-cost. Many advertise $0 transfer fees but quietly profit through exchange-rate markups, which can cost far more than transparent fees.
To fairly compare platforms, we evaluated:
Total cost: Transfer fees + exchange rate markup
Speed: How quickly money arrives
Coverage: Countries served and payout methods
Ease of use: App experience and customer support
Reliability: Company history, licensing, and trustworthiness
Transparency note: We focus on what you actually pay, not just advertised fees. A zero-fee transfer with a poor exchange rate can cost more than a service with transparent pricing.
The Best Apps to Send Money Overseas
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Wise has built its reputation on honesty. Instead of hiding fees in inflated exchange rates, Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate—the same rate banks trade at—and shows you upfront exactly what you’ll pay.
Why it stands out
Real exchange rate with no hidden markup
Clearly displayed fees before sending
Multi-currency accounts for frequent senders
Strong international coverage
Real-world example:
Sending $1,000 to India through Wise typically costs under $10 in total fees, with your recipient receiving significantly more rupees than with traditional banks or many competitors. A comparable bank transfer often loses $30–$50 through combined wire fees and exchange markup.
Coverage & speed
Transfers typically arrive within minutes to 1 business day, certain transfers or account initiation can take a bit longer, but Wise is generally on the faster side.
Bank transfers are usually the fastest and cheapest
Limitations
No cash pickup option
The recipient usually needs a bank account or a Wise account
Some country-specific limits
Best for: Digital-savvy users, freelancers paying international contractors, families sending regular support payments, and anyone who values cost transparency over speed gimmicks.
Remitly
Remitly shines in speed and delivery flexibility—especially for countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It offers two transfer speeds: Economy (cheaper) and Express (faster).
Why it stands out
Strong coverage in immigrant-heavy corridors
Bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile wallet delivery
Frequent promotions for first-time users
Real-world example:
Sending $500 to the Philippines via Remitly Express often delivers funds within minutes, with total fees around $4–$6. Economy transfers cost slightly less but take 3–5 days. Traditional bank wires often charge $25–$40 and take a week or more.
Coverage & speed
170+ countries
Express transfers often arrive the same day
Cash pickup available in many locations
Limitations
Exchange rates are slightly less competitive than Wise
Promotional pricing applies mainly to first transfers
Express transfers cost more
Best for: Urgent family support, cash pickup needs, emerging market corridors, and time-sensitive transfers.
Western Union remains unmatched in physical cash access, with over 500,000 agent locations worldwide. For recipients without bank accounts—or in rural areas—it remains essential.
Why it stands out
Massive global agent network
Cash-to-cash transfers
Physical locations for in-person assistance
Real-world example:
Sending $300 to rural Mexico, where recipients lack banking access, Western Union allows local cash pickup within minutes. Fees range from $8–$15 depending on speed and funding method.
Coverage & speed
200+ countries
Physical + digital platforms
Limitations
Higher fees
Less favorable exchange rates
Costs vary significantly
Best for: Cash-only recipients, emergency transfers, remote regions, and those who prefer in-person service.
What Most People Don’t Realize About Transfer Fees
One of the biggest misunderstandings about sending money overseas is how fees really work. Most people focus on the advertised transfer fee, but the exchange rate markup often costs far more.
According to the World Bank’s Remittance Prices Worldwide Database, the global average cost of sending money internationally still sits around 6% per transfer, largely due to hidden FX markups and intermediary bank fees.
That means sending $500 internationally can quietly cost $30 or more, depending on the method you use.
Digital-first services like Wise and Remitly lower this dramatically by using direct banking rails, transparent pricing, and competitive currency conversion, while traditional banks and cash-based networks often remain far more expensive.
Quick Comparison Chart: Best App by Transfer Amount
Transfer Amount | Best Choice | Why |
Under $500 | Wise | Lowest total cost, best FX rate, minimal fees |
$500 – $2,000 | Wise / Remitly | Wise wins on FX; Remitly wins if speed matters |
$2,000 – $5,000 | Compare Wise & Western Union | Fee models start to converge |
$5,000+ | Western Union / Wise | Flat fees can beat % pricing |
Emergency cash | Western Union / Remitly Express | Instant delivery & cash pickup |
Thresholds based on real-world fee structures and pricing calculators from Wise and Western Union as of 2026; always compare before sending.
How to Choose the Right App
There’s no universal “best” money transfer app. The right choice depends entirely on who you’re sending money to, how fast they need it, and how they receive funds.
Why Wise Is Usually Cheaper for Small & Medium Transfers
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate (the real rate you see on Google) and adds a clearly disclosed service fee, typically ranging from 0.5% to 1% depending on corridor and funding method. This structure makes Wise extremely cost-effective for:
Small recurring transfers
Freelancers receiving international payments
Tuition and rent payments
Family support transfers
At lower transfer amounts (under ~$2,000), Wise almost always beats banks and cash-based services because percentage-based FX savings outweigh flat fees.
When Remitly Makes the Most Sense
Remitly uses a tiered pricing model based on transfer speed and delivery method, offering both low-cost Economy transfers and faster Express options. This makes it especially effective for:
Urgent family support
Sending money to countries with limited banking access
Cash pickup and mobile wallet delivery
Smaller, time-sensitive transfers
For smaller, time-sensitive transfers (under about $1,000), Remitly’s Express option is often one of the fastest ways to get money to someone. If speed isn’t critical, Remitly’s Economy option can also be cheaper than Western Union for small to mid-sized transfers.
Remitly works especially well in parts of Asia, Latin America, and Africa, where many people rely on cash pickup locations or mobile wallets instead of bank accounts. If the person you’re sending money to needs fast access to cash or doesn’t have traditional banking, Remitly often offers the easiest and most practical solution.
When Western Union Starts Making More Sense
Western Union uses a flat-fee + FX markup model, which means:
Small transfers → expensive relative to the amount
Larger transfers → flat fees become proportionally cheaper
For large transfers ($3,000–$10,000+), Western Union’s flat pricing can sometimes undercut Wise’s percentage-based fee — especially when cash pickup or same-day delivery is needed.
This is why business payments, emergency family transfers, and high-value remittances sometimes work out cheaper via Western Union, despite its higher reputation for fees.
A Smart Habit That Can Save You Hundreds Per Year
Because fees fluctuate by country corridor, payment method, and exchange rate, the smartest strategy is simple: Check at least two apps before every transfer.
It takes under 60 seconds, and over a year, that habit alone can save hundreds of dollars — especially for families, students, immigrants, and freelancers who regularly send money.
Hidden Costs Most People Miss
Exchange Rate Markup: Banks and many apps add a hidden 2–4% markup to exchange rates. On $5,000 yearly transfers, that’s $100–$200 lost quietly.
Credit Card Funding Fees: Funding transfers with credit cards can trigger cash advance fees + interest. Always use debit cards or bank transfers when possible.
Weekend Exchange Rate Padding: Rates are often worse on weekends due to currency market closures. Sending Monday–Thursday typically yields better value.
Money-Saving Tips for International Transfers
Compare total cost, not advertised fees
Send larger amounts less frequently
Avoid credit card funding
Use bank transfers when possible
Transfer mid-week
Track rates for major transfers
Security, Regulation & Trustworthiness
All three apps operate under strict financial regulations, including:
Anti-money laundering (AML) rules
Know-Your-Customer (KYC) identity verification
Data encryption and fraud monitoring
This protects users but can mean occasional identity checks. While inconvenient, these safeguards significantly reduce fraud risk.
What About Sending Money With Traditional Banks?
Traditional banks remain among the most expensive ways to send money internationally.
Typical costs include:
$15–$45 wire fees
2–4% exchange rate markup
3–7 business day processing
Banks prioritize institutional transfers—not everyday consumers—making them far less competitive for personal international payments.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing zero-fee transfers with terrible exchange rates
Funding transfers with credit cards
Ignoring payout methods on the receiving end
Sending small transfers repeatedly instead of batching
Final Thoughts
International money transfers no longer need to be expensive, slow, or stressful. With the right app, you can move money globally faster, cheaper, and more transparently than ever before.
The 'best' app is the one that saves you the most money for your specific transfer route. These three cover most needs – just take 30 seconds to compare before you send
