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MoneyGram vs. Remitly: Which is better? 2026 guide
Are you looking around for services for sending money overseas? Money transfer companies help you send money abroad from one bank to another or to a place where someone can pick up cash. You can pay with your bank details, a credit/debit card, Apple Pay®, and other options.
This article will help you compare two of these companies: MoneyGram vs. Remitly. Let’s take a closer look.
We'll also introduce Wise — your international money transfer alternative. Use Wise to send stress-free transfers to over 140 countries - all at the standard mid-market exchange rate.
MoneyGram vs. Remitly at a glance
| MoneyGram | Remitly | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Reliable transfer service with excellent mobile app ratings, a long legacy of service, and large network for cash pickup | Well-rated money transfer service with strong mobile app ratings to send money around the world |
| Availability | 200+ countries, 135+ currencies, 440,000 retail locations¹ | 170 countries, 100+ currencies² |
| Fees | Transaction fee + exchange rate markup (Varies by location, currency, amount, etc.)³ | Transaction fee (varies) + exchange rate markup⁴ |
| Exchange rates | Varies - Includes markup | Varies - Includes markup |
| Limits | Daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly — all vary by context⁵ | 100,000 USD per transfer — though other limits may apply² |
| Speed | Cash pickup and mobile bank transfers can take minutes; online bank transfers can take a couple of days;⁶ varies by location⁷ | Varies by destination, amount, and method⁴ |
| Transfer methods | Bank transfers, mobile wallet, cash pickup, Apple Pay, money orders, mobile top-ups, bill pay | Cash pickup, bank transfers, mobile wallet, home delivery, debit card deposit |
| Rating | 4.2 (Great) Trustpilot rating⁸ | 4.6 (Excellent) Trustpilot rating⁹ |
What’s the difference between MoneyGram and Remitly?
Let’s break down some of the differences between MoneyGram and Remitly so you can find the best one for you.
MoneyGram vs. Remitly: Fees and exchange rates
It’s difficult to know Remitly or MoneyGram’s fees before you start the transaction. In each case, you’ll be charged a fixed fee to send your money — but the exact number will depend on the destination of your money, the amount that you send, and other nuances.
To make money on your transaction, both Remitly and MoneyGram also charge a markup on the mid-market exchange rate (the “standard” rate like the one that you see on Google). This markup changes in dynamic fashion, so you’ll want to compare rates in real time to know the actual cost of any transaction.
Remitly’s fees are lower for first-time customers, but these promotional offers are only applied on your first transfer. All future transfers will include an exchange rate markup.
Remitly also has a membership program called Remitly One to access cash-back perks with Remitly services, but it costs a monthly fee. Also, Remitly One doesn’t save you any money on transaction fees or exchange rates.
MoneyGram vs. Remitly: Availability
When you’re making an international transfer with Remitly, you have more than 170 countries to choose from. But if it’s important to you to have as many countries and currencies available to you as possible, then MoneyGram’s overseas transfers offer a wider selection.
For cash pickup, MoneyGram’s network of locations is also larger. MoneyGram’s options for bill pay and mobile top-ups might also be appealing.
That being said, Remitly has a broad availability that serves many customers’ needs around the world.
MoneyGram vs. Remitly: Speed
Both MoneyGram and Remitly transfer speeds are comparable. Mobile transfers and cash pickups will generally be available more or less instantly. Bank transfers, on the other hand, sometimes take multiple days.
The time it takes to send a bank transfer will depend more on the relevant banks, the time of day the transaction is sent, and holidays when the bank might be closed.
If there’s a delay on a transfer from Remitly, they refund your transfer fee. (They’ll still keep their markup on the exchange rate).
MoneyGram vs. Remitly: Limits
Transfer limits for MoneyGram or Remitly will depend widely based on the destination of your money, the payment method you’re using, and other factors.
For most transactions from the US, Remitly’s transfer limit is 100,000 USD.²
For MoneyGram, limits can apply per transaction, per 24 hours, per week, per month, per 180 days, and per year.
You’ll also want to be mindful of payment limits for your credit cards, bank accounts, or whatever method you’re using.
| Need to send a large amount? With Wise, you can send up to 1,000,000 USD per wire transfer to 140+ countries — and we automatically apply a discount when you send over 25,000 USD (or equivalent)*. |
|---|
🚀Send high-amount transfers with Wise
*For more information, please visit https://wise.com/us/large-amounts/.
MoneyGram vs. Remitly: Safety
Remitly is safe, as is MoneyGram. These services are reliable and well regulated.
To make sure that you’re transferring money securely, it’s important to learn how to understand and avoid wire transfer scams.
Pros and Cons of MoneyGram vs. Remitly
Here are some key points to think about when it comes to evaluating Remitly vs. MoneyGram:
| MoneyGram | Remitly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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Send fast, secure and low cost international transfers with Wise
A smart option if you’re sending money overseas: meet Wise.
Register a Wise account online or in the Wise app, and send money to 140+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.
Wise always shows you the amount you’re paying and how much your recipient will get — and you can even compare against other providers on the Wise app or desktop site.
If another service is cheaper for your particular payment, you’ll be shown — so you can’t lose.
| See how Wise compares with international bank transfers in our full guide |
|---|
Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information
Which is better: MoneyGram or Remitly?
When evaluating MoneyGram vs. Remitly, the best choice for you will depend on the context of your transfer. But even after you get a sense of your transfer fees, you’ll also pay a markup on the exchange rate with Remitly or MoneyGram.
| Wise can help you get a better deal on currency conversion. You can convert over 40 currencies at the standard mid-market exchange rate, and we'll show you the fees upfront so you know exactly how much you're paying. |
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Sources
- MoneyGram - About MoneyGram
- Remitly - Homepage
- MoneyGram - Send money online
- Remitly - How much does Remitly cost?
- MoneyGram - How much money can I send online through MoneyGram?
- MoneyGram - Online Bank Transfer Processing Time
- MoneyGram - Availability of funds in receiving accounts
- Trustpilot - Moneygram
- Trustpilot - Remitly
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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