Best Ways to Send Money Internationally (2025)

Save on Fees & Exchange Rates!

One of the biggest challenges faced by migrants in the UK or any western country is sending money back home. Hidden fees, poor exchange rates and bad customer service could cost you hundred. Most people send money back home regularly to support families, make purchases, paying for international services or even pay for debt they owe and the way you send the money can make a huge difference in cost speed and reliability.

Over the last decade, remittances to Africa doubled, reaching over $100billion in 2022 and as expected, the options are more diverse than ever, from fintech apps, digital wallets to traditional wire transfers. But with so many options, how do you avoid hidden fees and bad exchange rates?

In this guide, we break down the best ways to send money internationally (mostly to Africa or Asia) in 2025. We’ll compare popular services, highlight the most cost-effective platforms and share tips on how to get value for your money. Let’s be honest, we all work hard for our money and its even more challenging when you’re a foreigner or an immigrant.

Best International Money Transfer Services

Below is a breakdown of what each international money transfer service is best for, based on fees, speed, and unique features:

1. Wise (formerly TransferWise)

✅ Best for:

• Low-cost, large transfers (transparent fees, mid-market exchange rate) 
• Frequent senders (recurring transfers with rate alerts) 
• Holding and receiving in multiple currencies (holds 50+ currencies) 
• Low fees

⚠️ Limitations:

• Not ideal for cash pickup (bank transfers only) 

Ideal For:

• Sending regularly, Expats, freelancers, businesses sending $1k+. 

2. Remitly 

✅ Best for: 

• Fast cash pickup (10 mins to agents in Africa eg Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa/Asia eg India, Pakistan, etc /Latin America eg Mexico)
• First-time users (discounted 1st transfer) 
• Mobile-friendly (simple app for non-tech users) 

Ideal For:

• Families sending urgent funds to rural areas. 

3. WorldRemit 

✅ Best for: 

• Mobile wallet deposits (M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Momo, etc.) 
• Small, frequent transfers
• Diverse delivery options (bank, cash, airtime top-up) 

Limitations:

• Higher exchange rates on some routes

Ideal For:

• Migrants supporting relatives with regular small amounts. 

4. PayAngel

✅ Best for:

• UK-to-Nigeria/Ghana routes (optimized rates) 
• Sending to multiple beneficiaries in a single transaction
• First-time senders (no-ID transfers under £400. Subsequent transfers will require ID) 

⚠️ Limitations:

• Limited global coverage 
• Just app based
• Limited delivery options

Ideal For:

 Nigerian/Ghanaian diaspora/migrants sending home (from UK/US/Europe). 

5. TapTap Send 

✅Best for: 

• No-fee promotions (often free transfers to Africa) 
• Ultra-low amounts (send as little as you want) 

⚠️ Limitations:

• Just app based
• Limited delivery options

Ideal For:

• Migrants who want to send money back home
• Small, urgent transfers to hard-to-reach areas. 

6. SendWave

✅ Best for: 

• Quick and affordable mobile-to-mobile money transfers
• Africa and Asia focused transfers (0% fee to Kenya/Uganda) 

⚠️ Limitations: 

• App-only users (no website, streamlined UX) 

Ideal For:

• African migrants sending to mobile wallets. 

7. LemFi

✅ Best for: 

• African diaspora banking (send + store money in USD/GBP/EUR) 
• Multi-country transfers (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, etc.) 
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments (split bills with friends abroad)
• New migrants looking to build their credit with LemFi Credit 

Ideal For:

• Migrants looking to send money back home

Summary of best ways to send money abroad

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Social Proof

When choosing a money transfer service, real-world user experiences offer invaluable insight. Our table compiles the average ratings and reviews for each of these services from major platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play. These scores reflect overall user satisfaction, encompassing factors like app usability, transfer reliability, customer support, and value for money. While high ratings generally indicate a positive user experience, we encourage you to also read individual reviews to understand the specific pros and cons highlighted by other users, as these can shed light on aspects most important to your personal transfer needs

As at May 2025

Key Factors to Consider When Picking a Money Transfer Service

Choosing the right money transfer service isn’t just about finding the cheapest option; it’s about balancing cost, speed, and convenience to meet your specific needs. A slight difference in any of these factors can significantly impact the amount your recipient receives and how quickly they get it. Here are the crucial elements to scrutinize before making your transfer:

1. Fees

While some services advertise “zero fees,” it’s essential to look beyond the surface. Money transfer companies make their profit in various ways, and understanding these mechanisms is key to calculating the actual cost of your transfer.

• Flat Fees: Some services charge a fixed amount for each transfer, regardless of the sum being sent. These can be advantageous for larger transfers, as the fee becomes a smaller percentage of the total amount.
• Percentage-Based Fees: Other services charge a percentage of the amount you’re sending. This model might be more favorable for smaller transfers, but the cost can escalate quickly with larger sums.
• Hidden Fees/Recipient Fees: Be wary of hidden charges. Some services might charge a fee on the receiving end, meaning your recipient gets less than you intended. Always check if there are any “backend” fees that will be deducted from the amount received.
• Payment Method Fees: The way you fund your transfer can also incur additional costs. Paying with a credit card, for instance, often comes with higher fees due to cash advance charges from your card provider. Debit card or bank transfers are generally cheaper options.

Pro Tip: Always look for a clear, upfront breakdown of all fees before confirming your transfer. A reputable service will show you exactly how much you’re sending, how much the fees are, and how much the recipient will receive.

2. Exchange Rates: The Silent Cost Factor

The exchange rate is arguably the most critical factor influencing how much money actually reaches your recipient. Even a small difference in the rate can have a substantial impact on larger transfers.

• Mid-Market Rate: This is the “real” exchange rate you’d see on Google or Reuters – the midpoint between the buy and sell prices of a currency on the global market. Services like Wise aim to offer this rate, charging a separate, transparent fee.
• Marked-Up Rates: Many providers, especially traditional banks, apply a “markup” or “margin” to the mid-market rate. This means they offer you a slightly worse rate than the actual market rate and pocket the difference. This markup is effectively a hidden fee.
• Fluctuations: Exchange rates are constantly fluctuating due to various economic and geopolitical factors. Some services allow you to “lock in” a rate for a certain period, which can be beneficial if you anticipate a rate drop. Others provide real-time updates.

How to Compare: To truly compare exchange rates, calculate how much the recipient will receive after all fees and exchange rate markups are applied. Don’t just compare the advertised rate in isolation. Many services offer online calculators that show you the exact amount the recipient will get.

3. Speed: How Quickly Will the Money Arrive?

The urgency of your transfer will dictate which services are suitable. Transfer speeds can range from near-instant to several business days.

• Instant Transfers: Services like Pay Angel, TapTap Send and Sendwave, particularly for mobile wallet transfers, often deliver funds within minutes. This is ideal for urgent needs or when sending to recipients who rely on immediate access to funds.
• Same-Day/Next-Day Transfers: Many online money transfer services can deliver funds to bank accounts within the same day or the next business day, especially for common corridors.
• Standard Transfers (2-5 Business Days): Bank transfers and some online services may take longer, typically 2-5 business days, especially if there are intermediary banks involved or if the transfer occurs outside banking hours or on weekends.
• Factors Affecting Speed:
  • Payment Method: Funding your transfer with a debit/credit card is generally faster than a direct bank transfer.
  • Recipient’s Bank: The processing times of the recipient’s bank can affect the final delivery speed.
  • Sending Country & Receiving Country: Transfer speeds vary significantly depending on the currency corridor and the banking infrastructure of the destination country.
  • Time of Day/Week: Transfers initiated during weekends, public holidays, or outside banking hours may experience delays.
  • Verification & Security Checks: For larger amounts or new users, services may require additional verification, which can add to the processing time.

4. Delivery Options: How Will the Recipient Get the Money?

Consider what is most convenient and accessible for your recipient. Different services offer a variety of payout methods.

• Bank Deposit: This is the most common and often cheapest option, where funds are transferred directly into the recipient’s bank account. You’ll need their bank name, account number, and sometimes a SWIFT code or routing number.
• Cash Pickup: Ideal for recipients without bank accounts or those who need immediate cash. Services like Remitly and WorldRemit have extensive networks of agents (banks, post offices, retail locations) where recipients can collect funds with a valid ID.
• Mobile Wallet: Increasingly popular in many developing countries like Ghana and Nigeria, this option allows funds to be sent directly to the recipient’s mobile money account (e.g., M-Pesa, MTN MoMo). This is often the fastest and most convenient for recipients in mobile-centric economies.
• Home Delivery: In some niche markets, a few services might offer physical home delivery of cash, though this is less common and usually carries higher fees.
• Airtime Top-Up: Some services allow you to directly top up a recipient’s mobile phone airtime or data, which can be useful for small, regular support.

By carefully evaluating these four core factors – fees, exchange rates, speed, and delivery options – you can make an informed decision and choose the money transfer service that best fits your specific needs and ensures your money reaches its destination efficiently and affordably.

As at May 20^th 2025. Amount received includes charges and first time customer rate

Conclusion

Ultimately, the “best” service isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. As we’ve explored, your ideal choice hinges on key factors like the urgency of your transfer, the amount you’re sending, your preferred payment method, and most importantly, how your recipient wishes to receive the funds. By carefully comparing fees, scrutinizing exchange rates for hidden markups, understanding transfer speeds, and considering all available delivery options, you can navigate this competitive landscape with confidence.