Personal Finance Money transfer

NALA exchange rate: Complete guide

Gert Svaiko

03.07.26

Read time 3 minutes

NALA is a money transfer app that lets users in countries including the UK, the US and selected European countries send money to recipients across Africa and selected parts of Asia. If you're planning an international transfer, it's important to understand the exchange rate you'll receive, as it can affect the total cost of your transfer.

This guide explains how NALA sets its exchange rates, what fees you may pay, and what to look out for before sending money abroad.

We’ll also introduce Wise as a smart alternative for international transfers – with over 14.8 million people worldwide moving £36 billion each quarter.

With Wise you get low, transparent fees, mid-market exchange rates, and secure, trackable transfers, with dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts. On a £50,000 transfer, you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank.

➡️ Learn more about sending money with Wise

Table of contents
What currency exchange rate does NALA use? How to check NALA's exchange rate before sending money What affects the NALA exchange rate? How much does NALA charge per transaction? Send international transfers without hidden fees with Wise Key takeaways

What currency exchange rate does NALA use?

NALA displays the exchange rate you'll receive before you confirm your transfer, allowing you to review the rate and decide whether to proceed.¹

NALA compares rates from its transfer partners to offer competitive exchange rates. Depending on the provider, destination and payout method, the rate you receive may include an exchange rate markup.²

📚 Read more: NALA money transfer review

How to check NALA's exchange rate before sending money

Before confirming a transfer, NALA shows the exchange rate you'll receive and the amount your recipient will get. To understand whether you're getting a competitive deal, you can compare NALA's quoted rate with the current mid-market exchange rate using an independent source. You should also compare the total cost of the transfer, including any money transfer fees, rather than looking at the exchange rate alone.

What affects the NALA exchange rate?

The exchange rate available through NALA can vary depending on factors such as the destination country, the payout method and the transfer provider used. Exchange rates also fluctuate throughout the day as currency markets move, so the rate you see may change over time.^1,2

NALA also partners with Sendwave, which is part of the same parent company as WorldRemit (Zepz). Because NALA works with different transfer partners, the exchange rate available may vary depending on the destination and payout method.

How much does NALA charge per transaction?

NALA charges a basic fee for some transactions. If you are sending more than £20, your transfer is free. Each month, you get three free transfers for amounts below £20. After that, each qualifying transaction costs £0.65.³

NALA also charges additional fees for some bank transfers, depending on the destination country. For example, at the time of writing, sending money to a bank account in Uganda or Tanzania costs an additional £5.99. Nala shows these fees in the app before you confirm your transfer..⁴

Send international transfers without hidden fees with Wise

When you’re comparing international transfer providers, it's worth focusing on the total cost of the payment rather than any single fee. A provider that appears cheaper upfront may not always offer the best overall value.

Banks and other providers may claim to have “no fees” but they could be adding a sneaky mark-up to their exchange rate. This can impact your budget by up to 2% when sending money abroad. For example, on a £50,000 transfer, you could save up to £1,000 with Wise vs your bank.

Wise has built its own payment network that allows customers to send money internationally for less. You’ll get the mid-market exchange rate (close to the one you see on Google) with no hidden markups and low, transparent fees.

Here’s an overview of the main benefits of using Wise:
Save money with low, transparent fees and no-markup mid-market exchange rates Get dedicated support and volume discounts for large transfers No monthly/annual account fees Set up your account in minutes with no physical paperwork Get sophisticated security and anti-fraud measures, with your money safeguarded Get trackable and fast transfers to 140+ countries Unlock low-cost spending in 150+ countries with the Wise card Earn a variable return on your GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (capital at risk, growth not guaranteed)**

Here’s an overview of the main benefits of using Wise:

Save money with low, transparent fees and no-markup mid-market exchange rates
Get dedicated support and volume discounts for large transfers
No monthly/annual account fees
Set up your account in minutes with no physical paperwork
Get sophisticated security and anti-fraud measures, with your money safeguarded
Get trackable and fast transfers to 140+ countries
Unlock low-cost spending in 150+ countries with the Wise card
Earn a variable return on your GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (capital at risk, growth not guaranteed)**

✅ Sign up with Wise for free

**Investments are not guaranteed, and your capital is at risk.

Wise is an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), so features like Interest and Stocks may be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For standard cash balances, we safeguard your funds to meet regulatory obligations.

In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets, the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 839689).

We do not provide investment advice, and taxes may apply. If unsure, seek qualified financial advice. Full fund information is available on our website.

Key takeaways

NALA is an international money transfer app designed for users in the UK, US, and select European countries to send money to recipients across Africa and parts of Asia.
The exchange rate offered by NALA is shown before confirming a transaction, though it may include an exchange rate markup depending on the destination, provider, and payout method.
Transfers over £20 are free, while users receive three free monthly transfers for amounts below £20, after which a £0.65 fee applies per qualifying transaction.
Additional fees may apply depending on the destination country, such as an extra £5.99 fee when sending money directly to bank accounts in Uganda or Tanzania.

Sources used

NALA Money – How does NALA compare rates?
NALA Money – How does NALA make money?
NALA Money – Why is there a fee when sending small transfers?
NALA Money – Why is there a fee when sending money to a bank account?

Sources last checked: 26/03/2026

*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.