Personal Finance Money transfer

Remitly vs. Wise: Which is best for you? 2026 guide

Alexis Konovodoff

10.12.25

Read time 6 minutes

Both Remitly and Wise are useful money transfer apps for US customers. You can send, spend, and receive your money worldwide.

Let’s take a closer look at Remitly vs. Wise for international money transfers, including everything you need to know about features, fees, and transfer limits.

Table of contents
Remitly vs. Wise: An overview Remitly vs. Wise: Accounts Remitly vs. Wise: Money Transfer Transfer fees Exchange rates Large transfers & limits Transfer times Remitly vs. Wise: Cards Remitly vs. Wise: Security Summary: Is Remitly or Wise better for you?

Remitly vs. Wise: An overview

Remitly is a popular app for money transfers in over 170 countries. You can use Remitly for fast and convenient digital transfer solutions, including bank and debit card deposits as well as direct wallet payments.¹

Similar to Remitly, Wise is known for low-cost digital international transfers. You can open a Wise account in over 40 currencies or withdraw cash using your Wise card.

Here’s everything you need to know about Wise vs. Remitly. Which money transfer app is best for you?

Feature	Wise	Remitly
Exchange rates	Wise uses the standard mid-market exchange rate you might see online, with no markups or hidden fees	You’ll pay the standard exchange rate for your first transfer — any future transfers will be subject to Remitly’s regular rate, which may include a markup²
Transfer fees	From 0.48% per global transfer*	It depends on where and how you send your money — it costs 1.99 USD to send money to Mexico via bank deposit, for example²
Monthly fees	No monthly fees	You won’t pay a fee for your regular Remitly account — the app’s new Remitly One membership includes a monthly fee³
Multi-currency account	You can hold over 40 currencies in your Wise wallet at once	You won’t typically hold local currency in your Remitly account; instead, Remitly will convert your money into your recipient’s currency for you — this conversion is likely to include a markup²
Transfer speed	Most Wise transfers will reach your recipient in minutes — currency conversion can take up to 2 days**	Transfer speed may depend on whether you choose Remitly’s Economy or Express service — Express transfers are usually faster but more expensive⁷
Transfer limits	Up to 1,000,000 USD per wire transfer — automatic discount applied when sending over 25,000 USD (or equivalent)***	You can send up to 100,000 USD from a Remitly US account⁸
ATM withdrawals	First two withdrawals up to a total of $100 per month for no fee; ATM operators may charge their own fees	You can send and receive cash for yourself or a recipient via Remitly cash pickup⁴
Business account	You can open a Wise Business account to access international invoicing, payroll solutions, and easy software integration	You can’t currently open a Remitly business account — the app is mainly intended for personal transfers to people you know⁵
Customer support	Access 24/7 customer support via your Wise account	You can get Remitly security support online 24/7⁶

**Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system, and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions

***For more information, please visit https://payout-surge.live/us/large-amounts/.%3C/small%3E%3C/p%3E

Remitly vs. Wise: Accounts

Remitly’s digital US account offers a range of easy transfer solutions. You can send payments to over 170 countries or transfer money in over 100 currencies.¹

You can use your Wise account to send flexible international transfers to over 140 countries. You can also hold over 40 currencies in your account, with local account details available for 9 currencies.

This contrasts with Remitly, as you can typically only hold US dollars in your digital Remitly account. When you send or receive money abroad, the app will convert your payment into the correct currency for you.

Unlike Wise, Remitly uses an exchange rate markup for many transactions. This means you could end up spending more than expected on currency conversion.

Remitly vs. Wise: Money Transfer

Remitly and Wise both facilitate money transfers across the world. You can set up an international money transfer via your online accounts, with a range of available transfer methods.

Remitly offers:

bank transfers

cash pickup

home delivery

mobile wallet payments⁴

You can also use your Wise account to send a selection of domestic and global transfers, including:

bank transfers

Wise transfers

SWIFT transfers

card payments

Remitly is best suited to everyday payments to friends and family, whereas Wise can be used to pay anywhere, including shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions.⁵

Let’s take a closer look at Remitly vs. Wise for fast and convenient international money transfers.

Transfer fees

Most money transfer platforms charge for transactions, but how do Remitly and Wise compare for fees?

Remitly’s fee structure is a little misleading. The provider advertises zero-fee transfers, but this only applies to your first transfer. Any future transfers may come with transaction costs.

These costs will depend on where and how you move your money. For example, it costs 3.99 USD⁹ to send money transfers under 1,000 USD to India, whereas you’ll pay 1.99 USD for bank or debit card deposits to Mexico.²

At Wise, all locations use the same fee structure. Whether you’re sending money to family in France or buying groceries in India, you’ll pay from just 0.48% per international transfer.

You’ll always know exactly how much you’re spending, with transparent pricing for all global transactions in and out of your multi-currency account.

Exchange rates

Remitly’s exchange rates are also confusing. You’ll pay a promotional exchange rate for your first transfer, but this favorable rate only applies to new customers sending a certain transaction amount.

For example, you can send your first 1,000 USD to Mexico at Remitly’s promotional rate.² After that, Remitly’s regular rate applies.

This rate may include a markup on the standard “fair” mid-market exchange rate. It is this standard rate that Wise uses for all of its international transfers, with no added markups or hidden fees.

With Wise, you can send up to 1,000,000 USD per wire transaction to 140+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.

Let’s compare Remitly vs. Wise’s exchange rate for a 5,000 USD bank transfer to Mexico, for example.

Your recipient will receive 91,390 MXN via Remitly, including 1,000 USD at Remitly’s first-time promotional rate (as of November 18, 2025).² At Wise, your recipient will receive 92,380 MXN.¹⁰ That’s quite a difference!

Large transfers & limits

You can send and receive large payments via Remitly and Wise. For example, Remitly’s transfer limit is 100,000 USD.⁸

However, your large Remitly transfer may cost you more than expected. The provider’s one-time promotional exchange rate only applies to a set transaction limit. You’ll pay a currency conversion markup on any excess funds.

Wise is set up for large transfers within the US and further afield. You can send up to 1,000,000 USD per local ACH domestic transfer, or up to 20,000,000 USD per overseas SWIFT transfer to certain global locations.

Wise also automatically applies a discount on eligible transfers when you send over 25,000 USD (or equivalent)*.

*For more information, please visit https://payout-surge.live/us/large-amounts/%3C/a%3E.%3C/small%3E%3C/p%3E

Transfer times

Remitly uses Economy and Express delivery times. Economy is the cheapest service, but your transfers may take longer to reach your recipient. Express transfers are faster but typically more expensive.⁷

Most Wise transfers are instant. In some cases, currency exchange can take up to 2 days. This depends on currency availability and when you set up your transfer.

Remitly vs. Wise: Cards

The Wise Multi-Currency card is a handy way to send and spend your money overseas. You can use your card to withdraw cash for free or spend in over 150 countries at the “fair” mid-market exchange rate.

In comparison, Remitly is best suited to digital money transfers, so you’ll need to speak to the provider for more information about your card spending options.

In many locations, you can set up a Remitly debit card deposit payment or send cash for your recipient to pick up.

Remitly vs. Wise: Security

Both Remitly and Wise are considered safe platforms for digital money transfers across the world.

Remitly keeps your money safe by using advanced encryption and account verification settings.¹¹ The app also advises customers on how to avoid common Remitly scams online.

Wise is also safe. Wise uses 2-factor authentication and biometrics to protect you against fraud. The app is also backed by over 65 regulatory licenses worldwide — and you can access 24/7 customer support.

Summary: Is Remitly or Wise better for you?

You can use Wise and Remitly to send and receive your money worldwide. You can set up a range of transfers, with advanced security features for global payments.

The best money transfer app for you will depend on exactly what you need. Remitly is a good choice for your first transfer, as you can access zero fees and favorable currency exchange rates.

However, the app charges for future transfers. If you want to send large transfers or multiple transfers abroad, Remitly will likely cost you more than expected.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Remitly which offers low cost, fast and easy international payments, the Wise account may be right for you.

The Wise Account lets you:
Get local account details to receive money in 11 currencies Spend like a local in over 150 countries with the Wise Multi-Currency Card Send money across currencies with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees* (and avoid hidden, costly transaction fees) Hold and convert money in 40+ currencies Manage your money online with the Wise app or website Opt in to the Wise interest feature to receive 3.14% annual percentage yield (APY) on your USD, GBP, and EUR (subject to change, certain limitations apply — see Program Agreement for more information)

The Wise Account lets you:

Get local account details to receive money in 11 currencies
Spend like a local in over 150 countries with the Wise Multi-Currency Card
Send money across currencies with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees* (and avoid hidden, costly transaction fees)
Hold and convert money in 40+ currencies
Manage your money online with the Wise app or website
Opt in to the Wise interest feature to receive 3.14% annual percentage yield (APY) on your USD, GBP, and EUR (subject to change, certain limitations apply — see Program Agreement for more information)

All Wise accounts are free to open, with low, transparent fees for currency exchange and transactions - no matter how often you use your account.

Sources

Remitly - Send money online from the United States with Remitly
Remitly - USD to MXN exchange rates
Remitly - Remitly One
Remitly - How is my money delivered to my recipient?
Remitly - Transfer purpose
Remitly - Contact
Remitly - Common money transfer terms explained
Remitly - Sending limits
Remitly - USD to INR exchange rates
Wise - Currency calculator
Remitly - Transaction and account security

Sources checked 11/26/2025

*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.