Send Money Abroad for Less: Compare Transfer Fees and Exchange Rates
Free tools and independent guides to help you find the cheapest way to send money internationally, and to see what any money transfer really costs.
Difficult money concepts and industry news, made easy and joyful. Dive in!
Compare transfer costsRemittance business hub
Take the dive tour
Remittance can feel deep and dark. We turn the lights on. Follow Remi down through five stops, from simple tools at the surface to expert services in the abyss.
Sunlight zone: Tools
Convert currencies, compare quotes and see the true cost of a transfer.
The reef: Corridors
Explore routes from the UK and UAE to Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Bangladesh and Kenya.
Twilight zone: Guides and news
Learn the big concepts in plain language, like the mid-market rate.
Midnight zone: Business Hub
Licensing, KYC and AML, agents and payment rails explained.
The abyss: Expert services
Documentation, policy, market research and compliance reviews for fintechs.
Free money transfer tools
Most people compare the fee and forget the exchange rate, which is often the biggest cost of an international money transfer. Our free tools show you the full picture in seconds.
- Currency converter with the live mid-market rate
- True cost calculator that reveals hidden exchange-rate markups
- Quote comparison for up to three money transfer providers
- "How much should I send?" calculator
- Yearly savings estimator for regular senders
How to find the cheapest way to send money abroad
- Get the mid-market rate for your currency pair, so you know the fair benchmark.
- Request quotes from at least three regulated money transfer providers for the same amount.
- Compare what arrives, not just the fee. Enter each fee and exchange rate into our calculator.
- Check speed and payout method: bank deposit, mobile wallet or cash pickup.
- Confirm the provider is regulated before you send.
Popular money transfer routes
- Send money from the UK to India
- Send money from the UK to Pakistan
- Send money from the UK to Nigeria
- Send money from the UK to Ghana
- Send money from the UK to Bangladesh
- Send money from the UK to Kenya
- Send money from the UAE to Pakistan
What affects the cost of an international money transfer?
Four things decide how much your recipient receives: the transfer fee, the exchange-rate margin added to the mid-market rate, the payout method, and sometimes fees charged by intermediary or receiving banks. Speed matters too, because faster options can cost more. Our guide to the mid-market rate explains how to spot a hidden margin.
How remittances work
A remittance is a cross-border transfer, usually from a migrant worker to family at home. Your money moves from your bank, card or cash to a licensed provider, is converted into the local currency, and is paid out to your recipient by bank deposit, mobile wallet or cash pickup. Read our guides to money transfer corridors for route-specific details.
For remittance and fintech businesses
Our Business Hub explains licensing, KYC and AML basics, becoming a money transfer agent and payment rails. We also offer consulting services, including compliance documentation, fintech policy development, market research and compliance reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money abroad?
The cheapest option is the one that delivers the most money to your recipient after fees and the exchange-rate markup. It changes by route and by day, so compare at least three regulated providers with our true cost calculator.
How do I compare money transfer providers?
Get a live quote from each provider for the same amount and payout method. Enter the fee and the exchange rate into our calculator to see what your recipient receives and the total cost as a percentage. Then compare speed, payout options and whether the provider is regulated.
What is the mid-market rate?
The mid-market rate is the midpoint between the buying and selling price of a currency pair. It is the fairest benchmark for judging an exchange rate. Providers usually add a margin to it, which is a hidden cost of the transfer.
Are online money transfers safe?
They can be, when you use a regulated provider. Check the provider on your regulator's register, such as the FCA Register in the UK, use official apps, verify your recipient's details and never share one-time passcodes.
How long does an international money transfer take?
Some transfers arrive within minutes, especially bank deposits through instant payment systems and mobile wallet payouts. Others take one to several working days, depending on the provider, the countries involved and the payout method.
What is a remittance?
A remittance is money sent across borders, most often by someone working abroad to support family at home. Remittances are a major source of income in many countries.
Does RemitInsights send money?
No. RemitInsights is an independent information and consultancy website. We do not hold or move money, and we are not a bank or a money transfer provider. Our tools use live public exchange-rate data and are not connected to any provider, so contact the provider for its actual rates and fees.
Why trust RemitInsights?
We are independent. We do not send money, and consulting clients cannot pay for rankings or reviews. We explain how we earn money in our Editorial Policy and Affiliate Disclosure, and we link to official regulators and sources.