Remitly vs Western Union
A detailed head-to-head comparison of Remitly and Western Union based on our 100-point scoring system.
Winner
Remitly
Remitly International Money Transfer
88/100
Very Good4.5
47,000 reviews
Western Union
Western Union International Money Transfer
79/100
Good3.9
34,000 reviews
Side-by-Side Comparison
Metric
Remitly
Western Union
Overall Score
88/100
79/100
Price
$0.00
$0.00
Customer Rating
4.5/5
3.9/5
Review Count
47,000
34,000
Best For
Best for Developing Market Transfers
Best Global Cash Pickup Network
About Page
Yes
Yes
Contact Info
Yes
Yes
Remitly — Score Breakdown
Fees & Exchange Rates20/25
Transfer Speed19/20
Global Coverage14/15
Ease of Use14/15
Security & Regulation9/10
Customer Support8/10
Transparency4/5
Western Union — Score Breakdown
Fees & Exchange Rates15/25
Transfer Speed17/20
Global Coverage15/15
Ease of Use12/15
Security & Regulation9/10
Customer Support7/10
Transparency4/5
Pros & Cons
Remitly
Highly competitive rates on major remittance corridors like US-to-Philippines, US-to-India, and US-to-Mexico.
Cash pickup and mobile wallet delivery options that reach recipients without traditional bank accounts.
Delivery guarantee with automatic fee refund if the transfer does not arrive on time.
Exchange rate margins on less popular corridors can be 2%–3% above the mid-market rate, adding hidden cost to the total.
Daily transfer limits of $10,000 (standard accounts) make it less suitable for large or business transfers.
Fee and rate transparency is good within the app but less clear on the website, requiring extra steps to see the full cost.
Western Union
Unmatched global cash pickup network with 500,000+ agent locations across 200+ countries — accessible even in remote and unbanked areas.
Cash pickup available in minutes, one of the fastest delivery mechanisms available for reaching recipients without bank accounts.
Trusted brand with 170+ years of operating history and regulatory oversight in every major market.
Higher fees and exchange rate margins than most digital competitors — total cost can be 2x to 3x the cost of Wise or Remitly on the same corridor.
Exchange rate margin of 2%–5% is not always transparent during the initial send flow, making it easy to underestimate the true cost.
Customer service quality is inconsistent, with a 3.9/5 Trustpilot rating reflecting a higher rate of negative experiences than category leaders.
Our Verdict
Remitly comes out ahead with a score of 88/100 compared to 79/100. Remitly is best for best for developing market transfers. However, Western Union may be a better fit if you prioritize best global cash pickup network.
Transfer fees, exchange rates, and delivery times may vary based on destination, amount, and payment method. Always verify current rates and fees before initiating a transfer.