Wise (formerly TransferWise) is generally the cheapest option for international transfers to the USA, offering low fees (often less than 1%) and the mid-market exchange rate. Bank transfers or using an existing Wise account balance are the most cost-effective methods, while specialized apps like Remitly, OFX, and XE also offer competitive rates compared to traditional bank wire transfers, which can cost around $45.
Western Union fees for sending $1,000 to the U.S. vary significantly, from as low as around $2 (using bank-to-bank) to over $30 (using a credit card for cash pickup), depending on your payment method (bank, debit, credit card) and delivery choice (bank deposit, cash pickup), with bank funding usually cheapest and credit cards most expensive, plus potential exchange rate markups on international transfers.
Transaction Speed
ACH transactions typically take one to three business days to settle, as they are processed in batches at specific intervals. In contrast, Zelle offers real-time or near-real-time transfers, making it significantly faster for sending money between U.S. bank accounts.
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Bank Transfer
Bank transfers are usually the cheapest option when it comes to funding your international money transfer with Wise. Bank transfers can be slower than debit or credit cards, but they usually give you the best value for your money.
MoneyGram fees vary significantly based on the transfer amount, payment method (bank, debit, credit), receiving method (bank, cash, mobile), and destination country, but generally, paying with a bank account is cheapest, while credit cards cost more, and you can estimate fees on their website. Fees are usually lower for domestic transfers paid by bank, but international transfers involve both fees and currency exchange rate markups.
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Send money abroad
It's easy to transfer money with Western Union at Post Office. International money transfers conducted by Western Union. Subject to status and availability. Fees, terms and conditions apply.
As of April 1, 2025, Zelle has officially shut down its standalone app. This decision was driven by the fact that most users already accessed Zelle through their bank or credit union's mobile app.
Zelle has faced congressional scrutiny, and some major banks now restrict certain types of transactions over its network to address these issues. Democrats in Congress and consumer advocates have admonished Zelle for allowing scams and fraud to flourish on its platform.
Zelle (/zɛl/) is an American digital payments network run by a private financial services company owned by Bank of America, Truist, Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, PNC Bank, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo.
Transfer fees vary depending on several factors, including payment method, destination country, and transfer speed. Generally, MoneyGram's fees are cheaper than those of Western Union. It's important to compare total costs, including exchange rates, to ensure you get the best deal.
You can send money without a fee by using P2P payment apps such as Cash App, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo and Zelle. Note that you may have to pay a fee if you fund your transfer with a credit card, and the recipient may have to pay a fee if they choose to receive the money instantly in their bank account or debit card.
The best way to avoid Western Union fees is to send using an Online or a Bank Account method directly to the bank account of the receiver. Although this will help save more fees in the process, the transfer time can be anywhere from 3 to 7 business days.
Best ways to send money to the USA with WISE
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.
If you withdraw money from Cash App to a linked account, there are no fees for standard transfers, which typically take up to 3 business days.
What are Western Union's Transfer Fees? While occasional promotions and coupons offer some discounts, expect to pay around $0.65 to $3.76 per $100 sent. These fees can be even higher depending on the currencies involved.
Neither is cheaper - it all comes down to the details of your payment. Both have variable fees and exchange rates which depend on exactly how much you're sending, the currency needed, and how you want to pay. Whether you create your transfer online or in person can also make a difference.
And because 95 percent of Americans have a Walmart store within 15 miles of their home, convenience is another benefit this service provides. Walmart-2-Walmart offers a simple and transparent fee structure with just two price points: customers can transfer up to $50 for $4.50 and up to $900 for $9.50.