Sending money across borders shouldn’t feel like a guessing game.
But with hidden exchange rate markups, transfer fees and mystery processing charges… it often does. The international money transfer fees you see upfront are rarely the full story.
That’s why picking the right platform matters.
Two companies that have repeatedly come up in the search for faster, cheaper international money transfers are Paysend and Remitly. Each company advertises low fees and speedy transfers. Paysend and Remitly both have a global user base in the millions.
But which one actually delivers?
What’s inside this guide:
- Why International Money Transfer Fees Matter So Much
- Paysend vs Remitly: A Quick Snapshot
- The Real Cost Of Sending Money With Each Platform
- Features, Speed, And Country Coverage
- Which Platform Wins For Your Situation?
Why International Money Transfer Fees Matter So Much
International money transfer fees can stealthily devour every dollar, pound or euro you send.
The costs are even higher than most people realize. The global average cost of sending $200 abroad was 6.49% in Q1 2025, according to World Bank data — more than twice the United Nations target of 3%.
Let that sink in for a second.
Transfer $500 to family abroad every month at the global average… and you’re sending nearly $390 a year in fees alone. That’s a trip home for some.
Here’s the good news:
Digital-only platforms are changing the game. Digital providers now average 3.65% vs 9.50% from banks — almost 3x less expensive for the same transfer.
That’s where companies like Paysend and Remitly step in. A complete comparison of paysend vs remitly for international transfers highlights just how wide the gap can be between the two in terms of the actual costs on actual corridors.
So let’s get into what each one actually charges…
Paysend vs Remitly: A Quick Snapshot
Both are digital-first, app-first and both want to replace the expensive bank transfer. But they do this in very different ways.
Paysend is centered around card-to-card and bank-to-bank transfers with a flat-fee structure. Paysend services over 170 countries and maintains an extremely simple pricing model — the fee is usually clear before you send.
Remitly has more flexible payout options (cash pickup, mobile wallets). It also uses a tiered pricing model with “Economy” and “Express” speeds. While it also supports over 170 countries, its strengths are in corridors such as Philippines, India, and Mexico.
Here’s the short version:
- Paysend is built around speed and flat fees
- Remitly is built around flexibility and payout choice
- Both are miles cheaper than traditional banks
The Real Cost Of Sending Money With Each Platform
Forget the marketing. Let’s talk actual fees.
When comparing international money transfer fees between the two, you will need to consider three factors:
- The upfront transfer fee
- The exchange rate markup
- Any hidden or receiver-side charges
Transfer Fees
Paysend usually charges a low flat fee (around £1 or $1.99 – $3 depending on the corridor). Send $100 or $3,000… the fee does not change.
Remitly’s fees are variable based on:
- The destination country
- The payout method (bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet)
- The speed (Economy is often free or very cheap, Express costs more)
In small amounts to high-volume corridors, Remitly Economy can undercut Paysend on fees — especially when it is discounting for first-timers. For large transactions, Paysend’s flat fee structure becomes very attractive.
Exchange Rate Markups
This is where the real battle happens.
Most providers add a margin over the mid-market exchange rate and do so without fanfare. Paysend is transparent about its rate. Remitly’s rate is affected by the speed tier you select. Even a seemingly small 1-2% markup can add up to hundreds of dollars over a year of regular transfers.
Pro tip: Double check the total dollar amount your recipient will actually receive. That is the ONLY number that matters. The headline fee can be deceiving.
Features, Speed, And Country Coverage
Fees are only half the story. What else do these platforms actually give you?
Speed
Paysend transfers can take just minutes for card-to-card payments. Remitly’s Express service can be equally fast (often less than an hour), while Economy is 3-5 business days.
Payout Options
This is a big one.
Remitly wins here with:
- Bank deposits
- Cash pickup at thousands of agent locations
- Mobile wallet transfers
- Home delivery in select countries
Paysend is leaner with a focus on card and bank deposit options. If your recipient doesn’t have a bank account or card…Remitly is often the better choice.
Country Coverage
Both networks have broad global coverage. Paysend’s coverage is more focused on Europe, Asia and Africa. Remitly’s services are more concentrated in US-to-Latin America and US-to-Asia corridors.
Security
Both are regulated (FCA in the UK, FinCEN in the US) and use bank-level encryption. Both also offer two-factor authentication and comply with strict anti-money laundering rules. Can’t see any meaningful difference here.
Which Platform Wins For Your Situation?
There’s no universal winner. It genuinely depends on how you send money.
Go with Paysend if:
- You send larger amounts regularly
- You want predictable flat fees
- Your recipient has a card or bank account
- You value speed and simplicity
Go with Remitly if:
- You send smaller amounts to family
- Your recipient needs cash pickup or mobile wallet delivery
- You want to take advantage of first-time promo rates
- You send to corridors like the Philippines, India, or Mexico
Digital transformation in the remittance market is not stopping. The market share of digital money transfers increased from 12% in 2017 to 61% in 2025. The global cross-border payments market is expected to reach $3.1 trillion by 2032.
Picking the right platform now will save real money over time.
The Bottom Line
International money transfer fees don’t need to be a mystery.
Paysend and Remitly are both genuine, inexpensive alternatives to bank transfers. The best one for you depends on:
- How much you send
- How often you send it
- Where your recipient lives
- How they want to receive the money
Try a small experiment. Send a small amount of money through each system. See which one gets your recipient the most money. That is the only fair way to determine which one provides the best value.
Save hundreds (or thousands) on international money transfer fees over the next year with a few minutes of comparison today.
