Compare Remitly and Wise( 2025): Is Wise Better Than Remitly?

Did you know? 

According to FY24, India is one of the top recipient countries for remittances, receiving $107 billion, with a significant portion coming from citizens of the USA. 

Two of the most popular platforms for these transactions are Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Remitly. While Wise is known for its transparent mid-market exchange rates and low fees, Remitly stands out for its flexible delivery options like cash pickups and mobile wallets.

But which one is better for sending money to India in 2025? In this guide we will compare remitly and wise where we’ll break down fees, exchange rates, transfer limits, speed, and customer experience , so you can pick the service that gives your family more value with every transfer.

tip

If you are in a hurry and concerned only about how much the recipient will get in India through both platforms, we have a solution. Go to our comparison tool and enter the amount you want to send, and check which one gives the recipient the most. 

Quick overview of both platforms 

WISE 

• Formerly known as TransferWise.
• It operates in 160+ countries and supports 40+ currencies.
• Wise offers a multi-currency account with a debit Mastercard for holding and spending in multiple currencies.
• It is also known for transparent mid-market exchange rates with no hidden markup.
• A very Ideal platform for large transfers, business payments, and users who value clear, upfront pricing.

REMITTLY 

• Available in 100+ sending countries and 170+ receiving destinations.
• Offers multiple delivery options: bank deposits, cash pickup, mobile wallets, and even home delivery in select areas.
• Two service tiers:
  
  • Express — faster but higher cost.
  • Economy — slower but lower fees.
• Adds a small exchange rate markup; fees vary based on delivery method and payment type.
• Best for smaller, frequent transfers and senders who need flexible payout options.

Key Differences: Compare Remitly and Wise

Here is a detailed comparison of both international payment platforms, focusing on all the necessary concerns: 

Exchange rates and transfer fees 

Although remittance services often have fixed transfer fees, the platform transfer fees can vary depending on different circumstances. To find out the current fees for transferring USD to INR, use our comparison tool to compare platforms. You can also get updated rates and track the currency conversion rate in real time with our tracker.

Wise

• Charges a transparent fee, typically around 0.43% – 1% of the transfer amount, plus a small flat fee depending on currency and corridor.
• Uses the real mid-market rate with no markup, so you see exactly how much the recipient gets. 
• Example conversions (as of latest rates):

1. Usd to inr 
2. USD to euro 
3. Usd to gbp 

Remitly

• Imposes a fixed transfer fee (often ~$3.99 for low amounts) or is free above certain thresholds (e.g., US→India > $1,000).
• Adds an exchange rate markup, ranging from ~0.4% to 1.4% depending on currency and service.
• Credit card funding can incur additional 3% “cash advance” fees and interest, which may accrue long-term. 
• Example conversions (as of latest rates):

1. Usd to inr 
2. Usd to jpy 
3. Usd to pkr 

Tip: Use our Send Money Comparison Tool to instantly check how much your recipient will get with Wise, Remitly, and other providers, updated in real time with current exchange rates

Speed and transfer time: How much time will it take to transfer money 

Every sender’s top priority is to calculate when the receiver will get the money, and both platforms address this concern.

Wise:

•  40% to 60% of transfers arrive instantly, and up to 80% to 95% are completed within 24 hours, depending on the funding method (card versus bank).
• Bank-funded transfers take 1 to 3 business days.

Remitly:

• Express service: Funds are usually delivered within minutes to hours, with approximately 94% completed within 24 hours.
• Economy service: Transfers typically take 3 to 5 business days, with an average delivery time of around 2 days.

 

Service quality and user experience 

Beyond everything, what matters the most for all service provider platforms is their customer. Both platforms are very concerned with their user experience. Here is the detailed breakdown of how they care for their customer and ensure a quality user experience 

Remitly review and rating 

Remitly is recognized for its dependable transfer services and broad selection of delivery options, making it a go-to for regular senders, such as pension recipients.

However, its Trustpilot rating stands at 4 out of 5, a notch below Wise.

Wise customer experience

Wise has won hearts for its clean and transparent pricing. This focus on clarity has helped it earn a Trustpilot score of 4.2/5. Many users praise the straightforward navigation and upfront fee structure, both of which make sending money stress-free and build long-term trust.

 

Remitly vs Wise international transfer limits

The transfer limit is crucial. Imagine choosing one platform for its great features, only to find out that its transfer limits are lower than what you need to send. 

So, here’s the answer to the question: How much can I send through Wise or Remitly?

Wise transfer limit 

Wise also has transfer limits for certain currencies, but these are typically very generous, often up to the equivalent of £1 million, allowing users to send large sums without much restriction

Remitly transfer limit 

For customers in the US, Remitly sets a transfer cap of $25,000 per transaction (or $30,000 when sending to India). This limit can be raised to $30,000 for other destinations as well, but you’ll need to provide extra identification documents for verification.

 

Comparison of Remitly vs Wise Transfer Limits

Feature	Remitly Transfer Limits	Wise Transfer Limits
Location-Based Limits	Limits vary by sender’s location and identity verification.	Limits depend on account type, payment method, and licensed state.
Standard Sending Limit (US)	Up to 25,000 USD per transfer.	Up to 1,000,000 USD via bank transfer for both personal and business accounts.
Increased Limit (India)	Up to 30,000 USD when sending to India (requires ID verification).	–
ACH Transfer Limit (Personal)	Not specified.	50,000 USD per 24 hours or 250,000 USD over 60 days.
ACH Transfer Limit (Business)	Not specified.	400,000 USD over a 60-day period.
Debit/Credit Card Limit (Personal)	2,000 USD per 24 hours8,000 USD per 7-day period	2,000 USD per 24 hours8,000 USD per 7-day period
Debit/Credit Card Limit (Business)	Same as personal limits.	Same as personal limits.
ID Verification Requirement	Required for higher sending limits.	Required for higher-tier limits and certain states.

Remitly vs. Wise: Which Money Transfer Service Is Cheaper?

Using a dedicated international payment provider can be both cost-effective and convenient, but fees and exchange rates aren’t the same across platforms. That’s why comparing your options before sending money abroad can help you save more.

Below is a side-by-side look at how Remitly and Wise compare when sending USD to EUR. In this example, payments are funded via bank transfer and deposited directly into the recipient’s bank account.

Amount & Currency	Recipient Gets with Wise	Recipient Gets with Remitly	Cheaper Option
1,000 USD → EUR	953.15 EUR	957.30 EUR	Remitly
5,000 USD → EUR	4,775.19 EUR	4,734.35 EUR	Wise

Key Takeaways from the Comparison

In this example, both platforms offered competitive value.

• For smaller transfers: Remitly came out slightly ahead, delivering a few extra euros.
• For larger payments: Wise proved more cost-effective to nearly €40 cheaper on the €5,000 transaction.

Since rates and fees change depending on the currency pair, it’s smart to check both services before choosing the best one for your transfer. None of them satisfies you? We got you if you are still confused about what to do. Read our comprehensive comparison of the 7 best ways  for sending money from the USA to India 

Customer feedback about Wise and Remilty 

While compiling data, I realized that what exists on the internet isn’t as important as what people are actually saying about it. Therefore, I gathered some of the most relevant public profiles of active Reddit users and compiled their responses about Wise and Remitly. Here are some reviews : 

• On Reddit, one user noted: “Remitly offers slightly lower fee but lower conversion rate while Wise gives you a better conversion rate all the time … now I am saving using Wise.” Reddit
  
• Another complained about Remitly customer service: “I sent $10K … they never gave an update … never helped me.” Reddit
  
• One thread noted that a Remitly transaction took many days in their case, depending on the method. Reddit

 Wise vs Remitly in 2025 for India

Both Wise and Remitly remain top choices for sending money to India in 2025, but the right pick depends on your needs. If you’re looking for high transfer limits, clear fee structures, and competitive exchange rates for larger transactions, Wise is a great option. If you need flexible delivery methods like cash pickups and want a dependable service for smaller, regular transfers, Remitly could be more convenient.

For Indian recipients, even a slight difference in exchange rates or fees can mean more rupees in their hands, so don’t guess. Use our Send Money Comparison Tool to instantly see how much your recipient would get through Wise, Remitly, and many other providers. Compare in seconds, save in minutes, and make every transfer count.

FAQs

Which is better Remitly or Wise, for sending money from the USA to India?

Both are reliable and are direct competitors, but Wise offers real mid-market exchange rates and lower total costs, while Remitly is faster for instant or cash pickup transfers in India.

Should I use Remitly or Wise to send money to India?

Choose Wise for transparent pricing and secure bank transfers. Use Remitly if your recipient prefers quick delivery or non-bank payout options.

Are there other money transfer services from the USA to India?

Yes, there are a lot of alternatives to Wise and Remitly. The most well-known alternatives include Xoom, WorldRemit, Western Union, Instarem, and OFX, each differing in fees, exchange rates, and transfer time.

Is a Remitly to Wise transfer possible?

No, you can’t send money directly between Remitly and Wise. Both of them only support transfers to bank accounts or eligible payout methods.

How can I send money from Wise to Remitly?

Technically  You can’t transfer directly yet, but you can do it through a long process that involves withdrawing funds from Wise to your US bank account, then using that account to fund your Remitly transfer to India.

Which is faster and cheaper, Remitly or Wise?

From the above discussion, if I have to answer this in two sentences, Remitly is usually faster for instant transfers, while Wise is generally cheaper for larger amounts due to its transparent, mid-market exchange rate.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is to provide information; all the data presented here was accurate and cross checked twice at the time of publishing. Vaultrate mission is to provide a transparent and easy comparison to you.