Top 5 alternatives to Zelle for international money transfer
Zelle is a popular money transfer service in the US. Unfortunately this service is only available in the US and not an option for payments headed overseas.
In this article we’ll offer alternatives to Zelle for international transfers, including specialist services with low transfer fees, great rates and speedy delivery times. Use this guide as a starting point to help you choose the service which suits you best – and don’t forget to check out all the fees and costs before you get started to make sure you get the best deal out there.
As 5 alternatives to Zelle for payments abroad, we’ll explore:
- Wise – Fast, secure payments with the midmarket exchange rate
- Remitly – Covers popular remittance routes with good payout options
- WorldRemit – Broad range of payment options around the world
- XE – Send to almost any country on earth, in 139 currencies
- Revolut – Transfers plus account options to hold and exchange currencies
Does Zelle work internationally?
Zelle does not work internationally. This service is only available for users who are physically located in the US. In addition, a US bank account and phone number is needed to set-up a Zelle account.
Can you send money overseas with Zelle?
Zelle can not be used for international transfers. You can only make USD payments with Zelle, to other users who also have US based bank accounts.
Comparing Zelle Alternatives on International Transfers
Zelle can’t be used for international payments. But there are plenty of other convenient and intuitive providers out there which do allow you to make payments overseas, or when you’re traveling.
To find the perfect provider for you we’ll compare 5 alternatives to Zelle – Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, XE, and Revolut.
First let’s look at an overview of their speed, transparency, ease of use and price when transferring money abroad. Later we’ll dive into more detail to help you decide which might suit your specific needs best.
| Wise | Remitly | WorldRemit | XE | Revolut | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & Exchange Rates | Low transfer fees and the mid-market exchange rate | Fees vary by destination and payment type, exchange rates include a markup | Fees vary by destination and payment type, exchange rates include a markup | Fees vary by destination and payment type, exchange rates include a markup | Exchange rate uses the mid-market rate to plan limits Transfer fees usually 0.3%, but may vary based on payment details |
| Transfer Speed | 50% of payments are instant 90%+ of payments arrive in 24 hours | Express payments can arrive in minutes, Economy payments take 3 – 5 days | Cash collection and mobile money payments may be instant Deposits to bank accounts may be instant or take a day or 2 to arrive | 1 – 7 days depending on the country, currency and payment type Card payments usually fastest | Speed varies based on destination country |
| Countries you can send money to | 70+ countries, 50+ currencies | 100+ countries | 130+ countries | 220 countries, 139 currencies | 150 countries |
| Transfer limits | Limits vary by country, but are typically set at the equivalent of 1 million GBP | Limits vary based on account tier – limits apply per 24 hours, 30 days and 180 days | Limits vary by country | 535,000 USD per transfer maximum limit | No limit for most curencies |
| Convenience | Send payments online or in app Support available in app and online Multi-lingual support available | Send payments online or in app Support available in app and online English, French and Spanish supported for chat English and Spanish support by phone | Send payments online or in app Support available in app and online, plus phone support if you have a transfer already in progress Multi-lingual support available | Send payments online or in app Multi-lingual support available – over 100 languages by chat or email Phone support in English only | Send payments online or in app Multi-lingual support available |
Choosing a Zelle alternative might simply come down to the details of the payment you need to make. If you want a low cost, fast transfer to a bank account, for example, Wise may be a good bet – while WorldRemit may be your top pick if you need to send a payment for cash collection.
Each provider has its own advantages – here’s what we loved about each of our Zelle alternatives:
- Wise – can be one of the cheapest options for payments to bank accounts in 70+ countries, with no obligation free quotes and the Google exchange rate
- Remitly – pick the payment type you want, based on whether speed or cost is more important – good range of payout options supported
- WorldRemit – send money to mobile money accounts and for cash pickup, even if your recipient doesn’t have access to a bank account or ATM
- XE – great coverage around the globe, secure payments you can set up online with ease
- Revolut – some account options without monthly fees or opening fees, which come with no-fee currency exchange to plan limits, and cheap international transfer options
Keep reading to learn more about each of our alternatives to Zelle for international transfers.
5 Zelle International Transfer Alternatives
Zelle isn’t any good for payments headed overseas. But there are plenty of companies like Zelle which let you set up a payment internationally online or in-app, to be delivered fast to your recipient abroad. Let’s look in more detail at the Zelle alternatives we picked out.
Wise
Wise lets you send money all over the world, using the real mid-market exchange rate and with low, transparent fees. Learn more about Wise fees.
You’ll transparently see the cost of your transfer, as well as how much your recipient will get into their account in the end, making it easy to compare the overall price.
Wise best features:
- Send money to 70+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate
- Payments delivered directly to your recipient’s bank account for convenience
- Fast payment processing with an estimated delivery time upon arranging your transfer
- Open a Wise multi-currency account to receive international payments in 10 currencies and hold 50+ currencies
- Secure transfers which use 2 factor authentication, with 24/7 fraud prevention support
Pros and cons of using Wise
| Pros | Cons |
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Remitly
Send money direct to a recipient’s bank account, for cash collection, to a mobile money account or even for home delivery in some countries. Remitly has a range of services with fees and exchange rates based on factors including how quickly you want your payment to be received. Pay using your bank account for the lowest fees, or link a credit or debit card for the fastest processing time.
Remitly best features:
- Send payments to over 100 receiving countries around the world from your computer or mobile device
- Depending on where your recipient is, money can be delivered to a bank or mobile money account, or received in local cash
- Fees and rates vary depending on the location, delivery method and speed of transfer you need
- Track your transfer online or using the Remitly app
- 2 factor authentication processes to keep your money safe
Pros and cons of using Remitly
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WorldRemit
WorldRemit makes payments from the US to 140+ destinations around the world. Depending on where you’re sending to you’ll be able to have the money sent to a recipient’s bank or mobile money account, or collected in cash. In some destination countries you can even buy airtime top up for your recipient. Exchange rates and fees are available online, so you can check out the costs for your payment easily.
WorldRemit best features:
- Send payments online and using the WorldRemit app, for delivery to a bank or mobile money account, or cash collection
- 140+ destination countries available for payments from the US
- Fees and exchange rates set out when you arrange your payment – no hidden costs to worry about
- 95% of payments made for cash collection are available within 3 minutes
- Industry leading security technology used to keep your money safe
Pros and cons of using WorldRemit
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XE Money Transfer
XE Money Transfer is the international payment service operated by XE.com – a leading currency and foreign exchange data site. You’ll be able to arrange online and mobile payments to almost anywhere in the world, 24/7.
XE Money Transfer best features:
- Send money in 139 currencies to over 220 countries and territories
- Make payments any time of the day or night from the XE app or website – your money is delivered into your recipient’s bank account for convenience
- Access live currency rates and data on XE.com so you can track the market
- Enterprise grade security to keep your money safe
- US based customer support when you need it
Pros and cons of using XE Money transfer
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Revolut
Open a Revolut account to exchange 28+ currencies and spend in 150 different currencies around the world. Different account options are available depending on your usage and preferences – all with smart budgeting and saving tools, analytics and a linked debit card for easy spending.
Revolut best features:
- Hold and manage dozens of currencies, including some cryptocurrencies
- Exchange currencies using the mid-market exchange rate, with a low extra fee for exotic currencies or out of hours trades
- Choose a no-fee standard account plan or upgrade to a paid account which offers more features and benefits
- Earn interest on your savings, and unlock account management tools to help you meet your financial goals
Pros and cons of using Revolut
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Conclusion: Can you use Zelle for International Transfers?
Zelle can’t be used for sending money overseas. To use Zelle at all you’ll need to be in the US, with a US bank and phone number – and so will your recipient. However, there are plenty of great companies like Zelle which offer easy, intuitive – and often cheap – ways to send payments overseas.
This guide picks out a few great Zelle alternatives for you to compare. Which one works best for you may depend on your particular needs. For example, Wise is a strong contender for low cost international payments with the mid-market exchange rate which are deposited in bank accounts, and WorldRemit is great if you want the money to be collected in cash. Use this guide to get started, and pick the best Zelle alternative based on your personal preferences.
Zelle International Transfer FAQs
Does Zelle work internationally?
Zelle does not work internationally. To use Zelle, both you and your recipient need to be in the US, with a US bank account and phone number.
Does Zelle convert currency?
Zelle does not convert currency. You can only send payments in USD with Zelle, and only to bank accounts within the US.
Does Zelle work in Europe?
Zelle won’t work for payments to Europe, and you may not be able to use Zelle if you’ve got an existing account and travel to Europe yourself. Instead, pick an alternative provider from our great selection here, such as Wise, Remitly, and WorldRemit.
Does Zelle work in Mexico?
You can’t use Zelle to send money to Mexico. And if you’re in Mexico you can’t open a Zelle account – to do this you’ll need to be in the US, with a local bank account and phone. If you need to send money to or from Mexico use our guide to Zelle alternatives to pick a different provider – like Wise, XE or Remitly.
