WorldRemit vs Xe Money Transfer [2024]
Both WorldRemit and Xe Money Transfer are popular services for sending international payments, with convenient ways to move money to 130+ countries around the world. But which is best for you?
Read on for all you need to know about WorldRemit vs Xe Money Transfer, including a feature comparison, fee and exchange rate details, and a look at how easy each is to use.
Summary: If you’re sending a payment to a bank account, either WorldRemit or Xe Money transfer can help – although in our comparison transfers, Xe was consistently slightly cheaper. Where WorldRemit wins is in the range of pay out options – super handy if you’re sending a payment to someone without easy access to a bank account, as you can have money deposited to a mobile money account, collected in cash or used for phone airtime top up.
WorldRemit vs Xe Money Transfer: side by side
Not sure which is best between WorldRemit vs Xe Money Transfer? Let’s start with a head to head comparison on features to see what the similarities and differences are:
| Feature | WorldRemit | Xe |
|---|---|---|
| Send payments to | 130 countries | 130 countries, nearly 100 currencies |
| Cash pickup service | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile money deposit | Yes | No |
| Airtime top up | Yes | No |
| Fully licensed and regulated | Yes | Yes |
| Currency risk management for businesses | No | Yes |
| Business accounts | No | Yes |
So, to summarize:
- Xe and WorldRemit both support a strong selection of countries and currencies
- Both providers offer transfers to bank accounts. Xe offers payments to select countries for cash collection, WorldRemit has cash collection transfers, payments to mobile money accounts and for airtime top up
- Xe has international transfer services and currency risk management options for businesses
- Both providers are fully regulated
The important bits
| WorldRemit | Xe Money Transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | Exchange rate includes a markup | Exchange rate includes a markup |
| Fees | Variable fee based on service required | No fee |
| Speed | Many payments arrive in minutes | 1 – 6 days depending on destination and payment type |
| Service | Online, in app and by phone | Online, in app and by phone |
| Safety | Fully regulated and licensed | Fully regulated and licensed |
| Reviews (TrustPilot) | 3.8 star, Great, 68,000+ reviews | 4.2 star, Great, 57,000+ reviews |
Rates: Xe and WorldRemit both add a markup to the rate used
Fees: WorldRemit has variable fees based on the details of the payment you’re making. Xe does not charge a transfer fee when sending from the US
Speed: WorldRemit transfers can arrive in just a few minutes, Xe transfers can take a few days to arrive, depending on the specific services you pick
Service: Both providers offer multilingual service in a range of languages, online, in-app and by phone.
Safety: Both providers are fully licensed and regulated
Reviews: Xe and WorldRemit both score a Great review rating on Trustpilot – WorldRemit has a slightly lower rating, but with more reviews registered
Pros and cons
| WorldRemit | Xe Money Transfer | |
|---|---|---|
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WorldRemit vs Xe Money Transfer: The verdict
WorldRemit and Xe Money Transfer do offer some overlapping services – but they’re different businesses and have their own focus areas, which means one may suit you more than the other, simply depending on what you need.
Both providers can help if you want to send a personal payment overseas for deposit to a bank account. However, WorldRemit has a better selection of alternative pay out options, like mobile money deposits and airtime top ups. Xe on the other hand has higher payment limits, and offers business services as well as personal transfers. This might make it a better bet if you’re sending money for business purposes – or if you need to send a large transfer internationally.
About WorldRemit and Xe Money Transfer
WorldRemit was set up in 2010 to make it easier and cheaper for anyone working abroad to remit money around the world. You can set up your transfer online or in the WorldRemit app, and have it sent to a bank or mobile money account, used to top up a phone, or collected in cash.
WorldRemit payments can be made to 130+ countries from the US.
Xe was founded in 1993, and in 2015 became part of Euronet, the third largest international payment provider in the world. Xe Money Transfer offers payments to bank accounts, and some cash collection services – but also has a focus on business transfers and services.
Xe Money transfer payments can be made to 130+ countries from the US.
How do they work?
Both WorldRemit and Xe Money transfer allow customers to set up payments online or in their apps. Before you can get started you’ll need to create an account and upload an ID document for verification. However, this is usually pretty straightforward and can be done from your phone or laptop.
Once you have an account set up, you can make a payment with WorldRemit or Xe by taking the following steps:
- Sign into your account
- Select your starting currency and recipient currency
- Enter the amount you want to send to get a quote
- Add your recipient’s details so they can collect their cash – or their bank or mobile money account information for account deposits
- Pay using card or bank transfer, depending on the provider
- Check the details, then hit Confirm to send the payment
- You’re all done – you can now track the payment in the app
WorldRemit vs Xe Money Transfer Fees
WorldRemit has variable fees, and may also add a markup to the exchange rate you’re quoted. The transfer fee you pay is added onto the total bill – so if you’re sending 1,000 USD and there’s a fee of 2.99 USD, you’ll actually have to pay 1,002.99 USD to get your money moving. When you set up your payment you can see the different transfer options available, and how the fees vary depending on which you pick.
Xe Money Transfer does not have a fee for sending payments from the US. However, that doesn’t actually mean there’s no cost – it’s just that the charges are added into the exchange rate used to convert your money to the currency you need. We’ll see how that works in an example transfer, next.
WorldRemit vs Xe Money Transfer: which is cheaper?
Using a specialist service like WorldRemit or Xe Money Transfer can mean you’re able to find lower overall costs compared to using a bank. However, which service is best for you will depend a lot on the specific details of the payment you’re making.
Let’s work through an example. This table looks at how much will be received if you send a payment to a friend in Europe or India, to be received in EUR or INR. Payments are arranged online and delivered to the recipient’s bank account:
| Amount & Currency | With WorldRemit recipient gets: | With Xe recipient gets: | Winner? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 USD> INR | 80,568.72 INR | 81,766.27 INR | Xe |
| 3000 USD> INR | 242,210.03 INR | 245,319.70 INR | Xe |
| 1000 USD> GBP | 789.53 GBP | 801.64 GBP | Xe |
| 3000 USD> GBP | 2,373.23 GBP | 2,405.72 GBP | Xe |
*Fees and exchange rates correct at time of research – 28th March 2023
WorldRemit vs Xe Money Transfer: which is faster?
WorldRemit payments can arrive in minutes. That’s because you’ll need to pay from a card, which is usually one of the fastest ways to fund a transfer. Ultimately, the transfer delivery speed for your specific payment will depend on where you’re sending money to, the value of the transfer and how you want it to be received.
Xe Money Transfer payments can take a few days to arrive. It really depends on how you choose to pay, and where you’re sending money to. You can send payments funded by either card or bank account with Xe – card transfers are often faster, but you’ll see a delivery estimate in the Xe app before you confirm.
Safety
WorldRemit and Xe Money Transfer are both safe to use. As well as being licensed and regulated in the US and anywhere else they offer services, they’re both large, experienced providers which have invested heavily in security measures. This means your account and money is protected by automatic and manual anti-fraud measures, 24/7.
Learn more about their safety here: Is Xe money transfer safe? and Is WorldRemit safe?
Ease of use
- Creating an account: Create your account online or in app with both WorldRemit and Xe
- Making a transfer: Both providers allow customers to fund payments with a card. Xe Money transfer also supports bank transfer payments as long as you’re sending over 3,000 USD
- Ways to send money: Xe payments can be sent to bank accounts for deposit – Xe can also offer cash collection transfers to select countries. WorldRemit payments can be deposited in bank or mobile money accounts, collected in cash, or used to top up phone airtime
- Languages: Xe services are available in 10 languages, with multilingual customer support. WorldRemit has 6 different supported languages, with 24/7 customer support operations
- Minimum & maximum amounts: Xe Money Transfers for personal customers are capped at 535,000 USD or the equivalent – cash collection payments have lower caps which vary by destination. WorldRemit limits are 5,000 USD per transaction, or 9,000 USD per day
Supported currencies
WorldRemit payments can be made in a good range of currencies, to 130+ countries.
Xe supports nearly 100 currencies on major payment routes which cover over 130+ countries.
Conclusion: Which is better?
WordRemit and Xe Money Transfer are both safe and well liked providers for international payments. Which suits you will depend on exactly what service you’re looking for.
WorldRemit has a focus on helping people working abroad send money to loved ones at home. That means that as well as transfers to bank accounts, you’ll find a broad selection of pay out options, including cash collections, airtime top up and mobile money payments.
Xe does offer some cash collection options – but their main strength is in payments deposited to bank accounts around the world. Xe offers international transfers with high limits, and can also offer business services including payments and currency risk management products.
Compare WorldRemit and Xe – and a few other providers to pick the one that works best for you.
Xe money transfer vs WorldRemit FAQ
Is WorldRemit or Xe Money transfer cheaper?
In our example payments, Xe came out cheaper. However, you’ll want to compare your options to see which is best for your specific transfer before you start – use our comparison tool to pick the perfect provider for your needs.
Is WorldRemit or Xe Money transfer faster?
WorldRemit payments can often arrive in just a few minutes as you’ll need to pay by card. Xe has more payment options, including bank transfers, which can take a little longer. Ultimately, the delivery time will vary based on the details of your payment – but you’ll usually get an estimated delivery quote before you confirm.
How many currencies do WorldRemit and Xe Money transfer support?
WorldRemit payments can be made in a good range of currencies, to 130+ countries. Xe supports nearly 100 currencies on major payment routes which cover over 130+ countries.
