Best Money Transfer to India

Ogvio is the newcomer in the fintech space, and I think it can be one of the best ways to transfer money to India. It will be available in more than 160 countries, meaning that you can send and receive funds from almost anywhere in the world, including India.

The platform’s main focus is on cross-border remittance and money transfers. It will implement an intuitive interface, making it very easy to navigate even if you have no technical expertise.

Table: Ogvio's user experience

What’s better is that you will enjoy free transfers between Ogvio users. So, if you’re looking for a way to send money to India for free, maybe consider inviting the other person to use the app as well. Regardless, Ogvio aims to offer no hidden fees. You won’t have to play any guessing game when you send money.

Last but not least, Ogvio also supports cryptocurrencies. That means, if your recipient in India prefers to get their money in crypto, you can always fulfill that request. Crypto transfers in Ogvio will be mostly instant, and you only need to pay for gas fees.

Key Features

Okay, so what makes Ogvio one of the best money transfer options to India? Check out some of its planned key features:

• @Tag Functionality. Ogvio will make it easy to find other users on the platform and send money to them. It is as simple as using your favorite social media app.
• Speedy Transfers. At launch, Ogvio plans to establish no-freeze, on-time payments. Most of your transfers will be completed in seconds.

• Light KYC Requirements. Ogvio plans to implement lenient KYC processes for some providers and countries up to a certain limit. This means you can complete the verification without document upload or face scan.
• Request Payments. Aside from sending money, you can also request payments from other users and make the transfer process easier using a payment link.

From what I can see so far, Ogvio stands to be a strong contender for the easiest way to send money to India. With low fees and instant transfer speed, I recommend checking out the app when it launches.

Western Union can be a nice option if you’re looking for the best way to transfer money to India, and the other person doesn’t have easy access to an ATM or an online banking app. What makes it different from platforms like PayPal and Revolut is its extensive network of physical agent locations, which lets you make a cash pickup.

Western Union gives you various options to pay for a money transfer. You can use bank transfers, credit or debit cards, or pay with cash in-store.

Table: Western Union's asset movement

Another thing I want to highlight is Western Union’s delivery time. Sending money to India can be completed in real-time or up to one banking day. However, keep in mind that real-time transfers only apply to UPI money transfers up to ₹100,000 and for amounts less than ₹200,000 sent to receiving banks with IMPS services.

Key Features

Now that we know the basics of why Western Union is one of the best money transfer platforms to India, let’s take a look at some of its key features:

• Global Coverage. Currently, Western Union is available in more than 200 countries worldwide, including India. It also has more than 600,000 agent locations globally.
• Multiple Receiving Options. You can choose how the recipient gets the money. These include cash pickup, direct to bank account, or mobile wallets/Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

• Transfer Tracking. Every transfer is assigned a unique tracking number (MTCN). Both the sender and the receiver can use this number to track the status of the transfer online or via the app.
• Reliability and Security. Western Union has been operating in the US since the 1800s. This gives it a strong reputation in addition to its security measures, like encryption and fraud prevention features.

Overall, Western Union is certainly one of the best money transfer platforms to India, especially for those preferring direct cash pickup.

One of the most common problems people face when sending money to India is the high fees. Wise attempts to rectify this by using the mid-market exchange rate. This means you’ll get the exact midpoint between the buy and sell prices on the global currency markets.

You also don’t have to worry about any hidden fees or markup. You can always check for the applicable fees before finalizing the transaction. Wise also applies lower fees if you transfer more than $25,000 or equivalent. In addition, you will get dedicated support from the platform’s expert team.

Table: Wise's fees

If you wonder how to send money to India from the USA using Wise, there are several options. The cheapest way is by using your Wise account balance. With this method, sending $1000 will only cost you around $7.33 at the time of writing.

Other methods, like bank transfers, debit/credit cards, and Apple/Google Pay, are also available, but they are significantly pricier and can be slower depending on the option.

Key Features

To know if Wise is really the best money transfer app to India, we need to understand its key features and what makes it stand out. Here are some of them:

• Fast Transfers. Wise claims that 64% of transfers arrive in under 20 seconds, and 95% in less than a day. However, this will depend on the transfer method you choose.
• Upfront Transparent Fees. Wise is built on a philosophy of showing all costs clearly. It charges a low, transparent fee that is clearly stated before you initiate the transfer, ensuring you know the exact total cost.

• Local Payment Options in India. Wise supports high-speed local payment methods like deposits directly to the recipient's UPI ID (Unified Payments Interface) or via IMPS, ensuring maximum convenience and speed for the recipient.
• Multi-Currency Account. You can open a Wise account to hold and manage money in over 40 different currencies, with local bank details for up to 10 major currencies (like USD, EUR, GBP, AUD).

All in all, Wise can be a strong candidate as the easiest way to send money to India. But remember that it doesn’t offer any cash service, which may limit your options.

Remitly is an American online remittance service founded in 2011. It allows cross-border money movement across more than 170 countries. So, if you’re looking for how to send money to India from the USA, Canada, Denmark, and many other countries, this app is worth considering.

One of the main reasons I consider Remitly as one of the best ways to transfer money to India is its wide range of delivery options. As of writing, the platform supports bank deposits, mobile money (e.g., M-Pesa, G-Cash), home delivery, debit card deposit, and cash pickup at partner locations.

Table: Remitly's asset movement

You can also choose between two different transfer speed options: Express and Economy. The key difference lies in the time and the fee you need to pay. What’s better is that Remitly guarantees your money will arrive on time, or it will refund your fees.

However, it is worth mentioning that Remitly applies a markup to the exchange rate. This means that you may need to pay higher fees compared to platforms that use mid-market rates like Wise.

Key Features

If you’re curious about what Remitly has to offer that makes it stand out from its competitors, here are some of its key features:

• Fast Transfer Speeds. Remitly offers the Express option that often arrives in India within minutes, although with higher fees.
• No Fee for Large Transfers. Remitly waives the upfront transaction fee for transfers over $1000 from the US to India.

• Transparent Pricing. Remitly shows the total amount your recipient will receive after fees and exchange rate conversion before you confirm the transaction.
• Tracking Feature. Both the sender and recipient can track the transfer status in real-time via the app or SMS notifications.

With all that being said, I think Remitly is a decent option when you need to send money to India. Just be aware of the associated fees and make sure you check the cost before completing your transfer.

WorldRemit is one of the best money transfer services to India that focuses on providing fast and low-cost remittances with a variety of collection options. These include cash pickup, bank transfer, e-wallet, and airtime top-up (pre-paid mobile phone call plan).

Each collection method has different speeds and associated fees, giving both you and the recipient flexible options depending on your needs and preferences.

Table: WorldRemit's fees

The platform includes a markup on the exchange rate on top of the transfer fee. However, it is generally more competitive compared to some other services, and first-time users can enjoy a free transfer rate.

Security-wise, WorldRemit is regulated by multiple government bodies worldwide, including the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). Meaning, if you’re wondering how to send money from Canada to India securely, this can be an option.

Key Features

To fully understand if WorldRemit deserves the place as one of the best money transfer services to India, let’s take a look at some of its key features:

• Mobile-First Experience. The entire process of using WorldRemit, from setting up an account to sending the money and tracking it, can be done quickly and easily through their mobile app or website.
• Upfront Pricing. Fees and the exact exchange rate on WorldRemit are displayed clearly before you confirm the transfer, ensuring you know the final amount your recipient will receive.

• Transfer Tracking. Senders can track the progress of their transfer in real-time through the app or website.
• High-Speed Delivery. WorldRemit claims that a majority of transfers, particularly those sent via cash pickup, mobile money, or airtime top-up, arrive within minutes. Bank transfers can also be very fast, often arriving on the same day.

To put it simply, WorldRemit can be a nice option for sending money to India. However, pay attention to the transfer limit that applies depending on your current region and preferred transfer method.

Revolut is unique among its competitors due to its comprehensive, integrated "super-app" approach to global finance. Aside from offering standard money-transfer services, Revolut also provides a whole suite of additional financial features like investment and lifestyle products.

Another positive point worth mentioning is Revolut’s pricing. It offers close to the interbank exchange rate for currency exchange and international spending during the week. The fees are also competitive and transparent.

Table: Revolut's fees

Let’s say you’re looking into the best way to send money to India from UK. If you send £1000 to India using Revolut, you will only need to pay around £1.50 using a standard account.

Additionally, the platform also implements strong security measures, including two-factor authentication (2FA), anti-fraud notification, and personal data protection. This means you don’t have to worry that your money will be compromised.

Key Features

Interested in using Revolut to send money to India? Before you decide, take a look at some of its key features:

• Investment Options. Revolut gives you access to various investment options, including stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.
• Subscription Plans. Revolut offers tiered benefits such as higher allowances for free services, cashback, better savings rates, and more extensive insurance/lifestyle perks for a monthly fee.

• Multi-Currency Accounts. Revolut users can hold and exchange money in over 30 currencies at competitive exchange rates, often close to the interbank rate (within plan allowances and during market hours).
• Budgeting and Analytics. You can track spending in real-time, categorize transactions, and set monthly budgets.

So, if you’re looking for a comprehensive solution beyond simply sending money to India, I think Revolut is worth considering for its wide range of features.

PayPal is a household name when it comes to transferring money online, both domestically and internationally. At the time of writing this article, it supports more than 200 countries worldwide. So, no matter if you’re looking for how to send money from Canada to India or receive payment from Singapore to Japan, PayPal is a solid option.

At the same time, it is also widely accepted by tens of millions of merchants around the world, including both online and offline retail. Let’s say you want the best way to send money to India from the UK because you’re buying something from the country. There is a high chance that the seller will accept PayPal, and you can’t go wrong with it.

Table: PayPal's coverage

Furthermore, PayPal is relatively easy to use. Sending money only requires their email address or phone number. You also have multiple options to pay for your money transfer, including your PayPal balance, a linked bank account, and a debit or credit card.

Unfortunately, there are issues of relatively higher fees for international transfers, as well as the platform freezing your funds. So I recommend considering them before using PayPal.

Key Features

While PayPal’s popularity is undeniable, and I’m sure you’ve heard of it before, you might not be familiar with its features. Here are some of its core functions:

• Buyer/Seller Protection. PayPal provides an integrated dispute center where both parties in a transaction can submit complaints if an issue arises with the payment or the item itself.
• Easy Linking. PayPal makes it easy for users to connect their bank accounts, debit cards, or credit cards. This allows you to manage multiple funding sources from one place.

• Payment Link. With PayPal, you can create a personalized PayPal.Me link to simplify any payment process.
• Cash Pickup. PayPal supports cash pickup for international transfers through its Xoom service, allowing recipients in many countries to collect cash at designated locations.

That being said, I think PayPal can be one of the best money transfer services to India if you don’t mind the relatively higher fees.