Western Union vs PayPal Comparison At a Glance
We've divided the key information you need to know when comparing PayPal vs Western Union into several aspects: pros & cons, coverage, pricing, limits, supported asset management, accounts and their onboarding, security, user experience and the company's info. However, if you want a quick side-by-side PayPal vs Western Union comparison to see which one is rated better, check out the table below.
With an overall score of 9.0, PayPal clearly comes out on top. Western Union, by comparison, holds a rating of 8.9. As for the service quality and advantages you get considering the platform’s costs, PayPal outperforms Western Union as well, offering better value for money.
To give you a broader view of the money transfer service market, we've also put Western Union and PayPal next to Ogvio, which has the highest overall score. You'll see how all three compare throughout this page.
Compare Other Money Transfer Services
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| Per-transaction | Per-transaction | Per-transaction | |
| A global money transfer service with an additional volatile currency rate pegging to USD and EUR feature. | Widely accepted digital wallet for online shopping and invoicing. | A global service for sending money digitally or in person, including cash pickup. | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site | Visit site |
A Detailed Comparison of PayPal vs Western Union
Find out which provider offers the fastest, cheapest, and simplest ways to send money with this elaborate Western Union vs PayPal international transfer comparison table. From supported delivery methods and fees to any extra features, you'll see it all in one place.
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Coverage |
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US
Germany
France+160 more |
Malaysia
South Korea
Italy+197 more |
Africa
Australia
Algeria+197 more |
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EN ID CN +6 more |
EN DE JPN +23 more |
EN FR DE +27 more |
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USD
EUR
CAD+40 more |
DKK
MYR
NZD+23 more |
HKD
CHF
CNY+127 more |
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USDCEURC 
BONK+ 300 more |
BCH
LINKPYUSD +5 more |
Fiat-only |
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Pricing |
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| Free | Free | N/A | |
| Free |
Bank/Card - up to 3% ATM - $2.50 |
N/A | |
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Limits |
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| No minimum | Not specified | N/A | |
| No minimum | $1 | N/A | |
| No minimum | $1 | N/A | |
| No limits |
Card (instant) - $5,000/day; $15k/mo Bank (instant) - $25,000/transfer |
AU - AU$76,000 US - $5,000 EU - €5,000 |
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| No limits |
ATM - $400/day OTC - $5,000/day Instant (card) - $7,5000/day Instant (bank) - $25,000/transfer |
N/A | |
Asset Movement |
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Accounts |
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| Coming soon | Physical/Virtual | Physical | |
Security |
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| Name, surname, possibly ID, and selfie | Name, surname, ID, proof of address | Name, surname, ID, possibly proof of address | |
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User Experience |
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| Coming soon | Android/iOS | Android/iOS | |
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1 Crypto trading 2 Staking |
1 PayPal Savings - 3.8% APY (US-only) 2 Buy now pay later 3 Brand cashbacks |
1 10% off travel eSIM 2 Redeemable points 3 Transfer fee discounts |
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1 Username functionality 2 No freezes 3 Referral program |
1 Mass Pay 2 Donation and nonprofit tools 3 Buyer protection |
1 MTCN tracking 2 PCI-DSS compliance |
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Company's info |
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| 2025 | 1998 | 1851 | |
| Vytautas Zabulis | Peter Thiel, Max Levchin, Luke Nosek, Ken Howery, Yu Pan | Ezra Cornell, Jeptha Wade, Hiram Sibley, Samuel L. Selden | |
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| MSB | FinCEN, ASIC, FCA | FinCEN, PSD | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site | Visit site | |
PayPal vs Western Union Comparison Result Analysis
It's clear there are both PayPal vs Western Union differences and similarities. Let's go over some of the key aspects and see which is more suited for your remittance needs.
Supported Countries & Currencies
Speaking of worldwide reach, PayPal is supported in Malaysia, South Korea, Italy and +197 more countries, while Western Union is supported in Africa, Australia, Algeria and +197 more countries.
As for fiat currency support, PayPal can be used to transfer DKK, MYR, NZD and +23 more currencies. In the meantime, Western Union supports HKD, CHF, CNY and +127 more currencies. Keep in mind that some money transfer services also support crypto – check out the table above to see which ones are available on PayPal and Western Union (if any).
Verdict at a Glance:
Considering the overall reach, PayPal and Western Union are available in a similar number of countries. When it comes to fiat you can transfer, Western Union is a clear winner with HKD, CHF, CNY and +127 more currencies.
Fees
When it comes to the pricing structure, PayPal uses the per-transaction pricing model with up to 5.40% transaction fees. Western Union also uses the same model and has variable transaction fees.
Check PayPal vs Western Union fees comparison of deposits, withdrawals and any other priced actions in the table above. You can also see if these platforms apply an exchange rate markup.
Verdict at a Glance:
Both PayPal and Western Union use the per-transaction pricing model. PayPal has up to 5.40% transaction fees & Western Union has variable transaction fees.
Transfer Speeds
PayPal is known to offer average transaction speed. It may sometimes vary depending on the delivery method, though – PayPal supports Bank deposit.
Western Union supports Bank deposit, Cash pickup and Mobile wallet as delivery methods and offers average transaction speed.
Verdict at a Glance:
PayPal and Western Union generally offer the same transfer speed, though it can sometimes depend on your chosen transfer method and the countries you send from/to.
Limits & Funding Methods
PayPal can be funded via Card, Bank account, Direct deposit (US) and Cash reload (US), and it limits its transfers in the following way - Card (instant) - $5,000/day; $15k/mo; Bank (instant) - $25,000/transfer.
Western Union puts limits on transactions as follows – AU - AU$76,000; US - $5,000; EU - €5,000. Considering available funding methods, you can deposit money to Western Union via Card, Bank, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
By the way, many (but not all) providers set minimum deposit, withdrawal, and transfer amounts, which you can check in the PayPal vs Western Union comparison table above.
Verdict at a Glance:
Regardless of how similar or different PayPal and Western Union seem, always check your account for actual limits because some platforms tie them to your verification level and country.
Summary
This thorough PayPal vs Western Union comparison puts PayPal ahead based on several factors. However, if we compare either with Ogvio, it outperforms both, having an overall score of 9.8. It provides the highest value for money considering its low-to-no costs, ease of use, worldwide support, and transaction speed. That's why it ranks as the top money transfer service provider.
How Is This PayPal vs Western Union Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
All information in this PayPal vs Western Union comparison comes from official provider pages, their fee schedules, verified payout samples, and personal testing. We check each country/currency coverage, fees, funding & payout methods, limits, and much more. You can be sure that all the collected information is accurate and up to date.
2. We Examine
Our experts double- and triple-check every data entry in the provider pages and trusted sources. We convert different fee formats into one standard layout, bring all info to the same baseline, and ensure you get all the essential details. The result is clean, comparable information you see in our Money Transfer Services Comparison Tool.
3. We Rate
We rate each provider to make choosing between Western Union vs PayPal for travel or remittances simple. Our score blends fees, markup presence, transfer speed, coverage, limits, security, and other factors. Each provider gets a clear score and a short verdict so you can quickly see which is cheapest, fastest, or best for specific use cases.
4. You Choose
Then, it's your call. After we compile the data and rate each provider, you can go over the quick and detailed PayPal vs Western Union comparison tables to place each provider's fees, coverage, delivery methods or any other aspects that matter to you side-by-side. This way, you can pick the best money transfer service for your needs.
FAQ
Is PayPal better than Western Union?
For some users, PayPal might be better, while others might prefer Western Union. It generally depends on your needs. When comparing PayPal vs Western Union for international payments or other use cases, always start with coverage and asset support, then make sure to check total costs and available delivery options. If neither option is suitable for you, consider exploring alternative money transfer services.
What is the best international money transfer service?
"The best" is a subjective term. Users seeking cash pickup or home delivery options will opt for more traditional money transfer services. Others, who seek speed, convenience and low costs, might choose neobank-like services. Speaking of which, one of the best new generation money transfer providers to watch is Ogvio. It’s all about low-to-zero fees, worldwide reach, and instant money transfers. On top of that, with EUR- or USD-denominated accounts, it helps protect funds from local inflation or currency depreciation.
Can I use more than one money transfer app?
Yes, using multiple money transfer apps sometimes might even be a better idea than sticking to one. For example, one provider might offer the lowest costs and fastest speeds, which would be highly beneficial for everyday transfers, while another can provide you with home delivery or cash pickup when you need it. You can surely find the most suitable providers for you using our Money Transfer Service Comparison Tool.
How do PayPal vs Western Union compare in terms of country and currency support?
PayPal is supported in Malaysia, South Korea, Italy and +197 more countries and can be used to transfer DKK, MYR, NZD and +23 more currencies. Western Union, on the other hand, is supported in Africa, Australia, Algeria and +197 more countries and allows HKD, CHF, CNY and +127 more currencies transfers. Some providers might be better than others in specific countries or regions (e.g., the Philippines, India, Mexico, etc.).
Which is cheaper for international transfers, Western Union or PayPal?
Both PayPal and Western Union use the per-transaction pricing model. To see which is the cheaper option, check PayPal vs Western Union fees comparison above in the "Pricing" field. There, you'll find transaction, deposit, withdrawal, and any other costs, including whether or not they add an exchange rate markup. If neither is cheap enough, check out other money transfer providers.
How to compare platforms with this Money Transfer Service Comparison Tool?
It's very easy to use, just pick two services you want to compare in the drop-down menu and click "Compare Now". Once you do that, you'll get an instant money transfer service comparison. As you scroll through it, you'll find all the key info, including the platform's reach, speed, supported methods, limits, extra features, and the best money transfer fee comparison for 2025 and beyond.
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