SendWave vs Western Union Comparison At a Glance
We've divided the key information you need to know when comparing Western Union vs SendWave 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 Western Union vs SendWave comparison to see which one is rated better, check out the table below.
With an overall score of 9.4, Western Union clearly comes out on top. SendWave, by comparison, holds a rating of 8.5. As for the service quality and advantages you get considering the platform’s costs, Western Union outperforms SendWave as well, offering better value for money.
To give you a broader view of the money transfer service market, we've also put SendWave and Western Union next to Ogvio, which has the highest overall score. You'll see how all three compare throughout this page.
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| Per-transaction | Per-transaction | Per-transaction | |
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| A global money transfer service with an additional volatile currency rate pegging to USD or EUR. | A global service trusted for decades for sending money digitally or in person, though often pricier than newer alternatives. | A mobile-first remittance app connecting senders to developing regions. | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site Read review | Visit site |
A Detailed Comparison of Western Union vs SendWave
Find out which provider offers the fastest, cheapest, and simplest ways to send money with this elaborate SendWave vs Western Union 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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UK
Germany
France+160 more |
Africa
Australia
Algeria+197 more |
USUK 
CA+20 more |
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EN ID CN +6 more |
EN FR DE +27 more |
EN FR ES +2 more |
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USD
EUR
CAD+40 more |
HKD
CHF
CNY+127 more |
USD
GBP
CAD
EUR |
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USDC
BTC
ETH+ 7 more |
Fiat-only |
USDC |
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Pricing |
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Bank - free Crypto - free Card - varies |
N/A | Free | |
| Varies | N/A | Free | |
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Limits |
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| No minimum | N/A | Not specified | |
| No minimum | N/A | ATM - set by ATM operator | |
| No minimum | N/A | Not specified | |
| Varies |
AU - AU$76,000 US - $5,000 EU - €5,000 |
$999/day | |
| No limits | N/A | $999/day | |
Asset Movement |
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Accounts |
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| Coming soon | Physical | None | |
Security |
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| Name, surname, ID, selfie, and proof of address | Name, surname, ID, possibly proof of address | Name, surname, a ID, and possibly proof of address | |
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User Experience |
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| Coming soon | Android/iOS | Android/iOS | |
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Transfer history/receipts | |
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1 Crypto trading |
1 10% off travel eSIM 2 Redeemable points 3 Transfer fee discounts |
1 Not offered |
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1 @Tag functionality 2 No freezes 3 Referral program |
1 MTCN tracking 2 PCI-DSS compliance |
1 Sendwave Wallet (USDC) 2 Cashback |
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Company's info |
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| 2025 | 1851 | 2014 | |
| Vytautas Zabulis | Ezra Cornell, Jeptha Wade, Hiram Sibley, Samuel L. Selden | Drew Durbin, Lincoln Quirk | |
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| MSB | FinCEN, PSD | FinCEN, MTL, FCA, NBB, FINTRAC | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site Read review | Visit site | |
Western Union vs SendWave Comparison Result Analysis
It's clear there are both Western Union vs SendWave 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, Western Union is supported in Africa, Australia, Algeria and +197 more countries, while SendWave is supported in US, UK, CA and +20 more countries.
As for fiat currency support, Western Union can be used to transfer HKD, CHF, CNY and +127 more currencies. In the meantime, SendWave supports USD, GBP, CAD and EUR. Keep in mind that some money transfer services also support crypto – check out the table above to see which ones are available on Western Union and SendWave (if any).
Verdict at a Glance:
Considering the overall reach, Western Union offers broader country support than SendWave. 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, Western Union uses the per-transaction pricing model with variable transaction fees. SendWave also uses the same model and has variable transaction fees.
Check Western Union vs SendWave 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 Western Union and SendWave use the per-transaction pricing model. Western Union has variable transaction fees & SendWave has variable transaction fees.
Transfer Speeds
SendWave is known to offer instant transaction speed. It may sometimes vary depending on the delivery method, though – SendWave supports Bank deposit, Cash pickup and Mobile wallet.
Western Union supports Bank deposit, Cash pickup and Mobile wallet as delivery methods and offers average transaction speed.
Verdict at a Glance:
Western Union is generally faster than SendWave. though it can sometimes depend on your chosen transfer method and the countries you send from/to.
Limits & Funding Methods
Western Union can be funded via Card, Bank, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and it limits its transfers in the following way - AU - AU$76,000; US - $5,000; EU - €5,000.
SendWave puts limits on transactions as follows – $999/day. Considering available funding methods, you can deposit money to SendWave via Card and ACH.
By the way, many (but not all) providers set minimum deposit, withdrawal, and transfer amounts, which you can check in the Western Union vs SendWave comparison table above.
Verdict at a Glance:
Regardless of how similar or different Western Union and SendWave seem, always check your account for actual limits because some platforms tie them to your verification level and country.
Summary
This thorough Western Union vs SendWave comparison puts Western Union 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 Western Union vs SendWave Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
All information in this Western Union vs SendWave 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 SendWave vs Western Union 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 Western Union vs SendWave 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 Western Union better than SendWave?
For some users, Western Union might be better, while others might prefer SendWave. It generally depends on your needs. When comparing Western Union vs SendWave 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 Western Union vs SendWave compare in terms of country and currency support?
Western Union is supported in Africa, Australia, Algeria and +197 more countries and can be used to transfer HKD, CHF, CNY and +127 more currencies. SendWave, on the other hand, is supported in US, UK, CA and +20 more countries and allows USD, GBP, CAD and EUR 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, SendWave or Western Union?
Both Western Union and SendWave use the per-transaction pricing model. To see which is the cheaper option, check Western Union vs SendWave 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.
