Western Union vs Starling Comparison
Looking for Western Union vs Starling differences? Compare which one offers cheaper, faster, and more user-friendly services with this Money Transfer Service Comparison Tool!
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Last Updated: August 31, 2026
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Starling vs Western Union Comparison At a Glance
We've divided the key information you need to know when comparing Western Union vs Starling 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 Starling 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. Starling, by comparison, holds a rating of 8.7. As for the service quality and advantages you get considering the platform’s costs, Western Union outperforms Starling as well, offering better value for money.
To give you a broader view of the money transfer service market, we've also put Starling and Western Union 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 | Plan + 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. | An award-winning UK digital bank with transparent international fees. | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site Read review | Visit site |
A Detailed Comparison of Western Union vs Starling
Find out which provider offers the fastest, cheapest, and simplest ways to send money with this elaborate Starling 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+200 more |
UK |
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EN ID CN +6 more |
EN FR DE +27 more |
EN |
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USD
EUR
CAD+40 more |
HKD
CHF
CNY+127 more |
GBP
EUR |
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USDC
BTC
ETH+ 7 more |
Fiat-only |
Fiat-only |
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Pricing |
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Bank - free Crypto - free Card - varies |
N/A | Cash - 0.7% over £1k/yr | |
| Varies | N/A | Free | |
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Limits |
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| No minimum | N/A | Not specified | |
| Varies | N/A | ATM - set by ATM operator | |
| No minimum | N/A | Not specified | |
| Varies |
AU - AU$76,000 US - $5,000 EU - €5,000 |
Faster Payments - £1,000,000 | |
| Varies | N/A | ATM - £300/day | |
Asset Movement |
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Accounts |
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| Coming soon | Physical | Physical/Virtual | |
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 UK 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 swapping 2 Simple Earn |
1 10% off travel eSIM 2 Redeemable points 3 Transfer fee discounts |
1 Spaces (savings buckets) 2 Bills Manager |
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1 @Tag functionality 2 No freezes 3 Referral program |
1 MTCN tracking 2 PCI-DSS compliance |
1 Spending Insights 2 Post office cash deposits 3 Cheque imaging |
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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 | Anne Boden | |
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| MSB | FinCEN, PSD | FCA, PRA | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site Read review | Visit site | |
Western Union vs Starling Comparison Result Analysis
It's clear there are both Western Union vs Starling 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 +200 more countries, while Starling is supported in UK.
As for fiat currency support, Western Union can be used to transfer HKD, CHF, CNY and +127 more currencies. In the meantime, Starling supports GBP 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 Starling (if any).
Verdict at a Glance:
Considering the overall reach, Western Union offers broader country support than Starling. 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.
Starling, on the other hand, bases its pricing on the plan + per-transaction model, and has up to £20 transaction fees.
Check Western Union vs Starling 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:
Western Union uses the per-transaction pricing model, while Starling bases its pricing on the plan + per-transaction model. Western Union has variable transaction fees & Starling has up to £20 transaction fees.
Transfer Speeds
Western Union is known to offer average transaction speed. It may sometimes vary depending on the delivery method, though – Western Union supports Bank deposit, Cash pickup and Mobile wallet.
Starling supports Bank deposit, ATM and Cash pickup as delivery methods and offers average transaction speed.
Verdict at a Glance:
Western Union and Starling 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
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.
Starling puts limits on transactions as follows – Faster Payments - £1,000,000. Considering available funding methods, you can deposit money to Starling via Faster Payments, Bacs Direct Debit, CHAPS, SEPA, Post Office and Cheque imaging.
By the way, many (but not all) providers set minimum deposit, withdrawal, and transfer amounts, which you can check in the Western Union vs Starling comparison table above.
Verdict at a Glance:
Regardless of how similar or different Western Union and Starling 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 Starling 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 Starling Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
All information in this Western Union vs Starling 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 Starling 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 Starling 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 Starling?
For some users, Western Union might be better, while others might prefer Starling. It generally depends on your needs. When comparing Western Union vs Starling 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 Starling compare in terms of country and currency support?
Western Union is supported in Africa, Australia, Algeria and +200 more countries and can be used to transfer HKD, CHF, CNY and +127 more currencies. Starling, on the other hand, is supported in UK and allows GBP 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, Starling or Western Union?
Western Union uses the per-transaction pricing model, while Starling bases its pricing on the plan + per-transaction model. To see which is the cheaper option, check Western Union vs Starling 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.
All 36 Western Union comparisons
- Western Union vs BookMyForex
- Western Union vs Duc App
- Western Union vs Fin.do
- Western Union vs Finom
- Western Union vs GCash
- Western Union vs HSBC
- Western Union vs ICICI Bank
- Western Union vs Instarem
- Western Union vs Krak
- Western Union vs Monese
- Western Union vs MoneyGram
- Western Union vs Monzo
- Western Union vs Mukuru
- Western Union vs N26
- Western Union vs Niyo
- Western Union vs Nomad
- Western Union vs OFX
- Western Union vs Ogvio
- Western Union vs Payoneer
- Western Union vs PayPal
- Western Union vs Paysend
- Western Union vs Remitly
- Western Union vs RemitMoney (Axis Bank Limited)
- Western Union vs RevoluSEND
- Western Union vs Revolut
- Western Union vs Rizon
- Western Union vs Sendvalu
- Western Union vs SendWave
- Western Union vs Skrill
- Western Union vs TorFX
- Western Union vs TransferGo
- Western Union vs Wise
- Western Union vs WorldRemit
- Western Union vs Xe
- Western Union vs Xoom
- Western Union vs YouTrip
All 36 Starling comparisons
- Starling vs BookMyForex
- Starling vs Duc App
- Starling vs Fin.do
- Starling vs Finom
- Starling vs GCash
- Starling vs HSBC
- Starling vs ICICI Bank
- Starling vs Instarem
- Starling vs Krak
- Starling vs Monese
- Starling vs MoneyGram
- Starling vs Monzo
- Starling vs Mukuru
- Starling vs N26
- Starling vs Niyo
- Starling vs Nomad
- Starling vs OFX
- Starling vs Ogvio
- Starling vs Payoneer
- Starling vs PayPal
- Starling vs Paysend
- Starling vs Remitly
- Starling vs RemitMoney (Axis Bank Limited)
- Starling vs RevoluSEND
- Starling vs Revolut
- Starling vs Rizon
- Starling vs Sendvalu
- Starling vs SendWave
- Starling vs Skrill
- Starling vs TorFX
- Starling vs TransferGo
- Starling vs Wise
- Starling vs WorldRemit
- Starling vs Xe
- Starling vs Xoom
- Starling vs YouTrip
