Western Union vs Wise Comparison At a Glance
We've divided the key information you need to know when comparing Wise 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 Wise vs Western Union comparison to see which one is rated better, check out the table below.
With an overall score of 9.6, Wise clearly comes out on top. Western Union, by comparison, holds a rating of 9.4. As for the service quality and advantages you get considering the platform’s costs, Wise 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 Wise 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. | A trusted digital remittance service with upfront fees and great rates, but limited options for cash delivery. | A global service trusted for decades for sending money digitally or in person, though often pricier than newer alternatives. | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site Read review | Visit site Read review |
A Detailed Comparison of Wise vs Western Union
Find out which provider offers the fastest, cheapest, and simplest ways to send money with this elaborate Western Union vs Wise 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 |
US
Canada
Germany+160 more |
Africa
Australia
Algeria+197 more |
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EN ID CN +6 more |
EN DE FR +15 more |
EN FR DE +27 more |
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USD
EUR
CAD+40 more |
USD
CAD
EUR +40 more |
HKD
CHF
CNY+127 more |
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USDCEURC 
BONK+ 300 more |
Fiat-only |
Fiat-only |
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Pricing |
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| Free |
Bank - free Card - varies SWIFT - varies |
N/A | |
| Free |
ATM - 2 free/mo < $200; then 1.75% Bank - varies |
N/A | |
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Limits |
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| No minimum | No minimum | N/A | |
| No minimum | ATM - not specified | N/A | |
| No minimum | Not specified | N/A | |
| No limits |
Wire - $20,000,000/transfer SWIFT - $1,600,000/transfer |
AU - AU$76,000 US - $5,000 EU - €5,000 |
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| No limits |
ATM (EEA/UK) - 2x free/mo; then €0.5 + 1.75% ATM (US) - 2x free/mo; then $1.5 + 2% |
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 | ID, proof of address, selfie, other for larger limits | 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 Wise Interest 2 Stocks |
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 Mid-market exchange rate |
1 MTCN tracking 2 PCI-DSS compliance |
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Company's info |
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| 2025 | 2011 | 1851 | |
| Vytautas Zabulis | Taavet Hinrikus, Kristo Käärmann | Ezra Cornell, Jeptha Wade, Hiram Sibley, Samuel L. Selden | |
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| MSB | FCA, EMI, EEA, MSB | FinCEN, PSD | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site Read review | Visit site Read review | |
Wise vs Western Union Comparison Result Analysis
It's clear there are both Wise 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, Wise is supported in US, Canada, Germany and +160 more countries, while Western Union is supported in Africa, Australia, Algeria and +197 more countries.
As for fiat currency support, Wise can be used to transfer USD, CAD, EUR and +40 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 Wise and Western Union (if any).
Verdict at a Glance:
Considering the overall reach, Western Union offers broader country support than Wise. 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, Wise uses the per-transaction pricing model with variable transaction fees. Western Union also uses the same model and has variable transaction fees.
Check Wise 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 Wise and Western Union use the per-transaction pricing model. Wise has variable transaction fees & Western Union has variable transaction fees.
Transfer Speeds
Wise is known to offer average transaction speed. It may sometimes vary depending on the delivery method, though – Wise supports Bank deposit, ATM 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:
Wise 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
Wise can be funded via ACH, Wire, Card, SEPA, Faster Payments, SWIFT, iDEAL and Trustly, and it limits its transfers in the following way - Wire - $20,000,000/transfer; SWIFT - $1,600,000/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 Wise vs Western Union comparison table above.
Verdict at a Glance:
Regardless of how similar or different Wise 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 Wise vs Western Union comparison puts Wise 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 Wise vs Western Union Comparison Created?
1. We Collect
All information in this Wise 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 Wise 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 Wise 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 Wise better than Western Union?
For some users, Wise might be better, while others might prefer Western Union. It generally depends on your needs. When comparing Wise 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 Wise vs Western Union compare in terms of country and currency support?
Wise is supported in US, Canada, Germany and +160 more countries and can be used to transfer USD, CAD, EUR and +40 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 Wise?
Both Wise and Western Union use the per-transaction pricing model. To see which is the cheaper option, check Wise 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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