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Thanks to the growing popularity of fintech around the world, transferring money online has never been easier. But how to find the right platform with so many choices out there? In this guide, I'll show you the best way to send money to El Salvador with the help of MTS: money transfer services.
When it comes to making a payment to a friend or relative abroad, not every app works the same way. Some let you transfer money for free if your recipient is a fellow user, while others only support international bank transfers or credit/debit card payments. I've rounded up the best 8 platforms of both types:
- Ogvio - Best Overall Money Transfer Service
- Xoom - Fast and Convenient Transfers
- Paysend - Get Your First Transfer for Free
- Wise - Tailored for Large Transfers
- Western Union - Best for Cash Payments & Delivery
- Remitly - Free First Transfer & Fee Refunds for Delays
- WorldRemit - Free & Instant Airtime Top-Ups
- Krak - Free P2P Transfers & Fun Crypto Rewards
So, without further ado, let's dig in! As a bonus, you'll learn how to send money to El Salvador from the USA using Ogvio, a promising P2P transfer app that will launch soon with plenty of exclusive perks for early birds.
1. Ogvio - Best Overall Money Transfer Service
Ranks #1 out of 8 Money Transfer Services
- + Remittance-oriented
- + Instant transfers
- + Incremental-to-no fees
- + Crypto support
- + @Tag functionality
- + Free transfers between users
- - No card (coming soon)
If you're looking for the absolute best way to send money to El Salvador with no compromises on your part, Ogvio is the way to go. This upcoming P2P (peer-to-peer) money transfer app will deliver free and instant payments between users, with added support for crypto transfers as a bonus.
Ogvio | |
|---|---|
Fees | Incremental Free transfers between Ogvio users Free crypto transfers and trading |
Supported Countries | 160+ countries and regions |
Supported Currencies | 40+ currencies |
Transfer Speed | Nearly instant |
Payment Methods | Credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer |
Pickup Methods | In-app |
Transfer Limits | None |
Other Features | 0% crypto trading fees Cryptocurrency support on Base network @username functionality Payment request links Currency conversion |
Table: Overview of Ogvio features
The best thing about Ogvio, of course, is that you'll be able to transfer money with zero fees! As long as your recipient is another user, you won't be charged for sending money to them. With Ogvio, you'll have the option to pay your friends or relatives in El Salvador from almost anywhere in the world, as this platform will launch in over 160 countries and regions.
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| 2025 | |
| Vytautas Zabulis | |
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| MSB | |
| Visit site Read review |
Table: Ogvio company info
Learning how to send money to El Salvador for free with Ogvio couldn't be any easier. This app has a user-friendly @Tag functionality that lets you quickly find and add contacts to your list, so you won't have to enter their personal details every time you send them money.
You can top up your account with one of 40+ available currencies and let Ogvio automatically convert it to EUR or USD (your choice) as a way to stabilize the value of your portfolio and protect your funds from inflation. If you'd rather send it in another currency, Ogvio will instantly convert it back for you with no fees.
Ogvio doesn't only handle fiat transfers, though - if you're a crypto fan, you'll definitely appreciate this platform's support for the most popular coins and tokens on the Base network and integrations with major crypto exchanges and wallets, such as Ledger, Binance, Kraken, and Coinbase.
And that's not all! You'll find some extra features like splitting the bills with friends or paying your family members' utility bills abroad. There's a debit card in the works, as well.
Don't want to miss the launch day? Sign up for Ogvio's waitlist here and get ready to claim exclusive early bird benefits!
2. Xoom - Fast and Convenient Transfers
Ranks #2 out of 8 Money Transfer Services
- + Usually delivers in minutes
- + PayPal integration
- + Multiple payouts options
- + Extras: bill pay and mobile airtime
- - High fees and markups
- - No live chat
How to send money to El Salvador from the USA if you want to pay someone's bills or top up their airtime? Xoom is among the best platforms for these use cases in particular. While this platform is only available to residents of a select few countries, you can use it to send money to over 100 countries, including El Salvador.
Xoom | |
|---|---|
Fees | Free transfers with PayPal USD (PYUSD) 2.39 - 21.99 USD per transfer, depending on the payment method |
Supported Countries | EEA, United States, Canada, United Kingdom |
Supported Currencies | USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP |
Transfer Speed | From a few minutes to a few business days |
Payment Methods | Credit/debit card, bank deposit, PYUSD, PayPal balance |
Pickup Methods | Debit card deposit, bank transfer, mobile wallets, cash pickup |
Transfer Limits | 2,999 to 50,000 USD, depending on the verification level |
Other Features | Reloading mobile phone data Paying family members' bills abroad |
Table: Overview of Xoom features
So, how much does it cost to send money to El Salvador with Xoom? As with most similar platforms, it depends on your payment method and the recipient's pickup method. Let's say you're sending 100 USD from the United States. You can expect to be charged as little as 2.39 USD (a debit card deposit paid with your PayPal balance), all the way up to 21.99 USD (a transfer to a mobile wallet paid with your bank account).
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Table: XOOM company info
Speaking of delivery methods, Xoom comes out ahead with its localized support. You'll find options such as Tigo Money mobile wallet and integrations with many local banks in El Salvador: Banco Agricola, Banco Salvadoreño, and more.
If you're about to ask, "How can I send money to El Salvador for free?", you're in luck: Xoom offers 100% free transfers when paying in PayPal USD stablecoin, no matter which delivery method you choose.
Last but not least, you can use Xoom to pay your family members' bills or top up their mobile phone data. This platform supports several providers in El Salvador: Claro, Digicel, Movistar, and Tigo.
3. Paysend - Get Your First Transfer for Free
Ranks #3 out of 8 Money Transfer Services
- + Large number of receiving countries available (170+)
- + Responsive 24/7 support
- + Fixed fee upfront
- + Various payout methods
- - Countries you can send money from are limited
- - Occasional transfer delays
Plenty of people are asking, "How can I send money to El Salvador without high fees?" - and Paysend might just be the right answer. This platform lets users try out their first transfer for free and offers competitive costs afterwards.
Paysend | |
|---|---|
Fees | From 1.99 USD per transfer |
Supported Countries | 170+ countries and regions |
Supported Currencies | 30+ currencies |
Transfer Speed | Instant |
Payment Methods | Credit/debit card, bank transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Pickup Methods | Credit/debit card, bank transfer, cash pickup |
Transfer Limits | Basic: 999 USD per transfer Advanced: 5,000 USD per transfer Ultimate: 10,000 USD per transfer |
Other Features | Free first transfer |
Table: Overview of Paysend features
If you only need to transfer money to El Salvador once, Paysend's fees won't be relevant to you at all: the first time around, you'll get to make your payment for free. After that, the cost depends on your payment method and the country you're sending money from, starting from ~1.99 USD per transfer.
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| 2017 | |
| Abdul Abdulkerimov, Ronald Millar | |
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Table: Paysend company info
Paysend comes with the standard selection of payment methods you'll find on most other alternatives, too. You can choose between paying with your credit or debit card, a bank transfer, or a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
The same options extend to the delivery, as well, with one more neat addition - cash pickups. Your friend or relative will need to bring a valid ID, the transaction code, and your name to the location.
Paysend's transfer limits come in three tiers. Users on Basic are allowed up to 999 USD (or equivalent) per transfer, while those on the Advanced tier can send up to 5,000 USD in one go. The highest tier, Ultimate, raises the ceiling to 10,000 USD per transfer.
This app has global 24/7 support and bank-level security.
Did you know?
All Money Transfer Services may look similar to you, but they're NOT all the same!
4. Wise - Tailored for Large Transfers
Ranks #4 out of 8 Money Transfer Services
- + Mid-market exchange rates
- + Transparent fee structure
- + Fast transfer speeds
- + Industry-leading security
- + Easy access to services
- - No cash pickup options
- - Not ideal for very small transfers
With over 14 million of active customers (as of writing this), Wise is a global powerhouse of international payments - and it could be the best way to send money to El Salvador if you need to transfer a large amount. This platform comes with a progressive fee model and some other attractive features, including a currency exchange rate lock-in.
Wise | |
|---|---|
Fees | Starting from 3.09 USD per transfer |
Supported Countries | 160 countries and regions |
Supported Currencies | 40 currencies |
Transfer Speed | 1-6 working days |
Payment Methods | Direct debit, credit/debit card, bank transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Pickup Methods | ACH, wire, SWIFT |
Transfer Limits | Up to 1.6 million USD per transfer |
Other Features | Large transfer discounts Fee calculator Live progress tracking 48-hour exchange rate lock-in |
Table: Overview of Wise features
Let's say you want to transfer 100 USD to EL Salvador. This would cost you 3.09 USD (out of which, 0.17 USD would be the ACH transfer fee and 2.92 USD the remaining fee for Wise itself).
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| 2011 | |
| Taavet Hinrikus, Kristo Käärmann | |
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| FCA, EMI, EEA, MSB | |
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Table: Wise company info
However, if you're transferring 25,000 USD or more over the course of a calendar month, your fees get lower! Sending this amount would cost you only 9.03 USD in total, making Wise potentially the cheapest way to send money to El Salvador if, for instance, you're supporting a family member abroad or have any other reason for frequent large transfers.
Another way to reap discounts on Wise is to take advantage of its referral program. If you sign up using a link sent to you by a friend, you'll get to enjoy a 100% fee discount on your first transfer, as long as you make it within the first 6 months of signing up, and the amount you're sending is under 500 USD.
If you're wondering, "How can I send money to El Salvador without hitting the transfer limit?", I have some good news: Wise has one of the highest ceilings for payments to El Salvador among all the money transfer apps out there. You'll be able to transfer up to 1.6 million USD in one go using the international SWIFT transfer.
The currency exchange rate is one of the key factors to take into account when transferring large amounts, and Wise offers a helping hand here, too. With its exchange rate lock-in feature, you can postpone your transfer for up to 48 hours and still retain the same exchange rate.
5. Western Union - Best for Cash Payments & Delivery
Ranks #5 out of 8 Money Transfer Services
- + An established money transfer service
- + Available in most countries
- + Multiple delivery types, including cash pickup
- + Various ways to fund a transfer
- - High fees and exchange rate markup
- - Outdated app interface
- - Doesn't allow long-term fund storage
How to send money to El Salvador online and give your recipient the choice to pick it up in cash? Western Union offers exactly that and more. With its wide range of local payment options, neither of you will need to compromise on the logistics.
Western Union | |
|---|---|
Fees | First transfer for free Other transfers: 2.99 USD to 10.99 USD |
Supported Countries | 200+ countries & regions |
Supported Currencies | 130+ currencies |
Transfer Speed | A few minutes to a few business days, depending on the transfer method |
Payment Methods | Credit/debit card, bank transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay, in-store payment |
Pickup Methods | Credit/debit card, bank transfer, mobile wallet, cash pickup |
Transfer Limits | Transfers to bank account: up to 5,000 USD per transfer Transfers to mobile wallet: up to 2,500 USD per transfer |
Other Features | Online fees and exchange rates calculator Transaction scheduling Live transaction tracking and email notifications |
Table: Overview of Western Union features
Western Union's online fee calculator makes it easy to figure out how to transfer money to El Salvador and how much it would cost. For example, the fee for sending 100 USD ranges from 2.99 USD (when sending from your bank account directly to your recipient's bank account) all the way to 10.99 USD (if you're paying with a credit card and select the cash delivery option).
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| 1851 | |
| Ezra Cornell, Jeptha Wade, Hiram Sibley, Samuel L. Selden | |
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Table: Western Union company info
When it comes to cash pickups, Western Union offers plenty of locations for El Salvador: as of writing this, your friend or relative can choose between 150 pickup points in the country. It also partners with the most popular banking providers in El Salvador, including Airpak, Banco Agricola, Banco Fedecredito, and Banco Davivienda.
How much money you can transfer to El Salvador depends on the delivery method. Bank transfers have a limit of 5,000 USD per transfer, but if you're sending to a mobile wallet, the limit is capped at 2,500 USD.
As a large-scale remittance platform, Western Union comes with a few advanced features, such as transaction scheduling or paying your family members' bills abroad.
6. Remitly - Free First Transfer & Fee Refunds for Delays
Ranks #6 out of 8 Money Transfer Services
- + Great platform accessibility
- + 170+ receiving countries
- + Home delivery available
- + Major and local payout options
- - Escalating FX rates
- - Confusing fees
With its free first transfer perk, Remitly positions itself as the best way to send money to El Salvador for those trying it out for the first time. And once you're on board, you'll find a few other features and benefits that might get you to stay - such as a 100% fee refund for delayed transfers.
Remitly | |
|---|---|
Fees | 0.7% to 1.22% per transfer + 3.99-4.99 USD |
Supported Countries | 170+ countries and regions |
Supported Currencies | 100+ currencies |
Transfer Speed | Varies depending on the payment method |
Payment Methods | Credit/debit card, prepaid cards, bank transfer, Apple Pay, Klarna, iDEAL |
Pickup Methods | Bank deposit, debit card deposit, mobile wallet, cash pickup |
Transfer Limits | Up to 100,000 USD (or equivalent) per transfer |
Other Features | Free first transfers Refunds for transfer delays Live transfer tracking Email and SMS notifications |
Table: Overview of Remitly features
If you're wondering, "How to send money to El Salvador for free?", all you need to do is sign up on Remitly and make your first payment. You won't be charged anything that first time around. Your next transfer will cost from 0.7% to 1.22% (when sending under or over 500 USD, respectively), plus 4.99 USD for cash pickups and 3.99 USD for other delivery methods.
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| 2011 | |
| Matt Oppenheimer, Josh Hug, Shivaas Gulati | |
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| FinCEN, FCA, DIFR | |
| Visit site Read review |
Table: Remitly company info
Speaking of delivery methods, you can pick between Economy or Express: the first one takes up to a few business days but costs less, while the latter is pricier but arrives much faster. And if your payment gets held up, you can request a 100% refund on your fees.
The process of how to transfer money to El Salvador through a bank transfer is pretty streamlined, too. Remitly partners with the most popular banks in the country, including Banco Azul, Davivienda, Banco Agricola, and nine others.
Remitly's transfer limits depend on the delivery method, the country you're sending from, and where you're sending to. If you're transferring money from the United States, for example, you'll be able to send up to 100,000 USD to most countries, including El Salvador. That said, keep in mind that your or your recipient's bank might have a lower transfer limit.
This platform monitors all transactions and suspicious activity and offers all the standard security measures, including 2FA and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) with 256-bit encryption. What's more, its live transaction tracking and alerts will let you know what's going on with your transfer at all times.
7. WorldRemit - Free & Instant Airtime Top-Ups
Ranks #7 out of 8 Money Transfer Services
- + Wide global coverage
- + Multiple delivery options
- + Fast transfer speeds
- + Global regulatory compliance
- - Limited overseas bank support
- - Fluctuating fees
Looking for the best way to send money to El Salvador in the form of an airtime top-up? WorldRemit could be one of your top picks here. With this platform, you can easily transfer money from over 130 countries and regions with no hidden fees. When it comes to features, WorldRemit is pretty minimalist, but it delivers exactly what it promises.
WorldRemit | |
|---|---|
Fees | Free (from Australia or the UK) 0.99-1.99 USD from other countries |
Supported Countries | 130+ countries and regions |
Supported Currencies | 70+ currencies |
Transfer Speed | Instant |
Payment Methods | Credit/debit card, bank transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Pickup Methods | Airtime top-up |
Transfer Limits | Depends on the local network provider |
Other Features | Online fee calculator Live transaction tracking |
Table: Overview of WorldRemit features
If you're wondering, "How to transfer money to El Salvador without extra costs?", the good news is that airtime top-ups on WorldRemit are completely free: unlike with regular money transfers, you won't have to pay any fees.
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| 2010 | |
| Ismail Ahmed, Catherine Wines, Richard Igoe | |
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| FCA, AMF, FinCEN | |
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Table: WorldRemit company info
You can top up your friends' or relatives' prepaid phones with more data with as little as 1 USD. The upper limit will depend on their local network provider. Unlike international bank transfers, reloading mobile phone data is instant and should only take a few seconds or minutes at most.
When it comes to payment methods, WorldRemit offers a lot more options. You can pay for the top-up with your credit or debit card, a bank transfer, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
WorldRemit's app lets users track all of their current transfers and check their transaction history or set up notifications to get alerted when the payment comes through.
The process of how to send money to El Salvador from the USA using the airtime top-up feature on WorldRemit is pretty simple. You won't need your recipient's bank details, only their phone number.
8. Krak - Free P2P Transfers & Fun Crypto Rewards
Ranks #8 out of 8 Money Transfer Services
- + Smooth payment flow
- + Quick fiat & crypto transfers
- + Reward earning functionality
- + Strong security features
- + Responsive customer support
- - Lacks some features for advanced traders
- - Krakback and similar rewards may be restricted in certain regions
If you're a fan of crypto, the cheapest way to send money to El Salvador might just be paying your friends or relatives in cryptocurrencies with this P2P transfer app. Launched by Kraken, one of the most popular crypto exchanges worldwide, Krak lets users send each other both fiat and crypto payments completely for free.
Krak | |
|---|---|
Fees | Free |
Supported Countries | 160+ countries and regions |
Supported Currencies | 300+ currencies (fiat and crypto) |
Transfer Speed | Instant |
Payment Methods | Credit/debit card, bank transfer, crypto transfer |
Pickup Methods | In-app |
Transfer Limits | 15,000 USD across both fiat and crypto transfers per week |
Other Features | Crypto rewards Payment request links |
Table: Overview of Krak features
The way Krak works is very simple and user-friendly. All you need to do is add your friends' contacts to the app, and you'll be able to instantly send them money, like you would a direct message. You can choose between 300+ currencies in total, including crypto coins like BTC and ETH.
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| 2025 | |
| Arjun Sethi, Jesse Powell | |
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| MiCA, FCA, FinCEN | |
| Visit site Read review |
Table: Krak company info
Krak's top-up options include a credit or debit card, bank transfer, and deposits from cryptocurrency wallets. The weekly transfer limit of 15,000 USD (or equivalent) might not be the highest out there, but it should still be more than enough for most users.
Frequent senders will discover another perk, though: the KrakBacks rewards program randomly drops free crypto rewards whenever you transfer money for the first time that day. It could be a meme coin, stablecoins, or even some of the most popular crypto like SOL.
There's a Krak debit card coming up, as well. It will expand the app's features by offering global payments.
Just like its parent company, Krak safeguards users' funds with a Proof-of-Reserves, alongside advanced encryption and multisignature authentication, so your money and crypto will be in safe hands.
How to Choose the Best App to Transfer Money to El Salvador
With all these platforms vying for the number one spot, how do you pick one that meets all your needs? While any app I've included in this list could do the job, everyone has different priorities - so here's a quick checklist on all the factors you should consider when choosing the best way to send money to El Salvador:
1
P2P VS Bank or Card Transfers. Is your friend or relative already using one of the P2P apps on this list (or any other)? If so, you might want to go with this option for simplicity's sake. And if not, consider an international transfer app as the more reliable option.
2
Payment Methods. Consider how you'd prefer to deposit money into your account. Pretty much any money transfer app supports paying with a credit/debit card or a bank transfer, but some offer additional options like Apple Pay or Google Pay, or even cash payments in-store.
3
Cryptocurrency Support. Did you know that in 2021, El Salvador became the first country in the world to accept Bitcoin as legal tender[1]? If you'd rather pay your friend or relative in BTC, consider an app that supports crypto transfers.
4
Pickup Methods. Ask your recipient how they'd prefer to pick up their money and make sure this option is available on the platform you're considering.
5
Options for Different Transfer Purposes. Are you sending money as a gift, a bill payment overseas, pooling money together with friends, or something else? See if the app is flexible enough to cater to the use case(s) you need.
6
Discounts & Rewards. If you plan on becoming a regular or high-volume sender, you'll probably want to go with an app that offers discounts for large payments, a loyalty program, or other rewards system to help you save some money down the road.
7
Advanced Features. Need to schedule your transactions, set up recurring payments, or lock in the exchange rate? Take a look at the app's list of additional features and see if it offers something you need.
8
Security. Check if the app you're looking into has all the standard security measures, such as identify verification, 2FA, advanced encryption, and transfer limits.
9
Customer Support. Even the most reliable apps aren't 100% issue-free. Make sure the app has solid customer support and a user-friendly reporting process for missing transfers or any other problems. Customer reviews (and the company's response to them) are often a good indicator.
Use this list as a cheatsheet when sorting through your options to help you narrow it down and find your perfect app!
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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. | An online international money transfer service, owned by PayPal. | A simple money app with one low fee that’s suitable for big transfers. | |
| Visit site Read review | Visit site | Visit site |
Table: Comparison of Ogvio, Xoom, and Paysend
What Should You Know About Money Transfers to El Salvador? Key Considerations
Now that you've picked the right platform for the job, let me give you a few more useful tips on how to send money to El Salvador online.
First things first: consider all of the costs involved. When your app of choice displays the transfer fee in its online calculator, are you sure where your money is going? If not, you might end up wasting as much as $150 per year on "hidden fees"[2]! Find out whether the number you see indicates the fee charged by your banking provider, the platform's fee for the currency conversion, or something else.
Speaking of currency, don't forget to take the exchange rate into account when figuring out how much money you'll have to send. Every money transfer app on this list features a comprehensive calculator that shows you exactly how much your recipient will get.
As of 2001, the US dollar is the official currency in El Salvador, so you won't have to worry about exchange rates if you're sending from the US.
Taxes are another potential issue you might run into, depending on where you live. As of writing this, El Salvador has no tax on international money transfers, but Trump's administration in the US has passed a bill that introduced a 1% remittance tax on all cash transfers and money orders. It will come into effect in January 2026.
Finally, be aware that, even if your app promises quick transfers, there are always some reasons why your payment could be delayed. The most common one is missing the cut-off time: if you send money too late in the day, right before the weekend (or during), or on a public holiday, it will probably arrive later than you expect.
How to Send Money to El Salvador With Ogvio: A Step-by-Step Guide
If I had to pick only one platform to recommend as the best way to send money to El Salvador, I'd go with Ogvio. With its user-friendly P2P transfer system, you won't have to worry about international bank transfer fees or long waiting times. What's more, it will support sending crypto, too, if you want to take advantage of Bitcoin's status as legal tender in El Salvador.
Get on board ahead of the crowd and join Ogvio's waitlist here! You'll be notified the moment it launches and get rewarded with exclusive early bird perks.
Here's how to transfer money to El Salvador through Ogvio:
That's it! Your transfer should come through instantly and will show up on your DM history with the recipient.
Conclusions
When all is said and done, the best way to send money to El Salvador is one that lets you do it as quickly and easily as possible, and preferably for free, or at least without any hidden fees. The platforms I've curated in this guide all offer exactly that, along with other features you might need.
Still, when it comes to money transfer apps, everyone's got their preferences - so don't just blindly trust someone else's views! Do your own research and try out different platforms until you find one that really clicks with you.
The upcoming Ogvio app checks all the boxes for what most people want in a money transfer app. Complete this BitDegree Mission for free to learn more about its standout features and enter the Lucky Draw lottery for the 100 USDC prize pool!
Scientific References
1. Krause D.: 'El Salvador's Bitcoin Experience: Insights and Challenges in the Era of Digital Currencies';
2. Celestin M., Vanitha N.: 'The hidden fees: How to avoid losing money in your financial transactions'.
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