Western Union Review

Western Union is that money transfer service your parents and grandparents probably used way before fintech apps were a thing – and somehow, it’s still everywhere. It actively operates in hundreds of countries, and people still leave Western Union reviews across platforms.

I guess no one’s denying that it’s basically the OG of international transfers. However, does it still make sense to use Western Union today, now that modern platforms like Ogvio offer faster, cheaper, and way more user-friendly money transfers?

If you’re wondering the same thing, you’re in the right place. I’ll walk you through the real strengths and limitations of Western Union, who it’s actually best for, and when you’re better off switching to something newer and cheaper.

Western Union Review: Quick Overview

Before we get into the full Western Union review, here’s a quick snapshot of what the platform offers, so you can understand the key features at a glance.

Table: A quick overview of Western Union

Western Union's key strengths are reach and flexibility. With support for hundreds of countries and thousands of cash pickup locations worldwide, it’s still one of the top options for sending money to remote areas or helping recipients who don't use banks.

Who is Western Union For?

Founded over 170 years ago, Western Union has been a pioneer in cash-to-cash and cash-to-account remittances.^[1] The decades of brand trust explain why it has been a go-to option for many people across generations.

It may not be everyone’s choice, though. Based on its strengths and target use cases, I believe Western Union is best for:

• Senders or recipients who prefer making transactions in cash. Many platforms only accept digital payments, but Western Union still lets users walk into an agent location and pay with or receive physical cash.
• People who prioritize global coverage. If you need to send money to remote locations or less-supported countries, Western Union, with its wide reach, might often be your best bet.
• Older or non-tech-savvy users. Not everyone is comfortable navigating apps, setting up online accounts, or dealing with the digital know your customer (KYC) verification. This service’s in-person agents are a big advantage. Many customer Western Union reviews highlight how helpful they are when walking people through the process step-by-step.

Overall, Western Union is especially relevant to those who like to collect cash in person, including seniors, non-tech-savvy users, and people in remote regions where banking services are limited.

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Western Union Alternatives

If you think that Western Union doesn’t really match your needs (maybe you don’t need cash pickup, prefer lower fees, or want a fully app-based experience), there are several strong alternatives worth considering:

• Ogvio. It’s a soon-to-launch, digital-first money transfer platform that promises speed and transparency. The Ogvio @Tags will simplify the entire money transfer process, and it will be all about low-to-no cost. Account-to-account Ogvio transfers will be free, while other fees will be competitive and shown upfront.
• Wise. With low fees and a mid-market exchange rate, Wise is a good choice for people who transfer money often and want a “global bank” experience. Beyond sending money, you can hold balances in 50+ currencies, earn interest, and spend worldwide with the Wise debit card.
• Xoom. This is a fast, app-based alternative for those who already use PayPal. It supports bank deposits, mobile wallet transfers, and in many countries, cash pickup – but with a more modern digital interface than Western Union.

Here’s a quick look at how these platforms look side-by-side:

	OGVIO	WISE	XOOM
Overall Score	9.8	9.3	8.8
Transaction Fees	Free	Varies	Varies
Pricing Model	Per-transaction	Per-transaction	Per-transaction
Value For Money
Verdict	A global money transfer service with an additional volatile currency rate pegging to USD and EUR feature.	A transparent money transfer service that uses the mid-market rate and shows fees upfront.	An online international money transfer service, owned by PayPal.
	Visit site Read review	Visit site	Visit site

Table: Comparison of Ogvio, Xoom, and Wise

Yes, Western Union’s wide reach may be unmatched – no one’s denying that. But if you don’t need to send cash to the middle of nowhere or deal with physical agent locations, the newer apps just hit different. Ogvio, Wise, and Xoom give you cleaner interface, upfront pricing, and usually cheaper transfers.

Advantages

If you take a look at the top international money transfer services, you’d have noticed that Western Union is one of the most widely used platforms in the world. So, what is Western Union’s offering that makes it popular? I think these are the main advantages:

• Wide reach;
• Strong compliance;
• Multiple delivery types;
• Various ways to fund a transfer.

With operations in 200+ countries and territories, it’s one of the few platforms that still makes it easy to send money anywhere. You can be in big countries like the US and India or more cash-dependent regions like Jamaica and Haiti, and still be able to access Western Union services.

More importantly, it’s fully licensed in the countries it operates in. Western Union is regulated by state authorities in the US, the FCA in the UK, and many more.

	WESTERN UNION
Funding Methods	Card Bank Apple Pay Google Pay
Delivery Methods	Bank deposit Cash pickup Mobile wallet
Supported Networks	Fiat-only
Transaction Speed	| | | | | Long Average Very Quick
Bulk Payments
Scheduled Payments
	Visit site Read review

Table: Western Union asset movement

Another clear advantage is payout flexibility, with cash pickup, bank deposits, and in some countries, mobile wallets. This feature is helpful when you need to send money to someone without a bank account. In contrast, many newer platforms only allow bank-to-bank transfers, which don’t always work for people in rural areas.

The platform also offers multiple ways to fund a transfer (I’ll talk about it in detail later on in this Western Union review). Plus, users can choose between slower, cheaper transfers or faster (but sometimes pricier) instant options – there’s some control over price VS speed.

Limitations

While Western Union’s global reach is impressive, its downside becomes clear once you compare it with modern, low-fee platforms. Here are some things to consider before you decide to use Western Union:

• High fees and a marked-up exchange rate;
• Outdated app interface;
• Inconsistent user experience.

The biggest drawback is cost. Western Union often charges higher fees and adds a markup to exchange rates, especially for card payments or fast transfers. Meanwhile, newer fintech services like Ogvio and Wise are already offering cheaper or even zero-fee transfers in some areas, so Western Union can feel pricey unless you really need cash pickup.

The app experience is also a mixed bag. Yes, it's functional, and you won’t be left wondering, “How does Western Union work?” while navigating. However, the UI feels outdated compared to newer money apps built for digital natives. Many user Western Union app reviews I saw have also highlighted bugs, slow verification, and having to repeat steps if the app reloads.

Another limitation is the inconsistent experience across countries. Fees, payment methods, payout options, and even app features can vary depending on where you’re sending from, so you always end up having to “test and check” first.

To be fair, other money transfer apps also adjust services by region, but many of them display the available options upfront. For example, some platforms let you see supported payment and delivery methods right from the homepage before you even sign in.

In contrast, with Western Union, you usually have to log in and start setting up a transfer just to see what’s available, which makes the process feel less transparent and a bit more time-consuming. Lastly, Western Union doesn’t offer additional financial tools like holding balances, earning interest, or crypto support (as Ogvio will). It’s built for one purpose: fiat transfers.

Coverage

Western Union is basically everywhere – I'm talking 200+ countries and territories, with over 600,000 agent locations worldwide. You can send money to and from Italy, the US, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Pakistan, or even Congo.

This wide operation is backed up by multiple licenses. In the US, it’s regulated by state authorities like the New York State Department of Financial Services. Meanwhile, in the UK, it’s under the FCA (the same regulator that oversees banks). Then, over in Australia, it reports to AUSTRAC, the government body that monitors financial crime and compliance.

	WESTERN UNION
Supported Countries	Africa Australia Algeria +197 more
Supported Languages	EN FR DE +27 more
Supported Fiat Currencies	HKD CHF CNY +127 more
Supported Cryptocurrencies	Fiat-only
	Visit site Read review

Table: Western Union coverage

So yes, Western Union is regulated. Yes, it’s legally legit. And yes, it generally has to follow strict rules around security, KYC, and anti-money laundering. You can feel safe knowing that the platform that handles your money has gone through safety standards.

Security

If you ask me, “Is Western Union safe?”, the short answer is yes. To be exact, it uses multiple layers of security to protect customers across its website, mobile app, and in-person services.

Personal or financial details you submit to the Western Union app or website (like your card number or password) get encrypted using TLS and SSL. So, even if someone tries to snoop on your Wi-Fi or mobile data, all they’ll see is scrambled nonsense, and not your actual data.

It also requires you to prove that you’re actually you with multi-factor authentication. On my Western Union app, I can confirm with a fingerprint and text code. Why do these layers matter? If one level gets hacked, there's still another barrier in place, making unauthorized access way harder^[2] and keeping high-value data and transactions safer.

	WESTERN UNION
KYC	Name, surname, ID, possibly proof of address
Fraud/AML Prevention	KYC Sanctions screening Transaction monitoring Real-time screening
Account Protection	Encryption MFA Fraud hotline
	Visit site Read review

Table: Western Union security

Every transfer also gets its own tracking code (called a Money Transfer Control Number or MTCN), so you can "follow" your money in real time. If something does feel off, Western Union has automated fraud alerts, a hotline, and an education page to help people spot scams before they happen.

📚 Related: Safest Ways to Send Money Worldwide

User Experience

Western Union provides different ways to send money through the app, the website, or by walking into a physical agent location if you prefer face-to-face service. On the receiving end, payouts can be made via cash pickup, bank transfer, or mobile wallets, depending on what’s supported in the destination country.

For example, when you send money to the UK or Italy, the recipient usually only gets two options: cash pickup or a direct bank deposit. However, in parts of Southeast Asia, like the Philippines and Singapore, Western Union connects to local wallets such as GrabPay and ShopeePay.

Transfer speed also depends on the type of delivery you choose. Cash pickups and card-to-card transfers are typically the fastest (often close to instant), while bank transfers can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of business days. Still, note that he faster the method, the more it usually costs.

If we talk about the Western Union app review, I think it definitely doesn’t have the modern fintech look. I tested the Android version, and the design still feels a bit old-school. It uses boxy menus and slightly outdated icons – not the clean flat UI you’d expect from newer apps.

But functionally? I can't really complain. With the app, users can:

• Use the currency converter without creating an account
• Track their transfer status in real time
• Quickly repeat past transactions
• Search for nearby physical Western Union locations

One thing I did find frustrating, though, was during sign-up and verification. The app gave me an option to verify using a code sent to my phone, but after selecting it, I got a message saying, “Verifying with code is no longer available”. If a feature no longer works, it shouldn’t appear in the first place, right?

Overall, the Western Union app definitely works. It’s simple enough for anyone across generations to navigate and use the key features. However, it’s overdue for a visual refresh, and the user experience isn’t fully consistent.

Fees, Exchange Rates, and Limits

Western Union gives you a few different ways to fund a transfer: bank transfer, debit card, mobile wallet, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. But heads up, the fees and limits aren’t one-size-fits-all. They change based on four things:

Based on my experience, using instant bank transfer for a cash pickup can actually be cheaper and faster than using instant bank transfer for a bank deposit. So, faster doesn’t always mean pricier because, in Western Union, the payout method matters too.

	WESTERN UNION
Deposit Fees	N/A
Withdrawal Fees	N/A
Other Fees	Exchange rate markup SMS fees Account over-limit fees
Card Maintenance Fees	Free
Fee Transparency
Markup
	Visit site Read review

Table: Western Union pricing

I also noticed that Western Union applies different exchange rates depending on the payout method. For example, when sending money from Malaysia to the US, the rate for a cash pickup is 1 MYR = 0.2330 USD, while sending to a bank account gives you a slightly better rate at 1 MYR = 0.2377 USD.

So, even if the transfer fee looks low, the real cost can be hidden in the exchange rate, which is why it’s always worth comparing before you choose your payment method. Moreover, transfer limits depend on your payment method and the country you’re sending from. Typically, mobile wallet payments cap your transfer lower than a bank account.

📚 Related: Cheapest Ways to Transfer Money

Western Union Card

The Western Union Prepaid Visa® Card is a reloadable payment card that functions like a debit card. You can order it online or from an agent location, activate it, load funds via bank transfer, direct deposit, or receive a Western Union transfer directly onto it. Once loaded, you can use it wherever Visa is accepted for online purchases, in stores, and to withdraw cash at ATMs.

On the benefits side, the Western Union card requires no credit check and no minimum balance, making it accessible to users who might not qualify for traditional bank accounts. It’s also designed to tie into Western Union’s network, so you can have money transferred directly to the card or use it in conjunction with sending and receiving Western Union money transfers globally.

However, there are important Western Union fees and usage details to consider:

Table: The pricing structure of a Western Union card

Sometimes, Western Union runs limited-time offers where some of these fees get waived. For example, recently, it promoted $0 card purchase fee, $0 reload fee, and $0 per-purchase transaction fee.

How to Use Western Union

This section is those who have read this Western Union review and decided to give the platform a try. Based on my experience, using this money transfer app isn’t complicated, but the process may look a little different depending on whether you’re doing it online, in the app, or at an agent location.

How to Create a Western Union Account

If you’re totally new to Western Union, start with the account setup. Here’s a quick walkthrough to get started:

There’s no subscription fee or paid plan just to sign up, so you can freely compare payout options and, most importantly, the Western Union price before deciding whether it’s worth using.

How to Send Money With Western Union

Once your account is set up, let’s move on to the next step: sending the money. If you're using the Android app, here’s the guide for you. The steps on the website and iOS should be somewhat similar.

Comparison to Other Money Transfer Services

Western Union may have been everyone’s go-to for years, but it's not the only way to move money anymore. Platforms like Ogvio, Wise, and Xoom have upgraded how money transfer works in many aspects. In this section, I’ll break down how Western Union compares to those options.

Western Union VS Ogvio

Western Union is the “grandma” in global money transfers, with operations in over 200 countries and territories and thousands of agent locations. Its massive reach makes it a go-to choice for people sending money to remote or cash-pickup-only regions.

While Western Union offers flexible payout options (cash pickup, bank deposit, mobile wallet), it often comes with higher fees or rate markups in exchange for that global convenience. Meanwhile, Ogvio’s real “flex” is its speed and affordability. It advertises near-instant transfers with little to no fees and even converts funds into USD or EUR to safeguard your money from regional inflation.

	OGVIO	WESTERN UNION
Deposit Fees	Free	N/A
Withdrawal Fees	Free	N/A
Other Fees	Conversion fee (varies)	Exchange rate markup SMS fees Account over-limit fees
Card Maintenance Fees	Card coming soon	Free
Fee Transparency
Markup
	Visit site Read review	Visit site Read review

Table: Western Union and Ogvio pricing

When it comes to user experience, Ogvio's clean, modern interface and features like the @Tag (which lets you send money as easily as a message) make it a user-friendly choice. Besides, its crypto support is a great feature for Web3-savvy users. Compared to my experience with Western Union’s long forms and dated design, Ogvio sounds refreshing.

Overall, Western Union is the reliable veteran, suitable for users who need wide global coverage, cash pickup options, or the reassurance of a long-established brand. However, if what you care about most is low costs and an up-to-date interface, Ogvio will probably be your best bet once it launches.

📚 Read More: Ogvio Review

Western Union VS Wise

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the go-to platform for people who want an all-in-one money management app and mid-market exchange rates. Since launching in 2011, it has grown to 15.6+ million users, offering bank-to-bank transfers, multi-currency accounts, and even a debit card that supports 50+ currencies.

However, Wise doesn’t operate everywhere. While Western Union covers 200+ countries and territories, Wise currently supports sending from around 50 regions, making it strong in Europe, North America, and Australia, but not as universal as Western Union. Though, it does allow sending money to 160+ countries and regions.

Both of them have dynamic fees, depending on factors like currencies and payment methods. In terms of promotions, Wise is suitable for large transfers because it gives special rates for transfers above $25,000. Meanwhile, Western Union sometimes offers "first transfer for free" promos in some regions.

	WISE	WESTERN UNION
Deposit Fees	Bank - free Card - varies SWIFT - varies	N/A
Withdrawal Fees	ATM - 2 free/mo < $200; then 1.75% Bank - varies	N/A
Other Fees	Using stocks - 0.6%/yr Using Wise Interest - 0.26%/yr	Exchange rate markup SMS fees Account over-limit fees
Card Maintenance Fees	Free	Free
Fee Transparency
Markup
	Visit site	Visit site Read review

Table: Western Union and Wise pricing

When it comes to app experience, Western Union definitely shows its age, while Wise feels like it’s built for people who actually live online. The latter gives you a clean, modern interface plus extra perks, like holding multi-currency balances, earning interest, and using a debit card that works in 50+ currencies.

So, Western Union is still the move if you need cash pickup (a.k.a. the receiver doesn’t have a bank account, or you're sending to a country where digital options are limited). However, if both sides are fully banked and you care about lower fees and an overall “global bank” vibe, Wise might be the smarter choice.

Western Union VS Xoom

Xoom is PayPal’s money transfer service built for fast, fully digital payments. Ever since PayPal acquired it in 2015, Xoom has operated under the same security standards: end-to-end encryption, 24/7 fraud monitoring, and strict financial regulation (including oversight from Luxembourg’s financial authority in Europe and both federal and state regulators in the US).

Depending on where you’re sending money, Xoom also supports cash pickup through partners like Ria and local banks. But there’s a catch: in some corridors, the recipient can only collect EUR or USD instead of their local currency, so the payout experience isn’t always fully localized.

So, what is Western Union’s unique selling point compared to Xoom? Reach. With Xoom, you can only send money if you’re based in the US, UK, Canada, or most of the EEA. Meanwhile, Western Union already supports transfers to 200+ countries and territories. That makes it one of the few platforms that still works even in places with limited banking access.

	WESTERN UNION	XOOM
Supported Countries	Africa Australia Algeria +197 more	US Canada UK +150 more
Supported Languages	EN FR DE +27 more	EN DE ES +13 more
Supported Fiat Currencies	HKD CHF CNY +127 more	CAD EUR USD GBP
Supported Cryptocurrencies	Fiat-only	Fiat-only
	Visit site Read review	Visit site

Table: Western Union and Xoom coverage

However, that reach comes with trade-offs. Western Union price is known to be on the higher side, the interface feels older, and onboarding takes longer. In this case, Xoom is a better choice with its clean app design and the ability to log in with your PayPal account. It's also often cited as having lower fees.

Conclusions: Is Western Union For You?

Judging from this Western Union review, I bet you can see why people still think Western Union is their safest default option – the cash pickup locations are everywhere, it’s compliant, and it does the job to send money globally.

However, those benefits come at a cost. Western Union has higher fees, exchange rate markups, and an outdated digital experience, which make it less appealing for users who want fast, cheap, and smooth online transfers.

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Scientific References

1. Coutinho K., Khairwal N. J., Wongthongtham P.: 'Towards a Truly Decentralized Blockchain Framework for Remittance';

2. Tran-Truong P. T., Pham M. Q., Son H. X., Nguyen D. L. T., Nguyen M. B., Tran K. L., Van L. C. P., Le K. T., Vo K. H., Kim N. N. T., Nguyen T. M., Nguyen A. T.: 'A Systematic Review of Multi-Factor Authentication in Digital Payment Systems: Nist Standards Alignment and Industry Implementation Analysis'.