5 Safe Money Transfer Alternatives to Wise 2025
As a money transfer service, Wise (formerly known as TransferWise) is a transparent and easy to use option. But if you’re making an international money transfer, it can be worth looking at some of Wise’s competitors to see which is the best option for you.
While they are known for their transparency and low fees, shopping around is the only way to know for sure if you’re getting the very best available deal with Wise. It’s always good to know what your options are. In this article, we take a look at companies that offer similar services to Wise and how they compare.
5 Similar Sites to Wise
Below, we’ve listed 5 companies you can use as alternatives to Wise. We’ve taken their level of convenience, cost and security into consideration so you can decide who to use for your next international money transfer.
1. OFX
Like Wise, OFX have an easy to use website and app. So if you like doing everything online, either could be a good option. They are also one of the larger global transfer companies. This means they operate in most of the same countries that Wise do.
OFX support international money transfers from over 170 countries in more than 50 currencies. If you’re making an online transfer, it is definitely worth looking at OFX as an alternative to Wise.
- Great exchange rates across a range of currencies and amounts.
- No fee for payments over 10,000 NZD in value
- Access to 24/7 customer support.
2. WorldRemit
Customers that have used Wise are likely to feel comfortable using WorldRemit. Both are digital first companies which means it’s easy to find out what exchange rates and fees you’ll pay when sending money overseas.
One drawback is that WorldRemit has much lower transfer limits than Wise. However, unlike Wise, WorldRemit offer cash pick-up for many countries which is really handy if you don’t have the bank details of the person you are paying.
- Low fees and competitive exchange rates for transfers to 130 countries.
- Easy to use website and app that allows you to pay by credit or debit card.
- Great for cash pick-up, transfer to mobile money accounts and as airtime top up.
Learn more about WorldRemit
3. XE
If you want to use a large and established money transfer company, XE could be the one for you. They are a really good option for making transfers online, with an extremely broad coverage of 200+ destination countries.
Owned by Euronet and home to xe.com, XE is able to transfer money to bank accounts in many countries worldwide, and also offer options for cash pick up and payments to a mobile wallet.
- Competitive exchange rates.
- Transparent fees when you make a transfer.
- Large and well established global reach.
Learn more about XE Money Transfers
4. WorldFirst
Like Wise, WorldFirst is a UK based company. They offer money transfer services for both individuals and businesses alike. While their headquarters is located in London, they have offices spanning throughout Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Netherlands and USA.
WorldFirst has a minimum transfer amount of $2,000, which you don’t find with Wise. However, WorldFirst don’t charge any fees for making an international money transfer.
- Great exchange rates for amounts between $2,000 and $10,000.
- No direct fees for making a transfer.
- Access to customer service for small business and corporate customers.
Learn more about WorldFirst
5. Revolut
Revolut New Zealand has several different customer account plans to suit individual needs. Like Wise, Revolut supports international transfers to many different countries and currencies, which can be arranged online and in-app for delivery to bank accounts. Around 30 currencies are supported, with digital payments that have variable fees based on currency, from about 0.3% to 1%.
- Discounted transfer fees for some account tiers
- Standard account plans have no ongoing fees
- Accounts support holding currencies, and come with a linked card
6. PayPal
If you have an account, you may have considered making an international money transfer with PayPal. They are one of the world’s most popular payment systems to purchase goods and pay for services. It is a convenient way to transfer money to people in the same country and internationally, if they also use PayPal.
If you’re thinking of using PayPal as an alternative to Wise, it’s important to keep a couple of things in mind. Firstly, the person you’re sending money to must also have a PayPal account. Secondly, know that Wise will generally be cheaper than PayPal.
- They are good for sending money within the same country, but can be expensive internationally.
- Accept a variety of payment methods.
- If you’ve used them before, the process is very straightforward.
Wise Overview: Key features
- Send payments to 160+ countries around the world
- Send directly to the recipient’s bank or mobile money account
- Wise currency exchange uses the mid-market exchange rate with a transparent fee from 0.33%
- Create a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to hold 40+ currencies
- Get local and SWIFT account details for 8+ major global currencies
- Get a Wise card for easy spending and withdrawals all over the globe
- Business and personal payment and account options available
Wise pros and cons
| Pros of Wise | Cons of Wise |
|---|---|
| ✅ International payments, accounts and card services for personal and business customers
✅ Mid-market exchange rates and low fees ✅ Send to 160+ countries ✅ Hold and manage 40+ currencies ✅ Discounted fees for high value payments |
❌ Online and mobile payments only – no branches
❌ No option for cash payments ❌ Transfer fees vary by destination country |
Wise account and card alternatives
As well as international money transfers, Wise offers an account to hold and exchange foreign currencies, and a linked payment card. This can be very helpful for anyone who needs to send money overseas regularly, people who travel and want access to low cost currency exchange and card services, and online shoppers buying from abroad.
Wise accounts let you hold 40+ currencies, with mid-market exchange rates whenever you need to switch from one to another. Add money in NZD from your bank, or have others pay you in 8+ currencies with local and SWIFT account details for incoming foreign currency payments. You can use your balance to send to bank and mobile money accounts in 160+ countries, and order a Wise card for spending and cash withdrawals in 150+ countries.
Wise isn’t the only option for a multi-currency account and card – here are a few alternatives to consider.
| Wise and alternatives | Coverage | Fees | Exchange rates | Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Personal and business users; 40+ currencies for holding and exchange, account details for 8+ currencies | No fee to open a personal account, one time card order fee | Mid-market rate with low fees from 0.33% | Available – the Wise debit card |
| Revolut | Personal users; 25+ currencies for holding and exchange, SWIFT account details for select currencies | 0 NZD – 19.99 NZD monthly fee, no card order fee |
|
Available – different Revolut cards with different plans |
| Travelex | Personal users; 9 supported currencies for holding | No fee to get a card, top up fees apply on some methods, 4 NZD monthly inactivity fee, 10 NZD closure fee | Mastercard rate with fees of up to 4% for foreign transactions | Available – Travelex travel money card |
| OFX | Business users; 8 currencies for holding and receiving payments | No fee to open or manage your account, 12 NZD fee to send payments under 10,000 NZD | Exchange rates include a small, variable markup | Not available |
