Top 5 best Wise alternatives for sending money abroad in 2025
Wise offers multi-currency accounts and easy ways to send money to 160+ countries globally with low fees and the mid-market exchange rate. However, if you’re about to send money to someone abroad you’ll want to do some research and compare the costs of Wise versus the price of using the best Wise alternatives to be sure you’re getting a good deal.
This guide walks through the features and fees of similar companies to Wise so you can see if an alternative might suit you better. In this article, we will show you 5 alternatives to Wise, how they compare and why they might be better than Wise.
In our comparison we looked at the following sites like Wise, and we discovered that:
Revolut - Choose different account types based on your needs, with 25+ currencies and linked payment cards
OFX - No transfer fee and 24/7 phone support if you need it
TorFX - Known for great customer service and personal account management
Remitly - Good choice for cash collection or home delivery
WorldRemit - Popular option with different pay out methods including cash collection and airtime top up
Why you should consider a Wise alternative
Wise offers some great services to UK personal and business customers, but it’s not the only provider on the market. You may decide you want a Wise alternative if you want to send money to someone who will collect it in cash, or if you’d prefer to arrange your payment by phone, for example. Because variable Wise currency conversion fees apply which are based on the specific payment you’re making, you may also want to look at alternatives to Wise to compare the costs and delivery speed available for your specific currency route.
Here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons of using Wise in the UK:
| Pros of Wise | Cons of Wise |
|---|---|
✅ Hold, exchange, send and spend 40+ currencies ✅ Mid-market exchange rate when sending money, converting in the Wise account, or spending with the Wise card ✅ Transparent fees and fast payment delivery times ✅ No ongoing account or card fees – just pay for the services you use | ❌ Transaction fees apply, depending on how you use your account ❌ No branch services ❌ No option to send money for cash collection or home delivery |
Alternatives to Wise comparison
In this guide we dive into some providers like Wise which you may decide to compare for your next international payment. To start off, let’s take a look at a side by side comparison of the speed, convenience and exchange rates available from each of our wise alternatives:
| Provider | Exchange rate | Speed | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut | Revolut rate with no additional fee to plan limit Fair usage fees of 0.5% - 1% and out of hours fees may apply | 1 - 5 business days |
|
| OFX | Exchange rate includes a markup | Most transfers are received within 24 hours |
|
| TorFX | Exchange rate includes a markup | 1 - 2 working days |
|
| Remitly | Exchange rate includes a markup | Varies by destination and payment type |
|
| WorldRemit | Exchange rate includes a markup | Cash collection payments can be more or less instant, bank deposits may take a little longer |
|
*Correct at time of research - 25th February 2025
1. Revolut
Revolut lets UK customers pick from 5 different account plans to match your spending and transacting patterns. You can get an account with no ongoing fees, or pay a monthly charge to unlock extra features and higher no-fee transaction limits.
Use your Revolut account to send local and international transfers to bank accounts, and to receive payments in select foreign currencies.
All accounts come with options to hold and exchange 25+ currencies, linked cards, and some no fee ATM withdrawals. Plans include some no fee services such as weekday currency conversion - once you’ve exhausted your plan limit you’ll pay a fair usage fee. Limits depend on the plan you pick, giving good flexibility to choose the option which suits your transaction needs.
Best Revolut features
Revolut supports a broad range of 25+ currencies and all accounts have linked cards you can use globally. International payments are supported, with low fees - higher tier accounts can even get a discount of up to 40% on Revolut’s standard international transfer fees.
To get the most features from Revolut you’ll need to pay a monthly fee of up to 45 GBP.
| Revolut pros | Revolut cons |
|---|---|
✅Choose from several different account plans according to your needs ✅Send money to bank accounts globally ✅All accounts have some no fee ATM withdrawals ✅Get some no fee weekday currency conversion, to plan limits ✅Use your linked debit card for payments and withdrawals | ❌ Monthly fees apply to unlock some account features ❌ Out of hours currency conversion fees, and fair usage fees apply |
Why you should use Revolut over Wise
Revolut can be a good Wise alternative if you would prefer to pay a monthly fee to get higher tier services and more no-fee transactions.
2. OFX
OFX serves UK businesses and individuals with international transfers as well as currency risk management services. Online sellers and business customers can also get a multi-currency account to receive, hold and send international payments conveniently. There’s no OFX transfer fee, although a small exchange rate markup will apply for currency conversion - and you can talk to a broker 24/7 by phone.
Best OFX features
OFX is well known because you can call a broker 24/7 to talk through your payment needs. This can just be handy for times you need a bit of reassurance or an explanation of your options - or it may be mandatory if you’re looking at more complex products like a currency risk management solution.
| OFX Pros | OFX Cons |
✅Send to over 170 countries ✅No transfer fee - third party charges may still apply ✅Most payments arrive in 24 hours ✅24/7 personal service by phone | ❌Exchange rates include a markup ❌Payment options vary and may be limited to bank transfers only ❌No cash collection transfers available |
Why you should use OFX over Wise
You might prefer OFX as a provider instead of Wise if you want to transact by phone, or if you need to add in additional services such as currency risk management to your transfer.
3. TorFX
TorFX is a currency specialist which offers international payments for personal and business customers in 40+ currencies. While it’s UK based, TorFX has offices around the world - plus it holds the highest possible credit rating and is known for offering good personal customer service. There are no transfer fees when you send a payment with TorFX. Instead, a charge will be added to the exchange rate used to convert your funds.
Best TorFX features
TorFX is a specialist provider which has built a reputation for great customer service. You can send one off or recurring payments, or get more complex currency services like forward contracts and market orders. Set up a payment online, in app or by phone, depending on your personal preference.
| TorFX Pros | TorFX Cons |
✅Personal service offered via brokers you can talk to by phone ✅No TorFX transfer fee ✅Currency risk management options for individuals and businesses ✅Payments can arrive on the same day - or up to 2 days for more exotic currencies | ❌Exchange rates include a markup ❌You’ll need to register an account to see the rates offered and compare the cost of your transfer |
Why you should use TorFX over Wise
You may choose TorFX as an alternative to Wise if you want to send money with no upfront transfer fee, and pay only a currency conversion cost instead.
4. Remitly
Remitly lets UK customers send money to around 170 different countries around the world, in 100+ currencies. There’s a very good range of pay out options including cash collection or delivery, and deposits to mobile money accounts. This can make it a convenient service if you need to get cash to someone in a more remote area who can't get to a bank easily.
Best Remitly features
Remitly payments offer great options for pay outs - including depositing the funds to bank accounts, mobile money accounts or debit cards, and cash collection or home delivery. Choose to pay with a bank transfer or with a card.
| Remitly Pros | Remitly Cons |
✅Payout options include cash collection and delivery and deposits to mobile money or bank accounts, or to debit cards ✅Send to around 170 countries in 100 currencies ✅Pay by bank transfer or card ✅Online and in-app service for convenience | ❌Exchange rates may include a markup ❌Variable transfer fees apply depending on the specific service you need ❌Not all services are available in all countries |
Why you should use Remitly over Wise
Remitly is a good alternative to Wise if you’re sending money to someone who can not easily access a bank account. Send your money to be collected at a local agent in cash for a fast and convenient service.
5. WorldRemit
WorldRemit lets you send money online or in-app, to 130+ countries, with a range of different payout options depending on what suits your recipient. You could send money to a bank or mobile money account, or for airtime top up for example. There’s also the option to have your money collected by the recipient in cash which is handy for people who don’t have easy access to a bank account.
Best WorldRemit features
WorldRemit really stands out because of the range of pay out options. You can send money to 130+ countries, and have it collected in cash - often in just a few minutes. Plus you can send to mobile money accounts and as airtime top up. That makes WorldRemit a good Revolut alternative if you need to get cash to someone who doesn’t have access to a bank account or ATM.
| WorldRemit Pros | WorldRemit Cons |
✅Easy to use service you can manage entirely online or in app ✅Send to 130 countries around the world ✅Range of ways for the money to be received, including cash collection ✅Cash collection payments can be instant | ❌Not all services are available in all countries ❌Exchange rate markups apply ❌Fees vary depending on the specific service you pick |
Why you should use WorldRemit over Wise
Compare the costs of sending your payment with WorldRemit compared to Wise if you want your money to arrive quickly and in cash.
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Are the alternatives safe?
Yes. All the sites like Wise we have picked out are safe to use, and have in built safety measures, such as fraud detection protocols and ways to track your transfers, for reassurance.
Wise alternatives conclusion
When it comes to sending an international transfer, you’ve got options. Wise is known for having great rates and low, transparent fees – but comparing a few apps like Wise before you make your payment is still a good idea. That way you’ll always know you’re getting the best possible deal for your international money transfer.
Use this guide as a jumping off point to research different services like Wise, and pick the perfect fit for your needs.
Alternatives to Wise FAQs
Is there a better alternative to Wise?
The best provider for any international payment will depend on the details of the transaction including the currency and country you’re sending to and how you want the money to be received. This guide gives 5 alternatives to Wise which you can compare for your specific payment, to see if one is a standout winner for your needs.
Is there a faster alternative to Wise?
Wise can deposit 90% of transfers in 24 hours or less - but ultimately the delivery time depends on the specific currency and country you’re sending to. Compare the estimated delivery time for Wise against a provider like Revolut Or, if you’re sending for cash collection, take a look at Remitly which can often get your money to its destination in minutes.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Wise?
The costs of any international transfer can include a transfer fee and a charge built into the exchange rate. Wise does not add fees into the rate used, but there is a conversion fee which is shown transparently when you arrange a payment. Compare this cost against the alternatives to Wise we’ve picked out here to see which is cheaper for you.
Is there a safer alternative to Wise?
In this guide we have only selected providers which are safe to use with normal precautions.