Best ways to send money to South Africa
We've compared the cheapest, fastest and safest ways to send money to South Africa from the United Kingdom. Take a look at our comparison table and our detailed review below.
Comparing 7 providers for your transfer of £5000 GBP to ZAR
How we found the best ways to send money
Our database includes 27 secure providers. For your specific transfer of £5000 from GBP to ZAR, we found 7 providers that support this route and for the amount you want to send. We sort these by the cheapest total cost, displaying the freshest data available, whether via direct feed or manual collection. This process is never influenced by referral fees, ensuring you get a fair and transparent comparison every time. Learn more
Quick Verdict: The best ways to send money to South Africa
| Category | Winner | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| 💰Cheapest Cost | XE | Total Fees: £30.81 |
| 📈Best Exchange Rate | Wise | Rate: 22.5603 |
| ⚡Fastest Transfer | Wise | Time: Instant-2 Days |
| ⭐Customer Favourite | Currencies Direct | TrustScore: 4.9/5 |
You can send money to South Africa with a bank, or you can choose a specialist transfer provider. Often, these providers offer a faster, more efficient, and cheaper way to send money from the United Kingdom to South Africa.
How to Send Money to South Africa: Step-by-Step
The good news is that sending money to South Africa is easier than ever. Plus you can usually do everything with your phone or laptop - with no need to stand in line at a bank or money changer’s office. Here’s how to send money to South Africa in 5 simple steps:
- Choose a Money Transfer Service
- Enter the amount of money you want to transfer into our comparison tool
- Compare rates, fees, and delivery speed. You’ll see a range of options from reliable providers, so you can compare and pick the best for your specific transfer
- Consider user reviews and security features
- Register with your chosen provider
- Enter Recipient Details
- Add the recipient’s full name and bank details or email, depending on the method
- Add the recipient’s full name and bank details or email, depending on the method
- Select Amount and Currency
- Choose how much to send and the currency (e.g. GBP to ZAR)
- Review exchange rates and fees upfront
- Pay for Your Transfer
- Choose from options like bank debit, credit card, apple/google pay or bank transfer (depending on what's available from the provider)
- Get confirmation and a tracking link if available
- Notify your recipient if needed
You can send money from the United Kingdom to South Africa using your bank, a specialist money transfer service, an e-wallet, or by visiting a physical money remittance store. Each option has different pros and cons, so the best for you will depend on your specific transfer and personal requirements.
The cheapest way to send money to South Africa
Of the 7 providers we found for sending money to South Africa, here is how the top 5 stack up based on cost.
| Provider | Total Cost | Exchange Rate |
|---|---|---|
| XE (Cheapest Option) | £30.81 | 22.4222 GBP to ZAR |
| Wise (Runner Up) | £35.07 | 22.5603 GBP to ZAR |
| OFX (Alternative) | £39.22 | 22.3847 GBP to ZAR |
| CurrencyFair (Alternative) | £42.08 | 22.3770 GBP to ZAR |
| TorFX (Alternative) | £51.13 | 22.3319 GBP to ZAR |
Why this matters
- The Savings: Choosing XE saves you 151.18 GBP compared to Currencies Direct, which is the most expensive of the providers we reviewed.
- The "Hidden" Cost: Always check the Exchange Rate + Upfront Fee. Some providers claim "zero fees" but hide costs in the rate.
- The Interbank Rate: The current true market rate is 22.5603.
If the real rate is 22.5603, a bank might offer you a rate of roughly 23.23711, keeping the difference for themselves.
Finding alternative ways to transfer money to South Africa shouldn't be hard. Review our full list of cheap ways to send money to South Africa to help you with your search.
The fastest way to send money South Africa
Of the 7 providers we found for sending money to South Africa from the United Kingdom, here is how the top 5 stack up based on speed.
| Provider | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Wise (Fastest Option) | Instant-2 Days |
| Remitly (Runner Up) | 0-2 Days |
| CurrencyFair (Alternative) | 1-3 Days |
| OFX (Alternative) | 1-3 Days |
| Currencies Direct (Alternative) | 2 Days |
Speed comparison: banks vs digital providers
The fastest provider for transferring money to South Africa is currently Wise, taking roughly Instant-2 Days.
- Banks (usually slower): Most banks use the SWIFT network. This system passes your money through several intermediaries—like taking a flight with 3 layovers. It typically takes 3-5 working days.
- Transfer Specialists (usually faster): Companies like Wise often have their own local bank accounts in both countries. They don't "send" the money across borders; they pay out from their local reserves instantly.
If speed is your priority, avoiding traditional banks is usually the best strategy.
The best rated provider to transfer money to South Africa
Of the 7 providers we found for transferring money to South Africa, here is how the top 5 stack up based on user reviews from Trustpilot.
| Provider | TrustScore | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Currencies Direct (Best Rated) | 4.9 / 5 (Excelent) | 18228 reviews |
| TorFX (Runner Up) | 4.9 / 5 (Excelent) | 3499 reviews |
| Remitly (Alternative) | 4.6 / 5 (Excelent) | 98851 reviews |
| CurrencyFair (Alternative) | 4.4 / 5 (Excelent) | 10159 reviews |
| XE (Alternative) | 4.4 / 5 (Excelent) | 82182 reviews |
How to read these reviews
When choosing a provider, don't just look at the score out of 5. You should also consider the Review Volume.
A provider like Currencies Direct with a score of 4.9 and 18228 reviews is generally safer than a newer company with a perfect 5.0 rating but only 10 reviews.
Exchange rate trend between GBP/ZAR
As with many currencies, the GBP/ZAR exchange rate moves over time, due to changes in supply and demand. Exchange rate fluctuations can be caused by underlying shifts in how well the economy in the United Kingdom or South Africa is doing, changes in political stability, or even simple speculation, where traders buy or sell currencies based on how they think trends are going to change.
Right now, £1 buys R22.5603
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Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best provider for sending money to South Africa from the United Kingdom, it really depends on what your needs are.
The cheapest provider shown in our comparison table is XE. If the transfer time is what you're interested in, then Wise is the fastest way to transfer money to South Africa. Wise can get your money to your recipient to South Africa in Instant-2 Days.
If safety is what interests you the most when it comes to picking the best international money transfer provider to South Africa, then all the providers we listed above are regulated by different financial institutions and should be safe to send money to South Africa with.