MoneyGram vs. Remitly: Compare fees, exchange rates, and transfer options
When deciding between Remitly vs. MoneyGram for sending money overseas, compare more than just fees. Look at transfer speed, payment and receiving options, and customer service, and how your transfer destination, the amount you send, and your payment method will affect your transfer.
Discover how these various elements work together per platform. You’ll also get practical guidance on how to pick between the two based on different scenarios.
Remitly vs. MoneyGram at a glance
This MoneyGram vs. Remitly table shows the criteria for selecting your provider on your next money transfer.
|
Comparison point |
Remitly |
MoneyGram |
BOSS Money |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Service overview |
Website- and app-based money transfer platform that offers payouts in two speeds: express and economy 1 |
Remittance provider that blends its physical agent network with digital tools, offering a mix of payout and delivery options |
Fund transfer service for US- and Canada-based users with low-minimum transfer thresholds and flexible delivery methods |
|
Transfer fees |
Depends on where you’ll send the money and payment mode (credit card payment may incur additional charge)2 |
Varies depending on the amount to be sent, the destination country, and the chosen payment and delivery method3 |
Depends on your selected payment method, delivery option, and destination |
|
Exchange rates (appear in the transfer quote box of each platform) |
Depends on timing, chosen payment and delivery option, transfer amount, special offers4 |
Varies by timing, payment and receiving method, transaction size |
Varies by destination country, market conditions, promos, payment and delivery methods |
|
Receiving methods |
Bank deposit, debit card, cash pickup, mobile money, home delivery for countries such as the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, or Vietnam (Check available options per country)5 |
Cash pickup, bank account, debit card, mobile wallet (Check available options per country)6 |
Bank deposit, direct to debit card, mobile wallet, cash pickup (Check available options per country) |
|
Transfer speed |
In minutes or several days based on the destination, payment method, transfer method, banking hours, and transfer amount (more checks for higher amounts) |
Instantly or in minutes, depending on destination and chosen delivery option |
Within minutes or by the next day, depending on payment and delivery method, time of day, and review process |
|
Payment methods |
Debit card/credit card, Apple Pay/Google Pay, bank account 7 |
Bank account, credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or your MoneyGram Account8 |
Debit card/credit card, Apple Pay/Google Pay, bank account, or BOSS Money wallet |
|
Customer support |
Voice support, live chat, Help Center9 |
Live chat, email contact form, Help Center10 |
Voice support or email |
|
Best for |
Senders who prefer the ease of choosing between Express and Economy delivery, where available |
Senders searching for options to send in person, not just online |
Senders seeking other cash pickup, mobile wallet, and bank transfer alternatives on supported routes |
Senders typically narrow down their choice based on how their recipient can access the remittance.
Remitly vs. MoneyGram fees and exchange rates
See how promotional deals affect transfer fees and exchange rates when we tested a $500 sendout to Mexico on each platform.
|
Comparison detail |
Remitly |
MoneyGram |
BOSS Money |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Amount sent |
$500 |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Payment method |
Debit card, credit card, bank account, Apple or Google Pay 7 |
Debit card, credit card, bank account, Apple Pay, in-app11 |
Credit or debit card, bank account, Apple or Google Pay, BOSS Money wallet |
|
Payout method |
Cash pickup, bank deposit, mobile wallet |
Cash pickup, bank account, debit card, mobile wallet |
Cash pickup, bank deposit, mobile wallet |
|
Transfer fee |
$0 on first transaction; on next transfer: $1.99 for bank deposit and mobile wallet, $3.99 for cash pickup |
Standard rate: USD3; new customer rate: $0 |
Standard rate: $2.49; new customer rate: $0 on first five transactions |
|
Exchange rate |
Welcome rate (first transaction): MXN 18.95 (Quote box doesn’t indicate regular rate) |
Standard rate: MXN 18.66; new customer rate: MXN 19.29 |
Standard rate: MXN 18.540; new customer rate: MXN 19.001 |
|
Recipient receives12 |
MXN 9,475.00 |
MXN 9,645.00 |
MXN 9,501.00 |
The figures are based on the quotes of the day (see notes below the table). Your preferred payment and receiving options can affect fees and exchange rate so you might get a different quote for a similar amount.
In the example above, MoneyGram generated the highest recipient amount based on the promotional exchange rate and $0 fees for first-time transfers.
Always check the final amount the recipient receives before confirming your transfer, because providers apply regular exchange rates after the promo. Also review the terms of promotional discounts.
Remitly vs. MoneyGram for cash pickup
Both companies have local partners in their overseas networks, so recipients without bank/debit cards or mobile wallets can personally collect the remittance. MoneyGram13 and Remitly14 have their respective location finder pages.
A large global pickup network doesn't guarantee a convenient location for your recipient, so check the provider's locator and transfer status before they head out.
Processing time15 and business or operating hours of partner banks or agents affect how soon your remittance can be available for pickup. Some transfers take longer than expected16 due to security reviews and additional identity verification. These circumstances can delay the confirmation of available funds, stretching your collection period beyond the estimated delivery time.
Before choosing your provider, make sure to go through the checklist below:
Is cash pickup available in your destination?
Does Remitly or MoneyGram have a partner agent near your recipient’s location? What are their business hours?
What documents and information (IDs, transaction reference) does the partner establishment require?
How much will your recipient collect after the currency conversion and fees?
When will the transfer be available to the recipient for pickup?
Remitly vs. MoneyGram transfer speed
Your money transfer's delivery speed depends on the destination and the payout method you selected. The table below shows estimated transfer speeds using the US-to-Mexico example.
|
Payout method |
Remitly |
MoneyGram |
|---|---|---|
|
Cash pickup |
Within minutes to hours17 |
Within minutes |
|
Bank deposit |
Up to three business days18 |
Depends on the receiving bank's processing time. Check the estimated arrival time before confirming. |
|
Mobile wallet |
Within minutes to hours |
Varies according to participating partners. Check the estimated arrival time before confirming. |
These timeframes are estimates, not guarantees, and banking hours, weekends, and security or ID checks can extend processing time. Check your Transfer History on the Remitly app (or Summary Screen on the MoneyGram app) for the estimated arrival time before confirming.
Remitly vs. MoneyGram customer support
MoneyGram and Remitly offer multi-channel customer support for various concerns, from general inquiries and tracking to fraud and error reporting. Remitly's19 offers 24/7 customer support through phone and chat, with English, Spanish, and French support available.
With MoneyGram, you can contact its US customer service number or fill out its multilingual contact form20. Its multilingual Mia AI assistant is accessible 24/7 at their Help Center (Help page).
MoneyGram also provides its Mia AI assistant through its Help Center.
Status tracking and error correction
On Remitly21, you can check the provider's notifications in the app, via SMS, and by email. You may also go to Remitly.com or your app's home tab, and view Transfer History. On the MoneyGram app22, go to Transaction History or visit their Track-a-transfer webpage.23
If you’re experiencing delays, have the following ready when you contact support: your transaction reference number, recipient details, and transfer amount.
Remitly lets you make changes to a transfer24 that hasn't been delivered yet if it only involves the recipient's details, bank account number, cash pickup location, or delivery method. MoneyGram only allows you to edit25 the receiver's name.
Cancellation and fraud reporting
MoneyGram and Remitly allow you to cancel a transfer as long as the funds haven't been deposited or collected yet. For MoneyGram26, you can cancel through the app or their Self-Service portal. The amount refunded (full or just the sent amount) depends on how soon you cancel the transfer. Transfers via Remitly27 can also be cancelled on the app or website.
If you suspect that fraudsters have interfered with your transaction, you can call Remitly28 or go to their Report a Scam page29. For MoneyGram users, you can contact their Customer Care Center30 or report the incident using their contact form.31
Transfer options and availability
You can send money to more than 175 countries via Remitly32 and over 200 nations and territories via MoneyGram33. These figures refer to destination reach (not necessarily where you can send from), so check that the service supports both your source and destination countries.
MoneyGram and Remitly accept payments via card (debit or credit) and each provider’s digital wallet features. Remitly can also process transfers made by Google Pay and Apple Pay, but MoneyGram can only take Apple Pay.
Delivery methods vary by destination country, so check Remitly5 and MoneyGram6 when deciding on your options. Home delivery34 is available on Remitly for select nations.
Sending limits
Which is better: Remitly or MoneyGram?
Consider your situation when deciding between two providers.
Scenario 1: You want to minimize the total cost.
Use the transfer calculator of both providers for the same sending amount and route. Select the provider that gives your recipient a higher payout.
Scenario 2: Your recipient needs cash.
Go to the locator page of each provider and choose the service with the closest partner agent to your recipient and the easiest collection requirements.
Scenario 3: You prefer digital transfers.
Assess which app will work best for you by checking the available sending (or payment options) and receiving methods.
Scenario 4: Customer support is a priority.
Choose the provider you can reach during the hours you need them and an easy process for correcting transfers.
Consider BOSS Money as another option
BOSS Money is another option if you're based in the US and Canada and want to send funds overseas digitally. Your recipients can collect your transfers through various methods, although service availability varies by country. Check the options available in your recipient’s country and view BOSS Money's quote against Remitly and MoneyGram before deciding which service to use.
Is Remitly cheaper than MoneyGram?
It depends on which platform gives a better quote after you compare their final payouts for the same amount and destination.
Which is better for cash pickup, Remitly or MoneyGram?
The better option for cash pickup is the provider with a nearby location whose collection requirements are easy for the recipient to fulfill.
Which is faster, Remitly or MoneyGram?
The faster provider is the one that offers an earlier estimated arrival time for your destination country using your chosen receiving method. When you send the money (especially for bank transfers that rely only on business hours) can also affect transfer speed.
Does Remitly or MoneyGram have better customer support?
Check each platform to see whose communication channels are most accessible to you. Your choice should also provide convenient steps for resolving anticipated issues, such as delivery delays and error correction.
Can you send money without a bank account?
Remitly and MoneyGram offer non-bank payment options for US and Canada-based users. To check if your recipient can collect funds without a bank account, go to each provider’s destination page.
How can I compare Remitly and MoneyGram exchange rates?
Input the same amount in each platform’s quote tool to view the exchange rate and payout offered by each platform.
Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of October 30, 2026
- https://www.remitly.com/blog/money-transfer/remitly-vs-xoom/
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/paying-with-card
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/help-center/faq/send-receive/general-questions/what-are-the-fees-to-send-money-from-the-united-states
- https://www.remitly.com/blog/money-transfer/understanding-exchange-rates-in-the-remitly-app/ ; https://www.remitly.com/blog/money-transfer/confusing-time-zones-for-international-money-transfers/
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/receiving-money-options ; https://www.remitly.com/us/en/landing/debit-card-deposit
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/send-and-receive/receiving-money
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/money-transfer
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/send-and-receive/money-transfers-online
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/help-center
- https://www.moneygram.com/mgo/us/en/help/faq/sending-money/
- MoneyGram live quote: https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/corridor/mexico (Oct 23, 2026) ; Remitly live quote: https://www.remitly.com/us/en/currency-converter/usd-to-mxn-rate (Oct 23, 2026)
- https://www.moneygram.com/r/mx/en/help-center/faq/receive/how-to-receive-money/how-do-i-find-the-nearest-moneygram-agent-location
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/mexico/locations
- https://www.remitly.com/blog/money-transfer/how-long-do-international-money-transfers-take/
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/how-long-do-international-money-transfers-take
- https://www.remitly.com/blog/money-transfer/what-to-know-before-sending-money-to-mexico/
- https://www.remitly.com/blog/money-transfer/transfer-money-to-bank-account-mexico-from-us/
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/how-to-contact-remitly
- https://www.moneygram.com/intl/en/contact-us-sf
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/track-transfer
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/help-center/faq/send-receive/track-transaction/i-would-like-to-track-the-status-of-my-transfer-what-should-i-do
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/help-center/track-a-transfer
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/how-to-edit-your-transfer
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/es/help-center/faq/send-receive/edit-transaction/i-need-to-edit-my-transfer-what-should-i-do
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/help-center/faq/send-receive/cancel-transaction/how-do-i-cancel-a-money-transfer
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/cancel-transfer
- https://news.remitly.com/company-and-product-news/empowering-our-customers-to-stay-safe-online/
- https://survey.survicate.com/6fd09e8a24903631/?_svbep=P3A9YW5vbnltb3Vz
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/help-center/fraud-and-safety
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/help-center/contact-us
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en
- https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/help-center/faq/send-receive/general-questions/which-countries-can-i-send-money-to
- https://www.remitly.com/financial-glossary/home-delivery
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/landing/send-limits
- https://www.moneygram.com/pl/en/help-center/faq/send-receive/send-money-online/how-much-money-can-i-send-online-through-moneygram-are-there-limits-to-how
- https://www.remitly.com/blog/money-transfer/whats-new-in-the-remitly-app/
This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.
