Cheapest Way to Transfer Money Internationally: Comparing Banks, Fintechs, Crypto and Cash Pick-Up Services

International money transfers are part of modern life, yet sending funds across borders can be surprisingly expensive. Banks and traditional providers often add fees and exchange-rate markups, so the cheapest way to transfer money internationally isn’t always obvious. Fintech apps and even crypto promise lower costs, but each method has trade-offs. This guide gives you a clear, no-fluff comparison so you can choose quickly and save.

Why International Transfers Get Expensive

• Transfer fees: Flat charges, percentage fees, or both.
• Exchange-rate markup: A hidden margin on top of the mid-market rate.
• Intermediary costs: Extra bank or network fees along the route.
• Speed choices: Faster delivery often costs more.

Tip: Always check the total cost (fees + exchange rate) and the delivery time. A simple way to do that is to compare providers side-by-side on xendwise.com.

1) Bank Transfers

How it works: Your bank sends money abroad via SWIFT or local partners.
Cost profile: Usually the most expensive overall once you include markups and correspondent fees.
Speed: Often 1–3 business days; same-day can be possible but not guaranteed.
Best for: Large, business-grade payments where you value your bank’s ecosystem.
Watch out for: Opaque exchange rates and surprise intermediary fees.

2) Online Money Transfer Services (Wise, Remitly, Xoom, Revolut, OFX, WorldRemit, etc.)

How it works: Fintechs route funds locally in each country, avoiding full international wire paths.
Cost profile: Typically low-cost money transfer options with transparent pricing; bank funding is usually cheapest.
Speed: Ranges from near-instant to a couple of days depending on corridor and payment method.
Best for: Personal or small-business payments where you want the best international money transfer service for price + speed.
Watch out for: Card payments can be pricier; some routes have higher markups than others.

Quick win: Use xendwise.com to compare transfer fees and exchange-rate margins across multiple services in one view.

3) Crypto Transfers (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Stablecoins)

How it works: You send crypto wallet-to-wallet; recipient converts to local currency.
Cost profile: Network fees can be very low, but conversion to fiat often adds costs.
Speed: Minutes in many cases, slower if networks are congested.
Best for: Tech-savvy users or corridors with limited banking access.
Watch out for: Price volatility (unless using stablecoins), regulations, and the learning curve of wallets/keys.

4) Cash Pick-Up (Western Union, MoneyGram, etc.)

How it works: Send money for the recipient to collect as cash at an agent location.
Cost profile: Convenient but often more expensive due to fees and exchange-rate markup.
Speed: Frequently minutes to hours.
Best for: Recipients without bank accounts or where cash is essential.
Watch out for: Higher overall cost; travel/time to pick up cash; identity checks and limits.

Fees, Exchange Rates & Speed: What Matters Most

• Fees: Flat fees hit small transfers hard; percentage fees matter on larger amounts.
• Exchange rate: A small markup can outweigh a low fee — always compare total recipient amount.
• Speed: If you can wait, the cheapest route often becomes cheaper still.
• Funding method: Bank transfer in is usually cheapest; cards are faster but cost more.
• Delivery method: Bank-to-bank is usually cheapest; cash pay-outs are convenient but pricier.

Save time: See the full price (including exchange rate markup) before you send on xendwise.com.

The Simple Shortcut: Compare on Xendwise

Picking the cheapest way to transfer money internationally depends on the amount, currencies, country, and speed you need. Xendwise makes the decision easy:

1. Enter your details (amount, from/to currencies, destination).
2. See a ranked list of providers by total cost and delivery time.
3. Check transparency: fees + exchange-rate markup clearly broken down.
4. Choose and go: click through and complete with the provider.

Start your search and save on your next transfer at xendwise.com.

Quick Recommendations

• For the lowest total cost: Start with specialist online providers and compare on xendwise.com.
• If speed is critical: Card-funded transfers or certain corridors on leading fintechs; verify cost vs. time on xendwise.com.
• If recipient needs cash: Use cash pick-up but expect higher costs; still compare on xendwise.com.
• For large amounts/business: Banks or specialist FX providers, compare carefully on xendwise.com for better rates.

About Xendwise

Xendwise helps individuals and businesses find the fastest, cheapest way to send money abroad. By comparing fees and exchange rates across banks, fintech apps, and remittance providers, Xendwise shows the true total cost and delivery time in one place, so you keep more of your money. Start comparing at xendwise.com.