Software · head to head
Remitly vs Wise
The short version
- Only Wise has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Remitly no fee schedule, exchange rate margin or transfer limit is published; the cost is disclosed only after starting a transfer for a specific corridor; Wise exchange rate fees start at 0.31% plus corridor-specific transfer fees
- They diverge on capability: Remitly covers International remittances, Wise covers International transfers.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Remitly and Wise actually diverge.
Identical on both: platforms (Web, IOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2011).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Remitly
- International remittances
- Multiple delivery methods
- Send money to 200+ countries
- Currency conversion
Only in Wise
- International transfers
- Real exchange rates
- Multi-currency accounts
- Bill payments
- Cryptocurrency
Both cover
- Bank accounts
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Remitly
- Sending cross border remittances from a phone or browsernot Wise
- Delivering funds to bank accounts, cash pickup and mobile wallets abroadnot Wise
Wise
- Budget Managementnot Remitly
- Expense Trackingnot Remitly
- Investment Trackingnot Remitly
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Remitly
- No fee schedule, exchange rate margin or transfer limit is published; the cost is disclosed only after starting a transfer for a specific corridor
- The Express and Economy delivery options have no published price difference
Wise
- Exchange rate fees start at 0.31% plus corridor-specific transfer fees
- Transfer speed dependent on destination country banking infrastructure
- No published documentation of maximum transfer limits
- Multi-currency account features may have regional restrictions
Pricing, plan by plan
Remitly
On request- Express$undefined/month
- Fast transfers
- Multiple delivery methods
- Economy$undefined/month
- Lower cost option
- 3-4 day delivery
Wise
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Wise review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Remitly if
- You need international remittances.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want multiple delivery methods.
Choose Wise if
- You need international transfers.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want real exchange rates.
Questions people ask
- Is Remitly or Wise better?
- Neither clearly leads. Remitly starts at On request and Wise at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Remitly or Wise?
- Wise has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Remitly and Free for Wise.
- Does Remitly or Wise run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, IOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Wise for free?
- Yes. Wise has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Remitly starts at On request.
- What is Remitly best used for?
- Remitly is most often used for sending cross border remittances from a phone or browser, delivering funds to bank accounts, cash pickup and mobile wallets abroad. Of those, sending cross border remittances from a phone or browser and delivering funds to bank accounts, cash pickup and mobile wallets abroad are not what Wise is typically brought in for.
- What can Remitly do that Wise cannot?
- Remitly covers International remittances, Multiple delivery methods, Send money to 200+ countries, Currency conversion. Wise covers International transfers, Real exchange rates, Multi-currency accounts, Bill payments. Both handle Bank accounts, Web support, IOS support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Wise: What are Wise's transfer fees and exchange rates?
Wise uses mid-market exchange rates without hidden markups and charges a flat fee starting from 0.31% plus a currency transfer fee depending on the corridor. Volume discounts are available for larger transfers.
SourceWise: How long do international transfers take with Wise?
Transfers can arrive same-day within seconds according to Wise marketing materials, though actual timing depends on the destination country and banking infrastructure.
SourceWise: Is there a cost for a Wise account or monthly subscription?
Opening a Wise account is free with no monthly subscription. You only pay fees when you send money or convert currency.
SourceWise: Can I send money between Wise users for free?
Sending or receiving the same currency between Wise contacts is free. Converting to a different currency costs less than standard rates but is not free.
SourceWise: What security features does Wise offer?
Wise includes two-factor authentication for account protection, holds funds with established financial institutions, maintains 24/7 customer support, and has dedicated fraud and security teams.
SourceWise: How much money can I transfer with Wise?
Wise does not publicly specify transfer limits on the main site. Limits may vary by country, sender verification level, and corridor.
Source