Remitly vs WorldRemit: Which Money Transfer Service Is Better

What Is Remitly?

Remitly is a Seattle-based digital remittance company founded in 2011. It is designed primarily to help immigrants and expats send money home affordably and quickly. Users can send money from over 28 countries to more than 170 destinations in 100+ currencies. Transfers can be made via smartphone, tablet, or the Remitly website.

Remitly offers two transfer speed tiers:

• Express — arrives in minutes, funded by debit or credit card, at a slightly higher fee
• Economy — takes 3–5 business days, bank-funded, with lower fees and a better exchange rate

Recipients can receive money via bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet, home delivery, or ATM.

What Is WorldRemit?

WorldRemit is a UK-based digital money transfer service founded in 2010. It serves over 5.7 million customers and allows users in more than 50 countries to send money to over 130 destinations in 70+ currencies. WorldRemit is focused on ease of use and flexibility, with a strong presence across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

One of WorldRemit's standout features is its airtime top-up option — allowing senders to credit a recipient's mobile phone directly, which is particularly useful in regions where mobile credit is essential. Note that WorldRemit has shifted to an app-only model, meaning transfers can no longer be made via a desktop browser.

Remitly vs WorldRemit: Side-by-Side Comparison

Fees Compared

Transfer fees for both services vary based on destination, transfer amount, and payment method.

Remitly fees: Economy transfers are often fee-free, with the cost absorbed into the exchange rate. Express transfers carry a fee typically ranging from $2.99 to $14.99. Credit card payments attract an additional 3% fee on top.

WorldRemit fees: WorldRemit charges a flat service fee per transaction, typically between $0.99 and $5.99. Mobile wallet transfers tend to be the cheapest payout method, followed by cash pickup and bank deposits. For smaller transfer amounts, WorldRemit's flat-fee structure can work out cheaper than Remitly.

Exchange Rates Compared

Both services apply a markup above the mid-market exchange rate.

Remitly's markup ranges from 0.5% to 3.7% above the mid-market rate, with Economy transfers generally offering better rates than Express. First-time users often benefit from promotional rates on their first transfer.

WorldRemit's markup ranges from 0.9% to 3.0%, though rates can fluctuate more unpredictably day to day. For regular senders, WorldRemit's lower flat fees can offset a slightly higher rate, depending on the corridor and amount.

Transfer Speed

Both platforms can deliver money quickly, but their approaches differ.

Remitly's Express option delivers within minutes for most destinations when funded by debit card. The Economy option takes 3–5 business days but comes with lower fees and better exchange rates.

WorldRemit is generally considered faster overall — approximately 90% of its transfers are authorised within minutes. Bank transfers may take one to two days depending on the destination. WorldRemit does not offer a slower, discounted tier like Remitly's Economy option.

Payout Options

Remitly supports: bank deposits, cash pickup at partner locations, mobile wallet transfers, home delivery, and ATM payouts.

WorldRemit supports: bank deposits, cash pickup, mobile wallet transfers, and airtime top-ups.

Remitly has the edge with home delivery, which is useful for recipients without access to banking or cash pickup locations. WorldRemit's airtime top-up is a unique feature with no equivalent on Remitly, making it valuable in mobile-first markets across Africa and Asia.

Payment Methods

Remitly accepts debit cards, credit cards, bank transfers, and Apple Pay.

WorldRemit accepts debit cards, credit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, Trustly, and iDEAL (available in select regions). WorldRemit's broader payment method support gives it a slight advantage for users in Europe.

Platform Access

Remitly is available via both its mobile app and a full desktop website, giving users flexibility on how they send money.

WorldRemit has shifted to an app-only model, discontinuing support for its mobile web and desktop platforms. This may be a limiting factor for users who prefer to manage transfers on a larger screen or without downloading an app.

Safety and Regulation

Both services are fully regulated and legitimate providers.

Remitly is registered with the US Department of the Treasury as a Money Services Business, regulated by the FCA in the UK, and licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland for European operations. It uses 256-bit SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee — if your transfer is delayed, the service fee is refunded.

WorldRemit is authorised by the FCA in the UK, registered with FinCEN in the US, and holds appropriate licences across its other operating regions. It also applies bank-level encryption and two-factor authentication to protect user accounts.

Customer Reviews

On Trustpilot, Remitly holds an "Excellent" rating of 4.6/5 based on over 75,000 reviews. WorldRemit holds an "Average" rating of 3.7/5 based on over 90,000 reviews. The gap in ratings suggests Remitly consistently delivers a better customer experience, even with fewer total reviews.

Who Should Use Remitly?

Remitly is the better choice if you:

• Prefer sending via desktop as well as mobile
• Want a money-back guarantee if your transfer is delayed
• Need home delivery as a payout option
• Want 24/7 multilingual customer support
• Are sending larger amounts where first-transfer promotions offer good value

Who Should Use WorldRemit?

WorldRemit is a good fit if you:

• Are sending smaller amounts where flat fees work out cheaper
• Need airtime top-ups for a recipient's mobile phone
• Are sending from one of the 50+ supported sender countries
• Prefer a wider range of payment options including Trustly or iDEAL
• Need fast transfers without a slower/cheaper tier option

How Does RemitBee Compare?

While both Remitly and WorldRemit are established platforms, RemitBee offers a compelling alternative — especially for Canadians looking to send money abroad. With competitive exchange rates, low fees, and a simple online platform, RemitBee is worth comparing before you commit to any service.

See How Much You Can Save with RemitBee

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Remitly cheaper than WorldRemit?

It depends on the amount and destination. WorldRemit's flat fee structure can be cheaper for small transfers, while Remitly's fee-free Economy option may be better for larger amounts. Both add a markup to the exchange rate, so always compare the total cost before sending.

Does WorldRemit have a desktop website?

No. WorldRemit has shifted to an app-only model, meaning transfers can only be made through its mobile application. Remitly continues to support both its app and a full desktop website.

Which is faster — Remitly or WorldRemit?

WorldRemit is generally faster, with around 90% of transfers authorised within minutes. Remitly's Express option also delivers in minutes, but its Economy option takes 3–5 business days. If speed is the priority, both Express and WorldRemit are comparable.

Are Remitly and WorldRemit safe to use?

Yes, both are fully licensed and regulated financial services. Both use bank-level encryption and two-factor authentication. Remitly additionally offers a service fee refund guarantee if a transfer is delayed.

Which has better customer reviews?

Remitly has a significantly higher Trustpilot rating of 4.6/5 ("Excellent") compared to WorldRemit's 3.7/5 ("Average"), based on tens of thousands of reviews across both platforms.

Can I send to Africa with both services?

Yes, both support popular African destinations. However, WorldRemit has historically had stronger coverage across Africa and offers airtime top-ups that are widely used across the continent.