RemitBee vs Western Union vs Remitly: Which Money Transfer Service Is Best in Canada?
4.5
RemitBee
3.8
Western Union
4.3
Remitly
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Attribute | RemitBee | Western Union | Remitly |
|---|---|---|---|
Exchange rate markup | ✓ 0%–1% on major corridors | 2%–4% above mid-market | 0.5%–2% by corridor |
Transfer fee | ✓ $0 over $500 CAD; $2.99 below | ~$5–$15 flat or % | $1.99–$3.99 flat |
Transfer speed | Same day / next day | Cash pickup: minutes; Bank: 1–3 days | ✓ Express: minutes; Economy: 3–5 days |
Cash pickup | No | ✓ Yes — 500,000+ locations | Yes — selected countries |
Delivery options | Bank deposit, mobile wallet | Cash pickup, bank, wallet, home delivery | Bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet |
Corridors | 80+ countries | ✓ 200+ countries | 150+ countries |
iOS app rating | ✓ 4.5 stars | 3.8 stars | 4.6 stars |
Regulated by | FINTRAC (Canada) | FINTRAC + FinCEN + global | FINTRAC + FinCEN + state |
First transfer promo | ✓ First transfer free | Promotional rates | First transfer fee-free |
Who are they for?
You send $500 CAD or more — fee drops to $0
You need bank or mobile wallet delivery to India, Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, or Pakistan
You want a Canadian FINTRAC-licensed service
Your recipient needs cash in hand at a local agent location
You need to send to a destination not covered by RemitBee or Remitly
You want cash delivered to your recipient’s home in some markets
Best for Remitly
You need express delivery in minutes to a bank account or mobile wallet
Your recipient uses GCash, UPI, or another mobile wallet for fast collection
You want broad corridor coverage with multiple delivery speed tiers
Fees & transfer costs
RemitBee charges $0 for transfers of $500 CAD or more. Below $500, a $2.99 flat fee applies. Your first transfer is free regardless of amount.
Western Union's fee varies by destination, amount, and payment method. For CAD to INR, expect $5–$15. An exchange rate margin of 2%–4% also applies separately from the stated fee.
Remitly charges $1.99 (Economy) or $3.99 (Express) on most Canadian corridors, plus an exchange rate margin of 0.5%–2% depending on delivery speed. Economy transfers take 3–5 days at a more favourable rate.
Provider | Fee | Rate margin | Recipient gets (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
RemitBee | $0 (above $500 threshold) | ~0.5% | ~60,900 INR |
Western Union | ~$8.99 | ~2.5% | ~59,100 INR |
Remitly (Economy) | $1.99 | ~1.2% | ~59,700 INR |
Exchange rates
RemitBee adds a small margin, typically 0%–1% on major corridors; the calculator rate is the applied rate.
Western Union adds a 2%–4% above mid-market on most corridors, built into the calculator rate.
0.5%–2% margin depending on delivery speed; Economy offers the more favourable rate.
Transfer speed & delivery
Most bank transfers arrive same business day or next. No cash pickup — all transfers go to a bank account or mobile wallet.
Cash pickup often available within minutes at agent locations. Bank deposit takes 1–3 business days. Supports cash pickup, bank deposit, mobile wallet, and home delivery.
Remitly Express delivers in minutes to bank accounts, mobile wallets, and cash pickup. Economy takes 3–5 days at a lower cost. Delivery options include GCash, UPI, and other mobile wallets.
Delivery options
RemitBee delivers to bank accounts and mobile wallets in supported countries. No cash pickup option. Bank and mobile wallet delivery widely available on primary corridors.
Western Union offers cash pickup at agent locations, bank deposit, mobile wallet, and home delivery in some markets. The 500,000+ agent cash pickup network is Western Union's most significant advantage.
Remitly delivers to bank accounts, mobile wallets such as GCash and UPI, and cash pickup in selected countries. Express delivers in minutes; Economy takes 3–5 days at a lower cost.
Corridors & coverage
RemitBee supports 80+ countries. Primary strength in South and Southeast Asia: India, Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan.
Western Union operates in 200+ countries and territories. Widest coverage of the three. Particularly strong in cash-pickup corridors across Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia.
Remitly operates in 150+ countries. Specializes in South and Southeast Asian corridors plus strong coverage in Mexico, Africa, and Central America.
Regulation & security
Registered with FINTRAC as a licensed Money Services Business
Canadian-incorporated since 2012
All customer data stored on Canadian servers
Regulated by FINTRAC in Canada, FinCEN in the US, and financial regulators in multiple other countries
Publicly traded company operating since 1851
Remitly
Regulated by FINTRAC in Canada, FinCEN in the US, and financial regulators in multiple other countries
Operating since 2011.
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Related comparisons
Head-to-head comparison of RemitBee and Western Union.
Fees, exchange rates and delivery comparison for RemitBee and Remitly.
Four-way comparison: RemitBee, Wise, Remitly and Western Union.