Remitly is purpose-built for international remittances — sending money to family in the Philippines, India, Mexico, Nigeria, and 70+ other emerging-market destinations. Cash pickup at 350,000+ locations worldwide. Instant delivery on most corridors. Higher margin than Wise (1.0-1.5%) but better network reach for cash recipients in remote areas.
★ OUR SCORE8.4 / 10Best for cash-pickup corridors in emerging markets. Wise still cheaper if recipient has a bank account.
★ PROS
Instant or same-day delivery to many corridors
Strong network for emerging markets (PH, IN, MX, NG)
Cash-pickup options at thousands of locations
Low minimums — send as little as $1
Mobile-first experience
Promotional rates for first-time users
★ CONS
Margin 1.0-1.5% on most routes — pricier than Wise
$10K per-transaction cap
Cheapest "economy" tier takes 3-5 days
Promotional rates only on first transfer
★ THE BOTTOM LINE
Choose Remitly when the recipient needs cash, not a bank deposit.
If you're sending to a relative without a bank account, or to a remote area where ATMs are scarce, Remitly's cash-pickup network is unmatched. For pure bank-to-bank transfers, Wise costs ~half as much. Their first-transfer promotional rate (often mid-market) is excellent for one-off sends — but make sure to compare actual rate before subsequent transfers.