Remitly vs Paysend: Comparing Fees, Speed and Features (2025)
Making the right choice for your money transfers
Picking the best money transfer service can save you time, money, and effort. In 2025, Paysend and Remitly are two of the most popular options, helping millions send money to loved ones around the world. But which one gives you more value — and faster results? Let’s find out.
Global reach and flexibility
Paysend supports transfers to more than 170 countries, including top destinations like Mexico, the Philippines, India, and Ukraine. You can send money directly to bank accounts, cards, wallets, or even for cash pickup in select regions. Remitly’s strongest corridors are from the U.S. to emerging markets, while its international coverage beyond those routes can vary.
If you’re looking for global reach and flexibility in how your recipient gets their money, Paysend offers the broader network.
How fast are the transfers?
Speed is one area where Paysend performs particularly well, delivering many transfers in real time, often within seconds.
Remitly gives customers a choice between:
- Express transfers: faster delivery but higher fees
- Economy transfers: lower fees but slower processing
If you want a reliable, real-time delivery experience, Paysend’s instant transfers make it the faster, more predictable option.
Fees and exchange rates — what’s really cheaper?
Paysend shows all costs and exchange rates upfront: you always know the final amount the recipient will receive. The platform uses a flat fee structure and transparent money transfer fees, so there are no hidden costs.
Remitly’s pricing structure includes variable fees and exchange rates that depend on the route and speed you select, so total costs may fluctuate between transfers. In many digital-to-digital corridors, Paysend’s flat-fee model can result in a lower total cost, depending on amount and route.
How your recipient can get the money
If your recipient prefers cash pickup, Remitly has more physical collection points worldwide — a great option for people who still rely on cash.
However, Paysend focuses on digital-first transfers, offering:
- Instant card-to-card payments
- Wallet and bank transfers
- Cash pickup in select markets
For people who want fast, convenient, and digital solutions, Paysend’s payout options fit modern needs.
The experience — simple, secure, and transparent
Paysend is designed for today’s users: app-based, intuitive, and secure. Integrated with Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay, it supports over 11 million users worldwide with bank-level security and transparent pricing.
Remitly focuses on remittance-specific features and compliance steps that may make the experience different from more simplified fintech apps.
For users who prioritize instant digital transfers, Paysend may be the more convenient choice.
Which Should You Choose?
The best service depends on your recipient’s needs and your priorities:
- If your recipient prefers to collect cash in person, especially when sending money from the US, services with a wide cash pickup network like Remitly can be a suitable choice.
- If you value instant, digital transfers to cards, wallets, or bank accounts, services focused on low-cost and digital-first delivery, such as Paysend, may be more convenient.
It’s important to consider factors like speed, price, payout method, and your recipient’s access to financial services when choosing the best solution for your transfer. If you’re comparing Remitly alternatives, Paysend stands out for transparent pricing and instant delivery. Both Paysend and Remitly offer secure, reliable options for sending money globally, but for instant, low-cost global transfers directly to cards, wallets, and banks, Paysend is the modern choice.
Disclaimer: All comparative statements are based on publicly available information from Paysend and Remitly websites as of November 2025. Exchange rates, fees, and delivery times vary by corridor. Remitly is a trademark of Remitly Inc. This article is for informational purposes only and does not imply partnership or endorsement.
Latest Posts
By Lisa Navarro, Head of Enterprise Operations at Paysend
In the world of cross-border payments, onboarding isn’t just a procedural step — it’s the foundation of a successful partnership. At Paysend Enterprise, our clients trust us with their most valuable asset: their ability to move money globally, securely, and efficiently. For me, that trust starts with how I bring them into our ecosystem.
As Head of Enterprise Operations, I see every onboarding journey — which we’re proud to typically complete in an impressive 2 weeks — as an opportunity to set the tone for the relationship, where operational excellence and true collaboration come together. I take this part of the process personally, because it’s where operational excellence and true collaboration first come together.
For expats supporting loved ones in Kyrgyzstan, sending directly to a Visa debit card is one of the fastest, safest options. With Paysend, you can make secure, affordable transfers in just a few taps – helping friends or family access funds instantly*, wherever they are in Kyrgyzstan.
*Your money will be sent in real time; however, transfer delivery times may vary based on recipient bank processing, compliance checks, or other factors.
