Western Union vs PayPal - Who is better? [UPDATED 2024]

When it comes to sending money across borders, we tested options like Western Union and PayPal have emerged as leading choices. Both Western Union and PayPal online platforms offer efficient and cost-effective and secure international money transfers from Western Union and PayPal.

We compare Western Union vs PayPal into the unique features and benefits that distinguish Western Union vs PayPal, empowering you to make an informed decision based on your specific transfer needs like Western Union vs PayPal fees, currencies available, available payment methods on Western Union compared to PayPal, support options offered by Western Union vs PayPal, speed and more.

Western Union vs PayPal: Quick Feature Comparison

  1. Visit Western Union alternative Western Union Visit Western Union

    Used By: 15000000
    Currencies Available: 38
    Transfer Fees: up to 3%
    Payment Methods: Cash, bank transfer, debit card, credit card (varies from country)
    iOS App : yes, Android App : yes

    LiveChat:
    Min Transfer: $1.00
    Max Transfer: $10,000.00 (varies)
    Year Founded: 1851

  2. Visit Western Union alternative PayPal Visit PayPal

    Used By: 295000000
    Currencies Available: 25
    Transfer Fees: 2.9%+0.30 EUR
    Payment Methods: Bank transfer, P2P mobile payment
    iOS App : yes, Android App : yes

    LiveChat: yes
    Min Transfer: None
    Max Transfer: US$60,000.00 (varies)
    Year Founded: 1998

Western Union vs PayPal: Pros and Cons

Western Union vs PayPal
Advantages

Western Union Advantages PayPal Advantages
  • Western Union has been serving clients for over 173 years
  • Western Union is available internationally.
  • Western Union has multiple currency options.
  • Western Union supports money transfer cash pickups.
  • Western Union supports sending money orders.
  • Western Union provides phone customer support.
  • Western Union provides email customer support.
  • Western Union is available to iOS Apple device users.
  • Western Union is available to Android mobile device users.
  • PayPal has been in operation for over 26 years.
  • PayPal operates in numerous international countries.
  • PayPal offers an extensive range of currency options for money transfers.
  • PayPal provides phone support.
  • PayPal offers registered customers email support.
  • PayPal has a Apple iOS app on Apple app store.
  • PayPal offers a Android Google Play Store mobile app.

Western Union vs PayPal
Disadvantages

Western Union Disadvantages PayPal Disadvantages
  • Western Union has no PayPal support.
  • Western Union has no Neteller payments support.
  • Western Union has no Skrill payment support.
  • Western Union does have a mobile digital wallet like some others.
  • No home delivery with Western Union.
  • No live chat support with Western Union.
  • PayPal has no PayPal option.
  • PayPal has no Neteller option.
  • PayPal has no Skrill option.
  • No digital wallets with PayPal.
  • No PayPal home delivery.
  • No PayPal Cash pickups.
  • No PayPal money order option.
  • No PayPal Livechat.

Western Union vs PayPal Fees and Other Costs

Fee type Western Union Fees PayPal Fees
Transfer Fees up to 3% 2.9%+0.30 EUR
Min Transfer $1.00 None
Max Transfer $10,000.00 (varies) US$60,000.00 (varies)
Payment Methods Cash, bank transfer, debit card, credit card (varies from country) Bank transfer, P2P mobile payment
Currencies AUD, BHD, BRL, GBP, CAD, CLP, CNY, CZK, DKK, EUR, HKD, HUF, INR, ILS, JPY, JOD, KES, KRW, KWD, MXN, NAD, NZD, NOK, OMR, PLN, QAR, RON, RUB, SAR, SGD, ZAR, SEK, CHF, XPF, TND, TRY, AED, USD AUD, BRL, CAD, CNY, CZK, DKK, EUR, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MYR, MXN, TWD, NZD, NOK, PHP, PLN, GBP, RUB, SGD, SEK, CHF, THB, USD

Western Union vs PayPal Restricted Countries

Western Union Country Restrictions

North Korea

PayPal Country Restrictions

Afghanistan, Aland Islands, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bonaire (including Sint Eustatius and Saba), Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of, Congo, Republic of, Cook Islands, Crimea, Cuba, Curacao, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Faroe Islands, Fiji, French Guyana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Gabon, Gambia, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands, Holy See (Vatican City State), Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macao, Mali, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mayotte, Micronesia, Federated States of, Montserrat, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niger, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Palestinian Territory, Papua New Guinea, Reunion, Pitcairn, Rwanda, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome e Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sint Maarten, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Sudan (North and South), Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Syria, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Wallis and Futuna, Western Sahara, Western Samoa, Yemen, Zimbabwe, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria

Western Union vs PayPal Transfer Speeds

Transfer Speed Western Union PayPal
Account Opening 1-3 days 1-3 days
Money Transfer Speed 1-10 days 1-10 days

Western Union vs PayPal Languages

Western Union Supported Languages

English, French, Spanish, Polish, German, Danish, Finnish, Japanese, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Chinese, Italian

PayPal Supported Languages

All major languages

Western Union vs PayPal Verdict - Which is better?

Which is best out of Western Union and PayPal depends on your needs.

  • Western Union vs PayPal Transfer Fees: Transferring money with Western Union costs up to 3% while PayPal charges 2.9%+0.30 EUR.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Supported Currencies: Western Union deals in over 1, where as PayPal offers transactions in 1.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Payment Methods: Western Union accepts Cash, bank transfer, debit card, credit card (varies from country), while PayPal allows transactions via Bank transfer, P2P mobile payment.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Transfer Limits: Western Union allows transfers between $1.00 and $10,000.00 (varies). PayPal's range is None to US$60,000.00 (varies).
  • Western Union vs PayPal Minimum Age for Account Creation: Western Union requires users to be at least 18 years old, where as PayPal has a minimum age requirement of 18.
  • Contact Number: You can reach Western Union at +104904946 and PayPal at 1800 419 9833.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Countries of Operation: Western Union operates in over 1 countries but has restrictions in over 1 countries. PayPal serves 1 countries and restricts operations in 1 countries.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Client Base: Western Union is used by 15,000,000, where as PayPal serves 295,000,000.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Year Founded: Western Union was established in 1851 and PayPal began its operations in 1998.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Customer Rating: Western Union holds a rating of 3, in contrast, PayPal has a rating of 3.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Headquarters: Western Union has its headquarters at Denver, US, while PayPal is based at San Francisco (US).
  • Western Union vs PayPal Employee Count: Western Union employs 11,000 individuals, where as PayPal has a team of 320.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Estimated Annual Turnover: Western Union turnover stands at 5,600,000 USD, while PayPal boasts a turnover of 25 Billion USD.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Founder: Western Union was founded by Hikmet Ersek, holding the position of President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. On the other hand, PayPal was the brainchild of Sameera Rao, currently holding the position of VP and Head of Technology.
  • Western Union vs PayPal Supported Languages: Western Union offers support in over 1 languages. PayPal communicates in 1.

We list reviews for the best Western Union vs PayPal related money services below.

Western Union vs PayPal Alternatives Guides

If you would like to see some of the best Western Union vs PayPal related services compared against their best Western Union vs PayPal alternatives available right now. Learn more about Western Union vs PayPal alternatives by clicking on the links below.



Screenshots

Western Union Screenshot

Western Union Screenshot

PayPal Screenshot

Western Union Screenshot