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

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

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

Wise vs Western Union: Quick Feature Comparison

  1. Visit Wise alternative Wise Visit Wise

    Used By: 11000000
    Currencies Available: 54
    Transfer Fees: 0.5%-1%
    Payment Methods: Bank transfer, debit card, credit card, SOFORT transfer
    iOS App : yes, Android App : yes

    LiveChat:
    Min Transfer: US$1.00
    Max Transfer: US$1,000,000 (varies based on currency)
    Year Founded: 2011
  2. Visit Wise 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

Wise vs Western Union: Pros and Cons

Wise vs Western Union
Advantages

Wise Advantages Western Union Advantages
  • Wise has been serving clients for over 13 years
  • Wise is well rated among clients.
  • Wise is available internationally.
  • Wise has multiple currency options.
  • Wise provides phone customer support.
  • Wise provides email customer support.
  • Wise is available to iOS Apple device users.
  • Wise is available to Android mobile device users.
  • Western Union has been in operation for over 173 years.
  • Western Union boasts a high rating for sending money.
  • Western Union operates in numerous international countries.
  • Western Union offers an extensive range of currency options for money transfers.
  • Western Union allows cash pickups for money transfers.
  • Western Union provides money order services.
  • Western Union provides phone support.
  • Western Union offers registered customers email support.
  • Western Union has a Apple iOS app on Apple app store.
  • Western Union offers a Android Google Play Store mobile app.

Wise vs Western Union
Disadvantages

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

Wise vs Western Union Fees and Other Costs

Fee type Wise Fees Western Union Fees
Transfer Fees 0.5%-1% up to 3%
Min Transfer US$1.00 $1.00
Max Transfer US$1,000,000 (varies based on currency) $10,000.00 (varies)
Payment Methods Bank transfer, debit card, credit card, SOFORT transfer Cash, bank transfer, debit card, credit card (varies from country)
Currencies AED, AUD, BGN, BRL, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, INR, JPY, MYR, NOK, NZD, PLN, RON, TRY, SEK, SGD, USD, ARS, BDT, BWP, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, EGP, GEL, GHS, ILS, KES, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, NGN, NPR, PHP, PKR, RUB, THB, UAH, UGX, UYU, VND, XOF, ZAR, ZMW 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

Wise vs Western Union Restricted Countries

Wise Country Restrictions

North Korea

Western Union Country Restrictions

North Korea

Wise vs Western Union Transfer Speeds

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

Wise vs Western Union Languages

Wise Supported Languages

English, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Polish, Portugese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish

Western Union Supported Languages

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

Wise vs Western Union Verdict - Which is better?

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

  • Wise vs Western Union Transfer Fees: Transferring money with Wise costs 0.5%-1% while Western Union charges up to 3%.
  • Wise vs Western Union Supported Currencies: Wise deals in over 1, where as Western Union offers transactions in 1.
  • Wise vs Western Union Payment Methods: Wise accepts Bank transfer, debit card, credit card, SOFORT transfer, while Western Union allows transactions via Cash, bank transfer, debit card, credit card (varies from country).
  • Wise vs Western Union Transfer Limits: Wise allows transfers between US$1.00 and US$1,000,000 (varies based on currency). Western Union's range is $1.00 to $10,000.00 (varies).
  • Wise vs Western Union Minimum Age for Account Creation: Wise requires users to be at least 18 years old, where as Western Union has a minimum age requirement of 18.
  • Contact Number: You can reach Wise at 44 20 7033 0296 and Western Union at +104904946.
  • Wise vs Western Union Countries of Operation: Wise operates in over 1 countries but has restrictions in over 1 countries. Western Union serves 1 countries and restricts operations in 1 countries.
  • Wise vs Western Union Client Base: Wise is used by 11,000,000, where as Western Union serves 15,000,000.
  • Wise vs Western Union Year Founded: Wise was established in 2011 and Western Union began its operations in 1851.
  • Wise vs Western Union Customer Rating: Wise holds a rating of 4, in contrast, Western Union has a rating of 3.
  • Wise vs Western Union Headquarters: Wise has its headquarters at London, UK, while Western Union is based at Denver, US.
  • Wise vs Western Union Employee Count: Wise employs 2,243 individuals, where as Western Union has a team of 11,000.
  • Wise vs Western Union Estimated Annual Turnover: Wise turnover stands at 27000000, while Western Union boasts a turnover of 5,600,000 USD.
  • Wise vs Western Union Founder: Wise was founded by Venkatesh Saha, holding the position of CEO. On the other hand, Western Union was the brainchild of Hikmet Ersek, currently holding the position of President, Chief Executive Officer and Director.
  • Wise vs Western Union Supported Languages: Wise offers support in over 1 languages. Western Union communicates in 1.

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Wise vs Western Union Alternatives Guides

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



Screenshots

Wise Screenshot

Wise Screenshot

Western Union Screenshot

Wise Screenshot