Can Ubank send money internationally? See alternatives 2025

UBank offers some handy features to customers looking to manage their money digitally – but you can’t use your UBank account to send and receive international payments. That means that if you’re using Ubank and need to get money to or from someone overseas, you need an alternative.

The good news is that there are lots of other options out there. This guide explores popular alternatives, including Wise, OFX and WorldRemit, so you can find the right service for your payment, based on fees, rates, convenience and speed.

Go to Wise Go to OFX

Does Ubank work internationally?

International transfers are not supported by Ubank. You can not receive payments from an overseas bank, and you can not transfer money overseas either.

If you have a Ubank debit card you can use this when you’re overseas. Fees may apply, including third party costs when you use an ATM.

Comparing Ubank alternatives on international transfers

Ubank isn’t an option for international payments. But there are plenty of other providers out there which are just as convenient and intuitive to use, and which do allow you to make payments overseas, or when you’re travelling.

To find the perfect provider for you we’ll compare 4 alternatives to Ubank – Wise, OFX, WorldRemit, and PayPal.

  • Wise – for great exchange rates and speedy transfers to 160+ countries
  • OFX – if you want low fees and a personal service 24/7 over the phone
  • WorldRemit – which offers cash pickups via a huge agent network
  • PayPal – make global payments to and from PayPal accounts all over the world

First let’s look at an overview of their speed, transparency, ease of use and price when transferring money abroad. Later we’ll dive into more detail to help you decide which might suit your specific needs best.

Wise OFX WorldRemit PayPal
Fees & Exchange Rates Low transfer fees and the mid-market exchange rate
  • 15 AUD fee for payments under 10,000 AUD
  • Exchange rates include a small markup
Fees vary by destination and payment type

 

Exchange rates include a markup

  • 5% transfer fee (0.99 AUD – 5.99 AUD) + 2.6% when paying by card
  • 3% or 4% currency conversion fee

 

Transfer Speed
  • 50% of payments are instant
  • 90%+ of payments arrive in 24 hours
Most payments arrive in 1 – 2 days Deposits to bank accounts may be instant or take a day or 2 to arrive Payments are deposited instantly to PayPal accounts – it may take a day or two to withdraw to a bank account after this
Countries you can send money to 160+ countries, 40+ currencies 170 countries, 50+ currencies 130+ countries Global coverage
Transfer limits Limits vary by country, but are typically set at the equivalent of 1 million GBP Often no upper limit applies Limits vary by country Limits vary depending on how your account is set up
Ways to send Send payments online or in app

 

Send payments by phone, online or in app

 

Send payments online or in app

 

Send payments online or in app

 

 

Go to Wise  Go to OFX
 

Which Ubank alternative is best for you will depend on the payment you need to make. If you want a low cost, fast transfer to a bank account, for example, Wise may be a good bet – while WorldRemit may be your top pick if you need to send a payment for cash collection. Each provider has its own advantages – here’s why each of our Ubank alternatives may be a great option for you:

  • Wise – often one of the lowest cost providers for payments to bank accounts, you can generate a quote online with no need to register an account, to compare costs. Full Wise review here
  • OFX – good pick if you’re not sure about how to set up your payment and want a personal service over the phone. Full OFX review here
  • WorldRemit – perfect if you need to get money fast to someone without access to a bank account, with payments to mobile money accounts and for cash pickup. Full WorldRemit review here
  • PayPal – offers great global reach, and instant deposits to other PayPal users around the world. Full PayPal review here

Keep reading to learn more about each of our Ubank alternatives.

Wise

Wise is a specialist in international transfers and multi-currency accounts for personal and business customers. Wise has 16+ million users around the world, and offers low cost options for currency conversion and cross border payments in 40+ currencies.

  • Currency conversion uses the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees for payments
  • Multi-currency accounts and cards available for customers to hold and exchange 40+ currencies
  • Send payments to 160+ countries, in 40+ currencies, or open a Wise Account to receive foreign currency payments with local and SWIFT account details, and to spend with a linked Wise card in 150+ countries
  • Fast transfers – 50%+ arrive instantly

Pros and Cons of Using Wise

Pros

  • Low fees and the mid-market exchange rate
  • Personal and business services available
  • Send to 160+ countries and receive money with local and SWIFT account details in many major currencies

Cons

  • Fees vary based on destination country
  • No cash services for pay in or pay out

Go to Wise

OFX

OFX has offices in 9 global locations, which allows it to offer a 24/7 phone service to customers around the world. OFX personal customers can make international transfers in 50+ currencies, and access currency risk management products too. Business customers can do all this, plus open multi-currency accounts to hold, send and receive payments easily.

  • 24/7 personal phone service, plus a range of currency risk management tools and products
  • One off and recurring international transfers to a huge range of countries, in 50+ currencies
  • Personal and business services, including multi-currency accounts aimed at businesses and online sellers
  • Known for great service, with a 15 AUD fee for transfers under 10,000 AUD in value and no transfer fee for higher value payments

Pros and Cons of Using OFX

Pros

  • Personal phone service if you need help and advice, plus no upfront transfer fee
  • Send payments in 50+ currencies and get more complex currency products like limit orders
  • Good range of business services

Cons

  • Exchange rates include a markup
  • 15 AUD fee for transfers under 10,000 AUD in value

WorldRemit

Send a WorldRemit payment to a bank account, for cash collection, to a mobile money account or as an airtime top up. You can make payments to 130+ countries, on popular remittance routes, which can be particularly helpful for people looking to get money home quickly when working overseas.

  • Great range of pay out options including cash collection
  • Transfers can be instant, depending on payment method
  • Pay by bank deposit, credit or debit card
  • Frequent promotions and new customer offers which can bring down the cost

Pros and Cons of Using WorldRemit

Pros

  • Great range of pay out options and 130+ countries covered
  • Set up payments online or in the app for convenience
  • Low fees, which are displayed when you model your payment online

Cons

  • Not all services are available in all destination countries
  • Exchange rates include a markup

PayPal

PayPal is a huge global giant in electronic payments. As so many people all around the world already have a PayPal account this may be a fast and easy option for your transfer, although your payment will land in your recipient’s PayPal account rather than their bank account.

  • Popular and secure option with a broad range of services
  • Transfers can be deposited instantly if you pay with card or PayPal balance
  • Huge global coverage with millions of users
  • Pay with just an email address – no need to get bank details

Pros and Cons of Using PayPal

Pros

  • Huge global reach covering pretty much every country on earth
  • Instant payments to PayPal accounts in a good range of currencies
  • Send payments with just the recipient’s email or phone number for convenience

Cons

  • Fees can be high, at 5% + 3% to 4% currency conversion costs
  • Money is deposited into a PayPal account – extra fees may apply to withdraw the funds to a bank

Can you send money internationally with Ubank?

No. Ubank can’t be used for international transfers, only for domestic payments within Australia, being sent in Australian dollars.

Conclusion

You can not send or receive an international payment with Ubank. The good news is that there are lots of other providers out there which are as easy to use as Ubank, and which cover a good range of countries and currencies.

Ultimately the best Ubank alternative for you will depend on the specific transfer you want to make. We’ve picked out some great contenders, like Wise for low cost international payments with the mid-market exchange rate, and WorldRemit if you want the money to be collected in cash. Use this guide to kickstart your research and make sure you get the best provider for your payment.

Ubank International Transfer FAQs

Can you send money with Ubank to someone in another country?

No. You can not make a Ubank payment to anyone based outside of Australia, or send a payment in any currency other than AUD. But you can use alternatives like Wise, OFX and WorldRemit to make international payments.

Can you use Ubank internationally?

You can not use Ubank to send or receive payments internationally. Consider other alternatives that provide international money transfers, such as Wise and OFX.

Does Ubank convert currency?

Ubank does not convert currency. Ubank supports payments to and from Australian bank accounts only, which should be made in AUD.

Claire Millard
Fintech copy and content writer
Claire Millard is a content and copywriter with a specialty in international finance. Her work has featured in The Times and The Telegraph, as well as industry magazines and leading personal finance blogs.
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Ileana Ionescu
Content manager
With a background in business journalism, Ileana is an experienced content manager, creating content for Exiap that helps its audience make informed decisions about their finances.
Read more
Last updated
December 20th, 2024