Best CurrencyFair alternatives for sending money abroad in 2025
CurrencyFair lets you send money from Australia in 20+ currencies, to 150+ countries, with a flat fee and competitive exchange rates. However, because different international money transfer providers all set their own fees and exchange rates, you’ll only know if CurrencyFair is the best value for you if you shop around.
This article explores 5 sites like CurrencyFair which let you send international payments online and in an app, to help you decide which is best for you. We’ll explore the best CurrencyFair alternatives based on coverage, cost and convenience, so you can choose your perfect provider.
Here are the alternatives to CurrencyFair we selected. In our comparison we discovered that:
- Wise – Mid-market exchange rates, transparent fees and quick delivery
- OFX – 24/7 phone support and no transfer fee for higher value payments
- TorFX – Personal account management options
- Remitly – Payments on popular remittance routes
- Western Union – Huge agent network for convenient cash transfers
Why you should consider a CurrencyFair alternative
CurrencyFair is a good choice if you want to send money to a bank account from Australia, in one of the 20 supported currencies. However, as CurrencyFair has variable fees and rates, you’ll need to compare a few different providers to decide if it’s the very best for you. For example, while CurrencyFair adds a markup to its exchange rate, some alternatives to CurrencyFair – like Wise – do not. Plus, CurrencyFair doesn’t offer a very broad range of payout methods – unlike some CurrencyFair alternatives like Remitly and Western Union which can be helpful if you want to pay in or pay out in cash.
We’ll get into some details of sites like CurrencyFair to use as a comparison in just a moment – first a look at the pros and cons of CurrencyFair.
Pros of CurrencyFair
- Low, flat fee of around 4 AUD for all international payments
- Send to 150+ countries in 20+ currencies
- Arrange your transfer online and in app with no need to visit a physical location
- Payments are delivered to bank accounts which can be convenient for the recipient
Cons of CurrencyFair
- Exchange rates include a markup
- No option to pay in cash, or to have the payment collected in cash by your recipient
Alternatives to CurrencyFair comparison
The best alternative to CurrencyFair depends on exactly what you want. If you’re looking for the mid-market rate with no fee added on, you may like the service from Wise, which covers 160+ countries and 40+ currencies with low, transparent fees and great rates. If you have a very high value transfer to make, OFX or TofTX may appeal, with 24/7 phone support and no limit on the amount you can send. Or if you want a payment to be sent out in cash, Remitly or Western Union may be your best pick.
Here’s a head to head rundown of some of the great sites like CurrencyFair you may want to consider.
| Provider | Exchange rate | Speed | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Mid-market exchange rate | 45%+of payments are instant, 90% arrive in 24 hours* |
|
| OFX | Exchange rate includes a markup | Most transfers are received within 24 hours |
|
| TorFX | Exchange rate includes a markup | 1 – 2 working days |
|
| Remitly | Exchange rate includes a markup | Varies by destination and payment type |
|
| Western Union | Exchange rate includes a markup | Cash collection payments can be instant, bank deposits may take a day or two |
|
Details correct at the time of research – 13th January 2025
*The speed of transaction claims depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions
We’ll work through the providers we’ve selected one by one next – here’s a quick summary of why we think they’re a good CurrencyFair alternative to consider, depending on your specific needs:
- Wise provides multi-currency accounts and fast payments with the mid-market exchange rate, deposited to bank accounts in 160+ countries
- OFX has no transfer fee for high value payments, and a 24/7 phone service which you can use to discuss your transfer with a broker
- TorFX has a personal service with online payments to 50,000 AUD for personal customers
- Remitly offers payments to banks and for cash collection, on popular remittance routes
- Western Union can help if you want to pay for your transfer in person using cash
Wise
If you want your payment to be deposited to a bank account, Wise is a CurrencyFair alternative you should consider, with transfers in 40+ currencies, compared to the 20 or so on offer from CurrencyFair.
Wise offers cheap, fast international payments and multi-currency accounts for business and personal customers, to hold and exchange 40+ currencies in one place. Wise transfers are fast, and can be deposited into bank accounts in 160+ countries. Currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no hidden fees.
Best Wise features
Wise payments use the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees which can be as low as 0.65% for currency conversion and when sending payments. Plus, if you’re looking for ways to receive, exchange or easily spend in foreign currencies, you can also get a Wise account.
Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, receive payments with local and SWIFT account details in a selection of 8+ global currencies, and you can also order a linked Wise international debit card to spend seamlessly in 150+ countries.
| Wise pros | Wise cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Mid-market exchange rate used for currency conversion
✅ Send to 160+ countries, direct to bank accounts ✅ Open a multi-currency account to get paid in foreign currencies conveniently ✅ Transparent fees you can see and compare before you make a payment |
❌ Fees vary based on payment method and destination
❌ No cash collection options |
Why you should use Wise over CurrencyFair
Wise is a good CurrencyFair alternative if you want currency exchange which uses the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees. Plus Wise also offers the option to hold and exchange 40+ currencies in their Wise Account – worth considering if you travel often or love to shop with a range of international ecommerce stores.
OFX
If you need to send a high value transfer to a bank account abroad, it’s worth looking at OFX as a CurrencyFair alternative.
OFX offers international transfers as well as currency risk management services like forward exchange contracts and limit orders, to personal and business customers. Online sellers and business customers can also get a multi-currency account and virtual corporate cards for spending. It’s particularly handy for higher value transfers as there’s no transfer fee over 10,000 AUD, and you’ll have the reassurance of being able to talk through your transaction with a broker on the phone if you want to.
Best OFX features
OFX is known for its 24/7 phone service which you can use to get information, talk through your payment options, or set up more complex currency risk management tools. OFX uses an exchange rate markup which can be smaller than the one your bank would use, and has no transfer fee when sending 10,000 AUD or more.
| OFX pros | OFX cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Send in 50+ currencies, to over 170 countries
✅No transfer fee when sending higher value payments ✅ 24/7 broker service by phone ✅ Most payments arrive in 24 hours |
❌ Exchange rates include a markup
❌ 15 AUD fee if you send a payment worth under 10,000 AUD |
Why you should use OFX over CurrencyFair
OFX could be a good CurrencyFair alternative if you need very high value payments or more complex currency risk management tools. Because OFX has a 24/7 phone service you’ll also be able to talk through your needs with a support agent, which can be reassuring.
TorFX
If you’re looking for a site like CurrencyFair which has phone service options and offers high value transfers, TorFX might be a good bet for you.
TorFX holds the highest possible credit rating and is a big hit with customers. It’s a frequent recipient of customer service awards and offers a personal broker service which lets you talk through your transaction by phone when you need to. As well as international transfers, TorFX has other currency risk management products for personal and business clients.
Best TorFX features
Use TorFX by phone, online or in app, to send one off or recurring payments, and to access currency services including forward contracts and market orders.
There are no transfer fees when you send a payment with TorFX. Instead, a charge will be added to the exchange rate used to convert your funds.
| TorFX pros | TorFX cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Send in 40 currencies, to 120 countries
✅ No transfer fee ✅ Make online payments up to the value of 50,000 AUD ✅ Personal broker service to discuss your needs |
❌ Exchange rates include a markup
❌ You’ll need to register an account to see the rates offered and compare the cost of your transfer |
Why you should use TorFX over CurrencyFair
TorFX may be the best CurrencyFair alternative for you if you’re making high value transfers and don’t want to pay a separate transfer fee for the payment. TorFX is also celebrated for its personal service – ideal if you’re looking for in person advice.
Remitly
Remitly offers international payments globally and on popular remittance routes. You can make a Remitly payment from Australia to around 100 different countries. Where Remitly stands out against CurrencyFair is in its range of different payout methods. Depending on where you’re sending money to, you may be able to choose between having your money deposited in a bank or mobile money account, or sent for cash collection, delivery or to a debit card.
Best Remitly features
Send Remitly payments to bank accounts, mobile money accounts, to debit cards and for cash collection or delivery, with services and currencies offered varying by destination country. You’ll be able to opt to pay with a bank transfer or with a Mastercard or Visa card.
| Remitly pros | Remitly cons |
|---|---|
| ✅Good range of payout options
✅ Send to around 100 countries ✅ New customer discounts are often available ✅Online and in-app service for convenience |
❌ Personal payments only – no business transfers
❌ Exchange rates may include a markup, and there’s usually a transfer fee to pay |
Why you should use Remitly over CurrencyFair
Remitly may be a good CurrencyFair alternative if you’re sending a personal payment and would rather have the money collected in cash locally, or even sent out for home delivery in some destinations. This can be a very helpful way to make sure you can get cash to a loved one quickly, even if they can’t easily get to a bank or ATM.
Western Union
Western Union is one of the oldest and best known money transfer companies globally, with a huge agent network which covers almost every country in the world. Send money online, in-app or in person, with a range of different ways to pay – and different payout options including cash collection and deposit to bank and mobile money accounts, depending on what suits your recipient.
Best Western Union features
Western Union is a great CurrencyFair alternative if you want to pay in cash or if you prefer to set up your payment in person with an agent. It’s pretty unrivalled in its agent network, which means that your recipient is likely to be able to find a convenient location locally to get their money – often in minutes.
| Western Union pros | Western Union cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Cash collection payments can be instant
✅ Range of ways to pay, and for the money to be received ✅ Send to almost every country on the planet ✅ Easy to use app – or an in person service at an agent if you prefer |
❌ Exchange rate markups apply
❌ Fees vary and can be on the high side |
Why you should use Western Union over CurrencyFair
Western Union is another strong CurrencyFair alternative if you want to pay in cash for your transfer. Western Union has a good customer support operation and you can always walk into an agent office to get face to face help – another bonus if you’re a fan of in person customer service.
Still looking for providers? Compare all international money transfer services
Are the alternatives safe?
Yes. We have only selected providers which are safe to use with normal precautions. You’ll need to keep your account secure and your password secret, for example, but each provider has security measures built into their processes – like secure authentication and verification steps, and ways to get fast help from the support team if something goes wrong.
CurrencyFair alternatives conclusion
CurrencyFair offers great services if you’re sending money to one of the supported countries and currencies, but it’s not always the very best choice. As there is a variable markup added to the exchange rate offered by CurrencyFair, you may want to compare a few different providers based on fees and rates, as well as convenience, to see if one suits you better.
If you’re sending to a bank account, Wise offers payments to more countries and currencies, with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees. Or you might want to have your money collected in cash – in which case Western Union or Remitly may be a good alternative to CurrencyFair. Finally if you prefer to manage your payments by phone, OFX and TorFX are worth a look, with great customer service and an easy to use brokerage service available 24/7.
Alternatives to CurrencyFair FAQs
Is there a better alternative to CurrencyFair?
There’s no single best company to transfer money with, so whether or not there’s a better alternative to CurrencyFair out there for you depends on exactly what you’re looking for. Comparing a few is the best way to get a good deal. Use our top picks as a starting point to find the best one for you.
Is there a faster alternative to CurrencyFair?
The delivery times for any international payment can vary a lot, depending on many different factors. However, most providers can give you a delivery estimate before you confirm the payment so you know what to expect. Compare the delivery speed you’re quoted by CurrencyFair with alternatives like Wise to see which is faster for your specific payment.
Is there a cheaper alternative to CurrencyFair?
CurrencyFair has a flat transfer fee of 4 AUD which is pretty reasonable. However, there’s also a fee included in the exchange rate you’re quoted for currency exchange. Compare a few providers looking at the fees but also the exchange rates available to decide which is best for your payment.
Is there a safer alternative to CurrencyFair?
All of the providers we’ve mentioned here – including CurrencyFair – are safe to use. They’re popular with customers and have a wide range of anti-fraud measures to make sure customers are safe. Here’s a rundown of some key security pointers:
- Wise – Manual and automatic anti-fraud processes and 2 factor authentication to keep accounts safe
- OFX – 24/7 phone support if you ever have a question, as well as industry level anti-fraud measures
- TorFX – great reputation for safety and service, with 24/7 phone support if you ever need it
- Remitly – Lots of information to help customers avoid fraud, including tools to spot suspicious messages and report issues
- Western Union – Large global company with high level security to keep customers and their payments safe
