Western Union Money Transfer is a leading brand in the international money transfer space because of its affordability, seamless user experience, and multiple payment options.
But, the question remains, is Western Union Money Transfer better than its competitors? With 150 million customers across 200 countries, it certainly seems so.
Western Union money transfer features
Here’s a quick overview of the features you’ll get with Western Union Money Transfer:
Why You Want It
Send money online or in-store + Over 2,700 stores across the country.
Special Features
- In-store transfers
Eligibility
Provinces
ALL
Features
Mid-market Exchange Rate?
Hidden Fees?
Example Fees For $1,000
- USD: $0 to $7
- EUR: $0 to $7
- GBP: $0 to $7
- INR: $0 to $7
- CNY: $0 to $7
Example Transfer Speed For $1,000
- USD: Same day
- EUR: Same or next day
- GBP: Same or next day
- INR: Same or next day
- CNY: Same day, but may take longer depending on regulations and receiving bank
Debit Transfer?
Credit Transfer?
Bank Account Transfer?
Paypal Transfer?
Transfer Limits
- $999/day
Western Union Money Transfer product rating: 2.8 stars
Western Union Money Transfer has introduced significant improvements over the last few years. One thing that hasn't changed, though, is that it remains one of very few institutions still offering in-person transfer services. Many Canadians have relied on this service for decades.
There's still more room for improvement, of course. The daily transfer limit is relatively low and transfers with PayPal aren't an option.
Rating methodology
To calculate our Genius Ratings, we compare the features of the account or product in question with other similar products in Canada. We give each feature a score out of 5 based on that comparison. Once we’ve rated all the features, we run them through our proprietary algorithm to produce a final rating out of 5.
Learn more about our rating methodology.
Here are the benefits that you can expect when using Western Union Money Transfer:
Pros
Set exchange rates
Under the drop-down menu where you choose your payment method on the Western Union Money Transfer website, you'll notice a small bell emoji (it even has an animation to make it look like it's jingling, so you can't miss it!).
Send with Google Pay
Google Pay is offered as a payment option, which is rare among other money transfer services. It also promises to be uniquely valuable to users because over 1 million users have downloaded the Western Union Money Transfer from the Google Play Store. Although there's currently no option for paying with Apple Pay, it's not unlikely that this will be added in the future.
The option for in-store transfers
If you need to make your money transfer in person with cash, Western Union Money Transfer gives you the option. They operate over 3,000 physical stores throughout Canada, a scale that surpasses other transfer services which either don’t have in-person options or offer them on a much smaller scale.
Wide availability
With over 500,000 locations in 200 countries and territories, plus the options to send transfers online or via the app, accessibility is one of Western Union Money Transfer's biggest benefits. It’s available in all Canadian provinces and territories, with physical locations in almost every section of the country (except for Yukon and Nunavut).
Do the pros outweigh the cons? Take a look at what we’ve determined as Western Union Money Transfer's most important drawbacks:
Cons
Surprisingly low daily limit
While other services allow you to transfer as much as $75,000 in a 24-hour period, you can only send $999 per day with Western Union Money Transfer.
No options for PayPal
Google Pay is a fantastic addition to the list of payment options, but PayPal (used and loved by millions) is noticeably absent from that list.
Western Union Money Transfer alternatives
Curious as to how Western Union Money Transfer compares to its competitors? Here's a side-by-side comparison:
 |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account | Western Union Money Transfer | KOHO International Money Transfer | Wise | Xoom |
| Genius Rating | ||||
| Why You Want It | Send money online or in-store + Over 2,700 stores across the country. | Get access to cheap and quick international money transfers from a KOHO account. | Global money transfers that are up to 8x cheaper than banks + No hidden fees. | 4 different delivery methods available + Money-back gurantee. |
| Mid-market Exchange Rate? | | | | |
| Hidden Fees? | | | | |
| Example Fees For $1,000 |
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| Example Transfer Speed For $1,000 |
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| Debit Transfer? | | | | |
Show More | ||||
| Apply Now See more Western Union products Compare | Apply Now See more KOHO products Compare | Apply Now See more Wise products Compare | Learn More See more Paypal products Compare |
FAQ
What is the limit for Western Union Money Transfer?
For money transfers, you’ll be limited to $999 CAD per transaction. This is less than ideal for customers who want to transfer a huge chunk of money at once, especially when compared to competitors with higher limits.
What payment options do you have for Western Union Money Transfer?
For Western Union, you can choose how the receiver will get their money (either with cash or through their bank account) and how you’d like to pay, with in-store payment, credit/visa debit cards, and bank accounts as options.
Does Western Union Money Transfer charge fees?
Yes, and the fees vary depending on several factors, such as your payment method and the intended destination country. Even so, Western Union Money Transfer is known for its reasonable fees and transparent fee structure.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone, and is not endorsed or sponsored by a bank, credit card issuer, rewards program or other entity. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website.
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