Wise vs Remitly for India: rates, fees, speed and limits compared
Wise and Remitly are the two most popular online options for NRIs sending money to India. Wise uses the mid-market rate with a transparent percentage fee. Remitly uses a small spread plus a flat fee and offers both Economy and Express delivery. The best choice depends on the amount, speed needed and currency.
Wise is usually cheaper for amounts above $1,000
Wise is typically cheaper for larger transfers (above $1,000 or equivalent) because it uses the mid-market rate with a percentage fee that gets proportionally smaller. Remitly is competitive for small amounts, especially with first-time promotional rates. Always compare the total INR received for your specific amount on the day.
Key points
- Wise: mid-market rate — Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges a transparent fee — typically 0.4–0.8% of the transfer amount.
- Remitly: spread + flat fee — Remitly applies a small exchange-rate spread plus a flat fee. Express delivery is faster but costs more than Economy.
- Compare on the day — Rates change daily. Enter your exact amount on both platforms and compare the INR received — the result can flip depending on the day and amount.
Side-by-side comparison
Exchange rate: Wise uses mid-market. Remitly uses a slightly marked-up rate that varies by corridor and speed.
Fees: Wise charges a transparent percentage fee. Remitly charges a small flat fee (often waived for first transfer) plus the spread.
Delivery: Wise typically 1–2 business days for bank transfer. Remitly Express is often minutes to hours; Economy is 3–5 days but cheaper.
Limits: Wise personal limit varies by country (up to $1M+ with verification). Remitly limits vary by tier — start at $2,999/day and increase with verification.
Currencies: Both support USD, GBP, EUR, AED, SGD, CAD and AUD to INR.
When to choose each
Choose Wise if: you are sending a large amount (above $1,000), you want total fee transparency, or you transfer regularly.
Choose Remitly if: you need Express delivery for an urgent transfer, the amount is small and the promotional first-transfer rate applies, or Remitly's rate on that day beats Wise.
Check both: rates change daily. A 30-second comparison on both apps before sending is always worth doing.
Frequently asked questions
Does Wise or Remitly credit to NRE accounts?
Both can send to Indian bank accounts including NRE. Enter your NRE account IFSC and account number as the destination. Ensure your name matches the account exactly.
Are there any hidden fees on Wise?
Wise publishes all fees before you confirm. The fee includes a fixed component and a percentage component — both are shown on the quote screen. There is no additional spread on the exchange rate.
What is the maximum I can send with Wise or Remitly?
Wise personal limits increase with identity verification — verified accounts can send large amounts. Remitly starts at $2,999/day and increases to $30,000 or more with enhanced verification. Check each provider's current limits for your corridor.