AppBreakup

Xe alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll international money transfer services

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Xe: card payments add an extra fee, and exchange-rate margin makes the true cost less obvious than Wise's. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Xe, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Remitly currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Remitly logoRemitlyFree—NoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 464.8
2MoneyGram logoMoneyGramPaid—NoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 461.8
3Xoom logoXoomPaid—NoWeb, iOS, Android6 of 659.4
4Wise logoWiseFree—NoWeb, iOS, Android3 of 356.8
5Instarem logoInstaremPaid—NoWeb, iOS, Android5 of 542.3
6Atlantic Money logoAtlantic MoneyPaid—NoiOS5 of 542.3
  1. Remitly logo

    1. RemitlyTop pick

    Best for: People sending regular remittances to family abroad, especially for cash pickup or mobile wallets

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xe

    Fast app-based remittances with strong coverage for mobile wallets and cash pickup.

    Pros

    • Sends to 170+ countries with bank, mobile wallet and cash pickup options
    • Fee and exchange rate shown before you confirm
    • Support in 18 languages
    • Business accounts for paying overseas contractors

    Cons

    • Exchange rates include a margin, so it is not always the cheapest route
    • You can only send from a limited list of countries
    • Costs vary by route and payment method, which makes comparing harder
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Remitly a good Xe alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Destinations
    175+ countries
    Checked Nov 8, 2026remitly.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Delivery methods
    Bank account, mobile wallet, cash pickup
    Checked Nov 8, 2026remitly.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Support languages
    18
    Checked Nov 8, 2026remitly.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Headquarters
    Seattle, US
    Checked Nov 8, 2026remitly.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. MoneyGram logo

    2. MoneyGram

    Best for: People sending money to families who collect cash or use mobile wallets

    PaidWeb, iOS, Android

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xe

    Lets senders pay in cash at nearly 500,000 retail locations.

    Pros

    • Huge cash pickup network in over 200 countries and territories
    • Send in the app, online or in person
    • Bank, debit card and mobile wallet delivery where available

    Cons

    • Fees and exchange-rate margins vary widely by route and method
    • Often costlier than online-only services for bank transfers
    • Not every service is available in every country
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is MoneyGram a good Xe alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Countries
    200+ countries and territories
    Checked Nov 8, 2026moneygram.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Retail locations
    Nearly 500,000
    Checked Nov 8, 2026moneygram.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Ways to send
    App, online or in person
    Checked Nov 8, 2026moneygram.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Bill pay
    Yes (US)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026moneygram.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Xoom logo

    3. Xoom

    Best for: PayPal users sending money home to bank accounts, wallets or cash pickup points

    PaidWeb, iOS, Android

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xe

    PayPal's transfer service for cash pickup, bank deposits and mobile reloads in many countries.

    Pros

    • Pays out to banks, debit cards, mobile wallets, UPI, PIX and cash pickup
    • Can be funded straight from a PayPal account
    • Fee and receive amount shown before you send
    • Phone top-ups and bill payments abroad in the same app

    Cons

    • Earns a margin on the exchange rate on top of the fee
    • Card-funded transfers usually cost more than bank-funded ones
    • Fees, limits and speeds vary a lot by country
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Xoom a good Xe alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 6 verified
    Owner
    PayPal
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xoom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    In service since
    2001
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xoom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Payout options
    Bank, wallet, UPI, PIX, cash pickup
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xoom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Cash pickup and delivery
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xoom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Exchange-rate margin
    Yes, on top of transfer fees
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xoom.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Transfer fee to India
    $0 on eligible transactions
    Checked Nov 8, 2026xoom.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Wise logo

    4. Wise

    Best for: Expats, freelancers and travellers who send, receive or spend money in several currencies

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android

    56.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xe

    Uses the mid-market rate with an upfront fee, so costs are easy to compare.

    Pros

    • Mid-market exchange rate with fees shown upfront
    • Holds and converts 40+ currencies in one account
    • Local account details for receiving payments abroad

    Cons

    • Not a full bank in most countries, so no overdrafts or loans
    • Per-transfer fees still apply, especially for small amounts
    • Funds are safeguarded rather than covered by deposit insurance in many regions
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.360
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Wise a good Xe alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Currencies
    40+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026wise.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Account fee
    Free to open
    Checked Nov 8, 2026wise.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Fund protection
    Safeguarded accounts
    Checked Nov 8, 2026wise.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Instarem logo

    5. Instarem

    Best for: Expats in the US, Europe or Asia sending money home to bank accounts, especially to India

    PaidWeb, iOS, Android

    42.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xe

    Upfront fees, real-time tracking and loyalty points for regular senders.

    Pros

    • InstaPoints rewards lower the cost of future transfers
    • Fees and rate shown upfront with real-time tracking
    • Backed by Nium and licensed in 11 countries

    Cons

    • Around 60 destination countries, far fewer than Remitly or Western Union
    • Mostly bank deposits, with little cash-pickup coverage
    • Supporting documents may be requested for some transfer purposes
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Instarem a good Xe alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Destinations
    60+ countries
    Checked Nov 8, 2026instarem.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Nium
    Checked Nov 8, 2026instarem.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Regulation
    Licensed in 11 countries
    Checked Nov 8, 2026instarem.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2014, in Asia-Pacific
    Checked Nov 8, 2026instarem.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Rewards
    InstaPoints on every transfer
    Checked Nov 8, 2026instarem.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Atlantic Money logo

    6. Atlantic Money

    Best for: UK users sending large sums abroad who want a flat fee and no exchange-rate markup

    PaidiOS

    42.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xe

    One flat fee and no exchange-rate markup, good value on large transfers.

    Pros

    • Flat fee per transfer, regardless of the amount sent
    • Uses the live exchange rate with no markup
    • High transfer limit for big one-off payments
    • Business version for paying international suppliers

    Cons

    • Only about ten currencies supported
    • No Android app yet
    • Flat fee makes it poor value for very small transfers
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Atlantic Money a good Xe alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Transfer fee
    Flat £3 per transfer
    Checked Nov 8, 2026atlantic.money(opens source in a new tab)
    Maximum transfer
    £1 million for the same £3 fee
    Checked Nov 8, 2026atlantic.money(opens source in a new tab)
    Exchange rate markup
    None, live rate
    Checked Nov 8, 2026atlantic.money(opens source in a new tab)
    Currencies
    10
    Checked Nov 8, 2026atlantic.money(opens source in a new tab)
    Operator
    Deel Payments UK Ltd (FCA authorised)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026atlantic.money(opens source in a new tab)

The best Xe alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Remitly logo

Best Xe alternative for most people

Remitly

Fast app-based remittances with strong coverage for mobile wallets and cash pickup.

Wise logo

Best Xe alternative for a free option

Wise

Uses the mid-market rate with an upfront fee, so costs are easy to compare.

MoneyGram logo

Best Xe alternative for iPhone and Android

MoneyGram

Lets senders pay in cash at nearly 500,000 retail locations.

Xoom logo

Best Xe alternative for working in the browser

Xoom

PayPal's transfer service for cash pickup, bank deposits and mobile reloads in many countries.

Xe alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Xe?

Remitly ranks first right now. Fast app-based remittances with strong coverage for mobile wallets and cash pickup. MoneyGram and Xoom follow it in our ranking.

Xe vs Remitly: what's the difference?

Xe is free with paid plans; Remitly is free to use. Both run on Web, iOS and Android.

Is Xe free?

Xe is free with paid plans. Starting price: Transfer fees from $0; US online transfer limit: $535,000 USD per transfer. Checked on Xe's own site, November 2026.

Is there a free alternative to Xe?

Yes. Remitly (free) and Wise (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Xe?

None of the 6 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Xe?

The complaints we hear most: card payments add an extra fee; exchange-rate margin makes the true cost less obvious than Wise's; bank transfers can take up to three business days.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Xe, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.