MoneyGram vs Xe

Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

MoneyGram

International money transfer service for sending cash, bank deposits and wallet payments in-app or in person.

Paid

Visit MoneyGram MoneyGram profile

Well-known currency converter that also offers international money transfers to bank accounts, wallets and cash pickup.

Free plan + paid

Visit Xe Xe profile

The short answer

MoneyGram is built for cash: send in its app, online or in person, and recipients collect cash or get bank, card or wallet deposits in 200+ countries and territories. Xe is an online-first transfer service with a popular free currency converter and rate alerts, often competitive for larger bank-to-bank sums. Pick MoneyGram for in-person sending and cash pickup; pick Xe for larger online transfers.

MoneyGram or Xe: our take

Both services move money abroad without a subscription: the cost of each transfer is a fee plus an exchange-rate margin. Their strengths differ. MoneyGram's network reaches more than 200 countries and territories with nearly 500,000 retail locations, and senders can pay in its app, online or in person at agents such as supermarkets and pharmacies. Recipients can collect cash or receive money in a bank account, on a debit card or in a mobile wallet, depending on the country. In the US it also handles bill payments, money orders and mobile top-ups. Its fees and margins vary widely by amount, payment method, destination and delivery option, and bank transfers are often costlier than with online-only services.

Xe began as a currency converter, and the free converter, live rate charts and rate alerts are still a big part of why people use it. Its transfer service, owned by Euronet Worldwide, sends to bank accounts, mobile wallets and cash pickup at 500,000+ locations. Paying from a bank account carries no additional fee, while card payments are faster but add a small fee; bank transfers can take up to three business days. Xe is regulated by the FCA, FinCEN, FINTRAC, ASIC and others, offers business accounts, and allows up to $535,000 USD per online transfer from the US.

Both run on the web and in iPhone and Android apps, and both offer cash pickup, so the choice comes down to how the sender pays and how much is being sent. Someone who prefers to hand over cash at a counter, or whose family relies on picking up cash nearby, will find MoneyGram's agent network more convenient. Someone sending larger amounts online from a bank account, or who already checks rates on Xe, will usually find Xe the better fit. Comparing the total cost of a specific route on both is worthwhile before sending.

Choose MoneyGram if…

People sending money to families who collect cash or use mobile wallets
Huge cash pickup network in over 200 countries and territories
Send in the app, online or in person

Choose Xe if…

People sending larger sums abroad who also want a trusted currency converter and rate alerts
You want a free option (MoneyGram is paid only)
Free currency converter, charts and rate alerts
Bank, mobile wallet and cash pickup delivery

What is MoneyGram?

MoneyGram is one of the largest international money transfer networks. You can send in its app, online, or in person at agent locations such as supermarkets, pharmacies and Walmart stores in the US, and recipients can collect cash nearby or receive money in a bank account, on a debit card or in a mobile wallet, depending on the country. Its partner network reaches more than 200 countries and territories, which makes it a common choice for cash-first families and places with limited banking. In the US it also handles bill payments, money orders and mobile top-ups. There's no subscription: each transfer carries a fee plus an exchange-rate margin that varies by amount, payment method, destination and delivery option, so comparing the total cost against online-first services is worthwhile. It suits people who need cash pickup or prefer to pay in person, rather than those sending large bank-to-bank sums. It runs on the web and in iPhone and Android apps.

What is Xe?

Xe started as a popular online currency converter and is now also a money transfer service owned by Euronet Worldwide. The free converter, live rate charts and rate alerts remain widely used by travellers and businesses. Its transfer service lets you send money to bank accounts, mobile wallets and cash pickup points in well over a hundred countries, paying by bank debit, wire or card; card payments are faster but cost more. It's licensed by regulators in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, among others, and offers business accounts for larger and recurring payments. There's no subscription: the cost of a transfer is built into the fee and the exchange rate, and it's often competitive for larger sums. It suits people moving larger amounts between bank accounts or who already use Xe's rates, and those who want cash pickup too. It runs on the web and in iPhone and Android apps, with biometric login and transfer tracking.

Side by side

Attribute	MoneyGram	Xe
Pricing	Paid	Free plan + paid
Open source	No	No
Self-hostable	No	No
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Best for	People sending money to families who collect cash or use mobile wallets	People sending larger sums abroad who also want a trusted currency converter and rate alerts
Status	Active	Active

MoneyGram vs Xe pricing

MoneyGram: paid

We couldn't verify MoneyGram's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.

Xe: free plan + paid

Starting price: Transfer fees from $0 source

Xe pricing page

Platforms

Platform	MoneyGram	Xe
Web
iOS
Android

MoneyGram facts

4 of 4 verified

Countries: 200+ countries and territories; Checked Nov 8, 2026moneygram.com(opens source in a new tab); “partners across more than 200 countries and territories”
Bill pay: Yes (US); Checked Nov 8, 2026moneygram.com(opens source in a new tab); “Pay bills online and in person A fast, easy way to pay your bills online or at a MoneyGram location.”
Ways to send: App, online or in person; Checked Nov 8, 2026moneygram.com(opens source in a new tab); “2 Choose how to send You can send in-app, online, or in person.”
Retail locations: Nearly 500,000; Checked Nov 8, 2026moneygram.com(opens source in a new tab); “in-person services at nearly 500,000 locations worldwide.”

Xe facts

8 of 8 verified

Cash pickup: 500,000+ locations; Checked Nov 8, 2026xe.com(opens source in a new tab); “Cash Pickup Your recipient can receive their cash in person, at over 500,000 Xe cash pickup locations worldwide.”
Regulators: FCA, FinCEN, FINTRAC, ASIC and more; Checked Nov 8, 2026xe.com(opens source in a new tab); “Regulated for your protection Licensed by the FCA, FinCEN, FINTRAC, ASIC, and more—so your money and data stay safe wherever you send.”
Bank account payment: No additional fee; Checked Nov 8, 2026xe.com(opens source in a new tab); “This typically takes up to 3 business days and has no additional fees.”
Rate alerts: Yes; Checked Nov 8, 2026xe.com(opens source in a new tab); “Set up rate alerts and get notified when your desired exchange rate is reached, helping you make the most out of every transfer.”
US online transfer limit: $535,000 USD per transfer; Checked Nov 8, 2026xe.com(opens source in a new tab); “United States (US): $535,000 USD”
Owner: Euronet Worldwide; Checked Nov 8, 2026xe.com(opens source in a new tab); “We are part of Euronet Worldwide (NASDAQ: EEFT), a multibillion-dollar global payments company.”
Starting price: Transfer fees from $0; Checked Nov 8, 2026xe.com(opens source in a new tab); “low fees starting at $0.”
Card payment: Small additional fee; Checked Nov 8, 2026xe.com(opens source in a new tab); “However, card payments come with a small additional fee.”

Pros and cons of MoneyGram

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
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

More MoneyGram alternatives

Pros and cons of Xe

Free currency converter, charts and rate alerts
Bank, mobile wallet and cash pickup delivery
Regulated in many countries and part of Euronet
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

More Xe alternatives

Other apps to consider

Remitly
Instead of MoneyGram
App-first remittances, often with lower fees and better rates for bank and wallet deposits.
Wise
Instead of MoneyGram
Mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees, best for transfers between bank accounts.
Xoom
Instead of MoneyGram
Online and app transfers with cash pickup, plus the option to pay with an existing PayPal account.
Instarem
Instead of Xe
Upfront fees, real-time tracking and loyalty points for regular senders.
Atlantic Money
Instead of Xe
One flat fee and no exchange-rate markup, good value on large transfers.

MoneyGram vs Xe: common questions

Is MoneyGram better than Xe?

Is MoneyGram free?

No. MoneyGram is paid, though it may offer a trial.

Is Xe free?

Xe has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.

Is MoneyGram or Xe open source?

Neither is open source.

Which platforms do MoneyGram and Xe support?

MoneyGram: Web, iOS and Android. Xe: Web, iOS and Android.