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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
Better options than

Western Union alternatives

Western Union users often look for alternatives due to high fees, poor exchange rates, and frequent app issues. Alternatives like Remitly and MoneyGram offer competitive pricing and faster transfers for international remittances, while Cash App and PayPal cater to domestic transfers and broader financial services.

Why users look for alternatives to Western Union

The alternatives

Cash App
4.8★ · 8,517,185 ratings · Free

Cash App offers quick and easy money transfers, with users appreciating its instant gratification for sending and receiving funds R59R61R63. It also provides features for managing money, though some users find the interface initially confusing R55.

Better for: Cash App is better for users looking for instant domestic money transfers and those who want a straightforward app for sending money quickly R59R61R63. It may also appeal to younger users R52. However, users should be aware of potential issues with customer support and scam resolution R51.

Head-to-head: Western Union vs Cash App
PayPal
4.8★ · 6,298,622 ratings · Free

PayPal is a widely used platform for sending and receiving money, with some users finding it great for managing paychecks and savings . It's generally considered a reliable option by some R66.

Better for: PayPal is better for users who need a versatile platform for online payments, receiving paychecks, and saving money . However, users should be prepared for potential issues with customer support, especially for international account changes, and app glitches after updates R67.

Head-to-head: Western Union vs PayPal
Remitly
4.9★ · 2,625,940 ratings · Free

Remitly is praised for being a very easy, fast, and cheaper option for international money transfers, particularly to countries like Mexico and Venezuela R80R83R88R90. Users appreciate the convenience of sending money from their phones R80R88.

Better for: Remitly is better for individuals sending money internationally who prioritize ease of use, speed, and lower costs compared to other services R80R83R88R90. It's particularly useful for those helping family abroad R90. However, users should be cautious about creating multiple accounts as it can lead to account suspension R79.

Head-to-head: Western Union vs Remitly
Xoom
4.8★ · 1,200,089 ratings · Free

Xoom is a service that many users have relied on for years for quick and convenient international money transfers, especially to Mexico R94. It's appreciated for making it easier to help loved ones abroad .

Better for: Xoom is better for long-term users who have found it reliable for international transfers and appreciate its convenience . However, recent reviews indicate that it has become more expensive and some users experience significant issues with delayed transactions, account closures, and unhelpful customer service R93R95R96.

Head-to-head: Western Union vs Xoom
MoneyGram® Money Transfers App
4.9★ · 681,776 ratings · Free

MoneyGram is valued for its quick and easy money transfer process, with some users reporting timely and dependable transactions R108. It also offers promotions .

Better for: MoneyGram is better for users seeking a quick, easy, and dependable way to send money, particularly if they can take advantage of promotions . However, some users report higher costs, delayed transfers, and issues with account suspensions and unhelpful customer service R107R109R110.

Head-to-head: Western Union vs MoneyGram® Money Transfers App
Stick with Western Union if

You should stick with Western Union if you prioritize its widespread availability and have consistently experienced fast and reliable transfers without encountering the common issues of high fees, poor exchange rates, or app glitches . Some users find it to be the best and easiest way to send money, especially for helping family .

Evidence note: No alternative had too-thin evidence.

Frequently asked

Why do people look for alternatives to Western Union?
People look for alternatives to Western Union primarily because of high transaction fees and unfavorable exchange rates, which can significantly reduce the amount received by the recipient R3R6R9R17. Additionally, users frequently report issues with the app being slow, glitchy, and requiring constant updates, leading to frustration and delayed transfers R1R13R25R29.
Which app is best for cheap international money transfers?
Remitly is often cited as a cheaper option for international money transfers, with users specifically mentioning it being cheaper than other methods they've used for transfers to Mexico R83. Many users also appreciate its ease and speed for sending money to family abroad R80R88R90.
Are there faster alternatives to Western Union?
Yes, users report that Cash App offers instant gratification for sending money, making it a quick option for domestic transfers R59R61R63. For international transfers, Remitly is frequently praised for its speed, with many users experiencing fast transfers R80R83R88.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] Western Union 3/5 · US Rates: Exchange rate is incorrect! So makes money of the exchange rate and transaction fees. Been using this service for over 7 years
  2. [R6] Western Union 3/5 · US Don’t Send Money to Japan: Do not send money to Japan via WesternUnion. They will rip you off on a incredibly horrible exchange rate. I thought I was paying about a $12 fee but I lost another $300 in the terrible exchange rate they gave me.
  3. [R9] Western Union 3/5 · US Expensive: Unfortunately I have to use Western Union. However, it’s expensive.
  4. [R17] Western Union 1/5 · US Cobran caro: Subieron las tarifas y no avisan
  5. [R1] Western Union 1/5 · US Garbage: Doesn’t work. Another day, another unnecessary update. Complete piece of garbage that needs to be updated over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over every single day and every single
  6. [R13] Western Union 1/5 · US Worst app and website ever: One of the worst abs and websites ever so slow every time I never had a good experience with their website or application
  7. [R25] Western Union 2/5 · US Inconsistent: Some days the app is perfect and other days it’s nothing but issues
  8. [R31] Western Union 2/5 · US Technology is too slow: Slow app takes forever to do a transfer and they cage too much.
  9. [R10] Western Union 1/5 · US No resuelven rápido: Tuve una experiencia muy poco agradable realicé un envío el viernes y no se ha completado no me pueden decir cuál es el motivo por el cual la persona a la que envío no puede recibir el dinero esto es por tarjeta bancaria. Deberían solucionar más rápido. A veces los envíos son urgentes y las personas necesitamos el dinero rápido. Muy insatisfecha con el servició.
  10. [R15] Western Union 1/5 · US Transfer unsuccessful: These last couple days I’ve been trying to send money from the US to Colombia and it’s not working. What’s going on? Is anyone having this issue?
  11. [R23] Western Union 2/5 · US They don’t know: If you are in a foreign country and lose your bank card or wallet - make sure YOU find out if there’s a cap on how much cash can be sent to you there. Western Union allows members to send over the cap and then the money must be refunded and sent again if it was too high. This left me without cash for days and then another fee to send again. It’s a necessary evil as it’s still hard
  12. [R29] Western Union 1/5 · US Delayed transfers: They constantly delay transfers for days on end. I’ve had my money transfer delayed as in progress for a week now and all the chat people can respond with is they’re working on it. It’s been days? This is the 4th time since downloading this app that this has happened.
  13. [R7] Western Union 1/5 · US No funciona: Nunca llega el correo para recuperar contraseña
  14. [R27] Western Union 1/5 · US Poor customer service: Poo
  15. [R11] Western Union 4/5 · US Good enough but not excellent: I would say this app is 5 stars but when I try to redeem my point it never allows me, so that; you need to fit it to be 5 stars for me.
  16. [R12] Western Union 3/5 · US Difficult: It gives you an option of banks then won’t allow to connect To it.
  17. [R16] Western Union 4/5 · US Rewards: Never received any rewards from the company.
  18. [R35] Western Union 2/5 · US Tries to sell credit cards: Repeatedly asks to accept credit card offers etc. Every.Single.Time.
  19. [R51] Cash App 1/5 · US scummy practices: response to developer response: no thanks, i will not be reaching out for “help”. you people literally will just tell me the same thing. i went through four different support agents, and NONE of them had empathy, or even attempted to understand the situation, sending the same exact copy and paste responses. thanks for stabbing me in the back, though. :) will take my business else
  20. [R52] Cash App 5/5 · US Child benefits: It's I good way for kids with money
  21. [R54] Cash App 1/5 · US Stole $300: So my boyfriend bought $300 worth of bitcoin on Cash App and whenever he contacted support for it they withdrew $241 from my bitcoin. I contacted support again after and they have no clue where that money went.
  22. [R55] Cash App 4/5 · US User interface: At first the user interface and understanding certain parts of the app like stocks savings rates etc I didn’t understand and was super confused but after some google searches I understood it.
  23. [R65] PayPal 2/5 · US “Default”: Wish there was a way to make your “default” name and address the default. This purchase, current business name and street address from 20 years ago. Different purchase 5 mins later, actual name, address from 10yrs ago. Next purchase, old business name, current address.
  24. [R66] PayPal 4/5 · US New Beginnings: I tried them in the past and I am back for a new chance.
  25. [R67] PayPal 3/5 · US PayPal: I find PayPal very unhelpful I have moved to another country and need to either change or open a new PayPal account not really sure what to do because no one from PayPal will assist me
  26. [R68] PayPal 1/5 · US Esa mierda de PayPal no sirves son estafadores él tiene mi dinero tenido esa mierda. Maldito PayPal: Ojalá y se mueran todos por estafadores ladrona, azaroso, no pueden tener mi cuarto retenido quiero mi dinero, pues si mi cuenta está suspendida deme mi dinero, coñazo, maldita, sea, le voy a poner una demanda
  27. [R79] Remitly 1/5 · US Dont create multiple accounts: If you forgot the userId or accounts which you created earlier. Call them to get the details. If forgot and created another account they will block you from using remitly. Sadly they wont inform you these things . Providing you after experience.
  28. [R80] Remitly 5/5 · US BEST APP EVER!: Listen, I’m not the type to be posting reviews. But this is one of the best apps that I’ve ever tried. I’ve never had a problem whatsoever. I used to send money through a store and now I could just send money through my fingertips.
  29. [R81] Remitly 3/5 · US Eehhh: Had a little unnecessary hiccup but it’s well needed and convenient when everything is right way
  30. [R82] Remitly 2/5 · US Intereses: Bajar intereses de envío
  31. [R93] Xoom 1/5 · US Does not work properly: I been trying to send money and there is always issues with the operation!
  32. [R94] Xoom 5/5 · US Great and very convenient: Alex love el campo
  33. [R95] Xoom 3/5 · US Got expensive: Works perfect, but got expensive this year
  34. [R96] Xoom 1/5 · US Terrible app & customer service: I was initially very excited about this app after struggling for some months to find a good streamlined but fairly full featured alternative to Wise that appeared in most cases to be cheaper (or even free) than most transfer apps. I’m an international research veterinary medical doctor and artist, I am a dual citizen so split my time between the EU & the US & trave
  35. [R107] MoneyGram® Money Transfers App 1/5 · US Account suspended: They have intentionally closed my account during the transaction and asked me to visit the stores to transfer money to make users use store process.
  36. [R108] MoneyGram® Money Transfers App 5/5 · US Great service: Wow
  37. [R109] MoneyGram® Money Transfers App 3/5 · US High Cost: The cost of sending is higher then other apps.
  38. [R110] MoneyGram® Money Transfers App 1/5 · US Promo: No promo code even the amount of times I’ve send money through the app
  39. [R83] Remitly 5/5 · US Transfer to Mexico: It was very easy, fast and cheaper than every other way I have used for international transfers!! Thank you Remitly!
  40. [R88] Remitly 5/5 · US Excepcional: Llevo años usando este método para mandar dinero y es un proceso seguro ,rápido y responsable el mejor método, no lo cambiaría por nada fácil y desde mi casa.
  41. [R90] Remitly 5/5 · US Una buena alternativa: Puedes fácilmente encontrar muchas opciones de envío rápido y económico para muchos de los que necesitamos ayudar a la familia🫶🏻
  42. [R59] Cash App 5/5 · US Jah: Quick and easy
  43. [R61] Cash App 5/5 · US The service is great: I’m impressed with how instant gratification is on this app
  44. [R63] Cash App 5/5 · US Fácil y rápido: 5

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store