The Quick Answer
Remitly is faster and cheaper for bank deposits. Western Union has the best cash pickup network. Both serve urgent transfer needs, but in different ways.
Cost Comparison
On a $1,000 USD to INR transfer:
- Remitly Express: ~$10–20 total cost (low fee, 0.5–1.5% rate markup)
- Remitly Economy: ~$7–12 total cost (better rate, slower)
- Western Union (online): ~$25–45 total cost (fee + 1–4% rate markup)
Remitly is consistently cheaper — by roughly $10–30 per transfer depending on the tier you choose.
Speed Comparison
| Service | Bank Deposit | Cash Pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Remitly Express | Minutes – hours | Limited locations |
| Remitly Economy | 3–5 days | N/A |
| Western Union | 1–3 days | Minutes (150,000+ locations) |
For bank deposits, Remitly Express is the clear winner — money arrives in minutes vs 1–3 days with Western Union.
For cash pickup, Western Union dominates with its massive network of 150,000+ locations across India, including rural areas. Remitly's cash pickup network exists but is far smaller.
Delivery Options
| Method | Remitly | Western Union |
|---|---|---|
| Bank deposit | Yes (fast) | Yes (slower) |
| Cash pickup | Limited | 150,000+ locations |
| Mobile wallet | No | Select wallets |
| Doorstep delivery | No | Select cities |
| UPI | No | No |
Transfer Limits
| Provider | Per Transfer | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Remitly | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Western Union (online) | $5,000 | $10,000 |
Remitly has higher limits for online transfers.
App Experience
Remitly has a significantly better mobile app — cleaner design, faster to send money, and excellent delivery tracking with push notifications. Western Union's app is functional but dated.
The Verdict
| Your Situation | Choose |
|---|---|
| Fast bank deposit | Remitly Express |
| Cash pickup in India | Western Union |
| Best rates | Remitly Economy |
| Doorstep delivery | Western Union |
| Mobile app experience | Remitly |
| Rural recipient | Western Union |
| First-time sender | Remitly (promotional rates) |
Our recommendation: For bank deposits, Remitly is better on both speed and cost. For cash pickup, Western Union's network is unbeatable. If cost is your top priority over both, consider Wise — it beats both on exchange rates.
Read our full reviews: Remitly Review | Western Union Review