How we rank: International money transfers
The Score (0–100) is a weighted sum of the factors below. Each factor is the weighted average of its metrics; each metric is calculated from one published fact. Missing facts score zero, and a service is ranked only when enough of its Score is backed by facts.
A service is ranked only when at least 70% of its Score is backed by verified facts.
← International Money Transfer Services 2026: Independent Ranking
Cost 30%
The fee for a reference transfer of 1,000 USD from the US to Mexico, as shown on the service's own page or calculator: the cheapest regular price, excluding new-customer offers. $0 scores 100, $20 or more scores 0. Plus whether the service's site discloses whether it earns on the exchange rate (a markup or none), and whether it uses the mid-market rate with no markup. The fee does not include any exchange-rate markup, so look at both.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Fee to send 1,000 USD (US → Mexico) | Linear from 0 (100) to 20 (0) — lower is better |
| Discloses earnings on the exchange rate | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Mid-market rate with no markup | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Reach 20%
How many countries you can send to according to the official site (logarithmic, full score from 200), and whether cash pickup at partner locations and delivery to mobile wallets are available.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Countries you can send to | Logarithmic, full score at 200 |
| Cash pickup | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Delivery to mobile wallets | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Speed 15%
Whether the official site offers delivery within minutes or on the same day for at least some destinations and delivery methods.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Delivery within minutes or same day | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
Safety 25%
A licence or registration with a financial regulator stated on the official site (for example FinCEN and US state licences, the FCA, the Central Bank of Ireland), company age (20+ years scores in full) and public status: the company or its parent group is listed on a stock exchange and publishes audited annual reports.
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| Licensed by a financial regulator | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
| Founded | Full score at 20+ years |
| Public company (listed, audited reports) | Yes = 100, No = 0 |
User reputation 10%
App Store rating (US). 3★ scores 0, 5★ scores 100; with few ratings the score is reduced (full weight from 1,000,000 ratings).
| Metric | Rule |
|---|---|
| App Store rating | 3★ = 0, 5★ = 100, damped below 1,000,000 ratings |