Xoom vs Remitly vs Wise - Which is better in New Zealand?

When sending money internationally choosing the right provider can make a big difference in the speed, reliability and cost of the transaction. Xoom and Remitly are two well known methods for international money transfers, each with their own pros and cons. We've also included Wise, another popular choice known for its fair pricing and ease of use.

In this comparison we’re going to break down each of the three services, putting them head to head to help you find the best fit for your needs.

Xoom vs Remitly vs Wise

To start, let’s take a look at the features that are on offer from Xoom, Remitly and Wise. This is specifically within the context of sending and receiving money as a New Zealander, as this does have a significant impact on what you can do.

What is Xoom?

Xoom is a money transfer provider on offer from PayPal that lets people send funds to family and friends around the world.¹ Since it’s connected to PayPal, Xoom users can create a Xoom account, or log into Xoom using their existing PayPal credentials.

In terms of security, Xoom has incorporated features into their system that are designed to keep your financial information safe. This includes encryption and 24/7 fraud monitoring.² They also offer a money back guarantee if the funds don’t arrive at the designated account.

What is Remitly?

Like Xoom, Remitly’s money transfer services are focused on sending money to people you know rather than businesses.⁵ They have no hidden fees and a delivery time frame guarantee where they’ll refund your fees if the funds don’t arrive when they should.⁵

To protect customers, Remitly uses a blend of automated and manual risk managed processes looking for suspicious account activity.⁹ Accounts are also protected with a password and encryption.

What is Wise?

Founded in 2011, Wise was created by two friends with the goal of making sending money across borders cheaper and easier. Today, it services millions of people, offering international money transfers, multi currency accounts and a debit card for easy daily spending.

To keep your money safe, Wise has automatic fraud monitoring and a dedicated security team. The Wise Accounts are protected by a variety of systems including biometrics, encryption and two-step authentication, and any funds stored in them are safeguarded to ensure you have access whenever you need.

Xoom vs Remitly vs Wise - fees and charges

Knowing the fees is a key part of choosing which money transfer service is best for you. Here’s how Xoom, Remily and Wise compare.

Xoom vs Remitly vs Wise - exchange rate

When it comes to foreign currency conversions the exchange rate is just as important to consider as the fees because both play a role in the value you get for your money.

• Xoom uses its own exchange rate with a margin applied¹
• Remitly sets their own exchange rate which may or may not include a margin⁷
• Wise uses the mid-market rate with no hidden fees or mark up

Putting these exchange rates to the test in a practical comparison, here’s the exchange rates and fees for sending money between New Zealand and the United States with Xoom, Remilty and Wise.

*As seen on 3rd April 2025

Looking at the rates on this day, Wise and Remitly are fairly similar, while Xoom offers less value than Wise despite having no fees. This comparison highlights the important role a fair exchange rate can play in the total cost of a transfer.

Xoom vs Remitly vs Wise - How fast is the transfer?

When sending money across borders there’s a few factors that can influence the speed of the transfer.

• Sending country and currency
• Receiving country and currency
• Payout method
• Day of the week the money is sent

Looking at the three options we’re investigating today:

• Xoom transfers to New Zealand usually take 2 business days to arrive in your New Zealand bank account.¹
• Remitly doesn’t facilitate transfers to New Zealand, but the speed of outbound transfers depends on the transfer method, payout method and destination.⁵
• Wise can take up to 2 working days to send to a bank account but it’s often faster, and transfers to another Wise account are instant.

Xoom vs Remitly vs Wise - Which one should you pick?

The best money transfer service really depends on the features you need most.

If you want to receive cash into New Zealand, then Xoom is suitable for receiving money, offering cash pick up. Remitly is good for sending money, as it supports multiple delivery options including cash and generally supports more countries.

Wise is the better choice if you're after a simple and easy way to send and receive money, as it’s the only one of the three that allows New Zealanders to do both. Wise also uses the mid-market exchange rate, usually offering you the best value for your money. You can even get 8+ local account details with your Wise account and get a linked debit card for spending internationally.

🚀 Transfer money with Wise

1. Xoom - New Zealand
2. Xoom
3. Xoom - Payment methods
4. Xoom - From which countries can I send with Xoom?
5. Remitly
6. Remitly - New Zealand to USA
7. Remitly - Costs
8. Xoom - Fees
9. Remitly - Security