Transferwise Reviewed

There is so much to think about when it comes to making an international money transfer. You don't want to get ripped off, you want to know your money is safe and you want to understand the process. So it can be daunting choosing the best company to use.

In our TransferWise Review, we give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about using them. As a relatively young company, TransferWise's transparent fee structure has meant they are really shaking up the way you can make international money transfers.

TransferWise is great for people who like doing things entirely online, and are an especially good option for smaller transfers. Let's find out if they're the right company for your next transfer.

Go to TransferWise

Overview

TransferWise is a likeable company. They are one of few companies that transparently offer you the interbank, or 'real' exchange rate. Which makes it easy to understand the way they are charging you. You do need to be comfortable doing everything online, as they have limited customer support.

Because of their fee structure, there is definitely money to be saved if you use TransferWise instead of your bank. Their Borderless Account also offers a new way to hold multiple currencies in one account and gives you the option to have international bank details. You can read more about it here.

Pros and cons of using TransferWise

Their website is very intuitive, and it's a very quick process to set up an account and begin sending money.  Their rates are literally unbeatable as they give you the interbank rate. This also means there is less exchange rate risk.  They have various payment methods including credit card.  Additional products like their Borderless Account and Debit Card are very unique in foreign exchange.  They can support both business and individual customers  They do not have a minimum transfer size.

Cannot pay for your international money transfer via cash or cheque.  Limited customer support options.  They do not accept credit card as payment for larger transfer sizes, depending on the currency you're transferring.  The percentage fees means that they aren't always the best option for larger transfers.  It is difficult to sign up for an account without making a transfer as part of the process.  Because the company is still relatively new, there are a number of currencies they don't yet support.

How Much TransferWise Costs

It is quite simple to work out how much a transfer with TrasnferWise is going to cost. Because they don't put a margin on their exchange rates, you just have to look at the fee that they charge in regards to the currencies you're transferring between.

It's also really easy to get a quote for a transfer with TransferWise, without even signing up for an account. You can just head to their homepage, and get an obligation free quote which will include an estimation of the fee you'd be charged.

Alternatively, you can click here and use our exchange rate comparison engine. You can see TransferWise's exchange rates and compare them to the Big 4 banks and other money transfer companies to see if they are the best option for you.

TransferWise Customer Reviews

TrustScore: 9/10

Generally, customers speak favourably about their experiences with TransferWise. A lot boasted about how easy it is to make the transfer, and how efficient the process is. The usability of the website works in the company's favour, and the set up and transfers are usually very efficient.

The most common complaint about TransferWise that we could find was that sometimes ID took a long time to be verified, which held up transfer times.

How to use TransferWise

There are three main steps to setting up an account with TransferWise, which we have outlined below. You can also watch our video tutorial for a complete step by step guide. Before you start your transfer there are a few things you will need as well.

1. ID to set up your account.
2. Name and details of your recipient.
3. Details of your payment method.

If you would like a more in-depth guide on how it works, click on these guides:

How to Transfer Money to a Bank Account Overseas Using TransferWise

How to Receive Money from Overseas Using TransferWise

Supported Currencies

There are a number of currencies that TransferWise support. They also have provisions for you to suggest additional currencies on their website. The currencies that they currently support are:

GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, BRL, BGN, CAD, HRK, CZK, DKK, HKD, HUF, JPY, NZD, NOK, PLN, RON, SGD, SEK, CHF, BDT, CLP, CNY, COP, GEL, IDR, INR, ILS, MYR, MXN, MAD, PKR, PEN, PHP, RUB, ZAR, KRW, LKR, THB, TRY, AED, UAH, VND.

The TransferWise Borderless Account

The TransferWise Borderless Account is a multi-currency account with a twist. As well as being able to hold many different currencies, it also lets you have local bank details in the US, UK, Eurozone and Australia. So you can make and receive payments in those countries as if you had a bank account there.

To read our full review of the Borderless Account, click here.

The TransferWise Debit Card

Does TransferWise have an App?

When you have an account with TransferWise, you can make transfers through their website, or through their iOS and Android apps.

Like their website, TransferWise's app is very easy to use. There are updates constantly made to ensure it's working at its best. Having the app makes transferring money on the go much easier.

The TransferWise app is available to both Apple and Android users.

Is TransferWise Safe?

It's very important to consider safety when it comes to making international money transfers. You want to know that your data is protected and that your money will be safe throughout the entire process. TransferWise have an Australian Financial Services License and are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. These are very stringent guidelines that TransferWise must follow in order to send your money.

They also take measures to protect the sensitive data you provide them like your personal details and identification. The company encrypt any information you give them and have a strict customer agreement. You can email TransferWise to find out more.

TransferWise Exchange Rates

Earlier we stated that TransferWise cannot be beaten on the exchange rate they offer. And this is true! TransferWise offer the interbank, or 'real' exchange rate. This means the rate that you see on google or XE is the rate you receive for the transfer.

TransferWise do have an exchange rate calculator on their site, which accurately estimates the cost of your transfer.

To compare the cost of TransferWise with other banks and money transfer providers, you can use our comparison table here.

TransferWise Business Products

TransferWise can provide business support for your international transfers.

When you initially set up your account, you will be asked if you need it for business or personal reasons. This gives you the flexibility to set up your account in the way that best suits you.

Some business customers, use TransferWise's Borderless Account. This allows you to receive and make payments in the UK, Europe, Australia and USA like you have local bank details there.

Read about the Borderless Account account here.

Ready to go?

Head to TransferWise