Wise vs Remitly for Australia to India: 2026 Comparison
Wise and Remitly are two of the most popular money transfer apps for Australians sending money to India. Both have excellent apps and customer support, but they differ significantly in fees and exchange rates. Let's compare them head-to-head.
Quick Verdict
Wise is the cheaper option with lower fees and real exchange rates. For a $2,000 transfer, you'll receive ₹779 more with Wise than Remitly.
However, Remitly offers cash pickup options and more frequent promotional offers, which may appeal to some users.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Wise | Remitly | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Rate (1 AUD) | 56.42 (Real mid-market) | 56.10 (Marked up 0.57%) | |
| Transfer Fee | $5.06 (Flat) | $8.50 (Flat) | |
| Delivery Time | 1-2 days | 1-2 days | Tie |
| Mobile App | Excellent | Very good | Tie |
| Support Quality | Chat & email | Chat & email | Tie |
| Recipient Account Required | Yes (Bank or Mobile Money) | Yes or Cash Pickup | |
| Promo Offers | Rare | Frequent |
Example: Sending $2,000 AUD
Wise
Remitly
Wise Advantage: ₹779 more received
Choose Wise If:
- You want the best exchange rate (real mid-market rates)
- You want to minimize transfer costs
- You send money frequently and want to save thousands annually
- Your recipient has a bank account in India
- You prefer transparency and no hidden markups
Choose Remitly If:
- Your recipient prefers cash pickup options
- You want to take advantage of frequent promotional offers
- You value the mobile app experience (both are excellent)
- You want flexibility in delivery methods
- You occasionally send small amounts and want to maximize promotions
Detailed Comparison
Exchange Rates
This is where the biggest difference lies.
- Wise:Uses real mid-market rates with no markup. You always get the true interbank rate.
- Remitly:Marks up the mid-market rate by approximately 0.57%, which adds cost to your transfer.
Transfer Fees
- Wise:Low fixed fee of $5.06 per transfer, regardless of amount.
- Remitly:Fixed fee of $8.50, which is 68% more expensive than Wise.
Speed and Delivery
- Wise:Typically 1-2 business days for transfers to Indian bank accounts.
- Remitly:1-2 business days for bank transfers, with same-day options available. Cash pickup faster for some recipients.
Bottom Line
Wise is the clear winner for cost. With better exchange rates and lower fees, you'll save money on every transfer.
Remitly remains a solid option if your recipient needs cash pickup or if you can take advantage of promotional offers. For regular transfers with bank accounts, Wise is the better choice.