10 Best Money Transfer Apps to Kenya (2026 Ranked)
We've tested and ranked the top money transfer apps for sending to Kenya based on exchange rates, fees, speed, and user experience. Here are our findings for 2026.
Our Top 10 Rankings
| Rank | App | Best For | Rating |
| 1 | Wise | Best overall value | ⭐ 4.9/5 |
| 2 | Remitly | Speed + reliability | ⭐ 4.8/5 |
| 3 | Sendwave | Zero-fee transfers | ⭐ 4.7/5 |
| 4 | WorldRemit | Multiple options | ⭐ 4.6/5 |
| 5 | Chipper Cash | Africa transfers | ⭐ 4.5/5 |
| 6 | M-Pesa GlobalPay | M-Pesa integration | ⭐ 4.4/5 |
| 7 | Wave | West + East Africa | ⭐ 4.4/5 |
| 8 | Xoom | PayPal users | ⭐ 4.3/5 |
| 9 | Western Union | Cash pickup | ⭐ 4.0/5 |
| 10 | MoneyGram | Traditional option | ⭐ 3.9/5 |
Last verified: January 2026
#1 Wise - Best Overall
Why #1: Wise consistently offers the best exchange rates for Kenya transfers.
Key Features
- ✓ Real mid-market exchange rate
- ✓ Low transparent fees (~0.5%)
- ✓ Direct to M-Pesa
- ✓ Multi-currency account
- ✓ Wise debit card
Pros
- Best exchange rate available
- Transparent pricing
- Excellent app design
- Rate alerts feature
Cons
- No instant transfers
- No cash pickup option
- Phone support limited
Best For
Regular senders, large transfers, best value seekers
Rating: ⭐ 4.9/5
#2 Remitly - Best for Speed
Why #2: Fastest delivery with Express option, excellent customer support.
Key Features
- ✓ Express delivery in minutes
- ✓ 24/7 customer support
- ✓ M-Pesa + bank + cash pickup
- ✓ First transfer promotions
- ✓ Economy option for savings
Pros
- Genuinely instant transfers
- Great new user offers
- Reliable delivery
- Excellent app ratings
Cons
- Exchange rate markup (1-2%)
- Express costs more ($3.99)
- Fees can add up
Best For
Urgent transfers, first-time senders, those needing support
Rating: ⭐ 4.8/5
#3 Sendwave - Best Zero-Fee App
Why #3: No transfer fees ever, instant delivery.
Key Features
- ✓ Zero transfer fees
- ✓ Instant to M-Pesa
- ✓ Simple app interface
- ✓ Quick repeat sends
- ✓ Africa-focused
Pros
- Truly free to send
- Always instant
- Very easy to use
- Great for regular senders
Cons
- $999/day limit
- App only (no website)
- Rate has 2-3% built-in margin
- Limited countries
Best For
Regular small transfers, simplicity lovers, mobile-first users
Rating: ⭐ 4.7/5
#4 WorldRemit - Most Flexible
Why #4: Most receive options including airtime top-up.
Key Features
- ✓ M-Pesa, bank, cash, airtime
- ✓ 130+ countries
- ✓ Good promotional rates
- ✓ Reliable service
- ✓ Web and app
Pros
- Many receive options
- Wide coverage
- Frequent promotions
- Established provider
Cons
- Rates not the best
- Fees vary widely
- Can be confusing
Best For
Those needing flexibility, airtime top-ups, global senders
Rating: ⭐ 4.6/5
#5 Chipper Cash - Best African App
Why #5: Built for Africa, great for regional transfers.
Key Features
- ✓ Africa-to-Africa transfers
- ✓ Zero fees (between Chipper users)
- ✓ Crypto trading
- ✓ Bill payments
- ✓ Virtual cards
Pros
- Great for intra-Africa
- No fees within network
- Multiple features
- Growing fast
Cons
- International transfers limited
- Rate markup on cross-border
- Regulatory challenges in some markets
Best For
Africa-based users, regional transfers, crypto curious
Rating: ⭐ 4.5/5
#6 M-Pesa GlobalPay
Why #6: Direct Safaricom integration for M-Pesa.
Key Features
- ✓ Official Safaricom service
- ✓ Direct M-Pesa integration
- ✓ Multiple currencies
- ✓ Instant delivery
- ✓ Trusted brand
Pros
- Official M-Pesa channel
- Instant delivery
- Safaricom backing
Cons
- Rates not cheapest
- Limited source countries
- Less feature-rich
Best For
M-Pesa loyalty, Safaricom users, brand trust
Rating: ⭐ 4.4/5
#7 Wave - Growing Contender
Why #7: Rapidly expanding in Africa with good rates.
Key Features
- ✓ Mobile money focus
- ✓ Good exchange rates
- ✓ Growing network
- ✓ Low fees
Pros
- Competitive rates
- Simple interface
- Africa-focused growth
Cons
- Limited availability
- Still building features
Rating: ⭐ 4.4/5
#8 Xoom (PayPal)
Why #8: Great for existing PayPal users.
Key Features
- ✓ PayPal integration
- ✓ Multiple receive options
- ✓ Reload phones
- ✓ Bill payments
Pros
- PayPal balance usable
- Established brand
- Various services
Cons
- Rates not competitive
- Fees can be high
Best For
PayPal users, those with PayPal balance
Rating: ⭐ 4.3/5
#9 Western Union
Why #9: Legacy leader with unmatched network.
Key Features
- ✓ 500,000+ locations
- ✓ Cash pickup worldwide
- ✓ Long track record
- ✓ Rewards program
Pros
- Massive network
- Cash pickup available
- Trusted name
Cons
- High fees ($5-25)
- Poor exchange rates (4% markup)
- Outdated experience
Best For
Cash pickup needs, rural areas, brand trust
Rating: ⭐ 4.0/5
#10 MoneyGram
Why #10: Alternative to Western Union for cash.
Key Features
- ✓ Large agent network
- ✓ Cash pickup
- ✓ App available
- ✓ Rewards program
Pros
- Many locations
- Cash option
- Improving digital
Cons
- High total costs
- Rate markup significant
- Declining relevance
Best For
Cash pickup when WU unavailable
Rating: ⭐ 3.9/5
Comparison Table
| App | Fee ($500) | Rate Quality | Speed | M-Pesa |
| Wise | $2.50 | Best | 1-24h | ✓ |
| Remitly | $3.99 | Good | Mins | ✓ |
| Sendwave | $0 | OK | Instant | ✓ |
| WorldRemit | $3.99 | OK | Mins | ✓ |
| Chipper Cash | $0 | OK | Instant | ✓ |
| M-Pesa GlobalPay | ~$5 | OK | Instant | ✓ |
| Wave | ~$3 | Good | Mins | ✓ |
| Xoom | $4.99 | Fair | Mins | ✓ |
| Western Union | $12 | Poor | Mins | ✓ |
| MoneyGram | $10 | Poor | Mins | ✓ |
Last verified: January 2026
How We Ranked
Our ranking considers:
- Exchange rate quality (40%)
- Fees (25%)
- Speed (15%)
- App experience (10%)
- Features (10%)
Our Recommendation
For most people: Start with Wise
Best rates, transparent pricing, reliable service.
For speed: Remitly
When it must arrive now.
For simplicity: Sendwave
Zero fees, always instant.
Rankings verified: January 2026. Fees and rates change frequently—always confirm before sending.