Sendwave vs Remitly: Best Free Transfer to Kenya?
Sendwave and Remitly are both popular for Kenya transfers, each with a different approach to pricing. Let's find out which actually gives you better value.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Sendwave | Remitly |
| Transfer Fee | $0 (free) | $0-3.99 |
| Exchange Rate | 2% markup | 1.5% markup |
| Speed | Instant | Minutes-5 days |
| App Only | Yes | No (web + app) |
| Cash Pickup | No | Yes |
| Daily Limit | $999 | $10,000 |
Which Actually Costs Less?
Sending $500
| Provider | Fee | Rate (KES/$) | Recipient Gets |
| Sendwave | $0 | 126.27 | KES 63,135 |
| Remitly | $3.99 | 126.50 | KES 62,748 |
Winner: Sendwave (+KES 387)
Sending $200
| Provider | Fee | Rate (KES/$) | Recipient Gets |
| Sendwave | $0 | 126.27 | KES 25,254 |
| Remitly | $1.99 | 126.50 | KES 25,048 |
Winner: Sendwave (+KES 206)
How Each Makes Money
Sendwave's Model
- Zero transfer fees
- Makes money on exchange rate (2% markup)
- Simple, transparent pricing
- "What you see is what you get"
Remitly's Model
- Variable transfer fees ($0-3.99)
- Smaller rate markup (1.5%)
- Express vs Economy pricing
- Promotions for new users
Feature Comparison
Speed
Sendwave:
- Instant to M-Pesa (always)
- No speed options needed
- 24/7 delivery
Remitly:
- Express: Minutes (higher cost)
- Economy: 3-5 days (lower/no cost)
- Choose based on urgency
Winner: Sendwave - Always instant, no choices needed.
Transfer Limits
Sendwave:
- $999/day
- $2,999/month
- $6,000/year (may vary)
Remitly:
- $10,000/transfer
- $30,000/month
- Higher limits with verification
Winner: Remitly - Better for larger amounts.
App Experience
Sendwave:
- App only (no website)
- Very simple interface
- Quick repeat transfers
- Basic features
Remitly:
- App and website
- More features
- Tracking details
- Multiple receive options
Winner: Tie - Sendwave is simpler, Remitly more featured.
Countries Covered
Sendwave:
- ~15 countries (Africa-focused)
- Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, etc.
- Limited European coverage
Remitly:
- 100+ countries
- Global coverage
- More corridors
Winner: Remitly - More global reach.
Who Should Use Sendwave?
Sendwave is best for:
- ā Regular small transfers to Kenya
- ā People who value simplicity
- ā Under $999 per transfer
- ā Instant M-Pesa only
- ā Mobile-first users
Who Should Use Remitly?
Remitly is best for:
- ā Larger transfers ($1,000+)
- ā Cash pickup needed
- ā Non-urgent transfers (Economy)
- ā First-time senders (promotions)
- ā Need website access
The "Free" Question
Is Sendwave really free?
Yes and no:
- ā No transfer fee charged
- ā Exchange rate includes their margin
- Net result: Very competitive pricing
Is Remitly Economy free?
Sometimes:
- ā Often $0 fee for Economy
- ā Slower delivery (3-5 days)
- ā Exchange rate still has markup
Monthly Sender Comparison
If you send $300/month:
| Provider | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
| Sendwave | ~$6 (in rate) | ~$72 |
| Remitly Express | ~$8 (fee + rate) | ~$96 |
| Remitly Economy | ~$5 (in rate) | ~$60 |
What About Wise?
For comparison, Wise would cost:
- $300 transfer: $1.65 fee
- Better exchange rate (mid-market)
- Recipient gets more KES
- But not instant like Sendwave
Making the Choice
Choose Sendwave if:
- You send under $999 regularly
- You want instant delivery every time
- You prefer simple, app-only service
- M-Pesa is your only receive method
Choose Remitly if:
- You send larger amounts
- You can wait for Economy option
- Recipient may need cash pickup
- You want website + app access
Our Verdict
For regular small transfers: Sendwave
The zero-fee simplicity and instant delivery make it ideal for weekly/monthly support.
For flexibility: Remitly
When you need options (speed, receive method, amount), Remitly delivers.
For best overall value: Consider Wise
If you can wait 1-24 hours, Wise's mid-market rate beats both.
Last updated: January 2025