Wise vs Remitly for Kenya: Which is Cheaper in 2025?

Wise and Remitly are two of the most popular money transfer services for sending money to Kenya. But which one gives you better value? This detailed comparison breaks down everything you need to know.

Quick Verdict

Head-to-Head Comparison

Sending $500 to Kenya

Sending $1,000 to Kenya

Detailed Breakdown

Exchange Rates

Wise:

• Uses the real mid-market rate
• No markup on exchange rate
• What you see on Google/XE is what you get
• Rate transparency is their core promise

Remitly:

• Adds 1.5-2% markup to exchange rate
• Rate varies by payment method
• Express has higher markup than Economy
• Still competitive vs traditional banks

Winner: Wise - The mid-market rate advantage adds up, especially for larger transfers.

Fees

Wise Fee Structure:

• Percentage-based: ~0.55% of transfer
• No hidden fees
• Same fee regardless of speed
• Lower percentage for larger amounts

Remitly Fee Structure:

• Fixed fee: $0-4.99 depending on options
• Express: Higher fee (~$3.99)
• Economy: Lower/no fee
• Credit card: Higher fees

Winner: Depends on amount

• Under $200: Remitly (fixed fee beats percentage)
• Over $200: Wise (percentage fee + better rate wins)

Speed

Wise:

• Standard: 1-24 hours to M-Pesa
• Most transfers complete within a few hours
• Bank transfers may take 1-2 days
• No instant option available

Remitly:

• Express: Minutes to M-Pesa
• Economy: 3-5 business days
• Clear speed options
• Guaranteed delivery times

Winner: Remitly - Their Express option is genuinely instant.

Payment Methods

Wise:

• Bank transfer (ACH in US)
• Debit card
• Credit card (higher fee)
• Apple Pay (in some countries)
• Wire transfer (for large amounts)

Remitly:

• Bank account
• Debit card
• Credit card
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay

Winner: Tie - Both offer similar options.

Receive Options in Kenya

Wise:

• M-Pesa ✓
• Bank account ✓
• Mobile wallet ✓

Remitly:

• M-Pesa ✓
• Bank account ✓
• Cash pickup ✓
• Mobile wallet ✓

Winner: Remitly - Cash pickup option is useful for some recipients.

Mobile App

Wise App:

• Rating: 4.8/5 (App Store)
• Multi-currency account
• Wise card available
• Rate alerts
• Clean interface

Remitly App:

• Rating: 4.9/5 (App Store)
• Simple, focused design
• First-time user friendly
• Good notifications
• Repeat transfer easy

Winner: Tie - Both have excellent apps.

Customer Support

Wise:

• Email support
• Help center
• Chat (limited)
• Social media responsive

Remitly:

• 24/7 phone support
• Live chat
• Email
• Excellent response times

Winner: Remitly - 24/7 phone support is valuable.

When to Use Wise

Choose Wise if:

• ✓ Sending $500 or more
• ✓ You prioritize getting the best exchange rate
• ✓ You can wait a few hours
• ✓ You send money regularly
• ✓ You want a multi-currency account

When to Use Remitly

Choose Remitly if:

• ✓ You need money there in minutes
• ✓ Sending smaller amounts (<$200)
• ✓ Recipient needs cash pickup
• ✓ You're a first-time sender (promotions)
• ✓ You value 24/7 phone support

Cost Comparison by Amount

Note: "Rate" refers to the ~1.8% markup Remitly adds to exchange rate.

Real User Experiences

Wise Users Say:

> "I always get more KES with Wise. The rate is exactly what Google shows."

> "Took about 6 hours to reach M-Pesa, but my mom got more money."

Remitly Users Say:

> "My sister got the money in 5 minutes. Worth the slightly lower rate for emergencies."

> "First transfer was free. App is very easy to use."

Can You Use Both?

Yes! Many smart senders use both:

• Remitly for urgent/emergency transfers
• Wise for regular monthly support

There's no exclusivity - sign up for both and choose based on the situation.

Promotions & First-Time Offers

Wise:

• Usually no first-transfer discount
• Occasionally fee-free promotions
• Referral bonuses available

Remitly:

• First transfer often fee-free
• Special exchange rates for new users
• Regular promotional rates

Winner: Remitly - Better new user promotions.

Safety & Regulation

Both are safe and regulated:

Wise:

• FCA (UK), FinCEN (US), ASIC (AU)
• 16 million customers
• Publicly traded (LSE)

Remitly:

• FinCEN (US), FCA (UK)
• 5+ million customers
• Publicly traded (NASDAQ)

Final Verdict

For Best Value: Wise

The mid-market exchange rate means more KES in your recipient's pocket, especially for amounts over $200.

For Speed: Remitly

When it absolutely must arrive in minutes, Remitly Express delivers.

Our Recommendation:

Use Wise for regular transfers and Remitly for urgent situations.

Compare Wise rates →

Compare Remitly rates →

Calculate your transfer →

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Last updated: January 2025. Rates and fees change - always verify before sending.