MoneyGram vs Ria Money Transfer
Which provider is better for sending money from the USA to India? Compare fees, exchange rate margins, delivery speed and what your recipient actually receives.
The bottom line: sending $1,000 from the USA, Ria Money Transfer delivers ₹94,936 and MoneyGram ₹93,792, so your recipient gets ₹1,144 more with Ria Money Transfer. MoneyGram charges no fee with a margin of about 1.55% in its rate, paid by ACH bank debit; Ria Money Transfer charges a $0.99 fee with a margin of about 0.35% in its rate, paid by ACH bank debit.
Quick verdict
Choose MoneyGram if you want…
- Cash collection & widespread local agent counters
- Extensive physical agent distribution across post offices and banks in India
- UPI transfers online, typically settling within 15 to 30 minutes
- Retail cash exchange rate margins are often between 1.5% and 2.5%
Choose Ria Money Transfer if you want…
- Cash collection & promotional intro exchange rates
- Thousands of cash pickup locations across India through post offices and agents
- Direct deposit to Indian bank accounts via IMPS and UPI
- Standard rates include an exchange rate margin (about 0.35% online from the US), with higher costs at agent locations
What your recipient gets at each amount
Indicative net rupee payouts for USD → INR transfers, based on published fee schedules and benchmark snapshots.
Score breakdown, side by side
Each provider's TransferGauge Score across the seven weighted dimensions. How we score
Side-by-side details
| Metric | MG MoneyGram | RIA Ria Money Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate model | Retail rate, +1.55% margin | Retail rate, +0.35% margin |
| Transfer fees | Digital transfers to Indian bank accounts or UPI carry low upfront fees ($0 to $1.99 on bank debit), with revenue primarily generated through an exchange rate margin of 1.2% to 2.2%. | Online transfers from the US cost $0.99 paid from a bank account or $7.99 by debit card, and first transfers are often free. Exchange rates include a margin that varies by payment speed and delivery channel. |
| Typical delivery | UPI and debit card transfers typically arrive in 10 to 15 minutes. Bank account ACH transfers take 2 to 4 business days. | Cash pickup and debit card transfers arrive within 15 minutes. Bank transfers clear in 2 to 3 business days. |
| Receiving methods | Bank accountUPICash pickup | Bank accountUPICash pickup |
| Routes to India | 2 corridors | 1 corridor |
| Headquarters | Dallas, TX, USAFounded 1980 | Buena Park, CA, USAFounded 1987 |
| Full review | Read MoneyGram review | Read Ria Money Transfer review |
Summary advice
On our $1,000 USD → INR benchmark, Ria Money Transfer earns the higher TransferGauge Score (94 vs 85). The better choice still depends on your amount, how your recipient wants to be paid, and how quickly the money needs to arrive.
All figures are indicative benchmarks. Always verify live rates, fees and delivery options on the provider's website before sending money.
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