Wise vs MoneyGram
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, Wise delivers ₹94,569 and MoneyGram ₹93,745, so your recipient gets ₹824 more with Wise. Wise charges a $6.85 fee and converts at the mid-market rate, paid by ACH bank debit; MoneyGram charges no fee with a margin of about 1.55% in its rate, paid by ACH bank debit.
Quick verdict
Choose Wise if you want…
- Fee transparency & mid-market exchange rates
- Mid-market exchange rate without hidden currency markup
- Upfront fee breakdown showing exact percentage and fixed costs
- Does not support physical cash pickup counters in India
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%
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 | W Wise | MG MoneyGram |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate model | Mid-market rate, no margin | Retail rate, +1.55% margin |
| Transfer fees | Wise charges a transparent upfront fee: a small fixed charge plus a percentage that depends on how you pay (about $0.98 + 0.59% for US ACH payments, and roughly 0.33% to 0.9% plus a small fixed charge from the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and the UAE). Unlike most retail providers, Wise does not add an exchange rate markup. | 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%. |
| Typical delivery | Bank-funded transfers (ACH/local wire) typically deliver in 1 to 2 business days. Transfers using UPI receiving options or debit card payments typically credit the Indian account within 1 to 2 hours. | UPI and debit card transfers typically arrive in 10 to 15 minutes. Bank account ACH transfers take 2 to 4 business days. |
| Receiving methods | Bank accountUPICash pickup (not supported) | Bank accountUPICash pickup |
| Routes to India | 6 corridors | 2 corridors |
| Headquarters | London, United KingdomFounded 2011 | Dallas, TX, USAFounded 1980 |
| Full review | Read Wise review | Read MoneyGram review |
Summary advice
On our $1,000 USD → INR benchmark, Wise earns the higher TransferGauge Score (96 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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