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Provider review

Best ways to send money to South Africa

Updated September 22, 2026 Review

Looking for the cheapest way to send money to South Africa? We compared leading providers on live fees, exchange rates and delivery speed to rank the best options below.

  • International money transfers to 140+ countries.
  • Mid-market exchange rates
  • Multi-currency account — hold and convert 40+ currencies
  • Wise debit card in supported countries

Wise

4.9/5

Visit Wise

Opens the provider's own site. You pay them directly — we never handle your money.

Trusted & regulated

Wise Payments Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), Firm Reference 90050

  • Customer funds are safeguarded separately from Wise's operating funds in applicable markets.
  • Publishes annual reports and regulatory disclosures publicly.
  • Wise reported approximately 19 million customers and businesses supported in FY2026

Verified Checked September 22, 2026

Quick take

  • International money transfers to 140+ countries.
  • Mid-market exchange rates
  • Multi-currency account — hold and convert 40+ currencies
  • Wise debit card in supported countries
  • Transfer fee $1.50 + 0.50%
  • Exchange-rate margin Varies by route
  • Transfer speed Seconds to 2 business days
  • Minimum amount $1.00
  • Maximum amount $1,000,000.00

How much will it cost? (try your own amount)

Sending $1,000.00 from United States to Kenya

Amount sent $1,000.00
Transfer fee $6.50
Exchange rate 129.5567 USD → KES
Recipient gets KSh128,714.54
Total cost $6.50 (0.7%) Fee plus exchange-rate margin

On this route KSh583.00 more arrives with TorFX today. Rates move, so check both before you send.

Estimated · general pricing Fees and rates vary by country, payment method and amount. Always confirm the final figure on the provider's own screen before paying. Compare all providers for United States → Kenya

See how this compares with other providers

$1,000.00 from United States to Kenya

Reference rate 1 USD = 129.5567 KES Updated 7 hours ago · open.er-api.com

6 providers Up to KSh1,548.21 more for your recipient with the best option

Amounts are estimates based on the mid-market reference rate and each provider's published or typical pricing. The final amount is confirmed by the provider at checkout.

  1. TorFX

    4.9 / 5 editorial rating
    Highest estimated payout
    Recipient gets KSh129,297.54
    Transfer fee
    No fee
    Exchange rate
    129.2975
    Delivery
    Minutes to 2 days
    Go to TorFX (opens in a new tab)
    Estimated · general pricing Route availability not yet confirmed Pays out by Bank deposit
    How this is calculated
    You send
    $1,000.00
    Transfer fee
    − No fee
    Amount converted
    $1,000.00
    Exchange rate
    × 129.2975 (0.20% below reference)
    Recipient gets
    KSh129,297.54
    Total cost of transfer
    $2.00 (fee + exchange-rate margin)

    Based on the provider's general fees and margin, not route-specific pricing.

  2. OFX

    4.3 / 5 editorial rating
    Recipient gets KSh128,908.87 KSh388.67 less than the top result
    Transfer fee
    No fee
    Exchange rate
    128.9089
    Delivery
    1–3 business
    Go to OFX (opens in a new tab)
    Estimated · general pricing Route availability not yet confirmed Pays out by Bank deposit
    How this is calculated
    You send
    $1,000.00
    Transfer fee
    − No fee
    Amount converted
    $1,000.00
    Exchange rate
    × 128.9089 (0.50% below reference)
    Recipient gets
    KSh128,908.87
    Total cost of transfer
    $5.00 (fee + exchange-rate margin)

    Based on the provider's general fees and margin, not route-specific pricing.

  3. Wise

    4.9 / 5 editorial rating
    Featured
    Recipient gets KSh128,714.54 KSh583.00 less than the top result
    Transfer fee
    $6.50
    Exchange rate
    129.5567
    Delivery
    Seconds to 2 business days
    Go to Wise (opens in a new tab)
    Estimated · general pricing Last verified September 22, 2026 Route availability not yet confirmed Pays out by Bank deposit
    How this is calculated
    You send
    $1,000.00
    Transfer fee
    − $6.50 ($1.50 + 0.5%)
    Amount converted
    $993.50
    Exchange rate
    × 129.5567
    Recipient gets
    KSh128,714.54
    Total cost of transfer
    $6.50 (fee + exchange-rate margin)

    Based on the provider's general fees and margin, not route-specific pricing.

    Wise availability and pricing can change, so users should verify current details on Wise before sending money.

  4. WorldRemit

    4.2 / 5 editorial rating
    Recipient gets KSh128,264.45 KSh1,033.09 less than the top result
    Transfer fee
    $1.99
    Exchange rate
    128.5202
    Delivery
    Minutes to 3 days
    Go to WorldRemit (opens in a new tab)
    Estimated · general pricing Route availability not yet confirmed Pays out by Bank deposit, Cash pickup, Mobile money, Digital wallet
    How this is calculated
    You send
    $1,000.00
    Transfer fee
    − $1.99 ($1.99)
    Amount converted
    $998.01
    Exchange rate
    × 128.5202 (0.80% below reference)
    Recipient gets
    KSh128,264.45
    Total cost of transfer
    $9.97 (fee + exchange-rate margin)

    Based on the provider's general fees and margin, not route-specific pricing.

  5. Western Union

    4.1 / 5 editorial rating
    Sponsored
    Recipient gets KSh128,261.09 KSh1,036.45 less than the top result
    Transfer fee
    No fee
    Exchange rate
    128.2611
    Delivery
    Minutes to 1 business day
    Go to Western Union (opens in a new tab)
    Estimated · general pricing Last verified September 22, 2026 Route availability not yet confirmed Pays out by Bank deposit, Cash pickup, Mobile money
    How this is calculated
    You send
    $1,000.00
    Transfer fee
    − No fee
    Amount converted
    $1,000.00
    Exchange rate
    × 128.2611 (1.00% below reference)
    Recipient gets
    KSh128,261.09
    Total cost of transfer
    $10.00 (fee + exchange-rate margin)

    Based on the provider's general fees and margin, not route-specific pricing.

  6. Remitly

    4.7 / 5 editorial rating
    Recipient gets KSh127,749.33 KSh1,548.21 less than the top result
    Transfer fee
    $3.99
    Exchange rate
    128.2611
    Delivery
    Minutes (Express) / 1–3 days (Economy)
    Go to Remitly (opens in a new tab)
    Estimated · general pricing Route availability not yet confirmed Pays out by Bank deposit, Cash pickup, Mobile money
    How this is calculated
    You send
    $1,000.00
    Transfer fee
    − $3.99 ($3.99)
    Amount converted
    $996.01
    Exchange rate
    × 128.2611 (1.00% below reference)
    Recipient gets
    KSh127,749.33
    Total cost of transfer
    $13.95 (fee + exchange-rate margin)

    Based on the provider's general fees and margin, not route-specific pricing.

1 provider not shown for this search
  • XE — Minimum transfer is $3,000.00

We may earn a commission when you use the links on this page. This never affects the ranking, which is based on the amount your recipient receives.

Is Wise right for you?

Wise is an international money transfer service that helps people and businesses send, receive, and manage money across different countries. It is known for using the mid-market exchange rate and showing its fees before you send money. Users can hold and convert multiple currencies through a Wise account and, in supported countries, receive money using local account details.

Wise also offers a debit card in eligible markets. Transfer speeds vary depending on the currencies and payment method, with some transfers arriving quickly. Wise is available in many countries, but its features, fees, and supported payment and payout methods vary by location.

Key features

  • International money transfers to 140+ countries.
  • Mid-market exchange rates
  • Multi-currency account — hold and convert 40+ currencies
  • Wise debit card in supported countries

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Clear fee structure with cost displayed before sending.
  • Supports many currencies and countries
  • Multi-currency functionality lets users hold and convert currencies

Cons

  • Wise cards aren't available in every market.
  • Some funding methods can be costly

How to send money with Wise

  1. Get started with Wise

    Open the Wise website or mobile app to begin your transfer.

  2. Create an account

    Sign up with Wise using your email address or phone number and set a secure password.

  3. Verify your identity

    Upload a government-issued ID and, where required, proof of address. Verification is a legal requirement and usually takes a few minutes.

  4. Add recipient details

    Enter your recipient's name and select how they will be paid — bank deposit, mobile money, digital wallet or cash pickup.

  5. Pay for your transfer

    Fund the transfer with a bank transfer, debit card or credit card. Review the fee and the guaranteed amount your recipient will receive before you confirm.

  6. Track delivery

    Follow the transfer status in your account or app and receive a notification when the funds arrive.

Where you can send, and how

Transfer (pay-in) methodsBank deposit · Debit/credit card · Digital wallet
Payout methodsBank deposit

We may earn a commission when you use the links on this page. This never affects the ranking, which is based on the amount your recipient receives.

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