Money transfers are all about speed, reliability, and low costs. But not all apps are apt for your needs. Therefore, a thorough study is needed to choose the best app to send money from the USA to India. Realising that this can be a time-consuming process, we have done the research for you.
This blog breaks down the top money transfer platforms, highlighting key details like fees, exchange rates, transfer limits, and delivery times, so you can pick the best option for transferring money from the USA to India.
Also Read: What Is The Tax On NRI Repatriation From India?
Money Transfer Apps Comparison Table
| App Name | Ratings | Markup | Fees | Time Taken | Best For |
| Ria | 4.7 (119K+ reviews) | 0.30% | Varies by amount and method, e.g., $0.99 for bank transfers (USD 100) | Minutes to 5 working days | Tracking transfers |
| Xe | 4.7 (278K+ reviews) | 0.58% | $3 for transfers <$500, free for >$500 | Minutes to 4 working days | Low fees and high transfer limits |
| Wise | 4.7 (1.17M+ reviews) | None (mid-market rate) | Varies, e.g., $8.12 (ACH), $67.01 (credit card) for USD 1000 | Minutes to 3 working days | Competitive exchange rates |
| Remitly | 4.6 (71K+ reviews) | 0.24% | $3.99 for <$1000, free for >$1000 | Minutes to 5 working days | Safe and reliable transfers with a refund guarantee |
| Xoom | 4.8 (335K+ reviews) | 0.91% | Varies, e.g., $7.24 (debit card), $37.99 (credit card) for USD 1000 | Minutes to 2 hours (depends on amount) | Fast transfers with PayPal integration |
Top 5 Money Transfer Apps & Websites
1. Ria
Features
- Transfers can take just a few minutes to up to 5 working days.
- You can send funds to a recipient’s bank account, or UPI account, or even arrange a cash pickup.
- Pay the way you prefer—via bank account, debit card, credit card, or cash.
- Creating a free Ria account online or visiting a Ria store in the USA to send money is quick and easy.
- Ria keeps you updated with email notifications and lets you track your transfer using the ‘Track a Transfer’ feature.
Google Play Rating
4.7 stars based on over 119K reviews1
Transfer Limit
Cash-payment transfers: USD 495.00 per transfer
All other payment methods: USD 14,999.99 per month2
Charges and Exchange Rate
Ria follows a markup of 0.3%. They also charge transfer fees that vary based on the transfer amount, payment method, and destination. Given below are the fees charged (in USD) for the transfer of USD 100:
| Receipt Method | Bank | Cash-Pickup | UPI |
| Payment Method | |||
| Bank | 0.99 | 0.99 | 0.99 |
| Debit Card | 6.0 | 3.90 | 6.0 |
| Credit Card | 4.0 | 4.9 | 4.0 |
| Cash | 4.0 | 7.0 | 4.0 |
2. Xe
- Xe, once known for its digital foreign exchange rate information, has evolved into a leading money transfer platform with low fees and over 30 years of trusted service.
- Alongside Ria, Xe is a proud subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide, a renowned American electronic payment services company.
- With Xe, you can seamlessly send money from the USA to India in just minutes or up to 4 business days.
- Choose your preferred payment method—debit card, credit card, Direct Debit (ACH), or bank transfer.
- The remitter can send money to a recipient’s bank account, or mobile wallet, or arrange for a cash pickup at any of the 1,15,000 stores in India.
- The free account opening only requires your email address and a few details to get started, using either the Xe website or app.
Google Play Rating
4.7 stars based on over 278K reviews 3
Transfer Limit
Maximum limit for all types of transfers: USD 535,000
Lower limit for bank and wire transfer: USD 30004
Charges and Exchange Rate
Xe applies a markup of approximately 0.58% for money transfers from the USA to India. The send fees Xe charges depend upon several factors such as the receipt country, transfer method and amount.
Transfers below USD 500 incur a fixed fee of USD 3, while transfers above USD 500 are fee-free.
3. Wise
- Wise is renowned for its competitive exchange rates and transparent fee structure, making money transfers simple and affordable.
- With Wise, you can pay via ACH, debit and credit card within minutes and wire transfer in 3 days.
- The receiver can receive the payment into their bank account or UPI ID.
- Users can send money through Wise’s website or app by opening a free account easily.
Google Play Rating
4.7 stars based on over 1.17M reviews5
Transfer Limit
Private individual recipient (RTGS, NEFT): INR 100 million
IMPS recipient: INR 500,000
UPI recipient: INR 200,000
Business recipient: INR 1.5 million6
Charges and Exchange Rate
Wise does not charge a markup fee. However, they apply certain charges that change with the amount sent and the method used for it. Let’s have a look at the charges that shall be incurred for a remittance of USD 1000 through Wise.
| Transaction Type | Transaction fee (USD) | Wise Fee (USD) | Total Fee (USD) |
| ACH | 2.49 | 5.63 | 8.12 |
| Wire transfer | 6.11 | 5.61 | 11.72 |
| Debit card | Up to 12.93 | 5.57 | 18.50 |
| Credit card | Up to 61.65 | 5.36 | 67.01 |
4. Remitly
- With Remitly, sending money is not only fast but also reliable. Both the sender and receiver can track the transfer every step of the way for complete peace of mind.
- Remitly even promises a refund if the money isn’t delivered on time.
- The transfers usually get completed within minutes or take up to 5 business days. The receipt day shall vary based on the transaction type and receipt country. Remitly displays the receipt date before the payment is confirmed.
- As a PCI-certified company, Remitly ensures top-tier security for every transaction.
Trust Pilot Rating
4.6 stars based on over 71,132 reviews7
Transfer Limit
USA to India: USD 30,0008
Charges and Exchange Rate
0.24% is the markup added by Remitly. Additionally, they charge a fee of USD 3.99 for transfers below USD 1,000. However, transfers above this threshold hold no fees.9
5. Xoom
- Xoom, a PayPal service, makes sending money to India fast and stress-free around the clock.
- Whether it is UPI, bank deposits, or cash pickup, your money reaches reputed transfer stores and major banks across India. But the receipt methods available depend on the amount being sent.
- For cash pickups, funds are typically ready within minutes at convenient locations.
- For transfers up to ₹5 lakh, deposits to most major banks are near-instant, while amounts above ₹5 lakh usually arrive within 2 hours.
- Log in easily with your PayPal credentials or create a Xoom account, and pay using PayPal, a bank account, a credit, or debit card.
Google Play Rating
4.8 stars based on over 3.35L reviews10
Transfer Limit
You can send money with Xoom at three different levels depending on your location, delivery method, and payment partners’ limits. If you exceed your current sending level, you will be asked verification questions and for additional documents.11
| Levels | Daily Limit | Monthly Limit(30 days) | 180-day Limit | Information and Documents Required |
| Level 1 | 2,999 USD | 6,000 USD | 9,999 USD | Sender profile information |
| Level 2 | 10,000 USD | 20,000 USD | 30,000 USD | Social Security number or passport Answer verification questions on the website |
| Level 3 | 10,000 USD (for cash pickup transactions) 50,000 USD (for all other transactions) | 20,000 USD (for cash pickup transactions) 60,000 USD (for all other transactions) | 50,000 USD (for cash pickup transactions) 100,000 USD (for all other transactions) | Driver’s license, passport, or Green Card Pay slip or a bank statement with a Direct Deposit Answer verification questions on the website or sent via email |
Charges and Exchange Rate
Xoom adds a markup of 0.91% for transfers. Xoom too follows a fee calculation that varies on the amount, transaction type, and sending and receiving countries. However, the sender can know the charged amount for their transaction using the Xoom Fee Calculator even before creating an account. Below is the fee structure for transferring USD 1000 to India :
| Payment Method | Transaction Fee (USD) |
| PYUSD (PayPal’s stablecoin) | Nil |
| PayPal balance | Nil |
| Bank account | Nil |
| Debit card | 7.24 |
| Credit card | 37.99 |
Things to Keep in Mind Before Sending Money
1. Mid-market Rate
Mid-market also known as interbank rate is the rate at which banks exchange currency. Money transfer platforms usually add markup as their profit margin. So keep track of the mid-market exchange rate from reliable information sources such as Google and ExTravelMoney. Knowing this rate can help you determine if a forex provider’s markup is fair.
2. Tax Structure in Both Countries
The sender is not charged tax due to the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India and the USA. This means that money transferred to India is not taxed if the sender has already paid US income tax. Only a negligible service tax applies. If the sender is not a relative, they need to pay gift tax on amounts over USD 14,000.
The receiver does not have to pay tax if the sender is a close relative. In case, the sender is not a relative, the transfer of an amount above USD 700 is considered as income. So they are liable to pay income tax on the excess amount.
3. Maximum Limit for Money Transfer
Both India and the USA have not set any limits on sending money to India.
4. Bank Holidays
When transferring money internationally, it’s essential to consider bank holidays in India and the USA. Bank holidays can significantly impact the processing time for your bank deposit and wire transfer, delaying it beyond the expected timeframe.
Apps like Wise, Xe, Ria, Xoom, and Remitly provide competitive options for each of your needs. But when it comes to transferring funds from India to the USA, ExTravelMoney is the one-stop solution for ensuring cost-effective, timely and secure transactions. So next time find the best exchange rates and connect with RBI-authorised partners for your transfer needs with ExTravelMoney!
Watch Now: Best Time to Send Money Abroad
Article Sources:
- Ria App Google Playstore ↩︎
- Ria Money Transfer Limit Article ↩︎
- Xe App Google Playstore ↩︎
- Xe Help Center ↩︎
- Wise App Google Playstore ↩︎
- Wise Guide to INR Transfers ↩︎
- Remitly App Google Playstore ↩︎
- Remitly FAQ ↩︎
- Remitly Pricing ↩︎
- Xoom Google Playstore ↩︎
- Xoom Charges ↩︎
Ann Mariya Job is the Associate Content Writer at ExTravelMoney.com. Holding a Bachelor’s in Journalism, she excels in creating deeply researched, engaging, and crisp content. Her work helps readers understand the complexities of foreign exchange, overseas money transfers, and international travel.