Ads compare exchange rates or fees, but your family only cares about one number: how many pesos arrive. So we priced every service on the same day, with the same total amount, sending to a bank account in Mexico, and compared what lands on the other side.
Sending $200
| Service | Exchange rate | Fee | Your family gets | It costs you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Union | 18.26 | $1.99 | $3,615 MXN | $5.27 (2.6%) |
| Wise | 18.56 | $8.09 | $3,563 MXN | $8.09 (4.0%) |
| Remitly | 17.93 | $1.99 | $3,550 MXN | $8.79 (4.4%) |
| Ria, first transfer | 19.06 | $0 | $3,812 MXN | You gain $5.37 |
| Remitly, first transfer | 18.84 | $0 | $3,768 MXN | You gain $2.98 |
Sending $500
| Service | Exchange rate | Fee | Your family gets | It costs you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Union | 18.39 | $1.99 | $9,157 MXN | $6.73 (1.3%) |
| Wise | 18.56 | $9.59 | $9,104 MXN | $9.59 (1.9%) |
| Remitly | 17.93 | $1.99 | $8,927 MXN | $19.09 (3.8%) |
| Ria, first transfer | 19.06 | $0 | $9,531 MXN | You gain $13.43 |
| Remitly, first transfer | 18.84 | $0 | $9,420 MXN | You gain $7.44 |
What the numbers say
1. On your first transfer, Ria and Remitly beat the market rate
For new customers, Ria offers 19.06 pesos per dollar with no fee (using the HELLORIA code shown on its site), and Remitly offers 18.84 on the first $1,000, also with no fee. Both are above the mid-market rate. With $500, a first transfer with Ria delivers $9,531 pesos, about 374 pesos more than the best regular transfer. These promotions only apply at the start, but if you have never used one of these services, that money stays with your family.
2. On a regular transfer, Western Union wins today
With both $200 and $500, Western Union delivered the most pesos: it charges a $1.99 fee and its exchange rate came close to the market (18.26 and 18.39 versus 18.56). On $500 it costs you about $6.73, or 1.3% of the transfer.
3. Wise is the most transparent, but its fee hurts small transfers
Wise uses the real exchange rate and charges its fee separately, with nothing hidden in the rate. On $200 that fee is $8.09, 4% of the transfer; on $500 it drops to 1.9% and Wise comes second.
4. Remitly, after the promotion, was the most expensive
On a regular bank transfer, Remitly gave 17.93 pesos per dollar: on $500 that costs you about $19, or 3.8%. Its rate changes often and depends on the amount, so once you have used its promotion, check it against Western Union before each transfer. After the first transfer, Ria does not show its rate without an account: get a quote in its app.
Beyond price
| Remitly | Wise | Western Union | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it charges | Small fee plus a margin in the exchange rate | Real exchange rate plus a visible fee | Small fee plus a margin in the exchange rate |
| Strong at | New-customer promotion and fast transfers from the app | Transparency; you can also receive dollars and hold several currencies | Cash pickup at a huge number of locations across Mexico |
| Watch out for | After the first transfer, the rate drops | The fee weighs more on small transfers | Paying cash at a counter adds the 1% remittance tax |
If your family picks up cash in a town without a bank branch nearby, Western Union's network may be worth more than a few pesos of difference. If they receive into a bank account, any of these works, and the table tells you which one delivers more.
Our pick
- If you have never used Ria, it is today's best promotion: make your next transfer with Ria.
- If you already used it, a first transfer with Remitly is the next best promotion.
- For regular transfers, quote Western Union first: today it delivered the most pesos with $200 and $500.
- If you also get paid in dollars or want to see every cost separately, Wise is the most transparent and came second with $500.
- Always pay from your bank account or with a debit card, not cash: you skip the 1% remittance tax that applies since 2026.
Don't have a US bank account yet? Our Spanish guide explains how to open one without a Social Security number.
FAQ
Which is better to send money to Mexico, Remitly or Western Union?
On our October 26, 2026 quote, for a regular transfer to a bank account in Mexico, Western Union delivered more pesos than Remitly with both $200 and $500. For a first transfer, Remitly's new-customer promotion (18.84 pesos per dollar, no fee) beat Western Union, and Ria's first-transfer promotion (19.06, no fee) delivered the most.
Is Wise cheaper than Western Union to Mexico?
Not on our October 26, 2026 quote. Wise uses the real mid-market rate and shows its fee separately, but its fee ($8.09 on $200, $9.59 on $500) cost more than Western Union's lower margin. Wise came second with $500 and is the most transparent.
How do I avoid the 1% remittance tax?
Pay for the transfer from your bank account or with a debit card instead of cash. Since 2026 the 1% tax applies to transfers paid with cash, money orders or cashier's checks.