How to get the best exchange rate when sending money abroad from Canada

They don’t communicate with their customers and will give you days and days of lies and excuses while giving you the complete run around if you have even the smallest question!!

Mal o dudoso servicio
No pagan en 7 dias nadie redsponde

Sent money. Was told one hour delivery time. After hours no delivery and now even days have to wait. No penalty on late transfer

Nightmare. I sent £600,00 from my bank account to another bank account, they took the money, and kept it, not sending to the destination or sending back to my bank account. I complained twice but no answer given, my account with them was blocked with no explanation whatsoever. Now they are holding my money, and I am taking actions to try to take it back, otherwise will keep the money and go quiet, please do not open account with them. If this is happening to you contact Financial Ombudsman UK

Tried to send money, now struggling to get it Returned. They give a HUGE run around and will NEVER return a call, email or Text message. Zero service and very shady. Do not use this company or their Services. I am still waiting on my Returned Funds - over 20 days since cancelled....Sept 8th.

Excellent delivery without inconvenience, their system is ever online and not offline. The parcel is delivered in time at lower cost. Its user friendly and reliable.

not a business service - and removed my data - poor service

Good service

Fast

Good

Quick transfers, competitive rates

Know exactly what will be final amount will be credit and shows up charges upfront.

Send $

Excellent so far

x

Easy to use, quick, low fees.

Easy to use and very efficient

Good

Unacceptable and opaque. Account closed unilaterally and funds held hostage by "technical errors"

Wise abruptly deactivated my account with absolutely zero warning, zero explanation, and zero opportunity to speak with a human to clarify the situation. This heavy-handed, unilateral decision was bad enough, but they are now withholding my money. I was forced to aggressively chase their abysmal customer service just to find out why my refund was delayed, only to be told it was due to an internal "technical error" on their part. It is completely unjustifiable and financially dangerous to cut a customer off and then hold their funds hostage due to your own system failures. The complete lack of transparency, accountability, and basic service is appalling. Avoid this platform if you value the security of your money.

Never use them for business banking. They have stolen our money and are forcing us into bankruptcy by not returning it. Fake bank that has no morals.

Better to use an established bank like HSBC or Barclays that doesn’t act like cowboys and try and make money by taking yours and shutting your account with no explanation.

I have had to go to the Financial Ombudsman to make an official complaint against their disgusting practices.

They won’t speak to us or tell us what’s going on. They have put 50 jobs at risk as we can’t pay our suppliers with the money they have stolen.

Wise was a very disappointing experience. I would strongly recommend that customers understand the fees and currency-conversion process before using the service and not use WISE.

In my case, Wise charged a fee when converting my currency and then, when closing my account, converted the remaining foreign-currency balance back into AUD instead of allowing me to receive the foreign currency directly. I was also charged an additional fee and received an exchange rate that I considered poor.

I disputed the charges and asked Wise to provide a clear breakdown of the exchange rate, fees and calculations, but I was not satisfied with the explanation. However, they are hopeless. The complaint department who is Jack is the worst uneducated officer.

Based on my experience, I would not recommend Wise and would encourage others to carefully check the terms, fees and exchange rates before using the service. Wise is a scam and stay away

I have been using Wise for many years and transferring money overseas. I now have a Wise card, so handy when travelling.
Wise is always reliable and safe. Would not use anyone else.
Love Love Wise

Without any prior warning, my business account was deactivated. I only became aware of the issue after noticing account changes myself and contacting customer support. During multiple conversations, I repeatedly asked for clarification regarding the reason for the decision and whether there was anything I could do to address the issue. The response was always the same: Wise could not provide any specific information.

I immediately submitted an appeal, despite not knowing what policy, activity, or concern I was supposedly appealing. The appeal was later denied, again without any meaningful explanation. Instead, I was directed to a generic page listing possible reasons accounts may be closed.

To make matters worse, I then received notice that my personal account will also be closed on September 15, 2026. Once again, customer support was unable to explain why the decision was made or what factors contributed to it.

My primary concern is not simply the account closure itself—it is the complete lack of transparency. As someone who relies on international financial services for both personal and professional purposes, I depended on Wise to help manage cross-border payments. Having both business and personal accounts terminated without a clear explanation creates significant disruption and leaves customers with no meaningful opportunity to respond, provide context, or correct potential misunderstandings.

I understand that financial institutions must manage risk and comply with regulations. However, customers deserve clear communication, transparency, and a fair process when decisions this significant are made.

At a minimum, I would like Wise to reconsider the closure of my personal account and improve its communication practices so that other customers are not left in the same position—confused, unsupported, and unable to understand why they are losing access to a service they have depended on.

Based on this experience, I cannot recommend Wise to other customers who rely on transparency, accountability, and predictable customer support.

They communicate and transfer your funds in minutes!

Immediate conversions through account with a very useful debit card

Money card is straight forward and accessible

Very disappointing experience.

This platform completely fails when you actually need support. I had an urgent transfer issue while traveling internationally, and instead of taking immediate action, they delayed and provided no effective assistance.

The lack of response and accountability is alarming. In critical situations, time matters, and they simply do not act.

This is not a reliable service. I would strongly advise others to be cautious.

I have never had such a frustrating experience. This is by far the most dysfunctional service I have ever encountered. Nothing works on their end - NOTHING. Customer Service only knows to say, "let me check into this" until you get frustrated and end the chat. I've wasted 4 hours of my life with Wise today and refuse to waste another minute. I heard from Wise in response to my review. They told me to be patient and to try to use phone or email instead of chat. The reason I had to use chat was because when I tried to use the phone option - my preference - the website instructs to push the button for Chat and answer the 'instant' call. I NEVER received a call. After trying this 4 times with no return call, the only button worth trying was chat. Its impossible to reach this service by phone, and after 2 hours of frustration I finally found a way to log in and process my money transfer - which was IMMEDIATELY flagged for suspicious activity. I also tried to move a $150 balance to my linked bank checking account and got an error message that Wise wouldn't allow this. NOTHING about this service has worked for me. EVERYTHING is not working or dysfunctional. Don't even consider using this service.

EMERGENCY FUNDS HELD HOSTAGE: Beware of Wise’s Arbitrary "Security Checks"
I have been a loyal client of Wise for over a year, but I will never use them again after their catastrophic handling of an emergency situation. If you are relying on this service for urgent funds, STAY AWAY.
My experience with Wise has been nothing short of a nightmare:
The Trap: In an emergency, I had a friend in Taiwan register and send $200. After Wise took their fees, $190 was supposedly on its way with a 48-hour delivery estimate.
The Bait-and-Switch: The moment the money was sent, my account—which has been active for over a year—was suddenly "temporarily restricted" for a "security check".
Misleading Timelines: I received an automated email claiming these checks are "usually finished within 2 hours". This is a blatant lie.
AI Dismissiveness: After 6 hours of silence, their AI help system offered nothing but scripted platitudes, claiming they needed to "keep my money safe" while actually preventing me from accessing it.
The 10-Day Goalpost: It has now been over 30 hours. When I finally got a response today, the timeline shifted from "2 hours" to "2 to 10 working days".
The Reality of Using Wise:
They will happily take your fees upfront but will freeze your funds the second they are in their system.
Their "security checks" appear to be a standard tactic to hold customer capital for days on end without providing a specific reason or a human to talk to.
For those in a crisis, 10 working days is an eternity. Their "protection" feels more like a predatory hold on legitimate transfers.
Verdict: Wise is no longer the reliable disruptor they once were. They are now a bloated, automated machine that hides behind "regulatory requirements" to justify holding your money hostage when you need it most. Use a traditional bank or a service that actually values its customers' lives and emergencies.

I trust you find this review helpful before opening an account with them. It's my opinion that you should take note of my experience and take it into your due diligence.

In my opinion, having experienced Wise when something goes wrong, it really goes wrong. My support ticket is **********4, and I lodged a formal complaint. On 25 Feb 26, we questioned a "late" payment, to be informed by "Augusto" (one of many different agents) that the money has been repatriated to the payer and "this was a genuine mistake on our [Wise's] part".

Since then, the money has not surfaced anywhere. We operationally need the money to pay salaries. The last communication came from Sophie (or perhaps an AI), which seems to be the last "personal" interaction from Wise (03 March 2026), issuing the statement that Wise will respond "within 15 calendar days". They started the count, not from the date of the "mistake", nor did they proactively notify us of their mistake; we had to "ask" (25 February 2026).

Note, this also does not mean they will "resolve" the issue over this time, only respond.

The help-line went dead, no matter how much pleading and/ or shouting, they simply do not respond after issuing (what seems to be) their decree of 15 calendar days.

What response can we realistically expect?

They know it's their fault, they know it's our money, so what can they (relative to their train of thought) learn during these 15 days that can alter the situation?

Consider this, they (by being "genuinely wrong", admitting to their fault in writing) have lost our money and then throw the regulatory book at us as the default response. Is this a proactive, customer-centric business? Not in my view. By acting in this way, what they really seem to say is something more akin to "if it goes right, it's us, but if it goes wrong, even if it is us, it's you, and we'll only do what is necessary to appease the regulator, not you as our customer."

We are now standing at "apathy's" door, held by the decree of Wise, despite admitting to it as their "genuine mistake". Their "admitted" fault is our consequence, and that leaves us in the lurch for at least 15 calendar days, but that could be more, probably will be, because what if the money vanished, because since 26 Feb (now being 7 business days later) the payer has not received the money? Who makes a payment that takes in excess of 7 business days? This statistic alone should send shivers into you as a prospective customer.

Will Wise take responsibility?

It's my opinion (and you might have a completely different experience) that Wise is not a business you should trust with your money. In my case, even if it's clearly their fault, it still becomes your risk.

What you need is trust and support in times of trouble, and my provable experience is that you probably won't get it. Where you depend on regularity, trust, and operational continuity, this might not be the organisation you should consider.

In my case, their customer service and business acumen seem severely handicapped.

All they are good for is cheap transfer. Otherwise, if you ever need to deal with them, it is the worst customer service you can imagine. You can't reply to email, if you call they do nothing to help you, and you get sent in circles. Do not put any real money into your account, if something goes wrong, you are screwed.

an extortion of people's private information, that's their "registration" process. so you just want to know what their rates are, step by step they try to get every piece of your personal information, then when you realise what they are doing it's too late; added insult, you cannot unsubscribe, the button at the bottom of their email, doesn't work. They say somewhere you can email them and ask to be unsubscribed, which I did straight away, their response was: you need to complete your registration, by uploading a photo ID!!!! Please Do not give in to these crooks. Use Wise, it may be slightly more expensive, but in return of a few pounds difference, you get to keep your personal information to yourself, and above all, your rights and your dignity.

Currency transfers at very competitive rate. Regular and helpful information about exchange rates.

All transactions carried out efficiently and quickly. Excellent rates delivered and completely transparent. Currencies Direct have made every transaction easy, from initial overseas property purchase to payment of building contractors. I have no reservation in recommending Currencies Direct. I have have already done so to several members of my family.

They offer a very professional, but friendly service.

Available 24 hours a day
Daily updates on currency exchange rates
Very competitive rates
Lightening fast transfers
Very informative on global financial situations and affect on market rates

Very hard working. Dedicated

Reliable,Trust Worthy,Safe, Effective. A very good money transfer app, and above all , Speak to a real person in times of need ,thankyou, Jade

Keeps me informed regularly

Very quick transfer of funds to foreign account.

I use them only to send small amounts of money to family in Thailand . They keep in touch, are always friendly, respects my requests and explain the logistics of transactions comprehensively

Does what I need, when I need it (offering options too)

Every thing, they are friendly efficient, kind. Take their time making sure I completely understand the procedure of transferring money. I know I am in good hands with them. Can’t praise them enough. My daughter lives in New Zealand ,so have money sent over for gifts. Haven’t been let down ever .Even though I’m only one person ,the quality of service is spectacular.

A fair exchange rate,quick transactions. I use them to transfer money from a UK bank account to another account overseas.I now do this online myself but in previous times I was able to do it over the phone and they were very helpful walking you through the process,they were very patient,polite and helpful,so top marks for customer service.

Often a phone call to me helps .
Can get good exchange deals and easy to put in wallet , trying to understand all it does. But as I use it I will be aware

Keeps me informed throughout the process

Transfers money quickly at a good exchange rate

Prompt, professional, courteous and knowledgable. Consultants give the finest support and guidance every time.

Explained the process concisely and executed the process seamlessly. Highly recommend

I can rely on this company paying bills in Spain where I own a property and transferring sterling to euros with no charges to my Spanish Bank account to cover costs and spending money.

Prompt, efficient and always on time. I have used CD for 20+ years and have always been delighted for either small sums or large ones for buying or selling houses ( £&€ ).

not as easy to use as wise

Fast efficient service, with good exchange rates

Joined but never used

Very easy to do

Exchange rates offered got worse over time

great customer service, easy to use app

ok

Good serice

Pros:
online app is good

Cons:
pick up their phone - on hold for over 45 minutes

Pros:
They are ok.

Cons:
Better follow up of errors.

Pros:
Ravi

Pros:
Convenience

Cons:
Nothing

Pros:
Low fees

Cons:
Nothing

Pros:
The best exchange rate I could find. Executing exchange super fast. No commissions.

Cons:
To offer even better exchange rate for returning customers

Pros:
I have no words to describe them

Pros:
Easy

Cons:
Half price offer