Western Union Review: Are they cheaper and better than new fintech apps for money transfers?

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Western Union's exchange rates have improved a lot recently, and if size ans security matter most to you, then WU is a good money transfer app for your small to medium international money transfers.
Richard Berry
Richard Berry
Good Money Guide Founder

Western Union Customer Reviews

3.8

122 Good Money Guide reviewers have given this provider an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 based on their genuine experience.

Excellent30%
Very good36%
Average22%
Poor8%
Terrible4%

Leave a review and tell us what you think to help others make more informed financial decisions.

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EXCHANGE RATE HAS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY

20th November 2024

Im in Argentina and the exchange rate from UK has dropped nearly 300 ars per £1 over the last 3 months and the fee has gone up £3 on transactions up to £200. Disgusting.

Mick
Verified

Great

26th October 2024

Great service easy to use

George

Easy to send cash to…

27th June 2024

Easy to send cash to individuals.

Josef Pichler

DO MOST THINGS MYSELF

27th June 2024

DO MOST THINGS MYSELF

Paul carl baker

Excellent Service & Good Pricing

26th June 2024

Excellent Service & Good Pricing

Roy Vesey

Positive experience

26th June 2024

Positive experience

James Arkanjelo Ohuro

Efficient service

26th June 2024

Efficient service

Ananda Eratne

Only if no other options

24th June 2024

Only if no other options

Dejan Petrovic

Ok

19th June 2024

Ok

Saurabh Kakkar

I Steven Talewa of Tari…

18th June 2024

I Steven Talewa of Tari Hela Province of Papua New Guinea is now full support on this one for the year

Steven Talewa

N/a

13th June 2024

N/a

Helen Whatmoor Bennett

Allows me to send money…

12th June 2024

Allows me to send money faster from the comfort of my home

Sarah Kam

Western Union also I Steven…

9th June 2024

Western Union also I Steven Talewa will try my best to follow your instructions and ready to receive my blessings and benefits now through this..

Steven Talewa

They are the best

9th June 2024

They are the best

Nesrin sander

Good service

8th June 2024

Good service

Judy Hughes

4/5

6th June 2024
Kristina Juodikyte

Rip off

6th June 2024

Rip off

Felix Kupay

5/5

4th June 2024
Steven Talewa

Simple cost effective transfer of…

3rd June 2024

Simple cost effective transfer of money oversea

Bhrat Patel

good for using for Africa

29th May 2024

good for using for Africa

traceylee hayew

Western Union Expert Review

In this Western Union money transfer review we give our ratings based on their nearest peers and tell you what we think of them after testing them with real money. Plus we highlight the key costs, facts and figures of their accounts.

Western Union Review
Good Money Guide Recommended 2024

Name: Western Union

Description: Western Union lets you send money to more than 200 countries around the world. It was founded in 1851 in Rochester, New York, and was named the Western Union Telegraph Company when the New York & Western Union Telegraph Company merged with the rival New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company in 1856. It was a pioneer in transmitting telegrams and in 1871 it introduced a money transfer service through its extensive telegraph network. It stopped sending telegrams in 2006 and now offers money transfers to almost every country in the world. Today it has 150 million retail and digital customers with its headquarters in Denver, Colorado.

Summary

Western Union has made a real effort recently to modernise it’s app and reduce exchange rates and fees to compete with new start-ups. Still, one of the best ways to send cash abroad and now very competitive for smaller electronic transfers.

Pros

  • Better exchange rates
  • Cash drop-off and pick-up
  • Good app and website transfers

Cons

  • Still not as cheap as some
  • Exchange Rates
    (4.5)
  • Available Currencies
    (5)
  • Online Platform
    (5)
  • Customer Service
    (3)
  • Research & Analysis
    (3)
Overall
4.1

Western Union Facts & Figures


Edit
💱 Total Currencies
130
💵 Min Transfer£0
💰 Max Transfer£4,000
🛒 Customers150,000,000
🏛️ Founded1851
🏢 HQColorado, United States
⚖️ RegulatedYes- by FCA
Account Options
🧍 Personal Transfers✔️
👔 Business Transfers✔️
📅 Currency Forwards
💸 Currency Options
🤝 Personal Service
📱 Phone DealingYes – excellent service
🖥️ Online Platform✔️
⭐ TrustPilot Rating3.9/5
🌐 WebsiteVisit Western Union

Western Union CEO Interview

For this review, we interviewed Massimiliano Alvisini, on Western Union’s resilience to challenger brands.

Massimiliano Alvisini Western Union

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