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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5/5

28th January 2023

Pros:

Western

GMG Awards Voter: [118230513704]

4/5

26th January 2023

Pros:

Wider options for money transfers

Cons:

Provide better rate

GMG Awards Voter: [118229397832]

2/5

26th January 2023

Cons:

Real person support

GMG Awards Voter: [118229292826]

4/5

26th January 2023

Pros:

Ease of use

Cons:

Faster delivery

GMG Awards Voter: [118228760741]

5/5

10th January 2023

Pros:

asdf

Cons:

asdf

GMG Awards Voter: [118216064480]

3/5

1st March 2022

Pros:

Nothing – bad

Cons:

Everything

GMG Awards Voter: [13365038351]

4/5

1st March 2022

Pros:

good value

Cons:

nothing

GMG Awards Voter: [13364886725]

2/5

28th February 2022

Pros:

Realiable

Cons:

Better rates, pay for goods

GMG Awards Voter: [13363920118]

5/5

28th February 2022
GMG Awards Voter: [13363649458]

4/5

28th February 2022

Pros:

cash payout

Cons:

fees

GMG Awards Voter: [13363589352]

5/5

28th February 2022
GMG Awards Voter: [13362465036]

4/5

20th February 2022

Pros:

Customer Support

GMG Awards Voter: [13344980292]

5/5

18th February 2022

Pros:

can send transactions online and person

Cons:

nothing at present

GMG Awards Voter: [13341926785]

4/5

16th February 2022

Pros:

availability

Cons:

cheaper fees

GMG Awards Voter: [13336265027]

5/5

16th February 2022

Pros:

Good value and fast action

Cons:

None

GMG Awards Voter: [13335214255]

5/5

15th February 2022

Pros:

I don’t have to communicate with them

Cons:

Try recognising the customer and answer their problems

GMG Awards Voter: [13332813894]

4/5

11th February 2022

Pros:

Availability worldwide

Cons:

Lower fees

GMG Awards Voter: [13324289806]

5/5

9th February 2022

Pros:

Excellent fx rates

Cons:

give their website a more international feel

GMG Awards Voter: [13319301775]

5/5

7th February 2022

Pros:

Very Competitive fx rates

Cons:

Improve the image of Western Union as more than a corner shop cash collection outfit

GMG Awards Voter: [13314007893]

4/5

7th February 2022

Pros:

Easy to transfer

Cons:

Can cash out fast

GMG Awards Voter: [13312657125]

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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