Western Union
Western Union: A broad transfer service with cash pickup, tracking, and delivery choices. Ranked #36 of 81 in Money Transfer Apps by our editors (5.3/10); pricing: Paid; best for established transfers with cash pickup.
At a glance
- Editor score5.3 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forEstablished transfers with cash pickup
- Free planNo
- Transfer speedInstant
- Founded1851 · Denver, Colorado, USA
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Bank, cash-pickup, and mobile-wallet delivery options
- Upfront exchange-rate and fee estimates
- Tracking, scheduled payments, and saved recipients
Where it doesn't
- No free plan
- Uses a markup exchange rate
- Fees and delivery times vary by destination and payment method
Our verdict on Western Union
Western Union is a money transfer service available on the web, iOS, Android, and through agent locations. It is designed for people sending funds internationally or locally to family, friends, and other recipients. Depending on the destination, recipients can receive money in bank accounts, mobile wallets, or cash at participating agent locations. Senders can pay with a bank account, credit or debit card, or cash at participating agents. The service dates to 1851 and supports transfers to more than 200 countries and territories.
Its delivery and tracking features suit repeat or time-sensitive transfers. Customers receive a Money Transfer Control Number, or MTCN, for tracking, while the pricing estimator provides real-time exchange-rate and fee estimates before sending. Scheduled or repeat payments and saved recipient details support recurring transfers. These options make Western Union a practical fit for people who regularly send money to the same recipients or need cash pickup where bank or wallet delivery is not suitable.
Pricing is paid, with no free plan, and the exchange rate uses a markup. The final cost and delivery time vary by destination, payment method, payout method, and location, so the most relevant estimate depends on the specific transfer. Choose Western Union if cash pickup, multiple payout methods, transfer tracking, or recurring payments are priorities. It is less suitable for people seeking a free plan or a transfer service without an exchange-rate markup, who should consider a different option.
Your product? Our editors can test Western Union in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Western Union pricing
Western Union fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Recipient methods | Bank |
| Transfer speed | Instant |
| Exchange-rate model | Markup |
| Mobile platforms | Both |
| Upfront fee display | Yes |
| Transfer tracking | Yes |
| Scheduled transfers | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | westernunion.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Western Union
- WiseA transparent option for international transfers across web and mobile.9.4
- TransferGoA flexible transfer service with a free multicurrency wallet and upfront pricing.9.2
- Xe Money TransferA broad international transfer service with transparent quotes, tracking, and multiple delivery methods.9.0
See all Western Union alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Western Union is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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