Best ways to send money to India
Remitly cost breakdown
Remitly's transfer fee is $0.00 and their exchange rate is 96.05.
The total cost of this transaction is: the transfer fee of $0.00 + the exchange rate fee $0.00 = $0.00
This makes Remitly the cheapest provider in the table to send $5,000.00 to INR.
Read Remitly review- Amount you send (fees included)$5,000.00
- Transfer fee$0.00
- Remitly exchange rate96.05
- Better than the mid-market rate 95.7675
- Fee within the exchange rate$0.00
- Total cost$0.00
- Amount received₹480,250.00
Wise cost breakdown
Wise's transfer fee is $21.48 and their exchange rate is 95.7675. Wise uses the mid-market rate, so that means no additional fees.
The total cost of this transaction is: the transfer fee of $21.48 + exchange rate fee $0.00 (Wise uses the mid-market rate) = $21.48.
This makes Wise the second cheapest provider in the table to send $5,000.00 to INR.
Read Wise review- Amount you send (fees included)$5,000.00
- Transfer fee$21.48
- Wise exchange rate95.7675
- Equal to the mid-market rate 95.7675
- Fee within the exchange rate$0.00
- Total cost$21.48
- Amount received₹476,780.41
XE cost breakdown
XE's transfer fee is $0.00 and their exchange rate is 95.1929. That rate is lower than the mid-market rate of 95.7675, which will cost you $30.18.
The total cost of this transaction is: the transfer fee of $0.00 + the exchange rate fee $30.18 = $30.18
This makes XE the third cheapest provider in the table to send $5,000.00 to INR.
- Amount you send (fees included)$5,000.00
- Transfer fee$0.00
- XE exchange rate95.1929
- 0.6% lower than the mid-market rate 95.7675
- Fee within the exchange rate$30.18
- Total cost$30.18
- Amount received₹475,964.48
CurrencyFair cost breakdown
CurrencyFair's transfer fee is $1.26 and their exchange rate is 95.065. That rate is lower than the mid-market rate of 95.7675, which will cost you $36.95.
The total cost of this transaction is: the transfer fee of $1.26 + the exchange rate fee $36.95 = $38.21
This makes CurrencyFair the fourth cheapest provider in the table to send $5,000.00 to INR.
- Amount you send (fees included)$5,000.00
- Transfer fee$1.26
- CurrencyFair exchange rate95.065
- 0.73% lower than the mid-market rate 95.7675
- Fee within the exchange rate$36.95
- Total cost$38.21
- Amount received₹475,205.00
OFX cost breakdown
OFX's transfer fee is $0.00 and their exchange rate is 94.788. That rate is lower than the mid-market rate of 95.7675, which will cost you $51.67.
The total cost of this transaction is: the transfer fee of $0.00 + the exchange rate fee $51.67 = $51.67
This makes OFX the fifth cheapest provider in the table to send $5,000.00 to INR.
Read OFX review- Amount you send (fees included)$5,000.00
- Transfer fee$0.00
- OFX exchange rate94.788
- 1.02% lower than the mid-market rate 95.7675
- Fee within the exchange rate$51.67
- Total cost$51.67
- Amount received₹473,940.00
Quick Verdict: The best ways to send money to India
| Category | Winner | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| 💰Cheapest Cost | Remitly | Total Fees: $0 |
| 📈Best Exchange Rate | Remitly | Rate: 96.0500 |
| ⚡Fastest Transfer | Wise | Time: Instant-2 Days |
| ⭐Customer Favourite | Remitly | TrustScore: 4.6/5 |
You can send money to India with a bank, or you can choose a specialist transfer provider. Often, these providers offer a faster, more efficient, and cheaper way to send money from United States to India.
How to Send Money to India: Step-by-Step
The good news is that sending money to India is easier than ever. Plus you can usually do everything with your phone or laptop - with no need to stand in line at a bank or money changer’s office. Here’s how to send money to India in 5 simple steps:
- Choose a Money Transfer Service
- Enter the amount of money you want to transfer into our comparison tool
- Compare rates, fees, and delivery speed. You’ll see a range of options from reliable providers, so you can compare and pick the best for your specific transfer
- Consider user reviews and security features
- Register with your chosen provider
- Enter Recipient Details
- Add the recipient’s full name and bank details or email, depending on the method
- Add the recipient’s full name and bank details or email, depending on the method
- Select Amount and Currency
- Choose how much to send and the currency (e.g. USD to INR)
- Review exchange rates and fees upfront
- Pay for Your Transfer
- Choose from options like bank debit, credit card, apple/google pay or bank transfer (depending on what's available from the provider)
- Get confirmation and a tracking link if available
- Notify your recipient if needed
You can send money from United States to India using your bank, a specialist money transfer service, an e-wallet, or by visiting a physical money remittance store. Each option has different pros and cons, so the best for you will depend on your specific transfer and personal requirements.
FAQs: sending money to India
The details you'll need to send money internationally from United States to India may vary by provider, and based on the value of the transfer. At a minimum, whenever you make an international bank transfer you will typically be asked for:
- Account number
- IFSC code
You can't send money to India from United States for free. International transfers cost providers money to arrange, so there's always a fee somewhere to make sure that the business covers its costs and generates profit. However, many providers choose to make the fees you pay trickier to spot by adding them into the exchange rates used for transfers.
There is no official best time to send money from United States to India and that depends on a variety of factors such as when you need to send money or when you want the funds to be received. It’s also going to depend on a variety of other factors such as, the time when you send money or the fees you are offered by providers or banks.
When you’re sending a high value payment it’s especially important to do your research and find a provider which is safe and which offers low fees and great exchange rates. It’s also well worth comparing some providers based on transfer times, as the delivery time can also vary pretty widely.
Some international money transfer services offer discounts for high value transfers, either through lower fees or a better exchange rate. Use the Exiap cost comparison calculator to make sure you’re getting the very best deal available for your specific transfer.



