Cheapest Way to Send Money to India in 2026
Find the cheapest way to send money to India. Compare fees, exchange rates, and delivery times across top providers.
💰 Best Providers for India
Wise
Best combination of low cost and transparency
Top Recommended Providers:
- • Wise: Best exchange rates, transparent fees
- • Remitly: Fast delivery, promotional rates
- • WorldRemit: Global coverage, reliable service
Top Providers for India
🏆 Wise
Why Choose Wise
- • Transparent pricing with mid-market rates
- • Low fees (typically $4-10)
- • Fast transfers (minutes to hours)
- • Excellent customer reviews
Typical Cost
Transfer fee: $6-10
Exchange margin: ~0.5%
Speed: Minutes to hours
⚡ Remitly
Remitly Advantages
- • Express vs Economy options
- • First-transfer promotions
- • Strong India coverage
- • Mobile app with excellent UX
Transfer Options
Express: Minutes to hours
Economy: 1-3 business days
Promo rates: Often $0 first transfer
Delivery Methods in India
🏦 Bank Deposit
Speed: 15 minutes - 2 business days
Availability: All major India banks
Best for: Large transfers, established recipients
Requirements: Recipient bank account details
💵 Cash Pickup
Speed: Available within minutes
Locations: Western Union, MoneyGram agents
Best for: Recipients without bank accounts
Requirements: Recipient ID and pickup code
Cost Comparison Example
Sending $500 to India
| Provider | Transfer Fee | Exchange Rate | Recipient Gets | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | $6 | Market rate | Best amount | ~$8 |
| Remitly | $4 | Slight margin | Good amount | ~$12 |
Compare Live Rates to India
Ready to send money to India? Compare live rates and fees to find the best deal today.
Key Takeaways
✓ Compare total recipient amount, not just fees
✓ Use bank transfer or debit card for lower costs
✓ Consider speed vs cost based on urgency
✓ Check for promotional rates but verify total costs