Why these providers differ so dramatically
Sending money internationally looks like a commodity until you actually compare. The same $1,000 USD sent to a New Zealand bank account can cost you $4 with Wise, $20 with Revolut on the weekend, or $80+ with PayPal — and the headline "fee" is rarely the largest part of the cost.
The real cost of an international transfer has two components: the explicit fee, and the FX markup. PayPal famously advertises "low fees" while applying a 3–4% markup on the exchange rate. Wise advertises a fee but uses the real mid-market rate with zero markup. Revolut is free up to a monthly cap but charges a weekend markup. The calculator above models all three.
How to read the total cost
The "Total cost" column shows the difference between what you sent and what the recipient would have received at the perfect mid-market exchange rate. It captures both the explicit fee and any FX markup. This is the only number that matters when comparing providers — anything else is marketing.
Provider trade-offs (honest)
Cheapest is not always best. A few honest notes:
- Wise wins on cost for most corridors and amounts. It does not offer cash pickup, dealer-assisted large transfers, or the buyer protection that PayPal provides for purchases.
- PayPalis the most expensive option for pure money transfer, but it's the right tool when you need buyer protection on a purchase, or when the recipient won't share bank details.
- Revolut wins on speed and is free up to a monthly cap. Above the cap and on weekends, it adds markup — check the fine print of your plan tier.
- OFX is overlooked but excellent for large transfers (above $10K USD). The flat-fee, no-fee-above-$250 structure makes it competitive with Wise on big amounts.
- Payoneer is built for receiving from marketplaces (Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr), not for sending. Use it to receive; use Wise to send.
Real-world examples
Freelancer receiving $1,500 USD → EUR
- Wise: ~$10 total cost → recipient gets ~$1,490 worth of EUR
- Revolut (Standard, weekday): ~$8
- PayPal (cross-border purchase): ~$108
NZ business paying a UK supplier £5,000
- Wise: ~£24 total cost
- OFX: ~£40 (better arrives same-day for large)
- PayPal: ~£400+ (don't use PayPal for B2B transfers)
Methodology & sources
Each provider's fee structure is pulled from their public fee page and re-verified every Monday. Rates shown are indicative — actual rates move every minute, so check the provider before sending. Sources:
- Wise: https://wise.com/pricing
- PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-fees
- Revolut: https://www.revolut.com/help/exchange-fees-and-limits
- OFX: https://www.ofx.com/en-us/faqs/how-much-does-it-cost/
- Payoneer: https://www.payoneer.com/about/fees/
FAQ
Is Wise cheaper than PayPal for international transfers?
Almost always. Wise uses the mid-market rate with a transparent fee of 0.4–1.5% depending on the corridor. PayPal adds a 3–4% markup on the exchange rate on top of any stated fees. For a $1,000 USD transfer to NZD, Wise costs roughly $8–12; PayPal costs $50–70. That's not a marginal difference.
Which provider has the best exchange rate?
Wise and Revolut (on weekdays, within allowance) use the real mid-market rate — the same rate you see on Google. PayPal, OFX, and Payoneer all add a markup above mid-market. For the most consistent rate across all corridors, Wise wins.
Is Revolut better than Wise?
Revolut is cheaper within your monthly plan allowance on weekdays. Above the allowance or on weekends, Revolut adds markup. Wise has no such conditions — no weekend surcharge, no monthly cap. For regular high-volume senders, Wise is more predictable. Revolut wins for same-day peer-to-peer sends.
Are there hidden fees?
Almost always. The two most common: (1) FX markup baked into the exchange rate (PayPal's main cost), and (2) recipient bank fees charged by the receiving bank. The calculator models the FX markup — recipient-side fees depend on the receiving bank and country and cannot be predicted in advance.
Which is fastest?
Revolut between Revolut users is instant. Wise is typically minutes to 1 business day for major corridors. OFX is 1–2 business days. PayPal is instant to PayPal balance but 1–3 days to a bank account.
How do I send money from NZ to the UK cheaply?
Wise is typically the best option for NZD → GBP, with total cost around 0.5–0.8% of the transfer amount. OFX becomes competitive for transfers above NZ$10,000. Avoid PayPal for this corridor — the FX markup alone adds 3–4% to the real cost of the transfer.
Can I use Payoneer to send money?
Payoneer is built for receiving from marketplaces (Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr) and paying suppliers in its network. It can send to bank accounts but the rates make it uncompetitive for personal or business transfers. Use Wise or Revolut to send; use Payoneer to receive from platforms that support it.
What is the OFX minimum transfer?
OFX has no minimum for online transfers in most corridors (some require a small minimum equivalent to ~US$250). OFX is most competitive on large transfers above $10,000 USD equivalent, where its structure (no flat fee, small FX markup) often beats Wise's percentage-based fee on high amounts.
Last verified: 2026-05-19. Spotted a fee change? Email support@smartcloudsuites.com.