Mobile Money Wallets: What They Are, and How To Send Money to One in 2024
Guide
Co-Founder of Monito and money transfer expert, François has been helping Monito’s users navigate the jungle of money transfer fees, bad exchange rates and tricks for the last ten years.
Reviewer
Monito's Managing Editor, Byron has spent several years writing extensively about financial- and migration-related topics.
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Read moreA mobile wallet is an electronic account linked to a mobile number. It allows users to send, receive and store money on a mobile phone (not necessarily a smartphone).
Mobile wallets store currency in a secure account linked to a mobile telephone number. They are a simple and effective way for individuals to manage money via a phone. In some countries, they are a popular alternative to a bank account. Many retailers allow users to purchase items with a mobile wallet, and some mobile wallets integrate with several popular mobile payment services.
A mobile wallet is a secure way to store money. They are typically encrypted and protected by local financial regulations, similar to the funds held in a regular bank account. Transactions require the user to authenticate themselves before money can be withdrawn or transferred, and there is a secure record of all transactions.
How Do I Transfer Money To a Mobile Wallet?
Use an international money transfer service to put money into a mobile wallet:
- Compare providers on our comparison engine;
- Select the 'Transfer to Mobile wallet' tab;
- Choose the best provider and sign up for free;
- Enter your recipient's mobile wallet account details;
- Securely send the designated amount of money.
Mobile Money Wallet Examples
Here are a few of the biggest mobile wallets worldwide by country:
The Philippines
- GCash
- ShopeePay
- Coins.ph
- GrabPay
- Maya
Bangladesh
- bKash
- Upay
Pakistan
- UPaisa
- JazzCash
- Easypaisa
Kenya
- M-Pesa
- Airtel Money
- Equitel Money
Colombia
- Daviplata
- Movii
What Is a Mobile Wallet In Western Union?
Western Union does not offer a mobile wallet service. Western Union is an international money transfer service that operates worldwide. They provide bank transfers, cash delivery, and cash pickups for sending and receiving money overseas.
To send money directly to the recipient's mobile wallet with Western Union, download the Western Union app. We recommend comparing services with Monito's comparison engine before sending because Western Union is often not the cheapest option.
Best Ways To Send Money to a Mobile Wallet
Mobile wallets are available from many providers and in multiple locations worldwide (such as M-Pesa in Kenya, GCash in the Philippines, or Paytm in India). Certain agents and locations will also allow users to withdraw money stored in their mobile wallets as cash.
Several currency exchange providers that are rated by Monito can send money to mobile wallets around the world. Read our in-depth reviews of the following:
Find the best way to send money to a mobile wallet:
Sending Money to a Mobile Wallet?
Below, you'll find all our guides helping you to send money to various mobile wallets between different countries worldwide:
Why Trust Monito?
You’re probably all too familiar with the often outrageous cost of sending money abroad. After facing this frustration themselves back in 2013, co-founders François, Laurent, and Pascal launched a real-time comparison engine to compare the best money transfer services across the globe. Today, Monito’s award-winning comparisons, reviews, and guides are trusted by around 8 million people each year and our recommendations are backed by millions of pricing data points and dozens of expert tests — all allowing you to make the savviest decisions with confidence.
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