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Ria vs Western Union
Our recommendation: Western Union is a better deal
François Briod
Guide
Ria vs Western Union. Which one is the best for you and your needs? Which is the most affordable option if you need to send or receive money internationally? Check out our analysis of the pros and cons of each money transfer company.
Ria and Western Union have both pros and cons. Make sure to compare the fees & exchange rates before your next transfer.
Ria vs Western Union
Compare Ria, Western Union and 100+ international money transfer services
Trust & Credibility
Background check
A subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide Inc. and with offices spanning across the globe, Ria is a duly authorized and regulated financial services company in every region in which it does business.
A publicly-traded company, licensed and authorized by the New York State Department of Financial Services.
Security & reliability
Ria Online's platforms are fully secured and use top-notch security protocols, including segregated user accounts and HTTPS.
Fully secure with top-notch security protocols, including segregated user accounts and HTTPS.
Company size
Since being established in 1987, Ria has grown into a giant in the money transfer world that today boasts over $40 billion in annual transactions, two million customers, and two thousand employees.
Founded in 1851, WU is arguably the biggest name in the international money transfer world.
Transparent pricing
Ria is not fully transparent about its pricing, with around 59% of total fees being buried away in hidden exchange rate margins.
Not fully transparent, around 70% of total fees are not disclosed upfront, but in the FX margin.
Service & Quality
Opening an account
Account registration at Ria Online is reasonably straightforward, although there are a number of steps that need to be followed, which can add a lot of time to the process.
Opening an account with Western Union Online is reasonably easy on its website and mobile app.
Making a transfer
Sending money overseas is a fast, simple, and smooth process with Ria Online on both its website and its mobile app.
Transferring money with Western Union Online is a speedy and straightforward process for first-time and returning users alike.
Contacting support
Finding an answer to a question is reasonably simply using Ria Online's detailed FAQ, but there are fewer options to get in touch with the company, with only phone and email support being available to customers.
Western Union Online provides a FAQ that's detailed and offers phone support features accessible via the mobile app.
Fees & Exchange Rates
Transfers to a bank account
Sometimes competitive, but seldom the cheapest on Monito.
Great pricing when sending money to a bank account.
Customer Satisfaction
Trustpilot reviews
2.4 out of 5 stars from 6,000 reviews.
3.9 out of 5 stars from around 48,000 reviews on Trustpilot.
App Store reviews
4.9 out of 5 stars from 70,000 reviews.
4.8 out of 5 stars from 599,000 reviews on the App Store.
Google Play reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars from 60,000 reviews.
4.6 out of 5 stars from over 10,000,000 users on Google Play.
Related provider reviews
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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Monito is trusted by 15+ million users across the globe.
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Monito's experts spend hours researching and testing services so that you don't have to.
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Our recommendations are always unbiased and independent.
