How we estimate provider rankings, what is included, and where limitations exist. Plain English.
We compare five provider categories for the USD→INR corridor: Wise, Remitly, Xoom (PayPal), Western Union, and traditional U.S. bank wire transfers. For each, we estimate the total Indian rupees that would arrive in a recipient's bank account after all visible fees and exchange-rate markup.
Our estimates include: the exchange rate offered by each provider (including any markup vs the mid-market rate), transfer fees charged by the provider, and the effect of payment method (our default assumption is bank account / ACH funding, which is typically the lowest-cost option). We calculate the result for your specific transfer amount because provider pricing varies significantly by size.
All figures shown are estimates. The actual amount received may differ due to: rate fluctuations between our check time and your transfer time, changes in provider fee structures, recipient bank charges, differences in payment method (debit or credit card funding typically costs more), and rounding. We do not guarantee that the ranking or amounts shown will match your actual transfer outcome.
We check provider rates and fees each morning, typically around 6:00 AM EST. The rates shown on the site and in daily emails reflect that morning's check. Rates can change throughout the day.
Providers structure their pricing differently. Some charge flat fees that are proportionally larger on small transfers. Others markup the exchange rate, which matters more on large transfers. This means the provider that delivers the most ₹ at $1,000 may not be the same as the one that delivers the most at $10,000. We calculate for your specific amount to reflect this.
We may earn referral commissions when users click through to a provider and complete a transfer. This revenue is how we keep the service free. However: referral commissions do not influence ranking order. A provider that pays us a higher commission does not rank higher. Rankings are based solely on estimated total ₹ received.
Delivery speed matters, but it is a different dimension from cost. Some users need money to arrive instantly (e.g., medical emergencies). Others can wait an hour or a day for a better rate. We show speed alongside the ranking but do not fold it into the ₹ calculation. You decide which tradeoff is right for each transfer.
Questions about our methodology? support@ratecheckr.com