Is Western Union or MoneyGram cheaper?

It depends on the corridor and send method. Western Union generally has a larger network and more promotional pricing on popular routes like US to Mexico and US to Philippines. MoneyGram is sometimes cheaper for bank-to-bank transfers and occasionally beats WU on exchange rate margins. Always compare both services for your specific corridor before sending — fees can differ by $5–$15 on a $500 transfer.

Which has more locations — Western Union or MoneyGram?

Western Union has approximately 500,000 agent locations in 200+ countries. MoneyGram has approximately 350,000 locations in 200+ countries. Western Union has the larger network overall, but for specific countries or cities, MoneyGram may have a more convenient location for the recipient.

Which is faster — Western Union or MoneyGram?

Both services offer cash pickup within minutes for card-funded transfers to supported locations. Bank deposit speeds are similar — typically 1–5 business days depending on the destination country. For the fastest cash transfers, both are roughly equivalent; the more important variable is agent location availability for the recipient.

Yes. MoneyGram is licensed as a money services business regulated by FinCEN and holds state money transmitter licenses in all 50 US states. It is publicly traded and has been in operation since 1940. MoneyGram paid a $125 million settlement with the US DOJ and FTC in 2018 related to fraud-induced transfers, and has since strengthened its anti-fraud controls.

Western Union vs MoneyGram 2026: Fees, Speed and Which Is Cheaper

Western Union and MoneyGram are the two largest cash money transfer networks in the world. Both reach 200+ countries through hundreds of thousands of agent locations. Choosing between them comes down to fees on your specific corridor, which network has a convenient location for your recipient, and whether one is currently running a promotion.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Western Union	MoneyGram
Agent locations	~500,000	~350,000
Countries served	200+	200+
Online per-transfer limit	$5,000	$10,000
Cash pickup speed	Within minutes (card-funded)	Within minutes (card-funded)
Bank deposit speed	1–5 business days	1–5 business days
Exchange rate margin	1–3% above mid-market	1–3% above mid-market
US retail partners	Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger	Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, many others
App availability	iOS and Android	iOS and Android
Regulated by	FinCEN; all 50 state licenses	FinCEN; all 50 state licenses
Loyalty program	My WU	No major program

Fee Comparison: US to Mexico ($500 cash pickup, debit card)

Service	Stated fee	Rate margin (approx)	Total real cost
Western Union	~$8	~1.8% ($9)	~$17
MoneyGram	~$7	~2.0% ($10)	~$17

Both services are similar in total cost for US→Mexico, one of the highest-traffic corridors. Western Union is sometimes cheaper by $1–$3 on stated fees; MoneyGram sometimes offers better rates. Check both before sending.

Fee Comparison: US to Philippines ($500 cash pickup, debit card)

Service	Stated fee	Rate margin (approx)	Total real cost
Western Union	~$7	~1.5% ($7.50)	~$14.50
MoneyGram	~$9	~1.8% ($9)	~$18

Western Union tends to be more competitive on US→Philippines due to higher volume.

Network Coverage: Does Your Recipient Have a Nearby Agent?

Western Union’s 500,000+ locations include:

4,700+ Walmart stores in the US
CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Dollar General
Post offices and banks in many countries

MoneyGram’s 350,000+ locations include:

Walmart in the US
CVS, Walgreens, Kroger
Post offices in Europe and elsewhere

For the recipient’s side, what matters most is whether there is a convenient agent location near them. Use the WU agent locator (westernunion.com) and MoneyGram locator (moneygram.com) to check both networks for your recipient’s city before deciding.

Transfer Limits

	Western Union	MoneyGram
Online per-transfer limit	$5,000	$10,000
Online 30-day limit	$50,000	Varies

MoneyGram’s higher per-transfer online limit ($10,000 vs $5,000) is an advantage for larger one-time transfers that would otherwise require multiple Western Union transactions.

Who Should Use Western Union vs MoneyGram

Choose Western Union when:

Your recipient’s country or city has better WU agent coverage
You are sending to Mexico or Philippines (WU typically more competitive)
You want to earn My WU loyalty points on frequent transfers
You are sending from a Walmart (4,700+ WU locations)

Choose MoneyGram when:

MoneyGram has a more convenient agent location for your recipient
You need to send more than $5,000 in a single online transfer
MoneyGram has a better rate for your specific corridor on that day

Neither is ideal if:

You are sending $500+ and do not need cash pickup — Wise is typically 30–50% cheaper than both WU and MoneyGram combined (fee + exchange rate) for bank-to-bank transfers

Summary

Western Union edges out MoneyGram on network size and is generally competitive or cheaper on the highest-volume corridors (US→Mexico, US→Philippines). MoneyGram has a slightly higher online per-transfer limit. In practice, both services are very similar — the best approach is to check both on your specific corridor before sending, since fees and exchange rates change frequently.

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Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy