Best Ways to Send Money to India Online in 2026

India is currently a world leader in receiving remittances. In 2025, remittance inflows closed at a record $135.46 billion, more than double those of the next-highest country. Behind every one of those transfers is someone trying to support a parent, fund a sibling's education, help run a family business, or simply show up for the people they love from thousands of miles away.

The good news is that sending money to India has never been easier, faster, or cheaper. The not-so-good news is that with so many platforms now competing for your transfer, it's easy to lose money to hidden fees and poor exchange rates if you don't know what to look for.

This guide breaks down the most reliable platforms available in 2026, what they're good at, what they cost, and who they work best for.

What to look for before choosing a platform

Not all transfer services are built the same. Before committing to one, there are a few things worth comparing:

Exchange rate markup — this is the most important one. Many platforms advertise zero fees but quietly make their money by offering you a worse exchange rate than the real market rate. Always check the mid-market rate (you can find it on Google) and compare it to what the platform is offering. The difference is the hidden cost.

Transfer fees — some platforms charge a flat fee per transfer, others charge a percentage, and some genuinely charge nothing. Lower fees mean more money reaching your recipient.

Transfer speed — most platforms now offer transfers within minutes to a few hours for bank deposits. Cash pickup options are often instant.

Receiving options — the best platforms support direct bank deposits to all major Indian banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, PNB), UPI transfers, and cash pickup for recipients who prefer it.

Transfer limits — if you're sending larger amounts, check the platform's daily or monthly limits before you start.

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Platforms to consider when sending money to India

Wise

Wise is widely regarded as one of the most transparent money transfer services available. It uses the real mid-market exchange rate with no markup, charging only a small, clearly displayed fee upfront. For transfers from the US, Wise charges a transfer fee of around $23.52 for a $5,000 transfer, using the actual interbank exchange rate. You always see exactly what your recipient will receive before you confirm. Transfers are typically instant to a few days, depending on the method, and the platform supports direct deposits to most major Indian banks. It's the go-to choice for people who prioritise transparency and want to know exactly where their money goes.

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Remitly

Remitly has built a strong reputation specifically in the remittance space. For a $5,000 transfer to India from the US, Remitly charges no transfer fee and uses a competitive exchange rate, making it one of the cheapest options available. It supports bank deposits, UPI transfers, and cash pickup, and offers a speed guarantee; if your transfer doesn't arrive on time, you get a refund. The app is clean, simple, and designed specifically for people sending money home, not for businesses or traders.

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Xoom (by PayPal)

Xoom is PayPal's dedicated money transfer service and is particularly convenient if you already have a PayPal account. It supports UPI transfers, bank deposits to all major Indian banks, including HDFC, Axis, PNB, ICICI, and SBI, as well as cash pickup at locations like Muthoot Finance and Manappuram Finance. Transfers to banks are typically completed within minutes for amounts under ₹5 lakh, making it one of the faster options. Xoom adds a markup of around 0.91% to the exchange rate, and fees vary by transfer amount, payment method, and destination.

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Western Union

Western Union's biggest strength is its physical reach. It supports transfers to nearly 200 banks in India, including State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and Punjab National Bank. It has over 111,000 cash pickup agent locations nationwide. This makes it especially valuable when the recipient doesn't have easy access to a bank account or would prefer to collect cash in person. Western Union also supports UPI transfers. Keep in mind that exchange rate margins tend to be higher than digital-first competitors, so it's worth comparing before sending large amounts.

Xe

Xe has grown from a currency information tool into a fully-fledged money transfer service. It supports direct bank deposits and cash pickup at over 115,000 locations across India, with many transfers arriving within minutes. Xe applies a markup of approximately 0.58% for money transfers from the US to India, making it one of the more competitive options on exchange rates. It's also well-suited for larger transfers, with higher limits than some competitors.

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Pesa

Pesa is built specifically for the global mover — the immigrant, the student abroad, the freelancer managing money across borders. Beyond just sending money, Pesa offers a multi-currency wallet that lets you hold, manage, and transfer money in multiple currencies without constantly converting. This matters when you're earning in one currency, saving in another, and sending home in a third. For the Indian diaspora managing complex cross-border finances, it's built for exactly that situation.

How much does it cost to send money to India?

One of the most important things to understand is that the cheapest platform depends on how much you're sending. A provider might claim zero fees but hide their costs inside the exchange rate; always check the exchange rate plus the upfront fee together to understand the true cost of any transfer.

A practical rule: for smaller, frequent transfers, Remitly tends to win on fees. For larger, less frequent transfers, Wise or Xe typically offer the best exchange rates. For recipients without bank accounts, Western Union is often the only practical option.

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What about banks?

Traditional banks can send money to India, but they're almost always the most expensive option. Banks remain the most expensive remittance channel, with an average cost of around 12% during recent quarters — far higher than digital transfer platforms. Unless you have a specific reason to use your bank (very large transfers or regulatory requirements), specialist platforms will consistently give your recipient more money.

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Tips for getting the most out of any transfer

Time your transfers when the rate is favourable. Several platforms, including Western Union and Wise, let you set exchange rate alerts so you can send when the rate moves in your favour.

Save your recipient's details. Most apps let you store bank account numbers, IFSC codes, and UPI IDs so repeat transfers take seconds.

Check transfer limits before you start. If you're sending a large amount, verify the platform's daily or monthly cap before initiating the transfer — hitting a limit mid-process is frustrating and can delay urgent payments.

Always verify the total amount received. Before hitting send, confirm exactly how many rupees your recipient will receive. That number is the only one that truly matters.

Finally!

India is the world's largest recipient of remittances, with inflows reaching $135.4 billion in FY25. Every transfer that arrives quickly, in full, and without unnecessary fees is money that actually makes a difference to the family receiving it. The platforms above make that possible — the job now is just choosing the right one for your situation.

Compare a few options before committing to one, check the full cost including exchange rate markup, and let automation do the rest.