MoneyGram review

MoneyGram is the main alternative to Western Union for cash. Its US site lists partners across more than 200 countries and territories and nearly 500,000 retail locations, from major banks to national retailers, and says it serves more than 50 million customers. You can send online or in the app with real-time tracking and delivery notifications, or walk into a location. Pricing is the weak spot for anyone trying to work out the total cost in advance: MoneyGram states that fees and exchange rates vary with the amount, payment type, delivery method and pickup location, that rates shown are for illustration, and that it makes money from currency exchange. We could not capture a fixed USD fee from its pages, so the price is marked pending here. Get a quote in the app for your exact route and compare the amount received with Western Union and Ria before sending.

Who it is for

In-person senders who want a retail location nearby

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Send to 200+ countries and territories
• Nearly 500,000 retail locations worldwide
• Online and app transfers with real-time tracking
• Delivery notifications for sender and receiver
• Available in multiple languages and currencies

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Large in-person network for cash senders and receivers
• Strength: More than 50 million customers, according to MoneyGram
• Strength: Real-time tracking in the app
• Weakness: MoneyGram states that it makes money from currency exchange, so the rate includes a margin
• Weakness: Its site says rates and fees shown are for illustration only
• Weakness: Fees vary by amount, payment type, delivery method and pickup location

Key facts

• Coverage: 200+ countries and territories
• Locations: Nearly 500,000
• Customers: 50+ million, according to MoneyGram
• Fee: Varies by transfer details

Where it ranks

MoneyGram is No. 10 in our Best Money Transfer Services verdict.