Why does the exchange rate matter so much?
Most providers make money on the rate, not just the fee. A rate 3% below the market costs you 3% of the whole transfer, even when the fee says zero.
What does this transfer really cost?
Banks and transfer apps charge a fee, and most also give you a worse exchange rate than the market. Compare what arrives.
Type the rate and fee each provider quotes for this exact amount. The fee counts as paid on top of what you send.
Calculations run in your browser. Only currency codes go to the exchange-rate service. Device saving and carrying a plan are optional; inputs go to your BudgetPro workspace only when you approve an import.
What does a $1,000 transfer to Brazil really cost?
At an illustrative market rate of 5 reais per dollar, quote A offers 4.80 and charges a $25 fee on top: you pay $1,025.00 and receive R$4.800,00. Its fee plus exchange-rate loss costs $65.00. Quote B offers 4.975 plus $6: you pay $1,006.00, receive R$4.975,00, and the comparable cost is $11.00.
These are invented quotes, not offers from a bank or transfer service. Fees are charged on top of the $1,000 principal in the sending currency. Taxes, intermediary and recipient fees are excluded; add them to a quote before deciding.
Is a zero-fee transfer always the cheapest?
No. A provider may include a margin in its exchange rate. Compare the total debit, amount received and receipt per unit paid, using quotes from the same time and payment method. Also check delivery time and recipient charges.
Questions
Which rate is the market rate?
It's the mid-market rate banks use between themselves, the one you see on rate sites. This page loads it from public rate sources each day; you can type another.
How does BudgetPro help when I send money abroad?
BudgetPro keeps a budget per country in its own currency, records transfers between your accounts, and shows your totals in the currency you choose.
More free tools
- Budget spreadsheet A monthly budget for Google Sheets or Excel, with a tab for each country.
- Budget in dollars Your whole monthly budget in another currency, at today's rate.