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Choosing between Remitly, Xoom, Western Union, and Félix isn't just about comparing fees: each service has a different charging model, and the one that seems cheapest isn't always the one that delivers the most money in Mexico. Before using any of them, it's worth checking the full numbers.
The real cost of a transfer isn't just the fee you see at the start: it also includes the margin the service applies to the exchange rate, which often represents more money than the flat fee.
What to compare before choosing a money transfer service to Mexico
Not all criteria carry the same weight. These are the five that most impact what your family member actually receives:
Transfer fee: The fixed or percentage-based fee the service charges to process the transfer. It's the first thing you see, but not always the most expensive part.
Margin on the exchange rate: The difference between the real market exchange rate and the one the service offers you. A 2% margin on a $500 transfer means $10 less for your family member, without it appearing as a "fee" anywhere. You can read more about how this concept works in the article on Exchange margin.
Delivery speed: If the money is needed today, the budget option that takes 3 days is not an option.
Delivery options in Mexico: Bank deposit, cash pickup, digital wallet (Mercado Pago, Nubank, Spin by Oxxo). Not everyone in Mexico has a bank account.
Ease of use: Creating an account, verifying identity, and completing a transfer should take minutes, not days.
Remitly: fast for new users, but check the exchange rate
Remitly allows you to send money from its mobile app to Mexico and over 90 countries. It has a large user base and good coverage of delivery destinations.
What works in its favor
Remitly offers fast deliveries when you pay with a debit card: the money can arrive in minutes. New users often receive a lower promotional rate for their first transfer (though conditions can change at any time). Its app has a simple experience and offers 24/7 customer support in Spanish.
What you should check before using it
Remitly's fee is variable: it can be around $3.99 for basic transfers, but it increases if you pay with a credit card (generally an additional 3% of the amount). The most important aspect to check is the exchange rate: Remitly usually applies a margin of between 1% and 3% above the real market rate. On a $300 transfer, that margin can represent between $3 and $9 less for the recipient, even if the fee seems competitive. The cheapest option (transfer from a bank account) can take up to 3 to 5 business days.
Xoom: backed by PayPal, convenient only if you pay from a bank account
Xoom is part of PayPal and focuses on speed: money can arrive in minutes from both a bank account and a card, without speed depending on the payment method. That sets it apart from most services.
What works in its favor
When you pay from a bank account, Xoom charges a fee that can be around $3.99 regardless of how much you send. Delivery is fast in almost all cases and allows for high amounts if you verify your identity. Its website is organized by destination country, which makes it easy to check costs without needing to create an account first.
What you should check before using it
The price changes drastically if you pay with a debit card or credit card: the fee can reach around $15 for every $1,000 sent, and your card's issuing bank may add extra cash advance fees. The exchange margin is also between 1% and 3%. Without a verified account, the daily limit is $2,999. It does not have live agent chat, only email and phone.
Western Union: the largest network, but with prices that are hard to compare
Western Union has over 550,000 payout locations in more than 200 countries, making it practically unbeatable in physical coverage. If the recipient does not have a bank account and lives in a rural area, Western Union may be the only viable option.
What works in its favor
The speed for cash pickup is good: transfers paid in cash or with a debit card can be available in minutes. It is one of the few services that also allows you to pay for the transfer in cash from the United States.
What you should check before using it
Western Union's pricing structure is complex: the fee varies depending on how you pay (cash, card, bank account) and how the recipient receives the money (cash, bank, wallet). That lack of transparency makes it difficult to compare the real cost before committing to the transaction. In general, it is possible to find cheaper options for regular transfers to bank accounts or digital wallets in Mexico.
Félix: fixed fee, no app, works via WhatsApp
Félix operates directly via WhatsApp, with no need to download any additional application. To send, you generate the payment within the conversation and that's it. The entire process takes a few minutes.
What works in its favor
Félix's Fee for transfers to Mexico is a flat $2.99 for deposits to a bank account or digital wallet, and $4.98 for cash pickup. For Mexico, no percentages are added to the fee, and you see the cost and the exchange rate before confirming. If you pay in cash at a store, the store charges its own separate fee. Delivery options in Mexico include direct bank deposit, Mercado Pago, Cuenta Nu (Nubank), and Spin by Oxxo, in addition to cash pickup. The money arrives in minutes in most cases. Customer support is available 24/7 in Spanish via the same chat.
What you should consider
Félix only accepts payments with a U.S. debit or credit card (except American Express) or in cash at participating stores (with an additional cost charged by the store). It does not accept bank transfers or Zelle. The transfer limit depends on the verification level: unverified, up to $1,500 daily and $2,999 monthly; with verification completed, up to $2,999 daily and $9,999 monthly. You can see all the details in the article on how to send money with Félix.
What is the best service to send money to Mexico in 2026?
The answer depends on your specific situation. The following table summarizes the cost criteria for a $300 transfer to a bank account. If you prefer to compare the user experience and ease of each service, check out our guide on the best app to send money to Mexico.
| Aspect | Félix | Remitly | Xoom | Western Union |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee (bank/wallet) | $2.99 flat | Around $3.99 (variable) | Around $3.99 from bank account | Variable depending on method |
| Exchange margin | Exchange rate visible before confirming | 1-3% estimated | 1-3% estimated | Variable |
| Estimated total cost ($300, bank) | $2.99 + exchange rate visible before confirming | ~$3.99 + up to $9 in margin | ~$3.99 + up to $9 in margin | Variable, difficult to estimate |
| Fee (cash) | $4.98 | Higher | Around $15 per $1,000 on card | Variable, can be high |
| Delivery speed | Minutes | Minutes (card) / 3-5 days (bank) | Minutes | Minutes (cash) |
| App required | No (WhatsApp) | Yes | Yes (or web) | Yes (or in person) |
| Delivery options in Mexico | Bank, Mercado Pago, Nu Account, Spin by Oxxo, cash | Bank, cash | Bank, cash | Cash, bank |
| 24/7 Support in Spanish | Yes (WhatsApp) | Yes | Partial | Partial |
When Félix is the best choice: if you send money regularly to bank accounts or digital wallets in Mexico and want a fixed fee without surprises. Also, if you prefer not to download a new app.
When Remitly is the best choice: if you are a new user and can take advantage of the promotional rate on your first transfer, or if you need speed and already have the app installed.
When Xoom is the best choice: if you always pay from a bank account and want a platform with a clear web experience and high transfer limits.
When Western Union is the best choice: if the recipient does not have a bank account and needs to pick up cash in an area with few digital services available.
For regular transfers to Mexico where the recipient has a bank account or digital wallet, Félix charges a fixed $2.99 fee and shows you the exchange rate before you confirm.
Note on the 2026 tax on cash transfers: Starting January 1, 2026, cash payments for remittance services are subject to a 1% tax on the amount sent. This charge applies equally to all services in this comparison. Payments made with a debit or credit card are not affected.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use more than one service to send money to Mexico?
Yes. There is no restriction that forces you to use only one service. Many people use one for regular transfers and another for specific situations, such as when the recipient needs to pick up cash. The important thing is to calculate the total cost of each transfer, including the fee and exchange rate, before deciding.
Which service is best for large transfers to Mexico?
For large amounts, the exchange rate margin matters more than the fixed fee, because that margin is applied to the total amount. If you send $1,000, a 2% margin represents $20 less for the recipient, regardless of whether the fee is $3.99. Always compare the final amount your family member will receive, not just the service fee. You can read more about this topic in how much do they charge in fees?
What are the options for receiving cash in Mexico?
Western Union has the most extensive network of cash pickup locations. Félix also offers cash pickup in Mexico, although with less geographic coverage than Western Union. You can check the available locations in the article on where your family member can receive the money in Mexico.
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