Quick answer: For most family support transfers to India, Wise and Remitly usually compete for the best value, delivering to Indian bank accounts using the account number and IFSC code, or directly to a UPI ID. Xoom is convenient for PayPal users, and Western Union covers cash pickup. If you are an NRI moving savings or investing, sending to your own NRE account through your bank’s remittance service may suit you better, since some app transfers cannot be used for investment purposes.
Ways To Send Money To India At A Glance
Method
Good providers
Speed
Best for
Bank deposit (IFSC)
Wise, Remitly, Xoom
Minutes to 1 business day
Family support, larger amounts
UPI
Wise, Remitly, Xoom
Often minutes
Quick everyday transfers
Cash pickup
Western Union, Remitly
Minutes
Recipients without bank access
Bank remittance to NRE or NRO
Indian banks’ remittance services
1 to 2 business days
Savings and investment by NRIs
What Details You Need
The recipient’s full name as on their bank account.
For bank deposits: account number and IFSC code.
For UPI: their UPI ID.
For NRE or NRO accounts: your own account details and the purpose of the transfer.
The Main Options
Wise: Transparent rates for family support
Wise delivers to Indian accounts, including NRE and NRO accounts, and to UPI IDs, at the mid-market rate. Wise’s own guidance says it cannot be used to send money to India for investment purposes. See how to send money with Wise to someone without a Wise account.
Remitly: Fast delivery to banks and UPI
Remitly offers bank deposit, UPI and cash pickup to India, funded by bank account or card. Remitly sets per-transfer limits, so very large sums may need splitting.
Xoom: For PayPal users
Xoom supports bank deposits and UPI and can be funded from PayPal-linked sources; its rate includes a conversion spread.
Western Union: Cash pickup
Western Union covers cash pickup across India for recipients without bank access.
NRE Or NRO?
An NRE account holds foreign earnings converted to rupees and is commonly used for savings; interest is tax-free in India. An NRO account holds income earned in India. Match the account to the money’s source, and keep records of inward remittances for tax purposes.
Tips For Sending To India
UPI is the fastest everyday route on many providers.
Compare the rupees received, as promotional rates change often on this competitive corridor.
US senders funding transfers with cash have paid a 1% federal excise tax since January 1, 2026; bank or card funding avoids it.
How We Evaluated
We compared payout methods, pricing, speed and limits on the India corridor using provider pages and independent comparisons.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to send money to India?
Wise and Remitly are usually close; compare the rupees received for your amount.
Can I send money to a UPI ID from abroad?
Yes. Wise, Remitly and Xoom support UPI payouts.
Can I use Wise to send money to my NRE account?
Yes for personal transfers, but not for investment purposes, according to Wise’s own guidance.
How fast are transfers to India?
UPI and many bank deposits arrive within minutes; some take up to a business day.
Conclusion
For family support, use Wise or Remitly to a bank account or UPI ID. For savings and investment, use your bank’s NRE remittance route. For cash, Western Union.
