Quick answer: The best way to send money to Ukraine for most people is a digital transfer service paying directly to the recipient’s Ukrainian bank account or card. Wise is a strong choice for bank deposits at the mid-market rate, Remitly and Paysend are fast for transfers to cards at banks like PrivatBank and monobank, and Western Union covers cash pickup when the recipient needs physical money. Avoid traditional bank wires for regular support, since fees and exchange margins add up.
ReVerb’s list business started in 2022 as a gift to our Ukrainian tech clients, and many of our team and partners still send money to and from Ukraine. These are the routes that work best.
Ways To Send Money To Ukraine At A Glance
Method
Good providers
Speed
Best for
Bank deposit (IBAN)
Wise, Remitly, Xe
Minutes to 2 business days
Larger amounts, regular support
Card transfer
Remitly, Paysend
Often minutes
Quick family support to PrivatBank or monobank cards
Cash pickup
Western Union, MoneyGram
Minutes
Recipients who need cash
Bank wire (Swift)
Your bank
1 to 5 business days
Very large or business payments
What Details You Need
The recipient’s full name exactly as on their account, in Latin letters.
For bank deposits: their IBAN (starts with UA) and sometimes the bank name.
For card transfers: their card number, if the provider supports card payout.
For cash pickup: their name as on their ID and a pickup location or city.
PrivatBank and monobank are the banks most often used for international transfers into Ukraine.
The Main Options
Wise: Bank deposits at the mid-market rate
Wise pays into Ukrainian bank accounts and shows the fee before you send. It is especially good for larger amounts where the exchange rate matters most. The recipient does not need a Wise account; see how to send money with Wise to someone without a Wise account.
Remitly: Fast transfers to banks and cards
Remitly supports transfers to Ukrainian bank accounts and cards with Express and Economy options. Independent comparisons often rank it among the cheapest routes to Ukraine, especially for new customers.
Paysend: Card-to-card
Paysend sends to bank cards for a low fixed fee, which suits frequent small transfers.
Western Union and MoneyGram: Cash pickup
When the recipient needs cash, both networks pay out through partner banks and agents in Ukraine.
Sending USD Or EUR Instead Of Hryvnia
Many Ukrainians hold USD or EUR accounts. If your recipient wants to keep foreign currency, send in that currency to a matching account rather than converting to UAH. If they need hryvnia for daily spending, a direct UAH payout avoids a second conversion on their side.
Tips For Sending To Ukraine
Compare the amount the recipient receives in UAH, not just the fee.
Split very large amounts if a provider’s limits are lower than your transfer.
Ask the recipient to confirm their bank accepts the payment method you choose, since banks can update their rules on incoming international transfers.
How We Evaluated
We compared providers on payout methods available in Ukraine, pricing transparency, speed and coverage of the main Ukrainian banks, using provider pages and independent comparisons, plus our own team’s experience with the corridor.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to send money to Ukraine?
Usually a digital service paying to a bank account or card, such as Wise or Remitly. Compare the UAH amount received for your transfer.
Can I send money to a PrivatBank card from abroad?
Yes. Several providers, including Remitly and Paysend, support transfers to Ukrainian bank cards.
How fast are transfers to Ukraine?
Card and cash pickup transfers often arrive within minutes. Bank deposits can take up to two business days.
Can I send US dollars to Ukraine?
Yes, to a USD account. Make sure the recipient’s account currency matches what you send.
Conclusion
For most transfers to Ukraine, a digital service paying to a bank account or card is cheapest and fastest. Use Wise for bank deposits, Remitly or Paysend for cards, and Western Union for cash. Compare the hryvnia your recipient receives before you send.
