What a money transfer really costs
The fee is only half the story. Here is how to read a quote.
When you send money home, you pay in two ways.
1. The fee
The amount the provider charges for the transfer. It is easy to see, and some providers advertise zero fees.
2. The exchange rate
Every provider gives you a rate a little worse than the real market rate and keeps the difference. A zero-fee transfer with a poor rate can cost more than one with a fee and a good rate.
How to compare
Ask one question: how much will my family receive? For the same amount sent, the provider whose recipient gets the most is the cheapest, whatever the fee.
Other things that matter
- How fast the money arrives, and whether your family can collect it easily.
- Whether the amount is guaranteed when you send.
- Sending larger amounts less often can lower the total fees.
In Bosla
Sending home lets you add quotes from the providers you use and shows what your family receives with each, and the real cost compared with the market rate.
Still stuck? Write to us from Help in the app. Open Bosla · Updated 23 October 2026
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