The Fifth C

Send Money Overseas from Singapore

Compare Wise, InstaRem, YouTrip, and a typical bank wire transfer — using a live mid-market exchange rate, not a marketing number.

Remittance Comparison

Wise vs InstaRem vs YouTrip vs bank wire — live mid-market rate

Fetching live exchange rate…

Why the Same Transfer Costs Different Amounts

Every remittance provider quotes a different "exchange rate" — but the real number that matters is how far each rate sits from the true mid-market rate, plus whatever fee is charged on top. A provider advertising "0% fees" can still cost more than a competitor charging a small transparent fee, if its exchange rate has a hidden margin baked in.

This calculator fetches the live mid-market rate and applies each provider's publicly published fee structure on top, so you can see the real total cost — fee plus exchange rate margin — side by side.

Provider fee structures per data/constants.json — see sources below. Live rate from open.er-api.com.

Provider Sources

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Sending Money Overseas — Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the cheapest way to send money from Singapore overseas?
It depends on the amount and destination — there's no single cheapest provider for every transfer. Wise and InstaRem generally beat banks by a wide margin because they charge a small transparent fee on top of (or very close to) the mid-market exchange rate, while banks typically build a 3–5% margin into their exchange rate on top of a flat fee. Use the calculator above to compare for your specific amount and corridor.
What is the mid-market exchange rate?
The mid-market rate is the real, unbiased exchange rate you see on Google or Reuters — the midpoint between buy and sell prices on the global currency market. Banks and some remittance providers add a margin on top of this rate as a hidden fee, which is why the "fee-free" transfers some banks advertise can still cost more overall.
Why do banks charge more for international transfers than apps like Wise?
Banks typically charge a flat wire transfer fee (often S$20–S$30) plus a 3–5% margin baked into the exchange rate itself. Money transfer apps like Wise, InstaRem, and YouTrip operate with lower overhead and compete on transparent, much smaller fees — usually under 1% combined.
Is it safe to send money through Wise, InstaRem, or YouTrip?
Yes. All three are regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as licensed payment institutions, the same regulatory framework that oversees banks for payment services. They are legitimate, widely used alternatives to bank wire transfers, not unregulated services.
Do these fees ever change?
Yes, frequently — providers run time-limited promotions (zero-fee periods, referral bonuses) and adjust their standard pricing periodically. The figures in this calculator are based on each provider's published standard pricing, not live quotes. Always check the provider's app for the exact fee before transacting, especially if a promotion might apply.