Wise vs Remitly for Kenya: Which Gives More KES?
Updated April 2, 2026 · 7 min read
Wise and Remitly are two of the most popular options for sending money to Kenya. But which one actually gives your family more KES? We compared them head-to-head.
💡 Quick Answer
Wise now wins on rates for all amounts (KES 13,005 vs 12,946 for $100). However, Remitly Express is faster for instant M-Pesa delivery. Choose based on speed vs. savings. Check current rates →
The Rate Comparison
| Amount | Remitly | Wise | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | KES 13,005 | KES 12,946 | ✅ Wise (+KES 59) |
| $200 | KES 26,010 | KES 25,892 | ✅ Wise (+KES 118) |
| $500 | KES 65,025 | KES 64,730 | ✅ Wise (+KES 295) |
| $1000 | KES 130,050 | KES 129,460 | ✅ Wise (+KES 590) |
Rates as of April 2, 2026. Wise rate includes $3.71 fee for $100 transfer.
How They Work Differently
🔵 Wise
- ✓ Uses actual mid-market rate
- ✓ Transparent, low fixed fee
- ✓ Great for large transfers
- ✓ Multi-currency account available
- ⚠️ Usually 1-2 business days
- ⚠️ M-Pesa limit: KES 250,000
🟢 Remitly
- ✓ Often best rates to Kenya
- ✓ Express: instant M-Pesa delivery
- ✓ Economy option saves more
- ✓ First-time promo rates
- ⚠️ Rate includes their margin
- ⚠️ Rates vary by amount tier
Speed: Remitly Wins
If you need money there fast, Remitly is the clear winner:
- Remitly Express: Minutes to M-Pesa
- Remitly Economy: 3-5 business days (slightly better rate)
- Wise: Usually 1-2 business days
For urgent transfers — medical bills, emergencies, or time-sensitive payments — Remitly Express is hard to beat.
Delivery Options
Remitly
- M-Pesa (most popular)
- Bank deposit
- Cash pickup
- Airtime top-up
Wise
- M-Pesa (limited to KES 250,000)
- Bank deposit
If your recipient prefers cash pickup or doesn't have a bank account, Remitly offers more flexibility.
When to Use Each
Choose Remitly when:
- • Sending $50-$500 (best rates at these amounts)
- • You need instant delivery
- • Recipient wants M-Pesa or cash pickup
- • You're a first-time user (promo rates!)
Choose Wise when:
- • You value rate transparency
- • Making regular international payments
- • You want a multi-currency account
- • Recipient has a bank account
The Verdict
For rate comparison, Wise now offers better value across all amounts, even accounting for the $3.71 fee on a $100 transfer.
However, Remitly Express is better if you need instant delivery. You'll get slightly less KES, but the money arrives in minutes instead of 1-2 days.
The best approach? Choose based on your priority:
- Best rate + can wait: Use Wise
- Instant delivery: Use Remitly Express
- Not sure? Check both before transferring — rates change daily
Compare Wise vs Remitly Now
See today's rates side by side — plus 10 other providers.
Compare All Providers →Disclaimer: Rates change frequently. The comparison above reflects rates at time of writing. Always verify current rates before transferring. RateSafi may earn commissions from providers mentioned.