How do you know which transfer is cheaper?
Every transfer costs you money in two ways:
- The fee you pay on top of the amount.
- The exchange rate: most providers give a rate a little lower than the real one and keep the difference. This cost is hidden, but it is often larger than the fee.
So the cheapest transfer is not the one with the lowest fee. It is the one where your family receives the most money for every riyal or dirham you pay. The calculator works it out in three steps:
- Your family receives: amount × the offer’s exchange rate.
- You pay: amount + fee.
- The best offer is the one with the most money received for each unit you pay. If you enter the mid-market rate, the calculator also shows how much each offer really costs you.
Worked example
Sending 2,000 SAR to India (example rates, not today’s)
Offer A: “no fee”, rate 22.10. Your family receives 2,000 × 22.10 = 44,200 INR, and you pay 2,000 SAR.
Offer B: fee 15 SAR, rate 22.45. Your family receives 2,000 × 22.45 = 44,900 INR, and you pay 2,015 SAR.
Offer B costs 15 SAR more but delivers 700 INR more. To send as much as offer A through offer B, you would pay about 16.40 SAR less. The “free” transfer is the more expensive one.
Tips before you send
- Ask for the exact amount your family will receive before you pay, not only the fee.
- Compare on the same day and at the same time; rates move during the day.
- Sending a larger amount less often usually costs less, because fixed fees are paid fewer times.
- Use a bank, a licensed exchange house or a licensed app. Unlicensed money carriers can lose your money, and you will have no way to get it back.
- Keep the receipt and the transfer number until your family confirms the money arrived.
Frequently asked questions
What is the mid-market rate?
It is the rate halfway between the buying and selling price of a currency, the one you see on currency websites and search engines. Banks and exchange houses trade with each other near this rate, and then give customers a slightly lower one.
The provider says “zero fee”. Is it free?
Not always. A provider with no fee may give a lower exchange rate, so your family receives less. Compare the amount received, not the fee.
Is it better to send in my home currency or in dollars?
Usually it is better to send directly in your family’s currency. Sending dollars can mean the money is exchanged twice, and you pay a margin both times.
Why does the rate change during the day?
Currency prices move all the time on the market, and providers update their rates several times a day. Rates are often less favourable at weekends, when markets are closed.
Does the calculator show live rates?
No. Rates differ between branches, apps and amounts, so the most accurate way is to enter the exact numbers each provider gives you today.
Last reviewed: October 2026. The comparison only uses the numbers you enter; it does not know any provider’s current rates and does not recommend any provider. Some receiving banks or agents may take an extra charge that is not shown when you send.
This page was translated from Arabic. If something is unclear or wrong, please tell us.