WorldRemit vs Remitly: Which is Better for Zimbabwe?
A head-to-head comparison of the two most popular money transfer services for sending to Zimbabwe from Australia.
Quick Comparison
Overview
Both WorldRemit and Remitly are popular choices for sending money to Zimbabwe, but they have key differences that might make one better for your specific needs. Let's break down each aspect.
Fees Comparison
Both providers charge similar transfer fees (around $3.99 AUD for most transfers), but the real difference lies in their exchange rate markups:
- WorldRemit: 1.5% markup on exchange rate
- Remitly: 0.7% markup on exchange rate
Winner: Remitly - Their lower exchange rate markup means more money reaches your recipient.
Speed Comparison
Both services offer fast delivery to Zimbabwe:
- WorldRemit: 90% of transfers arrive within minutes
- Remitly: Express option delivers in minutes; Economy takes 3-5 days
Winner: Tie - Both offer instant delivery to EcoCash and bank accounts.
Payout Options
| Payout Option | WorldRemit | Remitly |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | ||
| EcoCash | ||
| Cash Pickup | ||
| Airtime Top-up |
Winner: WorldRemit - They offer airtime top-up, which Remitly doesn't. This is useful if you want to help family stay connected without sending cash.
Cash Pickup Network
If your recipient prefers to collect cash in person:
- WorldRemit: Partners with Mukuru for 150+ pickup locations across Zimbabwe
- Remitly: Partners with various agents, but fewer locations
Winner: WorldRemit - Their Mukuru partnership provides the largest cash pickup network, especially valuable in rural areas.
Customer Service
Based on customer reviews and ratings:
- WorldRemit: 3.8/5 rating (1,923 reviews) - Mixed reviews, some complaints about customer service response times
- Remitly: 4.6/5 rating (2,847 reviews) - Generally positive, praised for user-friendly app
Winner: Remitly - Higher customer satisfaction scores overall.
When to Use WorldRemit
Choose WorldRemit when:
- Your recipient needs cash pickup in a rural area
- You want to send airtime top-up instead of money
- You need the largest cash pickup network (Mukuru)
- Your recipient doesn't have EcoCash or a bank account
When to Use Remitly
Choose Remitly when:
- You want the best exchange rate (more money received)
- Your recipient has EcoCash or a bank account
- You're a first-time user (often fee-free promotions)
- You value a better mobile app experience
Our Verdict
For most people sending to Zimbabwe, Remitly offers better value due to its lower exchange rate markup. However, if cash pickup is important and your recipient is in a rural area, WorldRemit's extensive Mukuru network makes it the better choice.
Our recommendation: Try both services for your first transfer (often fee-free) and see which one your recipient prefers.