If you regularly send money from Canada to family, friends, or your own bank account overseas, choosing the right money-transfer service can make a noticeable difference.
Remitly is one of the major digital money-transfer platforms available to Canadians, offering international transfers to 175+ countries with options such as bank deposits, mobile wallets and cash pickup depending on the destination.
But is Remitly actually worth using in 2026?
In this Remitly review, we’ll look at its fees, exchange rates, transfer speed, payment methods, tracking features, security, referral offer and the pros and cons you should know before sending money.
Disclosure: This article contains a referral link. If you sign up through my Remitly referral link and meet the applicable requirements, you may receive a promotional discount and I may receive a referral reward. Offers, rates, fees and eligibility requirements can change. Terms and conditions apply.
What Is Remitly?
Remitly is a digital international money-transfer service that allows people to send money across borders without visiting a traditional bank or money-transfer location.
From Canada, you can use Remitly through its website or mobile app to send money internationally. Depending on the destination, recipients can receive funds through bank deposits, mobile wallets, cash pickup and other available delivery methods.
Remitly says it currently serves more than 175 countries and supports more than 100 local currencies. The company reported that more than 90% of funded transfers were delivered in under an hour based on its Q1 2026 data, although actual delivery times depend on the destination, payment method, delivery option and other factors.
Remitly Review: Quick Overview
| Feature | Remitly |
|---|---|
| Available in Canada | Yes |
| Countries served | 175+ |
| Bank deposits | Available in supported destinations |
| Cash pickup | Available in supported destinations |
| Mobile wallets | Available in supported destinations |
| Interac e-Transfer | Available for funding from Canada |
| Debit/Credit Cards | Available |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | Available |
| Transfer tracking | Yes |
| Delivery guarantee | Yes, subject to terms |
| Promotional offers | Available for eligible new customers |
| Mobile app | iOS & Android |
Availability, pricing and delivery methods vary depending on the country you’re sending to.
How Does Remitly Work?
Using Remitly is relatively straightforward.
Step 1: Create an Account
Create a Remitly account through the website or mobile app.
You’ll need to provide the information required to verify your identity. Depending on the transfer amount or circumstances, Remitly may request additional documentation.
Step 2: Choose Your Destination
Select the country where you’re sending the money.
Remitly will then show the available delivery methods for that destination.
Step 3: Enter the Amount
Enter how much you want to send.
Before confirming the transfer, Remitly shows the applicable exchange rate, fees and the amount your recipient is expected to receive.
Step 4: Choose How the Recipient Gets the Money
Depending on the country, you may be able to choose:
- Bank deposit
- Cash pickup
- Mobile wallet
- Other supported delivery methods
Not every option is available in every country.
Step 5: Pay for the Transfer
Canadian customers can fund transfers using options including:
- Interac e-Transfer
- Bank account
- Debit card
- Credit card
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
Availability can vary by transaction and destination.
Step 6: Track the Transfer
Once the transfer is sent, you can monitor its progress through the Remitly app or website.
Depending on availability, Remitly can also provide updates through email, SMS or in-app notifications.
Remitly Fees: How Much Does It Cost?
One of the biggest questions in any Remitly review is the cost.
The answer isn’t a single flat fee.
Remitly says the cost of a transfer can depend on factors including:
- Where you’re sending money
- How much you’re sending
- Your payment method
- The recipient’s delivery method
- Current exchange rates
- Promotional offers
The company displays the applicable fee and exchange rate before you complete the transaction.
This means you should always enter your exact transfer details into Remitly before deciding whether it offers the best deal.
Are There Hidden Fees?
Remitly advertises transparent pricing and says it doesn’t charge hidden fees. However, the total cost of an international transfer isn’t determined only by a headline transfer fee.
The exchange rate also matters.
For example, a service could advertise a low transfer fee but provide a less competitive exchange rate. That’s why it’s important to compare the total amount your recipient receives, rather than looking only at the fee.
Remitly Exchange Rates
Exchange rates are one of the most important factors when sending money internationally.
Remitly frequently provides promotional exchange rates for eligible new customers, but the promotional rate, eligible amount and destination vary.
For example, current Remitly Canada destination pages show special first-transfer rates for destinations such as India, Mexico, Pakistan, Brazil and other countries. The promotional rate may only apply to a specified portion of the transfer.
Important: Don’t assume that a promotional exchange rate applies to your entire transfer.
Always check the final quote before sending.
The number that matters most is:
How many dollars will my recipient actually receive?
How Fast Is Remitly?
Transfer speed is another major reason people use Remitly.
Remitly currently says that more than 90% of funded transfers were delivered in under an hour, based on Q1 2026 data. The company also notes that many transfers arrive within seconds, but delivery speed depends on several factors.
Depending on the destination, Remitly may offer different delivery speeds, including:
Express
Designed for people who want their money delivered as quickly as possible.
Economy
A potentially lower-cost option when speed isn’t the highest priority.
The options available to you depend on the destination and payment method.
Remitly On-Time Delivery Guarantee
One feature that stands out is Remitly’s delivery guarantee.
Remitly says that transfers are delivered by the estimated delivery time or the company will refund the applicable fees, subject to its terms and conditions.
That’s useful when you’re sending money for an important expense and need a predictable delivery timeframe.
However, it’s important to understand that a delivery guarantee isn’t the same as guaranteeing that every transfer will arrive instantly.
Transfer timing can be affected by payment processing, recipient information, compliance reviews, weekends, holidays and other factors.
Remitly Transfer Tracking
Another advantage of using Remitly is transfer tracking.
After sending money, you can monitor the status through the Remitly website or mobile app.
Remitly says customers can track their transfers and, in some locations, receive updates through:
- Push notifications
- SMS
This can be particularly useful when sending money to someone who is waiting for the transfer.
Is Remitly Safe?
When you’re transferring hundreds or thousands of dollars internationally, security matters.
Remitly states that it is licensed and regulated in the markets where it operates and uses multiple security measures to protect customer information and transfers.
However, you should still follow basic security practices:
- Use a strong, unique password.
- Don’t share verification codes.
- Double-check your recipient’s information.
- Only use the official Remitly website or app.
- Never send money to someone you don’t trust.
- Review the final exchange rate and recipient amount before confirming.
Remitly Referral Offer: Get $10 Off
If you’re a new Remitly customer, you may be eligible for a referral promotion.
🎁 My Remitly Referral Link
Get $10 off your qualifying first transfer of $300 or more, plus the applicable promotional offer shown during signup.
👉 Sign up for Remitly using my referral link
The referral promotion provided for this article advertises:
- $10 off a qualifying first transfer
- No fees on the qualifying promotional transfer
- A special exchange rate
- Minimum transfer of $300 or more
- New-customer eligibility
- Terms and conditions apply
Important: Remitly’s promotions can vary by destination, signup page and time. The current Remitly website also shows different promotional requirements for different destinations, including different minimum amounts and promotional-rate limits.
So, check the offer displayed through the referral link before completing your transfer.
How to Get the Remitly Referral Bonus
If you’re eligible for the referral promotion, the general process is:
- Open the referral link.
- Create a new Remitly account.
- Complete the required verification.
- Enter your transfer details.
- Make sure your transfer meets the promotional requirements.
- Review the discount and exchange rate before confirming.
- Complete the transfer.
Remitly’s promotional terms generally limit new-customer offers to eligible first-time customers and one offer per customer, with additional conditions depending on the specific promotion.
Remitly Pros and Cons
Pros
Fast international transfers: Many eligible transfers can arrive very quickly, with Remitly reporting that over 90% of funded transfers were delivered in under an hour in Q1 2026.
Multiple delivery options: Depending on the destination, recipients can receive money through bank deposits, mobile wallets or cash pickup.
Easy tracking: You can monitor your transfer through the app or website.
Multiple payment methods: Canadian users can fund transfers using methods including Interac e-Transfer, bank accounts, debit cards and credit cards.
Promotional offers: New customers may receive special exchange rates or fee discounts.
Delivery guarantee: Remitly promises on-time delivery or a refund of applicable fees, subject to its terms.
Cons
Fees vary: There isn’t one universal Remitly fee.
Exchange rates vary: The rate can depend on your destination, transfer amount and payment method.
Promotions have conditions: Special rates and referral discounts are generally limited to qualifying customers and transactions.
Delivery options vary: Cash pickup, bank deposit and mobile-wallet availability depends on the destination.
Verification may be required: Larger or certain transfers may require additional documentation.
Remitly vs. Banks
Traditional banks can be convenient because you may already have an account with them, but international transfers can sometimes involve more complicated pricing structures.
Remitly is designed specifically around international money transfers and lets you see the exchange rate, fees and expected recipient amount before sending.
If you’re comparing Remitly with your bank, don’t just compare the advertised transfer fee.
Compare:
Amount you send → exchange rate → fees → amount recipient receives
That’s the best way to determine which service gives you more value.
Who Should Use Remitly?
Remitly may be a good option if you:
- Regularly send money internationally
- Send money from Canada to family overseas
- Want to send money through an app
- Need cash pickup or mobile-wallet options
- Want to track transfers
- Prefer seeing your transfer cost before sending
- Want to take advantage of new-customer promotions
It’s particularly useful for people who regularly support family members in another country or need to move money across borders.
Is Remitly Worth It in 2026?
After looking at the fees, exchange rates, delivery options and features, Remitly is a strong option for international money transfers from Canada.
Its biggest advantages are convenience, multiple delivery methods, transfer tracking and fast delivery on many eligible transfers.
The biggest thing to watch is pricing.
Don’t assume Remitly will always be the cheapest option for every destination. International transfer costs can change depending on the country, amount, payment method and exchange rate.
Before sending a large amount, compare the final recipient payout with at least one or two alternatives.
Final Verdict: Remitly Review Canada
Overall, Remitly is worth considering if you need to send money internationally from Canada.
The platform combines a simple app, multiple payment methods, international delivery options, transfer tracking and promotional offers for eligible new customers.
The on-time delivery guarantee, where applicable, is another useful feature for people who care about predictable delivery.
If you’re a new customer, the referral promotion can make your first transfer even more attractive.
Ready to Try Remitly?
Use my referral link to check the current promotional offer:
Get $10 Off Your First Qualifying Remitly Transfer
The promotional offer provided for this article requires a $300+ first transfer and advertises no fees and a special exchange rate. Terms apply. Because Remitly’s offers can vary by destination and change over time, confirm the exact promotion shown at signup before sending money.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Exchange rates, fees, transfer speeds, referral rewards and promotional eligibility can change. Always review the final Remitly quote and applicable terms before completing a transfer.
