Personal Finance Money transfer

Alternatives to Venmo for transfers from US dollars to Canadian dollars

Piyush Singh

07.03.25

Read time 4 minutes

Venmo is a convenient way to send money within the US, but it only supports transactions in US dollars—meaning you can’t use it to send money to Canada or exchange currencies. If you need to transfer funds from USD to CAD, don’t worry—there are better alternatives that make cross-border transfers easy and affordable. In this guide, we’ll explore the best options, including Wise, which offers international transfers at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees. Let’s dive in and find the best way to send money from the US to Canada.

We will take a look at
Venmo alternatives for sending money from USD to CAD PayPal Wise Western Union Skrill

Venmo alternatives for sending money from USD to CAD

PayPal

PayPal is one of the most widely recognized digital payment platforms, offering a convenient way to send and receive money, shop online, and transfer funds internationally. While Venmo is limited to domestic transactions within the US, PayPal provides a more global solution, allowing users to send money from the US to Canada and beyond.

However, its international transfer fees and exchange rate markups can make sending money from USD to CAD expensive.

Key features	Key considerations
Fast and widely accepted for international payments Secure platform with buyer and fraud protection No fee for sending money domestically if funded by a PayPal balance or linked bank account Can be used to make purchases online in multiple currencies Multiple payment methods (bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards)	High currency conversion fees of 4%¹ 0.30 USD fixed fee for receiving US dollars Bank transfers can take 1-3 business days to process Instant debit card withdrawals come with a 1.75% fee International transfer fees can be expensive (up to 4.99 CAD + 2.90%)¹

Wise

Wise is known for its low-cost international transfers and multi-currency account, making it one of the best alternatives to Venmo for sending money from USD to CAD. Unlike banks or PayPal, Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate, meaning you won’t lose money to hidden markups. With Wise, you can hold and convert over 40 currencies in your account, making it easy to manage cash across borders. Whether you’re receiving payments in USD or converting your money to CAD, Wise offers transparent upfront fees that are much lower than those of banks and other payment platforms.

Key features	Key considerations
Uses the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden currency markups and low conversion fees starting from 0.48%² Free to receive domestic (non-wire) USD payments Hold and convert between 40+ currencies whenever you need Free Wise account details in USD allow you to receive payments like a local Free ATM withdrawals up to 350 CAD per month	6.11 USD fee for receiving USD wire/SWIFT payments ATM withdrawals over 350 CAD per month incur fees (1.75% + 1.50 CAD per withdrawal) No branch locations—fully online service No option for withdrawing money in Canada with the Wise card³.

Western Union

Western Union is one of the most widely recognized money transfer services, allowing users to send funds to over 200 countries and territories⁴. A convenient choice for international remittances, Western Union has an extensive network of over 500,000 agent locations and options for bank deposits, cash pickups, and mobile wallet transfers. However, while it offers a variety of ways to send money, the fees and exchange rate markups can prove to be expensive.

Key features	Key considerations
Available in over 200 countries with a vast network of agents Multiple transfer methods: cash pickup, bank transfer, and mobile wallet Cash pickup available within minutes for many transfers Online and in-person transfer options Real-time transfer tracking	Exchange rates include a markup on the mid-market rate, leading to higher costs⁵ Fees vary based on payment method and destination, and can be higher than other providers Longer processing times for bank account transfers (up to 8 business days)⁶ High fees for credit card–funded transfers (can be 25 USD or more) Currency exchange rates are not transparent and must be checked before completing a transaction

Key features

Key considerations

Available in over 200 countries with a vast network of agents
Multiple transfer methods: cash pickup, bank transfer, and mobile wallet
Cash pickup available within minutes for many transfers
Online and in-person transfer options
Real-time transfer tracking

Exchange rates include a markup on the mid-market rate, leading to higher costs⁵
Fees vary based on payment method and destination, and can be higher than other providers
Longer processing times for bank account transfers (up to 8 business days)⁶
High fees for credit card–funded transfers (can be 25 USD or more)
Currency exchange rates are not transparent and must be checked before completing a transaction

Skrill

Established in 2001, Skrill is a digital payment service that lets users send and receive money globally. Operating in a wide range of countries and 40 different currencies⁷, Skrill is a popular alternative for sending and receiving international payments with zero fees⁸ when using a bank transfer.

Unlike some other providers, Skrill offers both personal and business accounts, along with a prepaid Mastercard for spending your balance online, in-store, or withdrawing cash at ATMs.

Skrill offers competitive rates but applies a markup of up to 4.99% on currency conversions and a foreign exchange fee of up to 3.99%, which can make international transfers more expensive than they initially appear.

If you’re funding a transfer with a debit or credit card, additional fees of up to 2.99%⁸ apply, making bank transfers the most affordable option. Additionally, inactive accounts are subject to a €5 monthly service fee¹⁰ after six months of no transactions.

Key features	Key considerations
Supports international money transfers to 200 countries and 40 currencies Offers a prepaid Mastercard for spending and ATM withdrawals Zero fees to receive money in the same currency⁸ Instant or fast transfers in most cases	Exchange rate markup up to 4.99%, making it expensive for currency conversion Fees for sending money to other Skrill users start at 2.99% (minimum €0.50)⁸ Foreign exchange fee of 3.99% applies when converting money between currencies Some transaction limits apply based on account level and verification status

Final thoughts on sending money from US to Canada

Since Venmo doesn’t support international transfers, you’ll need an alternative to send money from the US to Canada. Here’s a quick rundown of the best options:

PayPal: A widely accepted digital wallet that allows instant transfers, but watch out for high currency conversion fees.
Wise: The best choice for low-cost transfers in 40+ currencies, offering the mid-market exchange rate and transparent fees.
Western Union: A good option for cash pickups and bank deposits, though fees and exchange rate markups can be high.
Skrill: Works like PayPal with added features like a prepaid card, but be mindful of currency conversion fees.

No matter what you prioritize—low fees, speed, or convenience—there’s an alternative to Venmo that will get your money across the border without hassle.

Sources:

Sources verified on 7 March 2025

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