The cheapest options, ranked
For a £500 transfer in 2026, LemFi and TapTap Send consistently offer the best value: zero transfer fees with a tiny rate margin (well under 1%), delivering close to the market rate. Wise charges around £2.05 plus its transparent mid-market rate and wins for large transfers. Remitly charges a £2.99 flat fee plus about 1.2% margin; on £500 that is roughly £9 total cost versus about £1.50 with LemFi. Compare them with our calculator.
Best for each situation
- Best overall: LemFi, Sendwave or TapTap Send. Zero fees, delivery in minutes, near-market rates. Keep two installed and compare quotes.
- Large transfers (£1,000+): Wise. Transparent mid-market rate; the flat fee matters less at scale.
- First transfer: Remitly. Promotional new-customer rates, but only on the first transfer.
- Cash pickup: Western Union or MoneyGram. Worst rates, but the recipient needs no bank account.
- Flexible delivery: WorldRemit wins if you need options the others do not cover.
Typical costs (October 2026)
| Provider | Typical fee | Rate margin | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LemFi | £0 | ~0.3% | Best overall value |
| TapTap Send | £0 | ~0.5% | Best overall value |
| Wise | ~£2.05 | ~0% | Large transfers |
| Remitly | £2.99 | ~1.2% | First-transfer promo |
| Western Union | varies | ~2.4%+ | Cash pickup |
Typical figures as of October 2026. Rates move daily; check provider sites before sending.
Tips that save real money
- Compare the naira your recipient actually receives, not the headline fee.
- Send larger amounts less often when a provider charges a flat fee (like WorldRemit's £1.99): the fee hurts more on small transfers.
- Avoid UK high-street banks: £15-25 per transfer with rates 3-5% worse than the specialist apps.
- Watch for Remitly's "special rate": it is a one-time new-customer promo, not the ongoing rate.