9 Western Union alternatives for send money from Brazil to China

Navigating the landscape of international money transfers can be challenging, especially when looking for the most efficient way to send money from Brazil to China. While the Western Union brand is synonymous with cross-border payments, savvy users often seek alternatives that offer better exchange rates, lower fees, or superior convenience. Fortunately, the fintech market has evolved to include innovative options like Panda Remit and various other digital platforms that challenge traditional banking methods.

What to Consider When Choosing an International Money Transfer Service

Before selecting a provider to send money from Brazil to China, it is essential to evaluate several key factors. Not all international remittance services are created equal, and the right choice often depends on your specific needs regarding cost versus speed.

• Fees and Hidden Costs: Traditional banks and some older remittance services often charge high upfront fees. Newer digital players, such as Panda Remit and Wise, often utilize more transparent fee structures.
• Exchange Rates and Markups: The exchange rate is often where providers make their profit. A service might advertise zero fees but offer a poor exchange rate. Comparing the rate offered against the mid-market rate is crucial for cost-effective international money transfers.
• Transfer Speed: Delivery times can range from instant to several business days. Services like MoneyGram and Panda Remit often specialize in rapid transfers.
• Geographic Coverage: Ensure the provider specifically supports the corridor to send money from Brazil to China, as some services have limited reach in Asia or South America.
• Trust and Regulation: Always ensure the platform is licensed by relevant financial authorities to ensure the safety of your funds.

Competitor Alternatives Comparison

Below is a comparison of popular third-party alternatives to Western Union. This table highlights typical fee structures and speeds, including Panda Remit as a competitive digital option.

Top 9 Alternatives to Western Union

Here are nine reliable alternatives for international money transfers, including Panda Remit, analyzed for their ability to help users send money from Brazil to China and other global corridors.

1. Panda Remit

Panda Remit has quickly become a favorite for users sending money to Asia due to its digital-first approach. Unlike traditional services that rely on physical branches, Panda Remit operates entirely online, allowing for significant cost savings that are passed on to the user.

• Best Known For: Extremely competitive exchange rates and low fees for Asian corridors.
• Strengths: frequent promotions for old users and 0 fee & high exchange rate for new users.
• Brazil to China: Highly optimized for this corridor with fast payout options to Alipay and WeChat.
• Trust: Licensed by major financial authorities.
• Platform: User-friendly mobile app.

2. Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise is renowned for its commitment to transparency in international money transfers, using the real mid-market exchange rate without hidden markups.

• Best Known For: The mid-market exchange rate.
• Strengths: No hidden fees; you see exactly what the recipient gets.
• Limitations: Can be slower than cash-pickup services for some routes.
• Brazil to China: Supported, though verification processes can be strict.
• Fees: Transparent percentage-based fee.

3. MoneyGram

As the primary direct competitor to Western Union, MoneyGram offers a massive network of physical locations, making it viable for cash-based remittances.

• Best Known For: Extensive global network of physical agent locations.
• Strengths: Fast cash pickup options available globally.
• Limitations: Fees and exchange rate margins can be higher than digital rivals like Panda Remit.
• Brazil to China: Good availability for cash payouts.
• Speed: Often ready in minutes.

4. Remitly

Remitly is designed specifically for immigrants sending money home, offering tiered service levels to balance cost and speed.

• Best Known For: Choice between "Express" (fast, higher fee) and "Economy" (slower, lower fee).
• Strengths: promotional rates for new customers are common.
• Limitations: Standard rates may not be as competitive as Panda Remit after the first transfer.
• Brazil to China: Reliable service with clear delivery times.
• Platform: robust mobile application.

5. WorldRemit

WorldRemit focuses on mobile-to-mobile transfers, making it a strong contender for sending money to recipients who prefer digital wallets.

• Best Known For: Airtime top-ups and mobile money transfers.
• Strengths: Very fast for smaller amounts.
• Limitations: Transfer limits can be lower than traditional banks.
• Brazil to China: Supports transfers to Alipay in many regions.
• Speed: Near instant for mobile money.

6. Ria Money Transfer

Ria offers a balance between digital convenience and physical presence, often found within other retail stores.

• Best Known For: Being the third-largest remittance network globally.
• Strengths: Competitive rates for cash pickup.
• Limitations: Online platform interface is less modern than Panda Remit or Wise.
• Brazil to China: Available, but rates vary significantly by payment method.
• Access: widespread agent network.

7. PaySend

PaySend utilizes a unique card-to-card transfer system, allowing users to send money directly to a recipient's Visa or Mastercard.

• Best Known For: Fixed, low-cost flat fees.
• Strengths: Simple pricing model regardless of the amount sent.
• Limitations: Exchange rates may include a markup compared to mid-market rates.
• Brazil to China: Supports transfers to UnionPay cards.
• Speed: Generally instant for card transfers.

8. Xoom (a PayPal Service)

Owned by PayPal, Xoom offers a fast way to send money if you already have a PayPal account, though it is rarely the cheapest option.

• Best Known For: Speed and integration with the PayPal ecosystem.
• Strengths: Trusted brand and easy to use for existing PayPal users.
• Limitations: High fees and exchange rate markups compared to Panda Remit.
• Brazil to China: Fast service but cost-efficiency is lower.
• Convenience: Skip entering new bank details if using PayPal balance.

9. Skrill

Originally a digital wallet for gaming, Skrill has expanded into international money transfers, allowing free transfers to bank accounts in some cases.

• Best Known For: Digital wallet capabilities and cryptocurrency support.
• Strengths: Fast transfers between Skrill wallets.
• Limitations: Complex fee structure for currency conversion on withdrawal.
• Brazil to China: Viable for tech-savvy users familiar with digital wallets.
• Fees: Very competitive for wallet-to-wallet transactions.

When Panda Remit Is a Strong Choice

While there are many options to send money from Brazil to China, Panda Remit often emerges as the superior choice for specific scenarios, particularly for the Asia corridor. As a specialist in this region, Panda Remit offers distinct advantages that generalist platforms may lack.

Specific Scenarios for Choosing Panda Remit

If you prioritize maximizing the amount of Yuan (CNY) your recipient receives, Panda Remit is hard to beat. The platform is designed to offer 0 fee & high exchange rate for new users, making the first transfer exceptionally cost-effective. Furthermore, unlike some competitors that hike prices after the first use, Panda Remit will supply most promotions for old users, ensuring long-term value.

Comparison-Based Advantages

When comparing international money transfers, Panda Remit stands out in total cost (fees + exchange rate margin). While banks may charge hidden markups, Panda Remit focuses on volume and digital efficiency to keep costs low. Additionally, the service is fully Licensed by major financial authorities, providing the same level of security as traditional heavyweights but with the agility of a fintech startup.

Supported Corridors

While excellent for the Brazil to China route, Panda Remit is also a top contender for other major corridors, such as US→China, AU→India, and Europe→Southeast Asia. For users who need a dedicated partner for Asian remittances, Panda Remit offers a tailored experience that broader services like Western Union cannot match.

Conclusion

Choosing the right service to send money from Brazil to China requires balancing cost, speed, and reliability. While Western Union remains a giant in the industry, the rise of specialized international remittance services provides users with smarter alternatives. Platforms like Wise offer transparency, while Remitly offers flexibility.

However, for those specifically looking for high exchange rates and tailored promotions, Panda Remit is often the right choice. With its focus on digital efficiency, Licensed by major financial authorities status, and attractive offers for both new and existing users, it represents a modern solution for cross-border transfers.

Learn more about Panda Remit and compare your options to ensure you get the most out of every transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the cheapest alternative to Western Union for international transfers?

The cheapest alternative often depends on the specific currency pair. However, digital-first platforms like Panda Remit and Wise typically offer lower fees and better exchange rates than Western Union because they do not have the overhead costs of physical branches.

How do exchange rates impact total remittance costs?

Exchange rates are often hidden costs. A provider might charge zero fees but offer an exchange rate 3% worse than the market rate. Services like Panda Remit aim to provide high exchange rates, which can significantly reduce the total cost when you send money from Brazil to China.

When should users consider Panda Remit over other services?

Users should consider Panda Remit when sending money to Asian markets, specifically China. The platform excels in these corridors by offering 0 fee & high exchange rate for new users and continuing value through promotions for old users.

How fast are international transfers with Panda Remit?

Panda Remit is known for speed. Most international money transfers via the platform are completed within minutes or on the same day, depending on the banking hours of the receiving country and the verification status of the sender.