Which scores better when comparing Western Union vs Azimo? See how each provider scores and who wins when comparing their services, fees, supported countries and customer service.
Western Union
Overall score:
55
55
Azimo
Overall score:
49
49
Personal Features
Business Benefits
Fees & Exchange Rates
Ease of Use
Support & Countries
Trust & Transparency
50
50
Western Union lets you transfer money to most countries in the world, either to bank accounts or to cash pickup locations.
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33
Azimo gives individuals easy access to international money transfers with a variety of payout methods. There are only a handful of currency exchange and transfer companies that provide such services. Azimo doesn’t just transfer money to a payee’s bank account, but also uses foreign agents for cash picks, payment into foreign mobile wallets and mobile credit top ups.
A unique service that Azimo offers is the ability to send money into China’s Alipay. This could be the decision maker for individuals comparing Azimo and who need to transfer money home to China.
What Azimo doesn’t offer is more of the advanced money transfer and currency exchange services that some individuals may need. Azimo does not provide services such as currency risk management tools, regular transfers or personal account managers for those large money transfers. You may want more of the personal touch instead of an online only money transfer service.
56
56
Western Union provides various forex services for business customers from a number of countries.
11
11
Azimo's services for business clients are limited to basic money transfer services. What they do offer is a lower exchange rate margin (think hidden fees) for larger money transfers. Azimo doesn’t provide business centric services that businesses with a global presence need to reduce their ongoing money transfer costs and reduce administration. For example, accounting solutions (e.g. Xero) integration is not available which increases booking keeping administration. Nor does Azimo offer solutions for online sellers operating in a foreign market or unique international receiving accounts for foreign clients to pay locally.
A list of what Azimo do and don’t offer businesses is below.
0
0
Exchange rate margin fee - This can be more than 5% for exotic currencies.
Additional fees - The transfer fee you need to pay depends on the currencies involved, the transfer amount, the payment method and the delivery method.
4
4
Azimo’s exchange rate fees and additional fees are higher in comparison. Azimo’s exchange rate margin (the additional percentage on top of the current real exchange rate) is also quite high. There are some justifiable reasons why fees to send money for cash pick up as 3rd parties are involved. The lowest cost transfer by making payment through local bank transfer and sending to a foreign bank account will end up costing more.
Transfer fees - The Azimo transfer fee varies depending on the currencies involved, the mode of payment, the transfer method and the transfer amount. Additional fees are approximately €12 (or currency equivalent).
Cash pick up fees - Sending money to an Azimo cash pick up location is typically more expensive than transferring it to a bank account.
Credit / debit card payment fees - Payments made via bank transfers tend to be more affordable than credit/debit card payments.
Fee-free transfers - New personal customers get two fee-free transfers, and the number increases to five for new business customers.
Exchange rate margin - Azimo applies a margin on existing mid-market exchange rates, which can be between 1.5% and 2.25% depending on the currencies being traded.
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64
Sign up - Registration is easy and follows an intuitive process.
Payment options - Bank transfers, debit cards, credit cards and cash.
Mobile apps - Available for Android and iOS
Transfer limits - Based on where you and the recipient live, the transfer method and the payment method.
Multilingual website - Get website access in local languages, depending on which Western Union website you use.
61
61
Azimo has an ease to use system. It is easy to register, prove identity and start your first transfer. As a basic money transfer service you would expect just that. Their speed of transfers are relatively fast with multiple pay in and payout options.
Signing up - Register using the Azimo app or website.
Payment options - Bank account transfers, debit cards, credit cards, SOFORT and iDEAL.
Speed - Up to 2 business days, although it can be more in some instances.
Multilingual website - Use the Azimo website in different European languages.
Mobile apps - Available for iOS and Android.
69
69
Supported currencies - Western Union carries out transfers in around 130 currencies.
Supported countries - You can transfer funds to more to 200 countries and territories. You can register through the Western Union website from over 70 countries.
Phone support - Provides local phone support during business hours in several countries.
69
69
Azimo has good global coverage for supported destination countries. Most destination countries support cash pick and mobile top-up. Only the Philippines is supported for cash delivery to the home.
Supported payment currencies - GBP, EUR, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF and PLN.
Supported destination currencies - Carries out transfers in more than 60 currencies.
Customer support - Multilingual support provided via email and chat.
Azimo scores better in the Support and Countries category.
44
44
Regulated - Licensed by financial regulatory bodies of different countries.
Publicly listed - Regular audits to oversee safety and compliance procedures result in increased trust surrounding customers' funds.
Exchange rate and fee transparency - The Westren Union margin on existing exchange rates can be more than 5% for exotic currencies. Some Western Union reviews on Trustpilot and Play Store mention non-transparency in fees as well.
Customer support - A number of online customer reviews highlight concerns surrounding Western Union's unresponsive customer service.
63
63
Azimo is a regulated financial entity within the UK and conducts millions of pounds of funds transfers for individuals and businesses every year.
Regulation - Regulated by financial regulatory bodies in the UK and the Netherlands.
Customer service - Gets a rating of Excellent on Trustpilot. However, there are reviews by customers that complain about not getting adequate customer care.
Exchange rate transparency - Azimo does not have a transparent fee structure. The margin on existing exchange rates can exceed 2% for some currencies.
WinnerThis result is neck and neck despite both Western Union and Azimo not scoring well across their fees and exchange rates. With both offering higher markups, they score poorly in this category.
