How to Read a Quote:
"Recipient Gets"
"Recipient Gets" is the number that matters. It captures the money lost from a bad exchange rate (FX spread) plus the upfront fee, so you can compare providers correctly.
Why "Recipient Gets" Is the Only Number That Matters
Most people compare transfers the wrong way: they look at the fee. A $0 fee feels like a win. But the fee is only part of the cost. The best single metric is what we call Recipient Gets, the exact amount your recipient receives in the destination currency.
The Bottom Line
"Recipient gets" is the best single metric because it includes fees and FX spread. Compare the offered rate to mid market to spot hidden markup. Keep inputs identical and compare at checkout for a fair match.
Quick Takeaways
The complete picture
"Recipient gets" captures both the upfront fee and money lost through FX spread.
Compare at checkout
Rates can change. Always compare quotes at the final checkout step, not the homepage.
Keep inputs identical
Use the same send amount, funding method, and payout method across all comparisons.
What "Recipient Gets" really means
"Recipient gets" is the end result after all costs are applied.
It indirectly includes:
- •the upfront fee you pay, and
- •the money lost through a weaker exchange rate (FX spread or markup), because both reduce the amount that converts or the rate applied to it.
That's why it's the cleanest number to compare providers: it's outcome-based.
The basic anatomy of a quote
When you're looking at a quote screen, you'll usually see:
To compare providers accurately, keep the last two constant: funding method and payout method. Otherwise you're not comparing like-for-like.
A simple formula (so you understand the mechanics)
For a typical transfer where the fee is charged upfront in your currency:
- 1.Amount converted = Send amount minus Fee
- 2.Recipient gets = Amount converted times Provider exchange rate
This is the skeleton. Real products may fold the fee into "total to pay," or charge fees differently, but the idea stays: fees reduce the amount that gets converted, and rates determine the conversion outcome.
"Recipient gets" also tells you your hidden FX cost
If you want to understand the FX part, compare your quote to a neutral reference rate:
- •Mid market conversion (ideal) = (Send amount minus fee) times Mid market rate
- •Quoted conversion (actual) = (Send amount minus fee) times Provider rate
- •Money lost to FX = Mid market conversion minus Quoted conversion
That "money lost" is the cost of the exchange rate being worse than mid market. Add the upfront fee and you have your total effective cost.
You don't need to compute this every time to compare providers, but it's useful when a quote feels confusing or too good to be true.
How to compare two quotes correctly (step by step)
Step 1: Pick the comparison style
There are two common ways to quote a transfer:
- •Fixed send: "I will send $500." Recipient gets varies by provider.
- •Fixed receive: "Recipient must get 10,000." You pay varies by provider.
Both are valid, but don't mix them while comparing. Choose one.
Step 2: Hold the rails constant
Match:
- •funding method (bank vs card), and
- •payout method (bank vs cash vs mobile money).
Otherwise you can accidentally compare a cheap bank-funded bank deposit against a card-funded cash pickup. That's apples-to-oranges.
Step 3: Compare Recipient Gets at the final step
Many providers show a "marketing quote" early, then refine it at checkout. The checkout screen is what you should compare.
Step 4: Check speed and constraints
If Quote A gives $5 more but takes 3 days, and Quote B arrives in 5 minutes, the "best" quote depends on urgency.
A quick example (hypothetical)
You send $500.
- •Provider A: $0 fee, rate = 1.20.
- •Provider B: $3.99 fee, rate = 1.22.
Even though Provider B charges a fee, it delivers more because the FX rate is better. This is exactly why "fee-only" comparisons fail.
Common quote traps (and how to avoid them)
- •Different payout methods: Cash pickup may have different pricing than bank deposit.
- •Rate not locked: If the rate changes before you confirm, the quote you saw earlier isn't the final.
- •Recipient-side fees: Rare, but some banks deduct fees from incoming transfers.
- •Incorrect recipient details: Can delay payout or force reprocessing.
- •Card issuer charges: Your bank may add fees on top of what the provider shows.
A "Recipient Gets" checklist
Before you press send:
- •Same amount, same payout method, same funding method across providers
- •Compare at checkout, not on the homepage
- •Use Recipient Gets as the primary metric
- •Verify recipient details and payout method requirements
- •Only then consider speed, limits, and refunds
If you compare using "recipient gets," you're automatically comparing the real cost: the upfront fee plus the money lost through a weaker exchange rate.
Recipient Gets (Most Important)
This is the actual amount your recipient will receive after all fees and FX markup. Compare this number across providers. It's the only metric that matters.
Total Cost (Fee plus FX Markup)
Don't just look at the transfer fee. Add the FX markup cost. A $0 fee with 3% markup is often more expensive than a $3 fee with 0.5% markup.
Delivery Speed (If Urgent)
Speed matters if you need money delivered quickly. But remember: faster often costs more. Balance urgency with cost.
Quote Timestamp (Context Only)
Exchange rates change minute to minute. A quote from 2 hours ago may be outdated. Always check when the quote was generated.
Ready to Find Your Best Rate?
Compare live rates from 30+ licensed providers in seconds. See exactly how much your recipient will get, no hidden fees.
Compare Providers Now