7 Best Ways to Receive Money from Abroad (2025 Update)
Have you ever wondered how to manage an international money transfer efficiently, especially when you need to receive funds from across borders? Whether you’re a business owner paying freelancers worldwide or an individual working abroad to support your family, choosing the right method to receive money involves balancing fees, speed, convenience, and security.
According to TheBusinessResearchCompany, the money transfer services market is projected to climb to around $79.14 billion by 2029, reflecting ongoing demand for fast global payment solutions. If you want more insight into cross-border financial frameworks, check out what is international banking and how does it work (complete guide).
Below, you’ll find seven of the top ways to receive money from abroad in 2025, along with additional tips to help you make a well-informed choice. Each method addresses different priorities—such as lower fees, reliable speed, or robust security—and you’ll see real-world comparisons to make your final decision easier. While many options can work, some stand out more than others because of their advanced features for businesses and freelancers alike.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Method
Before exploring the best ways to receive foreign funds, it’s smart to evaluate your situation carefully. The following factors can determine whether you pick a bank deposit, a peer-to-peer platform, or something more sophisticated:
Transfer Fees: Provider charges can eat into the amount you ultimately receive. Look out for hidden costs, including exchange rate markups.
Exchange Rates: Even if the service advertises low fees, the exchange rate margin may drive up your total cost.
Processing Speed: Some methods can process transactions within minutes, while others take a few business days.
Accessibility: Certain platforms or banks may not be available in every country.
Regulatory Compliance: Services offering full compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules reduce your risk of payment delays or rejections.
If you’re also interested in reducing the cost of sending funds, you might find cheap ways to send money internationally (edition) worth reading in parallel. It details strategies that can benefit both the sender and receiver.
7 Best Ways to Receive Money from Abroad in 2025
Below is a detailed look at seven methods that are showing strong popularity and reliability in 2025. You’ll also find comparisons among them—particularly if you’re a freelancer, finance manager, or business owner looking for the best outcome for your team.
1. Mural Pay
For businesses seeking a versatile, global solution, Mural Pay stands out as a first-choice platform. With Mural Pay, you can receive international funds quickly, often at lower rates than many competing services. The platform is business-first, offering bulk payouts, stablecoin on/off-ramps, and advanced compliance features.
Competitive Advantage: Compared to traditional bank wires, Mural Pay’s Payments services support real-time currency conversion in over 40 currencies, making cross-border transactions more convenient.
Why It’s Unique: Mural Pay focuses on industry-level compliance (KYB/KYC) to help ensure minimal friction—especially crucial for businesses with multiple outbound or inbound payments each month.
Comparison: While Wise is known for personal transfers and small business usage, Mural Pay excels in large-scale payouts, stablecoin usage for LATAM, and instant settlement times.
If you’re running an enterprise that handles ongoing invoice payments, you can also check out invoice payments 101: how they work & expert tips for additional insights on optimizing your accounts receivable process.
2. Direct Bank Deposit (Traditional Wire Transfer)
A direct bank deposit—often called a traditional wire transfer—remains a go-to method for recipients who need a straightforward approach. Many major banks have partnered with international networks to make these transfers faster than they used to be.
Transfer Speed: Typically 1–5 business days, but some corridors are faster thanks to initiatives like SWIFT gpi.
Fees: Banks may charge $15 or more on the receiving end, and intermediary fees sometimes apply. Bank of America, for instance, charges about $16 for incoming international transfers.
Security: Transfers via the SWIFT network are highly secure. Banks also provide robust fraud detection.
Comparison: Direct bank deposits are well-suited for large amounts receiving from a stable network of senders. However, if you need faster settlement with potentially lower fees, Mural Pay or online money transfer services might be more suitable.
3. Online Money Transfer Platforms
Online money transfer providers such as Wise or Payoneer have surged in popularity. They often offer transparent fees and mid-market exchange rates, helping you track the exact amount you’ll receive before completing the transaction.
Advantages: Many platforms focus on straightforward pricing and quick deposit times—sometimes within one business day.
Drawbacks: Certain services restrict the number of currencies you can accept, or they may require both sender and receiver to open an account.
Comparison: If your needs are day-to-day personal transfers, these platforms are solid. But when you require advanced business features or stablecoin on/off-ramps, Mural Pay might offer better overall value.
4. Money Transfer Operators and Cash Pickup
Money transfer operators—like Western Union or Ria—remain important for receiving physical cash. They also offer digital options, but often excel in markets with limited banking infrastructure.
Transfer Speed: Funds can be ready for pickup within minutes for certain corridors.
Pricing: The sender typically faces high fees, but the receiver may not pay anything to collect.
Security: An official ID and tracking number are required at the pickup location, adding an extra layer of verification.
Comparison: This option can be vital in areas where traditional banking is less developed. But if you have a fully operational bank account or prefer digital methods, an online service or Mural Pay might be more cost-effective.
5. Multi-Currency Accounts
Multi-currency accounts allow you to accept multiple currencies directly, then either hold or convert the funds. Some banks and dedicated fintechs—like certain Wise offerings—provide local account details in multiple countries.
Exchange Flexibility: You can choose the best time to convert your balance rather than accept the exchange rate at the moment of receipt.
Reduced Fees: Holding balances in multiple currencies can reduce the frequency of conversions, potentially saving money.
Comparison: A multi-currency account is especially helpful if you deal with repeated offshore payments. However, it might not offer the immediate compliance tools or stablecoin on/off-ramps featured by Mural Pay.
6. Digital Wallets
Digital wallets such as PayPal and Cash App enable you to receive money straight into an app-based balance. After that, you can withdraw the funds to a linked bank account. In some regions, you can also access features like debit cards that work with your wallet balance.
Convenience: All you need is an email address or phone number. This ease is helpful for smaller amounts and personal transactions.
Potential Fees: Withdrawing to your bank can cost a few dollars, plus you might face a currency conversion markup if the payment is in a foreign currency.
Comparison: While these wallets are great for everyday transactions, working professionals who need large-volume cross-border payments often lean toward either multi-currency accounts or specialized platforms.
7. Cryptocurrency Transfers
Cryptocurrencies—particularly stablecoins—offer near-instant cross-border settlement. If your recipient is already comfortable using digital assets and local on/off-ramps:
Low Transaction Costs (Potentially): Certain stablecoins have small blockchain fees during off-peak times.
Volatility Caution: While stablecoins are designed to track the value of fiat currencies, some require scrutiny of their collateral model.
Comparison: Crypto-based transfers are appealing to tech-savvy users and businesses that pay contractors globally. Mural Pay’s stablecoin solutions, for instance, simplify the process by converting stablecoins into fiat if or when needed.
Comparing These Methods
When deciding which method best suits your needs, consider the strength of each option relative to your priorities:
Fastest Settlements: Mural Pay (especially for business), online money transfer apps, or stablecoin transfers.
Lowest Fees for the Receiver: Typically multi-currency accounts and money transfer operators (where the sender covers fees). Mural Pay can also be extremely competitive for business users.
Highest Security: Bank deposits and licensed fintech services. Mural Pay structures robust compliance for all high-volume transactions.
Easiest Setup: Digital wallets usually require minimal documentation, but that convenience sometimes comes with higher exchange margins.
Best for Frequent Transactions: A dedicated multi-currency account or a specialized platform like Mural Pay that manages compliance for ongoing transactions.
Additionally, if you anticipate sending or receiving larger sums—perhaps you’re handling business capital or paying multiple contractors overseas—see how to transfer large sums of money internationally (guide) for practical considerations, including daily limits and potential legal requirements.
Additional Considerations for Businesses and Freelancers
1. Documentation and Compliance
Cross-border payments can attract scrutiny from financial regulators. Make sure you’re ready to present any documentation required to prove the source or purpose of funds. Platforms like Mural Pay and certain established fintechs streamline KYC checks so you don’t run into delays.
2. Timing and Market Conditions
If you receive payments in foreign currency, keep an eye on exchange rates. As the Bank for International Settlements has highlighted, real-time payment networks are expanding quickly, meaning your fees and timeframe might evolve throughout the year. Strategic currency conversion (using multi-currency accounts or Mural Pay’s real-time rate feature) can maximize the amount you keep.
3. Integrations and Automation
If you’re a business that handles invoices frequently, automation can save you hours of manual effort and prevent data-entry mistakes. Some online platforms and banks integrate with popular accounting tools, while Mural Pay adds batch payments and advanced invoicing features for frictionless reconciliation.
Wrapping Up
Receiving money from abroad in 2025 is simpler and more transparent than ever. With market disruptions favoring digital solutions, you can select from various approaches: direct bank deposits, online transfers, digital wallets, multi-currency accounts, or even stablecoins. If you’re still determining which channel might fit your unique cross-border requirements, explore 9 low-cost ways to transfer money to understand more cost-saving tips.
Each of the seven methods described above has strengths and limitations, but any can be adapted to your personal or professional needs. Ultimately, your choice may hinge on the volume of funds involved, how urgently you need them, and your tolerance for fees. Keep modern solutions like Mural Pay in mind, particularly if you aim for business-grade compliance, quick settlement, and stablecoin support—features that are increasingly precious in a global economy.
References
TheBusinessResearchCompany. (2023). “Money Transfer Services Global Market Report.” Available at: https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/money-transfer-services-global-market-report
RedCompassLabs. (2022). “2025 Payments Trends: What’s in Store?” Available at: https://www.redcompasslabs.com/insights/2025-payments-trends-whats-in-store/
Statista. (2024). “Value of Remittance Flows Globally.” Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/962796/value-of-remittance-flows-globally/
