True-cost checker
The headline fee is only part of the cost. Enter what each provider quotes you for the same amount and see what you really lose against the latest daily mid-market rate. Nothing you type leaves your device.
Total cost = fee on top + the leones lost against the mid-market rate, shown as a percentage of the amount sent. Example rows are illustrative, not real quotes. Mid-market rates come from open.er-api.com and are indicative.
Where hidden costs come from
Most comparison tables show only the visible fee. There are three costs, and the biggest is often the one nobody prints.
The visible fee
A flat or percentage charge added to your payment. Easy to compare, and often the smaller part.
The exchange-rate margin
The gap between the wholesale mid-market rate and the rate you are offered. āFee-freeā transfers usually earn their money here.
Costs at the other end
Agent cash-out fees, receiving-bank charges and intermediary-bank deductions that come out of what your family actually receives.
- Provider A, āno feesā: Ā£0 fee, recipient gets 5,700 NLe. You lost 300 NLe, which is Ā£10, or 5.0%.
- Provider B, Ā£3.99 fee: recipient gets 5,940 NLe. You lost Ā£3.99 plus 60 NLe (Ā£2), or 3.0%.
How to use the checker in two minutes
- Open two or three providersā own calculators and type the same amount into each.
- Pick the same payout method (mobile money, bank or cash). Different methods have different rates.
- Copy two numbers from each: the fee on top and the leones the recipient gets.
- Paste them into the checker. The lowest percentage wins. Tick āevery monthā to see the annual difference.
Choose by how your family will collect
Decide the payout method first. It matters more than the brand.
Fastest in most cases
a Sierra Leone Mobile Money Wallet.
Best for large amounts
a Sierra Leone Bank Account.
No bank or phone wallet needed
Cash Pickup Money to Sierra Leone.
The main options compared
This is a guide to what each option is good for. It deliberately does not print fees or rates, because they would be wrong by the time you read them.
| Option | Best for | Payouts usually offered | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Seeing the real rate and the fee separately, up front. | Bank-style delivery where Wise supports your corridor. No cash pickup. | Not every send country and payout type reaches Sierra Leone. Confirm before you register. |
| Remitly | A phone app with a fast option and a cheaper, slower option. | Mobile money, bank deposit and cash pickup, depending on your country. | Fast and economy options can differ a lot in rate. New-customer promotions rarely repeat. |
| WorldRemit | One app that offers mobile money, bank and cash pickup. | Mobile money, bank deposit, cash pickup and airtime top-up in many corridors. | Compare the leones received, not the headline fee. |
| Sendwave | Sending straight to a mobile money wallet from your phone. | Mobile money wallets. Marketed as fee-free. | Fee-free means the cost sits in the exchange rate. Measure it with the checker. |
| Western Union | Recipients who want cash from an agent, or who are far from a bank. | Cash pickup at agents, plus bank and mobile options online. | Cash pickup is often the most expensive route per leone. Agents can run out of cash. |
| MoneyGram | Cash pickup as an alternative to Western Union. | Cash pickup at agents, plus bank and mobile options online. | Same warning: compare the leones received. Check the agent has cash before the trip. |
| Bank wire (SWIFT) | Large, one-off sums such as school fees, property or supplier payments. | Bank account to bank account. | Your bank fee, an intermediary bank fee and a margin on the rate. Slowest option, often several working days. |
Pick your sending country
Funding methods, regulators and the checks that matter differ by country.
From the United Kingdom
Send GBP to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From the United States
Send USD to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From Canada
Send CAD to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From Germany
Send EUR to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From the Netherlands
Send EUR to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From Australia
Send AUD to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From Ireland
Send EUR to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From the United Arab Emirates
Send AED to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From India
Send INR to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
Stay safe
- Use a licensed provider registered in the country you are sending from, and check it on the regulatorās register.
- Spell the recipientās name exactly as on their ID. A mismatch is the most common reason a transfer is held.
- Keep the reference number private until your recipient is ready to collect.
- Keep your receipt until the money has been collected and confirmed.
- Avoid unlicensed hawala or couriers for any significant sum. You have no protection if something goes wrong.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money to Sierra Leone?
It changes daily and depends on your sending country and payout method. The only reliable method is to get the leones amount each provider quotes for the same transfer, then compare the total cost, which is the fee plus the exchange-rate margin. Our checker does this against the latest daily mid-market rate.
Why does the recipient get less than the rate I saw on Google?
Google shows the mid-market rate, a wholesale reference. Providers quote a rate a little worse and keep the difference. A fee-free transfer can still be expensive because the cost sits in that margin.
What is the fastest way to send money to Sierra Leone?
Mobile money to an Orange Money or Africell Money wallet is normally fastest, often within minutes. Cash pickup is usually same day. Bank transfers can take several working days.
Can I send money to someone with no bank account?
Yes. Mobile money and cash pickup both work without a bank account. Your recipient needs a phone with a registered wallet, or a valid photo ID that matches the name you entered.
Is it safe to send money to Sierra Leone?
Use a provider licensed in the country you send from, check it on the regulatorās register, keep your receipt, and never send money to someone you only know online. Avoid informal hawala and unlicensed couriers.
What is the New Leone (NLe)?
The New Leone replaced the old Leone in 2022 at 1 NLe = 1,000 old Leones. Providers and mid-market tables now quote the currency as SLE or NLe. If a quote looks 1,000 times too big, it is in old Leones.
How much does it cost on average?
World Bank price tracking has Sub-Saharan Africa as the most expensive region to send to, at roughly 8% for a $200 transfer, against a global average of about 6.5% and a UN target of 3%. Your own cost depends on the provider you choose.
Do you earn money from this page?
We are not paid by any provider listed. We run Globe2Me as a Sierra Leone travel and diaspora service. If we add affiliate links they will be labelled and will not change the ranking.
More Sierra Leone money guides
- Best ways to send money to Sierra Leone
- Cheapest way to send money to Sierra Leone
- Orange Money and Africell Money guide
- Sending money to Sierra Leone: step by step
- Start a business in Sierra Leone remotely
How we work. Globe2Me is not paid by any provider named on this page and does not move money. We rank options by how you can measure their real cost, not by who pays us. If we add affiliate links in future they will be labelled and rankings will not change. Fees, rates and coverage change often: always confirm the final leones amount on the providerās own checkout before you pay. This page is general information, not financial advice. Last reviewed 2026-10-21.