Currencies Direct Review – Fees, Rates & Transfers

What Is Currencies Direct?

Currencies Direct is a well-known UK company that works as a currency broker. The company helps people and businesses move money to other countries. It started in 1996. Now, it is a top money transfer provider. Currencies Direct has more than 25 offices in different places around the world. The company takes care of over £9.5 billion in international payments each year. They help more than 430,000 customers. A lot of people trust them when it comes to money transfer.

It is supported by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), so you can use it with confidence. Many people trust it for customer satisfaction in the money transfer industry. With its global reach, Currencies Direct is a good choice to send money to other countries through a money transfer.

How Does a Currencies Direct Account Work?

Creating a Currencies Direct account does not cost anything. You can set it up in a few minutes. Here is how you do it:

1. Sign up by using the Currencies Direct app. You can also do it online.
2. You will get access to live exchange rates.
3. Lock in a rate. Then, fill in the recipient’s details.
4. Send the funds by doing a bank transfer or by using a debit card.
5. The money will go straight into the recipient’s bank account.

An account manager is there to help you. This can be great for people who do large money transfers or are business clients. You can get help if you need it. The account manager will guide you and be there for you the whole way.

Money Guides

Helping You Borrow Money at the Right Price

Compare Now

What Currencies Can You Send?

Currencies Direct deals in over 40 major currencies. Here are some of the most used pairs:

You can send money to over 120 countries. Some of the main places people, their friends, and family like to send money to are Spain, Portugal, France, India, and the USA.

What Are the Transfer Fees?

One thing that people like about Currencies Direct is the low fees. When you use most banks on the high street, you will pay between £10 and £30 to send money to a different country. But Currencies Direct wants to take away those extra fees for you.

• There are no transfer fees for the most personal or business payments.
• But, some costs from intermediary banks might show up, especially if you send money to not so common countries.
• You can see all charges ahead of time when you ask for a quote. This gives you full transparency about transfer fees and other costs from intermediary banks.

For UK customers who want to send money to top places like Europe or the United States, often you can send it with no fee at all, from the start to the finish. But keep in mind, if the bank that gets the money puts on a handling or receiving fee, then that is something Currencies Direct does not control.

This fee structure makes Currencies Direct a good choice for people who want to see what they will pay at the start. You do not have to worry about any extra charges later. There are no service charges that show up out of the blue. These no-fee transfers are good for sending regular pension payments, paying for a home outside your own country, or sending money to pay school fees somewhere else.

How Competitive Are the Exchange Rates?

Currencies Direct gives you competitive exchange rates that are often better than most banks. With these good exchange rates, you can save money when you move a lot of money at one time.

• The platform shows you exchange rates using live market data, so you get the latest numbers.
• There is a small margin, but it is less than what most banks take.
• You can check and lock in the current exchange rate before you say yes to your transfer.

For example, a big bank you find on the high street may charge a margin of about 3–5% on the exchange rate. Currencies Direct usually offers a margin that is close to 1%, depending on the currency pair and the amount of money you move. If you send £10,000, you could save £200 or even more.

You can also set up rate alerts by using the website or the mobile app. This can help you send money at a time when the rates are good for you. Many people and businesses use this feature when they want to plan and get the most from their international money transfers.

Can You Use Currencies Direct for Business Transfers?

Yes. Currencies Direct is a popular option for:

• Paying overseas suppliers
• Managing foreign payroll
• Collecting international payments from clients

Businesses get many things from custom FX services. These services are not just about money transfers. They can also help with other things.

• You get to work with an account manager who knows your business area well.
• You can send payments to more than one person at the same time.
• There are tools to help you keep your exchange rate the same for up to 12 months, so the rate won’t change.
• The API helps you connect and use these services with your online shop or tech business easily.

With these features, Currencies Direct is more than a payment provider. The company can be a partner for businesses who work in more than one country. The value of this service is that it helps companies handle the risks that come with currency. It can also help them make their budgets more exact and easier to manage.

What Payment Methods Are Available?

You can fund your money transfer with:

• A UK bank account lets you use Faster Payments or CHAPS.
• A debit card helps you pay for small and quick personal things.

Note: At this time, Currencies Direct does not let people in the UK use credit cards to make payments. This is because credit cards often have more fees. There are also rules that cover using credit for sending money.

You can pay in a few simple ways:

• Log in to the online platform.
• Use the Currencies Direct app.
• Call your account manager if you want help that is just for you.

The multi-channel approach gives people a choice in how they want to start a transfer. They can use their phone, a computer, or just call. This makes it easy for all the customers. People who feel good with tech can use it the way they want. The ones who like doing things the old way can also get what they need. This way, everyone gets the help that works the best for them.

Money Guides

Helping You Borrow Money at the Right Price

Compare Now

How Fast Are International Transfers?

Most international transfers take one or two business days. The time can change based on where the money is being sent. Here is a normal timeline:

Transfer times can be longer if the recipient’s bank account is in a different or far-away place. Some transfers also take more time if there are extra checks for rules or safety.

What Is the Currencies Direct Mobile App Like?

The Currencies Direct app can be used on both iOS and Android devices. With this app, you get full control of your international transfers. The simple design of the Currencies Direct app makes it easy for you to manage your account and send money fast, even if it is your first time using a money transfer provider. You will find that the app is clear and simple, so you can feel good about your money transfer every time you use it.

With the app, you can:

• See live exchange rates before you make a choice.
• Make one-off or regular transfers no matter where you are.
• Track your payment as it happens. You will always know when your money gets into the recipient’s bank account.
• Set up your own rate alerts. You will get a notice when the currency goes up or down to the value you want.
• Talk to customer support or your account manager from inside the app.
• Upload your identity documents safely for checking.

The app is easy to use, which helps people who want to make smaller transfers with their phones. You can use it when you travel or work in other places. If you need to send a large amount of money, the app lets you track your transfer all the time. You can talk to a real person for help if you need it. The app also sends notifications, so you always know about exchange rates or if you need to do anything to finish your transaction.

What Do Customers Say About Currencies Direct?

Currencies Direct has a good name for being trusted and reliable. A lot of people from different countries talk about it in a good way online. They have used it for all types and sizes of money transfers. The service is known to make its users feel happy.

• Trustpilot score is 4.9 out of 5
• The number of reviews is over 9,000
• People say good things about:
  • Fast and efficient delivery
  • Friendly and professional account managers
  • Digital tools that are simple, reliable, and easy to use

Many people say that a money transfer with Currencies Direct is easy. Some have never used a currency broker before this. A lot of new people talk about their good Currencies Direct experience. This helps them feel sure when they send money to another country. The service is useful if you need to pay for things like buying a home or paying for school in another country.

It is also good to know that people who use the service for work and people who have retired to live in another country both give it a high rating. They say they like the digital convenience. They also like getting personal support with the service.

Are There Any Downsides?

While Currencies Direct has many good reviews, there are some things you need to think about.

• This service may not be the best if you want to send a very small amount of money, like under £100. App-based fintech options can be faster for these small transfers.
• You can’t pay with a credit card, and this might be a problem for some people.
• There is not much support for currencies that are not common or are more unusual.
• Transfer speed can slow down because of intermediary banks, especially if the money goes through a place where the financial system is not strong.

Even with these small downsides, the value you get is still good. The user experience stays strong, too. This is great for people who use international money transfers to send moderate or large amounts of money.

Is Currencies Direct Safe to Use?

Yes. Currencies Direct is regulated and secure:

• The company has approval from the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.
• It uses strong encryption to keep your data safe. The company checks who you are and works hard to stop fraud.
• Money from clients stays in their own accounts. It is not mixed with company money.

These steps are the way many companies around the world work. They help make sure that international transfers, even of a large amount of money, stay safe from start to finish. If you send a big amount of money, you can feel good knowing your payment goes through a safe system. This system follows all the rules and keeps your money protected.

Correct as of 07 August 2025

FAQs About Using Currencies Direct for International Money Transfers

Explore Money Guides

Helping You Borrow Money at the Right Price

Compare Quotes