Wise vs OFX:
how each prices a transfer from NZ.
Wise and OFX charge for an overseas transfer in opposite ways. Wise says it converts at the mid-market rate and adds a percentage fee that varies by currency. OFX charges NZ$12 on transfers under NZ$10,000, nothing from NZ$10,000, and adds its margin to the market rate. We read both companies' pages on 10 Nov 2026.
How do Wise and OFX compare on fees and rates?
Wise puts its cost in a visible fee, and OFX puts most of its cost in the exchange rate. Here is what each company's own page said when we read it on 10 Nov 2026:
| Wise | OFX | |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | A percentage fee that varies by currency (see Wise's pricing page) | NZ$12 on transfers under NZ$10,000; no transfer fee from NZ$10,000 |
| Exchange rate | Wise says it uses the mid-market rate | The market rate plus OFX's margin, shown before you confirm |
| Large transfers | A fee discount on transfers over NZ$44,000 | No transfer fee from NZ$10,000 |
| New customers | Not stated on the pages we read | An introductory rate on a first online transfer |
| Banks along the way | Not stated on the pages we read | Third-party banks may deduct a fee before paying your recipient; OFX gets none of it |
| Source | Wise pricing page → | OFX fees page → |
What did Wise's quotes cost on NZ$1,000?
Between NZ$4.33 and NZ$5.73 to US dollars, pounds, rupees and pesos, and NZ$43.37 to NZ$61.14 to the Pacific currencies. These are Wise converter quotes for NZ$1,000 paid by bank transfer:
| Sending NZ$1,000 to | Recipient gets | Cost | Quoted |
|---|---|---|---|
| US dollars | US$557.81 | NZ$4.98* | 11 Nov 2026 |
| British pounds | £418.58 | NZ$4.33* | 10 Nov 2026 |
| Indian rupees | ₹52,341.78 | NZ$5.24* | 10 Nov 2026 |
| Philippine pesos | ₱35,235.64 | NZ$5.73* | 10 Nov 2026 |
| Samoan tala | WS$1,460.45 | NZ$61.14 | 11 Nov 2026 |
| Tongan pa'anga | T$1,264.74 | NZ$43.37 | 11 Nov 2026 |
| Fiji dollars | FJ$1,206.73 | NZ$49.10 | 11 Nov 2026 |
* Our arithmetic: NZ$1,000 minus the amount received divided by Wise's mid-market rate. The other costs are the total fees Wise showed. Quotes change; check Wise's converter on the day.
The Pacific routes cost several times as much as the others on the same NZ$1,000. Wise vs Remitly compares the two on six routes. For those countries, the Samoa, Tonga and Fiji pages compare Wise with Remitly, Western Union and the NZ banks.
What would OFX cost on the same NZ$1,000?
At least NZ$12, plus a margin OFX doesn't publish. The fee alone is more than Wise's whole cost on the four major currencies above. Whether OFX's total comes out higher or lower depends on its margin, and only an OFX quote shows that. We didn't take OFX quotes for these routes.
Which is cheaper for large transfers?
OFX's margin against Wise's percentage fee decides it. From NZ$10,000, OFX charges no transfer fee, so its whole cost is the margin in its rate. Wise's percentage fee keeps growing with the amount until its discount applies over NZ$44,000. Quote the amount you plan to send with both, and compare what arrives.
How do you compare a Wise quote with an OFX quote?
- Quote the same amount on the same day. Rates move during the day.
- Note what the recipient gets. Use the final amount after every fee, in the recipient's currency.
- Check it against the mid-market rate. Divide what arrives by the NZ dollars you pay. Our mid-market rate vs bank rate guide shows the working.
- Ask about charges along the way. An intermediary or receiving bank may take a fee before your recipient is paid.
This page compares published pricing. It doesn't recommend either provider. Fees and quotes are as published on the dates shown; check each provider before you send. Other providers and the NZ banks are on send money overseas.
FAQ
What else do people ask about Wise and OFX?
Straight answers, with the source and date for every figure.
Is OFX or Wise cheaper in NZ?
It depends on the amount and the currency, and OFX doesn't publish its margin, so only a quote settles it. Under NZ$10,000, OFX charges a NZ$12 transfer fee plus its margin. On NZ$1,000, Wise's whole cost to US dollars, pounds, rupees or pesos was NZ$4.33 to NZ$5.73 in our November 2026 quotes, less than OFX's fee alone. From NZ$10,000 OFX charges no fee, so its margin is set against Wise's percentage fee. Get both quotes on the same day.
What are the downsides of Wise?
Wise's fee is a percentage that varies by currency, so it grows with the amount until its discount over NZ$44,000, and on some routes it is large. On 11 November 2026, Wise's fees on NZ$1,000 were NZ$61.14 to Samoa, NZ$43.37 to Tonga and NZ$49.10 to Fiji. On that day Western Union's converter showed more tala arriving in Samoa, and Remitly's quote showed more Fiji dollars arriving.
Is there anything better than Wise for sending money from NZ?
On some routes another service quoted more arriving. On 11 November 2026, Western Union's converter showed WS$1.5453 per NZ$1 with no fee on its default options, or WS$1,545 for NZ$1,000, against WS$1,460.45 from Wise. Remitly's standard rate to Fiji, FJ$1.2280 with a NZ$2.49 fee, beat Wise's FJ$1,206.73. To Tonga, Wise's T$1,264.74 was ahead of Remitly. Compare what arrives on the day you send.
Does OFX charge a transfer fee in NZ?
On transfers under NZ$10,000, yes: NZ$12, according to OFX's own fee page read on 10 Nov 2026. From NZ$10,000 there is no transfer fee. OFX's exchange rate is the market rate plus its margin, shown before you confirm, and banks along the way may take a fee before your recipient is paid. OFX says it gets none of that fee.