Cheapest way to send money from Singapore to India

FXMetrics editorial team · Updated · How we calculate

Singapore's foreign workforce sends large sums home every month, and the gap between a bank and the cheapest digital service is often several percent. Below: what your recipient actually gets for 1,000 SGD, at today's mid-market rate.

Loading today's mid-market rate…

ProviderRecipient getsTotal costSpeedSite

Mid-market rates from the European Central Bank (via the Frankfurter API); currencies the ECB does not cover use ExchangeRate-API. Provider fees and markups are estimates from public pricing; always check the final quote. Methodology · Share this result

Payout options
UPI, bank account (IFSC) and some cash pickup
Typical speed
Minutes to 2 business days (digital); 2–5 business days (bank wire)
Regulation in Singapore
Licensed by MAS
Rate benchmark
ECB reference rate

Who sends money from Singapore to India

Common senders: Work Permit and S Pass holders supporting families, EP holders sending savings, and students' families.

Worked example: sending 1,000 SGD

Using the ECB reference rate on 2026-10-07, 1 SGD = 75.5500 INR, our estimate model gives these results for sending 1,000 SGD:

ProviderEst. feeEst. receivedTotal cost vs mid-market
Wise7.28 SGD74,999.97 INR550.03 INR
Revolut3.00 SGD74,946.73 INR603.27 INR
Remitly0.00 SGD74,643.40 INR906.60 INR
Western Union6.40 SGD73,565.00 INR1,985.00 INR
Bank wire (typical)25.61 SGD71,774.94 INR3,775.06 INR

In this example Wise delivers roughly 3,225.02 INR more than a typical bank wire. Rates move daily and providers change pricing, so treat this as an illustration from our model; the live calculator above and the provider's own quote are what count. See how we estimate.

Sending to India: what to know

  • Payout options: UPI, bank account (IFSC) and some cash pickup.
  • Indian recipients usually get funds fastest via UPI or IMPS-enabled bank accounts.
  • NRIs can receive into NRE or NRO accounts; NRE balances are repatriable.

Rules and limits

In Singapore: Cross-border money transfer providers in Singapore must be licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the Payment Services Act. You can check any provider in the MAS Financial Institutions Directory.

In India: Inward remittances to India fall under FEMA. Banks may ask the recipient for KYC or PAN on large amounts, and family support is commonly reported under purpose code P1301. India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS, USD 250,000 per financial year) limits money residents send out of India; it does not cap money sent into India.

How to pick the cheapest option

  1. Compare the amount received, not the fee. "Zero fee" offers usually hide their cost in the rate. How markups work.
  2. Small amounts: watch fixed fees. Large amounts: watch the markup.
  3. Avoid intermediary deductions. SWIFT wires can lose $10–30 in transit. Why.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to send money from Singapore to India?

It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much INR each provider delivers for 1,000 SGD; the top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.

How much more does a bank wire cost for 1,000 SGD?

Using the reference rate on 2026-10-07, our model puts the gap at about 3,225.02 INR versus the cheapest option. Rates and pricing change daily.

How can my recipient in India receive the money?

Common payout options are UPI, bank account (IFSC) and some cash pickup. Availability differs by provider, so check before you send.

How long does it take?

Digital services usually take minutes to 1–2 business days; bank wires often take 2–5 business days.