Paysend is a UK-based international money transfer service: card to card, to a bank account or to an e-wallet, in 190+ countries. I first covered it in a short note in spring; since then the app has a new design and the referral terms are clearly spelled out. This updated review covers what Paysend is today, who it suits, its weak spots, and what you can realistically get for inviting friends.
In short
- Licence: electronic money institution authorised by the UK FCA, plus transfer licences in the EU, Canada and the US.
- Reviews: 4.1 out of 5 on Trustpilot from more than 41,000 ratings.
- New users via a referral link: first transfer fee-free and a $5 bonus after a second transfer of $100 or more.
- Referrer: up to €2.25 for each of a friend’s first 12 transfers within a year — €27 max per friend.
Affiliate link — I may earn a reward if you sign up · promo code 2aee14
What Paysend is
Paysend Plc is incorporated in Scotland with offices in London. It is authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority as an electronic money institution (reference 900004) and holds money transfer licences in the EU, Canada and most US states. The company reports over 7 million customers and more than 35,000 transfers a day.
The core idea: send money to someone abroad quickly, knowing only their card number. The recipient doesn’t need a Paysend account.
What the app does
International transfers
You can send to a bank card, a bank account or an e-wallet. The amount and exchange rate are shown before you confirm, so you know the final cost up front. Card transfers often arrive within minutes, though timing depends on the destination country and bank.
Multi-currency account and card
The app includes a multi-currency account. According to Paysend’s help centre, opening and topping it up, exchanging between your own currencies and sending to other Paysend users are free. A virtual card is free; a plastic card costs €5.99 in the eurozone.
What it costs
There’s no single price list: the transfer fee depends on the route, currency and payout method, so always check the total in the app’s calculator first. For the Paysend card: free cash withdrawals up to €220 a month, 2% above that, and 2% on payments in a currency other than the card’s.
Who it suits
- People supporting family abroad. The main use case: regular small transfers to relatives’ cards.
- Freelancers and small teams who need to pay someone in another country without bank details.
- Anyone comparing services. Keep Paysend on your list next to Wise and other payment systems — on some routes it wins, on others a competitor does.
Note on availability: supported countries and routes change over time, so check yours in the app before signing up.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Regulated company with a transparent structure and a UK licence.
- Send by card number — the recipient needs no account.
- Cost and rate are visible before sending.
- Free multi-currency account and exchange between your own currencies.
- Most reviews praise speed and simplicity.
Cons
- No single published fee table — you have to check each route.
- About 10% of Trustpilot ratings are one star. The most common complaints are slow support, delayed transfers and refunds, and occasionally a promo bonus that wasn’t credited.
- Route availability depends on the sender’s and recipient’s countries.
My take from the reviews: the service works well for everyday transfers, but when something goes wrong, resolving it can take time. Test with a small amount before sending larger sums.
Referral programme: what it really pays
Paysend isn’t an earning platform — it’s a payment service. But it has a fair referral programme with clearly stated terms.
| Who | What they get |
|---|---|
| New user via link | First transfer fee-free; $5 bonus after a second transfer of $100+ |
| Referrer | For each of a friend’s first 12 transfers within 12 months: €2.25 (EU), $3 (US) or £1.50 (UK) |
| Maximum per friend | €27 / $36 / £18 |
Bonuses collect in a bonus account. You can withdraw them to a card fee-free from $5 or use them towards your own transfer. Bonus withdrawals and card-verification micro-charges don’t count. Your friend must sign up through the link — referrals can’t be added retroactively.
Paysend sometimes runs promotions; in September 2026, for example, referral rewards were doubled. These are temporary, so don’t base your expectations on them.
A realistic example
Say you invite three people and each sends money home once a month. That’s 3 transfers × €2.25 = €6.75 a month, up to €81 over the year, after which rewards for those friends end. It’s not passive income — it’s a small thank-you for recommending a useful service to people who already send money abroad. Invite people who genuinely need it, and the rewards follow.
How to start
- Use my referral link or enter promo code 2aee14 at sign-up.
- Install the app and verify your identity.
- Check your route in the calculator: country, currency and total.
- Make a small first transfer — fee-free via the link.
- A second transfer of $100+ earns the $5 bonus.
Is Paysend worth it?
Yes, if you regularly need to send money to cards abroad quickly and your route is supported. It’s regulated, most customers are satisfied, and the cost is visible up front. Compare prices with alternatives on your route and start with a small amount.
FAQ
Is Paysend safe?
It is authorised by the UK FCA as an electronic money institution and holds transfer licences in the EU, Canada and the US. That doesn’t rule out problems, but it does mean regulatory oversight and mandatory standards.
Does the recipient need to sign up?
No. For a card transfer, the card number is enough.
How much can I earn from referrals?
Up to €27 per friend over a year if they make 12 transfers. The real amount depends on how often your referrals send money.
Disclosure: the Paysend links in this article are referral links. If you sign up through them and make transfers, I receive a bonus and you get a fee-free first transfer. Programme terms may change; see Paysend’s website for current terms. This article is for information only.