Are you thinking of transferring funds internationally? Here at Exchange Rate IQ, we provide you the detailed and unbiased review of the “best money transfer companies” which are provided by performing complete research on customer satisfaction, safety, etc. So, today we bought you the review of WorldFirst which offer best exchange rates when compared to banks in more than 50 currencies over 80 countries.
WorldFirst is a known and well-established money remittance company. It serves to the individuals, businesses and also provides online e-commerce exchange services. The company manages to offer better exchange rates when compared to banks mainly because of the volumes it. Some of the benefits of using WorldFirst are:
Transparent Fee Structure
Easy-To-Use Website
Competitive Exchange Rates
Review of World First :
Founded in the year 2004, WorldFirst is a UK-based company provides money transfer services to individuals as well as businesses. The company has its headquarters in London, UK. One can transfer the funds from Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Spain, UK and Europe to over 80 countries in more than 50 currencies. Till date, the company has served more than 111,000 customers and traded above £60 billion.
One can transfer the funds through a bank account, debit or credit card using the company’s mobile apps on Android, iPhone or Android Watch. The minimum amount of transfer must be £250 (or the equivalent in any local currency) online or £1,000 over the phone. The company also offers cash pickup through agents, so one can use the services when the recipient is in need of urgent money.
The company is also offering spot contracts, forward contracts, live exchange rate transfers, and rate alert services which help the customers to get the benefit of the best rates. The company aims to provide quick turnaround times as well as a high level of customer services to the users across the world. One can call customer support during the working hours or can request a call.
The company is highly secured and regulated by various authorities in different countries. So, one can use the services of WorldFirst without worries.
Pricing : How much does World First cost?
7
/10
WorldFirst Transfer Fee
The company has a variable fee depending on the mode and currency you are transferring. Still, its standard fee ranges in between $0 to $10.
WorldFirst charges a straight fee of USD $10 for the transfers of $10,000 or less.
It does <>not charge any fee for the transfers above $10,000.
The company has variable pricing for the business transfers lies in between $0 to $10, and this depends on how much you transact with them.
Sending money to an agent location is much cheaper than sending it to the bank account regardless of payment method.
WorldFirst Exchange Rates
The company’s exchange rates are 1% lower than the mid-market prices and interbank rates. This shows that a person has to pay the fee of $10 for transferring every $1,000.
WorldFirst also promises to provide the best prices and if you find any better rates with the other provider, get a quote for the same amount and currency pair, and submit your quote to World First within three hours of receiving it from the other provider. They will provide the best rates as long as they are not into the loss.
So, for its pricing and exchange rate, our experts rate it 7 out of 10.
Transparency: Does World First have any hidden fees?
8
/10
WorldFirst Hidden Fee
The company has no hidden fees; it will show all the details of fee and exchange rates on the transaction page. However, there are many banks, which charge the fees for transferring the funds, so you must first check from your bank.
WorldFirst Tracking
The company provides all the details of the transaction on the dashboard. So, for tracking your transfers, you need to log in and know where your money has reached.
The company has no hidden fees and also providing tracking details on the dashboard. Though, it is not providing any transaction number, so that one can directly check the details of the transaction without logging. Therefore, we rate it 8 out of 10.
Transfer Speed: How long does it take to send money through World First?
7/10
The money transfer speed of WorldFirst depends on various factors, including the mode of payment, the currency you are buying or selling, amount as well as your bank. Generally, the company transfers GBP and EUR on the same business day as soon as it receives the amount and the payment also get to the recipient’s bank on the same day. However, it depends on the bank if it releases the funds or not.
In other currencies, it may take 1 to 4 business days. This time essentially depends on the currency you are transferring. For example:
Swedish kroner take up to One day
East Caribbean dollar takes Up to four days
Australian and New Zealand dollars transacted in 24 hours
The company tries to transfer the funds timely, but it also depends on the intermediaries and receiving bank policies. Therefore, we rate it 7 out of 10 for its speed because many of its competitors are also offering instant transfers.
Coverage: How many Countries & Currencies does World First support?
7/10
The company offers transfers in more than 50 currencies from Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Spain, UK and Europe. The currencies you can send through WorldFirst money transfer are:
AED
NOK
USD
CAD
QAR
ZAR
KWD
EUR
DKK
HUF
CNY
GBP
SGD
ZAR
JPY
ILS
BHD
CHF
BGN
AUD
PHP
RUB
PLN
THB
Besides the money transfer service, the company provides several other services to individuals and businesses which make transfers easier. These are:
Spot Contracts: Rates offered if you need to transfer straightforward.
Forward Contracts: Lock an exchange rate now, but transfer the funds later in the future.
Live Exchange Rate: Company provides continually updated interbank exchange rates between currency pairs.
Currency Converter Calculation: WorldFirst offers online currency conversion calculations based on the interbank rate.
Rate Alerts: One can sign up for rate alerts from the WorldFirst.
The company recently stopped providing its services in the USA, effective from Jan 30, 2019 (after 5 p.m.) and therefore one cannot transact with WorldFirst from 4:00 pm February 20th, 2019. So, one can send money to the USA but not from the country. Besides this, there are many countries which it needs to get cover in Asia and Africa to be a top money remittance company. So, if you want to use the services of the WorldFirst login here.
So, on its coverage basis, Exchange Rate IQ’s experts provide 7 out of 10 scores to the company.
Step-By-Step Guide to Transfer Funds with WorldFirst
Go to the WorldFirst website.
Select the account you want to set up, i.e., Business, Marketplace Seller or Personal.
Click on “Sign up for Fee”.
You will be redirected to a new page.
Here enter all the personal details, phone number, etc.
Select the country where you want to send the funds.
Provide the image of your passport or fill the passport details asked by the company.
Select any two security questions to answer and answer them.
Enter the amount and details of the recipient.
Re-check the details and send the fund.
User experience of World First
7.5/10
WorldFirst provides very high-quality services, but they do not have the lowest fee. The company is good, trustworthy and reliable. One can save up to 0.25% to 4% on the exchange rates when compared to banks. But there are some positive and negative aspects of the company, which are based on customers’ reviews, these are:
Positive:
Efficient and helpful customer care services.
Rapid transfers.
Provides a weekly update of market exchange rates.
Negative:
Less number of currencies available.
Does not accept electronic documentation for proof.
You can call the company in its working hours, or you can request a call from WorldFirst here.
World First Promo Code:
The company offers various discounts through promo codes which are shared to users by SMS, emails or mobile notifications.
World First Refer a Friend
If you refer a friend the services of WorldFirst through the unique link provided by the company, then your account will be get credited with 50 GBP or similar amount in other currencies. (T&C apply)
WorldFirst Money Transfer Apps
The company has been offering its apps, which you can use to make fast and easy transfers, anytime, anywhere. Download the apps here:
The company has combined fast, efficient technology and created dedicated systems to lower the cost of international money transfers. The company is growing with a rate of 40% per year to become of the top FinTech companies in the world. The company has offices in Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Washington, and the Netherlands. So, on overall user experience, we rate it 7.5 out of 10.
Security : Is World First Safe?
10/10
One of the major factors you should consider before using the services of currency exchange provider is how safe and protected they are? So, you must be happy to know that the company is trustworthy and offers high security.
The company is regulated by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) in the UK.
The <>Australian Securities and Investments Commission regulates WorldFirst in Australia.
It has rated “3A2” from Dun and Bradstreet Credit Agency, which means the company has a low risk business and has large reserves of capital.
It is also separately registered in Canada with the Financial Transactions Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department also regulates the company.
The platform uses sophisticated security to protect the personal and financial details of the users, and therefore, we rate it 10 out of 10 in security.
World First FAQ's
What is the minimum and maximum transfer limit of WorldFirst?
The company offers both personal and business transfers which have similar transfer limits. These are:
WorldFirst Minimum Limit: USD $1,000 or similar amount in other currencies
WorldFirst Maximum Limit: USD $10,000 or similar amount in other currencies
Excellent customer service. The service rep, Uma, was very patient and knowledgeable. Helped me pay a supplier and do a foreign exchange! Thanks very much.
by Jo Tafla
Excellent customer service
Review published
ago
Excellent customer service. The service rep, Uma, was very patient and knowledgeable. Helped me pay a supplier and do a foreign exchange! Thanks very much.
by Jo Tafla
Jill was very efficient and very polite
Review published
ago
Jill was very efficient and very polite
by Jean-Francois Chodecki
Jill was very efficient and very polite
Review published
ago
Jill was very efficient and very polite
by Jean-Francois Chodecki
W1 is not a bank, it is a joke
Review published
ago
W1 is completely useless, it is not a bank, it is a joke.
I knew that receiving funds from third parties was prohibited (Why, btw? Ooooh, those scary third parties, let's avoid them), but the VAT return option was available for me in a dashboard. I decided to use W1 at least to receive VAT repayments. I fed W1 details to HMRC and received a first repayment from them. W1 asked to verify the incoming payment. Okay. I decided this was just a technical procedure, and I submitted our last VAT report to W1 support. Those clowns rejected the report and sent a damn 5K+ GBP back to HMRC.
They explained this by some limits on my account. Well, dear W1, if you limit your client don't forget to turn off the inactive features in the dashboard. You work with money, right? Sometimes 5K+ is important a lot. And you failed to just receive it from the strange third party -- the UK government.
by Yuriy
W1 is not a bank, it is a joke
Review published
ago
W1 is completely useless, it is not a bank, it is a joke.
I knew that receiving funds from third parties was prohibited (Why, btw? Ooooh, those scary third parties, let's avoid them), but the VAT return option was available for me in a dashboard. I decided to use W1 at least to receive VAT repayments. I fed W1 details to HMRC and received a first repayment from them. W1 asked to verify the incoming payment. Okay. I decided this was just a technical procedure, and I submitted our last VAT report to W1 support. Those clowns rejected the report and sent a damn 5K+ GBP back to HMRC.
They explained this by some limits on my account. Well, dear W1, if you limit your client don't forget to turn off the inactive features in the dashboard. You work with money, right? Sometimes 5K+ is important a lot. And you failed to just receive it from the strange third party -- the UK government.
by Yuriy
Useless, terrible and utterly horrendous
Review published
ago
This is by far the most useless bank account you can come across. Imagine payoneer, but without the ability to issue cards, receive payments from your clients or having to wait 3 weeks for a payment to get approved.
Unless you are receiving payments from amazon, etsy and sites alike, DONT waste your time with this one.
by Hussam Hamdan
I had a fantastic experience with Jill
Review published
ago
I had a fantastic experience with WorldFirst, thanks to Jill! She was extremely knowledgeable and resolved my queries efficiently. The support was prompt and professional, and Jill made the process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend WorldFirst for anyone needing reliable FX services!
by Abdelhamid El Mouine
Update on worldfirst stealing my funds
Review published
ago
We made a deposit into our WorldFirst account from a bank account in our name but its been nearly 3 weeks now and worldfirst are holding the funds of thousands of pounds. They are refusing to give a real response! they wont send the money back to us and they wont credit it into our account either they are really blatantly just stealing from customers. After two weeks of no response at all as soon as i posted my first experience here they finally sent me an email asking for proof of the payment, I sent bank statements and letters from my bank showing all our company details. Now its been days again and it looks like we're going back to no response. this is honestly just shocking im going to have to report this to the FCA as i dont think theres any other way we'll get our money back.
by A M
Stay vigilant, everyone!
Review published
ago
I feel compelled to share my recent experience with WorldFirst, which has been nothing short of chaotic and unprofessional.
It has now been 21 days since my funds arrived, and despite assurances that they would be credited to my client's account nearly two weeks ago, we are still waiting for resolution. The funds, amounting to 33,238 EUR, were mistakenly sent to an intermediary bank instead of directly to my client's bank, and no one seems able to locate them. They have essentially disappeared due to a mistake on WorldFirst's part.
To make matters worse, their customer service is ignoring my messages, leaving me in the dark about this situation. This has caused unnecessary stress and frustration, not just for me, but for my client and supplier as well.
I can only warn others to think twice before trusting their funds to WorldFirst. It's crucial to choose a service that values professionalism and timely communication.
Stay vigilant, everyone!
****************************
Worldfirst sent me this the 18.Oct.
It's almost 3 weeks ago that the funds should have arrived, instead they sent them to the wrong bank. They don't feel anymore responsible.
Dear Marco
I would like to start off by apologising. Having reviewed this matter I can see there has been a failing on our part.
We received a payment of 33,238.00 EUR into your account on 18/10/2024. This was held for review, which is a common requirement for a payment company. As part of the review, we request documents to ascertain the reason for the payment.
I know originally you had issues providing this online but you did send this across to your relationship manager. I am afraid, it was here that I must apologise as it looks like it was not sent across to our review team.
After our conversation today, when you submitted your documents again, I passed these along to our review team and asked them to expedite this review. I am afraid, they are not able to accept these funds in and will be returning these funds back to source. The Payer should receive these by Friday.
However, to confirm, us returning the funds, is not a reflection on you or the payer. As a business, there are certain transactions which we are better equipped to facilitate than others.
Once again, I do apologise for the failings on our part, and I will remain your point of contact on this matter until your payer confirms they have received their funds back.
Yours sincerely,
Selim
Quality and Complaints Manager
++++++++++++++++++++++
REPLY TO THE REPLY OF WORLDFIRST
While it is indeed common to use intermediary banks in international payments, it is not common for a company to neglect including the necessary instructions for these banks.
Title: A Cautionary Tale About Trusting WorldFirst
I feel compelled to share my experience with WorldFirst, as it has been nothing short of disappointing and frustrating.
It took me 12 years to build trust with my customers, but in just five days, WorldFirst's unprofessional and reckless attitude has jeopardized that hard work. After three weeks of waiting for my client's funds, I discovered that WorldFirst failed to provide the necessary instructions to the intermediary bank. Now, my client's bank is also involved in the search for the missing funds, leaving us all in a state of uncertainty.
Looking back, I regret not reading the reviews about WorldFirst before entrusting them with my client's funds. Had I done so, I would never have chosen to work with them. I urge anyone considering using WorldFirst to think twice and consider the potential risks involved.
Trust is earned, and unfortunately, WorldFirst has demonstrated a lack of care for their customers' funds and peace of mind.
by Marco Quijano Lepori
Sophie
Review published
ago
Sophie
Was so very helpful
Nothing was too much trouble
Very delightful lady !
by Roderick Davies
Not safe
Review published
ago
Not safe, I do not recommend it
by John Kolonil
Excellent Support Team!!!
Review published
ago
Mickey from WorldFirst support team was veryy helpful!! Thank you Mickey and WorldFirst! Cannot wait to work with you!!
by Angela Kassis
Fast or Rapid services and Joao is very…
Review published
ago
Fast or Rapid services and Joao is very cooperative person and helpful
by PRINCE MARON
Very fast & good Support
Review published
ago
Very fast & good Support
by VALAKAS GROUP
感谢Sihan客服专业
Review published
ago
感谢Sihan客服专业,快速的回复,解决了我的疑惑,非常感谢。态度也好,也非常专业。给她点赞,好评
by 袁少伟
Excellent and Very Helpful…
Review published
ago
Cobi was extremely helpful when trying to resolve an issue with setting up a payment for US Dollars. Was very quick sorting the problem and follow up was excellent. Thank you.
by customer
HOLDING MY FUNDS AND NOT RESPONDING
Review published
ago
Its been over 10 days since ive had this horrible experience with world first. At first i thought world first were really good, so much so that i decided to close my old bank account with virgin money and switch completely to world first. however when i closed the account and sent all the money which was thousands of pounds to my world first account they rejected the payment and said they would send it back. i immediately called them and told them i have proof of everything but they said to me they have to speak to the relevant team and see what they can do. i told them that if they send the money back id lose it as my old bank account is now closed but all they said was to wait for a response. its been 10 days and ive gotten 0 response at all, ive called, live chatted and emailed where it says they respond in max 2 working days but its now been over a week and i have no idea where my thousands of pounds are.
by A M
Problem solved all was good!!
Review published
ago
Problem solved all was good!!
by FP
Very happy with the way Cobi handled…
Review published
ago
Very happy with the way Cobi handled this issue. Clear information and constant reliable communication
by Ben Lewis
Misleading Information, Wasted Time, and Incompetent Support
Review published
ago
I reached out to WorldFirst to open a World Account as a citizen of Kazakhstan. At the initial stage, customer support confirmed twice that the service was available for Kazakh citizens and provided a list of required documents. Based on this information, I followed the instructions and submitted my documents once. However, after submitting, I was informed that the service was, in fact, not available in my country.
Clarifying the situation and corresponding with WorldFirst took nearly two weeks, during which I received conflicting responses. My efforts and time were wasted, as despite the initial confirmations, the service was ultimately unavailable.
WorldFirst never explained why they initially confirmed availability and later declined. Instead, they attempted to shift responsibility onto me, claiming it was a misunderstanding on my part.
Such incompetence and inconsistency make WorldFirst an unreliable choice. I do not recommend using WorldFirst, especially for those who expect clear communication and reliable support.