International payments don’t have to be complicated. When you know your options, you can pick the tool that fits your team and budget. Some methods are more effective than others, depending on the specific use case. We’ll go over some of the most common ones:

International wire transfers
Money transfer services
PayPal
Dedicated accounts payable and payroll platforms

As remote work widens the talent pool, you need a payment workflow that is reliable, affordable, and compliant. Below, we break down each method, highlight pros and cons, and show you how to keep every contractor and vendor happy — no currency-conversion headaches required.

1. International wire transfers

International wire transfers are bank-to-bank electronic payments that travel through the SWIFT network. They’re secure and familiar, but can be slow and expensive for the sender.

How a wire transfer works:

Gather the recipient’s bank details (e.g., name, account number/IBAN, SWIFT/BIC, bank address).
Submit the request through your bank — online, in-app, by phone, or in person.
The bank routes the payment through SWIFT; funds may pass through several intermediary banks before landing in the recipient’s account.

Each intermediary can add its own fee, and exchange rates are rarely the best available. Delivery typically takes two to five business days.

The term “international payment” often brings to mind wire transfers — but they're note always the best choice, depending on cost and speed.

2. International money transfers

Money transfer services — think Wise, Western Union, or Xe — bypass the traditional SWIFT rails in favor of their own networks. This often means lower fees, sharper FX rates, and faster delivery.

Typical workflow:

Enter the amount you want to send and view the real-time conversion.
Fund the transfer via bank account, debit card, or credit card.
The provider sends the local-currency equivalent to a payout partner, who completes the transfer to your recipient’s bank or a cash-pickup location.

This model can reduce transaction costs and speed up processing times (sometimes even allowing for same-day case pickup) while maintaining security checks. The trade-off? Money transfer services can be risky. For example, Western Union’s terms and conditions state that the company isn’t liable for damages caused by employee negligence. You can’t get your money back if there’s a mistake like accidentally depositing to the wrong account.

Additionally, the minimum and maximum amounts you can send can vary by service, so you may need to shop around.

3. PayPal

PayPal is a familiar, plug-and-play option, especially for e-commerce businesses — but convenience comes at a price.

Pros:

Instant wallet-to-wallet transfers in 200+ markets
Built-in invoicing and easy integration with e-commerce services
Buyer protection boosts customer confidence

Cons:

Higher fees, including an FX fee, an international transfer fee of 5%, and a fixed fee depending on the country
PayPal only supports 25 currencies for international transfers — otherwise, you have to use its other money transfer service, Xoom, which is only eligible for personal use.
Potential compliance issues if you pay someone via “Friends and Family” instead of “Goods and Services”
PayPal functions as an e-wallet, which means your contractors have to deal with possible delays and withdrawal fees

If both parties already use PayPal, a quick wallet transfer can work in a pinch. However, for large, recurring payments, the extra fees and risk often outweigh the convenience.

4. Accounts payable and payroll platforms

A modern AP or payroll platform wraps everything — payments, compliance, and reporting — into one dashboard:

Automated multi-currency payouts that land on time
Up-front visibility into FX rates and per-transaction fees
Invoice approval flows and one-click sync to your accounting software
Compliant processing keeps sensitive data secure

Tools like Rho (a partner of Plane) even combine corporate cards, banking, and bill pay so you can upload, code, and schedule payments without ever leaving the platform.

Contractor payments and vendor invoices can be automated, ensuring timely delivery and full compliance with local laws.

Choose the international payment method that fits your business

Choosing the right tool depends on your volume, budget, and risk tolerance:

Low volume / one-off payments: A single wire or PayPal transfer may be all you need.
Moderate volume with cost sensitivity: Money-transfer platforms keep fees predictable.
High volume or growing global team: Purpose-built AP and payroll solutions like Plane + Rho automate the heavy lifting and keep you compliant.

The best method today may change as you scale, so revisit your payment mix regularly.

Frequently asked questions

What information do I need to send an international bank payment?

You usually need the recipient’s full name, bank name, SWIFT/BIC code, account number or IBAN, the currency to be sent, and the recipient’s address. Double-check each detail — wrong data can delay or cancel the transfer.

How long do international payments take to arrive?

Timing depends on the method: bank wire transfers can take three to five business days, money-transfer services may deliver in minutes to a day, and PayPal-to-PayPal transfers are often instant. Automated accounts-payable or payroll platforms like Plane usually reach contractors within one to two business days.

How can I learn more about currency exchange fees?

FX fees and markups can be confusing to navigate, but we have good news! We wrote a detailed guide that walks you through the nitty gritty of currency exchange, how fees and markups work, and how to minimize FX costs. Download our free in-depth guide here.

Legal Disclaimer:

The information contained in this site is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.