Azimo vs Profee
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Money Transfer fits you best.
💰 Pricing
- Base fees are quoted per transaction and depend on destination, payment method, and amount.
- SEPA bank transfers cost €0.99 for transfers within Europe; many African and Asian corridors cost €1.99.
- Card payments incur an additional processing fee of 1.5%–2.75% on top of the base fee.
- Cash pickup may include a local agent fee (€1–€5) not always shown at the time of sending.
- The first transfer (up to €500) is free for new customers.
- Card processing fee is added after you select the funding method – often not shown in initial quote.
- Intermediary bank charges may be deducted from the recipient's amount, especially for bank transfers to less common corridors.
- Exchange rate is not locked until payment; rates may shift between quote and confirmation.
- Some cash pickup agents charge their own administrative fee, which Azimo does not control or refund.
🔧 Features
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Strong Europe-to-Africa payout network: Azimo excels in corridors like UK to Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda, with multiple payout options—bank transfer, cash pickup at thousands of locations, and mobile wallet top-ups (e.g., M-Pesa). This flexibility is critical for recipients without formal banking.
- Speed of delivery: Many transfers to mobile wallets arrive instantly, and bank transfers often complete within minutes, thanks to Azimo's real-time processing network. This is a major advantage over traditional banks that can take days.
- Low or no fixed fees on many routes: For corridors like Poland to Ukraine or UK to Pakistan, there is no transfer fee, only a small spread. This keeps costs predictable for small, frequent remittances.
- User-friendly app and saved beneficiaries: The mobile app allows you to set up transfers in just a few taps, save recipient details, and track history. Recurring transfers can be scheduled, making regular support effortless.
- Diverse funding options: You can pay via bank transfer, credit/debit card, or local payment methods like iDEAL, Sofort, and Bancontact. This is convenient for users who prefer not to share card details.
⚠ Watch out for
- Exchange rate markups can be high on some corridors: While fees are low, the rate margin can be 1-2% or more, which is higher than Wise's near-mid-market rates. For large transfers, this could cost you significantly more.
- Sender country support is limited: Azimo is not available in the US, Canada, or many Asian countries. It only supports sending from select European countries, which excludes a huge chunk of potential users.
- Customer support is inconsistent: Many users report slow response times via email and chat, especially on weekends. There is no phone support, which can be frustrating when issues arise during an urgent transfer.
- Payout delays on certain routes: While many transfers are fast, some bank transfers to certain African countries can take 2-3 business days, which contradicts the 'instant' marketing for those corridors.
- Transparency of total cost: Azimo does not always show the exact exchange rate and mark-up upfront, which can be deceptive. Users must do a comparison to understand the true cost.
🎯 Best for
European residents sending relatively small, regular remittances to emerging markets—especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America—where fast bank transfers and cash pickup are available.
🚫 Who should skip
Anyone in the US or outside supported European sender countries, or those who want strictly mid-market exchange rates with no margin—tools like Wise will be better.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal—the app walks you through a transfer step by step, and you can compare rates before confirming.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Azimo is a solid choice for individuals sending moderate sums from Europe to Africa, Asia, or Latin America who value speed and payout flexibility over the absolute best exchange rate. Those sending large amounts or requiring the best rate should consider Wise. For quick, reliable cash or mobile wal
💰 Pricing
- Card-to-card transfer fee: from €0.50 per transaction, plus a percentage (typically 1.5% to 2.5% depending on corridor and payment method).
- FX markup: 0.5% to 1.5% above interbank rate, varying by currency pair and corridor.
- Bank transfer (SEPA) fee: €1.00 per transaction (if available).
- Cash pickup fee: varies by agent (e.g., 1-2% of amount, minimum €3).
- No subscription fees; pay only for transactions.
- Transfer fees can be deducted from the sent amount or added on top; check total recipient amount.
- Card issuing bank may charge cash advance or foreign transaction fees.
- Recipient bank may deduct incoming wire fees.
- Weekend transfers may incur higher FX markup due to market closure.
🔧 Features
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Specialized Corridor Expertise: Profee's focus on EU-to-CIS and EU-to-Asia corridors is its biggest strength. Services like Wise have restricted transfers to Russia and some Central Asian countries, leaving a void. Profee steps in, offering reliable transfer routes to these regions, which is invaluable for expats, immigrants, and business owners paying freelancers in places like Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan.
- Card-to-Card Convenience: The card-to-card system eliminates the need for bank account details or cash pickup. You only need the recipient's card number. This is a massive time-saver and reduces friction, especially for senders who may not have the recipient's IBAN or similar. It also helps unbanked recipients receive funds directly to their cards, which is common in these regions.
- Instant Transfer Speed: Transfers are typically completed within minutes, which is crucial for urgent remittances. Whether it's helping a family member with an emergency or paying a freelancer promptly, the speed is a major selling point. This is achieved through card network integration, ensuring funds reach the recipient's card almost immediately.
- Transparent Fee Structure (for standard corridors): For popular routes like EU-to-Russia or EU-to-Turkey, Profee offers competitive fees, sometimes even lower than traditional banks. The fee is displayed upfront before you confirm the transfer, with no hidden margins on exchange rates. This transparency builds trust, a key factor in financial services.
- Regulatory Compliance and Security: Profee is licensed in Cyprus and Latvia, operating under EU regulations. This provides a layer of security and accountability, which is reassuring for users sending money across borders. The platform uses encryption and complies with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) directives, ensuring transactions are secure and monitored.
⚠ Watch out for
- Limited Corridor Coverage: Profee is not a global service. It only sends from select EU countries to Russia, Turkey, and Central Asia. If you need to send money to Africa, South America, or other parts of Asia, you'll have to look elsewhere. This narrow focus is excellent for its niche but a dealbreaker for those needing diverse routing.
- Misleading 'Free' Tag: The starting price of $0.5 is promotional and applies to specific corridors and card types. For less common routes or when using certain cards, fees can be higher than competitors like Wise or Revolut. Users have reported that the 'free' tag is misleading, as the actual cost varies and sometimes exceeds expectations.
- Low Transaction Limits: Profee is designed for personal remittances, with limits that are capped. High-volume senders or businesses will quickly hit these limits and be forced to split transfers or seek alternatives. This makes it unsuitable for payroll or large transactions, a significant limitation for some potential users.
- Limited Customer Support Options: Support is primarily via email and an in-app chat, with no phone support. Response times can be slow, especially during peak hours. For a service dealing with money, this lack of immediate assistance can be frustrating, particularly if a transfer is delayed or fails.
- No Business Features: There are no API integrations, multi-user accounts, or invoicing tools. Profee is strictly a consumer service. This is a con for freelancers or small businesses that might want to automate payments or manage team expenses. They would need to use a separate platform for business needs.
🎯 Best for
Individuals in the European Union who need to send money quickly, easily, and affordably to family, friends, or freelancers in Russia, Turkey, and Central Asian countries using just a card number.
🚫 Who should skip
Businesses with high-volume payment needs, people sending money globally outside the supported corridors, and those who prefer traditional bank-to-bank transfers or cash pickup options.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — the platform is straightforward: create an account, verify your ID, enter the recipient's card details, and pay. Even first-time users can complete a transfer in under five minutes.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Profee is an excellent choice for individuals sending remittances from the EU to Russia, Turkey, or Central Asia, especially those who value speed and convenience. However, its limited corridor coverage and low transaction limits mean it's not suitable for businesses or those needing a global soluti
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Azimo if...
- You are: European residents sending relatively small, regular remittances to emerging markets—especially in Africa, Asia, and Lat
- 👍 Specialized in Europe-to-Africa corridors with strong payout infrastructure—bank transfer, cash pick
- 👍 Fast transfers—many bank payouts arrive within minutes, and cash pickup is often available almost im
- 👍 No fixed fee for many route/payout combinations, keeping upfront costs low for small transfers.
- 💰 From $1.07/mo
- ⚠ Trade-off: Exchange rate markup is not competitive on every corridor, so you may get less v
Choose Profee if...
- You are: Individuals in the European Union who need to send money quickly, easily, and affordably to family, friends, or freelanc
- 👍 Specialized in EU-to-CIS corridors, including Russia, Turkey, and Central Asia, where many general m
- 👍 Card-to-card transfer system means no bank account details or cash pickup locations are needed—just
- 👍 Fast transfers, typically arriving within minutes to the recipient's card, which is essential for ur
- 💰 From $0.5/mo
- ⚠ Trade-off: Limited to specific corridors and not a global money transfer solution; sends on
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Azimo charge for money transfers?
Azimo advertises free transfers for many corridors, but that usually means no fixed sender fee. You'll still pay a cost built into the exchange rate (and sometimes fees for certain payment methods). The total cost varies by destination and payout method, so compare the all-in rate shown before confirming.
Which countries can I send money to and from?
Azimo is primarily for sending from European countries to over 190 destinations, with a strong focus on Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Both sender and recipient need to be in supported countries. It is not available in the United States for sending.
How quickly will my recipient receive the money?
Payout speed depends on the destination and method. Bank transfers typically arrive within minutes to a few hours, while cash pickup can be ready within minutes at participating agents. Some corridors may take 1–2 business days.
Is Azimo safe and regulated?
Azimo is authorized and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and holds various licenses across Europe. It uses encryption and follows anti-money laundering regulations. After acquisition by Papaya Global, it operates under the same regulatory frameworks.
🔗 More Money Transfer Comparisons
🔀 Explore Alternatives
📧 Save this comparison
We'll email you a link to this comparison. No spam.