"Zero fees!" is one of the most misleading phrases in money transfer. The real cost of sending money abroad has two parts – and providers are only loud about one of them.
1. The transfer fee
This is the visible charge added when you send. It's easy to compare, which is exactly why some providers set it to zero and make their money elsewhere.
2. The exchange-rate markup
The hidden cost. If the real mid-market rate is 1 CAD = 450 XAF and your provider gives you 430 XAF, that 20 XAF gap on every dollar is a hidden charge – on a $500 transfer, it can quietly cost more than any visible fee.
How to compare fairly
- Ignore the marketing and look at one number: how much your recipient actually gets.
- Check the rate at the moment of sending – rates move throughout the day.
- Confirm the delivery time; a cheap transfer that takes a week can cost more in practice.
DicePay shows the live rate, the full fee, and the exact amount your recipient receives before you confirm – so the number you see is the number that arrives.