Brandwave

Wise vs Xe:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Xe had more branded searches than Wise among currency exchange services worldwide. Xe had about 246,000 branded searches, while Wise had 71,700. Xe made up 42.4% of all currency exchange service searches we track, and Wise accounted for 12.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about currency exchange services, Wise appeared in all four answers and Xe in two. Wise was mentioned before Xe in every answer.

Among currency exchange services worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Xe, about 3 searches for every 1 for Wise

Xe 246K searchesWise 71.7K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Wise, mentioned in every answer we collected

Wise in 4 of 4Xe in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Wise, named ahead of Xe in every answer

Wise first in 3Xe never first

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Top currency exchange services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Wise appeared in all four answers. Xe was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Wise was listed before Xe in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Wise1st
  2. Western Union2nd
  3. Xe3rd
  4. OFX4th
  5. Travelex–
  6. WorldFirst–
  7. TorFX–
  8. CurrencyFair–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Wise4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Western Union3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Xe2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • OFX2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Travelex0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • WorldFirst0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • TorFX0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • CurrencyFair0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about currency exchange services

4 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which currency exchange service should I use?”

    1. 1Wise
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best currency exchange services?”

    1. 1Wise
    2. 2OFX
    3. 3Xe
    4. 4Western Union
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best currency exchange service for sending money abroad?”

    1. 1Wise
    2. 2Xe
    3. 3Western Union
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “currency exchange services”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “international money transfer”

    1. 1Wise
    2. 2Western Union
    3. 3OFX

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Wise or Xe more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Wise and Xe by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight currency exchange services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Wise and Xe among currency exchange services worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Xe, Wise. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthXeTravelexWiseOFXWorldFirstWestern UnionTorFXCurrencyFair
Oct 202540.4%27.1%9.6%8.1%8.1%4.4%1.6%0.59%
Nov 202542.3%23.2%9.5%8.5%10.4%3.8%1.7%0.62%
Dec 202540.5%22.2%10.3%8.2%12.2%4.5%1.6%0.48%
Jan 202639.5%26.5%11.5%8%8%4.4%1.6%0.58%
Feb 202643%23.6%10.2%8.6%8.6%3.9%1.4%0.63%
Mar 202641.1%22.6%12.8%8.3%8.3%4.5%1.7%0.74%
Apr 202642.7%23.4%12.5%7%8.6%3.9%1.4%0.5%
May 202642.7%23.4%12.5%7%8.6%3.9%1.4%0.5%
Jun 202644.3%19.8%12.9%8.9%8.9%3.3%1.5%0.52%
Jul 202642.4%23.2%12.3%8.5%8.5%3.1%1.4%0.5%
Aug 202637.5%25.2%15.4%7.6%9.2%3.4%1.2%0.54%
Sep 202642.4%23.2%12.3%8.5%8.5%3.1%1.4%0.5%

How has the Wise and Xe comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Xe was ahead of Wise in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wise’s share of searches among currency exchange services worldwide moved from 9.6% to 12.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 58.6K to 71.7K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Xe’s share of searches among currency exchange services worldwide moved from 40.4% to 42.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 246K.

How did search popularity change for currency exchange services worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Xe gained share of searches among currency exchange services worldwide, from 37.5% to 42.4%.

  2. In September 2026, Wise lost share of searches among currency exchange services worldwide, from 15.4% to 12.3%.

How are branded searches counted?

7 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Wise’s and Xe’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Wise

6 branded search terms

  • transfer wise app
  • transferwise apps
  • transferwise mobile app
  • transferwise wise
  • wise app
  • wise business

Xe

1 branded search term

  • xe com

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among currency exchange services

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