Travelex vs Western Union:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Travelex had more branded searches than Western Union among currency exchange services worldwide. Travelex had about 135,000 branded searches, while Western Union had 18,100. Travelex made up 23.2% of all currency exchange service searches we track, and Western Union accounted for 3.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about currency exchange services, Western Union appeared in three of the four answers and Travelex in none.
Who do people search for more?
Travelex, about 7 searches for every 1 for Western Union
Who does AI mention more?
Western Union, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Travelex in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Western Union, the only one of the two named
Follow Travelex vs Western Union and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top currency exchange services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Western Union was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Travelex did not appear in any of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Wise1st- Western Union2nd
Xe3rd
OFX4th- Travelex–
WorldFirst–
TorFX–
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?”
- 1Wise
- 1
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best currency exchange services?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best currency exchange service for sending money abroad?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“currency exchange services”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“international money transfer”
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 Travelex or Western Union more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Travelex and Western Union 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.
Share of searches by month for Travelex, Western Union. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Xe | Travelex | Wise | OFX | WorldFirst | Western Union | TorFX | CurrencyFair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40.4% | 27.1% | 9.6% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 0.59% |
| Nov 2025 | 42.3% | 23.2% | 9.5% | 8.5% | 10.4% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 0.62% |
| Dec 2025 | 40.5% | 22.2% | 10.3% | 8.2% | 12.2% | 4.5% | 1.6% | 0.48% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.5% | 26.5% | 11.5% | 8% | 8% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 0.58% |
| Feb 2026 | 43% | 23.6% | 10.2% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.63% |
| Mar 2026 | 41.1% | 22.6% | 12.8% | 8.3% | 8.3% | 4.5% | 1.7% | 0.74% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.7% | 23.4% | 12.5% | 7% | 8.6% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.5% |
| May 2026 | 42.7% | 23.4% | 12.5% | 7% | 8.6% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 44.3% | 19.8% | 12.9% | 8.9% | 8.9% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 0.52% |
| Jul 2026 | 42.4% | 23.2% | 12.3% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 37.5% | 25.2% | 15.4% | 7.6% | 9.2% | 3.4% | 1.2% | 0.54% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.4% | 23.2% | 12.3% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.5% |
How has the Travelex and Western Union comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Travelex was ahead of Western Union in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Travelex’s share of searches among currency exchange services worldwide moved from 27.1% to 23.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Western Union’s share of searches among currency exchange services worldwide moved from 4.4% to 3.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 18.1K.
How did search popularity change for currency exchange services worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Travelex lost share of searches among currency exchange services worldwide, from 25.2% to 23.2%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Western Union worldwide fell 33.2% over 12 measured months, from 27.1K to 18.1K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Travelex’s and Western Union’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.
Travelex
1 branded search term
- travelex
Western Union
1 branded search term
- western union currency exchange
Other head-to-heads among currency exchange services
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.