Western Union vs Wise:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Western Union had more branded searches than Wise among send money brands in New Zealand. Western Union had about 33,300 branded searches, while Wise had 16,200. Western Union made up 47.2% of all send money brand searches we track, and Wise accounted for 23%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about send money brands, Wise appeared in all five answers and Western Union in two. Wise was mentioned before Western Union in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Western Union, about 2 searches for every 1 for Wise
Who does AI mention more?
Wise, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Wise, named ahead of Western Union in every answer
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Top send money brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Wise appeared in all five answers. Western Union was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Wise was listed before Western Union in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Wise5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Xe5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
OFX4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Remitly3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Western Union2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
MoneyGram1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about send money brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which send money brand should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best send money brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best send money brand in New Zealand for sending money overseas?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“send money overseas”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“money transfer service”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Western Union or Wise more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Western Union and Wise by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six send money brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Western Union, Wise. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Western Union | Wise | MoneyGram | Remitly | OFX | Xe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 61.6% | 3.7% | 12.1% | 13.1% | 2.9% | 6.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 61.9% | 2.6% | 11.8% | 15.8% | 2.5% | 5.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 66.1% | 2.7% | 12.7% | 11.3% | 2.5% | 4.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 64.6% | 3.4% | 12.1% | 11.2% | 3% | 5.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 66.2% | 3.7% | 12.5% | 9.4% | 2.4% | 5.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 53.5% | 14.6% | 10.1% | 9.3% | 6.8% | 5.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 26.6% | 59.8% | 5% | 4.6% | 1.2% | 2.9% |
| May 2026 | 15.1% | 75.7% | 3.5% | 3.4% | 0.7% | 1.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 25.6% | 58.1% | 4.9% | 5.3% | 3.4% | 2.8% |
| Jul 2026 | 26.2% | 60.1% | 5.9% | 4.5% | 1% | 2.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.3% | 45.5% | 8.1% | 6.2% | 1.2% | 2.6% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.2% | 23% | 11% | 9.8% | 4.9% | 4.1% |
How has the Western Union and Wise comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Wise took it in April 2026, Western Union took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Western Union’s share of searches among send money brands in New Zealand moved from 61.6% to 47.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.4K to 33.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wise’s share of searches among send money brands in New Zealand moved from 3.7% to 23%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2K to 16.2K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand send money brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Western Union overtook Wise to become the leader among send money brands in New Zealand, with 47.2% of the searches.
In September 2026, Wise lost share of searches among send money brands in New Zealand, from 45.5% to 23%.
How are branded searches counted?
10 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Western Union’s and Wise’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.
Western Union
3 branded search terms
- western union
- western union rates
- westernunion
Wise
7 branded search terms
- wise business
- wise converter
- wise currency converter
- wise fx
- wise transfer
- wise visa
- wise web
Other head-to-heads among send money brands
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