If you’re based in Australia and looking for a cost-effective, reliable way to send money overseas, you’ve likely come across both OrbitRemit and Instarem. Both are established digital money transfer providers — but they serve different markets, offer different delivery options, and come with different fee structures.
This comparison covers what each provider actually offers, so you can make a confident, informed decision based on your specific needs.
Note: As of 2026, Instarem does not offer outbound transfer services from New Zealand. This comparison covers transfers sent from Australia only. New Zealand customers can send money internationally with OrbitRemit here.
Quick Comparison: OrbitRemit vs Instarem at a Glance
About OrbitRemit
OrbitRemit was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand — making it one of the few international money transfer services that is genuinely home-grown to the Australia–New Zealand region.
From Australia, OrbitRemit supports transfers to 50+ destination countries across South and Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and beyond. Its strongest corridors include the Philippines, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Pakistan.
Regulation in Australia: OrbitRemit is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and registered with AUSTRAC as a money remitter. Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) number: 470646.
Regulation in New Zealand: OrbitRemit is supervised by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) as a licensed money remitter. FSPR registration: FSP7721.
Source: orbitremit.com/about
About Instarem
Instarem was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Singapore. It is part of Nium, a global fintech company. Instarem initially launched as a service for Australian-based expats sending money to India, and has since expanded to serve customers sending from Australia, Singapore, the US, UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, and the EU.
From Australia, Instarem supports transfers to 60+ countries, including India, the Philippines, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and many others.
Regulation in Australia: Instarem is regulated in 11 jurisdictions worldwide, including Australia.
Note: As of 2026, Instarem does not currently offer outbound transfer services from New Zealand.
Source: instarem.com/en-au
Fees and Exchange Rates
Understanding the true cost of a transfer requires looking at both the transfer fee and the exchange rate applied — the total amount your recipient receives is what matters.
OrbitRemit
OrbitRemit charges flat fees per transfer, regardless of the amount sent (except for large transfers, which are fee-free above certain thresholds). Fees vary by destination country and delivery method, and are shown upfront before you confirm your transfer.
Examples from Australia:
- AUD to PHP via GCash: flat fee applies (check orbitremit.com/philippines for current rate)
- AUD to INR via bank deposit: flat fee applies (check orbitremit.com/india for current rate)
Large transfers: Transfers above $10,000 is fee-free. Check OrbitRemit’s current terms for applicable limits.
New customers: A promotional rate and $0 fee applies to the first transfer. Terms and conditions apply.
The flat-fee model means OrbitRemit tends to offer proportionally better value on larger transfers, where a percentage-based fee would otherwise cost more.
Source: orbitremit.com
Instarem
Instarem charges a percentage-based fee ranging from 0.25% to 1% of the transfer amount, depending on the corridor, payment method, and transfer size. For some currencies and at certain times, Instarem applies a zero-margin exchange rate — meaning no markup on top of the mid-market rate.
The percentage fee structure means costs scale with transfer size. On smaller amounts, percentage fees can be quite low; on larger amounts, the absolute cost increases.
New customers: Instarem offers a promotional first-transfer offer, including a fee waiver and/or a discount code (e.g. WELCOME for AUD 5 off transfers of AUD 1,000 or more). Check Instarem’s website for current terms.
Source: instarem.com/en-au
Delivery Options
Delivery options are a meaningful differentiator between these two providers — especially for senders whose recipients need access to mobile wallets or cash pickup.
OrbitRemit
OrbitRemit supports multiple delivery methods across its corridors, including:
- Mobile wallets — GCash, PayMaya, GrabPay, Coins.ph (Philippines); available for other corridors where supported
- Bank deposit — to major banks in destination countries; typically same business day
- Cash pickup — over 5,000 locations in the Philippines; available in selected other corridors
Source: orbitremit.com/philippines
Instarem
Instarem primarily delivers transfers via bank deposit. Cash pickup is available for the Philippines corridor. Mobile wallet delivery is not broadly available.
Source: finder.com.au — Instarem review
What this means in practice: If your recipient uses GCash, GrabPay, PayMaya, or Coins.ph — or if they need cash pickup access — OrbitRemit currently supports more delivery options across these corridors.
Transfer Speed
Both providers offer competitive transfer speeds compared to traditional banks.
OrbitRemit
- Mobile wallet transfers (e.g. GCash to the Philippines): typically within minutes of payment being processed
- Cash pickup: typically within 1–2 hours
- Bank deposit: typically same business day
Source: orbitremit.com/philippines
Instarem
Instarem states that most transfers are completed same day, with many corridors supporting instant or near-instant delivery. For bank deposits, transfers typically arrive within 1–2 business days, depending on the corridor and receiving bank.
Countries and Corridors
OrbitRemit
OrbitRemit supports 50+ destination countries, with a focus on Asia-Pacific remittance routes. Key corridors available from Australia and New Zealand include:
- Philippines, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and more
Full destination list: orbitremit.com/destinations
Instarem
Instarem supports transfers to 60+ countries from Australia, with a broader global footprint including corridors in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa in addition to Asia-Pacific.
If you need to send to a country outside OrbitRemit’s 33+ corridors, Instarem may cover that destination.
Source: instarem.com/en-au
Rewards Programme
OrbitRemit does not currently operate a points or rewards programme.
Instarem offers InstaPoints — a loyalty programme where customers earn points on every transfer, referral, and sign-up. Points are redeemable for fee discounts or air miles, depending on your location and the redemption options available.
Source: instarem.com/en-au
For customers who transfer frequently and value a rewards component, Instarem’s InstaPoints programme is a feature worth considering.
Business Transfers
Both OrbitRemit and Instarem support business accounts.
OrbitRemit supports business transfers alongside personal transfers for selected corridors, with higher transfer limits for business accounts. Check orbitremit.com for the corridors where business transfers are currently available.
Instarem offers a dedicated business product with specialised support. Businesses transferring large amounts (over AUD 30,000) may be eligible for special rate discounts.
Sources: orbitremit.com | instarem.com/en-au/business
Customer Reviews
OrbitRemit holds a Trustpilot Excellent rating based on over 33,000 reviews. It also holds a ProductReview.com.au Top Rated badge for 2025 and 2026, and was awarded WeMoney Best for Value 2025.
Instarem holds a Trustpilot Excellent rating based on over 8,000 reviews, with an average score of 4.4 out of 5.
Both services are well-regarded by their customers. OrbitRemit’s larger review volume reflects its longer operating history and strong base in the Australia–New Zealand market.
Sources: trustpilot.com/review/orbitremit.com | instarem.com/en-au
Which Provider Is Right for You?
There is no single “best” money transfer provider for all situations. The right choice depends on where you’re sending, how much you’re sending, how your recipient wants to receive the money, and how much you value extras like rewards points.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
OrbitRemit may suit you if:
- You’re sending money from Australia or New Zealand
- Your recipient needs GCash, GrabPay, PayMaya or Coins.ph delivery
- Your recipient needs cash pickup (Philippines and selected corridors)
- You prefer flat fees that don’t scale with transfer size
- You want a provider founded and headquartered in the ANZ region with 50+ destination countries
Instarem may suit you if:
- You’re sending from Australia to a country outside OrbitRemit’s corridors
- You want to earn loyalty points on every transfer
- You primarily need bank deposit delivery and value rate transparency
- You’re sending smaller amounts where a low percentage fee is competitive
Always compare the total amount your recipient will receive — not just the headline fee — before confirming any transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OrbitRemit available in New Zealand?
Yes. OrbitRemit is headquartered in Wellington and is a supervised money remitter in New Zealand under the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Customers can send money to 50+ countries from both Australia and New Zealand.
Is Instarem available in New Zealand?
As of 2026, Instarem does not offer outbound transfer services from New Zealand. Instarem is available to send from Australia.
Are OrbitRemit and Instarem regulated in Australia?
Yes. OrbitRemit holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL: 470646) and is registered with AUSTRAC. Instarem is regulated in 11 jurisdictions, including Australia.
Which is cheaper — OrbitRemit or Instarem?
Cost depends on the corridor, transfer amount, and delivery method. OrbitRemit charges flat fees that become proportionally lower on larger transfers. Instarem charges a percentage fee (0.25%–1%) that scales with the transfer amount. Always use each provider’s calculator to compare the exact AUD figure your recipient will receive before choosing.
Can I send money to GCash from Australia?
Yes. OrbitRemit supports direct GCash transfers from Australia to the Philippines. Check orbitremit.com/philippines for current fees and rates.
Does Instarem offer cash pickup?
Instarem supports cash pickup for the Philippines corridor. For most other destinations, delivery is via bank deposit only.
Sources: orbitremit.com | instarem.com/en-au | finder.com.au — Instarem review
Send Money from Australia with OrbitRemit
OrbitRemit has been helping Australians and New Zealanders send money overseas since 2008. With transparent flat fees, multiple delivery options including GCash and cash pickup, fee-free transfers above AUD/NZD $10,000, and a Trustpilot Excellent rating from over 33,000 reviews, OrbitRemit is a trusted choice for the Asia-Pacific corridors that matter most.
- Regulated by ASIC in Australia | DIA-supervised in New Zealand
- Flat fees, shown upfront before you confirm
- Mobile wallets, bank deposit and cash pickup supported
- Rated Excellent on Trustpilot from over 33,000 reviews
- WeMoney Best for Value 2025 and WeMoney Excellent Rates & Fees 2025 | ProductReview.com.au Top Rated Money Transfer Services 2025 & 2026
Rates, fees, and product features are subject to change. Always verify current terms directly with each provider before making a transfer. This post was last updated May 2026.
Sources: orbitremit.com | instarem.com/en-au/personal | finder.com.au — Instarem review | moneytransfer.com.au — Instarem review
