Which services allow you to send money without commission?
Financial support for family and friends in Ukraine is one of the main needs for Ukrainian immigrants in Calgary. The issue of international transfer fees is always relevant, as even a few percent of the amount can make up a significant portion of the budget for regular or large transfers. In 2025, the situation in the money transfer market from Calgary has changed significantly: competition among banks has increased, more online platforms have appeared, transparency has improved, and the number of commission-free options has grown significantly.
Are there really “commission-free” international transfers?
It is important to understand that even if a service claims to have $0 commission, there are always hidden costs when transferring money. These costs may be hidden in a less favorable exchange rate, a fee for receiving funds, or conditions such as “first transaction free.” That is why it is always worth checking the final amount that your recipient in Ukraine will receive, taking into account not only the obvious but also the hidden costs.
Overview of services with real or conditional zero commission
Below are the main services that allow you to send money without transfer fees from Calgary to Ukraine or anywhere else in the world. Please note the additional conditions: sometimes the no commission applies only to the first transfers, during promotions, or when the minimum transfer amount is met.
| No. | Service | Commission | Destination countries | Features/Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotiabank International Money Transfer | $0 (May 1–October 31, 2025) | Worldwide, including Ukraine | All customers during the promotion |
| 2 | CIBC Global Money Transfer | $0 | 130+ countries, including Ukraine | No fees, but a margin is included in the exchange rate |
| 3 | Simplii Global Money Transfer | $0 | Worldwide | Permanent option with no commission |
| 4 | RemitBee | $0 (over $500 CAD) | Ukraine and others | Free for transfers of $500 CAD and above |
| 5 | ATB Global Transfers | $0 (over $1,000 CAD) | 40+ countries, including Ukraine | $5 fee if the amount is less than $1,000 CAD |
| 6 | BMO Global Money Transfer | $0 (for select plans) | 70+ countries, US/Canada | Free for Premium, Platinum, Performance, or to/from BMO US |
| 7 | RBC International Money Transfer | $0 | Worldwide | For all standard account holders |
| 8 | Western Union, MoneyGram, Remitly | $0 (1st online transfer) | Worldwide (including Ukraine) | Only for new customers or promotional offers |
| 9 | PrivatMoney (PrivatBank & RemitBee) | $0 (1st up to 250 CAD) | Ukraine | First transfer up to 250 CAD — free (promotion, early 2024) |
| 10 | TD Global Transfer | $0 (Visa Direct/TD US) | Worldwide, TD US/Canada | Free for Visa Direct/TD US, up to $2,500 per day |
Key features of leading services
Basic banking services
- Scotiabank: From May 1 to October 31, 2025, international money transfers (including to Ukraine) are free for all bank customers.
- CIBC and Simplii Financial: offer global money transfers ($0 per transaction) on an ongoing basis, and customers see the final amount received by the recipient at the time of processing — no surprises.
- RBC: allows you to send funds online with no commission for most destinations.
Fintech and hybrid services
- RemitBee: no fees for transfers of $500 CAD or more. A nominal fee applies for smaller amounts.
- ATB Global Transfers: free for transfers over $1,000 CAD, $5 fee for transfers up to $1,000.
Classic online systems
- Western Union, MoneyGram, Remitly: often offer $0 commission on the first online transfer for new customers. For subsequent transfers, the standard rate applies.
The concept of hidden commissions through exchange rates
It is important to remember that even if the transaction fee is $0, the biggest costs can be hidden in an unfavorable exchange rate. For example, with significant fluctuations in the hryvnia, the difference in the exchange rate can be more than a few percent and exceed the amount of a classic fixed commission. That is why it is worth not only comparing commission terms, but also checking the final amount received after conversion and the time it takes for the funds to be credited.
Non-obvious free options
- PrivatMoney/RemitBee promotional transfers via PrivatBank: limited offers for the first or a certain amount of transfers without commissions appear regularly (for example, transfer $250 CAD in February-March 2024).
- Domestic transfers (Interac e-Transfer): completely free between accounts of many banking packages, but only within Canada and subject to the applicable tariff plan.
Important restrictions and recommendations
- Services with conditional free transfers (RemitBee, ATB) often have a “threshold” for free transactions, after which the free service takes effect.
- All banking groups that do not charge a transfer fee may have a higher margin on the exchange rate. This is most common for large traditional banks.
- If you need to make multiple transfers, register with different platforms and take advantage of promotional periods to save money.
- Always check the licenses, reputation, and reviews of the service you choose.
Conclusions
In 2025, Calgary residents have a wide range of truly competitive options for transferring money to Ukraine or around the world without direct transfer fees. It is worth combining several proven services, constantly monitoring current offers, and most importantly, not being tempted by “$0 commission” without analyzing the final benefit: the final amount for the recipient depends on the conversion rate, the speed of crediting, and additional service conditions.
When looking for the ideal option for a specific amount and recipient country, it is advisable to use aggregators and comparison services, such as Exiap or Wise, and for banks, keep an eye on seasonal promotions, which sometimes offer truly “zero” transfers even for large amounts.