This Article was fact checked and last updated for accuracy on July 3, 2025 by Mani Karthik
Personal insights from someone who’s been there, done that.
After moving back from the US in 2017, I’ve tested almost every money transfer service out there. My wife still sends money to her sister in California. My mom needed funds when I was working at SuperMoney.
Trust me, I know the pain of hidden fees.
Today, let’s talk about Skrill. The gaming platform that wants to be your money transfer buddy.
Quick Take: The Good, Bad, and Ugly 🎯
The Reality Check: Skrill is decent but not spectacular. It’s like that friend who means well but charges you for coffee.
Bottom Line: There are better options for India transfers. But let me break it down.
What Exactly Is Skrill? 🤔
Skrill started as a digital wallet for online gambling in 2001. Think of it as PayPal’s cousin who got into gaming first.
Now they’re trying to crack the money transfer market.
Key Stats:
- 1 million+ users globally
- Available in 40 currencies
- Serves 180+ countries
- Owned by Paysafe Ltd (publicly traded)
Personal Note: When I was at Druva, I used Skrill for a few gaming transactions. Never thought I’d review them for money transfers!
The Skrill vs Competition Showdown 📊
Here’s the data that matters:
| Feature | Skrill | Wise | Remitly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | Mid-market + 3.99% fee | Pure mid-market | Mid-market + 0.5-3% markup |
| Transfer Fee | Free (bank transfer) | 0.43-2% of amount | $0-$4.99 |
| Speed to India | 1-3 business days | Minutes to 24 hours | 30 minutes – 5 days |
| Maximum Limit | Varies by account | $1M+ | $50,000 |
| Total Cost* | High due to FX fee | Lowest | Medium |
| User Rating | 4.2/5 (Trustpilot) | 4.3/5 (Trustpilot) | 4.6/5 (Trustpilot) |
*For $1,000 USD to INR transfer
Real Cost Analysis: Where Your Money Goes 💸
Let me get real with you. The 3.99% currency conversion fee is a deal breaker.
Example: Sending $1,000 to India
- Skrill’s hidden cost: $39.90 in FX fees
- Wise total cost: ~$7-15
- Your loss with Skrill: $25-30 extra
My Take: This is exactly why I moved my family’s transfers to Wise in 2018. The “free transfer” marketing is misleading.
Skrill’s Unique Features 🎮
What Skrill Does Well:
✅ Email Transfers: Send money just with recipient’s email
✅ Digital Wallet: Store multiple currencies
✅ Gaming Integration: Perfect if you’re into online gaming
✅ Prepaid Card: Spend globally with their Mastercard
✅ Security: FCA regulated, solid encryption
What They Don’t Tell You:
❌ Maintenance Fee: $5/month if inactive for 12 months
❌ Gaming Focus: Not really built for family remittances
❌ Limited Payout: Mainly bank transfers to India
❌ Customer Service: No phone support
Speed Test: How Fast Is Fast? ⚡
Skrill’s Promise vs Reality:
- Skrill to Skrill: Instant (if recipient has account)
- Bank Transfer: 1-3 business days to India
- Card Funding: Same day processing
Personal Experience: My friend used Skrill last year. The money took 2 days to reach his father’s SBI account. Not terrible, but Wise would’ve been faster.
The India Factor: NRI Specific Insights 🇮🇳
For sending money TO India:
- Supports major Indian banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI)
- No special India corridor benefits
- Higher costs than specialized services
For receiving money IN India:
- Need Skrill account setup
- Limited local customer support
- Better alternatives available
My Family’s Choice: We stick with Wise for regular transfers and Remitly for cash pickup when visiting my in-laws in Chennai.
Hidden Costs Deep Dive 🔍
What Skrill Charges:
| Service | Cost | My Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Currency Conversion | 3.99% | Deal breaker |
| Bank Transfer | Free | Only good thing |
| Card Deposit | 1% | Standard |
| Monthly Maintenance | $5 (if inactive) | Annoying |
| ATM Withdrawal | $2.50 | Reasonable |
The Math: For a $10,000 annual transfer, you’re paying $400 extra compared to Wise. That’s a nice vacation!
Customer Experience: The Good and Frustrating 😤
User Interface: Clean, gaming-style design. Easy to navigate.
Mobile App: Decent but feels like a gaming app converted for transfers.
Customer Support:
- ✅ 24/7 live chat
- ❌ No phone support
- ❌ Slow email responses
Personal Gripe: When I tested their support, took 20 minutes to get a basic fee clarification. Wise responds in 3 minutes.
Security & Regulation: Can You Trust Them? 🔒
The Good News:
- FCA regulated in UK
- FinCEN registered in US
- Segregated client accounts
- HTTPS encryption everywhere
Comparison:
- Skrill: Solid security, gambling-focused heritage
- Wise: Bank-level security, finance-focused
- Remitly: Specialized remittance security
My Take: Security isn’t the issue. Trust factor is lower due to gaming origins.
Best Use Cases for Skrill 🎯
Skrill Makes Sense If:
- You’re already in their gaming ecosystem
- Need a multi-currency digital wallet
- Sending small amounts occasionally
- Want email-based transfers
Skip Skrill If:
- Regular India remittances (use Wise)
- Large transfers (use OFX or Wise)
- Need cash pickup (use Remitly)
- Want lowest fees (definitely use Wise)
Real Alternatives for Smart NRIs 💡
My Recommendations:
- Wise (My #1 Choice)
- Best rates, fastest transfers
- Multi-currency account is gold
- What I actually use
- Remitly (For Flexibility)
- Cash pickup options in India
- Good for elderly parents
- Express vs Economy choices
- Vance (New Kid)
- Flat £3 fee to India
- Growing fast among NRIs
- Worth watching
Avoid:
- Traditional banks (unless you enjoy paying 4x fees)
- Western Union (overpriced for 2025)
- PayPal international (hidden fees galore)
My Final Verdict: Should You Use Skrill? 🤷♂️
Rating: 6.5/10
Pro: Decent service, good security, email transfers are cool
Con: Expensive for regular use, not built for family remittances
Bottom Line: Skrill is like buying a sports car for grocery shopping. It works, but there are better tools for the job.
My Recommendation:
- Use Wise for 90% of your transfers
- Keep Skrill for gaming or occasional multi-currency needs
- Try Remitly when you need cash pickup
The NRI Reality Check 💭
After testing 15+ money transfer services since my move back to India, here’s my honest take:
The best service depends on your specific needs. But for most Indian families, Skrill isn’t in the top 3.
What My Network Uses:
- 70% use Wise (including me)
- 20% use Remitly
- 10% mix of others including Skrill
For My Fellow Back-to-India Warriors: Focus on total cost, not marketing claims. Your family’s financial future matters more than fancy features.
Technical Setup Guide 🛠️
If You Still Want to Try Skrill:
Step 1: Register with email and phone
Step 2: Verify identity (passport/license)
Step 3: Add payment method (bank/card)
Step 4: Send test amount first
Step 5: Monitor total costs carefully
Pro Tip: Always compare real-time quotes before sending large amounts.
Quick FAQ 🙋♂️
Q: Is Skrill available in the US?
A: No, Skrill Money Transfer doesn’t operate in the US currently.
Q: How long do transfers to India take?
A: 1-3 business days typically, sometimes faster.
Q: Are there monthly fees?
A: $5/month if you don’t log in for 12 months.
Q: Can my parents receive money without a Skrill account?
A: Yes, for bank transfers. No for email transfers.
Personal Note: This review comes from genuine experience and research. I’m not sponsored by any money transfer company. Just sharing what works (and what doesn’t) for our community.
Stay Connected: Follow me for more NRI finance tips and back-to-India insights. Because your money should work as hard as you do! 🚀
Sources & Data References:
Data compiled from official Skrill fees page and Wise comparison studies. Trustpilot ratings and user reviews verified as of July 2025. Transfer speed and fee comparisons based on current provider websites.
Links:
- Skrill Official Fees
- Wise India Transfer Guide
- Vance Money Transfer Review
- Remitly vs Wise Comparison
Last updated: July 2025 | Next review: October 2025