Moving money electronically is the safest and fastest way to transfer funds. It eliminates the risk of lost mail or someone intercepting the funds. You have two main options when transferring funds, ACH and wire transfer. When looking at ACH vs wire transfer, which is better, or are they equal? In this article, we’ll discuss the differences so you can decide which one suits your financial transactions.
What is an ACH payment?
An ACH transfer or automated clearing house payment refers to money electronically transferred from one bank to another. ACH payments move through a network of banks, with a clearinghouse completing the transactions.
ACH payments occur in batches when the clearinghouse clears all payments received for the day. In most cases, the clearinghouse ensures the payments make it from the sending back to the receiving bank by the next business day.
Banks receive ACH payments in batches. It’s up to each bank to send the payment to the correct bank account. The process is automatic, though, so there isn’t a delay when bankers get behind.
This is how banks can seamlessly send payments in a short period. The process depends on the clearinghouse and its speed in processing the batch.
What is a wire transfer?
A wire transfer is another type of electronic transfer. But, they occur as a single transaction rather than a batch. This makes wire transfers complete faster since banks don’t have to wait for a clearinghouse to clear batches of payments.
Wire transfers are more common for large transactions, especially when buying a house. The title company usually requires a wire transfer versus a check or ACH payment because wire transfers are instant. The title company can’t release the property until they know the funds are cleared, which occurs instantly with wire transfers. Like ACH transfers, a wire transfer sends funds from one bank to another electronically.
The difference between ACH and wire transfer
When looking at the difference between ACH and a wire transfer, there are some key differences to understand to make the right choice.
Processes
The process for ACH vs wire transfer is very different. For ACH transfers, you complete a form, usually with your employer (for Direct Deposit) or your creditor for automatic withdrawal, for example. You may also use ACH to transfer funds from one bank account to another, which is common when saving money.
Wire transfers have a different process. Since you wire funds from one bank to another, you must provide the bank name, routing number, and account number for both the sending and receiving bank.
Common uses
Wire transfers and ACH transfers have different uses, mainly because of the fees charged. These fees are tied to how banks make money. Wire transfers are instant, so they cost more, so most people use them for large transactions, such as buying a house or transferring a large sum of money for investment.
ACH transfers are more commonly used for small transfers. The most common uses include:
- Direct Deposit
- Automatic bill payment
- Electronic bank transfers between your own accounts
- Automatic withdrawal for savings products, such as your IRA
ACH vs wire transfer speed
When looking at ACH vs wire transfer, speed is a major factor. Wire transfers occur instantly, in some cases, or at the most one business day because they go directly from one bank to another. The largest holdup in a wire transfer is waiting for a banker to review the transfer and credit the account.
ACH transfers happen in batches and only clear once a day. The clearinghouse clears many (sometimes hundreds) of transfers at one time. The entire process can take from 1 - 3 business days, but some companies offer same-day ACH transfers for a small fee.
Certainty
ACH and wire transfers are both ‘certain’ transfers, although there’s a bit more certainty and finality in a wire transfer since most can’t be reversed.
ACH transfers are safe. They are transfers from one bank account to another, but the sender can reverse them. For example, if your employer pays you a higher bonus than he was supposed to, they can reverse the ACH withdrawing the funds from your account. The sender must prove the mistake beyond a reasonable doubt before a bank will reverse it, though. NACHA Operating Rules oversee ACH transfers, making them more certain and less risky for everyone involved.
Wire transfers are as sure as cash. Once the funds hit your account, they are yours to spend. Since a bank won’t send a wire transfer until it verifies that the sender has available funds, the funds are immediately posted to your account. You cannot reverse a wire transfer, so always double-check account numbers and routing information before sending one.
Security
Both ACH and wire transfers are safe when dealing with a reputable bank and/or person transferring the funds. Anytime you share sensitive information, such as your bank account or routing number, it’s critical to know who you’re dealing with to ensure no one steals your information.
There is a higher risk when you send money rather than receive it, so always safeguard your information before sending it.
Cost to send and receive
Knowing the cost to send and receive funds is important. While neither ACH nor wire transfers cost a lot to send or receive, you should know the costs.
Most ACH transfers are free, especially Direct Deposit and automatic bill payment. Other ACH transfers may cost $1 or more, such as PayPal or Venmo transfers to peers.
Wire transfers almost always cost money. The cost varies by the amount of transfer and the bank, but in general, they cost between $10 and $35 for domestic transfers and more for international to send, but to receive wire transfers is usually free.
ACH vs wire transfer: Which one is right for you?
Deciding between ACH vs wire transfer comes down to the reason for the transfer. If you’re transferring funds to a friend or signing up for Direct Deposit, for example, you’ll use ACH transfers, which usually cost nothing or only a few dollars.
If you have a large transaction, though, it’s more secure (and instantaneous) to do a wire transfer. For example, if you’re buying a house, you wouldn’t want to wait for an ACH transfer to complete. You can’t take possession of the house until the funds clear, which with a wire happens instantly.
The differences between ACH vs wire transfer are important
Both ACH and wire transfers are safe and dependable. They get your money from Point A to Point B, but the reason determines which one is right for you. Most people use ACH transfers for typical transfers, saving wire transfers for large or security-based transfers.
Looking at the difference between ACH and wire transfers helps you understand the most secure and timely way to send money, whether you’re in a pinch or have time to wait for the transfer.