What is better Paypal or XE???

Hi there, some of you did money transfer and hopefully you can help me. What is cheaper and better for transferring money from UK to Canada. Yes, I am Canadian, pls don't hate me
Lets say on $500 how much would be the fee?
Please reply.

I use paypal and XE and though I'm not sure of what the exact fees would be, I think that XE is better for larger amounts because you'll probably get a better exchange rate.

Thank you

Paypal charges a 2.5% fee.

XE makes its money by the spread between the rate they get and what they charge you.  I'm not sure what the spread is but its less than Paypal's 2.5%. 

Neither.

I've used these guys for a while now. http://www.worldwidecurrencies.com/

Great service, prompt action, and they always beat XE by a significant margin on rates.

My question is, what makes either of these better than a bank? (Sorry if I've asked this before, still trying to get my head around it...)

Your bank is a bank, not a currency trader.

I used my bank (NatWest) once, and it cost me a small fortune. Not good rates, and fees on top of that.

Your bank is a bank, not a currency trader.

I used my bank (NatWest) once, and it cost me a small fortune. Not good rates, and fees on top of that.

The reason I ask is that I used a currency trader once - Travelex - and the rate was wretched compared to the going rate quoted online by (perhaps) XE. I don't understand why that is and what the difference would be between two similar kinds of businesses that are supposedly in competition with one another.