Reviews / Lulu Exchange
Lulu Exchange
★ 4.1A close rival to Al Ansari with a strong branch network and a growing app (Lulu Money), popular with Nepali workers who shop at Lulu Hypermarket locations anyway.
What's good
- +Wide branch network across the UAE, often co-located with Lulu Hypermarket outlets
- +Lulu Money app supports online transfers without visiting a branch
- +Regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE
- +Competitive promotional rates run frequently, especially around festival season
What to watch for
- –Generally priced closer to Al Ansari than to leaner fintech competitors — not the cheapest baseline rate
- –App experience and digital-only support are less mature than dedicated fintechs like Wise or Remitly
A close competitor to Al Ansari
Lulu Exchange competes head-to-head with Al Ansari on branch reach in the UAE, with the added convenience of many locations sitting inside or next to Lulu Hypermarket stores — useful if you’re already running errands there. Its Lulu Money app has closed much of the digital gap with newer fintech entrants.
Watch for promotional windows
Lulu runs rate promotions fairly often, particularly around Dashain-Tihar and other high-remittance-volume periods. If you’re not in a hurry, it’s worth checking whether a promotional rate is live before committing to a different provider.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lulu Exchange cheaper than Al Ansari Exchange for Nepal?+
The two are usually close, and which is cheaper on a given day varies. Check both on the UAE corridor comparison table before sending, especially since Lulu runs frequent promotional rates around festival periods.
Can I send money to Nepal using the Lulu Money app without visiting a branch?+
Yes — Lulu Money's app supports fully digital transfers, though first-time verification usually still requires ID documents.