How to keep track of exchange rates

Published 06 May 2026

Exchange rates fluctuate constantly, influenced by a range of factors such as global events, market sentiment, and central bank decisions.

Even a small change can have a big impact, particularly if you’re sending a large sum of money overseas, while the constant volatility can make it difficult to budget ahead for ongoing or regular payments.

The good news is that you don’t need to be a currency expert to stay on top of these changes. There are plenty of simple ways to track currency exchange rates, from free apps and websites to automated alerts that deliver updates straight to your phone.

By keeping informed, you can make transfers at the right time and get the most value for your money, without feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Why you should track exchange rates

Tracking exchange rates gives you the best chance of securing a favourable rate when transferring money abroad. It helps you spot when the rate is strong and it’s a good time to move your funds, or when it’s weak and worth waiting for improvement.

Even small shifts can make a big difference. For example, on a £250,000 transfer, a 2% movement in the pound to euro rate could change the outcome by around €5,800.

Ways to track exchange rates

There are many ways you can track exchange rates, depending on how actively you want to manage your transfers.

Manual methods

Checking rates manually is simple, but it requires constant effort. You can Google the currency pair, visit financial news websites, or find and bookmark a trusted live rates page online. These methods are reliable but time consuming. And if you forget to check the rates, you could miss an ideal transfer window.

Currency apps

A more convenient way is to use a dedicated app, such as the Currencies Direct app, to track currency exchange rates. These apps make it easier to monitor currencies with instant access to real-time rates.

Currency transfer apps also allow you to book a trade so you can seize the right rate when it comes, and they may open up access to better tracking and transfer tools.

Specialist tools, insights and alerts

Specialist money transfer companies like Currencies Direct offer tools and insights to make tracking exchange rates effortless.

Rate alerts are one of the best tools for tracking rates. This free set-and-forget service allows you to simply choose your target rate, and the system notifies you when it’s reached. You can also opt in for free daily or weekly updates on the currency market, as well as email alerts to let you know if a big market-moving event is coming up or if there’s been a sudden significant swing in the currency market.

These tools remove the need for constant manual checking, helping you keep track of exchange rates with minimal effort.