An ACH transfer sends funds from one bank to another using the Automated Clearing House network. A request has to be made from the payor's bank account to process an ACH transfer. Then, the payor's bank will send the funds through the Automated Clearing House network to a recipient's bank account.
Wire transfers are interbank electronic payments used to transfer funds directly from one entity's bank account to another. The wire instructions include the bank account number and ABA bank routing number for the payer receiving the money.