Remitly vs Wise for the Philippines: Which Sends More Pesos?

"Remitly or Wise?" is one of the most common questions in OFW Facebook groups and on Reddit. The honest answer: it depends on how your family receives the money and how much you send. Here's a side by side comparison, plus a 2 minute method to see which one sends more pesos today.

Disclosure: we've applied to both Remitly's and Wise's affiliate programs and may earn a commission from either. Neither pays for a better position on this page. See how we earn.

The short answer

• Sending to a bank account? Start with Wise. Check Remitly too, especially if it's your first transfer.
• Sending to GCash or Maya? Both work. Wise caps each wallet transfer at 50,000 PHP; Remitly's limits depend on your account. Compare both.
• Need cash pickup or home delivery? Remitly. Wise doesn't offer either.
• Living in the UAE? Remitly. Wise doesn't yet send from AED.
• Living in Saudi Arabia? Neither. See our Saudi Arabia guide.

Side by side

Facts checked against Remitly's and Wise's official pages on 21 Oct 2026. Read the full Remitly review and Wise review.

Pricing: margin vs fee

This is the key difference, and the reason "which one is cheaper" has no single answer.

Wise converts at the mid-market rate, the benchmark rate you see on our hub page, and charges a fee made of a small fixed amount plus a percentage. Everything is visible before you pay.

Remitly shows a fee (sometimes zero) and an exchange rate that's lower than the mid-market rate. The gap between its rate and the mid-market rate is part of the price, even if it isn't called a fee.

Here's today's reference rate for the US dollar, so you can see the benchmark:

What this means in practice:

• Small transfers: fixed fees weigh more. Remitly's low or zero fee can make it competitive, especially on a promo.
• Large transfers: a margin in the rate grows with the amount, while Wise's percentage tends to fall at higher amounts. Wise is often ahead here.
• Payment method matters for both. Bank transfer pay-ins are usually cheaper than card payments.

How to check which sends more pesos today

1. Pick an amount you actually send, for example 500 USD, 2,000 AED or 300 GBP.
2. Open both apps (or websites) and enter the same amount, same payout method and same payment method.
3. Write down the pesos received in each. Include all fees.
4. The higher number wins for that transfer. Done.

If you want to see the total cost as a percentage, divide the pesos received by the amount you paid to get your effective rate, then compare it with the reference rate above.

We'll show live quotes here once we have access to a comparison data feed. Until then, the method above takes two minutes and is the most accurate way to compare.

A worked example (illustrative numbers)

These numbers are made up to show the method, not real quotes. Say the reference rate is 63.00 PHP per USD and you send 500 USD to a bank account.

• App A charges a 0 USD fee but uses a rate of 62.10. Your family gets 500 × 62.10 = 31,050 PHP.
• App B uses the full 63.00 rate but charges a 6 USD fee, so it converts 494 USD. Your family gets 494 × 63.00 = 31,122 PHP.

App B "charges a fee" and still sends about 70 PHP more. Now run it at 100 USD: App A gives 6,210 PHP, App B converts 94 USD and gives 5,922 PHP. At the smaller amount, the zero fee app wins by almost 300 PHP.

That's the whole Remitly vs Wise debate in two lines: the answer flips with the amount. Real fees and rates differ from this example, so always check both apps.

Common mistakes when comparing

• Comparing fees only. A zero fee says nothing about the rate.
• Comparing different payout methods. A bank deposit quote and a cash pickup quote aren't the same product.
• Comparing card vs bank payment. Paying by card usually costs more with both. Use the same pay-in method in both apps.
• Forgetting the promo is one time. A welcome rate is great for the first transfer. For your regular monthly padala, compare the standard price.

GCash: Remitly vs Wise

Both Remitly and Wise are on GCash's official list of international remittance partners for several sending countries. Differences:

• Limits: Wise caps each wallet transfer at 50,000 PHP. Remitly's limits depend on your verification level and sending country, and GCash applies its own wallet limits.
• Speed: both are often fast. Remitly's Express with a debit card is built for speed.
• Name matching: both need the recipient's name to match their fully verified GCash account.

More in our send money to GCash guide and the USA to GCash page.

Cash pickup and home delivery

This is where Remitly clearly wins. Wise only pays into bank accounts and e-wallets. Remitly pays cash at partners like Cebuana Lhuillier and M Lhuillier, and offers home delivery in some areas of the Philippines. If your lola doesn't have a bank account or a smartphone, Remitly is the practical choice.

Speed

Remitly lets you choose: Express (usually with a card, often minutes) or Economy (bank payment, slower, usually cheaper). Its Perfect Delivery Promise refunds the fee if the money arrives later than the time shown.

Wise says many transfers arrive within seconds or minutes once it receives your money. How fast it receives your money depends on how you pay: cards are instant, bank transfers can take longer.

For urgent transfers, both can be fast. For planned monthly transfers, speed matters less than price.

Sender countries

Corridor guides: USA, UAE, UK, Canada, Japan.

Safety and regulation

Both are well established and regulated in every market where they operate. Remitly is registered with FinCEN in the US, regulated by the FCA in the UK, registered with FINTRAC in Canada and with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau in Japan. Wise is authorised by the FCA as an e-money institution, registered with FinCEN, FINTRAC and the Bank of Canada, and registered in Japan. Details and reference numbers are in each review.

Which one should you choose?

Choose Remitly if:

• your family needs cash pickup, home delivery or very fast GCash delivery,
• you live in the UAE,
• it's your first transfer and the welcome offer beats Wise's quote.

Choose Wise if:

• you send to a bank account, especially larger amounts,
• you want to see the real rate and fee,
• you're paid in a foreign currency and want a multi-currency account.

Use both. Many OFWs have both apps and check each before sending. It costs nothing to compare.

Setting up both takes one evening: verify your ID in each app, add your family's bank account and GCash number as saved recipients, and make a small test transfer with each so you know how long it really takes. After that, checking two quotes before payday is a one minute habit. Save the winning quote in a note on your phone for a few months and you'll quickly see which app is usually better for your amount and payout method.

Frequently asked questions

Is Remitly or Wise cheaper for the Philippines?

It depends on the amount, how you pay and how your family receives it. Wise is often cheaper for bank deposits and larger amounts because it uses the mid-market rate. Remitly can be cheaper for small amounts or first transfers with a promo. Compare the pesos received in both apps.

Which is faster, Remitly or Wise?

Both can deliver within minutes. Remitly's Express option with a debit card is designed for speed, and Wise is often fast once your payment arrives. Bank transfer pay-ins are slower with both.

Can I send to GCash with Remitly and Wise?

Yes, both send to GCash and Maya. Wise caps wallet transfers at 50,000 PHP each.

Does Wise have cash pickup in the Philippines?

No. If you need cash pickup, use Remitly or another remittance service.

Can I use Remitly or Wise from Saudi Arabia?

No, neither currently lets you send from Saudi Arabia. Use a local bank or app; our Saudi Arabia guide lists options.