Remitly Fees for Philippines (2026): Full Cost Breakdown
Last updated: July 2026
Understanding Remitly's true cost for Philippines transfers goes beyond the advertised fee. Remitly charges in two ways — a transfer fee and an exchange rate margin. This guide breaks down both so you know exactly how much your recipient will get in PHP before you send.
How Remitly charges for Philippines transfers
Remitly has two cost components you need to understand:
Transfer fee
A fixed fee charged per transfer. Amount varies by transfer speed and payment method. First transfer is often free for new users.
Exchange rate margin
The difference between the mid-market rate and the rate Remitly gives you. Typically 1–2% for Philippines transfers. This is where the hidden cost lives.
💡 Key insight: Always look at the PHP amount your recipient gets — not just the fee. A $0 fee transfer with a 2% margin costs more than a $5 fee transfer with a 0.6% margin on amounts over $250.
Is Remitly really free? Promotional rate vs standard rate explained
Remitly's "$0 fee" promotion is real — but it's not the full story. Here's what actually happens:
First transfer (promotional)
- ▸Transfer fee: $0 ✅
- ▸Exchange rate: promotional rate (often better)
- ▸Available to: new users only
- ▸One-time benefit
Subsequent transfers (standard)
- ▸Transfer fee: $0–$3.99+ (varies)
- ▸Exchange rate: 1–2% below mid-market
- ▸Available to: all users
- ▸Repeating cost per transfer
⚠ The real cost: Even with $0 transfer fee, Remitly's 1–2% exchange rate margin costs $10–20 on a $1,000 transfer. Always compare the PHP recipient amount — not just the fee — to see the true cost.
Remitly fees by transfer speed
Remitly offers two transfer speeds for Philippines — each with different costs:
| Speed | Delivery time | Transfer fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express | Minutes | Varies (often $0 first) | Urgent transfers, GCash |
| Economy | 3–5 days | Lower than Express | Non-urgent, save on fees |
* Exact fees vary by amount, payment method and promotions. Always verify on Remitly's website before sending.
Remitly fees by transfer amount — Philippines
Here's the true cost breakdown at each transfer size — including the exchange rate margin that doesn't show up in the advertised fee:
| You send | Transfer fee | Rate margin cost | PHP received | vs Wise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $0 (promo) / $2.99+ | ~$1.50 | ~₱5,620 | ~₱80 less |
| $200 | $0 (promo) / $2.99+ | ~$3.00 | ~₱11,200 | ~₱150 less |
| $500 | $0 (promo) / $2.99+ | ~$7.50 | ~₱28,000 | ~₱500 less |
| $1,000 | $0 / $2.99+ | ~$15.00 | ~₱56,800 | ~₱400 less |
| $2,000 | $0 / $2.99+ | ~$30.00 | ~₱113,600 | ~₱1,100 less |
| $5,000 | $0 / $2.99+ | ~$75.00 | ~₱284,000 | ~₱6,000 less |
| $10,000 | $0 / $2.99+ | ~$150.00 | ~₱568,000 | ~₱12,000 less |
* Rate margin based on ~1.5% typical Remitly margin. Promotional rates may be better for first transfer. Use RateMigo for live exact amounts.
Remitly vs Wise — PHP recipient comparison
| You send | Remitly (PHP) | Wise (PHP) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | ~₱11,200 | ~₱11,350 | ~₱150 more with Wise |
| $500 | ~₱28,000 | ~₱28,500 | ~₱500 more with Wise |
| $1,000 | ~₱56,800 | ~₱57,200 | ~₱400 more with Wise |
| $2,000 | ~₱113,600 | ~₱114,700 | ~₱1,100 more with Wise |
* Approximate figures. Use RateMigo for live exact amounts.
How much PHP will my recipient get with Remitly?
Here's an estimate of what your recipient gets in PHP with Remitly vs the cheapest alternative (Wise) at different transfer amounts:
| You send | Remitly (PHP) | Wise (PHP) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | ~₱11,200 | ~₱11,350 | ~₱150 more with Wise |
| $500 | ~₱28,000 | ~₱28,500 | ~₱500 more with Wise |
| $1,000 | ~₱56,800 | ~₱57,200 | ~₱400 more with Wise |
| $2,000 | ~₱113,600 | ~₱114,700 | ~₱1,100 more with Wise |
* Approximate figures based on current rates. Use RateMigo for live exact amounts.
Remitly fees for GCash delivery to Philippines
Remitly is one of the few providers that supports direct GCash and Maya wallet transfers from the USA, UK, UAE and Canada to the Philippines. Here's what you need to know about GCash delivery fees:
- ✓GCash delivery fee: Remitly doesn't charge a separate GCash delivery fee. The same transfer fee applies regardless of delivery method (bank or GCash).
- ✓Exchange rate margin: The 1–2% exchange rate margin applies to all Remitly transfers including GCash — regardless of delivery method.
- ✓GCash delivery speed: GCash transfers via Express typically arrive within minutes — often faster than bank deposits which may take a few hours even on Express.
- ✓GCash transfer limits: GCash has its own wallet limits (typically ₱100,000 for verified accounts). Large transfers may need to go to a bank account instead.
- ✓First transfer promo: The zero-fee first transfer promotion applies to GCash delivery too — making your first GCash transfer free of the fixed fee.
💡 GCash tip: If your recipient uses GCash, Remitly Express is your best option — funds arrive in minutes at no extra GCash delivery fee. Wise doesn't support GCash, making Remitly the go-to for wallet transfers.
Remitly fees by payment method — Philippines
How you pay for your Remitly transfer affects the total cost:
Bank transfer (ACH/wire)
RecommendedLowest cost
No surcharge on top of Remitly's transfer fee. Always use this when possible.
Debit card
~1.5% extra
Small surcharge added on top of transfer fee. Faster funding but costs more.
Credit card
~3% extra
Highest surcharge. Avoid unless absolutely necessary.
Remitly fees for Philippines by sending country
Remitly fees vary slightly by sending country. Here's a summary:
| Sending from | Currency | Typical fee | GCash supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | USD | $0 (first) / $2.99+ | ✅ Yes |
| UK | GBP | £0 (first) / £2.99+ | ✅ Yes |
| UAE | AED | AED 0 (first) / varies | ✅ Yes |
| Canada | CAD | CAD 0 (first) / varies | ✅ Yes |
| Australia | AUD | AUD 0 (first) / varies | ✅ Yes |
* Exact fees vary by amount and promotions. Always verify on Remitly's website.
Is Remitly safe for Philippines transfers?
Yes — Remitly is a fully regulated and licensed financial institution. Here's why it's safe to use:
- ✓Licensed in all operating countries: Remitly holds money transmitter licenses across all US states and is regulated in every country it operates.
- ✓FinCEN registered (USA): Registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network in the United States.
- ✓FCA authorized (UK): Authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
- ✓Bank-level encryption: All transfers use 256-bit SSL encryption. Your financial data is fully protected.
- ✓Money-back guarantee: Remitly offers a satisfaction guarantee — if your transfer doesn't arrive on time, they'll refund your fees.
How to reduce Remitly fees for Philippines transfers
- ▸Use the first-transfer free promotion: New Remitly users often get their first transfer free. Take advantage of this before paying standard fees.
- ▸Fund via bank transfer not card: ACH bank transfer avoids the 1.5–2% card surcharge. Always fund via bank transfer when possible.
- ▸Choose Economy over Express: If your transfer isn't urgent, Economy speed has lower fees than Express. 3–5 days vs minutes.
- ▸Compare with Wise before each transfer: For amounts over $300, Wise often delivers more PHP. Always check both before sending.
- ▸Watch for promotional rates: Remitly occasionally offers better exchange rates on specific corridors. Check their app for current promotions.
Frequently asked questions — Remitly fees Philippines
What are Remitly's fees for sending money to the Philippines?+−
Remitly's fees for Philippines transfers depend on the transfer speed and payment method. Economy transfers (3-5 days) typically have lower fees than Express transfers (minutes). The first transfer is often free. Remitly also applies a small exchange rate margin on top of the mid-market rate.
Is Remitly's first transfer to Philippines really free?+−
Yes — Remitly frequently offers a zero-fee first transfer promotion for new users. This applies to Philippines transfers. The exchange rate margin still applies but there's no fixed transfer fee for your first send.
Does Remitly charge different fees for GCash vs bank deposit?+−
Remitly's fees can vary by delivery method. GCash and Maya transfers via Express may have different fee structures than bank deposits. Always check the exact fee on Remitly's website before confirming your transfer.
Is Remitly cheaper than Western Union for Philippines?+−
Yes — Remitly is almost always cheaper than Western Union for bank deposits and GCash transfers to the Philippines. Western Union applies a 2–4% exchange rate margin while Remitly's margin is typically 1–2%.
Is Remitly cheaper than Wise for Philippines transfers?+−
For first-time senders, Remitly's free first transfer makes it cheaper. For regular transfers, Wise typically delivers more PHP because it uses the mid-market rate with a small flat fee. The difference on a $1,000 transfer is approximately ₱400–₱800 in favor of Wise.
How do I avoid Remitly fees for Philippines transfers?+−
Use Remitly's first-transfer free promotion as a new user. Fund via bank transfer (ACH) rather than debit or credit card to avoid card surcharges. For subsequent transfers, compare Remitly with Wise to find the cheapest option for your specific amount.
What are Remitly's fees for GCash transfers to Philippines?+−
Remitly supports direct GCash transfers to the Philippines. Fees for GCash delivery via Express are similar to bank deposits — often free for first-time users. The exchange rate margin of 1–2% still applies regardless of delivery method. Always check the exact PHP amount before confirming.
Does Remitly charge fees from UAE to Philippines?+−
Yes — Remitly is available in the UAE for Philippines transfers. Fees depend on transfer speed and payment method. Express delivery to GCash or Philippine banks is available from UAE. Fund via UAE bank transfer for the lowest cost.
What is Remitly's exchange rate for Philippines today?+−
Remitly's USD to PHP exchange rate is typically 1–2% below the mid-market rate. The exact rate changes daily. Use RateMigo's live comparison to see today's exact Remitly PHP rate versus other providers before sending.
Is Remitly really free the first time for Philippines transfers?+−
Yes — Remitly's first transfer promotion is genuine. New users typically get zero transfer fee on their first Philippines transfer. However the exchange rate margin of 1–2% still applies, so 'free' doesn't mean zero cost. On a $1,000 first transfer you might save $2.99 in fees but still pay ~$10–15 in exchange rate margin. Compare the PHP recipient amount, not just the fee.
What is Remitly's exchange rate margin for Philippines?+−
Remitly's exchange rate margin for USD to PHP transfers is typically 1–2% below the mid-market rate. This varies daily. On a $1,000 transfer a 1.5% margin costs approximately $15 — more than it appears from the advertised $0 fee. The margin is why comparing the PHP recipient amount on RateMigo is more useful than comparing fees alone.
How much does Remitly charge to send $1,000 to the Philippines?+−
For a $1,000 USD to PHP transfer, Remitly charges $0–$2.99 in transfer fees (often $0 for first transfer or Economy speed) plus approximately $10–20 in exchange rate margin (1–2% of the amount). Total true cost: approximately $10–23 on $1,000. By comparison, Wise charges ~$6 flat with no rate margin — delivering approximately ₱400 more PHP to your recipient.
Compare Remitly vs Wise live rates now
See exactly how much PHP your recipient gets with Remitly vs Wise today.
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