Remitly Fees for Philippines (2026): Full Cost Breakdown
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compare Remitly vs Wise live rates now
See exactly how much PHP your recipient gets with Remitly vs Wise today.
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