# Send Money from the US to the Philippines

> Compare the cheapest ways to send money from the US to the Philippines: Wise, Remitly, Western Union, Sendwave and more, with typical fees and rates as of October 2026.

Filipino-Americans send over $17 billion home every year. Here is how to keep more of it: the cheapest providers for bank deposits, GCash, and cash pickup.

## The cheapest options, ranked

For a $500 bank transfer in late 2026, quotes put **Wise** (funded by bank debit) at the top, delivering around ₱30,995, with Instarem close behind. Remitly's standard rate and Western Union land around ₱30,305. The gap between the best and worst provider on $500 can exceed ₱1,000. [Compare them live with our calculator](/remittance-cost-calculator/).

## Best for each situation

- **Bank deposit:** Wise. Mid-market rate with a small transparent fee (around $7 on $1,000). Best for amounts over $300 and regular monthly transfers.

- **GCash or Maya wallet:** Remitly or WorldRemit. Wise does not support GCash or Maya transfers, so use Remitly Express for delivery in minutes.

- **Cash pickup:** Western Union has the widest agent network across the Philippines. Expect a 2-3% rate margin on top of the fee.

- **First transfer:** Remitly often gives new customers a free or boosted first transfer. Do not mistake the promo rate for the ongoing rate.

- **Small regular transfers:** Sendwave charges a $0.99 fee with a moderate margin and delivers in minutes.

## Typical costs (October 2026)

Typical figures as of October 2026. Rates move daily; check provider sites before sending.

## Tips that save real money

- Fund with a bank transfer or debit, never a credit card.

- Send larger amounts less often if your provider charges a flat fee.

- Compare the pesos received, not the headline fee. A "zero fee" transfer with a 4.5% margin costs more than a $7 fee with no margin on transfers over $200.

- Avoid banks and PayPal: banks trail the specialist apps on every check, and PayPal costs about 5%.

## Frequently asked questions
### What is the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines from the US?

For bank deposits, Wise is typically cheapest thanks to the mid-market rate with a small transparent fee. For GCash or Maya wallets, Remitly or WorldRemit are better since Wise does not support wallet transfers.

### Does Wise support GCash transfers?

No. Wise only supports bank account deposits to the Philippines. For GCash or Maya delivery, use Remitly or WorldRemit.

### How much does Western Union charge to the Philippines?

Western Union typically charges a small flat fee (around $2 for bank deposit routes) plus a 2-4% exchange-rate margin. Its strength is the huge cash-pickup network, not the price.

### How long does a transfer to the Philippines take?

Remitly Express, Sendwave and Western Union cash pickup deliver within minutes. Wise bank deposits usually take 1-2 business days.

### Is Remitly or Wise cheaper for the Philippines?

For most transfers over $300, Wise is cheaper because of the mid-market rate. Remitly's first transfer is often free, which makes it cheaper for first-time senders.

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