Quick answer: The best way to send money to the Philippines depends on how your family receives it. For GCash and Maya wallets, Remitly, WorldRemit and Xoom deliver within minutes. For bank deposits to BDO, BPI and other banks, Wise is often the cheapest because it uses the mid-market rate. For cash pickup at pawnshops and remittance centers, Western Union, MoneyGram and Remitly cover the widest networks.
Ways To Send Money To The Philippines At A Glance
Method
Good providers
Speed
Best for
Mobile wallet (GCash, Maya)
Remitly, WorldRemit, Xoom
Often minutes
Everyday family support
Bank deposit
Wise, Remitly
Minutes to 1 business day
Larger amounts, savings
Cash pickup
Western Union, MoneyGram, Remitly
Minutes
Rural recipients, no bank or wallet
Home delivery
Remitly (selected areas)
Varies
Elderly recipients
What Details You Need
The recipient’s full name as on their ID or account.
For wallets: their GCash or Maya mobile number.
For bank deposits: bank name and account number.
For cash pickup: their name as on a valid ID; they collect with the reference number.
The Main Options
Remitly: Wallets, banks and cash
Remitly supports GCash, Maya, bank deposits, cash pickup and home delivery in some provinces, with Express and Economy pricing. First-transfer promotions are common on this corridor.
Both support GCash and cash pickup. Xoom suits PayPal users; see Wise vs PayPal.
Western Union and MoneyGram: Cash everywhere
Cash pickup is available at large networks of pawnshops, remittance centers and malls across the islands. See Western Union vs MoneyGram.
Tips For Sending To The Philippines
GCash is usually the fastest option for everyday support.
For larger sums, a bank deposit at a better rate can save more than a faster wallet transfer.
US senders paying in cash have faced a 1% federal excise tax since January 1, 2026; paying from a bank account or debit card avoids it.
How We Evaluated
We compared payout options in the Philippines, pricing, speed and network reach using provider pages and independent corridor comparisons.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines?
For bank deposits, Wise is often cheapest. For GCash and cash pickup, compare Remitly, WorldRemit and Western Union on the pesos received.
Can I send money directly to GCash from abroad?
Yes. Remitly, WorldRemit, Xoom and others support direct GCash deposits.
How fast is it?
Wallet and cash pickup transfers often arrive in minutes; bank deposits within a business day.
What does the recipient need for cash pickup?
A valid ID and the transfer reference number.
Conclusion
Choose by payout method: wallets for speed, bank deposits for cost on larger amounts, cash pickup for recipients without accounts. Then compare the pesos received.
