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The cheapest way to send money from the UK to the Philippines
We compared 15 banks and transfer services on £100, £500 and £1,000. Here is who gets the most pesos to your family.
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The short answer
On 13 to 15 October 2026, the specialist transfer apps beat the high-street banks and PayPal at every amount we checked. Instarem, WorldRemit and Wise delivered the most pesos, within about 50p of each other on £500. Remitly was close behind.
The ranking changes with the amount. On small transfers, a zero-fee service usually wins because a fixed fee takes a bigger bite. On larger ones, a service with a small fee but a better exchange rate can come out ahead.
Comparison: how many pesos arrive
| Provider | Fee on £500 | Pesos for £100 | Pesos for £500 | Pesos for £1,000 | Worth vs best (£500) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instarem | £0 | ₱8,304 | ₱41,520 | ₱83,040 | Best |
| WorldRemit | £0 | ₱8,297 | ₱41,485 | ₱82,969 | £0.42 less |
| Wise | £3.17 | ₱8,259 | ₱41,476 | ₱82,997 | £0.53 less |
| Remitly | £0 | ₱8,267 | ₱41,336 | ₱82,673 | £2.20 less |
| MoneyGram | £1.49 | ₱8,152 | ₱41,254 | ₱82,631 | £3.19 less |
| Western Union | £1.99 | ₱8,015 | ₱41,097 | ₱82,357 | £5.07 less |
| HSBC | £0 | ₱8,122 | ₱40,889 | ₱81,778 | £7.56 less |
| Monese | £10.00 | ₱8,068 | ₱40,758 | ₱81,516 | £9.13 less |
| Barclays | £0 | ₱8,109 | ₱40,546 | ₱81,093 | £11.66 less |
| Xoom (PayPal) | £1.99 | ₱7,906 | ₱40,234 | ₱80,952 | £15.40 less |
| Skrill | £0 | ₱7,960 | ₱39,798 | ₱79,596 | £20.63 less |
| Nationwide | £15.00 | ₱6,969 | ₱39,765 | ₱80,760 | £21.02 less |
| OFX | £7.00 | – | ₱39,691 | ₱79,945 | £21.92 less |
| PayPal | £2.99 | ₱7,654 | ₱39,216 | ₱78,668 | £27.60 less |
| Santander | £25.00 | ₱6,060 | ₱38,383 | ₱78,785 | £37.58 less |
Pesos received for the amount sent, after fees. Highest for each amount: ₱8,304 (£100, Instarem), ₱41,520 (£500, Instarem), ₱83,040 (£1,000, Instarem). At the mid-market rate of ₱83.48 per pound, £500 would be ₱41,740 with no fee or margin. Quotes collected 13 to 15 October 2026.
Why banks and PayPal cost more
Almost none of the cost is the fee. HSBC and Barclays charged nothing on £500, yet your family would receive ₱631 and ₱974 less than with the best service. That is because they convert at a weaker exchange rate, adding a bigger margin to the real (mid-market) rate.
Santander and Nationwide add a fee and a weaker rate, which is why they came near the bottom. PayPal’s rate was the weakest in our check.
First-transfer offers
Several providers give new customers a better deal on their first transfer. At the time of writing, Remitly advertised a special rate and no fee on a new customer’s first transfer, on up to £1,000. WorldRemit offers an enhanced first-transfer rate on some routes.
These offers are worth using, but they are one-offs. For regular support, choose the provider that is best on your usual amount after the offer ends.
It also depends on how they collect it
The figures above are for a standard transfer. The cost can change with how your family receives the money:
- Bank deposit (BDO, BPI, Metrobank and others): usually the cheapest option.
- Mobile wallet (GCash, Maya): often fast and low cost.
- Cash pickup (pawnshops and remittance centres): convenient, but check the fee.
- Home delivery: offered by some providers, such as Remitly, usually at a higher cost.
How you pay matters too. Paying by debit card is often faster than a bank transfer, but some providers charge more for it. Always check the final “they receive” amount in the app before you confirm.
Our tips
- Compare the pesos received, not the fee.
- Check two or three providers on the day you send: rates move daily.
- Use a first-transfer offer, then compare again.
- Send larger amounts less often if a fixed fee applies.
- Only use providers authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
How we compared
We used the public price comparison published by Wise, which records each provider’s fee and exchange rate for sending from the UK to the Philippines. Wise is one of the providers in the table, so we checked offers and delivery options on Remitly’s and WorldRemit’s own websites too. Quotes were collected between 13 and 15 October 2026 and do not include first-transfer offers.
Rates change many times a day, so treat these figures as a guide to who is usually cheaper, not a price you are guaranteed. We will update this page regularly and show the date we last checked.
Questions
What is the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines from the UK?
In our October 2026 check, Instarem, WorldRemit and Wise delivered the most pesos for £100 to £1,000, with Remitly close behind. Banks and PayPal delivered noticeably less.
How long does a transfer take?
Many transfers to bank accounts and GCash arrive within minutes. WorldRemit, for example, says most of its Philippines transfers reach its local partners within minutes. Bank transfers to pay, identity checks and weekends can add time.
Are transfer apps safe?
Use providers authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check any company on the FCA register before you send.
Is it cheaper to send to GCash or a bank account?
It depends on the provider. Some charge the same for both, others vary the fee by delivery method. Check both options in the app.
More guides
- Sending money to GCash from the UKComing soon
- Remitly vs WorldRemit vs WiseComing soon
- Cash pickup: Cebuana, Palawan Express and M LhuillierComing soon
Sources
- Wise price comparison (GBP to PHP, £100, £500 and £1,000, quotes dated 13 to 15 October 2026)
- Remitly: send money to the Philippines
- WorldRemit: send money to the Philippines