Wise vs Western Union: which sends more pesos home?
Same dollars, different pesos — because each provider takes its cut differently:Wise (converts at the mid-market rate; the fee is the whole cost.) versus Western Union (rarely cheapest online, but unmatched physical coverage.) Below is the honest math at three common transfer sizes, using rates sampled 2026-08-13 against the ₱62.6/$ mid-market rate of 2026-09-04.
The short answer
Wise delivers about ₱398 more per $500 transfer.
On a monthly $500 remittance, choosing Wise over Western Union keeps roughly $76/year in the family instead of in fees — at these sampled rates. Western Union can still win on delivery options that matter to your recipient.
| You send | Wise delivers | Western Union delivers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | ₱12,364 | ₱12,257 | ₱106 |
| $500 | ₱31,040 | ₱30,643 | ₱398 |
| $1000 | ₱62,168 | ₱61,285 | ₱883 |
Wise
- Fee structure
- $1.4 + 0.55%
- FX margin
- 0%
- Delivery
- PH banks, GCash, Maya — typically within hours
Western Union
- Fee structure
- none visible
- FX margin
- 2.1%
- Delivery
- Largest cash-pickup network incl. provincial counters
Rates and promos change constantly — treat this as the cost structure, then confirm live quotes before sending. Try your exact amount in the Remittance Fee Comparator, and see the full decision guide in Cheapest Ways to Send Money to the Philippines.