Because banks shouldn't hide your money in spreads.
We expose the real cost of every transfer — the spread, the fees, the delivery time — and rank providers by what actually lands in your recipient's account. No sponsored ordering. Ever.
Hover any card to see exactly what it costs you.
vs Traditional Banks
You save up to PHP 4175
on a CAD 1,400 transfer
Wise
BEST RATEBank of America
+5% markup + $35 wire fee
Wells Fargo
+4.5% markup + $25 wire fee
Sending CAD to the Philippines? Skip the bank. Digital providers like Wise and Remitly can save you 3-8% versus RBC, TD, or Scotiabank — on a CAD 1,000 transfer, that's real money in your family's hands.
In Philippines, recipients can access funds directly at BDO Unibank, the country's largest financial institution. By using Wise instead of a traditional bank wire, your recipient gets approximately 1,870 PHP more on a $1,000 transfer — because digital providers pass the real exchange rate directly. Worth knowing about the local currency: the Philippine ₱1,000 note depicts Apolinario Mabini and features the Banaue Rice Terraces, carved by hand 2,000 years ago.
Our verdict: For most CAD to PHP transfers under CAD 5,000, Wise offers the tightest rate and full transparency — but use Remitly Express when speed matters more than the last few pesos.
The Canada to Philippines corridor is one of the busiest in North America. Canada's points-based immigration system brings in over 400,000 new permanent residents every year, and Filipinos consistently rank among the top three source nationalities. That diaspora now sends north of CAD 20 billion home annually — much of it tuition payments, family support, and small business capital flowing back to Luzon, Cebu, and Mindanao.
Banks still handle a chunk of this volume, but they shouldn't. A wire from RBC, TD, or Scotiabank typically costs CAD 15-45 in fees plus a 2-4% exchange rate markup buried in the rate. Digital providers like Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, and Revolut cut that cost by half or more — and deliver faster. If you're sending under CAD 5,000, the math almost never favors the bank.
Watch the exchange rate, not just the flat fee. A "zero fee" promo from a bank usually hides a 3% markup on the CAD/PHP rate — on a CAD 1,000 transfer that's CAD 30 you'll never see itemised. Wise charges a transparent fee (typically CAD 4-8 for a CAD 1,000 transfer) and uses the mid-market rate. Remitly often waives the fee on your first transfer but builds a small markup into the rate on follow-ups. Always compare the final PHP amount your recipient gets — that's the only number that matters.
Wise consistently delivers the tightest CAD to PHP rate because it doesn't mark up the mid-market price — you pay a visible fee instead. Remitly's "Economy" tier is often within 0.5% of Wise and sometimes beats it on promos. WorldRemit sits in the middle, with strong cash pickup coverage. Revolut is excellent if you already hold a multi-currency account and want to time the rate yourself. Compared to a major Canadian bank, expect to save 3-8% — on a CAD 5,000 transfer, that's CAD 150-400 extra pesos in your family's hands.
Remitly Express and WorldRemit can land funds in minutes to GCash, PayMaya, or a bank account — ideal for emergencies. Wise typically takes a few hours to one business day for CAD to PHP, occasionally up to two days for first-time senders flagged for compliance checks. If you're not in a rush, Remitly's Economy option saves more but takes 3-5 business days. Rule of thumb: use Express tiers for emergencies, Economy for monthly support payments.
The Philippines is the world's fourth largest remittance recipient — inflows exceeded USD 36 billion in 2023, representing nearly 9% of national GDP. That scale means the local payout infrastructure is unmatched. The two largest receiving banks are BDO Unibank and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), and virtually every digital provider can deposit directly into accounts at either. Beyond bank deposit, you can send to GCash and PayMaya wallets, pick up cash at Cebuana Lhuillier, M Lhuillier, or Palawan Pawnshop, or even arrange home delivery in major cities. GCash is the fastest-growing option — most under-40 recipients prefer it.
Good news for recipients: the Philippines imposes no tax on incoming remittances. That's a major reason OFW remittances topped USD 36 billion in 2023 — every peso sent home lands in the recipient's pocket. On the Canada side, FINTRAC requires providers to report transfers of CAD 10,000 or more, but that's a reporting requirement, not a tax. Personal gifts to family are not taxable income in Canada either. Keep records if you send large or frequent amounts — clean documentation makes any future audit painless.
CAD/PHP moves with oil prices and US dollar strength. When crude rallies, the loonie strengthens and you get more pesos per dollar. Set rate alerts on Wise or Revolut and pull the trigger on green days. For amounts over CAD 3,000, splitting into two transfers a week apart can smooth out volatility. Avoid sending on Friday evenings or Philippine holidays — weekend FX spreads widen and you'll lose 0.3-0.5% to the markup.