Wise vs Maya 2025 - 2025
Wise vs Maya both have some similar service offerings, and both operate online and in app for convenience. However, these providers have key differences when it comes to international features, fees and services.
This guide looks at all the information you need to know about Wise vs Maya including a comparison of fees and features side by side. We’ll cover international transfers, accounts, and cards so you can decide which provider suits you best.
Table of contents 📕:
- The verdict: Which is better, Wise or Maya?
- About Wise and Maya
- Wise vs Maya: which is cheaper?
- Wise vs Maya exchange rates
- Wise vs Maya: which is faster?
- Wise vs Maya international transfer limits
- Sending large amount transfers
- Wise vs Maya card
Summary: Wise and Maya offer ways to hold, send and receive PHP payments, as well as debit card services. However, their focus is different, with Maya offering more local PHP services, and Wise branching out to multi-currency features, including ways to hold many foreign currencies, receive payments from abroad in foreign currencies, and send payments internationally.
Wise vs Maya: side by side
Feature | Wise | Maya |
|---|---|---|
Send domestic payments to | Send to bank accounts and wallets like GCash | Send to bank accounts and wallets like GCash |
Send international payments | ISent to 40+ countries | N |
Receive international payments | Y - receive in 20+ currencies | Y - receive incoming remittances in PHP via a selection of Maya partners |
Multi-currency accounts | Available for 40+ currencies | N |
Debit card available | Y | Y |
Credit card available | N | Y |
Fully licensed and regulated | Y | Y |
Open a business account | Y | Y |
So, to summarize:
Wise offers domestic and international transfers, Maya supports domestic payments only
Wise has an account to hold and convert currencies - Maya accounts hold PHP only
Wise has a debit card you can use for payments and cash withdrawals - Maya has both debit and credit cards available
Both providers are fully regulated, and offer both personal and business services
Maya is a great option for people in the Philippines looking to hold a balance, spend with a card, and send or receive domestic payments. You can also receive remittance payments from overseas, but these are deposited in PHP only, which can mean higher overall costs compared to receiving your money without conversion.
Wise has a more international outlook, with outward overseas payments to bank accounts, as well as domestic payments to banks and services like Maya and GCash. Wise also has multi-currency account services and cards which support holding, receiving, sending and spending a broad selection of currencies.
The verdict: Which is better, Wise or Maya?
Neither Wise or Maya is better - but they do have a different focus area, which may mean that one or other is a better fit for your specific needs.
Both Wise and Maya offer ways to hold, send and receive PHP payments, as well as debit card services. Maya also has credit cards and allows you to receive money from overseas in PHP through remittance partners.
Where Wise is different is in offering multi-currency features, including ways to hold many foreign currencies, receive payments from abroad in foreign currencies, and send payments internationally yourself. Currency exchange uses the mid-market rate which keeps costs low.
Maya is a great option for use within the Philippines and for getting remittances from overseas. If you want a broader suite of international features, you might decide Wise is a better fit, with low cost inward and outward payments, and ways to send money overseas.
About Wise and Maya
Wise was launched in London in 2011, and offers international payments, personal and business accounts and debit cards. With Wise you can send payments to 40+ countries, and receive payments both locally and from overseas, with ways to receive incoming transfers in foreign currencies conveniently.
Maya was formerly known as PayMaya, and describes itself as an all in one money app. You can use Maya and Mayabank - the bank behind the wallet - to spend, save, grow, invest in PHP. You can also use Maya to receive payments from overseas via remittance partners, which are deposited to your account in PHP.
How do they work?
To use Wise to send a payment, or hold a balance, you’ll need to create an account, and provide some ID for verification. Once you have an account you can order a Wise card, and set up your first international payment. You can also access local and SWIFT account details for select currencies to get paid by others without needing to convert automatically to PHP. This is handy if you receive remittances from abroad, as it puts you in charge of the currency conversion, and can mean you get a better exchange rate. Simply receive your payment in the foreign currency and switch to PHP when you see a good exchange rate.
Maya is a digital provider which allows you to sign up, order a card, and access a suite of services including credit and investments. Open your account and follow the steps to get verified, before ordering the card or cards you want to use, opening a savings account or placing funds for investment. You can use Maya for bill payments in PHP and to send money to others within the Philippines via Instapay or PESONet. If you receive a remittance from abroad to Maya, the funds are converted by the sending company and deposited as PHP.
Wise vs Maya fees
Wise and Maya features do vary quite a lot, so the fees that apply can also be quite hard to compare. It’s important to look at the types of transaction you’ll make often to see which is cheapest - both providers publish their fee schedules online so you can review all the costs. Here are some highlights:
Service | Wise | Maya |
|---|---|---|
Open an account | No fee | No fee |
Order a card | One time fee applies | No fee |
Spend with your card | No fee to spend currencies you hold Currency conversion from 0.57% when you don’t hold the right balance | Debit card: Maximum of Php 3.00 for products worth under Php 100, and maximum of 3% of transaction amount for higher value payments Foreign transaction fee of 2% - 2.75% applies when overseas |
ATM withdrawals | 2 withdrawals a month, to the value of 12,000 PHP with no Wise fee - low, transparent fees after that* | Local: Fees will depend on the bank ATM International: 200 PHP |
Receive a payment | Free to receive payments in select currencies using local account details Fees apply to receive payment via SWIFT, which vary based on the currency | Convenience fees may apply when cashing in, which can be reimbursed depending on account use No fee to receive a standard remittance |
Send an international payment | From 0.57% | Not available |
Currency conversion | Mid-market exchange rate | Network rate + variable foreign transaction fee for card spending |
Wise vs Maya: which is cheaper?
Maya offers local payments to other Maya customers, and to banks using Instapay and PESOnet. It’s free to send a payment to another Maya account, and it costs 15 PHP to transfer to a bank.
Wise offers transfers locally in the Philippines, including to wallets like Maya, and also international payments to many countries and regions globally.
For international payments, Wise offers low, variable fees from 0.57%. This can work out cheaper overall than using a bank - particularly as the payment is converted using the mid-market rate with no extra fee.
Wise vs Maya exchange rates
When you send a payment, spend with your card, or convert in your account, Wise currency exchange will use the mid-market exchange rate, with the fee for currency conversion split out for transparency.
Maya doesn’t let you send payments overseas, but you can use your Maya debit or credit card abroad. In this case, the network rate will apply, with a foreign transaction fee which varies based on the card. Usually with the debit card the fee is 2.75%, while credit card fees are 2% - 2.5% depending on the specific car you select.
Wise vs Maya: which is faster?
Both Wise and Maya offer Instapay and PESOnet transfers in PHP. Instapay transfers can arrive in real time, while PESOnet payments are processed in batches and can therefore take a little longer to arrive.
For international payments, 60%+ of Wise transfers are instant (completed under 20 seconds), 80%+ are delivered in less than 1 hour*
Wise vs Maya international transfer limits
Wise has high limits which vary by currency, usually around the equivalent of 1 million GBP. Domestically, you can send up to 50,000 PHP via InstaPay, and larger amounts with PESONet.
Sending large amount transfers
If you want to send a high value payment overseas, Wise can be a very good choice. You’ll often need to provide some supporting documents for a high value payment, for verification and to keep your account safe. Documents required can vary but you’ll be helped through this process by a team member if it’s required.
Wise also offers volume discounts on fees. If you send more than the currency equivalent of 20,000 GBP a month you could get an automatic discount of up to 0.17%. There’s no need to pre-arrange the fee.
Wise vs Maya: Payment methods
With Wise you can pay for your transfer from PHP by bank transfer or e-wallets (via Instapay scheme), debit/credit, or you can send money from your Wise balance.
With Maya you can send payments using Instapay or PESOnet, and you can also cash into your account with a range of options including cash deposits and receiving a remittance.
Wise vs Maya card
Wise offers a debit card for low cost international use. Maya offers a debit card, as well as a couple of different credit card options depending on your preferences and spending habits.
Wise card | Maya card |
|---|---|
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Wise vs Maya card: Where can you use them?
You can use the Wise and Maya cards wherever the network is supported - this covers a large range of countries and regions globally. Just look out for the network logo at the checkout when you pay.
Wise vs Maya business
Both Wise and Maya have business features, but they do vary a lot. Here’s a quick summary:
Wise Business | Maya Business |
|---|---|
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Ease of use
Creating an account: Create your account online or in app with both Maya and Wise
Making a transfer: You can’t make a Maya international payment, but you can send money locally by bank transfer or your Maya balance. Wise typically allows bank transfers, card payments and Apple Pay payments, locally and overseas
Ways to send money: Send payments to your recipient’s bank account directly, or to other ewallets with Wise and Maya
Languages: Both Maya and Wise offer support services in select languages, online, by phone and in app
Minimum & maximum amounts: Wise sending limits can vary by destination country, and based on your account type. Maya limits may vary based on your account type and status
Supported currencies
With Wise you can send money to 40+ countries, and hold 40+ currencies in your account.
Maya accounts support PHP only and do not allow overseas transfers to banks.
Are they safe to send money with?
Both Wise and Maya are safe to use, and use industry level security features to secure customer accounts and to protect payments. These can include 2 factor authentication and encryption technology, as well as manual and automatic anti-fraud protocols.
Are they regulated in the Philippines?
Yes.
Wise Pilipinas Inc. is licensed by the Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP) as a Remittance and Transfer Company.
Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Wise vs Maya customer service
The easiest way to get help with Wise is to log into the Wise app and open a live chat to be connected to an agent. If the agent can’t help you, they’ll pass you on to another team or individual who can provide subject specific support.
With Maya you can open a ticket with the chat agents and receive an email response in 2 working days - or call on +632 8845 7788.
Conclusion: Comparing Wise and Maya
Wise and Maya have different features which might mean one works better for you than the other. Wise has powerful international features and lets you both send and receive international payments as well as spending with a card and holding a balance in many different currencies.
Maya has a strong suite of domestic functions, including credit cards - and offers ways to receive remittances from abroad in PHP. However, you can’t send money overseas yourself from the Philippines, or hold a foreign currency.
Compare the two options to see which works best for you, based on features, fees and convenience.
FAQ
Wise and Maya are quite different businesses and will suit different customer needs. Wise is a specialist in international transfers and low cost currency conversion, with holding accounts and debit cards for convenient spending. Maya has a great ewallet for local spending, credit card services and ways to receive remittances from abroad, but doesn’t offer bank transfer overseas.
Neither is better - it depends on the service you need. For credit cards and local bill payments, Maya may suit you - but if you need something more international, try Wise.
Both Wise and Maya have variable fees depending on how you use your account. Wise has no foreign transaction fee for card spending, for example, with a low conversion fee instead. Maya has a foreign transaction fee of 2% - 2.75% depending on the card. Compare both options to decide which is cheapest for your spending needs.
For domestic payments, Wise and Maya use the same networks and so are likely to be similar. Wise also offers fast or even instant international transfers.
With Wise you can send money to 40+ countries, and hold 40+ currencies in your account. Maya accounts support PHP only and do not allow overseas transfers to banks.