Quick answer
The only transfer fee we can tie to an official page is GCash's InstaPay fee of ₱10 per transaction, which GCash's Help Center announced for July 4, 2026. We could not verify a current official Maya fee for the same kind of transfer. Some comparison sites list a similar figure for Maya, but unless it appears on Maya's own pages or in the app's confirmation screen, treat it as unconfirmed. The practical answer to "which is cheaper" is to start a transfer in each app and read the fee line before you confirm. This guide was last checked on November 9, 2026.
What is verified
- GCash's Help Center states that InstaPay transfers carry a ₱10 per-transaction fee from July 4, 2026.
- The same announcement is the source we use. We do not rely on third-party tables for GCash's fee.
What is not verified
- A current, official Maya fee for sending to another bank or wallet. Some third-party pages list one, but we found no official statement to confirm it.
- Fees for other routes, such as PESONet, and fees for cash-in and cash-out. These vary by route and change over time.
- Any promotion that waives fees. Promotions have start and end dates and conditions.
Saying "we could not verify" is deliberate. A number that is wrong is worse than no number, because people make decisions on it.
How a fee shows up
Fees appear in different places. The cleanest case is a fee line on the confirmation screen before you confirm. In other cases the fee is taken from your balance as a separate line in your history, or the amount you send and the amount that arrives differ. After a first transfer, check your history to see exactly how the fee was charged, and note it for next time.
Why fees exist
Moving money across institutions uses payment networks that charge participants. Providers decide how much of that cost to pass on to you, and they change their approach from time to time. That is why a fee that was free last year may now carry a charge, and why you should not rely on an old article, including one that is a few months old.
Compare in four steps
- Start a transfer in each app for the same amount and route.
- Stop at the confirmation screen and note the fee line.
- Compare the total you would pay, not the headline fee alone.
- Consider speed and limits too, not only cost.
You do not have to complete the transfer to read the fee. If a screen does not show a fee before you confirm, look for it in the Help Center or the terms linked in the app.
Small amounts and fixed fees
A flat fee matters more when the amount is small. A ₱10 fee on a ₱100 transfer is a larger share than on a ₱10,000 transfer. If you often send small amounts, group them into one transfer when you can, or use a route without a fee if the app offers one. For payments to a shop, QR payments are generally a separate service from bank transfers, and the app shows any charge.
Routes and speed
Two common routes are real-time transfers and batch transfers. The InstaPay and PESONet guide explains how they differ in general terms. A cheaper route that takes longer can be fine for rent, while an urgent payment may justify a fee. The app tells you which route it uses and often how long it takes.
Watch for look-alike fee pages
Searching for fees can lead to pages that look official but are not. Be wary of sites that ask you to log in or share a code to "check your fees." The real fee is shown inside the app, and the official Help Center is the place to read announcements. Never share an OTP or MPIN with anyone.
Keep a record
Save the confirmation screen for transfers where the fee matters. If a fee looks wrong, you will need the date, the amount, the route and the reference number to ask the provider about it.
What this guide does not do
It does not claim that either app is cheaper. It reports only what is verified and tells you how to check the rest. Fees change, so rely on the confirmation screen and the provider's official announcements.
A worked way to think about fees
Suppose you send money four times a month, each time with a flat fee. The monthly cost is the fee multiplied by the number of transfers, so grouping transfers can save money when the amounts allow it. Now compare that with the time cost of a slower route, and with any limit on the amount per transfer. The cheapest option on paper is not always the cheapest in practice.
Write the fee you see, the date and the route in a note. Next time you transfer, compare it with the new screen. If the fee changed, you will notice, and you will not depend on an article, including this one, that may be out of date.
Common mistakes with fees
- Comparing a fee from one app's old announcement with a new fee in another app.
- Looking only at the flat fee and ignoring limits and speed.
- Forgetting that the same transfer sent several times multiplies the fee.
- Trusting a screenshot of a fee table shared in a group chat, since it may be old or edited.
- Paying a stranger who offers to avoid fees, which is a classic scam.
A calm habit helps: read the fee line every time, compare it with your last record and keep screenshots of changes that surprise you.