The Pay Analyzer

Understanding payment friction and fee structures.

Fee Structures and Transfer Costs

Sending $1,000 doesn't mean receiving $1,000-worth of Pesos. Different platforms have hidden spreads.

Tier 3 — Avoid

Higher Fee Platforms

PayPal: High fees (4%+) and terrible exchange rates (often ₱2 below market).
Direct Bank Transfers: Slow (3-5 days) + fixed wire fees ($25+).

Tier 2 — Middle Ground

Moderate Fee Platforms

Payoneer: Better than PayPal. Good for Upwork/Fiverr withdrawals. ~1-2% fees.
WorldRemit / Remitly: Okay for personal transfers, sometimes flagged for business.

Tier 1 — Recommended

Lower Fee Platforms

Wise (formerly TransferWise): Uses the real "Google Rate". Very low fixed fee.
GCash Global Pay via Payoneer: Instant withdrawal, decent rates.

How to Switch Your Client

The Wise Proposal

Clients worry that Wise is harder. It's not. It's actually cheaper for them too (local bank transfer).

"Hi [Client], I noticed we're both losing money to high transaction fees with PayPal. Would you be open to trying Wise? It connects to your local bank so it's often free for you to send, and I receive the payment instantly at a much better rate. Here is my Wise payment link: [Link]"

Need help structuring payment terms in your client agreements?

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