Remitly and Al Ansari Exchange both send money from the UAE to India and the Philippines, but they work differently. Al Ansari is an exchange house that says it has 280+ branches in the UAE, and it also has an app. Remitly works only through its app and website, and you pay by card.
Neither is cheaper every time. Both show the fee, the exchange rate and the amount the recipient receives before you confirm, so compare those for the same send amount on the same day.
At a glance
| Remitly | Al Ansari Exchange | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | UAE Central Bank register (August 2026): Remitly Fintech Services – L.L.C- S.P.C, stored value facility. Its UAE terms still name Remitly (DIFC) Limited, regulated by the DFSA | UAE Central Bank register: Al Ansari Exchange L.L.C., exchange business |
| How you send | App or website; pay by card | At a branch (280+ in the UAE, by its own count) or in its app |
| Payout to the Philippines | Bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet (including GCash) and home delivery | Bank transfer, cash pickup and door-to-door delivery; no GCash or wallet option listed |
| Payout to India | Bank deposit, cash pickup and UPI | Ask at the branch or in the app for the options on your route |
| Limit per transfer | Up to 110,000 AED per transaction from the UAE | Not published on the pages checked |
| Speed and fee | Shown in the app before you pay; Remitly says Express, paid by debit or credit card where available, is its fastest option | Shown on the quote before you pay |
Remitly
Remitly announced in July 2026 that the UAE Central Bank granted it a stored value facility and Exchange Business Category IV licence, and the Central Bank’s August 2026 register lists Remitly Fintech Services – L.L.C- S.P.C as a stored value facility. Its UAE user agreement, effective 17 November 2022, still names Remitly (DIFC) Limited, regulated by the DFSA, so read the company named in the terms you accept in the app. See our Remitly UAE guide for payment methods and limits.
From the UAE, Remitly lists bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet and home delivery for the Philippines, and bank deposit, cash pickup and UPI for India. It allows up to 110,000 AED per transaction. Remitly does not publish fixed delivery times for UAE senders; it says the app shows the exact speeds available for your transfer.
Al Ansari Exchange
Al Ansari Exchange is licensed by the UAE Central Bank as an exchange business and says it has 280+ branches in the UAE. You can send at a branch or in its app, and the fee, rate and amount received are shown on the quote. Our Al Ansari branch locator lists branches by emirate.
For the Philippines, Al Ansari’s page lists bank transfer, cash pickup and door-to-door delivery, among other services, but no GCash or wallet option. For India and other routes, ask at the branch or in the app which payout methods are available.
Sending to GCash in the Philippines
If your recipient wants the money in GCash, Remitly lists GCash as a delivery method from the UAE, and GCash’s own list of UAE partners includes Remitly. Al Ansari’s Philippines page doesn’t list GCash, and Al Ansari is not on GCash’s UAE partner list. GCash also has its own wallet limits and verification rules; see our UAE to GCash guide.
How to choose
- Start with the payout. Cash pickup, a bank account, UPI or GCash: check that the provider offers it on your route.
- Check the amount against the limit. Remitly allows up to 110,000 AED per transaction; ask Al Ansari for its limit on your route.
- Compare the amount received for the same send amount on the same day, not just the fee.
- Check the delivery estimate shown on each quote before you confirm.