The fintech landscape in the Philippines is rapidly evolving, with numerous startups entering the market to offer innovative financial solutions. Hence, given the multitude of options available, choosing the right service provider can be a daunting task for many consumers and businesses.
Therefore, to make things much easier, this blog dives into the top fintech startups operating in the country, each offering unique benefits and services to cater to different needs. By exploring their founding histories, unique selling propositions, and user experiences, you'll gain insights into what makes each company stand out in the crowded fintech space, and why you should opt for them.
Join us as we navigate top fintech companies such as Maya, Tonik, Xendit, GoTyme Bank, Uno Digital Bank, and other key players to help you make the right financial decision. So, without further ado, let us take a closer look at the top fintech startups currently operating in the Philippines in 2025.
Top Fintech Startups in The Philippines in 2025 - An Overview
1. Maya
Maya stands out in the Philippine fintech landscape, offering a wide spectrum of financial and digital payment solutions. This includes Maya Wallet, which enables seamless transfers, payments, and even cryptocurrency transactions.
Meanwhile, Maya Loans supports both consumer and business lending and Maya Business aids in digital payment acceptance. Additionally, Maya Center extends the availability of digital services throughout the Philippines, creating an expansive digital ecosystem.
Year Founded and Licensing
Initially launched as Smart Money in December 2000, Maya has undergone several transformations. Smart e-Money, Inc., in partnership with 1st e-Bank (now BDO Unibank) and Mastercard, originally powered it. Later, it was rebranded as PayMaya in 2016 and adopted its current name, Maya, in April 2022.
This rebranding coincided with the establishment of Maya Bank, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) granting it a Certificate of Authority to operate in 2021.
Unique Selling Proposition
Maya's distinctive edge lies in its comprehensive ecosystem that seamlessly integrates payments, savings, credits, and investments. This all-in-one approach simplifies financial management for users.
Its network comprises an impressive 55,000 agent touchpoints, enhancing accessibility across various regions. Additionally, its cryptocurrency services are backed by a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from BSP, ensuring legal compliance and security.
Target Market and User Experience
Maya strategically targets a diverse audience. It caters to consumers by focusing on the unbanked and those dissatisfied with traditional banking, promising an inclusive and supportive ecosystem.
For businesses, Maya provides fintech solutions that streamline payment acceptance, digital disbursement, business deposits, and credit facilitation, ensuring a user-friendly experience.
Also Read: Applying for a Maya Personal Loan
On a related note, discussions on work-life balance in the fintech sector, as shared by members of the Reddit community, highlight the varied experiences within the industry, emphasizing the importance of project dynamics and team management.
2. Tonik
Tonik offers a robust suite of services aimed at comfortable and secure financial transactions. It provides four distinct retail deposit options, three lending products, and two innovative payment rails. Crafted to simplify financial dealings, the digital platform extends to current accounts, payment facilitation, and card services within a secure framework.
Founded by Greg Krasnov in 2018, the main aim of Tonik was, and still is, to provide financial backing to Filipinos lacking the required economic resources to fulfil their needs.
Unique Selling Proposition
What differentiates Tonik from traditional banks is its digital-only, cloud-native, and API-first model. This approach simplifies the onboarding process dramatically by bypassing the typically cumbersome paperwork.
Tonik's reliance on advanced automation and robust security protocols enables them to operate effectively without physical branches, which significantly reduces operational costs. This, in turn, allows for competitive offerings while ensuring strong returns on assets and equity.
Target Market and User Experience
Tonik focuses on addressing the requirements of the unbanked and underbanked populations of the Philippines. The majority of these individuals, about 71% of adults, reside outside Manila and Cebu. The bank tackles the challenge these individuals face by providing a user-friendly digital platform with rapid onboarding processes and virtual training options.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tonik improved customer interactions further by implementing a fully automated contact center. They utilized technology extensively to improve user experience, which has enabled broader access to banking services, especially for those in remote areas.
3. Xendit
Xendit is an innovative fintech startup providing a range of payment solutions that are both comprehensive and user-centric. Designed to enable businesses of all sizes to manage financial transactions seamlessly, Xendit supports a multitude of payment methods.
These payment methods include credit and debit cards, along with popular e-wallets such as GCash, GrabPay, and Paymaya. Moreover, since it caters to the local market, the platform also integrates various native payment channels, ensuring businesses can accept and send payments with ease.
Year Founded and Licensing
Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia, Xendit has expanded its operations to the Philippines, where it is regulated by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This compliance ensures security and trust within the local financial ecosystem, a cornerstone for building confidence with both businesses and their customers.
Unique Selling Proposition
Xendit's quick integration options stand out, allowing businesses to go live with payment solutions in less than a day, thanks to:
- Flexible payment links,
- Web/mobile checkout options, and
- Quick and efficient API integrations.
One of Xendit's competitive edges is its sophisticated API infrastructure, which provides seamless and rapid deployment of payment solutions. Known for eliminating complexities, these APIs empower businesses by granting them the freedom to adapt quickly to ever-evolving market demands.
The user experience is further enhanced by transparent pricing without hidden charges and highly responsive customer support accessible through live chat, email, and phone calls.
Target Market and User Experience
The company targets a broad spectrum of users, opening up various payment solutions for individual sellers and SMEs, as well as growth-stage startups and large corporations.
For SMEs and startups, Xendit provides time-saving solutions that significantly cut down on costs. On the other hand, large enterprises benefit from premium, customizable services, which include:
- Advanced analytics,
- Personalized support, and
- Extensive reporting capabilities.
As businesses grow, Xendit's infrastructure ensures that complex transaction processes are simplified and user-friendly across various payment channels.
According to discussions on platforms like Reddit, experiences with fintech companies can vary based on team dynamics and project demands, impacting work-life balance aspects within the industry. Insights from programmers often reflect how certain projects may entail demanding schedules due to frequent deployments, while others enjoy more balanced workloads. Read on to learn more.
4. GoTyme Bank
GoTyme Bank is quickly becoming a leader in the digital banking scene in the Philippines. Thanks to a strategic partnership between the Gokongwei Group and Tyme, it has held a digital bank license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas since August 2021. Launched in the second quarter of 2022, it plays a key role in providing innovative digital financial solutions.
Unique Selling Proposition
One of the most impressive features of GoTyme Bank is its 'phygital' model, which blends physical and digital banking. By using onboarding kiosks in busy retail spots like Robinsons supermarkets, the bank allows customers to open accounts and receive a Visa debit card in under 5 minutes, emphasizing efficiency.
Target Market and User Experience
GoTyme Bank aims to provide financial services that are accessible to the average Filipino, contrasting with traditional banks that often focus on the wealthy. It offers affordable credit, investment opportunities, and insurance products, targeting its services to reach 1 million customers quickly through its retail partnership with the Gokongwei Group.
Additionally, GoTyme addresses the needs of modern businesses with effective enterprise solutions that enhance financial operations' security and efficiency. Additionally, coupled with 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, and email, GoTyme ensures an overall satisfying user experience.
Also Read: Top Personal Loan Lenders with Low Rates in 2025
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5. Uno Digital Bank
Uno Digital Bank is changing the game for financial services in the Philippines with its wide range of forward-thinking and accessible solutions. With its digital banking license granted by the Central Bank of the Philippines in June 2021, it has taken a pioneering step in the digital banking space.
Year Founded and Licensing
Uno Digital Bank was officially established in 2021 after securing a digital banking license. This early adoption of digital licensing is critical in enabling its diverse range of financial solutions, thereby making it an essential player in the Philippine fintech landscape.
Unique Selling Proposition
Uno Digital Bank stands out for its unique offerings, such as the #UNOready savings account that delivers a competitive interest rate of 3.5% per annum coupled with free life insurance. Its #UNOnow loan option provides diverse repayment terms and high credit limits to meet different client needs. Moreover, the bank offers bill payment facilities and a debit card that can be activated virtually instantly.
The bank's collaboration with GCash allows for greater accessibility, enabling users to access time deposits through the GSave Marketplace, with interest rates up to 6%. Likewise, its partnership with Singlife allows it to deliver low-cost insurance solutions catering to critical needs like hospitalization and income protection.
Target Market and User Experience
Primarily targeting tech-savvy individuals like millennials and Gen Z, Uno Digital Bank is designed for those familiar with digital interfaces, as well as freelancers, gig economy workers, and small business owners. The bank essentially aims to provide flexible and innovative banking solutions tailored to various income streams.
At UDB, customers enjoy a seamless user experience featuring simple account setup, quick virtual and physical card activations, and expansive mobile integration, which emphasizes overall clarity and efficiency in service delivery.
Also Read: Best Bank Offering Housing Loans in The Philippines
To get a better understanding of how and why these diverse Fintech companies are thriving in the Philippines, it is imperative to first know about the history behind the entire Fintech landscape in the country. Here, check out this detailed video to learn how the Philippines transformed its financial industry efficiently.
6. Moneymax
Moneymax, officially recognized as Moneyguru Philippines Corporation (MGPC), has been at the forefront since 2014, offering a comprehensive array of financial products. The platform is further supplemented by its subsidiary, MoneyHero Insurance Brokerage Inc., which ensures a diverse offering for insurance products.
Year Founded and Licensing
Founded in 2014, Moneymax is not just about diversity in services but also about legitimacy. So, to help with this, the Securities and Exchange Commission officially licensed and registered it, assuring Filipinos of its credibility.
Unique Selling Proposition
What sets Moneymax apart is its free and impartial service, allowing users to compare, choose, and seamlessly apply for financial products online. From car insurance and credit cards to loans and collaborative life insurance offerings with FWD Life Insurance, the platform makes financial decision-making a breeze.
Target Market and User Experience
Moneymax targets a wide selection of Filipinos seeking accessible financial solutions, and the platform is designed to simplify processes, thereby enhancing user experience with exclusive rewards and discounts.
Moneymax also embeds an educational approach, offering financial literacy tools through blogs, emails, and social media content. These efforts have been instrumental in addressing common financial challenges, and as a result, have helped empower over 40 million users since its inception.
Also Read: Best Loan Services and Finance Companies in Lipa City
In discussions about work-life balance in fintech companies like Moneymax, feedback from forums such as Reddit provides varied insights. Some employees find workloads demanding, suggesting the influence of team dynamics and project demands, highlighting the importance of adaptability for both customer and employee satisfaction.
7. Acudeen Technologies
Acudeen Technologies Inc. is a notable fintech company in the Philippines, founded by Mario Jordan Fetalino III, commonly known as Magellan, in 2016. The company stands out by providing a digital platform for SMEs and MSMEs to transform their receivables into cash quickly, addressing liquidity challenges faced by these businesses.
Unique Selling Proposition
Acudeen is renowned for its ability to convert receivables into cash efficiently, typically within 3-5 days. This rapid conversion of invoices ahead of their maturity date is a significant advantage for businesses struggling with delayed payments.
The company's use of technology, including blockchain, helps maintain low operational costs and thus offers competitive rates, adding to its unique selling proposition.
Target Market and User Experience
As far as the target market is concerned, Acudeen targets SMEs and MSMEs not only in the Philippines but also in emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The platform is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring a smooth process from uploading invoices to receiving bids or purchases from funders. It's an entirely online process, enhancing user experience by providing a secure and efficient environment for transactions.
8. PawnHero
PawnHero leads the transformation of the traditional pawnshop experience in the Philippines with its digital approach, after being founded in 2014 and officially launching in 2015. It operates under the strict guidelines of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), ensuring secure and reliable services.
Unique Selling Proposition
What sets PawnHero apart is its comprehensive online platform, allowing customers to easily submit items for appraisal without visiting a physical location. This feature enhances convenience and privacy for users who need quick cash loans but wish to avoid the usual in-store hassles.
Target Market and User Experience
PawnHero primarily targets individuals requiring fast access to cash who find traditional banks less accessible. The service is particularly appealing to small business owners, luxury resellers, and anyone with high-value items like smartphones, designer bags, and luxury watches.
With low interest rates starting at 3.5% per month and a location in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, PawnHero offers a blend of digital convenience and physical accessibility.
9. GCash
GCash stands tall as the country's leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem. Since its inception in 2004 as an SMS money transfer service by Globe Telecom, GCash has transformed into an all-encompassing platform that offers a multitude of financial services, pushing the boundaries of accessibility and convenience for millions of Filipinos.
Year Founded and Licensing
G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, executes GCash's mobile wallet operations. Mynt was formed in 2015 from a fintech startup partnership among major players like Globe Telecom, Ayala Corporation, and Ant Financial. This strategic alliance highlights GCash's solid foundation and reliability in handling digital financial transactions.
Unique Selling Proposition
The effectiveness of GCash lies in its ability to provide a seamless and integrated financial experience. Their innovations speak volumes; notably, in 2017, GCash launched the Philippines' first mobile money QR payment system, a groundbreaking step that enhanced payment convenience.
Their expansion into savings, lending, and investments showcases GCash's dedication to covering a wide range of financial needs. This expansive service offering positions GCash as a one-stop-shop for a Filipino citizen's financial requirements, setting it apart from competitors.
Target Market and User Experience
GCash's inclusivity transcends traditional banking boundaries. It targets a wide spectrum of users, encapsulating micro, small, and medium enterprises, including local market vendors, and even overseas Filipino workers. Impressively, it engages a user base that covers approximately 83% of the Philippine adult population, about 60 million users!
The user experience is meticulously designed to be both accessible and personalized. GCash aims to be ubiquitous, and accessible at mom-and-pop stores, public markets, and even with tricycle driver associations. Moreover, its services are tailored to specific user segments, providing targeted experiences for groups such as online shoppers, food enthusiasts, K-pop fans, and aspiring investors.
GCash's versatility is further supplemented by the GLife marketplace within its app—a unique assembly point for various brands and services across diverse industries such as shopping, e-commerce, and insurance.
Also Read: Top Financial Lending Companies in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
For a deeper dive into the significance of fintech in the Philippines, you can check out insights from GCash's Chief Marketing Officer in this YouTube video. It explores in detail the rapid rise of digital wallets and mobile payment solutions in the Philippines.
10. First Circle
First Circle stands out in the competitive fintech landscape of the Philippines by offering distinct financial services specifically tailored for SMEs. Since its inception in 2016, the company has carved a niche for itself by providing SME financing and developing smart banking solutions designed to enhance business growth within the Filipino SME sector.
Year Founded and Licensing
First Circle distinguishes itself not only by what it offers but also through its pioneering efforts in the fintech space. It is recognized as the first fintech company in the Philippines to obtain licensing from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Furthermore, First Circle was ahead of its time as a data provider for the Credit Information Corporation (CIC), underscoring its role as a trusted ally to Filipino SMEs and the government alike.
Unique Selling Proposition
The unique selling proposition of First Circle is its accessibility and innovation in financial solutions for SMEs. Many SMEs struggle with capital access, and First Circle addresses this hurdle by utilizing the expertise of its seasoned management team, which includes professionals from notable financial institutions like Morgan Stanley and Bridgewater Associates.
Target Market and User Experience
Targeting the SME market in the Philippines, First Circle is also eyeing an expansion into other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.
Part of what makes the First Circle experience exceptional is its smart banking solutions, which are intricately tailored to meet the needs of varied businesses. User experience, especially convenience and security, are enhanced due to First Circle's data-driven methodology that ensures streamlined financial transactions.
Conclusion
The fintech landscape in the Philippines continues to thrive, with startups leading the charge in revolutionizing financial services. By offering innovative solutions in digital payments, lending, and financial management, these companies are addressing the needs of both individuals and businesses, fostering financial inclusion across the country.
Hence, it is fair to conclude on the fact that as the fintech industry evolves in 2025 in the Philippines, it is set to further empower Filipinos by providing accessible, efficient, and secure financial services that bridge the gap between traditional banking and modern technology.
However, for Philippine SMEs, the rise of fintech has opened doors to flexible and tailored financing options. Non-banking financial institutions like N90 offer quick and accessible SME loans to support entrepreneurial endeavors. These loans help Filipino business owners secure capital for growth, invest in technology, or address operational needs without the lengthy processes of traditional banks.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the largest fintech company in the Philippines?
The largest fintech company in the Philippines is GCash, a mobile wallet owned by Mynt (a partnership between Globe Telecom, Ayala Corporation, and Ant Group).
With over 81 million users as of 2023, GCash dominates the market by offering services like digital payments, savings, investments, and loans. These services drive financial inclusion and transform the country's digital economy.
2. How many tech startups are there in the Philippines as of 2025?
As of 2025, the Philippines boasts a vibrant startup ecosystem with over 8,700 active startups, reflecting a projected 17% growth from previous years.
This expansion is fueled by government initiatives like the Innovative Startup Act, which offers support and funding to emerging tech companies, and a youthful, tech-savvy population with a median age of 24.5 years.
3. When did the concept of fintech start in the Philippines?
Fintech in the Philippines began in the early 2000s with the introduction of mobile banking services by telecom companies like Smart Communications and Globe Telecom.
Moreover, the launch of platforms such as GCash in 2004 marked a significant milestone, paving the way for the country's fintech revolution by providing digital payment solutions and financial inclusion for underserved populations.
4. What is the first digital banking company in the Philippines?
The first digital banking company in the Philippines is UnionDigital Bank, a subsidiary of UnionBank of the Philippines. Launched in 2022, it was among the first to secure a digital banking license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
UnionDigital offers fully digital services, including savings, loans, and payments, aimed at enhancing financial inclusion across the country.
