Paying bills is one of those responsibilities that never go away. Whether it's your electricity, water, internet, or mobile plan, settling them on time is important if you want to keep everything running smoothly. The good news is that you have several ways to do it. You can go to a payment center, visit a biller’s official website, or simply use a digital bank app.
Payment centers continue to be popular, but nowadays, more Filipinos are choosing to pay bills online. It’s fast, convenient, and often comes with helpful perks like cashback or waived fees from a bills payment promo. And with the rise of digital banking, handling your monthly dues online has become even easier.
With all these options, which one should you choose? Let’s break down six features to help you decide what works best for your lifestyle.
Security
When it comes to handling money, security is always a top concern. At first glance, paying at a payment center might seem the safest since you're handing over cash to a real person and getting a paper receipt. However, there's a chance the cashier could enter the wrong account number, or you could misplace the receipt. And of course, carrying cash always comes with the risk of loss or theft.
Meanwhile, paying through a biller’s website is generally secure as long as you make sure you’re on the correct site. As such, you must avoid clicking on random links sent via text or email to steer clear of fake websites.
Digital bank apps, on the other hand, are designed with strong safety features in mind. Apps like Maya uses robust security such as facial recognition, fingerprint logins, and one-time passwords to make sure only you, the account owner, can access your account.
Convenience
Another thing to think about is convenience. Payment centers are still a solid choice if you're already out running errands. But when you’re tired, busy, or just not in the mood to stand in line, the idea of traveling somewhere just to pay bills can feel like too much.
Meanwhile, using a biller’s official website is more convenient because you can settle your bill without leaving your home. The downside? If you have five different bills, you will have to visit five different websites.
This is where digital bank apps really shine. You can pay multiple bills anytime, and you get peace of mind that your payments are processed in real time without delays or hassle. Apps like Maya even let you set reminders or schedule auto-payments, so you’re never caught off guard by due dates again.
Types of Bills
Not every method supports all kinds of billers. Payment centers usually accept only the basics—utilities, credit cards, and government payments—but they might not support smaller or local companies. Meanwhile, biller websites only allow you to pay for that one service.
Again, digital bank apps offer a more flexible option. For instance, Maya lets you pay a wide variety of bills all in one place. From water and electricity to school tuition, insurance, and even some local companies, it’s all there.
Fees
No one likes paying more than they have to. While payment centers usually charge a small fee—somewhere between PHP 5 to PHP 25 per bill—those fees can add up, especially if you’re handling several payments at once. Biller websites may also charge convenience fees, depending on the payment method you use. Meanwhile, digital bank apps like Maya often don’t charge additional service fees unless the biller requires a biller convenience fee. But you could use accumulated cashback or reward points from bills payment promos to eventually offset the fees.
Rewards and Benefits
When you use a payment center or a biller’s website, you typically pay your bill and that’s it—no rewards, no perks, no extra value. But when you use a digital app like Maya, you’re not just paying bills using your e-wallet. You could earn something back from cashback offers to discounts and loyalty points. Plus, you can even open a Maya Savings or that offers a boost of up to 15% interest p.a. when you use Maya for daily transactions such as bills payments, helping you grow your money while managing your monthly expenses. There’s a reason why Maya is the #1 digital bank in the Philippines! You get the security of a bank that is a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-supervised financial institution (BSFI), the convenience of a payment platform, and a rewards program all in one app.
Payment Management
At a payment center, you’ll get a paper receipt, but keeping those organized is up to you. If you lose it, there's no digital backup. On the other hand, a biller’s website might show your past transactions, but only for that particular service. So, you’ll still have to monitor other payments on your own. In contrast, digital bank apps keep everything in one place. You can view your full transaction history, see how much you’ve paid, and even analyze your spending. This makes it much easier to manage your monthly budget, track progress toward savings goals, and avoid late fees.
What’s the Best Option for You?
At the end of the day, the best method depends on your lifestyle and preferences. If you’re someone who prefers using cash and talking to a real person, then payment centers are a great fit. If you like working directly with your service provider and don’t mind managing multiple websites, biller portals are a solid choice. But if you want to pay bills online in the most convenient way possible—with fewer fees, added rewards, and better money management—then a digital bank app like Maya is your best option.
