MariBank vs GoTyme vs Maya: Which Digital Bank Pays More?

MariBank vs GoTyme vs Maya, Quick Comparison

Here are the numbers that matter most side by side.

Interest Rates Compared, The Biggest Factor for Most Filipinos

MariBank now leads among the three, paying 3.25% p.a. on balances up to ₱1,000,000 and 3.75% p.a. above that, with no lock-up and no conditions. GoTyme pays a flat 3% p.a. on Go Save with zero requirements. Maya's base rate is also 3% p.a., but Maya lets you boost that to up to 15% p.a. on balances up to ₱100,000 by completing monthly tasks like bills payment, purchases, and load top-ups. On a ₱50,000 balance, MariBank's rate earns roughly ₱1,625 a year, while GoTyme and Maya's base rate each earn about ₱1,500. Hit Maya's boosted tier and that same ₱50,000 could earn several times more for a few taps a month.

That said, interest rates on digital bank savings accounts change often. Both GoTyme and Maya trimmed their base rates in early 2026 as market rates cooled. If you're opening an account specifically to earn interest, verify the current rate in the app before funding. The comparison above reflects mid-2026 rates across all three digital banks in the Philippines.

All three accounts earn interest daily and credit it monthly. None require a time deposit or lock-up, so your money stays liquid. This is significantly better than a traditional savings account at BDO or BPI, which typically earn 0.10%–0.25% p.a. on a basic passbook account.

MariBank, Is It Really Better Than GCash?

MariBank is GCash's banking arm, operated by Mynt under a BSP digital banking license. If you already use GCash, MariBank is effectively an upgrade that turns your e-wallet into a full bank account. You open it inside the GCash app in minutes, use MariBank PH Referral Code JA775362 at signup and get ₱150 free credited to your new account.

The standout feature is the MariCard: a Mastercard debit card with 1% unlimited cashback and 0% foreign exchange markup. No annual fee. No cap on cashback. For Filipinos who use GCash for daily spending, groceries, Grab rides, food delivery, online shopping, the 1% cashback adds up across hundreds of small transactions per month. On ₱20,000 in monthly spending, that's ₱200 back every month, or ₱2,400 per year.

The 0% FX markup is useful for online purchases from international merchants (Temu, SHEIN, Amazon, Booking.com, Agoda) and for Filipinos traveling abroad. Most Philippine debit cards charge 2.5%–3.5% on every international transaction, MariCard charges nothing.

MariBank isn't just a spending account anymore. Its savings rate of 3.25% p.a. (3.75% above ₱1,000,000) now edges out GoTyme's flat 3% and matches or beats Maya's base rate, without needing to complete any monthly tasks. Paired with the MariCard's cashback and 0% FX markup, MariBank works as both a daily spending account and a genuinely competitive savings account for GCash users. For a deeper look, the MariBank and MariCard full review covers all the features in detail.

GoTyme, Best for Cashback and Mall Use?

GoTyme Bank is the TymeBank partnership with the Gokongwei Group, which means tight integration with Robinsons Supermarkets, Robinsons Malls, S&R, and the GoRewards loyalty program. You open a GoTyme account at a mall kiosk (about 10 minutes, they print your Visa debit card on the spot).

The draw used to be a leading interest rate, but GoTyme cut Go Save to a flat 3% p.a. in January 2026, still with no lock-up and no minimum. Depositors who keep ₱100,000 in GoTyme earn around ₱3,000 per year in interest, credited monthly, close to what MariBank and Maya's base rate pay on the same balance. GoTyme's edge now is simplicity: one flat rate, zero conditions, no boosted tiers to chase.

GoRewards cashback works well for frequent Robinsons shoppers. You earn points on GoTyme debit card purchases at GoRewards partner stores and can redeem for discounts on groceries, dining, and services in the Robinsons ecosystem. If most of your weekly spending happens at Robinsons Supermarket or S&R, the points accumulate meaningfully.

The friction point: GoTyme requires a physical kiosk visit to open (you can't do it fully in-app like MariBank or Maya). If you're near a Robinsons Mall, this is a 10-minute errand. If you're in a province without a Robinsons outlet, it's a barrier.

Maya, Best All-Around Digital Bank?

Maya Bank (formerly PayMaya) is the most established digital bank of the three in terms of feature breadth. Alongside savings, Maya offers credit (Maya Credit), investments (Maya Funds), insurance, and a prepaid card option. The Maya Visa Debit card works at Mastercard and Visa-accepting terminals worldwide.

Maya Savings earns a base rate of 3% p.a., in line with GoTyme, but Maya lets active users boost that to up to 15% p.a. on balances up to ₱100,000 by completing monthly requirements like bills payment, purchases, and load top-ups. Paired with Maya's other features, this positions the account as a complete financial hub rather than a single-feature savings account. Bills payment, QR payments, peer-to-peer transfers, and load purchases are all native to the app with no fees.

For freelancers and online sellers, Maya is particularly useful. It accepts PayPal transfers, has a business account option, and supports international payment flows that MariBank and GoTyme don't handle as smoothly. Maya's cash-in network (7-Eleven, Puregold, Palawan Pawnshop, SM Business Centers) is also broader than GoTyme's.

The main downside: hitting the 15% boosted rate takes effort every single month, skip a requirement and you're back to the 3% base. Compared to MariBank, Maya's cashback also isn't as straightforward, it varies by merchant category and promotion rather than being a flat 1% on everything.

Which Digital Bank Should You Open in 2026?

The honest answer depends on what you need most.

For students and first-time savers: Open MariBank first, it's instant (GCash app), has no minimum balance, and the MariCard gives 1% cashback on every peso you spend. Sign up with Referral Code JA775362 for an extra ₱150 free on top. It also happens to pay the best no-effort interest rate of the three. Add GoTyme when you can visit a Robinsons Mall for its own flat rate and mall-tied perks.

For freelancers and remote workers: Maya is the primary account. It handles PayPal, international transactions, and bills better than the others. Add MariBank for the 0% FX markup debit card if you buy from international merchants regularly.

For OFW families: Maya has the strongest remittance support and the widest cash-in network. Set Maya as the receiving account. Use the interest-earning balance in MariBank or GoTyme for idle funds between remittance cycles.

For savers who want maximum return on idle cash: MariBank's 3.25%-3.75% p.a. is the best no-effort flat rate of the three digital banks. If you're willing to complete Maya's monthly tasks every month without fail, its boosted rate can beat both, just don't count on it if you're likely to forget a requirement.

The three-account strategy that works best: Keep your spending money in MariBank (1% cashback, 0% FX, plus a competitive savings rate), use GoTyme for its flat no-conditions rate and Robinsons perks, and use Maya for bills, investments, and remittances. All three are free to hold with ₱0 minimum and no monthly fees. Loading up your MariCard, GoTyme, or Maya wallet ahead of the 8.8 Sale (August 8-9, 2026) also lets you stack debit card cashback on top of Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop's own event discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions