Filipinos Balance Cash and Digital: Payments in the Philippines Enter a Hybrid Era

New nationwide study finds nearly 6 in 10 Filipinos still rely on cash daily, as digital payments surge for convenience, speed, and lifestyle.

21 November 2025, Manila, Philippines — Cash is far from dead in the Philippines. A new nationwide study by Agile Data Solutions Inc., through its survey arm Hustle PH, reveals that while 58.39% of Filipinos still primarily use cash, digital payments are fast becoming a daily habit. Nearly two-thirds of respondents now use e-wallets or online platforms weekly, signaling a new financial reality defined by balance—cash for essentials, digital for convenience.

Once viewed as opposites, cash and digital payments now coexist in everyday Filipino life, reflecting a shift toward practical, context-based financial behavior.

Everyday Habits Show Dual Loyalty

The study found that 60.35% of Filipinos “always” rely on cash, especially for sari-sari stores (74.84%), public transportation (46.77%), and small vendors (38.90%). Yet digital payments dominate in online spaces—used by 68.97% for online shopping, 41.08% for food deliveries, and 36.61% for bills.

“Payment is no longer a one-size-fits-all choice,” said Jason Gaguan, Co-founder of Agile Data Solutions Inc. “Filipinos are practical switchers—using cash for the palengke and digital for Lazada, Grab, or GCash. It’s not a replacement, it’s an adaptation.”

What Drives Payment Choices

Convenience emerged as the top factor influencing payment decisions (43.26%), followed by rewards (17.28%) and security (12.69%). 

For those who prefer cash, privacy and security concerns (29.47%), and avoiding fees (26.91%) were the primary reasons. Meanwhile, digital adopters value speed (45.57%) and ease of use.

Respondents said they would shift further toward digital if fees were lower (51.14%), transactions were faster (40.97%), and rewards were better (39.25%).

“Trust, cost, and incentives—not technology—drive adoption,” Gaguan explained. “The more Filipinos see value, the faster the shift will be.”

The Rise of Digital—But Not the Fall of Cash

The transition to digital is accelerating: 82% of respondents reported increased digital usage in the past year. 28.64% now use digital for all transactions, while 24.03% rely on it for most purchases. Still, many continue to mix both depending on the situation.

“Filipinos aren’t abandoning cash overnight—they’re evolving,” said Gaguan. “We’re seeing a hybrid economy where both methods thrive based on purpose.”

Trust and Security Define the Digital Frontier

Confidence in digital finance is high but cautious. 46.38% of Filipinos say they fully trust digital payments, and 45.54% trust them “with concerns.” The top fears include fraud and scams (67.79%), privacy risks (47.51%), and system downtimes (41.69%).

More than half have personally experienced or know someone affected by fraud. Still, digital banks are earning credibility—46.31% now trust them as much as traditional institutions. Most users also employ security measures like OTPs (80.78%), biometrics (48.58%), and strong passwords (47.53%).

“Security is the dealbreaker,” Gaguan emphasized. “The more financial platforms strengthen their defenses and educate users, the faster trust—and usage—will grow.”

Convenience Has a Cost: Impulse and Overspending

Digital payments make shopping easier, but also more impulsive. 51.50% say they shop more because of digital tools, and 57.69% believe they encourage overspending.

“Digital payments fuel both convenience and consumption,” said Gaguan. “They simplify transactions and drive sales—creating new opportunities for brands to capture spontaneous, high-intent spending moments.”

As digital adoption accelerates, Agile Data Solutions predicts a future where Filipinos manage hybrid payment habits, balancing convenience, cost, and control in a rapidly digitizing economy.

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About Agile Data Solutions Inc.

Your agile partner in data-driven growth

Agile Data Solutions Inc. is the country’s premier market research technology company. Partnered with GCash, it has the largest panel size in the Philippines, boasting more than 74 million customer data points to date. 

Agile’s hyper-targeted consumer modeling is powered by its data-gathering platform Hustle PH, which connects a network of over 1,000,000 respondents nationwide. Through advanced data collection and data engineering, Agile Data Solutions has become the preferred insights partner of Fortune 500 companies, banks, telecommunications, and technology firms across Southeast Asia.

For more information, visit https://www.agiledatasolutions.tech/ or email agilepartners@hustle-ph.com