# Absa Banking vs MCB SmartApprove

The clearest difference is update cadence: Absa Banking at every 9 days against MCB SmartApprove's every 4 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Absa Banking ships an update every 9 days, MCB SmartApprove every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Absa Banking | MCB SmartApprove |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (5.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/absa-banking/id1085620596/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **5.3K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 45.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 4 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 408 MB | 124 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Absa Bank Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/619957263) | [MCB GROUP Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449589204) |

## What reviewers say

### Absa Banking

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/absa-banking/id1085620596)

Manage your bank accounts, approve transactions, and enhance security with advanced biometrics. Simplify payments, get instant statements, and withdraw cash without a card. Enjoy convenient banking features like a virtual assistant and prepaid purchases.

**Highlights:** Approve/reject transactions, Facial biometrics security, Virtual assistant (Abby), Instant payments (PayShap), Card management (lock/replace), Cardless ATM withdrawals, Prepaid airtime/data/electricity

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless app experience
- 🔒 Secure banking
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💡 Convenient features (e.g. airtime, data purchases)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes
- 🔍 Difficult to access account details
- 🤔 Confusing verification process
- 🚫 Lack of support for older devices

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues after device migration
- Incorrect payment references and confirmations
- Inability to access certain account types
- Timezone-related date/time issues

**Requested features**

- Ability to edit recurring payments
- Option to view credit card balance
- Improved transaction history and reporting
- Geo-payment feature like other banks


### MCB SmartApprove

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mcb-smartapprove/id1618948834)

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Absa Banking free?

Absa Banking is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MCB SmartApprove free?

MCB SmartApprove is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Absa Banking or MCB SmartApprove have ads?

Neither Absa Banking nor MCB SmartApprove shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Absa Banking or MCB SmartApprove?

Absa Banking ships an update every 9 days, and MCB SmartApprove every 4 weeks. Most recently, Absa Banking was updated on October 19, 2026 and MCB SmartApprove on October 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*