Absa Banking vs iStore Pay
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Absa Banking
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.
- Approve/reject transactions
- Facial biometrics security
- Virtual assistant (Abby)
- Instant payments (PayShap)
- Card management (lock/replace)
- Cardless ATM withdrawals
- Prepaid airtime/data/electricity
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Discover why millions choose the award-winning Absa Banking App for secure, simple and convenient banking 24/7. Whether you’re paying, saving, borrowing or managing your money, the Absa Banking App gives you the tools to bank with confidence, wherever life takes you. Get started in minutes - Open an account without visiting a branch. - Apply for products like credit cards, loans, insurance and more. - Access more banking solutions as your needs grow. Manage your money with confidence - View and manage all your accounts in one place. - Increase your credit card limit or apply for an overdraft. - Adjust your banking and card limits whenever you need to. - Monitor your credit score for free with Credit Coach. - Grow your savings with Savings Coach. Payments at your fingertips - Fast payments with PayShap. - Send money with CashSend. - Make international payments with Global Pay and more. - Use Pay@ or EasyPay to pay your bills on time. - Buy digital vouchers in seconds. Bank securely - Lock, unlock or replace your card in just a few taps. - Approve or reject transactions instantly. - Pay securely with your Virtual Card or your phone. - Protect your account with facial biometrics. -Enjoy added peace of mind with Digital Fraud Warranty. More reasons to love the App - Book flights and accommodation with exclusive discounts. - Earn real cash back with Absa Rewards. - Chat to Abby, your virtual banking assistant. - Reverse unauthorised debit orders. - Play Lotto & Powerball
iStore Pay
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Turn your iPhone into a secure payment terminal in under 15 minutes with the all-new iStore Pay app. This dedicated business payment solution from iStore—Apple’s only Premium Partner in Africa—allows you to take payments from anywhere with no hidden fees. With a model where you only pay when you transact or request a payout, it is the ultimate solution for your small business. iStore Pay enables Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone, allowing local businesses to seamlessly and securely accept all forms of in-person, contactless payments. This includes everything from physical debit and credit cards to Apple Pay and other digital wallets—using only your iPhone and the iStore Pay app. It is easy, secure and requires no additional hardware or payment terminals. App Features: Get Started in Minutes: Download the iStore Pay app and start transacting in under 15 minutes. Tap to Pay on iPhone: Accept contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and other digital wallets with a simple tap on your iPhone. Zero Barrier to Entry: Start accepting payments right on your current iPhone. Your Business Command Centre: Monitor sales, track transaction history and manage funds or refunds in real-time. Secure and Private: Leveraging Apple’s built-in features, card numbers are never stored on Apple servers, ensuring business and customer data stay private.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Absa Banking at every 9 days against iStore Pay's every 2 months. Absa Banking also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
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, iStore Pay every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Absa Banking | iStore Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (5.2K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 45.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5.2K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 409 MB | 55 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Absa Bank Limited | ZA Online Store (Pty) Ltd |
Bugs and requests
Absa Banking
Reported bugs
4 issues- Login issues after device migration
- Incorrect payment references and confirmations
- Inability to access certain account types
- Timezone-related date/time issues
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to edit recurring payments
- Option to view credit card balance
- Improved transaction history and reporting
- Geo-payment feature like other banks
iStore Pay
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Absa Banking
No in-app purchases
iStore Pay
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Absa Banking free?
Is iStore Pay free?
Do Absa Banking or iStore Pay have ads?
Which is updated more often, Absa Banking or iStore Pay?
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