Comparison

FirstMonie vs Wakeel

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

FirstMonie

This mobile money service allows users to send and receive funds, purchase airtime, and pay bills directly from their phone. It offers convenient access to a mobile wallet, enabling transactions without a traditional bank account.

Highlights
  • Send and receive money
  • Buy airtime and data
  • Pay bills and subscriptions
  • Make purchases from merchants
  • Self-registration in 3 minutes
  • Fund wallet from debit card or bank account
Features
Read full description

Experience a smarter way to bank and manage your money with FirstMonie, FirstBank's next-generation digital financial account. Built for convenience, security, and financial inclusion, FirstMonie gives you access to everyday banking services directly from your mobile device. Why Choose FirstMonie? Open Your Account in Minutes Open your FirstMonie account using your mobile number Complete digital onboarding with real-time identity verification Upgrade to higher account tiers through self-service options Access multilingual support in English, French, and Simplified Chinese Secure and Reliable Access Secure login with PIN, biometrics, and device authentication Enhanced protection through OTP verification Self-service account recovery and reactivation Advanced transaction monitoring and fraud prevention controls Add Money Conveniently Fund your FirstMonie account through multiple channels: Bank transfers Debit card funding Linked bank accounts USSD payments QR payments Cash deposits through approved channels Quick account number sharing and copy functionality Send and Receive Money Instantly Transfer funds instantly to banks and supported accounts Receive money directly into your FirstMonie account Get real-time transaction notifications Enjoy secure transaction authorization and confirmation Buy Airtime and Data Purchase airtime for yourself or others Buy data bundles across supported mobile networks Repeat transactions quickly using saved beneficiaries and transaction history Pay Bills Easily Electricity Cable TV subscriptions Internet services Education payments Utility services Grow Your Finances with Built-in Savings Capabilities Create and manage savings plans Save towards personal financial goals Monitor balances and savings progress in real time Access savings services directly within the app Track Your Finances View account balances in real time Access complete transaction history Download account statements Monitor spending and account activity Receive instant transaction confirmations and updates Manage Your Account from a Single Dashboard Update personal information Manage security preferences Change language settings Access Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Locate nearby FirstMonie Agents and FirstBank Branches Perform self-service account management anytime Additional Features Include: Beneficiary management Recurring payments Electricity token retrieval Downloadable receipts and payment confirmations Download FirstMonie today!

About

Wakeel

Features
Read full description

Wakeel is a publicly available app for agents (individuals) and merchants (businesses), offered by The Alternative Bank(Sterling HoldCo). Users can download the app and apply for an account. Access to transactional features is enabled after onboarding and identity verification. Key features include: • Interbank and intrabank transfers • Customer onboarding • Agent-assisted and merchant-based application services. • Value-added services such as utility and airtime payments

Screenshots

FirstMonie4 screens
Wakeel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: FirstMonie at every 3 weeks against Wakeel's every 6 months. 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FirstMonie ships an update every 3 weeks, Wakeel every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
FirstMonie versus Wakeel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFirstMonieWakeel
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (65 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews20.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings65 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size161 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFirst Bank of Nigeria LimitedSterling Bank Plc

In-app purchases

None

FirstMonie

No in-app purchases

None

Wakeel

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FirstMonie free?
FirstMonie is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Wakeel free?
Wakeel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FirstMonie or Wakeel have ads?
Neither FirstMonie nor Wakeel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FirstMonie or Wakeel?
FirstMonie ships an update every 3 weeks, and Wakeel every 6 months. Most recently, FirstMonie was updated on October 23, 2026 and Wakeel on October 19, 2026.

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