Comparison

Openserve Connect vs Load Shedding Notifier

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

Head to head
About

Openserve Connect

This app provides a direct link to Openserve, South Africa's largest telecommunications infrastructure provider. It allows users to check broadband coverage, find ISPs and their deals, test network performance, and manage their fibre services. Users can also track orders, request upgrades, and troubleshoot connectivity issues.

Highlights
  • Check broadband coverage
  • Find ISP details and deals
  • Monitor network status and outages
  • Test Wi-Fi speed and network line
  • Manage fibre service orders
  • Request line speed upgrades
  • Troubleshoot connectivity issues
Features
Read full description

Openserve is South Africa’s largest telecommunications infrastructure provider. As the leader in broadband connectivity, we are committed to keeping you connected. Access to information puts you in control of your connectivity needs. The Openserve Connect App is your gateway to information, updates, and self-service functionalities that put you in control. Our App lets you: - Check broadband coverage - Find ISPs details - Explore ISP deals - Find ISPs details - Explore Openserve broadband network services - Check network status for network outages - Test the network line - Wi-Fi Speed test - Information and troubleshooting guidelines - Learn about our broadband network - Place an order for fibre service with Openserve - Link services to your profile using ONT serial number or using your device camera to capture the serial number barcode - Request a line speed upgrade from your ISP - Track faults and orders that are associated with any of your linked service numbers - Search for an order and add it to your profile so you can easily track progress for new services - View and show interest in the best Fibre deals Not yet on the Openserve network? No problem. Download the app, check the coverage map to see broadband options available in your area, and get your home or business connected!

About

Load Shedding Notifier

Stay informed about power outages with real-time load shedding status updates. Receive early warnings for scheduled power cuts in your configured areas and view future schedules. The app supports nationwide Eskom and municipal areas, with options for multiple locations and quiet times.

Highlights
  • Real-time load shedding status
  • Early warning alerts
  • View monthly schedules
  • Multiple area configuration
  • Configurable quiet times
  • Low data usage
Features
Read full description

This app monitors the current Eskom load shedding status and notifies you if the power is scheduled to go off in your area. Please note: This app includes schedules for ALL Eskom supplied areas (nationwide) and ALL known municipality supplied areas (nationwide) that publish load shedding schedules. If your municipality is not included, please send an email to abisoft.loadshedding@gmail.com to get it added. Key features: • Real-time Eskom load shedding status monitoring. • Offset status for City of Cape Town customers. • Power grid status monitoring. • Early warning of scheduled load shedding in your areas. • Multiple areas can be configured. • Configure quiet times for each area. • View load shedding schedules for your areas for the following month. • Very low data usage. • Configurable alerts. Disclaimer: abisoft is in no way linked to Eskom. All schedules and load shedding status updates are obtained from Eskom or publicly available data sources. This app is provided free of charge, and abisoft will not accept any liability for losses arising out of the information presented in this app.

Screenshots

Openserve Connect4 screens
Load Shedding Notifier4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Load Shedding Notifier at 57% against Openserve Connect's 14%. Load Shedding Notifier also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.8) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). Openserve Connect's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume 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. Load Shedding Notifier sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Openserve Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Load Shedding Notifier holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 63 and 39 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of Openserve Connect's written reviews are positive against 57% of Load Shedding Notifier's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Openserve Connect ships an update monthly, Load Shedding Notifier fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Openserve Connect versus Load Shedding Notifier: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenserve ConnectLoad Shedding Notifier
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (63 ratings)4.7 (39 ratings) — better
Positive reviews13.6% of reviews56.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings63 — better39
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size148 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpenserve (Pty) LtdAbisoft Inc.

Customer experience

Openserve Connect

All ratings62 ratings
Positive66.1%
Neutral8.1%
Negative25.8%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive13.6%
Neutral1.7%
Negative84.7%

Load Shedding Notifier

All ratings39 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive56.6%
Neutral18.9%
Negative24.5%

User reviews

Openserve Connect

From 63 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Well designed and laid out
  • 👍 Easy to use and navigate
  • 👍 Looks interesting and convenient
  • 👍 Seamless and value for money

Room to improve

  • ❌ App doesn't open/loads forever
  • ❌ Connection issues and service problems
  • ❌ Difficult to get help/no customer support
  • ❌ App crashes frequently
  • ❌ Poor installation and setup experience

Load Shedding Notifier

From 39 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Better than alternatives
  • 🎯 Accurate load shedding times
  • 🚀 Fast updates on changes
  • ✅ Reliable information
  • 📱 User-friendly interface

Room to improve

  • 🪲 Notification preferences not honored
  • 🪲 Shows load shedding, not reduction
  • 🪲 App freezes/shuts down
  • 🪲 No longer updates in background
  • 🪲 Inaccurate information/not updated

Bugs and requests

Openserve Connect

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • App doesn't open or loads indefinitely
  • App crashes when running line tests
  • App crashes during registration/address entry
  • App shows 'all good in the hood' when network is down
  • App doesn't allow fault logging
Show 7 more
  • App doesn't validate service numbers
  • App doesn't show all screens on iPad
  • App crashes after entering order number
  • App freezes on login screen
  • App shows blank pages for appointments/order tracking
  • App jams the UI with open faults
  • App doesn't update installation progress correctly

Requested features

22 requests
  • Ability to log faults directly
  • Improved customer support accessibility
  • Clearer installation and tracking information
  • Better communication regarding service outages
  • Fix app crashes during line tests
Show 17 more
  • Ensure app accurately reflects network status
  • Provide a way to contact human support
  • Allow users to track orders more effectively
  • Fix issues with prepaid bundle recharges
  • Ensure sales agents are accurate with deals
  • Resolve issues with lost prepaid voucher money
  • Improve call centre organization and helpfulness
  • Address slow internet speeds and disconnections
  • Provide timely feedback on reported issues
  • Fix app bugs after order number entry
  • Streamline the registration process
  • Ensure app accurately reflects installation progress
  • Fix app crashes when running line tests
  • Unjam UI when faults are logged
  • Make app functional on iPads
  • Provide a clear way to log faults
  • Ensure app works with data when no internet

Load Shedding Notifier

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Does not honor notification preferences
  • Does not show load reduction schedule
  • App freezes and shuts down
  • No longer updates in the background
  • Schedule not updated/inaccurate
Show 8 more
  • App freezes on setup screen
  • App shows black screen with rotating arrow
  • Schedules not notifying correctly
  • Takes time to update/refresh
  • App crashes
  • Latest updates have broken the app
  • Push notifications not working
  • App becomes dormant for notifications

Requested features

6 requests
  • Show load reduction schedule
  • Allow location detection for schedules
  • Simplify schedule format
  • Option to turn off tracking cookies
  • Widget for iPhone
Show 1 more
  • Simple way to change notification tone

In-app purchases

None

Openserve Connect

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Load Shedding Notifier

One-time3
  • Ad free version$2.99
  • Personal supporter$4.99
  • Business supporter$49.99

Questions

Is Openserve Connect free?
Openserve Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Load Shedding Notifier free?
Load Shedding Notifier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Openserve Connect or Load Shedding Notifier?
Load Shedding Notifier is rated higher. Openserve Connect averages 3.8 out of 5 from 63 ratings, while Load Shedding Notifier averages 4.7 from 39 ratings.
Do Openserve Connect or Load Shedding Notifier have ads?
Load Shedding Notifier shows ads; Openserve Connect does not.
Which is updated more often, Openserve Connect or Load Shedding Notifier?
Openserve Connect ships an update monthly, and Load Shedding Notifier fortnightly. Most recently, Openserve Connect was updated on October 24, 2026 and Load Shedding Notifier on October 24, 2026.

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