Comparison

telebirr vs Star Pay

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

Head to head
About

telebirr

This all-in-one mobile application consolidates numerous services into a single platform. It facilitates daily activities like financial transactions, product purchases, and bill payments, with the added convenience of integrated mini-apps for banking, ticketing, and more.

Highlights
  • All-in-one mobile services
  • Integrated mini-apps
  • Financial transactions
  • E-commerce payments
  • Government services payment
  • Offline fuel transactions
  • Group money transfers
Features
Read full description

Ethio telecom telebirr SuperApp is an all in one mobile app that enables you to access a wide range of services within a single app. The app allows you to get services you need in your day to day activities such as conducting telebirr transactions, telecom product purchases, e-commerce payments, goods & services purchases, digital financial services, government services payment, fuel payment, café & restaurants payment, ticketing & transport services, entertainment, merchant & utility payment, and much more. Additionally, telebirr SuperApp has a capability to seamlessly onboard multiple 3rd party Mini-Apps from different industries. The mini apps platform allows you to access a wide range of services, including digital banking, ticketing, ride-hailing, delivery and more in a single app. You can access the mini apps through the in-app option on the main page of the Superapp, making it easy to switch between services. One of the key features of the telebirr Superapp is its offline functionality for fuel transactions, allowing you to access the app and get the service without interruption even when the data network is not available. This feature is particularly useful in areas where network connectivity is limited. Enjoy the convenience of telebirr SuperApp by making transactions solely on your mobile. No need to travel and carry physical cash, no need to switch between apps to complete different transactions, everything you need is available at the tip of your mobile. Key benefits: telebirr SuperApp enables you to: - Deposit, receive, transfer and spend money using your mobile number. - Conveniently use "Group send money" option that allows you to send money to multiple recipients at once, such as family members, colleagues or loved ones. - Make scheduled payment & automatically settle your payments on a regular basis. - Make payments at shops/convenient stores via QR codes, - Easily conduct cashless transactions and receive international remittance - Just click and purchase Ethio telecom Airtime and Packages - Tap and Pay for goods and services, your school fees, tickets and different purchases anywhere anytime - Enjoy secured transactions and a seamless digital payment experience

About

Star Pay

Features
Read full description

Star Pay proudly stands as a licensed non-bank electronic money financial institution, fully authorised and regulated by Da Afghanistan Bank. Our unwavering commitment is to extend accessible and reliable financial services to every corner of Afghanistan, with a particular focus on empowering individuals in remote and underserved communities who have traditionally lacked access to conventional banking facilities. We envision a future where every Afghan citizen, regardless of their geographical location, can actively participate in and contribute to the nation's economic growth, fostering a more inclusive and prosperous society. Experience the ease and security of digital transactions with Star Pay. Our intuitive platform empowers you to effortlessly and confidently send and receive money to your loved ones, friends, and business partners across Afghanistan, eliminating geographical barriers and fostering stronger connections. Enjoy unparalleled flexibility and convenience in managing your finances by seamlessly transferring funds between your existing bank accounts and your secure Star Pay digital wallet, and vice versa – putting you in complete control of your money. Experience the power of digital currency and effortlessly convert your physical cash into electronic funds and back again, adapting to your needs with remarkable ease. Bid farewell to physical cash, long queues and time-consuming processes – Star Pay enables you to swiftly settle essential bills such as electricity, educational fees for schools and universities, and healthcare payments to doctors, all from the comfort of your phone. Furthermore, we streamline your interactions with vital government services by facilitating secure payments for crucial documents like national ID, passports, vehicle registration, driving licenses, company licenses, and various municipal and other governmental taxes, saving you valuable time and effort. Stay connected with ease by purchasing electronic top-up for all major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) including Roshan, Etisalat, AWCC, and Salam, all within the Star Pay ecosystem. Beyond empowering individual transactions, Star Pay actively fosters economic activity at the community level. Through our expanding network of trusted merchants, you can conveniently purchase everyday household necessities, directly supporting local businesses and contributing to the economic vitality of your region. Our robust and reliable platform also provides efficient and transparent solutions for organizations of all types. Governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and non-profit entities, both national and international, can leverage Star Pay to streamline the secure and timely distribution of employee salaries, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and accountability. At Star Pay, every operation is conducted with the utmost diligence and in strict adherence to the guidelines and regulations set forth by Da Afghanistan Bank, as well as our own strict administrative and security policies. We place vital importance on safeguarding the rights and interests of our valued customers. Our unwavering commitment to implementing robust customer rights and cutting-edge data protection policies ensures that every transaction you undertake is characterized by complete freedom, ironclad security, and the full exercise of your inherent rights and authorities as a valued member of our platform. "Ready to experience the future of finance in Afghanistan? Getting started with Star Pay is absolutely free and incredibly easy. Simply: • Visit your nearest official Star Pay agent. Our friendly agents are ready to assist you with account opening and answer any questions you may have. • Explore our comprehensive website at www.starpay.com for detailed information about our services and online registration. Join the growing Star Pay family today and become part of a new era of inclusive and empowered financial participation across Afghanistan.

Screenshots

telebirr4 screens
Star Pay4 screens

Verdict

The call

telebirr and Star Pay are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

telebirr ships an update monthly, Star Pay every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
telebirr versus Star Pay: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertelebirrStar Pay
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (1.5K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.5K — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size93 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEthio telecomANKA GLOBAL E-TICARET ENERJI ITHALAT IHRACAT SANAYI VE TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI

Bugs and requests

telebirr

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to login or create account
  • Gender selection not working
  • Payment and transfer functions not working
  • Sim card association issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add reason for payments and transfers
  • Improve stability and user-friendliness
  • Expand payment options beyond Telebirr
  • Allow login and access via WiFi or other SIMs

Star Pay

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

telebirr

No in-app purchases

None

Star Pay

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is telebirr free?
telebirr is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Star Pay free?
Star Pay is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do telebirr or Star Pay have ads?
Neither telebirr nor Star Pay shows ads.
Which is updated more often, telebirr or Star Pay?
telebirr ships an update monthly, and Star Pay every 5 weeks. Most recently, telebirr was updated on October 27, 2026 and Star Pay on October 28, 2026.

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