How to Choose the Best Mobile Banking App in Kenya in 2025

Kenya leads the world in mobile banking, with 83% of adults using digital financial services, according to CBK reports.

Apps like KCB Mobile, Equity’s Eazzy Banking, and Co-op Bank’s MCo-op Cash have transformed how Kenyans manage money, pay bills, and access loans.

Whether you’re a tech-savvy youth running a side hustle, an SME owner streamlining transactions, or a rural user relying on USSD, choosing the right mobile banking app is crucial.

With 58.4% of Kenyans preferring mobile apps over ATMs, thanks to a Kenya Bankers Association report, this guide compares top apps based on transaction fees, loan access, bill payments, and USSD options, plus user reviews from Google Play, to help you pick the best one for your needs.

Why Mobile Banking Apps Matter in Kenya

Kenya’s fintech ecosystem, pioneered by M-Pesa in 2007, handles KES 997 million in daily mobile transactions. Mobile banking apps offer:

Convenience: Pay bills (KPLC, DStv), buy airtime, or transfer funds from your phone.
Loan Access: Instant loans like KCB M-Pesa (KES 1,000–300,000) or Equity’s Eazzy Loan (KES 100–200,000).
Cost Savings: Lower fees compared to shylocks (20–100% monthly) or branch visits.
Accessibility: USSD codes like *522# (KCB) or *325# (Family Bank) for non-smartphone users.

However, with dozens of apps available, from Absa’s Timiza to NCBA Loop, choosing the right one depends on your priorities: low fees, fast loans, or reliable bill payments. Below, we compare five top apps and share tips to make an informed choice.

Top 5 Mobile Banking Apps in Kenya

1. KCB Mobile App

Why It Stands Out: KCB Mobile, backed by Kenya’s largest bank, offers robust features like KCB M-Pesa loans and VOOMA services. Its modern design and encryption ensure security.

Key Features:

Transaction Fees: Free airtime purchases (up to KES 10,000); KES 20–60 for M-Pesa transfers (KES 1,000–70,000).
Loan Access: KCB M-Pesa loans (KES 1,000–300,000, 7.35% for 30 days) via *522# or app.
Bill Payments: KPLC, DStv, GOtv, Nairobi Water, Jambo Jet, and school fees (10,000+ schools).
USSD Option: *522# for non-smartphone users; supports loans, transfers, and bill payments.
Unique Perks: Charts for expense tracking and Simba Points for rewards (e.g., cash, airtime).

User Reviews (Google Play): 4.3/5 (100K+ reviews). Praised for its user-friendly interface but criticised for delayed notifications (e.g., no SMS for SWIFT transfers) and occasional bugs post-updates.

2. Equity Eazzy Banking App

Why It Stands Out: Equity’s app, with over 50,000 downloads, is known for its intuitive interface and seamless integration with M-Pesa and Equitel. It’s ideal for SMEs and youth.

Key Features:

Transaction Fees: Free airtime purchases; KES 25–66 for M-Pesa transfers (KES 1,000–70,000). High fees for frequent transfers are noted as a drawback.
Loan Access: Eazzy Loans (KES 100–200,000, 2–10% interest, 30 days) disbursed to Equity accounts or M-Pesa.
Bill Payments: DStv, GOtv, Zuku, KPLC, KRA tax, and more via app or Equitel line.
USSD Option: *247# for transfers, bill payments, and loan applications.
Unique Perks: Budgeting tools, repayment reminders, and real-time transaction tracking.

User Reviews (Google Play): 4.4/5 (50K+ reviews). Loved for fast loans and ease of use but criticised for high transaction fees and limited non-equity account functionality.

3. Co-op Bank MCo-op Cash

Why It Stands Out: MCo-op Cash serves both individuals and SACCO members, offering up to KES 200,000 loans and a user-friendly platform.

Key Features:

Transaction Fees: Free airtime purchases; KES 20–60 for M-Pesa/Airtel transfers. Competitive but slightly dated interface.
Loan Access: Emergency loans (KES 1,000–200,000, 1.5x net salary, 30 days) via *667# or app.
Bill Payments: KPLC, DStv, GOtv, KRA tax, and insurance payments.
USSD Option: *667# for transfers, loans, and bill payments, ideal for rural users.
Unique Perks: SACCO integration for chama savings and loans.

User Reviews (Google Play): 4.2/5 (30K+ reviews). Praised for loan access, but some users report poor customer service post-transaction.

4. Absa Timiza

Why It Stands Out: Absa’s Timiza app offers flexible loans and insurance purchases, with a simple USSD option for non-smartphone users.

Key Features:

Transaction Fees: Free airtime purchases; KES 25–60 for M-Pesa transfers. 5% penalty for late loan payments.
Loan Access: Instant loans (KES 150–50,000, 1.56% monthly) via *848# or app.
Bill Payments: DStv, GOtv, KPLC, school fees, and insurance.
USSD Option: *848# for registration, loans, and payments, accessible to all.
Unique Perks: No registration fees; supports international payments (limited).

User Reviews (Google Play): 4.3/5 (40K+ reviews). Appreciated for quick loans, but onboarding can be challenging for new users.

5. NCBA Loop

Why It Stands Out: NCBA Loop offers high-limit loans (up to KES 3,000,000) and budgeting tools, ideal for SMEs and professionals.

Key Features:

Transaction Fees: KES 20–60 for M-Pesa/Airtel transfers; high fees noted by users.
Loan Access: Loans (KES 1,000–3M, interest based on credit score) require savings history and KYC.
Bill Payments: KPLC, DStv, GOtv, KRA tax, and school fees.
USSD Option: *655# for basic transactions; app preferred for loans.
Unique Perks: Budgeting tools, repayment reminders, and multi-currency support.

User Reviews (Google Play): 4.1/5 (20K+ reviews). Praised for high loan limits but criticised for high fees and KYC delays.

Comparison Table: Top Mobile Banking Apps in Kenya

How to Choose the Best Mobile Banking App

With so many options, picking the right app depends on your needs. Here’s how to decide:

Assess Transaction Fees: If you transfer frequently to M-Pesa, KCB and Co-op offer competitive fees (KES 20–60), but Equity’s higher fees (KES 25–66) may add up. Check fee schedules on bank websites.
Prioritise Loan Needs: For quick, low-rate loans, KCB M-Pesa (7.35%) or Absa Timiza (1.56% monthly) are top picks. For high limits, NCBA Loop (up to KES 3M) suits SMEs.
Check Bill Payment Options: All apps support KPLC, DStv, and GOtv, but KCB covers 10,000+ schools, ideal for parents.
Consider USSD Access: For non-smartphone users, KCB (*522#) and Absa (*848#) offer robust USSD platforms for loans and payments.
Read User Reviews: Google Play ratings (4.1–4.4/5) highlight strengths like Equity’s interface but flag issues like KCB’s notification delays or Co-op’s customer service.
Evaluate Security: Look for apps with two-factor authentication (2FA), biometric login, and fraud alerts (e.g., KCB, Equity). Avoid public Wi-Fi for transactions.
Test Compatibility: Ensure your device supports the app (e.g., KCB requires Android 8.0+). Check for iOS/Huawei support if needed.

Pro Tip: If you’re multi-banked (62% of Kenyans have 2–3 accounts), choose an app like Equity or NCBA Loop with budgeting tools to track spending across accounts.

User Sentiment and Challenges

Recent posts on X highlight mixed sentiments:

Equity’s Eazzy app is praised for its interface but criticised for high fees and slow loan approvals compared to competitors like Kipchoge’s pace.
KCB Mobile users appreciate its convenience but report delays in nighttime M-Pesa transfers and missing SMS notifications.
Co-op Bank’s customer service draws complaints post-transaction, though its SACCO integration is a hit.

These insights, combined with Google Play reviews, suggest prioritising apps with reliable customer support (46.4% of users prefer human-assisted services) and testing apps for your specific needs.

Why Mobile Banking Apps Are Essential in Kenya

With 52.79% of loans being mobile-based and 30 million M-Pesa users, mobile banking apps are central to Kenya’s financial ecosystem.

Apps like KCB Mobile (with KCB M-Pesa integration) and Equity Eazzy offer instant loans, low fees, and USSD access, making them ideal for hustlers, SMEs, and rural users.

However, high transaction fees (e.g., NCBA Loop) and occasional app bugs (e.g., KCB post-updates) require careful consideration.

Get Started Today

Ready to simplify your banking? Download KCB Mobile, Equity Eazzy, or Absa Timiza from Google Play or App Store to explore loans, bill payments, and more.

For non-smartphone users, dial *522# (KCB) or *848# (Timiza) to start. Share your favourite app or banking tips in the comments, and follow Fintech News for more ways to navigate Kenya’s fintech world!

Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.