Quick Facts

• Most budgeting apps like 22seven and Mint are completely free
• You can start investing with as little as R10 on EasyEquities
• TymeBank GoalSave offers up to 11% interest on savings
• Always download apps from official stores (Google Play or Apple App Store)
• Check FSCA registration before using any financial app

What Are Saving Apps?

Saving apps are mobile phone programmes that help you manage your money better. They work on your smartphone or tablet. These apps can help you save money, track where your money goes, and plan for the future.

Think of them as a personal money helper that fits in your pocket. Some apps show you how much you spend each month. Others help you invest your money. Some apps even give you discounts when you shop.

In South Africa, saving apps have become very popular. More than 50% of South Africans now use mobile banking. This is higher than the African average of 36%. These apps make it easier to manage money without visiting a bank branch.

Types of Saving Apps Available in South Africa

There are four main types of saving apps you can use:

• Budgeting Apps: These track your spending and help you stick to a budget
• Investment Apps: These help you buy shares, ETFs, or other investments
• Bank Savings Apps: These are from banks and help you save money with interest
• Shopping Apps: These find discounts and deals to help you spend less

Each type of app serves a different purpose. You can use more than one app at the same time. For example, you might use a budgeting app to track spending and an investment app to grow your savings.

Best Free Budgeting Apps in South Africa

Budgeting apps help you see where your money goes each month. They connect to your bank accounts and show you everything in one place. Here are the best free options for South Africans in 2025:

1. 22seven (Now Called Vault22)

Cost: Completely FREE

22seven is powered by Old Mutual. It is the most popular budgeting app in South Africa. The app connects to over 120 financial institutions. This includes all major banks like Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank, ABSA, and Nedbank.

Who Should Use It: Anyone who wants to understand their spending better. Perfect for beginners.

How to Get It: Download from Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Search for “Vault22” or “22seven”.

2. Spendee

Cost: FREE (or R275/year for Plus, R425/year for Premium)

Spendee is available on Android, iOS, and the web. The free version works well for most people. It helps you track your cash flow and see detailed breakdowns of your spending.

Who Should Use It: People who want more detailed spending reports. Good for tracking multiple accounts.

3. Mint

Cost: Completely FREE

Mint automates your budgeting process. It draws data from your different accounts. It tracks your spending and helps you set up a budget. This means you spend less time managing money manually.

Who Should Use It: People who want automatic budgeting with minimal effort.

Best Investment Apps for Growing Your Money

Investment apps help you buy shares, ETFs, and other investments. These apps make investing accessible to everyone. You don’t need thousands of Rands to start. Here are the best options for 2025:

1. EasyEquities

Minimum to Start: R10

EasyEquities is South Africa’s most popular investment platform. You can invest in local and international shares. The app is designed for beginners but also works for experienced investors.

What It Costs (2025 Fees):

• Brokerage Fee: 0.25% when you buy or sell (minimum 1 cent per trade)
• Thrive Fee: R25 per month (waived if you’re under 21 or over 65)
• Bank Transfers: FREE
• Withdrawals: FREE to your SA bank account
• Instant Deposits via Ozow: 1% fee

Safety: EasyEquities is regulated by FSCA (FSP number 22588). Your investments are protected by South African law.

Who Should Use It: Anyone who wants to start investing with small amounts. Perfect for beginners.

2. SatrixNOW

SatrixNOW has been trusted for over 20 years. The platform focuses on ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds). ETFs are bundles of shares that spread your risk.

What Makes It Different: SatrixNOW specialises in ETF investing. This is good for people who want to invest in many companies at once instead of picking individual shares.

Safety: Regulated by FSCA. Uses industry-standard encryption.

Who Should Use It: People who prefer ETFs and passive investing.

3. Franc App

Minimum to Start: Very low amounts

Franc is designed for absolute beginners. The app has a robo-advisor. This means the app helps you choose investments based on your risk level.

What It Does:

• Helps you identify your risk profile
• Suggests investments that match your goals
• Lets you invest weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly
• Helps you set goals (wedding, car, house deposit)

Who Should Use It: Complete beginners who need help choosing investments.

4. Stash by Liberty

Minimum to Start: 10 cents per day

Stash is operated by Liberty Group. It helps you save small amounts every day. The app has fun features that make saving automatic.

How It Works:

• Link to your fitness app – save money when you exercise
• Weather savings – save when it’s sunny in your area
• Spare change savings – round up purchases
• Daily challenges – save 10c more each day for a year

Interest Rate: Cash+ portfolio offers 4.5% effective annual growth rate (changed from 5.5% in September 2025).

Who Should Use It: People who struggle to save regularly. Makes saving fun and automatic.

Bank Savings Apps with High Interest

Your bank’s app can also help you save money. Some banks offer special savings accounts with high interest rates. Here are the best bank apps for saving in 2025:

1. TymeBank GoalSave

Interest Rate: Up to 11% per year

Monthly Fee: R0 (completely free)

TymeBank is a digital bank. You don’t need to visit a branch. Everything works through the app. The GoalSave account is their savings product.

What It Costs:

• Monthly Fee: R0
• ATM Withdrawals: R10 per R1,000 at Pick n Pay/Boxer ATMs
• Cash Deposits: First R2,000 free per month at Pick n Pay/Boxer tills
• EFTs to other banks: R6 each

Who Should Use It: Anyone who wants to save money and earn good interest. Perfect if you shop at Pick n Pay or Boxer.

2. Capitec Global One Savings

Interest Rate: Competitive rates (varies by balance)

Monthly Fee: R50 (includes unlimited app and online banking)

Capitec is South Africa’s largest bank by number of customers (23 million in 2024). Their app combines banking, savings, and investing.

What You Can Do:

• Open multiple savings accounts for different goals
• Fixed deposits with high interest
• Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) available
• Link to EasyEquities for stock market investing

Who Should Use It: People who want everything in one app – banking, saving, and investing.

3. African Bank MyWORLD Account

Interest Rate: Up to 8.75% on savings pockets

MyWORLD lets you create up to 5 “pockets”. Each pocket is a separate savings goal. You get good interest on all your pockets.

Key Features:

• No minimum balance required
• Unlimited free withdrawals
• Flexible savings for different goals
• Comes with a free savings account with even better interest

Who Should Use It: People who save for multiple goals at once.

4. Old Mutual Money Account

This is a hybrid account. It works as both a transaction account and an investment account. Every time you spend money, a portion automatically gets invested.

How It Works:

• Use it like a normal bank account
• The account automatically invests some of your money
• You earn interest on savings
• Zero monthly fees

Who Should Use It: People who want to invest without thinking about it. Hands-off approach.

Shopping Apps to Save Money

These apps help you spend less money when shopping. They find discounts, deals, and special offers. Here are the best shopping apps for South Africans:

1. The Entertainer

The Entertainer offers thousands of deals across South Africa. You can get discounts on food, drinks, beauty services, fitness, tourism, and leisure activities.

How It Works: Sign up and browse available offers. The app suggests deals near your location. Use the vouchers when you visit restaurants, spas, or tourist attractions.

2. JustNow

JustNow fights food waste. They partner with supermarkets to sell products approaching their expiry date at big discounts.

What You Get: Fresh produce at reduced prices. This helps you save money and reduces food waste in South Africa.

3. PriceCheck

PriceCheck is South Africa’s largest product comparison platform. Browse products and compare prices from different stores.

How It Helps: Find the cheapest price before buying. See reviews from other buyers. Make informed shopping decisions.

4. SNAPnSAVE

SNAPnSAVE gives you cashback on purchases. Upload your receipt after shopping. Get money back on specific products.

Who Should Use It: Regular shoppers who buy branded products.

✅ How to Choose the Right App for You

With so many apps available, how do you choose? Here’s a simple guide based on what you need:

If You Want to Track Spending:

Use: 22seven (Vault22) – It’s FREE

Perfect for seeing where your money goes each month. Helps you identify areas where you overspend.

If You Want to Start Investing:

Use: EasyEquities – Start with R10

Best for beginners. Low fees. You can buy fractional shares (parts of shares).

If You Want High Interest on Savings:

Use: TymeBank GoalSave – Up to 11% interest, R0 fees

Best interest rates. No monthly fees. Perfect for building an emergency fund.

If You Want Everything in One App:

Use: Capitec Global One – R50 per month

Banking, savings, and investing all in one place. Links to EasyEquities for shares.

If You Struggle to Save Regularly:

Use: Stash by Liberty – Start with 10 cents

Makes saving fun with challenges. Links to your fitness activities. Automatic savings.

If You Want to Save on Shopping:

Use: The Entertainer + PriceCheck

Get discounts on experiences and compare prices before buying.

Understanding Costs and Fees

Most saving apps are free or very affordable. Here’s what you need to know about costs:

App Type	Typical Costs
Budgeting Apps	Usually FREE (22seven, Mint)
Investment Apps	0.25% per trade (EasyEquities), some have monthly fees
Bank Apps	R0 to R50 per month depending on bank
Shopping Apps	Usually FREE (you save money instead)

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Be aware of these possible extra costs:

• Data Costs: Using apps needs internet data. Use WiFi when possible to save
• Deposit Fees: Some apps charge to deposit money (use bank transfers to avoid)
• Withdrawal Fees: Check if there’s a cost to take money out
• Inactivity Fees: Some investment apps charge if you don’t use them regularly
• Foreign Exchange Fees: If investing internationally, watch for currency conversion costs

🚨 Staying Safe: Scams and Security Warnings

Financial app scams are increasing in South Africa. Digital banking fraud rose by 73% between 2024 and 2025. Total losses exceeded R1.4 billion in 2024. You must know how to protect yourself.

Common Scams in South Africa (2025)

Essential Safety Rules

1. Only use official app stores: Download from Google Play or Apple App Store only
2. Check FSCA registration: Before using any financial app, check it’s registered at www.fsca.co.za
3. Never share passwords or PINs: Not with anyone, ever. Banks never ask for these
4. Use strong passwords: Mix letters, numbers, and symbols. Different password for each app
5. Enable two-factor authentication: This adds extra security
6. Avoid public WiFi: Don’t use banking apps on public WiFi. Use your mobile data instead
7. Keep apps updated: Updates include security improvements
8. Check app permissions: Don’t give apps more access than they need
9. Monitor your accounts: Check transactions regularly. Report suspicious activity immediately
10. If phone is stolen: Contact your bank FIRST (before blocking your SIM card)

Warning Signs of a Scam

How to Check if an App is Safe

Before downloading any financial app, follow these steps:

1. Visit www.fsca.co.za – Search for the company name
2. Check the FSP number – Legitimate financial service providers have an FSP number
3. Read app reviews – Look for verified reviews on Google Play or App Store
4. Check the developer – Make sure the developer name matches the real company
5. Look for security features – Does the app use encryption? Does it have two-factor authentication?

FSCA-Registered Apps from This Article

App Name	Regulator Info
EasyEquities	FSCA-regulated, FSP #22588
SatrixNOW	FSCA-regulated
TymeBank	Licensed by SARB
Capitec	Regulated by SARB and FSCA
Stash by Liberty	Backed by Liberty Group (60+ years)

Where to Report Problems

If you experience fraud or have problems with a financial app, report it immediately. Here are the official contacts:

✅ Getting Started: Your First Steps

Ready to start using saving apps? Here’s how to begin safely:

Step 1: Choose Your First App

Start with just one app. We recommend 22seven (Vault22) for budgeting because it’s free and easy to use.

Step 2: Download from Official Store

Go to Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iPhone). Search for the app name. Check the developer name is correct. Read reviews from other users.

Step 3: Register Your Account

You’ll need:

• Your South African ID number
• A valid email address
• Your mobile phone number
• For investment apps: proof of address and tax number

Step 4: Set Up Security

Create a strong password (mix of letters, numbers, symbols). Enable two-factor authentication if available. Set up biometric login (fingerprint or face recognition).

Step 5: Link Your Accounts

For budgeting apps, link your bank accounts. This is done securely through the app. The app can see your transactions but cannot move your money.

Step 6: Start Small

For investment apps, start with a small amount. Even R50 or R100. Learn how the app works before investing more. Watch how your investment performs over time.

Step 7: Add More Apps Gradually

Once you’re comfortable with one app, you can add others. Many people use: one budgeting app + one investment app + their bank’s savings app.

Common Questions About Saving Apps

Saving apps can truly change your financial life. They help you see where your money goes, save automatically, and start investing with small amounts. The best apps in South Africa for 2025 are accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy.

Our Top Picks:

• For Budgeting: 22seven (Vault22) – completely free and easy to use
• For Investing: EasyEquities – start with just R10
• For High-Interest Savings: TymeBank GoalSave – up to 11% interest, R0 fees
• For All-in-One Banking: Capitec Global One – banking, saving, and investing
• For Shopping Savings: The Entertainer + PriceCheck

Remember: Start with one app. Learn how it works. Add more gradually. Always check FSCA registration. Never share your PIN, password, or OTP. Download only from official app stores.

With these apps, you can take control of your finances. Whether you want to save R50 per month or invest R10,000, there’s an app for your needs. Start today and watch your money grow.