We Tested 5 Mobile Money Apps in Zimbabwe—Here's What Nobody Tells You

We spent 30 days using five of Zimbabwe's most popular mobile money platforms for everything from buying groceries to paying school fees. The results revealed significant differences in user experience, reliability, and hidden costs that could save (or cost) you hundreds of dollars annually.

EcoCash (Cassava Smartech)

Still the market leader with the widest agent network, but showing its age. Transaction fees have crept up significantly, and the app's interface feels increasingly cluttered. The integration with ZIPIT is a game-changer for bank transfers, but customer service response times have deteriorated. Rating: 7/10

OneMoney (NetOne)

The underdog that's gaining ground. Lower fees than EcoCash and a cleaner interface, but limited merchant acceptance outside urban centers. The recent addition of international remittances is promising. Best for: Cost-conscious users in cities. Rating: 6.5/10

Telecash (Telecel)

Struggling to maintain relevance. The app is functional but offers no compelling reason to switch from EcoCash or OneMoney. Agent network is sparse, and innovation has stalled. Rating: 4/10

InnBucks

The disruptor everyone's talking about. Zero-fee transfers between users and competitive forex rates have attracted a loyal following. However, regulatory questions linger, and merchant adoption is still limited. Best for: Tech-savvy early adopters. Rating: 7.5/10

OMari (CBZ Bank)

The banking sector's answer to mobile money. Strong security features and direct bank integration, but the user experience feels bureaucratic. High transaction limits appeal to business users, but casual users find it overwhelming. Rating: 6/10

The Verdict

For most Zimbabweans, a hybrid approach works best: EcoCash for universal acceptance, InnBucks for savings on fees, and OMari for larger business transactions. The mobile money landscape is evolving rapidly—what's true today may change by next quarter.