Apps made in South Africa, used by South Africans every day match up quite well against international standards such as WhatsApp and Instagram – these Apps also show what South Africans need and want the most out of their smartphones experiences.
The Top 10 South African free IOS Apps downloaded by South Africans are as follows:
- My Vodacom (Store Rank: 40)
South Africa’s mobile giant Vodacom has served the African continent with its telecommunications since its founding in 1994. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Vodacom, together with MTN, has held prime telecom positions for many years.
With the My Vodacom App, users can track and stay in control of their data and airtime usage. They can use the app to view SMS, MMS and data balances. Users can buy airtime and data with the app, see their account details and send 20 free SMSs to any Vodacom number using the app.
- DStv Now (Store Rank: 38)
DSTV’s dish satellite TV monopoly is well-ingrained in the South African zeitgeist, with many other African countries also using the service. With the launch of their streaming app, Multichoice subscribers can watch M-Net, Mzansi Magic and SuperSport Live just like they do at home.
The app works on smartphones and tablets and can also be used on smart TVs and other media players. The app is basically a streaming service for your existing DSTV subscription – watch your shows on your phone instead of your TV.
- Superbalist Fashion Shopping (Store Rank: 29)
Takealot sister company Superbalist, once known as Spree, is a clothing shopping and delivery company based in Cape Town, South Africa, with warehouses all over SA.
The Superbalist App offers ‘round the clock’ shopping. $16.69 off your first order, free delivery on orders larger than $30.04 and free returns and exchanges.
- FNB Banking App (Store Rank: 28)
FNB, one of South Africa’s ‘big five’ banks, maintains a banking app that states “do business the smart way”.
Use a selfie to verify your identity, make payments, manage cards, locate FNB ATMs, transact with Forex, and send money to any South African cellphone number. The app’s newest feature is Business Directory – a service that lets you promote your business through the app to other FNB clients for free, allowing you to upload your own logos, images, and documents (such as price lists, menus, and catalogues).
- and 5. Capitec Remote Banking (Store Rank: 27) and Capitec Bank (Store Rank: 26)
The 2nd-biggest bank in South Africa has over 120,000 people opening new accounts every month. Their remote banking app lets you transfer money between accounts, stop lost or stolen cards immediately, buy airtime and electricity, and view your transaction and payment history – a run of the mill set of features.
Their popularity as a bank sees them take both the number 6 and number 5 spots with two different apps. The Capitec Bank app is, in fact, the upgraded version of the Capitec Remote Banking app. The popularity of both apps and their closeness on the list is due to customers upgrading from one to the other.
- Takealot (Store Rank: 16)
Takealot is the leading e-commerce retailer in South Africa, with big aspirations to be the “largest, simplest, most consumer-centric online shopping destination in Africa”. With three huge warehouses in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Kwa-Zulu Natal Takealot are able to service its 1.8 million customers.
The Takealot app boasts easy access to its Daily Deals feature, as well as exclusive in-app benefits and competitions.
- Mr D Food – Delivery & Takeout (Store Rank: 11)
Proclaimed to be South Africa’s #1 food delivery service, with over 1 million downloads by South African customers.
Once known as Mr Delivery – that pamphlet you had on your fridge – Mr D Food came about after a huge technology-led transformation that saw it becoming a 100% online business. Now the app has over 2 million total downloads and 700,000 monthly active users.
It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s owned by Takealot – another South African tech business success.
- Clicks – ClubCard and Pharmacy (Store Rank: 8)
Retail mainstay Clicks has been a fixture in South African malls and shopping centers since its founding in 1968. With the company’s jump into the tech sphere, it now boasts a very popular app.
The Clicks app lets you use its ClubCard on your phone. Scan your digital card in-store and earn points as if you had a physical card. Submit scripts and see your script history and repeat orders. The app also allows customers to shop online.
- EskomSePush (Store Rank: 2)
Founded in 2015 by Dan Wells and Herman Maritz in Cape Town, the most popular South African-made app on the App Store is ‘more than just a funny name’. The app also provides South Africans nationwide with reliable, up-to-date schedules on load shedding in their residential or business areas. This App is currently the second most downloaded App in all of the South African Appstore, only beaten by universal have-to-have Facebook.
The app currently provides support for more than 50,000 areas, including Cape Town, Tshwane, Johannesburg and Polokwane, to name a few.
With the debilitating frequency of Eskom’s load shedding, coupled with its poor, and often-times confusing communication of their schedules and news, it is no wonder more and more South Africans are getting their information about the embattled power supplier from a third-party with its tongue firmly in its cheek.
Bonus – Showmax (Store Rank: 43)
Multichoice’s streaming, subscription-based VOD video-on-demand service has been a staple for South African viewers since 2015 when it was launched. The South African company which services 49 African countries and 26 overseas countries has quickly made and sternly made its home in consumers’ minds.
In South Africa, Showmax competes against streaming VODS Netflix and Amazon Prime Video and contains a catalogue of content from Hollywood, to British, Kenyan and South African video.
Showmax also offers a 14-day free trial.
By Luis Monzon
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