Livin’ by Mandiri’s relaunch added Sukha, multi-currency transfer to 29 countries, and Livin’ Call. It also added a 4.1 rating with a long tail of complaints about saved billers disappearing after updates and the cross-currency calculator hiding the actual FX spread. We compared seven Livin’ by Mandiri alternatives that handle Indonesian daily banking, cross-border transfers, and high-yield savings without the post-update friction.
This guide is for Mandiri customers thinking about a backup app and anyone who has used Livin’ for FX and feels the rates are quietly worse than the marketing claim.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free tier | Cost | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRImo | Reach and payroll | Free | Free intra-BRI | 11-country remote registration |
| BCA mobile | Private-bank reliability | Free | Free intra-BCA | Largest ATM network |
| wondr by BNI | Same SOE ecosystem, new UI | Free | Free intra-BNI | 12-currency single account |
| myBCA | Modern UI with private-bank rails | Free | Free intra-BCA | 17-currency Poket Valas |
| SeaBank | Idle cash | Free | Free, 100 transfers/month | 6% p.a. savings |
| Bank Jago | Budgeting | Free | Free, 25 transfers/month | Up to 60 Kantong |
| Jenius | Polished digital UX | Free entry | ~Rp10,000/mo waivable | Multi-currency virtual cards |
Why people leave Livin’ by Mandiri
Saved data resets after updates
Long-time users have a recurring complaint: after a major update, saved billers, payee shortcuts, or auto bill payment schedules reset. Re-entering five utility billers and a credit card autopay is not a quick task.
The cross-currency spread is wider than it looks
Livin’ promotes “full amount guaranteed” cross-currency transfer, which refers to the receive-side amount. The send-side FX rate carries a wider margin than direct competitors like wondr by BNI, especially on the JPY and EUR corridors.
Important toggles are buried
Auto bill payment is the headline new feature, but the toggle sits three menus deep under each biller. Cash-deposit limits at non-Mandiri ATMs are not shown until a transaction is rejected.
Sukha can feel like a duplicate marketplace
Sukha aggregates lifestyle deals. For users with Shopee, Tokopedia, and GoPay already installed, the inventory overlaps and adds another payment screen.
The alternatives
BRImo — Best big-four alternate
BRImo is Mandiri’s closest one-for-one peer. 93 million installs, transfers to 160+ countries, a 24/7 toll-free contact center, and remote registration from 11 countries. BRI also has the wider rural reach, with AgenBRILink agents in villages where Mandiri does not have a branch.
Where it falls short: Outages cluster on payroll dates. The cashback shifted to BRIpoin, so realtime cashback is no longer the default.
Pricing:
- Free: Account opening, intra-BRI, QRIS, monthly free BI-FAST allowance
- Paid: Beyond the quota, standard fees, FX spread on cross-border
- vs Livin’ by Mandiri: Comparable for daily use, similar FX behavior, broader rural reach
Migrating from Livin’ by Mandiri: Open BRI in-app via e-KTP video. Standing instructions do not move.
Bottom line: The default second-bank choice for Mandiri customers who want SOE parity.
BCA mobile — Best for ATM density
BCA mobile runs on the largest private bank network. Cardless withdrawal at almost any urban ATM, NFC Flazz balance check, and m-BCA still handles routine transfers reliably even if the UI is older.
Where it falls short: App rating is 4.0. NFC works on Android only. Some iOS users report dropped push notifications.
Pricing:
- Free: Intra-BCA transfers, QRIS, cardless ATM
- Paid: Standard interbank fees apply
- vs Livin’ by Mandiri: BCA is cheaper if you withdraw cash often, Mandiri is better for cross-border
Migrating from Livin’ by Mandiri: Video onboarding via in-app CSO call.
Bottom line: A solid second account if cash access is part of your weekly rhythm.
wondr by BNI — Best modern SOE app
wondr by BNI lands in the same regulatory and pricing zone as Livin’ with a fresher UI. One account, 12 foreign currencies, QRIS Cross-Border, and BIONS investments integrated rather than handed off. For users who liked Livin’ but want better information density, wondr feels like the upgrade.
Where it falls short: Smaller install base, occasional bugs around multicurrency account activation. The Indonesian-language UI does not always translate seamlessly for foreign-resident accounts.
Pricing:
- Free: Account, transfers within BNI, QRIS local and Cross-Border
- Paid: FX spread on conversion
- vs Livin’ by Mandiri: Comparable, BNI’s USD spread is competitive
Migrating from Livin’ by Mandiri: In-app onboarding via e-KTP video.
Bottom line: The closest modern alternative if you want to stay in the SOE bucket.
myBCA — Best private-bank super-app
myBCA holds up to 17 foreign currencies in Poket Valas, supports NFC Pay with your card, and runs on Wear OS. The Financial Diary covers BCA history back to 2016 and investments start from Rp10,000. A polished private-bank counterpart to Livin’.
Where it falls short: Rating is 3.8, partly because root and emulator detection blocks customers with modified ROMs.
Pricing:
- Free: Account access, intra-BCA, QRIS, NFC Pay
- Paid: Standard interbank transfer fees
- vs Livin’ by Mandiri: Similar daily cost, broader currency holdings
Migrating from Livin’ by Mandiri: Open BCA via video call in-app.
Bottom line: If FX holdings matter, myBCA’s 17 currencies edge out Mandiri’s 12.
SeaBank — Best high-yield savings
SeaBank pays 6% p.a. on regular savings and gives 100 free BI-FAST transfers per month. Onboarding is fully digital with e-KTP and biometric verification.
Where it falls short: No branches. Indomaret-only cash counter. Shopee-anchored ecosystem.
Pricing:
- Free: Account, debit card, 100 transfers/month, deposits up to 6% p.a.
- Paid: Fees beyond the free quota
- vs Livin’ by Mandiri: Significantly better savings rate, weaker for FX or branch services
Migrating from Livin’ by Mandiri: Open SeaBank, fund via BI-FAST from Livin’.
Bottom line: Use SeaBank for idle balance, keep Livin’ for daily Mandiri activity.
Bank Jago — Best for budgeting and shared spending
Bank Jago uses Kantong sub-accounts (up to 60) and shared Kantong for joint accounts with up to 25 members. Pairs natively with GoPay for top-ups inside the GoTo ecosystem.
Where it falls short: No headline savings rate. Loan products are narrow.
Pricing:
- Free: Account, debit card, 25 free transfers/month
- Paid: Beyond the quota, standard interbank fees
- vs Livin’ by Mandiri: Better budgeting, similar daily cost
Migrating from Livin’ by Mandiri: Standard in-app onboarding.
Bottom line: Pick Jago if Kantong-style budgeting actually changes how you spend.
Jenius — Best polished UX
Jenius keeps the cleanest UX in Indonesian digital banking. Save It buckets, Send It and Pay Me, virtual cards, plus multi-currency wallets across USD, SGD, JPY, EUR, AUD, GBP, HKD, and CNY.
Where it falls short: Feesight monthly admin fee of about Rp10,000 unless balance or salary waivers apply.
Pricing:
- Free: Account, basic transfers
- Paid: ~Rp10,000/mo Feesight, waivable
- vs Livin’ by Mandiri: Better UX, slightly more expensive at low balance
Migrating from Livin’ by Mandiri: All-app onboarding, virtual card instant, m-Card by post.
Bottom line: Best for users who care about UX above all and accept a small admin fee.
How to choose
Pick BRImo if you want SOE parity and rural reach. Pick BCA mobile if cash withdrawal is your most common activity. Pick wondr by BNI if you want a modern SOE app with competitive FX.
Pick myBCA for the private-bank super-app experience with 17 currencies. Pick SeaBank to park idle cash at 6%. Pick Bank Jago for sub-account budgeting. Pick Jenius for the best UX overall, fees aside.
Stay on Livin’ by Mandiri if Mandiri is your payroll account, you actively use Sukha, or your standing instructions tie billers to Mandiri. The post-update biller resets are real, but the cross-border reach is genuinely competitive.
FAQ
What is the closest replacement for Livin’ by Mandiri?
BRImo is the most direct one-for-one swap in SOE banking. For modern UI, wondr by BNI fits the same ecosystem with a fresher app.
Does Livin’ really transfer 18 currencies?
Yes, Livin’ supports send-side transfers in up to 18 currencies to 29 countries. The receive-side full-amount guarantee covers the recipient, not the FX rate you are quoted on send.
Which alternative has the best FX rate?
wondr by BNI and BCA Mastercard debit (via myBCA’s Forex account) generally show the tightest spread on USD and SGD corridors. Mandiri is competitive on AUD and JPY.
Can I keep Livin’ and add a second app?
Yes. Most Indonesian users carry two to three banking apps. Mandiri customers commonly pair Livin’ with BCA mobile or SeaBank.
Is there a free Livin’ by Mandiri alternative?
SeaBank and Bank Jago are free and include a monthly free BI-FAST allowance. DANA covers QRIS for free as a wallet pairing.
Are these apps OJK-licensed?
All seven are licensed and supervised by Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK) and are LPS deposit insurance members.
