The results show that PVA immobilized cells with the SHF process gave the highest ethanol concentration of 6.24 g/L, with an ethanol yield of 79.09% and a maximum ethanol productivity of 3.04 g/L/h. In contrast, the performance of CA-immobilized cells with SHF was poorer, with the highest ethanol concentration, ethanol yield, and maximum ethanol productivity of 5.52 g/L, 69.96% and 2.37 g/L/h, respectively. For the SSF process, the maximum ethanol concentration, ethanol yield, and maximum ethanol productivity were 5.53 g/L, 70.09%, and of 1.31 g/L/h, respectively, for the PVA immobilized Z. mobilis, while they were 5.44 g/L, 68.95%, and 1.27 g/L/h for CA immobilized cells. The comparison with suspended cells shows that the immobilized cells of Z. mobilis are feasible for ethanol production via SSF and SHF.