7 Must-Have Apps for Living in Dubai

 

Moving to Dubai or already living here? These seven apps will make your life exponentially easier. I use them daily — for food, taxis, banking, finding apartments, buying secondhand furniture, saving on meals and activities, and even accessing gyms and beach clubs. Below I explain what each app does, why I recommend it, and a few practical tips to get the most out of them.

1. Careem — Dubai's super app for everything

Careem started as a taxi app but has become a true super app. Think of it like WeChat in China but for transportation, deliveries and everyday services. It covers:

• Ride hailing: taxis, private cars and more.
• Food delivery: my go-to for lunch or dinner when I don’t feel like cooking.
• Grocery delivery and courier services.
• Home services: cleaning, home spa, and even car rentals through partners.
• Money transfers and other digital services.

Careem regularly offers heavy discounts and combos. For example, I once ordered food for two and paid just 30 AED by stacking discounts on the same order. If you want one app that simplifies life in Dubai, this is it.

2. Wio Personal — the easiest bank to open in Dubai

Wio Personal is a digital-only bank controlled entirely through its mobile app. If you need a bank account quickly when you arrive in Dubai, Wio is one of the fastest and simplest options:

• No branch visits or piles of printed documents.
• Quick sign-up process through the app with a few verification questions.
• Multi-currency accounts: hold GBP, USD, EUR or AED and exchange between them at competitive rates.

Wio often runs promotions for new sign-ups, including credits for joining via referral. It is still a good idea to also open a traditional bank account (for example with Emirates NBD) at some point, but Wio is excellent for immediate needs and cross-currency convenience.

3. Entertainer — the best app to save on dining and activities

Entertainer is a subscription-based app that provides buy-one-get-one and other offers across restaurants, attractions and activities. Here is how it helps:

• Pay an annual fee and unlock hundreds of buy-one-get-one deals across Dubai.
• Most common is buy one main and get one free at restaurants — great for couples.
• Works for attractions too. For example, an aquarium ticket that normally costs 300 AED per person can become 300 AED total for two with Entertainer.

If you eat out regularly or like to try activities with a partner, Entertainer can massively reduce your bills. If you are single, the value depends on how often you will use the buy-one-get-one format, but even then it can still be worthwhile.

4. Amazon and Noon — online shopping and fast delivery

Online shopping in Dubai is very convenient. Amazon works here much like it does in other countries — one-day delivery and Prime benefits. Noon is a local alternative that some people prefer for availability and pricing. My approach:

• Keep both Amazon and Noon installed and compare prices and delivery times before buying.
• Use same-day or next-day delivery options when possible. You can get almost anything delivered to your door.

Between these platforms and services like Careem, you can realistically live a very convenient life without having to leave your apartment often.

5. Dubizzle — secondhand marketplace and classifieds

Dubizzle is the UAE equivalent of classifieds or eBay for the local market. It is the place to go for used furniture, electronics, or to find items sold directly by people. Uses include:

• Buying and selling secondhand furniture and appliances.
• Finding used cars and other items from private sellers.
• Occasionally listing apartments and rentals (exercise caution and verify listings).

Many newcomers swear by Dubizzle for furnishing an apartment on a budget or finding great deals on gently used items.

6. Property Finder — search rentals and get market insights

Property Finder is essential whether you are renting or buying. Beyond straightforward listing searches, it provides useful market data and context:

• Search apartments across Dubai and contact agents directly through the app.
• View market insights such as average rental prices by area, which helps you evaluate whether a listing is fairly priced.
• See a map of average rents so you can match neighborhoods to your budget.

I found my current apartment using Property Finder. When you are new to Dubai and unfamiliar with market rates, the comparison and map features are especially helpful.

7. Advv Plus — access gyms, beach clubs and lifestyle venues

Advv Plus is a membership-style app that gives you access to a selection of gyms, beach clubs and other venues depending on the tier you choose. A few highlights:

• Pay an annual fee and choose a set of venues you can access, often with unlimited visits.
• It can be cheaper than joining a single premium gym outright — in my case the app subscription was less than the gym membership.
• Offers extras like booking tennis courts or access to multiple clubs.

There are similar services, such as Prive, which can be a bit more expensive and offer access to a slightly different set of clubs. Compare the venues and the number of uses you expect to determine if the subscription is worth it for you.

“If there is one app you absolutely need to download when you come to Dubai it is Careem.”

Final tips and how to choose

These apps together cover almost every aspect of daily life in Dubai: transport, food, banking, shopping, secondhand goods, property searching and lifestyle. A few quick tips to get started:

• Install Careem, Wio Personal and Property Finder first if you are moving here — they solve immediate transport, banking and housing needs.
• Use Entertainer if you eat out often with a partner. It can cut dining costs in half in many cases.
• Keep both Amazon and Noon on your phone to compare prices. Use Dubizzle for secondhand and budget finds.
• Evaluate Advv Plus or similar memberships based on how often you will use the included venues.

Dubai is an app-friendly city. Between these seven, you will cover the essentials and save both time and money. Try them and see which combination fits your lifestyle best.