January 27, 2025
Vivek Adatia
Super apps are taking over, and DubaiNow is a great example of how a single platform can handle multiple services—paying bills, booking transport, managing official documents, and more. With the UAE pushing toward a fully digital future, businesses are looking for ways to build similar all-in-one apps.
But what does it take to develop an app like DubaiNow? More importantly, is it worth the investment?
This guide breaks down the key features, development process, costs, and business advantages of multi-service mobile app development in the UAE. If you’re thinking about launching a super app in the UAE, this is what you need to know.
What You’ll Learn in This Blog:
Let’s get into it.
DubaiNow is the go-to app for UAE residents who want to handle everyday tasks without jumping between multiple platforms. Need to pay a traffic fine? Renew your vehicle registration? Top up your Salik or Nol card? It’s all in one place.
The app is part of Dubai’s push for a smarter city, bringing government services, utilities, and daily essentials into a single dashboard. It covers over 170 services across different categories, including:
DubaiNow isn’t just a collection of services—it’s built for convenience. Here’s why it works:
Super apps aren’t just for governments. Businesses are looking at DubaiNow as a model for offering multiple services under one roof—whether it’s finance, e-commerce, mobility, or digital banking. The idea is simple: the more services you offer; the more customers keep coming back.
If you’re planning to tap into mobile app development services in the UAE to build something like DubaiNow, understanding what makes it work is the first step. Next, we’ll break down the must-have features of a multi-service app.
If you’re building a super app, getting the right features in place is what makes the difference. Users don’t just want multiple services in one place—they want something that’s fast, secure, and easy to use.
Here are the key features that make an all-in-one app like DubaiNow work:
A super app brings different services under one roof, so the dashboard needs to be simple and organized. Users should be able to access bill payments, transportation, government services, and more without digging through menus.
Example from DubaiNow: The app groups services into categories like Bills, Vehicles, Housing, Health, and Education, making it easy to find what you need.
People don’t want to enter their card details every time they make a payment. A built-in wallet lets users store payment methods and make quick transactions.
What to Include:
Example from DubaiNow: Users can settle DEWA bills, top up Nol and Salik accounts, and even make charity donations—all within the app.
With financial and personal data involved, security isn’t optional. Users expect fast access without compromising safety.
What to Include:
Example from DubaiNow: The app supports biometric login, making it both secure and quick.
People don’t always remember the due dates for bills, fines, or renewals. A super app should send timely notifications to keep users updated.
What to Include:
Example from DubaiNow: Users get automatic reminders for their vehicle registration and residency renewals.
AI has become more than just a trend - it makes apps smarter by predicting what users need. From chatbots to automated suggestions, AI helps optimize the user experience.
What to Include:
Example from DubaiNow: AI-driven features help users quickly find the services they use the most.
A super app in the UAE must cater to its diverse population. Arabic and English support are the bare minimum, with the option to expand based on the target audience.
Example from DubaiNow: The app is available in Arabic and English, making it accessible to both local and expat users.
If your super app deals with government services, finance, or contracts, blockchain can add an extra layer of security.
What to Include:
Example: While DubaiNow doesn’t use blockchain yet, the UAE government is investing in blockchain-based digital services for more transparency.
A super app is only as strong as its integrations. DubaiNow works because it connects directly with government systems, banks, and service providers.
What to Include:
Example from DubaiNow: The app pulls real-time data from UAE government systems to keep everything up to date.
Building a super app isn’t just about adding a bunch of services. It takes planning, the right technology, and a clear roadmap to bring everything together. Here’s how to go about it.
Before you start development, you need to figure out:
Why this matters: The UAE has a mix of locals, expats, and businesses, so understanding what different users need helps in deciding which services to integrate.
Once you have the idea, outline the must-have features (covered in the last section). Some key decisions include:
Monetization Strategy:
Super apps make money through:
Why this matters: The right revenue model keeps the app profitable while keeping it free for users.
The app should be easy to use, especially when combining multiple services. Key points to focus on:
Best practice: Build a prototype (a clickable app model) before coding starts. This helps refine the design based on real user feedback.
The app’s backend is what makes everything work smoothly. Choosing the right tech stack depends on:
Recommended Tech Stack for a Super App:
Once the planning is done, development happens in stages:
Why testing is critical: Since a super app handles payments and personal data, any bug or security flaw can lead to major issues.
Best practice: Keep adding new features after launch. Super apps evolve over time as new services and payment methods become available.
Super apps aren’t just popular because they offer multiple services—they keep users engaged, bring in steady revenue, and open new business opportunities. Whether you’re building an app for government services, finance, or e-commerce, having everything in one place makes life easier for both businesses and users.
Here’s why more companies in the UAE are investing in super apps.
When an app handles everything from bill payments to ride bookings, users have no reason to switch to another platform. The more services you offer, the more often people return to your app.
Example: DubaiNow has multiple government services under one app. Instead of using separate websites for DEWA, RTA, or visa renewals, users stick to DubaiNow for all their transactions.
Why this matters: Keeping users inside the app increases engagement and builds long-term loyalty.
A well-built super app doesn’t rely on just one income source. It can make money in different ways, including:
Example: Super apps like Careem make money not just from rides but also from food deliveries and digital payments.
Why this matters: More revenue sources mean better long-term profitability.
With an in-app wallet and direct banking integrations, users don’t need to enter payment details every time they make a transaction. This speeds up the entire process and improves user experience.
Example: DubaiNow users can pay for parking, top up their Salik, or renew their car registration in just a few clicks.
Why this matters: The faster users can complete tasks, the more likely they are to keep using the app.
Instead of building separate apps for different services, businesses can combine them into one platform. This cuts down on development, maintenance, and marketing costs.
Example: A UAE-based fintech startup could integrate banking, bill payments, and investment options into a single app instead of launching separate platforms for each service.
Why this matters: A single app means lower costs for development, support, and user acquisition.
A super app puts businesses ahead of the competition by offering more than just a single service. If users find everything they need in one place, they have little reason to switch to a competitor.
Example: Careem expanded from a ride-hailing service to food delivery and digital wallets, competing with both Uber and Talabat at the same time.
Why this matters: The more services you offer, the harder it is for competitors to take away your users.
Super apps don’t have to stay limited to one industry. Businesses can start with a few core services and expand over time based on demand.
Example: DubaiNow began with basic government services and gradually added bill payments, vehicle renewals, and even healthcare options.
Why this matters: Businesses can add new services without needing to build an entirely new app.
Developing a super mobile app isn’t cheap, but the cost depends on how complex the app is, what features you want, and how much integration is required. A basic version with a few services will cost far less than a full-scale app like DubaiNow with deep government and financial integrations.
Here’s what goes into the pricing.
The final cost depends on:
Example: A super app handling only bill payments and transport will cost far less than one that also includes e-commerce, financial services, and healthcare.
Here’s a rough breakdown of development costs for different types of super apps:
Why the cost varies: Adding AI, blockchain, or more integrations will push the cost higher.
Beyond development, here are other costs to keep in mind:
Example: If your super app includes payment processing, you might have to pay fees to Visa, Mastercard, or UAE banking partners.
If you’re working with a budget, here are a few ways to keep costs under control:
Example: Many companies launch a super app in stages instead of going all-in from day one. DubaiNow started with just a handful of services and kept adding more over time.
Building a super app isn’t just about coding—it’s about getting the right mix of technology, user experience, and business strategy. At WDCS Technology, we are a mobile app development company in the UAE that doesn’t just build apps; we help businesses create platforms that drive growth and keep users engaged.
Here’s why businesses trust us with their super app development.
We have worked on large-scale mobile applications that bring multiple services under one roof. Whether it’s finance, e-commerce, mobility, or government integrations, we know what it takes to build a reliable and secure platform.
What this means for you: If you're planning to build an app like DubaiNow, we know how to handle service integrations, payment systems, and complex user flows.
From planning and UI/UX design to development and post-launch support, we handle everything. Our approach includes:
What this means for you: You won’t have to juggle multiple vendors—we take care of everything.
Super apps often include AI-powered recommendations, blockchain security, and multi-payment support. We specialize in:
What this means for you: Your app stays ahead with the latest tech, without unnecessary complexity.
A super app should handle thousands (or even millions) of users without downtime. We build scalable apps that grow with your business.
What this means for you: You won’t have to worry about crashes or security issues as your user base grows.
We understand the UAE market, from government integrations to fintech regulations. Whether you need an app that connects with local payment systems or follows UAE data protection laws, we make sure your app is built for the region.
What this means for you: Your app meets UAE compliance standards and is optimized for local users.
If you're planning to build an all-in-one app like DubaiNow, you need a team that understands the technology, business, and market needs.
At WDCS Technology, we help businesses develop scalable, secure, and user-friendly super apps. Whether you’re starting from scratch or improving an existing platform, we’re here to help.
Looking to build your super app? Let’s talk—get in touch with us today.
From UI/UX design to payment integrations and secure backend development, we build scalable super apps for businesses in the UAE. Get in touch to discuss your project with our experts.