# Skiply vs Dubai First

The clearest difference is ads: Skiply at none against Dubai First's shown. Skiply also leads on review sentiment (47% vs 21%) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Skiply holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 467 and 412 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Skiply's written reviews are positive against 21% of Dubai First's.

Skiply ships an update fortnightly, Dubai First every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Skiply | Dubai First |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (467 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skiply/id1477629342/reviews)** | [4.6 (412 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dubai-first/id1488312188/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **467** | 412 |
| Positive reviews | **47.1% of reviews** | 21.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 40 MB | 344 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah](https://appshunter.io/developer/421642094) | [First Abu Dhabi Bank](https://appshunter.io/developer/1291753847) |

## What reviewers say

### Skiply

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skiply/id1477629342)

This app simplifies school payments for parents in the UAE. It allows secure mobile payments for tuition, uniforms, books, and school events using any bank card. Features include digital permission slips, email receipts, and multiple card support.

**Highlights:** Secure school payments, Tuition, uniform, book payments, Digital permission slips, Email receipts, Multiple card support, Transaction history access

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good for paying school fees
- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 👍 Nice app for school payments
- 👍 Cool and easy to manage school fees

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Update has broken payments features
- 🐛 No OTP received
- 🐛 Repetitive and long sign-up process
- 🐛 Payment info entry is confusing and potentially insecure
- 🐛 Outstanding fees not showing

**Reported bugs**

- Apple Pay and payment flow not working
- Not receiving OTP for student addition
- Repetitive student details entry
- Confusing payment info entry with hidden CVC field
- Outstanding fees not displayed

**Requested features**

- Allow multiple kids to be paid for at once
- Improve payment security


### Dubai First

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dubai-first/id1488312188)

Manage your credit card with ease through a seamless digital experience. Track spending, view rewards, access statements, and perform card services like payments and balance transfers. Enjoy in-app security features like biometric login and card freezing.

**Highlights:** Seamless digital onboarding, Transaction tracking and spending review, Rewards cashback and redemption, Card bill payment and balance transfer, Supplementary card application, In-app card activation and PIN management, Card freeze/unfreeze functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient and easy to use
- 🚀 Immediate balance updates
- 💡 Good cashback facility
- ✨ App has new features and is nice to use
- 👍 Simple to use and shows needed information

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App is always freezing or very slow
- ❌ Push notifications stopped working
- 🐛 App freezes when trying to open
- ⚠️ Deceptive practices regarding fees
- 🔄 App constantly asks to scan EID and card

**Reported bugs**

- Push notifications not working
- App freezing or very slow
- App freezing when trying to open
- App asks to scan EID and card every time
- App asks for credentials repeatedly

**Requested features**

- Spread update releases
- Test app properly before releasing updates
- Fix constant login bugs and failures
- Increase app timeout duration
- Allow payment of utility bills


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Skiply free?

Skiply is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Dubai First free?

Dubai First is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Skiply or Dubai First?

Skiply is rated higher. Skiply averages 4.8 out of 5 from 467 ratings, while Dubai First averages 4.6 from 412 ratings.

### Do Skiply or Dubai First have ads?

Dubai First shows ads; Skiply does not.

### Which is updated more often, Skiply or Dubai First?

Skiply ships an update fortnightly, and Dubai First every 3 weeks. Most recently, Skiply was updated on October 29, 2026 and Dubai First on October 30, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*