Dubai First vs Aani
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dubai First
Manage your credit card with ease through a mobile-first digital experience. Track spending, view rewards, access statements, and control your card with instant updates and security features. Apply for a new card in minutes with a seamless, paperless onboarding process.
- Digital onboarding
- Transaction tracking
- Rewards management
- Card bill payment
- Instant transaction updates
- Card activation and PIN setup
- Freeze/unfreeze card
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SEAMLESS DIGITAL ONBOARDING JOURNEY Dubai First offers a mobile-first experience, now with a seamless digital onboarding journey. No in-person meetings. No paperwork. Just your mobile and Emirates ID. Download the app and apply in less than two minutes. Apply today through the app and get exciting welcome offers. For the latest offers, visit dubaifirst.com. MOBILE BANKING FOR SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE Track spending, view rewards, access monthly statements, and enjoy many other features available only in the App. Digital Onboarding Journey Dubai First offers a mobile-first experience, now with a seamless digital onboarding journey. No in-person meetings. No paperwork. Just your mobile and Emirates ID. Download the app and apply in less than two minutes. Card Management • Instant updates on your transactions. • View your digital card • Review of purchases by category. • Easy check of available spending limit. • Monthly statements in the App. Rewards At A Glance • Real-time update of Cashback earnings • Up-to-date information on your rewards. • Instant redemption of Cashback. Card Services • Card bill payment directly from the App. • Application for supplementary card • Instant conversion of transactions into installments. • Instant booking of Balance Transfer and Quick Cash. • Payment plans progress overview In-App Control & Security • In-app card activation • instant PIN setup/ change • Freeze and unfreeze card function • Login with biometrics for extra security. To enjoy Dubai First Mobile App, you must be an existing Dubai First customer. Apply for your Dubai First Card today WARNING If you make only the minimum repayment/payment each period, you will pay more in interest/profit/fees and it will take you longer to pay off your outstanding balance.
Aani
This platform allows instant money transfers within the UAE using just a mobile number. It supports QR code payments, payment requests, and bill splitting for easy financial management.
- Instant fund transfers
- Mobile number payments
- QR-code based payments
- Request to pay functionality
- Split payments
- Secure transactions
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Aani: Your Gateway to Instant Payments in the UAE! Welcome to Aani, the cutting-edge payments platform brought to you by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. Aani is here to revolutionize the way you handle your payments, offering seamless and secure instant payment services for your convenience. Why Choose Aani? With Aani, you can transfer funds swiftly and effortlessly, anytime, anywhere, 24/7. Experience the freedom of managing transactions up to AED 50,000 instantly, putting you in control of your finances like never before. Innovative Features for Your Ease: - Easy and convenient: Everyone in the UAE can now send money to friends and family using just a mobile number. - QR-Code Based Payments: Scan and pay swiftly using QR codes for hassle-free transactions. - Request to Pay: Request payments from friends, family, or clients with just a tap. - Split Payments: Easily divide bills and expenses among friends or colleagues without the hassle. Aani - Where Convenience Meets Security: We understand the importance of security when it comes to your finances. Aani is designed with robust security measures, ensuring your transactions are safe and your data is protected at all times. Experience the ultimate blend of convenience and peace of mind with Aani. Join the digital revolution today with Aani! Simplify your payments and enjoy the ease of instant transactions. Download the app now and embrace a future where your payments are just a tap away.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Dubai First at 4.6 against Aani's 3.2. Dubai First also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (410 vs 10). Aani's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Dubai First holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dubai First has 410 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Dubai First's written reviews are positive against 20% of Aani's.
Dubai First ships an update every 2 weeks, Aani every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and August 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Dubai First | Aani |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (410 ratings) — better | 3.2 (10 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 21.6% of reviews — better | 20.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 410 — better | 10 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 343 MB | 63 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | First Abu Dhabi Bank | Al Etihad Payments |
Customer experience
Dubai First
Aani
Bugs and requests
Dubai First
Reported bugs
31 issues- 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
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- App unrecognisable as new device requiring verification
- App needs updating every time it's used
- Buggy update causing new device detection
- Constant login bugs and failures
- App timeout too short
- App has many bugs
- Cannot pay credit card bill through debit card from another bank
- Rewards not available most of the time
- App is basic compared to other banks
- Terms changed from free for life to annual paid
- Incorrect balance shown
- Hidden amounts not visible until statement
- Cannot pay with foreign debit cards
- App not working after update
- Horrible, amateur, and lousy app
- Login is a pain, messages have errors
- Cannot access statements
- Impossible to use service properly
- App not signing in
- Cannot see statement on web
- Zero access to credit card statement
- Very poorly designed and tested
- Online website no longer exists
- Many options log the user out
- Password creation and login character mismatch
- No option to view older statements
Requested features
7 requests- Spread update releases
- Test app properly before releasing updates
- Fix constant login bugs and failures
- Increase app timeout duration
- Allow payment of utility bills
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- Allow payment with foreign debit cards
- Bring back the online website
Aani
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Dubai First
No in-app purchases
Aani
No in-app purchases
