# CBD vs HSBC UAE

The clearest difference is ads: HSBC UAE at none against CBD's shown. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for CBD against 4.7 for HSBC UAE. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.8K and 3.2K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 39% of CBD's written reviews are positive against 36% of HSBC UAE's.

CBD ships an update every 2 weeks, HSBC UAE every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CBD | HSBC UAE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cbd-instant-digital-banking/id524929197/reviews)** | [4.7 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsbc-uae/id1459836567/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.8K | **3.2K** |
| Positive reviews | **39.2% of reviews** | 35.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 419 MB | 647 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Commercial Bank of Dubai](https://appshunter.io/developer/524929200) | [HSBC Global Services (UK) Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1112071557) |

## What reviewers say

### CBD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cbd-instant-digital-banking/id524929197)

Manage your finances on the go with a secure and fast mobile banking app. Open accounts, apply for credit cards and loans, and make instant transfers and payments. Enjoy exclusive lifestyle offers with your debit or credit card.

**Highlights:** Instant account opening, Credit card and loan applications, Instant money transfers, Utility bill payments, 1,000+ lifestyle offers, Secure mobile banking

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Excellent services
- ⭐ Fast and easy
- ⭐ Wonderful experience
- ⭐ Very good bank
- ⭐ Convenient and easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Hungry for money
- 🚫 Worst customer service
- 🚫 Slow and unhelpful chatbots
- 🚫 Difficult to transfer money
- 🚫 App not working after update

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and login issues
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
- Transferring money not working

**Requested features**

- Improve app performance and stability
- Enhance security features
- Introduce advanced budgeting and money management tools
- Provide better customer support


### HSBC UAE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsbc-uae/id1459836567)

Manage your finances on the go with this banking app. Open accounts, view transactions, make transfers, and manage cards securely. Access global accounts, investments, and installment plans with ease.

**Highlights:** Instant account opening and digital registration, View local and global account balances and transactions, Multi-currency Global Money Account and Debit Card, Domestic and international transfers, Open Term Deposits and manage investments, Add cards to Apple Pay and manage spending, Convert credit card limit to cash or consolidate balances

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 🔒 Secure banking
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💡 Innovative features
- ✨ Significant improvements

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Unfair exchange rates
- 🔍 Limited functionality
- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🤖 Poor customer service
- 🕰️ Slow transaction updates

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and app freezes
- Inability to upload documents
- Inconsistent transaction display
- Face recognition not working
- App quitting during use

**Requested features**

- Global transfer capability
- Landscape mode support
- Ability to download statements
- Option to pay full credit card balance
- Improved in-app notification system


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CBD free?

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

### Is HSBC UAE free?

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

### Which has better reviews, CBD or HSBC UAE?

CBD is rated higher. CBD averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while HSBC UAE averages 4.7 from 3.2K ratings.

### Do CBD or HSBC UAE have ads?

CBD shows ads; HSBC UAE does not.

### Which is updated more often, CBD or HSBC UAE?

CBD ships an update every 2 weeks, and HSBC UAE every 3 weeks. Most recently, CBD was updated on November 6, 2026 and HSBC UAE on November 8, 2026.

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