IT landscape in UAE and Dubai: A glimpse into what attractive
As the leading hub for international trade and business of MENA region, UAE is actively becoming a competitive contender in the global ICT market.
Most tech growth happens in Dubai, where UAE government has established multiple free trade zones such as Dubai Internet City or Dubai Silicon Oasis. Since then, the region has attracted millions of IT workers worldwide and in-land, providing a large and qualified talent pool.
A few statistics to “wow” you:
- The UAE ICT market is estimated to reach US$ 65.90 billion by 2027.
- The Dubai Internet City alone has around 1600 tech companies.
- The UAE ranked 22nd in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index, between the Europeans and Americans giants.
- The UAE stands among the top 10 countries with strong ICT infrastructure, as their government constantly encourages tech adoption across industries: healthcare, real estate, transportation, agriculture and many more.
- Software Development, AI, Data and Cybersecurity will comprise over 40% of the total UAE talent pool in the next 2 years.
Key takeaway
Being a promising land for IT development, UAE, especially Dubai, has a diverse talent pool. Their special power lies in strong infrastructure, regulatory support in technology and attractiveness to talents abroad.
Thanks to this, Dubai is one of the top destinations for nearshore and offshore outsourcing. Global IT companies such as Microsoft, Google or Oracle have opened offices in Dubai.
But is this destination such a miracle as it sounds? We will cover some cons of working with Dubai companies later!
Leading IT sub-sectors
These are the sector and technology that Dubai developers excel in:
Cloud computing: Oracle, Amazon and Microsoft established their cloud region and hyper scale datacenters in Dubai and Abu Dhabi thanks to UAE strong infrastructure. At the same time, new jobs are created, and cloud engineers are growing rapidly, with more and more IT companies being partners of these cloud giants.
Internet of Things: UAE is well-known for their smart cities and tech-fueled public services. All thanks to their highly functional IoT development. Being around such an environment, it’s no brainer that Dubai developers are good at IoT development.
Cybersecurity: Due to UAE’s geopolitical position, the region is vulnerable as a potential target of cyber threats. And to protect their nation, the government has imposed different standards and encourage the education of cybersecurity. The market is expected to reach $4.51 billion by 2025.
AI: UAE has a long-term AI Strategy until 2031 about integrating IoT and AI in transport, healthcare, space, energy and education. Setting a sight to diversify their economy and technological knowledge, the region has built a university for AI, promising to deliver more AI experts.
And not just for these technologies, UAE and Dubai developers are also proficient in software development for healthcare, real estate, agriculture, retail, mobility and education. Based on a report from Dubai government, AI/ML, IoT and data are the top underlying technologies for these software.
Curated list of 12 IT powerhouse of Dubai
This list solely focuses on IT companies that offer a diverse range of services, including IT managed, IT support, technical consultation, software development and even extend to data analytics or cybersecurity.
They are suitable if you need a one-stop service, or you don’t have an in-house tech team. So, how do we select them?
Using Clutch and real reviews from past clients, we chose:
- Global IT companies with Dubai offices
- Dubai-based and UAE IT companies (which many well-known listings site lack, as they usually promote big IT companies that can provide service for Dubai, but doesn’t have office in Dubai)
Click on the company to read more info about their services, tech stack, pros and cons, favored customers and industries.
| Company | Talent pool | Completed projects | Domain | Quality rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appinventiv | 1500 | 1000 | Mobile App | 4.7/5 (Clutch) |
| Wipro | 245,000 | 1400 active projects | Managed Services & Data | 4.5/5 (Gartner) |
| Fingent | 600+ | 700+ | Custom AI-enabled Solution | 4.9/5 (Clutch) |
| Way2Smile | 200+ | 250+ | Custom & SDG Solution | 5/5 (Clutch) |
| Emtech | 750+ | 30 years exp | Cybersecurity and Cloud | 4.2/5 (Google) |
| Ibtevolve | 600+ | 1000+ | BPO and Automation | 4.3/5 (Google) |
| Xedos | N/A | 300+ | IT Services | 5/5 (Google) |
| Cubezix | <200 | 6 years exp | IT Managed & Infrastructure | 4.3/5 (Google) |
| Burhani | <200 | 10 years exp | Microsoft Development & IT Managed | 4.4/5 (Google) |
| VisionTech | 150+ | 5000+ | AI, Process Automation | 4.3/5 (Google) |
| Panacea | 100 | N/A | IT Support, Managed Services | 4.8/5 (Google) |
| Netcomm | 50+ | N/A | Network Managed Services | 4.3/5 (Google) |
1. Appinventiv – Global
Appinventiv is actively producing digital-first solutions for the US, Europe and MENA for the last 10 years, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 brands.
Moving to Dubai, they prioritize industry-focused IT solutions. This includes healthcare, finance, logistics, public sector, real estate, eCommerce, and niche industries such as aviator. They also pay utmost attention to security matters, adhering to HIPAA, PCI-DSS and UEA regulatory.
Here’s what they can do:
- Key services: Mobile app/ Software development (Best of all, with awards from Clutch for Top 1 fintech app development company and App of the year by Entrepreneur) IT consultation, Product design, AI
- Lower tier services: Data analytics, Blockchain, DevOps, Cloud managed services.
- Focused customer: Startups, Enterprise, Public entities.
- Hourly rate: $50/hour. (Min project size is $50,000)
Good & Bad: Straightforward communication, large talent pool and collaborative work manner are what clients love best about the Appinventiv. In terms of technical strength, the reviews vary, but positivity is the main theme of app projects.
Notable projects: Working with KFC, Appinventiv has built a new digital presence for the MENA region, resulting in a 22% increase in conversion rate. For Adidas, they built a mobile app that acquired 500K+ UAE users for the brand.
2. Wipro – Global
Coming to Dubai since 2001, Wipro is surely the top global IT company in UAE. Their talent pool for the Middle East division has 5500 dedicated employees, bypassing any IT companies on this list.
For this region, they aim for industries such as financial services, oil and gas, utilities, communication, retail and public sector. Harnessing the power of cognitive computing, automation, cloud and data analytics, Wipro comes with a rich portfolio of services and case studies, which is:
- Key services: Custom software development, Managed services, Data analytics, Cloud services, IT consulting.
- Lower tier services: Cybersecurity, Software testing services, AI, Business automation, Digital marketing services.
- Focused customer: Business of all sizes.
Good & Bad: Adored by clients across 65 countries, Wipro is known for their diverse talent pool and wide range of selection. Despite having strong technical expertise, the firm met certain barriers when suggesting innovative approaches and implementing emerging technologies into the custom solution, as some clients reported.
Notable project: Working with a Ministry of Health in MENA region, Wipro successfully build a medical record system that can process huge volume of documents and increase productivity up to 40%
3. Fingent – Global
Based in the US, this award-winning IT company has successfully brought their brand to Dubai market. Leveraging the power of AI, the firm constantly creates strategic and innovative IT solutions that withstand the dynamic digital world.
At the same time, Fingent partners with many SaaS giants such as Odoo, SAP and Microsoft, offering more transformative internal software. In Dubai, there is no limit to which industry Fingent serves, but they are mainly proficient in financial services, real estate, logistics, and education.
A reason for this is their proactive approach to new technologies. The team always learn and try new things, namely:
- Technology used: Major web and cloud tech, AI/ML, AV/VR, IoT, RPA, and SaaS solution.
- Key services: Mobile/ Web/ Custom software development, AI development.
- Lower tier services: Consultation, DevOps, Security service, Legacy modernization, Infrastructure and support related service.
- Hourly rate: $50/hour. (Min project size is $25,000)
Good & Bad: Other than positive reviews of Fingent’s work quality and expertise, some clients were worried about their project management. It took them a certain effort to sort it out. Nevertheless, most clients are willing to refer Fingent, and that’s a good sign.
4. Way2Smile – Global
Compared to other global IT companies in Dubai, Way2Smile is smaller, but their work quality is undeniable. Navigating both traditional and modern approaches, their experts can modify any application to best match your industry and business model.
Some of the main industries prioritized by Way2Smile include healthcare, tourism, insurance and financial services. Here’s what you can do with their India-based team:
- Key services: Mobile & Web development, UX/UI design, Cloud solution, Data analytics, Consultation, SDG (sustainable development goals) solution.
- Lower tier services: Low-code and no-code development, AI/ML development and Branding services.
- Common-used tech stack: ASP.NET, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, XML, Full Stack, Custom GPT.
- Focused customer: Startups, enterprise and government.
- Hourly rate: $25/ hour
5. Emtech – Biggest IT company in UAE
With over 30 years of market presence, Emtech has become a trusted IT company in Dubai and UAE. Additionally, the firm is ISO Certified, TRA Certified, MCC Certified and SIRA Certified, meaning their technicians will bring utmost quality and security standard.
The company is adored nationwide, mostly thanks to their focus on commitment. To achieve this, Emtech provides round-the-clock support so their clients can get an instant reach. Their wide range of provided service, embedded with extensive tech stacks and architecture (hybrid-cloud to on-premises) is another worthy consideration, namely:
- Key services: Managed Services, Cyber security, ICT solution & infrastructure, Cloud services (with Microsoft).
- Lower tier services: Application development services.
- Industry: Healthcare, finance, government, education, retail, automotive and manufacturing.
- Focused customer: Mid-size to enterprise.
- Offices: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, India.
Good & Bad: Emtech is a professional with decent experience and technical knowledge. After 30 years, the company has had a defined working process that can ensure quality and on-time delivery. However, Emtech price is one of the biggest constraints, as some clients reported to be overpriced compared to other IT providers in Dubai.
6. Ibtevolve – Dubai-based
As one of the biggest UAE IT company, Ibtevolve provides end-to-end technology and outsourcing services, reaching over 1000 clients across 7 operational centers in Europe, the US and India.
Being named the top IT companies in Dubai for many years, Ibtevolve focuses on 2 main goals: (1) building efficient and cost-effective tools for business and (2) helping businesses find new potential. With a customer-first mindset, Ibtevolve not only works with regional clients but also global giants such as HP, Audi, LG or Ford.
Following agile and cost optimization approach when building IT solutions, here what you can achieve with the company:
- For IT-related services: Managed services, IT outsourcing and staff augmentation, Remote IT support, AMC services, Audit and consultation, Cybersecurity.
- For Business automation services: Call center, Customer services, Accounting.
- Industries: Banking, Public sector, Healthcare, FMCG, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Finance.
- Focused customer: Mid-size businesses to enterprises.
- Offices: Dubai, Qatar, India, US, UK
Good & Bad: While getting praise for their BPO expertise, other services got mixed reviews.
7. Xedos Technologies – Dubai-based
Having over 50 IT solutions and services in their portfolio, Xedos is another IT solutions company in UAE that you shouldn’t miss. In their 10 years of work, the team embraces a wide range of technologies and constantly broadens their expertise to produce cutting-edge IT solutions.
Xedos doesn’t stop at IT services, they also build packaged software solutions for certain niches, which can be modified to fit your businesses. At the same time, they offer renting and selling ICT systems and infrastructure. This has made them one of the most extensive vendors on our top list.
- IT services: Managed services, IT support, AMC service, Tally software services for UAE companies, Cybersecurity, Chatbot and AI custom development, Infrastructure management.
- Software solutions: Document management system, Email archiving solution, Attendance management, Conferencing software.
- Focused customer: Business of all sizes.
8. Cubezix – Dubai-based
Born in Dubai 6 years ago, Cubezix is currently the top destination for highly personalized IT services. Their offer in IT spans larger than half of competitors on this list, ensuring you can get everything in your pocket at one stop.
Focusing on timely delivery and clear communication, Cubezix keeps their promises with fast support, dedicated teams of level 1,2,3 tier engineers and Dubai-infused working style.
While many companies offer packaged IT services that may fit or not fit several business models and industries, Cubezix prioritizes tailoring to build an ecosystem for your company. For Dubai and MENA clients, Cubezix guarantees 24/7 support and on-site maintenance if needed.
Here’s what you can do with this IT company in Dubai:
- Key services: Managed services, IT infrastructure outsourcing and support service (IT hardware, firewall, VPN, etc), Annual maintenance contract service.
- Lower tier services: Data center, Cloud solution, Digital service, Business process outsourcing (HR, admin, accounting).
- Focused customer: Small and mid-size business.
- Focused industries: Advertising & marketing, business service, retail, real estate, education.
Good & Bad: While mastering IT-related tasks, software development can be a weaker link for Cubezix. They are best if you are looking for a long-term IT partner to daily manage and operate your technology aspect.
9. Burhani – Dubai-based
Best known for being the top Microsoft Developers in Dubai, Burhani has also scaled their expertise into many other niches of IT services. With dedication and qualified engineers, the firm quickly gained the #1 CompTIA spot for Premium Managed IT Services company in the UAE.
Burhani ensures their clients a quick turnaround time, instant support from NOC experts, proactive approach to reduce system downtime and a transparency technology roadmap. But perhaps the best thing about Burhani is their 100% Money-back guarantee. Thanks to this, they have earned many long-term clients that have worked with their team for years and continue.
Let’s discover their offer:
- Key services: Cloud services (focused on Microsoft Azure), Microsoft implementation and customization, Managed services (IT support & IT infrastructure).
- Lower tier services: Low-code development with Microsoft, Security and Data protection, Digital agency service.
- Focused customer: Small and mid-size business.
Good & Bad: Much like Cubezix, software development isn’t part of Burhani products. However, you can get decent customized software with their Microsoft support. Most clients were impressed with their engineers’ enthusiastic, quick but still quality work.
10. Visiontech – Dubai-based
From 2003 until now, Visiontech has delivered more than 5000+ projects, from small to large, with just a compact team of 150+ dedicated professionals. This is a surprising number, but it also proves their strong market credibility.
This IT solution company in Dubai focuses on creating ROI-driven solutions across industry verticals, notably hospitality, BFSI, government, healthcare and industrial – the top sectors of UEA economy. In recent years, the team has expanded their expertise in AI for startups, enterprises and global brands.
Here’s what you can do with this Microsoft Gold Partner and ISO Certified IT company in UAE:
- Key services: IT managed services, Compliance consulting, Cybersecurity, Process automation.
- Lower tier services: Cloud consulting and development, Legacy modernization, Software development, Data analytics.
- Used technology: AI, RPA, Blockchain, IoT, Microsoft, .NET, PHP
Notable projects: Visiontech is a long-time partner of Lenovo. They recently granted Platinum status, gaining exclusive access to a wider range of resources and support from Lenovo.
11. Panacea – Dubai-based
As the top reviewed Dubai IT company on Google, Panacea sure brings lots of qualified professionals and decent services to the table. Prioritizing client’s time, their team actively adhere to deadlines and provide 24/7 support.
Not just working with UAE company, Panacea also reach worldwide, with their portfolio span to Europe, India and Australia.
- Key services: IT support, Application (Web, Mobile, Software) development, AMC services, Security services, Infrastructure services.
- Lower tier services: Digital Marketing. Testing.
- Used technologies: Tally, FireWalla, InstaHost, AnyWin, PC Cloud.
- Focused industries: Healthcare, education, logistics, manufacturing, energy.
Good & Bad: So far, Panacea has got positive feedback, mostly for their IT support and managed services. There hasn’t been much proof and case study for their software development expertise.
12. Netcomm Global – Dubai-based
Unlike other IT companies in Dubai on this list, Netcomm specializes only on managed and monitoring services. Their team of professionals will take care of your data center, network, security and IT infrastructure, freeing your time to focus on growing your business.
4 things that Netcomm’s clients love about them are the in-depth expertise, diverse MNS offering, availability and high focus on security. With such cornerstone, Netcomm is confident to be the top IT managed vendor of the region, since their team entirely shift to this sector.
Let’s discover their offer:
- Managed Services Provider
- Managed Wi-Fi Services
- Managed LAN/WAN Services
- Managed Security
- Managed Cloud Networking
- Managed Network Monitoring
- Managed Network Optimization
Tips to choose a suitable Dubai company
After learning about a company’s services offer, you should also consider these criteria:
- Are their costs suitable for your budget? Dubai can be an expensive city for many businesses, as we will explain later.
- Consider the time zone compatibility if you opt for outsourcing.
- What is their cooperation model? Most Dubai IT companies prefer Project-based and Time and Material model. Check this with your vendor and make sure it matches your intention.
- What is their communication and project management method? Is it something your team familiar with?
- Consider the cultural differences and political scene of UAE before any final decision, as these can be their weakest links.
Challenges of working with Dubai IT company
Dubai surely has it all: robust IT infrastructure, multiple levels of expertise and attractive to both international workers and global tech companies.
But there’s one problem: the lack of skilled native workforce. Imagine one day UAE stops all the enticing benefits, they can face a tech talent shortage. The truth is 90% of IT companies in UAE still outsource their talents from 2 to 4 countries, only 10% left retain a team of native workers. Despite UAE encourages young citizens to join the IT workforce, most of them are still in the early days of education and career.
On the other hand, the political scene is unstable. While UAE and Dubai are currently safe and sound, MENA overall, is not. It’s hard to indicate if this will affect Dubai in the future, but it’s worth considering.
You might also stumble on cultural differences when working with an IT company in Dubai. While we follow the traditional Mon to Fri workweek, some Muslim-countries take Friday off and start their week on Sunday, as part of the culture.
Finally, Dubai ranks in the top 7 most expensive cities in the world. With such high living cost, you’re better expect a high hourly rate as well. Most UAE IT companies have an average range of $40 to $60 per hour but the final price can change based on engagement model.
Alternatives for IT companies in Dubai
Truth is that the above challenges make many countries outweigh Dubai. Here are some of our suggestions and why are these destinations better to work with:
1. Vietnam
One of the fastest-growing economies in SEA with a large pool of human resources, reaching 530,000 qualified developers, here’s what Vietnam has to offer:
- Nearly 60% of their talent pool for IT are middle to leader position.
- While UAE is pushing hard for AI and IoT, Vietnam has a dynamic scene for Blockchain, Data and AI. They are the top 5 countries for blockchain development with million-users NFT games such as Axie Infinity.
- A young workforce that scores 81.1/100 for code quality by Hackerrank (and UAE is nowhere to be found on the top 50 list)
- Vietnamese developers are best for small to mid-size businesses, as their price is cost-effective, starting at $20/ per hour
But the most attractive part of Vietnam is their political stability and rich culture. Known for their hard-working and creative ability, you can trust your project is in good hands.
Proudly standing as the top Vietnamese IT company, Synodus offer high-quality solution for business of all size. Over 250 well-versed technicians are ready to take on your challenge, from custom development, Microsoft, blockchain, AI to data analytics.
With 100+ clients worldwide, our team has achieved a staggering 88% client satisfaction and 5 stars on Clutch. Once again proved our dedication in handling your critical projects!
2. Mexico
Being closed to the USA, Mexico is a favored outsourcing region for tech giants such as Microsoft, Netflix or Google. This has made them another decent alternative for UAE, best excel in machine learning and cybersecurity. With around 220,000 skilled developers and average hourly rate at $40 per hour, Mexico might be your final choice.
3. Poland
As the largest tech house in Central & East Europe, here’s what make Poland an ideal IT destination:
- Around 300,000 developers, known for their exceptional skill in web and mobile development, eCommerce solution, cloud computing and IoT.
- For development skill, Poland is ranked 3rd by Hackerrank.
With the same price as hiring IT companies in Dubai, starting at $50 per hour, Poland is worth a consideration.
How much does it cost to work with IT companies in Dubai?
Working with a Dubai-based company usually costs less than a global company in Dubai, due to:
- Less reputation
- Smaller talent pool and less agile in technology adoption
While hiring a global IT company in Dubai might cost you $50 per hour, working with a Dubai-based partner is around $40 per hour or less.
The final price depends on your project scope, complexity of requirements, number of developers available and technology used. For example, hiring a web developer can take $30 to $40 per hour, but a cybersecurity expert requires $50 or even reach $70-$80, as they are more in high demand.
Working with IT companies in Dubai can be promising. While they offer great resources and opportunities, you must consider certain downsides. At the same time, expand your selection to other nations for comparison and better choice. We hope our list of top IT companies in Dubai can help!
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