FAQ · UAE
Software development questions from UAE businesses
Direct answers to the questions UAE founders, managers, and IT leads ask before starting a software, website, or app project.
Costs and timelines
How much does custom software development cost in the UAE?
Typical market ranges are AED 55,000 to AED 150,000 for a focused MVP, AED 150,000 to AED 370,000 for a business application with integrations and Arabic–English support, and more for enterprise systems. Our UAE pricing guide explains what moves the price.
How much does it cost to develop a website in Dubai?
A professional company website with a CMS typically costs under AED 37,000 with us. Websites with custom functionality — bookings, client portals, or online sales — usually fall between AED 37,000 and AED 184,000.
How long does it take to develop a business application?
A focused first release usually takes 8 to 12 weeks after a 2 to 4 week discovery phase. Larger systems are delivered in phases over 4 to 12 months, with the most valuable part live first.
Choosing the right approach
What is the difference between custom software and off-the-shelf software?
Off-the-shelf software is a ready-made product you license — quick to start, cheaper up front, but you adapt your processes to it and pay per user. Custom software is built for your processes and owned by you — higher initial cost, but it fits exactly, integrates with your other systems, and has no per-seat licence fees. Many businesses combine both: a standard platform for accounting, for example, with custom software where their process is different.
Why should businesses invest in custom software development?
The strongest reasons are measurable: removing manual re-keying between systems, replacing several licensed tools with one, giving customers a self-service channel that reduces calls and emails, or turning an internal process that sets you apart into software you own. If none of these apply, a standard product is usually the better investment.
Should we build a website, a web app, or a mobile app?
A website presents your business; a web application lets customers or staff do things, on any device; a mobile app suits frequent use, notifications, and device features like the camera or location. Many projects start with a web application and add mobile apps once usage justifies them.
Technology
What technologies are used for enterprise application development?
Commonly a React or Angular front end, a Node.js, .NET, or Java backend, PostgreSQL or SQL Server, and Azure or AWS hosting, with APIs for integration and single sign-on through Microsoft Entra ID. We choose based on your existing systems and the team who will maintain the software.
Can you build Arabic and English software?
Yes. We design both languages together: right-to-left layouts, Arabic typography, mirrored icons and navigation, bilingual content management, and separate URLs per language for search engines.
Can our data be hosted in the UAE?
Yes. Microsoft Azure and AWS both operate UAE cloud regions, and we deploy there when your data needs to stay in the country — for example, health data, which UAE law generally requires to be stored locally.
Compliance and working together
Does the UAE PDPL apply to our software?
If your software processes personal data of people in the UAE, Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 likely applies, unless you're in DIFC or ADGM, which have their own data protection laws. We design for consent, security, and data-transfer rules and document data flows for your legal review; your legal adviser confirms which law applies.
Do you have an office in the UAE?
No. Our team works remotely from Pakistan, one hour ahead of the UAE, and collaborates with UAE clients online during shared working hours. Short in-person visits can be arranged for workshops.
Who owns the software you build?
You do. All code and intellectual property are assigned to you in the contract, and you have repository access from the first day.
Planning a software project in the UAE?
Tell us what you're building. We'll reply within one business day with an honest assessment, a suggested first step, and an indicative AED budget range.
info@hakrosoft.com · We respond within one business day