The UAE is one of the world's most dynamic places to live — and one of the most expensive. Whether you're in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah, managing your AED spending is critical. With no income tax but high living costs, the UAE rewards those who track their finances carefully — and punishes those who don't.
The UAE's economy in 2026 continues to attract professionals and entrepreneurs from around the world. With over 85% of residents being expatriates, the country has a unique financial landscape. Most people are here temporarily, sending money home while trying to save as much as possible. The absence of income tax creates an illusion of wealth, but Dubai's luxury lifestyle, high rents, and expensive telecom and entertainment can erode savings faster than many realise.
We've compared the top expense tracking apps available in the UAE, evaluating them on AED support, multi-currency features (essential for expats), offline capability, and privacy. Many Indian expats in the UAE also find our India expense tracker guide useful for managing home-country finances. Here's our comprehensive guide for 2026.
Why UAE Residents Need an Expense Tracker
The UAE's zero-income-tax policy is a major draw, but it comes with a hidden risk: no forced savings mechanism. In countries with income tax, a portion of your earnings is automatically set aside for social security, pensions, and healthcare. In the UAE, you get 100% of your salary — and you're responsible for managing all of it yourself.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi have seen significant cost increases in recent years. Rents in popular areas have risen 20-30% since 2022, with one-bedroom apartments in Dubai Marina or JBR costing AED 70,000-100,000+ per year. The introduction of 5% VAT in 2018 and corporate tax in 2023 have gradually increased consumer costs. Meanwhile, the UAE's reputation for luxury dining, shopping, and entertainment means lifestyle inflation is a constant threat.
For expats managing remittances, the stakes are even higher. Sending AED 3,000-10,000 home monthly while covering UAE living costs requires precise tracking to avoid running short before month-end.
Feature Comparison Table
| App | Price | Bank Linking Required? | Offline Mode? | Local Currency (AED)? | Privacy-First? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket Clear | Free / AED 3.99/mo | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Sarwa | Free / Premium | ✅ Required | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ Investment-focused |
| Payit (by FAB) | Free | ✅ FAB account | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ Bank-owned |
| Emirates NBD App | Free (ENBD only) | ✅ ENBD account required | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ Bank-owned |
Top Expense Trackers for UAE (2026)
1. Pocket Clear — Best for UAE Expats
- ✅ Full AED support with proper formatting
- ✅ No bank linking needed — privacy-first
- ✅ Works offline (in the Metro, at malls, anywhere)
- ✅ Free with no ads
- ✅ Multi-currency support — track AED and your home currency simultaneously
- ✅ Partner Mode for couples sharing expenses
🇦🇪 Best for UAE Expats
Simple, private, works with AED and your home currency. No bank linking required.
2. Sarwa
UAE-based robo-advisor and financial planning platform. More focused on investing than daily expense tracking.
Pros: UAE-regulated, investment management, halal investing options
Cons: Investment-focused rather than expense tracking, requires bank linking, not designed for daily spending logs
3. Payit by First Abu Dhabi Bank
Digital wallet by FAB with spending insights and peer-to-peer transfers.
Pros: UAE-built, P2P transfers, spending categorisation
Cons: Requires FAB account or card, only tracks Payit transactions, limited budgeting features
4. Emirates NBD App
Emirates NBD's banking app includes spending categorisation and budgeting tools for ENBD customers.
Pros: Automatic categorisation, free for ENBD customers
Cons: Only tracks ENBD transactions, misses cash and other bank spending, no offline mode
UAE-Specific Financial Tips
- Treat remittances as a fixed expense — If you send money home monthly, budget it as a fixed cost alongside rent. Don't count it as "savings" or you'll consistently overspend on everything else. Create a dedicated "Remittance" category in your tracker.
- Budget for annual rent payments — While some UAE landlords now accept monthly payments, many still require quarterly or annual cheques. If you're paying AED 84,000/year in rent, you need AED 7,000/month set aside — plan for this from day one.
- Track the hidden costs of car ownership — Beyond the car payment, UAE car ownership includes Salik toll (AED 4 per crossing, adds up fast), petrol, insurance (AED 2,000-5,000/year), parking, and fines. Track all vehicle expenses in one category for the true monthly cost.
- Watch for "Dubai lifestyle" creep — Dubai's social scene revolves around brunches (AED 200-500), nightlife, and shopping. Track entertainment separately and review monthly. Many expats discover they're spending AED 3,000-5,000/month on leisure without realising it.
- Save before you spend — With no income tax, your entire salary hits your account. Set up auto-transfers to savings and investment accounts on salary day, then live on what's left. Track spending against this post-saving budget.
Why Pocket Clear Works for the UAE
The UAE's expat-heavy population and unique financial landscape make Pocket Clear an ideal choice:
- Full AED support — Proper Dirham formatting throughout the app
- Multi-currency essential — Track in AED while seeing amounts in INR, PHP, GBP, USD, or any home currency. Critical for expats managing finances across borders
- 100% offline — Works in the Dubai Metro, at malls, in newer developments with patchy wifi
- No bank linking — Your Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, or any other bank credentials stay private. Essential in a market where many people bank with multiple institutions
- Track everything — Unlike bank apps that only see their own transactions, Pocket Clear captures all spending: cash, cards, Apple Pay, bank transfers, and offline payments
- Affordable — Free forever, or AED 3.99/month for Pro. A fraction of what you'd spend on one Dubai coffee
- Couples-ready — Track shared apartment costs and household expenses with your partner
Start Tracking in AED
Free, simple, works across the UAE. Multi-currency for expats.
FAQ for UAE Users
What is the best expense tracker app in the UAE?
Pocket Clear is an excellent choice for UAE residents. It supports AED, works offline, doesn't require bank linking, and offers multi-currency support — essential for the UAE's expat population.
Do I need to link my bank account?
No. Pocket Clear works without any bank linking. Unlike Emirates NBD's app or Payit, it tracks all spending regardless of which bank or payment method you use.
How does Pocket Clear compare to Sarwa?
Sarwa is primarily an investment platform, while Pocket Clear is designed for daily expense tracking. They complement each other — use Sarwa for investing and Pocket Clear for tracking daily spending in AED.
Can I track expenses in both AED and my home currency?
Yes. Pocket Clear supports multi-currency tracking, so you can see your spending in AED alongside INR, PHP, GBP, USD, or any other currency. Essential for expats managing finances across borders.
Can I track expenses offline in the UAE?
Yes. Pocket Clear works 100% offline — in the Dubai Metro, at malls, or anywhere. Data syncs when you reconnect.
Is Pocket Clear good for tracking remittances?
Yes. Create a dedicated "Remittance" category to track money sent home. This helps you see your true available budget after accounting for regular transfers.
Is there a free expense tracker that works in the UAE?
Yes. Pocket Clear's free plan includes unlimited AED expense tracking, custom categories, and full offline support — no subscription needed.
Is Pocket Clear available in the UAE?
Yes. Pocket Clear is available on both iOS and Android in the UAE. It fully supports UAE Dirhams (AED) and is designed for privacy-first budgeting for UAE residents and expats.
Popular Cities
Explore expense tracking guides for major UAE cities: