Brokerage (marketplace) apps
Marketplace app development in the UAE
MetaGate Information Technology designs and develops marketplace (brokerage) apps in Dubai that connect sellers with buyers or providers with customers, with commissions, separate apps for each party and one admin panel. Marketplace apps start from AED 30,000 and are delivered in 1 to 4 months.
- 6-month free warranty
- Delivered in 1 to 4 months
- Full code ownership
What is a marketplace (brokerage) app?
A marketplace app is a platform that connects two sides, such as sellers and buyers or service providers and customers, and earns a commission or subscription on each deal. You don't hold the stock or do the service yourself: you run the platform, the payments and the trust between both sides.
That makes a marketplace more complex than a single store or booking app: each side needs its own app or dashboard, payments must be split, and you need tools to approve vendors, handle disputes and track commissions. We plan all of this with you in a free consultation with a business development expert before design starts.
We build marketplaces for iPhone, Android and the web, and publish them on the App Store and Google Play.
Who it's for
Marketplace models we build
- 01
Service-provider marketplaces
Customers request a service and independent technicians, tutors or freelancers receive the request, send offers or accept the job, and get paid through the app after the platform's commission.
- 02
Multi-vendor product marketplaces
Many sellers open their own shop inside one app, manage their products and orders, and receive their share of each sale, while you manage vendors and commissions.
- 03
Real estate and rentals
Property listings for sale or rent, short-term rentals and holiday homes, with search by area and price, owner and broker accounts, and booking or enquiry requests.
- 04
Delivery and logistics
Apps that connect stores or senders with drivers and customers: order placement, driver assignment, live tracking and delivery fees, for food, groceries or parcels.
What you get
An app for every side of the deal
Customer app
Search, compare, order or book, pay, chat and track, then rate the seller or provider.
Vendor or provider app
Listings or services, incoming orders, schedule, earnings and payouts for each seller, provider or driver.
Platform admin panel
Approve vendors, set commissions, manage disputes, payments, content and reports for the whole platform.
Features a marketplace needs
- Commission or subscription settings per category or vendor.
- Online payments with each party's share tracked.
- In-app chat between customers and vendors.
- Ratings and reviews to build trust on both sides.
- Maps, search by location and live tracking where needed.
- Vendor sign-up and approval by the admin.
- Arabic and English, with right-to-left design.
- Ongoing updates and maintenance as the platform grows.
Ways to build it
Ready-made marketplace or built from scratch?
We offer a ready-made marketplace app for proven models, or a platform built from scratch for new ideas. Both give you full source code ownership.
Ready-made marketplace app, customized for you
- Price
- From 30,000 AED
- Timeline
- About 1 month
A tested brokerage app with customer, vendor and admin parts that we adapt to your brand, categories and commission model. Good for launching fast and testing the market.
Marketplace built from scratch
- Price
- After a free consultation
- Timeline
- 3 to 4 months
Designed around a new model, special matching rules or complex payment splits. Compare both in ready-made vs custom apps.
How we work
How we deliver your project
- Present the idea and discuss it with the team
- Shape the idea around the business scenario and the local market
- A detailed project study, including the customer journey from start to finish
- Logo and visual identity design
- User interface and user experience design (UI/UX)
- App development in modern languages (built from scratch or from ready-made projects)
- App testing and quality assurance
- Publishing the app on the Apple App Store and Google Play
- Launch with a proven, carefully planned marketing strategy
- Maintenance, updates and follow-up
Questions about this app type
Clear answers about app design and development with MetaGate
How much does a marketplace app cost in the UAE?
At MetaGate, marketplace (brokerage) apps start from AED 30,000. The price depends on whether you start from our ready-made marketplace app or build from scratch, how many parties need their own app, the payment and commission logic, and integrations such as maps and delivery tracking. The exact price is set after a free consultation.
What is the difference between a marketplace app and an e-commerce app?
In an e-commerce app you sell your own products. In a marketplace app many independent sellers or providers sell through your platform, and you earn a commission or subscription. That is why a marketplace needs a vendor app or dashboard, payment splits and vendor approval.
How does the platform earn money?
The most common models are a commission on each order or booking, a monthly subscription for vendors, paid listings or featured placement, and delivery or service fees. The app can support one model or a mix, set from the admin panel.
How long does it take to build a marketplace app?
A marketplace built on our ready-made brokerage app takes about 1 month. A marketplace built from scratch usually takes 3 to 4 months, because it includes several apps and more complex payment and approval flows.
Can vendors and providers register by themselves?
Yes. Vendors, providers or drivers can sign up in the app, upload their details and documents, and start working once the platform admin approves them.
Will I own the source code of the marketplace?
Yes. You get full ownership of the source code once the project is delivered, whether it was built on the ready-made marketplace app or from scratch, plus a free 6-month warranty after launch.
Have an app idea? Let's talk it through
Book a free consultation with a business development expert to discuss your idea, refine it and plan its launch.
Before you start