Network International is the UAE's established leader, processing significant volume for major banks and retail enterprises. Its scale, market position, and innovation roadmap (Alipay+, stablecoins) are undeniable.
But for many UAE businesses, Network International is overkill, and its enterprise-focused model creates friction:
This guide covers the strongest alternatives to Network International in the UAE, comparing fees, settlement, payment methods, regulatory standing, and the features that matter for growing businesses.
Confirm the alternative publishes its rates clearly. Avoid platforms requiring sales conversations to learn basic pricing; SMEs prefer knowing costs upfront.
Can you be verified and live in days, not weeks? Enterprise providers require long sales cycles; SME-focused alternatives move faster.
Ensure the alternative covers Visa, Mastercard, Jaywan, and ideally Tabby. Local payment method coverage is critical for UAE customer conversion.
The strongest Network alternatives add corporate cards, expense management, or developer tools that multiply value. Payments alone are table stakes.
Website: mamopay.com | Regulated by: DFSA
Best for: UAE SMEs needing payments, corporate cards, expense management, and global payouts in one integrated platform
Mamo is the most direct alternative to Network International for growing UAE businesses. Where Network is enterprise infrastructure, Mamo is a financial platform purpose-built for SMEs.
Key capabilities:
Pricing (Premium): 2.7% + AED 0.80 per UAE domestic card; AED 99/month
Best for: Growing UAE SMEs, subscription businesses, marketplace platforms, companies wanting integrated financial platform
Mamo brings published pricing, payments, corporate cards and expense management to growing SMEs.
Website: stripe.com
Best for: Tech companies, SaaS platforms, developer-led businesses with technical integration capability
Stripe's API excellence and global reach are unmatched for developer-led businesses. At 2.9% + AED 1.00 per UAE card, Stripe is priced comparably to other providers, with its real advantages being API quality, global coverage, and developer tooling.
Key advantages:
Limitations:
Best for: SaaS platforms, tech startups, developers, global companies, platforms
Website: tap.company
Best for: Businesses operating across multiple GCC countries from one integration
Tap is Central Bank-licensed (April 2025), serving 120,000+ merchants across GCC. For multi-country operations, Tap's integrated platform is valuable.
Key advantages:
Limitations:
Best for: Multi-country GCC operations, businesses requiring integrated regional coverage
Website: paymob.com
Best for: E-commerce merchants, Shopify stores, high-ticket BNPL-driven retailers
Paymob is purpose-built for e-commerce. Shopify native integration, and built-in Tabby + Tamara make it strong for retail.
Key advantages:
Limitations:
Best for: E-commerce merchants, fashion/furniture retailers, Shopify stores, high-ticket BNPL
Website: telr.com | Regulated by: CBUAE
Best for: Established UAE merchants preferring locally-regulated, long-operating gateway
Telr has operated in the UAE since 2014 with CBUAE regulation. Volume-tiered pricing (AED 249 down to AED 0/month) and GCC reach make it reliable.
Key advantages:
Limitations:
Best for: E-commerce merchants, businesses at AED 50k+/month processing, those valuing local heritage
| Feature | Network Int'l | Mamo | Stripe | Tap | Paymob | Telr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Rate | ~2.5%-2.9% | 2.7% | 2.9% | ~2.75% | 2.9% | 2.25%-2.45% |
| Pricing Transparency | Opaque | Transparent | Transparent | Opaque | Transparent | Transparent |
| Settlement | Flexible (daily) | Same-day (+0.5%/+0.75%) | T+5 | T+5 then weekly | Weekly | Not stated |
| Monthly Fee | Possible | AED 99/month (Premium); free (Growth) | None | Negotiated | None | AED 249-99 |
| Corporate Cards | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Alipay+ | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Stablecoins | Yes (2026) | No | No | No | No | No |
| Jaywan | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Onboarding | 1-2 weeks | 24-48 hrs | 1-2 days | 1-2 weeks | 1-2 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Regulation | CBUAE | DFSA | EU/UK | CBUAE | Not specified | CBUAE |
| Best For | Enterprise | Growing SME | SaaS/Dev | GCC Multi | E-commerce | Established |
Mamo is the most complete alternative. It offers transparent 2.7% + AED 0.80 pricing, same-day settlement, unlimited free corporate cards with up to 8% cashback, automated expense management, and accounting integrations, all with DFSA regulation and an assigned account manager from day one.
No. Network International negotiates rates per account, typically 2.5%-2.9%, depending on volume, vertical, and terms. Exact pricing requires sales engagement.
Mamo Premium has the lowest published rate at 2.7% + AED 0.80. Stripe is 2.9% + AED 1.00, Paymob is 2.9%, and Network International is negotiated (~2.5%-2.9%).
Not among the alternatives covered here. Network International offers Alipay+, which is an advantage for hospitality and tourism.
Yes. Mamo offers same-day settlement for an additional +0.5% (Premium plan) or +0.75% (Growth plan) on top of transaction fees. Paymob settles weekly; Telr doesn’t publish a standard schedule. Stripe and Tap offer T+5 then weekly or similar schedules. Network International offers daily settlement by negotiation.
Paymob has a native Shopify app and is purpose-built for e-commerce. Mamo also integrates with Shopify but is more subscription-focused.
For SMEs moving away from Network International, Mamo replaces negotiated terms with published pricing, adds same-day settlement from +0.5%, and includes corporate cards and expense management.
Stripe fits developer-led businesses, Tap fits multi-country GCC sellers, and Telr fits merchants above AED 50,000 a month. Large retail chains that rely on in-store terminals are usually better served staying with Network.
Start on Mamo with published pricing and no monthly fee on the Growth plan.
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