Explore the Cost to Build a Car Listing Platform like DubiCars

Have you ever wondered how much does it cost to develop a car listing platform like DubiCars?

The overall cost to create a car listing platform like DubiCars can go from $20,000 to $80,000+ (73,400 AED & 293,600 AED) which can change as per your requirements. 

The automotive industry is a growing sector, and with that, the need for car listing platform development is also growing. 

Among many others, DubiCars stands out the most with its vibrant features & amazing user experience, and businesses are eager to tap into this lucrative industry that makes buying, selling, and browsing vehicles effortless for users. 

As DubiCars' CEO once said, “Our goal was to make car buying feel less like a chore and more like a joyride.”

So, if you want one such platform that drives sales and wow users, plan your budget beforehand- and this is what this blog will be. 

So, let’s find out together the cost of DubiCars-like app development. 

Overview of DubiCars 

So, what exactly is DubiCars?

Launched in 2014 & relaunched in 2018, DubiCars has quickly become the UAE’s fastest-growing online car marketplace, connecting different buyers and sellers across all emirates. 

With 3 million searches every month, DubiCars connects real buyers and sellers, using smart technology and strong dealer partnerships to make car buying and selling easier and faster across the UAE.

With more than 470 showrooms active on its website and mobile apps, DubiCars commands an unmatched presence, especially within the export market. 

What truly sets DubiCars apart is its independence. As the only independently owned, car-only marketplace in the UAE, it operates with full transparency, freely sharing industry insights and data without competing against dealers or serving conflicting interests. 

The app is one of the highly rated car buying and selling apps, so there are a lot of considerations playing a key role. No wonder, businesses want to build a car listing platform like DubiCars.

How Does it Work? 

Curious about how it all works? Let’s take a look at how DubiCars makes the car buying and selling process smooth, simple, and hassle-free for everyone involved.

• • Get the DubiCars app from the App Store or Google Play.
  • Create a free account in minutes or log in if you’re an existing user.
  • Sellers can upload photos, set a price, and add car details. Buyers can explore thousands of verified listings.
  • Use our secure chat or call feature to negotiate or ask questions.
  • Book a test drive or request a certified inspection all through the app.
  • Finalize the purchase or sale with digital paperwork and payment options built in.

Here is an Infographic to help you understand the working  better:

With over 29,000 new and used cars from 500+ trusted dealerships and private sellers across the UAE, the app makes buying and selling cars a smooth and hassle-free experience for everyone.

How Much Does it Cost to Develop a Car Listing Platform like DubiCars?

Have you ever wondered how much does it costs to build a marketplace mobile app like DubiCars?

DubiCars like app development cost can go from $20,000 to $80,000+ (73,400 AED & 293,600 AED).

A basic MVP with essential features can start from $20,000–$35,000, while a full-scale app with advanced filters, real-time chat, test drive bookings, and AI-based recommendations can go beyond $80,000. 

The final mobile app development cost also depends on whether you're building from scratch or using ready-made modules. 

Here's a breakdown of apps like DubiCars development cost: 

Now, let’s find out the cost of creating an app for car sellers and dealers like DubiCars.

Factors Affecting the Development Cost of Marketplace Apps like DubiCars

So you're thinking of creating an app for car sellers and dealers like DubiCars?

Great choice,  but let’s talk budget.

The cost to build a car listing platform like DubiCars can vary wildly depending on how advanced (or simple) you want the app to be.

There are lots of factors that can affect the cost of planning an MVP to a full-featured giant; the final bill depends on several key factors. 

Let’s break them down in a way that actually makes sense- not tech jargon, we promise. 

1. App Design & User Experience

If you’re wondering what’s the cost of building a car buy-sell app similar to DubiCars. Remember- design is the first impression, and it counts. 

Design isn’t just about looking good- it’s about feeling right. 

A sleek, intuitive design that mirrors the simplicity of top apps like DubiCars requires app wireframing, prototyping, and multiple design iterations.

2. Features and Functionalities

To make your mobile app idea a successful reality, features are an important part.

Basic features? Sure, you’ll need car listings, search filters, and user profiles. Want more like in-app chat, test drive booking, or AI-driven suggestions? 

This is where the real cost to create a car listing platform like DubiCars spikes. The deeper the feature set, the higher the development time and complexity. 

Pro tip: Start with core features and scale up as user feedback rolls in. 

3. Backend Infrastructure 

Think of this as the engine under the hood. 

A strong backend ensures your app runs smoothly, whether you’re listing 50 cars or 50,000. It manages databases, APIs, user authentication and admin controls.

Besides, a solid app tech stack plays a crucial role in making your platform, like DubiCars, successful in the market. 

And, if you’re planning to build a scalable platform for long-term growth, this a must-invest area when calculating the cost to build a car buy sell app similar to DubiCars. 

4. In-App Communication Tools

Now, here's where things get spicy.

Dubicars makes it easy for buyers and sellers to chat, negotiate, or request test drives,  all within the app.

If you're creating a marketplace app for car sellers and dealers like DubiCars, chat and call features make deals faster and smoother.

Building this? You’ll need real-time messaging, push notifications, and maybe even call recording.

5. Payment Gateway & Transaction System

Want users to pay directly in the app?

Then you need a secure and fast payment gateway.

Whether it's Stripe, Razorpay, or a custom bank API, this is a key component, especially if you’re monetizing via premium listings or ads.

When you’re estimating the cost to build a car listing platform like DubiCars, this is one non-negotiable cost.

6. Admin Panel and Analytics Dashboard

You’ll need a clean backend where you (or your team) can manage listings, users, revenue, complaints, etc.

This dashboard helps streamline operations and track what’s working (and what’s not).

Without it, managing your second-hand car app would be a nightmare. It’s also essential when calculating the cost to create a car listing platform like DubiCars.

7.  Multilingual & Regional Support

If you’re targeting the UAE region like DubiCars, you’re dealing with a diverse user base.

Arabic? English? Multi-language support adds localization layers, custom formatting, and UI flexibility.

It’s a valuable investment, especially if you’re aiming for mass adoption.

8. Ongoing Maintenance and Support

App launch isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting grid. You’ll need regular updates, security patches, and feature upgrades.

So, when you think of the cost of building a car buy-sell app similar to DubiCars, don’t forget to add app maintenance services to it. 

With this out of the way, you must have an idea about the cost to build a car listing platform like DubiCars.

How to Reduce the Overall Cost to Develop a Car Buy Sell App like DubiCars? 

Building a car buy-sell app like DubiCars can be an exciting but expensive endeavour. 

However, there are creative ways to reduce the overall cost of DubiCars like app development while still creating an efficient, user-friendly platform. 

By focusing on the right strategy and leveraging the latest tools, you can cut costs without compromising quality. 

Here are some innovative ways to save on the cost to build a car listing app like DubiCars:

1] Utilize Open-Source Solutions

Instead of building every feature from scratch, consider using open-source libraries or frameworks that can fast-track your development.

These free resources often come with robust features, proven security, and regular updates.

Whether it’s for managing car listings or user authentication, you can find reliable open-source alternatives.

This alone can reduce the cost to create a car listing app like DubiCars by up to 15-20%.

2] Partner with Car Dealerships for Data Integration

Rather than building an elaborate inventory system, directly integrate dealership data into your platform.

This reduces the workload on your development team and gives you access to hundreds (or thousands) of listings without added infrastructure.

This approach can lower the cost to build a car buy-sell app like DubiCars by 10-18%.

3] Create a Web-First Version Before Going Mobile

Launching a web app first helps you validate your idea before investing in mobile app development.

It’s cost-effective and allows you to gather real user feedback to shape the mobile experience later.

This strategy can cut the cost to develop a car listing app like DubiCars by around 20-25%.

4] Implement Progressive Web App (PWA) Features

PWAs offer a mobile-like experience through browsers,  and they’re far cheaper to develop than native apps.

Using PWAs can reduce the cost to create a car listing app like DubiCars by up to 30-40%.

They load fast, work offline, and can be installed on phones without using the App Store or Play Store.

5] Outsource Non-Core Features

Rather than hiring a large full-time team, outsource to an experienced AI app development company for complex or specialized tasks like AI integration. 

Smart outsourcing can bring down the cost to build a car buy-sell app like DubiCars by 15-25%.

This lets you focus on core app functions while tapping into expert talent at a fraction of the cost.

6] Use Cloud-Based Tools for Storage & Scaling

Cloud services like AWS or Google Cloud eliminate the need for expensive infrastructure. They’re scalable, secure, and you only pay for what you use, perfect for growing apps.

This cloud-first model can reduce the cost to develop a car listing app like DubiCars by 20-30%.

7] Integrate AI and Automation Early On

Basic AI tools like car price estimators or automated suggestions can reduce manual processes and improve user engagement. 

This forward-thinking move can lower the cost to create a car listing app like DubiCars by around 10-15%.

By automating tasks early, you save future development costs and speed up operations. So, hire dedicated developers who have experience in this. 

Moving forward, let’s get to know DubiCars like money. 

How a DubiCars-like Platform Makes Money? 

A DubiCars-like platform doesn’t just provide a marketplace for car buyers and sellers: It’s a money-making machine with different revenue streams. 

Let’s break down for app monetization models: 

1. Paid Listings

Want to sell faster? Pay up!

Give sellers the power to rise above the noise.

For a small fee, they can push their car listings to the top or feature them on high-traffic pages.

It’s an easy upsell: more views for them, steady income for you.

2.  Subscription Plans for Dealers

Offer subscription plans that let car dealerships post unlimited listings, view buyer insights, and get lead-tracking tools. 

It’s like giving them a superpower dashboard, while you enjoy recurring monthly or annual revenue like clockwork.

3. Featured Ads and Promotions

Top of the feed = top dollar.

Let users boost their listings for more visibility,  homepage spots, search priority, banner placements, and more.

These paid promotions turn regular listings into hot leads, and your app into a cash magnet.

4. Lead Generation for Financing & Insurance

Connect buyers to banks, and earn while you sleep.

Offer financing or insurance suggestions right in the app, and charge partners for sending them qualified leads.

Buyers get convenience, banks get new customers, and you get a juicy referral commission in the background.

5.  In-App Car Valuation Services

Help users get AI-driven, instant car valuations with just a few taps.

It’s a premium feature many are happy to pay for, especially when setting a competitive price is the difference between a fast sale and no sale.

6. Transaction Fee on Direct Sales

Every deal closed means money in your pocket.

Enable in-app bookings or direct purchases and charge a small service fee per successful transaction.

Not only does this create trust and convenience, but it also opens a consistent stream of revenue for your car marketplace platform.

How JPLoft Can Help You Develop an App like DubiCars? 

Do you dream of launching a top car listing platform like DubiCars, then we are here to help you. 

JPLoft is the best mobile app development company with proven experience in building high-performance marketplaces. 

From idea validation and feature planning to design, development, and post-launch support, we do it all for you.

Our team has the right expertise in building scalable, user-friendly platforms for car buyers, sellers and dealerships.

Be it MVP or full-fledged app with AI, analytics, and payment integrations, we tailor every project to your vision. Let JPLoft turn your app into market-leading reality. 

Conclusion

Building a digital showroom isn’t just a trend, it’s the future. If you’re planning to build a car listing platform like DubiCars, now is the perfect time to shift gears.

With the right tech, features, and team, your platform can attract thousands of car buyers and dealers, just like DubiCars did in the UAE. 

Whether you're starting with an MVP or going full throttle with AI and automation, make every decision count.