Careem started as ride-hailing and is now a super app with rides, food, groceries and payments in one place, the closest regional analogue to Snapp. Its network is smaller than Uber's but strong in the main Gulf cities.
Best in Support and refunds
Founded
2012
Based in
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Business model
Super app: rides, food, groceries and payments
Available in
9 countries: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Iraq, Pakistan
Score by criterion, against the category
The tick on each bar is the category average; the signed number is the distance from it.
City and fleet coverage78-4
Fares and price transparency74-1
Reliability and safety82-1
Predictive routing80-3
Support and refunds76+3
Good fit for
People in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf
Anyone who wants rides, food and groceries in one app and one wallet
Paying in cash or from the in-app wallet
Less suited when
Anyone outside the Middle East and Pakistan markets
Trips in cities where Careem runs only a limited service
Strengths
One app for rides, food, groceries and payments
Careem Pay wallet for payments and transfers
Cash payment in most markets
A choice of car types, from economy to premium and licensed taxis
Opportunities for improvement
Room for improvement in: Narrower geographic coverage than Uber
Room for improvement in: Wait times rise at busy hours
Room for improvement in: Not every service is available in every country
Verdict
In Gulf cities it is on a par with Uber, and more complete as a super app; outside the region it has no role.
What Careem actually is
Careem started in Dubai in 2012 as a chauffeured car service and grew into the largest ride-hailing company in the Middle East. Uber bought it in 2020, and its super-app business was later spun out with investment from the e& group. Its path mirrors Snapp's: from rides to an everything app.
What you pay and what you get
The fare is shown before the trip and rises at peak times. You can pay by card, wallet or cash.
Where it is strong
The app is built for the region: Arabic, cash payment and daily services in one place. In Dubai, Riyadh and the big Gulf cities its network is dependable.
How it can improve, and what we could not verify
Service thins out beyond the main cities. The countries listed here are only those where Careem's presence was clear; an up-to-date city count is not officially published.
Questions about Careem
Is Careem owned by Uber?
Its ride-hailing business has belonged to Uber since 2020; the super app is run separately with investment from the e& group.
Which countries is Careem in?
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Iraq and Pakistan, as confirmed for this review.
Which Iranian app is Careem closest to?
Snapp; both started with rides and grew into super apps.
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Disclosure: Seemerce is developing products in some of these same areas (Seemerce Infinity). Scores are editorial assessments by Seemerce based on public information. Companies can send corrections or a reply to mahdiparto94@gmail.com. Names and logos belong to their owners and are used only to identify them; Seemerce is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.
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