Dubai developers compared
Who are you really buying from?
20 developer profiles: what they promised, what they delivered, what they are selling now and how owners have done. Every figure dated and sourced, checked October 2026.
Emaar Properties
Dubai's biggest listed developer; premium, dependable
DAMAC Properties
Dubai's largest private developer; value, flexible plans
Nakheel
Island master developer, now Dubai Holding-owned
Meraas
Dubai Holding's lifestyle developer; prime, premium, slow
Sobha Realty
Builds in-house; premium finish, close to Downtown
Binghatti
Fast mid-rise builds, low prices, branded flagships
Ellington Properties
Design-led mid-market developer; strong yields, premium pricing
Azizi Developments
High-volume value developer; low deposits, slower handovers
Samana Developers
1%-a-month plans and private pools, mid-market
Beyond Developments
Omniyat's waterfront brand; Maritime City, nothing finished
Mirfa IBC Developments
Young Dubai developer: JVC flats and Meydan villas
Omniyat
Ultra-luxury homes and offices in Dubai
Select Group
Premium and branded towers in central Dubai since 2002
Imtiaz Developments
Furnished apartments from JVC to Dubai Islands
Danube Properties
Furnished mid-market homes on a 1% monthly plan
Object 1
Mid-market towers in JVC and JVT, first handovers in 2026
Arada
Sharjah's community builder, now in Dubai
Ajmal Makan Real Estate Development
Sharjah's eight-island waterfront city
Aldar Properties
Abu Dhabi's established developer, new to Dubai
Modon Holding
State-owned Abu Dhabi developer; no handovers yetSide by side
Dubai developers compared side by side
Our reading of each developer’s record, from the dated sources on every profile. “Delivery record” weighs promised against actual handover dates; “Prices” compares price per sq ft with neighbouring communities.
| Developer | Founded | Delivery record | Prices | Typical plan | Post-handover plans | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emaar | 1997 | Strong | Premium | 80/20 | Rare | Lowest delivery risk in Dubai |
| DAMAC | 2002 | Mixed | Value | 50/50–75/25 | Sometimes | Villas at lower prices |
| Nakheel | 2000 | Mixed | Premium | 20/60/20 | Rare | Waterfront and island homes |
| Meraas | 2007 | Good | Premium | 75/25 | Rare | Prime walkable Jumeirah addresses |
| Sobha | 2003 | Good | Premium | 60/40 | Rare | Above-average finishing |
| Binghatti | 2008 | Mixed | Value | 40/60–70/30 | Rare | Studios and 1-beds under AED 1m |
| Ellington | 2014 | Good | Premium | 70/30 | Rare | Better interiors and amenities |
| Azizi | 2007 | Patchy | Value | 50/50 | Sometimes | Entry prices under AED 700,000 |
| Samana | 2017 | Mixed | Value | 1% a month | Common | Small deposit, low monthly payment |
| Beyond | 2024 | Too early to say | Premium | 50/50 | Rare | New Maritime City waterfront apartments |
| Mirfa IBC | 2023 | Too early to say | Mid-market | Varies | Sometimes | JVC apartment buyers |
| Omniyat | 2005 | Mixed | Premium | 60/40 | Rare | Ultra-prime home buyers |
| Select | 2002 | Mixed | Premium | 50/50 or 40/60 | Rare | Branded residence buyers |
| Imtiaz | 1993 | Good | Mid-market | 60/40 | Sometimes | First-time investors |
| Danube | 2014 | Mixed | Value | 1% monthly | Common | First-time investors |
| Object 1 | 2022 | Patchy | Mid-market | 60/40 | Common | First-time investors |
| Arada | 2017 | Mixed | Mid-market | 35/65 | Rare | Sharjah family homes |
| Ajmal Makan | 2018 | Mixed | Value | 10/30/60 | Sometimes | Beachfront villa buyers |
| Aldar | 2004 | Too early to say | Mid-market | 60/40 | Rare | Family villas and townhouses |
| Modon | 2024 | Too early to say | Premium | 40/60 | Rare | Abu Dhabi coastal villas |
Head to head
- Emaar vs DAMAC
- Emaar vs Sobha
- Emaar vs Nakheel
- Emaar vs Meraas
- Emaar vs Ellington
- Emaar vs Aldar
- DAMAC vs Sobha
- DAMAC vs Binghatti
- DAMAC vs Azizi
- Sobha vs Ellington
- Binghatti vs Danube
- Binghatti vs Samana
- Binghatti vs Object 1
- Samana vs Danube
- Azizi vs Danube
- Imtiaz vs Ellington
- Omniyat vs Select
- Aldar vs Modon
Reviewed by Ayman Hoque, Operations Manager, Live Dubai InternationalDubai Land Department broker card no. 55937 · Checked October 2026
These are our summaries, not ratings from any review site. The evidence behind each word is on the developer’s profile, with sources.
Before you choose
How to judge a developer
Delivered, not launched
Industry trackers estimate only around half to 60% of the homes due in Dubai in 2025 were finished that year (Cavendish Maxwell, ValuStrat). A record of finishing on time is the best guide you have.
Money in escrow
Every off-plan payment must go into the project’s escrow account registered with the Dubai Land Department. Pay only into that account and get your Oqood registration.
Launch price against resales
In 2026 some off-plan homes resell below their launch price. A resale in a finished building nearby can be the better buy.
The handover clause
How much is due on handover, what happens if the date slips, and whether you can sell before completion all differ by developer and project.
FAQs
Questions about Dubai developers
Which Dubai developers have the best delivery record?
Of the 20 developers we profile, we rate the delivery record of these as strong or good: Emaar, Meraas, Sobha, Ellington, Imtiaz. Each profile shows promised and actual handover dates, project by project, with sources.
Which developers offer post-handover payment plans?
Post-handover plans are common or sometimes offered by: DAMAC, Azizi, Samana, Mirfa IBC, Imtiaz, Danube, Object 1, Ajmal Makan. Terms change by project, so confirm the plan in writing before you book.
Which developers have the lowest prices?
We class these as value-priced against neighbouring communities: DAMAC, Binghatti, Azizi, Samana, Danube, Ajmal Makan. A lower price often comes with a longer wait or a larger payment at handover, so read the track record first.
Is my money protected when I buy off-plan in Dubai?
Every off-plan payment in Dubai must go into the escrow account of the project, registered with the Dubai Land Department, and your purchase is registered through Oqood. Pay only into that account. Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have their own registration rules.
Can foreigners buy off-plan property in Dubai?
Yes. Any nationality can buy freehold property in the designated freehold areas of Dubai, which is where almost all off-plan projects are built. You do not need to be a resident.
Can I sell an off-plan home before it is finished?
Usually, but the rules are set by each developer and project. Many ask for a set share of the price to be paid first and charge a transfer fee. Check the resale clause in the sale agreement before you sign.
How do you choose which developers to profile?
We profile the developers our clients ask about most, including ones we sell for. Every figure is dated and sourced, and our summaries are our own reading of the record, not ratings from a review site.
Not sure which developer or project suits you?
Tell us your budget and what you want the home for, and we will give you a straight answer, including when a resale is the better buy.