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Aldar vs Modon
We rate the two the same on delivery: both "Too early to say". Compare the project-by-project handover tables on each profile.
Since 2003 · Dubai + London · Licence 601049 · RERA ORN 1219
Aldar PropertiesAbu Dhabi's established developer, new to Dubai11 projects with a checked page
Modon HoldingState-owned Abu Dhabi developer; no handovers yet13 projects with a checked page
Side by side
Aldar vs Modon at a glance
Aldar is usually the cheaper of the two: Aldar is priced as "Mid-market" and Modon as "Premium" against neighbouring communities.
| Aldar | Modon | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery record | Too early to sayNo Dubai handover yet; Haven promised Q3 2027, now January 2028 on Aldar's schedule | Too early to sayNo freehold home handed over; Reem Hills villas due Q2 2026, unconfirmed by Oct 2026 |
| Prices | Mid-marketHaven AED 1,447/sq ft vs AED 1,609 Dubailand villa average (2026) | PremiumGolf Estates ~AED 1,900–2,900/sq ft; Bashayer ~2,100–2,800 (launch, derived) |
| Payment plan | 60/405% on booking, 55% during construction, 40% on handover; premium villas 70/30 | 40/605–10% booking; 50/50 at Bashayer, 25/75 at Wadeem Gardens with 75% due 2031 |
| Post-handover plans | RareNone found on any Aldar Dubai launch (October 2026); 30–40% due at handover | RareNone found (October 2026) |
| Founded | 2004 | 2024 |
| Ownership | Listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange; Mubadala 28.03%, Alpha Dhabi Holding 26.5% | Listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange; about 84.75% held by L'imad Holding, owned by the Abu Dhabi Government |
| Homes delivered | Total not published; none yet in Dubai | None yet from its freehold programme |
| Credit rating | Baa2, stable | None published |
| Best known for | Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Al Raha Beach in Abu Dhabi; Haven, Athlon and The Wilds in Dubai | Hudayriyat Island and Surf Abu Dhabi; Reem Hills and Maysan on Al Reem Island |
| Projects with a checked page | 11 projects | 13 projects |
| Best for | Family villas and townhouses; Investment-grade, government-linked developer; Patient buyers, keys 2028–30 | Abu Dhabi coastal villas; State-owned, cash-rich developer; Patient buyers, keys 2027–31 |
These are our summaries from dated sources, not ratings from a review site. The evidence is on each profile.
Reviewed by Ayman Hoque, Operations Manager, Live Dubai InternationalDubai Land Department broker card no. 55937 · Checked October 2026
Aldar Properties
Choose Aldar if
Aldar suits families and medium-term investors who want a villa or townhouse in a planned community from a large, government-linked developer with an investment-grade rating, and who are content to wait until 2028-30 for keys.
What Aldar does well, and what to checkThree of each, from the profile
What Aldar does well
- Strong finances: Moody's Baa2, an AED 71.6bn development backlog and AED 37.1bn of available liquidity, so building work is less dependent on buyers' instalments.
- Government-linked ownership through Mubadala, with Dubai Holding as its land partner in Dubai.
- Strong launch demand in Dubai: Haven, Verdes, Athlon and The Wilds sold their first phases within days, for over AED 13bn combined.
In full
- Strong finances: Moody's Baa2, an AED 71.6bn development backlog and AED 37.1bn of available liquidity (June 2026), so building work is less dependent on buyers' instalments.
- Government-linked ownership through Mubadala (28.03%, August 2026), with Dubai Holding as its land partner in Dubai.
- Strong launch demand in Dubai: Haven (2023), Verdes (2024), Athlon (2024) and The Wilds (2025) sold their first phases within days, for over AED 13bn combined.
Check before you buy
- No Aldar home in Dubai has been handed over yet.
- Everything launched in Dubai so far is inland in Dubailand, off Al Ain Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, not on the coast.
- Apartments have sold more slowly than villas: Rise by Athlon was 29% sold in September 2025, while Athlon's villas and townhouses were 96% sold.
In full
- No Aldar home in Dubai has been handed over yet. Haven was promised for Q3 2027 at launch; Aldar's November 2025 schedule shows January 2028. Check the date in your SPA.
- Everything launched in Dubai so far is inland in Dubailand, off Al Ain Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, not on the coast.
- Apartments have sold more slowly than villas: Rise by Athlon was 29% sold in September 2025, while Athlon's villas and townhouses were 96% sold.
Modon Holding
Choose Modon if
Modon suits Dubai-based buyers who are happy to own in Abu Dhabi and want a villa or townhouse on a new coastal island from a state-owned, cash-rich developer.
What Modon does well, and what to checkThree of each, from the profile
What Modon does well
- State ownership and a strong balance sheet: AED 8.6bn of unrestricted cash and net debt of 0.18 times EBITDA.
- Very strong launch demand: Hudayriyat Golf Estates sold over AED 13bn within days of its July 2026 launch, and Bashayer sold out in one day in December 2025.
- Controls all of Hudayriyat Island, where leisure anchors such as Surf Abu Dhabi and the cycling track are already open.
In full
- State ownership and a strong balance sheet: AED 8.6bn of unrestricted cash and net debt of 0.18 times EBITDA (June 2026).
- Very strong launch demand: Hudayriyat Golf Estates sold over AED 13bn within days of its July 2026 launch, and Bashayer sold out in one day in December 2025.
- Controls all of Hudayriyat Island (over 51 million sq m), where leisure anchors such as Surf Abu Dhabi (2024) and the cycling track are already open.
Check before you buy
- Modon has no Dubai projects. Buying Modon means buying in Abu Dhabi, mostly on Hudayriyat Island or Al Reem Island.
- No freehold home has been handed over yet, and portals disagree by a year: Al Naseem shows December 2026 on listing data and Q4 2027 on listing data.
- Reem Hills villas were scheduled for Q2 2026; no handover had been confirmed in press by October 2026.
In full
- Modon has no Dubai projects. Buying Modon means buying in Abu Dhabi, mostly on Hudayriyat Island or Al Reem Island.
- No freehold home has been handed over yet, and portals disagree by a year: Al Naseem shows December 2026 on listing data and Q4 2027 on listing data (October 2026). Rely on the SPA date.
- Reem Hills villas were scheduled for Q2 2026; no handover had been confirmed in press by October 2026.
Still deciding between Aldar and Modon?
Tell us your budget and timing. We will give you a straight answer, including when a resale is the better buy.
More about Aldar vs Modon
How you payA typical plan from each developer
A typical Aldar plan
On a home priced at AED 1,000,000 that is AED 50,000 on booking, AED 550,000 during construction, AED 400,000 on handover. Government registration fees are paid on top.
A typical Modon plan
On a home priced at AED 1,000,000 that is AED 400,000 before handover, AED 600,000 on handover. Government registration fees are paid on top.
Aldar vs Modon: your questions5 answered from the two profiles
Which is better, Aldar or Modon?
It depends on what you need. Aldar is best for: family villas and townhouses; investment-grade, government-linked developer; patient buyers, keys 2028–30. Modon is best for: abu dhabi coastal villas; state-owned, cash-rich developer; patient buyers, keys 2027–31.
Who delivers on time more reliably, Aldar or Modon?
We rate the two the same on delivery: both "Too early to say". Compare the project-by-project handover tables on each profile. Aldar: No Dubai handover yet; Haven promised Q3 2027, now January 2028 on Aldar's schedule. Modon: No freehold home handed over; Reem Hills villas due Q2 2026, unconfirmed by Oct 2026.
Is Aldar or Modon cheaper?
Aldar is usually the cheaper of the two: Aldar is priced as "Mid-market" and Modon as "Premium" against neighbouring communities.
How do Aldar and Modon payment plans compare?
Aldar typically uses 60/40 (5% on booking, 55% during construction, 40% on handover; premium villas 70/30). Modon typically uses 40/60 (5–10% booking; 50/50 at Bashayer, 25/75 at Wadeem Gardens with 75% due 2031).
Does Aldar or Modon offer post-handover payment plans?
Neither stands out: post-handover plans are rare at both. Terms change by project, so confirm in writing.