The logistics industry in the Middle East is rapidly going digital. According to Mordor Intelligence, the GCC freight and logistics market—valued at USD 81.34 billion in 2025—is projected to hit USD 109.91 billion by 2030. With such momentum, logistics businesses in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are under pressure to deliver faster, smarter, and more transparently.
For logistics companies looking to digitize their operations—or entrepreneurs building a courier startup—understanding the cost of developing an Aramex-like logistics app is essential. These apps streamline everything from shipment booking and driver dispatch to real-time tracking, helping you deliver the same operational excellence that made Aramex a leader in the region.
This guide breaks down the key features, development stages, cost factors, and pricing ranges you need to know before investing in a logistics app for your UAE or Saudi business.
An Aramex-style delivery app connects shippers, drivers, and customers within one ecosystem. It automates the end-to-end logistics flow—from order placement and route assignment to real-time shipment tracking.
Imagine your business as the control center:
Whether you handle urban deliveries in Dubai or cross-border logistics in Riyadh, an Aramex-like app improves efficiency, cuts delays, and elevates customer trust.
Building a logistics app is more than coding—it’s about enabling seamless operations. The following features form the foundation of a reliable, scalable Aramex-like platform:
Simple signup via phone, email, or social login with saved details for faster future bookings.
Easy pickup and delivery scheduling, automatic driver assignment, and instant order confirmations.
GPS-powered visibility that allows customers and admins to monitor deliveries on live maps.
Multiple secure options—cards, wallets, or cash—integrated with regional gateways for UAE and Saudi users.
Full control over operations: fleet status, driver performance, earnings, and reports.
Instant updates and smooth communication between users, drivers, and support teams.
By starting with these essentials, you can create a cost-efficient MVP that meets customer expectations and scales over time.
Building a logistics and delivery app like Aramex needs clear planning and structured action. Each stage helps you create a reliable, scalable, and user-friendly delivery platform for UAE and Saudi Arabia. Follow these steps to turn your idea into a working logistics app.
Start by defining what problems your app will solve. You can focus on faster delivery, better tracking, or smoother route management. Identify your main users such as customers, drivers, and admins. Set clear goals like reducing delivery time or improving order accuracy. These goals guide your team and shape the app’s main features.
Study the logistics market in UAE and Saudi Arabia to understand customer needs. Research existing delivery apps like Aramex, Fetchr, and SMSA. Read user reviews and find what people like and what they want improved. Collect feedback from businesses and customers to discover gaps in services such as tracking or payment options. Market research helps you build an app that fits real customer needs.
Create a simple and easy-to-use design that works well on both Android and iOS. Make sure users can track deliveries, place orders, and make payments without confusion. Add interactive maps and support both English and Arabic languages. Use clear buttons and clean layouts that improve navigation. A good design keeps users happy and helps them complete actions quickly.
Pick technologies that make your app fast, flexible, and secure. Use Flutter or React Native for mobile app development so you can build for Android and iOS with one codebase. Choose Node.js or Django for backend development to handle large amounts of data. Host your app on AWS or Google Cloud for better performance and security. Use PostgreSQL or MongoDB to manage user and order data efficiently.
Start with the most important modules that keep your app running smoothly. Build user accounts, driver profiles, and admin dashboards. Add features like order booking, real-time tracking, and delivery status updates. Include tools for route planning and delivery management. Each module should work independently so your team can test and improve features easily.
Add third-party tools to improve your app’s performance. Use Google Maps or Mapbox for accurate tracking and live navigation. Integrate SMS and push notification services like Twilio or local UAE providers to keep users updated. Connect payment gateways such as PayTabs, HyperPay, or Telr to support safe online payments. These integrations make your app more reliable and convenient for users.
Test your app in every possible situation before launch. Check if all features work properly during high traffic hours. Run security tests to protect user and payment data. Test the app on different networks and devices to ensure smooth performance. You can use tools like Selenium or Appium to automate tests and find bugs early. Proper testing helps you launch a stable and high-quality app.
Start by launching your app in one main city such as Dubai or Riyadh. Collect user feedback and track how well the app performs. Fix any bugs and improve performance based on real user data. Keep releasing updates to add new features and maintain system security. Regular app maintenance helps your app stay strong and reliable as your business grows.
The cost of developing a logistics and delivery app like Aramex depends on several important factors. Each factor affects the time, effort, and technology required to build a reliable and scalable solution for the UAE and Saudi Arabia market.
The total cost depends on how complex your app is. A basic app with order booking and tracking costs less because it includes fewer features. When you add advanced features like AI-based route optimization, predictive delivery, or real-time analytics, the cost increases. More complex systems take more time to design, develop, and test.
Building your app for both Android and iOS platforms increases the development cost. However, it also helps you reach a larger audience and attract more users across the GCC. If your budget is limited, you can start with one platform and expand later. Using cross-platform tools like Flutter or React Native can also help reduce costs while maintaining performance.
The experience and location of your development team play a major role in overall cost. Developers in the GCC understand local user behavior and compliance requirements better. They can design interfaces that suit Arabic-speaking users and follow regional standards. Hiring skilled developers may cost more initially, but it ensures better quality and faster delivery.
A clean and easy-to-use design improves the user experience and makes the app more engaging. A simple layout helps customers track deliveries and complete orders quickly. Investing in professional UI and UX design takes more time and budget, but it reduces user confusion and increases retention. A well-designed app also builds brand trust and loyalty.
Every integration adds to the app’s total development cost. APIs for GPS tracking, payment gateways, notifications, and analytics are essential for smooth operation. The choice of technologies, such as the backend framework and cloud hosting, also impacts pricing. Selecting the right tech stack helps you balance cost, performance, and scalability.
Data protection is a key factor when building logistics apps for the UAE and Saudi Arabia. You must follow laws like the UAE Data Protection Law and Saudi PDPL. Strong security measures protect customer data and payment information from breaches. Investing in encryption, secure authentication, and compliance testing adds to the cost but ensures long-term trust.
The cost to build a logistics and delivery app like Aramex depends on your project’s scale, features, and technology stack. On average, the total cost ranges from $10,000 to $150,000, which equals about AED AED 35,000 to AED 550,000 in the UAE or SAR 35,000 to SAR 500,000 in Saudi Arabia.
We can group these costs into three main categories in Basic, Medium, and Advanced and each offering different levels of functionality and customization.
A basic logistics app focuses on essential features such as user registration, order creation, and delivery notifications. This version is ideal for startups or small courier businesses that want to test operations within a single city or region. The cost to develop a basic logistics app ranges between $10,000 and $25,000, which is approximately AED 35,000 to AED 90,000 or SAR 35,000 to SAR 90,000.
Development usually takes 3 to 5 months. The team uses ready-made tools and frameworks to keep costs low. You get a functional minimum viable product (MVP) that can manage around 100 daily deliveries, but it won’t include complex features like real-time analytics, AI-based route planning, or automation.
A medium-complexity logistics app adds more advanced features such as real-time GPS tracking, secure online payments, and a driver management dashboard. This option suits mid-sized logistics or transportation firms in the GCC that manage regional deliveries across multiple cities. The development cost for a medium-complexity app ranges from $25,000 to $50,000, which is around AED 85,000 to AED 180,000 or SAR 90,000 to SAR 185,000.
Development typically takes 5 to 8 months, depending on the number of features and custom design requirements. This version supports up to 500 daily shipments and delivers stronger performance, reliability, and user experience for customers and drivers alike.
An advanced logistics app includes high-end features such as AI-powered route optimization, multi-language support, advanced reporting, and integration with ERP or warehouse management systems. This version is perfect for large logistics enterprises that handle thousands of shipments daily across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other GCC countries. The cost to develop an advanced Aramex-like app ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 or more, which equals about AED 180,000 to AED 550,000 or SAR 185,000 to SAR 560,000.
The development timeline for this version is usually 8 to 12 months or longer, depending on the complexity and integrations involved. It offers complete scalability, real-time analytics, enterprise-level security, and compliance with local data protection laws such as the UAE Data Protection Law and Saudi PDPL.
Partnering with Zealous System gives you access to a trusted logistics app development company with a proven record in delivering scalable and high-performing digital solutions for businesses across the GCC. We specialize in offshore mobile app development services customized for the logistics and transportation sector, helping UAE and Saudi-based companies streamline deliveries, improve tracking accuracy, and optimize routes. Our team understands the regional challenges—from desert connectivity to Arabic UI requirements—and builds apps that perform seamlessly under real-world conditions.
At Zealous, we combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of logistics workflows. Whether you want to build a full-fledged delivery network like Aramex or launch an on-demand courier platform, we help you achieve it with precision. You can hire mobile app developers or a full stack developer in Riyadh from our team to create custom solutions that integrate GPS tracking, automated dispatch, and AI-powered analytics. Every project follows agile development practices, ensuring faster delivery, cost efficiency, and ongoing support post-launch.
Our development approach is goal-driven and user-focused. We design apps that enhance your operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with UAE and Saudi data protection laws. By partnering with Zealous, you gain a long-term technology ally capable of supporting your business growth through innovative software solutions that elevate logistics performance across the region.
Our team is always eager to know what you are looking for. Drop them a Hi!
Raj Kewlani is a Project Manager and Mobile & Open Source Development Lead at Zealous System, specializing in agile-driven digital solutions. He focuses on delivering high-quality mobile apps and open-source projects that align with business goals.
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