Tabby vs Tamara: Which Is Better for Your Online Store?
Short answer
Tabby and Tamara are both leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers in the Gulf, operating in markets including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Neither is better for every store: the right choice depends on where your customers are, which provider they already use, integration with your platform, and the merchant fees and settlement terms you are offered. Many merchants offer both to reach more shoppers. Compare current merchant terms directly with each provider.
Key takeaways
- ✓Both are major BNPL providers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- ✓Your customers' existing preference matters.
- ✓Compare merchant fees, settlement and integration support.
- ✓Offering both can maximise reach if checkout stays simple.
How to compare
| Factor | What to check |
|---|---|
| Markets | Where you sell and where each provider operates |
| Customer reach | Which app your customers already use |
| Merchant fees | Percentage and fixed fees in your agreement |
| Settlement | How quickly you receive funds |
| Integrations | Shopify, Salla, Zid, WooCommerce and others |
| Marketing support | On-site messaging, promotions, app exposure |
| Categories | Whether your product category is eligible |
Terms vary by merchant and change over time, so request current proposals from both.
When to offer both
- You sell higher-priced products.
- You have customers in several Gulf markets.
- Checkout remains simple on mobile.
- Fees still leave a healthy margin.
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Book a Growth AuditTest before committing
- Measure conversion, average order value and returns for four weeks.
- Add one provider and measure again.
- Add the second and compare.
- Calculate profit after fees.
Read our deeper guide: Tabby and Tamara for online stores: is BNPL worth it?, plus psychological pricing strategies and cart abandonment psychology.
Mistakes to avoid
- Choosing on headline fees only.
- Hiding BNPL messaging until checkout.
- Stacking deep discounts with BNPL fees.
- Not tracking returns.
Husbar helps e-commerce brands improve checkout conversion and profitability. book a free Growth Audit.
A worked example
A furniture store selling in the UAE and Saudi Arabia added one BNPL provider first and measured conversion and order value for a month. Customers then asked for the other provider, so they added it too. Profit after fees stayed healthy because they used BNPL messaging on higher-priced items rather than stacking it with deep discounts.
Quick checklist
- Markets and customers reviewed.
- Merchant terms compared.
- Integration checked for your platform.
- BNPL messaging on product pages.
- Profit measured after fees.
Key terms
- BNPL: buy now, pay later, splitting a purchase into instalments.
- Merchant fee: the fee the store pays per BNPL transaction.
- Settlement: when the provider pays the merchant.
- Average order value (AOV): revenue divided by number of orders.
Which is better, Tabby or Tamara?+
It depends on your markets, customers and merchant terms. Many stores offer both.
Can I offer both Tabby and Tamara?+
Yes, many merchants do, as long as checkout stays simple.
Who pays the BNPL fee?+
Typically the merchant pays a fee per transaction, under each provider's terms.
Do Tabby and Tamara work in Saudi Arabia?+
Both operate in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Check current market coverage with each.
Will BNPL increase my sales?+
It can for higher-priced items; measure profit after fees.
Can Husbar help improve our checkout?+
Yes. Email team@husbar.com.
Does BNPL affect my cash flow?+
Merchants are typically settled by the provider under agreed terms; check settlement timing in your contract.
Can service businesses use Tabby or Tamara?+
Some categories, including certain services, may be eligible. Ask each provider about your category.
Do BNPL providers market my store?+
Providers may feature merchants in their apps or promotions; ask about marketing support in your agreement.
Sources
- [Tabby for business](https://tabby.ai/en-AE/business)
- [Tamara for business](https://tamara.co/en-AE/business)
Team Husbar
Husbar Editorial
Team Husbar is the strategy, psychology and research team at Husbar, a psychology-led growth agency headquartered in Dubai. Together we have worked with 100+ brands over 10+ years.
Want this applied to your brand?
We will find the psychology behind your lost sales and show you what to fix first.
Book a Growth Audit
