Comparing Tier, Lime, Arnab, and Skurrt

Dubai's streets now feature four official e-scooter rental services, giving residents and tourists alike eco-friendly travel options. With nearly 2,000 electric scooters available across the city and a network spanning 390 km, these services have transformed how people move around Dubai. In this detailed comparison, we'll look at Tier, Lime, Arnab, and Skurrt - the four RTA-approved operators - examining their apps, service areas, scooter performance, and customer satisfaction ratings to help you pick the right option for your needs.

 

The Four RTA-Approved Operators | Overview and History

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has carefully selected four companies to manage e-scooter rentals throughout the city: two international players (Tier and Lime) and two local businesses (Arnab and Skurrt). Let's see how each company started and grew in Dubai's transportation scene.

Tier | The Million-Ride Milestone Maker

Tier brought its e-scooters to Dubai in October 2020 and quickly made its mark on the city's streets. What started as a small operation has grown tremendously - by January 2023, Tier had already hit an impressive milestone of one million rides in just over two years.

The numbers tell an amazing story: Tier users have traveled more than 3 million kilometers on their e-scooters, with these trips replacing an estimated 515,000 kilometers of car journeys. This German company hasn't stopped with just scooters - they've also introduced e-bikes to their Dubai fleet, giving riders more options.

Tier has formed smart partnerships in Dubai, teaming up with Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate and Expo City Dubai to operate e-bike services in these areas since May 2022. Their goal? To help reduce car traffic by offering alternatives for short trips around the city.

Lime | Innovation-Focused Global Player

Lime arrived in the UAE with a splash, bringing their worldwide experience to Dubai's streets. They've become known for their steady stream of innovations aimed at improving rider experience.

Their latest Gen4 e-scooter showcases this commitment to better rides. These newer models feature improved suspension systems, larger front wheels to handle bumpy roads better, and swept handlebars that feel more natural for riders' hands and wrists.

Lime has also focused on making group outings easier with their "group ride" feature - something particularly useful for tourists and families. This lets one person unlock up to five scooters from a single account, making it simple for friends to ride together without everyone needing to download the app.

Arnab | The Local Contender

Arnab represents local innovation in Dubai's e-scooter scene. Powered by FENIX, a leading Middle Eastern micromobility company, Arnab brings regional expertise to the table.

The company markets itself with colorful scooters that stand out on Dubai's streets and offers reward programs to build customer loyalty. Their focus seems to be on creating a fun, rewarding experience for regular riders while maintaining competitive offerings against their international rivals.

Skurrt | Dubai-Born Mobility Solution

As the other local player approved by the RTA, Skurtt offers another Dubai-born alternative to the international brands. The company continues to update its services, with their most recent app update released in March 2025.

Like its competitors, Skurrt aims to provide convenient transportation for short distances throughout Dubai's authorized zones. Their presence helps ensure healthy competition in the market while offering riders more choices for their daily trips.

App Comparison | User Experience and Features

The mobile app is your gateway to using any e-scooter service, making the user experience critically important. Let's examine how the four operators' apps compare in terms of usability, features, and overall reliability.

Tier | Streamlined European Design

Tier's app reflects its German engineering background with a clean, efficient interface that helps riders quickly find and rent scooters. The map display clearly shows available scooters, and the unlocking process is straightforward.

One standout feature is Tier's integration with public transport information in some areas, allowing riders to plan multi-modal journeys - particularly helpful for tourists or those using e-scooters for the "last mile" of their commute.

Users typically praise the app's stability and quick response times, though as with any tech product, occasional bugs do occur. Tier continues to roll out regular updates to fix issues and add new features.

Lime | Feature-Rich and User-Friendly

Lime's app benefits from years of international development and user testing. The interface is intuitive, with clear visual cues for finding available scooters and understanding battery levels before renting.

The standout feature is definitely their "group ride" function, which lets one user unlock up to five scooters. This is particularly valuable for families visiting Dubai or friends exploring the city together who don't all want to create separate accounts.

Lime also offers detailed trip statistics, allowing riders to track their environmental impact by showing how much carbon they've saved compared to car trips. The app generally receives positive reviews for reliability, though some users report occasional GPS glitches when ending rides.

Arnab | Colorful but Mixed Reviews

Arnab's app features a bright, colorful interface that matches their scooter branding. It includes standard features like scooter maps, QR scanning, and payment processing, along with their rewards program.

However, user reviews suggest the app has faced performance issues as it has evolved. Some users report the app has "got slower and slower with the latest releases" and can take "a lot of time to start and end rides". These friction points can be frustrating, especially when you're in a hurry.

The app does offer attractive top-up options and the chance to win rewards with each ride, which helps build customer loyalty despite the technical hiccups.

Skurrt | Functionality with Room to Grow

Skurrt's app provides the basic functions needed to rent their e-scooters, but reviews indicate room for improvement in terms of speed and reliability. Some users report the app being "EXTREMELY slow" not just during sign-up but also when starting or ending rides.

Recent updates have aimed to improve the experience, with the company noting they've "refreshed our app for an upgraded experience". However, some users still report connectivity issues and problems ending rides in designated areas.

One recurring complaint involves the app requiring multiple steps during setup - including email verification, phone verification, credit card addition, and billing address input - which creates friction for first-time users wanting to try the service quickly.

Coverage Maps | Where Each Service Operates

The RTA has designated specific areas where e-scooters are permitted to operate in Dubai. While all four companies operate within this framework, there are some differences in their exact coverage and availability.

RTA-Approved E-Scooter Locations

E-scooters are approved to operate in at least 21 areas across Dubai:

·       Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard

·       Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)

·       Dubai Internet City

·       Al Rigga

·       2nd of December Street

·       City Walk

·       Palm Jumeirah

·       Al Qusais (safe roads and tracks in specific zones)

·       Al Mankhool (safe roads and tracks in specific zones)

·       Al Karama (safe roads and tracks in specific zones)

·       Al Tawar 1

·       Al Tawar 2

·       Umm Suqeim 3

·       Al Garhoud

·       Muhaisnah 3

·       Umm Hurair 1

·       Al Safa 2

·       Al Barsha South 2

·       Al Barsha 3

·       Al Quoz 4

·       Nad Al Sheba 1

These locations weren't randomly selected - the RTA chose them based on population density, quality of infrastructure, traffic safety records, and connections to public transport and popular destinations. Together, these tracks connect 10 mass transport stations and 18 key destinations, including commercial centers and public parks.

Tier's Coverage Network

Tier has worked to expand its coverage within the RTA-approved zones. According to Amir Melad, Tier's general manager for the Middle East, the company has ambitions "to connect even more districts to the city's mobility network in the future".

Tier has secured special partnerships that give them unique coverage in certain areas. Their collaboration with Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate and Expo City Dubai has allowed them to offer e-bike services in these locations since May 2022. This gives them an advantage for riders looking to visit these specific destinations.

Lime's Distribution Strategy

Lime tends to focus on high-traffic tourist areas and business districts, ensuring good scooter availability where demand is highest. Their global experience in managing fleet distribution helps them predict usage patterns and place scooters accordingly.

While operating within the RTA-permitted zones, Lime carefully monitors usage data to redistribute scooters throughout the day, helping ensure availability during peak hours in popular areas like Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard and Palm Jumeirah.

Arnab and Skurrt | Local Coverage Knowledge

The local operators, Arnab and Skurrt, bring detailed knowledge of Dubai's neighborhoods and travel patterns to their distribution strategies. Both operate within the RTA-approved zones but may have varying scooter availability depending on their fleet size and distribution approaches.

For those wanting to find the nearest e-scooter, all four providers offer real-time locations through their respective apps, making it easy to see which service has scooters available near your current location.

 

Speed and Performance Differences

Not all e-scooters are created equal. Each operator uses different models with varying specifications that affect the riding experience. Let's examine how they compare in terms of speed, range, and overall performance.

Speed Limitations and Regulations

First, it's important to note that regardless of what an e-scooter is technically capable of, the RTA regulations limit the maximum speed to 25 km/h on dedicated tracks. This standardized speed limit helps ensure safety for both riders and pedestrians.

However, the actual performance capabilities of each company's scooters do vary, which can affect acceleration, handling, and ability to tackle Dubai's occasional hills or rough patches.

Lime's Gen4 | Comfort-Focused Design

Lime's latest Gen4 scooters show a focus on rider comfort and stability rather than raw speed. Key features include:

·       Enhanced suspension system for smoother rides

·       Bigger pneumatic (air-filled) tires to better absorb bumps

·       Swept handlebars similar to bicycle designs for more comfortable grip

·       Dual hand brakes for more intuitive and responsive stopping

Rider feedback on these improvements has been positive, with Lime reporting that "the average trip time had increased from 8 to 11 minutes" on their Gen4 scooters, suggesting people enjoy riding them for longer distances. They've also seen trip ratings improve from 3.5 to 4.1 stars with the newer model.

Tier's Fleet Specifications

Tier's e-scooters are designed for reliability and consistent performance. While specific technical details weren't provided in the search results, the fact that Tier users have collectively traveled over 3 million kilometers suggests their scooters offer decent range and reliability.

Tier's focus appears to be on building durable scooters that can withstand daily use in Dubai's sometimes challenging climate conditions, with good battery range for longer rides around the city.

Local Operators | Arnab and Skurrt

The local operators have worked to match their international competitors in terms of scooter quality. Arnab markets their scooters as "Best in class" and highlights their "attractive colours", though the search results don't provide specific technical specifications.

Skurrt similarly offers standard e-scooter functionality within the RTA guidelines, though user reviews suggest some riders have experienced performance inconsistencies, including issues with speed limiting in certain areas.

Customer Service Experience and Reliability Ratings

When renting an e-scooter, you want to know help is available if something goes wrong. Let's look at how each operator handles customer service and their reliability record.

User Satisfaction Metrics

Across all providers, e-scooters in Dubai have achieved an impressive 82% satisfaction rate following their initial trial phase. This strong rating helped convince the RTA to expand the program to additional areas of the city.

For individual operators, satisfaction varies:

·       Lime reports their Gen4 scooters receive an average rating of 4.1 stars (up from 3.5 stars for previous models)

·       Tier boasts a successful track record with over 1 million rides completed

·       Arnab and Skurrt show more mixed reviews in app store ratings

Tier's Support System

Tier operates in more than 260 cities across 22 countries, bringing substantial experience in customer support to their Dubai operations. This global reach means they've likely encountered and resolved most common issues riders might face.

While specific customer service metrics weren't detailed in the search results, Tier's milestone of 1 million rides in Dubai suggests they've established a reliable service that keeps customers coming back.

Lime's Customer Care

Lime has implemented clear guidelines for riders, including safety rules such as wearing helmets, not carrying passengers, and respecting pedestrians. Their customer service approach includes in-app support and reporting tools.

The company's global experience (operating in 50 cities across 20 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia) has helped them develop standardized processes for handling common customer issues like billing questions or ride completion problems.

Arnab's Support Channels

Arnab offers WhatsApp support (on +971 52 140 9868) for riders needing assistance, providing a familiar and accessible communication channel for many Dubai residents and visitors. This direct line to support can be helpful for urgent issues.

However, some app store reviews suggest customers have faced frustrations with service quality. One reviewer reported problems with the app getting "stuck in the flap screen" and being unable to finish their ride, leading to unexpected charges.

Skurrt's Response to Feedback

Skurrt actively responds to user reviews, suggesting they're attentive to customer feedback. When faced with complaints about app performance, they typically offer troubleshooting assistance and invite users to contact their customer care team.

However, some users have criticized their response quality. One reviewer noted their explanation for app slowness as a "lousy excuse" when the customer had "stable and fast Internet" in Downtown Dubai, suggesting room for improvement in addressing customer concerns.

Finding Your Perfect E-Scooter Match

After examining all four RTA-approved e-scooter providers in Dubai, it's clear that each offers a slightly different experience. Your ideal choice depends on your specific needs, whether you're a daily commuter, weekend rider, or tourist exploring the city.

For Tourists and First-Time Users

If you're visiting Dubai or trying e-scooters for the first time, consider these factors:

·       Lime's group ride feature makes it easy for families or friend groups to rent multiple scooters with just one account

·       Tier's connection to mass transit stations can be helpful for combining e-scooter rides with other transportation options

·       Both international providers offer apps in multiple languages, which may be helpful for international visitors

For tourists unsure about riding on Dubai roads, all four services operate in popular areas like Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard and Palm Jumeirah, where riding conditions are typically good and finding a scooter is easy.

For Regular Commuters

If you use e-scooters for daily commuting, reliability and availability in your specific neighborhood become crucial:

·       Check all four apps to see which service has better scooter availability near your home and workplace

·       Consider which provider has the most comfortable ride for your route - Lime's Gen4 scooters with improved suspension might be better if your path includes rougher sections

·       App reliability matters when you're in a hurry - read recent reviews to see which service has the most stable app performance

For Tech-Savvy Riders

If you value app features and smart technology:

·       Compare the map interfaces and how they display available scooters and battery levels

·       Look for additional features like ride history, carbon savings metrics, and integration with other transport apps

·       Consider which payment options each service supports and which is most convenient for you

E-Scooter Safety and Regulations in Dubai

No matter which provider you choose, following Dubai's e-scooter regulations is essential for your safety and to avoid fines. Here are the key rules to remember:

·       Riders must be at least 16 years old

·       An RTA permit is required for riding in the 10 designated areas; no permit is needed for sidewalks and cycling tracks

·       You can apply for a permit online through a free awareness training course

·       Helmets are recommended for safety

·       Double riding (two people on one scooter) is prohibited

·       Always use bike lanes where available, and stick to roads with speed limits under 30 km/h

·       Park only in designated parking areas to avoid RTA fines

·       Be mindful of pedestrians and follow all street signs

The RTA continues to run awareness campaigns and inspections on all four operators to ensure safety standards are maintained. These efforts have helped create "safe, smooth and enjoyable services to users from all spectrums of the community".

 

Which E-Scooter Service Should You Choose?

After looking at all aspects of Dubai's four e-scooter providers, here's a quick summary to help you decide:

·       Tier stands out for its proven reliability with over 1 million rides completed and strong partnerships with key Dubai destinations

·       Lime offers superior ride comfort with their Gen4 scooters and convenient features like group rides

·       Arnab provides a local touch with colorful scooters and rewards programs, plus WhatsApp support for quick assistance

·       Skurtt represents another local option that continues to work on improving their service through regular app updates

All four services operate within the same RTA-approved zones, so your best bet might be to download multiple apps and see which one consistently has scooters available near your frequent locations.

Whether you're commuting to work, connecting to public transport, or simply enjoying Dubai's sights, e-scooters offer a fun, eco-friendly way to get around the city. With the RTA's continued expansion of approved zones and tracks, this convenient travel option will likely become even more accessible for Dubai residents and visitors in the coming years.

Ready to try an electric scooter in Dubai? Download any of the four apps today, find a nearby scooter, and join the thousands of riders already enjoying this modern way to move around the city. And if you need any repairs, accessories, or want to buy your own e-scooter rather than rent, visit ScootUp.ae for all your electric scooter needs!