Stake App vs. Funding Souq

Investment Platforms in Dubai - Reviews & Features Comparison

Overview

The chart below highlights the core features offered by Funding Souq versus Stake platform, both of which are shariah-compliant crowdfunding platforms and regulated by the DFSA.

Each offer easy access to investment opportunities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, two of the world’s most exciting markets. Funding Souq offers debt crowdfunding for SMEs, while Stake offers fractional real estate ownership.

On an investment level, the platforms are very different – everything from fee structures, to expected returns, to investment time horizons can differ dramatically. Below we’ve summarized everything you need to know to compare the two platforms and make an informed investment.

Features Comparison

For Investors

Platform feature	Funding Souq	Stake Platform
What are you investing in?	You are investing in pre-screened SMEs based in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, providing them with working capital finance to help them grow.	- In the UAE: you are purchasing a fraction of a Dubai apartment along with a pool of other investors. - In KSA: you are investing in a fund which in turn invests in real estate assets.
Who can invest?	- Funding Souq’s Global platform can onboard nearly all nationalities, allowing almost anyone to invest in UAE-based businesses. - Funding Souq’s KSA platform can onboard only Saudi nationals and residents as per Saudi Central Bank regulation.	Stake’s UAE and KSA opportunities are open to nearly all international investors.
What is the minimum investment?	The minimum investment is SAR/AED 1,000, or approximately $270.	The minimum investment is SAR/AED 500
What is the maximum investment?	- In Saudi Arabia Retail investors can invest up to SAR 250,000 per year and up to 25% of any opportunity’s total requested amount. - In the UAE Retail investors can invest up to AED 365,000 per year and AED 36,000 per business	In Saudi Arabia There is no overall limit but you can only invest up to 200,000 SAR in any single fund. In the UAE Retail investors can invest up to AED 365,000 per year and AED 36,000 per business.
What returns can investors expect?	Investors can expect a net yield of up to 15% and a IRR of up to 23% as monthly repayments allow for compound return to compound. To understand the difference between Yield and IRR read our blog here.	- Stakes rental yield in UAE was around 5.8%. However, this return can be amplified by the capital appreciation upon sale of a property. For properties that were sold in 2024, investors netted ana net annual return of 10.1%. - There is no historical data available yet on Saudi Arabia returns, as th e platform launched end-2024.
When are investors paid?	Investors receive monthly principal and profit repayments. This enables compounding as these repayments are returned	Investor only receive monthly profit (rent) payments as the principal is locked away until the sale of the property. In the UAE, Stake has Exit Windows twice a year which gives investors the opportunity to sell their ownership. In Saudi Arabia, funds are structured to allow for exit in 24 to 60 months, depending on the opportunity.
Can investors cash out early?	Investors cannot sell their investment early, but the platform offers a range of maturities, with opportunities that mature in as little as three months.	In the UAE Investors are required to hold property stakes for a minimum of one year before they can participate in a twice-yearly exit window. Stake recommends holding investments for 3-5 years. In KSA There is no early exit option. Investors must wait until the duration of the fund is completed and the assets have been sold.
What are the fees for investors?	Zero hidden fees. The returns displayed on the platform are net of any applicable fees. The presented return is what you should expect to earn.	Stake charges several fees along the way: - Acquisition Fee - 1.5% at time of investment - Annual Administration Fee - 0.5% per year Initial KYC&AML - 0.2% at time of investment Annual KYC&AML - 0.1% from year two onward. - Exit Fee - 2.5% at time of sale - Performance Fee - 7% on appreciation profits from stake sale
Does the platform have an Auto-Investment option?	Yes. Once enabled, the Auto-Invest system will automatically allocate your available funds into new opportunities based on your selected investment strategy.	Yes. Once enabled, you can link your debit card to make automatic deposits in property stakes based on your strategy. However, monthly rental income is not automatically invested.
Are all finance and investment operations sharia-compliant?	Yes. You can find more details about our Shariah certification here.	Yes. You can see Stake’s Shariah certificate’s here.

Invest with no hidden fees and get returns of up to 23%

Up to 23% return by financing SMEs

Start investing Get funded