Dinar vs. Funding Souq

Financing Solutions & Sharia-Compliant Investment Platforms Reviews & Features Comparison

The chart below highlights the core features offered by Funding Souq versus Dinar.

Both are shariah-compliant crowdfunding platforms that offer peer-to-peer lending for SMEs. Businesses get rapid access to liquidity, investors get handsome returns on opportunities that would normally be out of reach.

A key difference is geography: Dinar is restricted to Saudi-based investors and Saudi-based businesses. Funding Souq offers both a Saudi-based platform and a UAE-based platform that’s also open to global investors.

Check the table below to compare some of the finer details that distinguish these two platforms – like fees and potential returns – so you can make a smart decision.

Features Comparison

For Investors

Platform feature	Funding Souq	Dinar
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.	You are investing in Saudi Arabia-based SMEs that need financing by purchasing corporate sukuk, or Islamic bonds.
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.	Dinar’s platform can only onboard Saudi nationals and residents with local Saudi bank accounts.
What is the minimum investment?	The minimum investment is SAR/AED 1,000, or approximately $270.	The minimum investment is SAR 1,000 ($270).
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	Investors can invest a maximum of SAR 100,000 in a calendar year and SAR 20,000 per one investment opportunity.
What returns can investors expect?	Investors can expect a net yield of up to 15% and an IRR of up to 23% as monthly repayments allow for compound return. To understand the difference between Yield and IRR read our blog here.	Investors can achieve returns exceeding 16%, according to Dinar’s website.
When are investors paid?	Investors receive monthly principal and profit repayments. This enables compounding as these repayments are returned.	Profits are distributed based on the terms of the sukuk associated with each opportunity (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually). Investors also receive the principal back upon the sukuk’s maturity date.
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.	Fund Management Fee - A fee of 1.85% per year, excluding value-added tax.
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.	No
Are all finance and investment operations sharia-compliant?	Yes. You can find more details about our Shariah certification here.	Yes.

For Businesses

Platform feature	Funding Souq	Dinar
Who is eligible for borrowing?	Established businesses in Saudi Arabia or the UAE with a minimum of two years of trading. The business should have SAR / AED 2 million of revenue and be profitable or on path to profitability.	Established business in Saudi Arabia with a valid commercial registration and audited financial statements.
What is the maximum financing duration?	Request financing for periods of 3-24 months.	Request financing for periods of up to ten years
What level of financing is available?	Typically, between SAR/AED 100,000 to 1,000,000, but up to a maximum of SAR/AED 7.5 million.	Applicants can request up to 10 million SAR in financing.
How long does it take to get a funding decision?	Typically, within 72 hours.	Typically, within 72 hours.

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

Up to 23% return by financing SMEs

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