Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

In the fast-paced world of today, our smartphones are like our morning coffee- we can’t start the day without them. And what makes them so indispensable are apps. Apps have transformed our worlds, from monitoring our diets to monitoring our money, today there is an app for almost anything. In Part One of this two-part series, we bring you a list of all the essential apps that you would need to make your life smoother in Qatar. This guide presents the top must-have Qatar-based apps to help you navigate, dine, explore, access government services, and more in the country. 

QATAR LIVING

The Qatar Living app is your one-stop-shop for everything related to living in Qatar. From news on the latest developments to info on the most happening events, Qatar Living has you covered. It also helps to take some of the most important decisions in your life, including finding a job, searching for a property to stay, and choosing the right car. Find info on all services you need, plus information on buying and selling just about anything. And the best part is that using the services of the app is absolutely free.

QL TIP: When posting an ad, make sure to have good quality photos of the product, along with a clear description. When buying something, always try to check out the product in person and be wary of fraudulent dealers.

URBAN POINT

If you're someone who appreciates a great lifestyle while also wanting to save some cash with fantastic deals, then Urban Point is for you. The app acts as a lifestyle guide, provides you with plenty of attractive deals and offers, on everything from dining to all types of entertainment and activities. Urban Points has partnered with Ooredoo Qatar and if you have an Ooredoo Postpaid plan, you can enjoy Urban Point for free and get access to over 4000 offers. For other users, you can access Urban Point for a monthly subscription of QAR 30 or QAR 180 for a whole year.

QL TIP: Urban Point has a gift option, which allows you to send up to 5 gifts per month to any non-subscriber. And if you are a non-subscriber, your subscribed friends can send you up to 3 free gifts of free offers every month. Sharing is definitely caring.

KARWA

If you live in Qatar or are a tourist or are travelling through Qatar, you cannot miss the turquoise-colored busses and taxis running everywhere. Those are the vehicles of Qatar’s public transportation provider, Mowasalat (Karwa), which provides end-to-end transportation solutions. Public transport in Qatar is very convenient and economical but it can also be very confusing for a new user, to simplify public transport Karwa has the following two apps:

Karwa Official (Taxi services)

You can book a taxi through the Karwa app and get picked and dropped at your chosen location. Through the app you can also get a full schedule plan of the metro express service which is a free bus service for users of Doha Metro and the Lusail Tram. Karwa Taxi tariff starts at QAR 4 within Doha, and QAR 25 from the Hamad International Airport.

Karwa Journey Planner (Bus services)

The Karwa Journey Planner is an all-encompassing app that gives you all the information you need to access Qatar’s Karwa bus system, both public busses and Metrolink busses. Through the app you can track bus timings, routes, and even look up various points of interest and how to get there from your current location.

QL TIP: Plan your journey in advance if you plan to use public transportation, especially the bus or metro service, so you make most use of the free services provided.

COLORANT

Planning a birthday party and need customized decorations? Look no further than the newly launched Colorant app. It brings the world of printing right to your phone. You can get same-day delivery on a wide variety of customized products including party decorations, stickers, notebooks, banners, stamps, and T-shirts. Now, you don’t have to search for a printing press every time you need to get some customized printing done, just use the Colorant app and you will get your product delivered to your home.

QL TIP: Wherever possible, design your own printing material, getting a design customized by the Colorant team would be more expensive.

TALABAT

Talabat became a household name during the Covid pandemic, and it continues to be one of the top-used apps in Qatar. Talabat offers more than food delivery from restaurants, you can also order groceries, flowers, electronics, health products, cosmetics, and pet products from their many retailers and partners. There are delivery charges on most of the restaurant and retail options. The app is very easy to navigate and gives the option for cash on delivery, Credit card and Debit card payments.

QL TIP: If you regularly order food from Talabat, you can subscribe to Talabat Pro for QAR 40 per month. It will give you free delivery for several popular restaurants in Qatar.

DELIVEROO

UK’s award-winning food delivery app Deliveroo was launched in Qatar in 2022. It offers more choice for customers and gives access to a range of local and international restaurants and is known for its fast and reliable delivery service. Deliveroo offers tough competition to other delivery apps as it has more offers and discounts for food delivery. Their app is easy to navigate, though at times it does feel a bit slow. You can pay Deliveroo through Apple Pay, Credit and Debit cards or pay cash on delivery.

QL TIP: When going for a higher amount order, opt for Deliveroo as most of the featured restaurants offer free delivery if you place an order of over QAR 50.

UBER

Uber is one of the most popular ride-hailing app and is available in over 80 countries around the world. You can use Uber to book a ride for yourself or for someone else, you can also schedule a ride for later. The best thing about the Uber app is that you can use the same app no matter where you are in the world, the app will automatically detect location and give you your desired services. In Qatar, Uber tariff starts at QAR 8.

QL TIP: Uber has a dynamic pricing system, causing fares to vary for the same destination based on different times. If your travel schedule is flexible, opt to wait out the peak pricing and check again periodically for a more affordable rate.

6TH STREET

Want to look like a million bucks but not spend it? At Qatar’s leading fashion and lifestyle app, 6th Street, you will find over 1200 international brands at accessible prices. With doorstep delivery, easy returns policy and a monthly installment scheme, 6th Street makes shopping simple and convenient. Payment can be made through Credit Cards, Debit Cards, online payment through bank transfer and cash on delivery.

QL TIP: 6th Street has periodical sales and offers on certain products. Shop during the offer period on the discounted products to get the best value for your money.

OOREDOO

Qatar’s leading telecommunications company Ooredoo offers a convenient solution for checking balances, recharging, and paying phone bills through their app. Whether you are in Qatar or abroad, the app proves to be an essential tool for managing your accounts and subscriptions. It also has an eShop of electronic devices with some good deals that will be delivered to you. You can also get linked to the Ooredoo Money and Ooredoo TV app through the main app.

QL TIP: One often overlooked feature of the app is the directory of essential numbers. You can find a complete list of numbers for schools, clinics, pharmacies, restaurants, banks, travel, and even government agencies and emergencies.

Stay tuned for Part Two, where we bring you all the top Government apps in Qatar, that are sure to make your life easier.

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