# Tabby vs Tamara: Fees, Limits and Promo Codes Updated Oct 16, 2026 · https://yapromo.com/guides/tabby-vs-tamara/ Both split a purchase into instalments, usually four with no interest. Tabby charges collection charges if you miss a payment, without publishing the amount, and charges a service fee on plans longer than four payments. Tamara removed late fees from 16 December 2023, but some stores show a processing fee: Amazon lists 1% + VAT on Tamara’s 4-month plan. With Tabby, using a coupon code means you give up Tabby cashback on that purchase. ## How each one works - **Tabby:** pay in 4 interest-free payments with no fees, or up to 12 monthly payments, where a service fee may apply. Tabby says it works at more than 65,000 stores. You need to be 18 or over, have a valid national ID, link a debit or credit card and have a good credit history. Tabby LLC provides Pay Later, and Tabby says it is regulated by the UAE Central Bank ([Tabby](https://tabby.ai/en-AE/pay-later)). - **Tamara:** its UAE site offers up to 4 payments ([Tamara UAE](https://tamara.co/en-AE)). Its Saudi site advertises paying over up to 24 months ([Tamara KSA](https://tamara.co/en-SA)). Tamara Finance Company is supervised by the Saudi Central Bank, and its footer country list shows Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain ([Tamara](https://tamara.co/en/no-late-fee)). ## Spending limits Neither provider publishes a fixed personal limit. Tabby says your limit depends on your Tabby payment history, unpaid balance, the basket amount and the store ([Tabby](https://tabby.ai/en-AE/pay-later)). Tamara's terms say it may run credit-bureau checks and restrict access after a negative report ([Tamara UAE terms](https://tamara.co/en-AE/terms-and-conditions)). Stores set their own minimum and maximum orders. Amazon's are: - **Amazon.ae:** AED 100 to AED 15,000 for both Tabby and Tamara ([Tabby](https://www.amazon.ae/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GVWGA4NS6TA6K6UW), [Tamara](https://www.amazon.ae/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=Tapj0RlIWy912e9GbN)). - **Amazon.sa:** SAR 100 to SAR 15,000 for Tabby, with some exceptions above that, and SAR 100 to SAR 20,000 for Tamara ([Tabby](https://www.amazon.sa/-/en/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GVWGA4NS6TA6K6UW), [Tamara](https://www.amazon.sa/-/en/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=Tapj0RlIWy912e9GbN)). In Saudi Arabia, SAMA caps BNPL plans at 12 instalments and sets a per-consumer cap on outstanding BNPL financing. That cap was SAR 10,000, and the rulebook notes it was raised by a circular dated 24 December 2025 without giving the new figure ([SAMA](https://rulebook.sama.gov.sa/en/node/6523)). ## Late payments, as published - **Tabby:** "collection charges" apply if you miss a due date; no amount is published. You cannot make new purchases until overdue payments are cleared, and consistently late payments hurt your credit score ([Tabby help](https://tabby.ai/en-AE/help/help-pay-later/what-happens-if-i-miss-a-payment)). Amazon.ae adds that Tabby charges a collection fee the day after a payment is due ([Amazon.ae](https://www.amazon.ae/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GVWGA4NS6TA6K6UW)). - **Tamara:** late fees were removed from 16 December 2023 ([Tamara](https://tamara.co/en/no-late-fee)). Its Saudi terms say Tamara charges no interest or late payment penalties ([KSA terms](https://tamara.co/en-SA/terms-and-conditions)). In both countries' terms, a failed payment is retried every two days, and late payments may be reported to credit bureaus ([UAE terms](https://tamara.co/en-AE/terms-and-conditions)). ## Fees you may see at checkout "No late fees" does not always mean no fees. At Amazon: - **Tabby on Amazon.ae:** 4 payments with no processing fee. Longer plans cost 5% (6 payments), 9% (8 payments) or 17% (12 payments), though some items qualify for 0% ([Amazon.ae](https://www.amazon.ae/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GVWGA4NS6TA6K6UW)). - **Tabby on Amazon.sa:** 4 or 6 payments with no fees ([Amazon.sa](https://www.amazon.sa/-/en/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GVWGA4NS6TA6K6UW)). - **Tamara on Amazon.ae:** 4 months with a 1% + VAT processing fee. Amazon's example is AED 12.60 on an AED 1,200 order. The fee may not apply to Tamara Smart members ([Amazon.ae](https://www.amazon.ae/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=Tapj0RlIWy912e9GbN)). - **Tamara on Amazon.sa:** 3 months with no fee and 4 months at 1% + VAT. Orders over SAR 3,000 can run up to 12 months, at 0% to 2% a month plus the 1% + VAT fee ([Amazon.sa](https://www.amazon.sa/-/en/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=Tapj0RlIWy912e9GbN)). Tamara Smart is a paid membership. Tamara's site says it is free for the first month and then 19 a month, but the currency symbol did not display clearly ([Tamara](https://tamara.co/en-AE)). ## Where you can use them Tabby's and Tamara's store directories both list noon, and Tabby's also lists Amazon ([Tabby shop](https://tabby.ai/en-AE/shop), [Tamara stores](https://tamara.co/en-sa/stores)). Amazon.ae and Amazon.sa accept both on everything except gift cards. Tabby also offers in-store payment links and a Tabby Card for anywhere Visa is accepted ([Tabby](https://tabby.ai/en-AE/pay-later)). Availability can still vary by item and seller, so check the payment page before you rely on a plan. ## Using promo codes with Tabby or Tamara - **Apply the code first.** Enter the store's code at checkout before choosing Tabby or Tamara. The plan is then built on the reduced total. This is our reading of how the checkout works; neither provider states it in so many words. - **Tabby cashback vs codes:** if you apply a coupon code you will not earn Tabby cashback, and if you earn cashback you cannot apply a code ([Tabby help](https://tabby.ai/en-AE/help/help-cashback-and-referrals/can-i-earn-cashback-and-use-a-coupon-code)). - **Tamara deals:** Tamara's exclusive deals are applied automatically at checkout or redeemed with promo codes on the store's checkout page ([Tamara KSA](https://tamara.co/en-SA)). - **Bank offers:** card-linked bank discounts often exclude BNPL. A past Mashreq offer on noon, for example, was not valid with Tabby or Tamara ([Mashreq](https://www.mashreq.com/en/uae/campaigns/yfs/)). - **Refunds:** with Tabby, a refund smaller than your remaining balance reduces upcoming payments. If the store refunds as store credit, your Tabby payments do not change ([Tabby refunds](https://tabby.ai/en-AE/help/help-orders/how-and-when-will-i-receive-my-refund)). For Amazon orders, Amazon says Tamara processes the refund within 3 to 5 business days ([Amazon.ae](https://www.amazon.ae/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=Tapj0RlIWy912e9GbN)). ## Comparison table | | | Tabby | Tamara | Standard plan | 4 payments, no interest or fees | Up to 4 payments (UAE); longer plans in KSA | Longer plans | Up to 12; service fee may apply | Up to 24 months advertised in KSA | Missed payment | Collection charges (amount not published); purchases blocked | No late fees; retried every 2 days; may be reported to credit bureaus | Amazon.ae limits | AED 100 to AED 15,000 | AED 100 to AED 15,000 | Amazon.sa limits | SAR 100 to SAR 15,000 | SAR 100 to SAR 20,000 | Codes | Code or Tabby cashback, not both | Deals applied automatically or by promo code | Regulator stated | UAE Central Bank | Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) ## FAQ **Does Tabby charge late fees?** Tabby says it charges collection charges when you miss a due date but does not publish the amount. It also blocks new purchases until you pay, and late payments can affect your credit score. **Is Tamara completely free?** Tamara does not charge late fees or interest on its standard plans, but some stores show a processing fee. On Amazon, Tamara’s 4-month plan has a 1% + VAT processing fee. **Can I use a promo code and still get Tabby cashback?** No. Tabby says you can apply a coupon code, but you will not earn Tabby cashback on that purchase. **Do bank card discounts work with Tabby or Tamara?** Often not. Bank offers are tied to paying with the bank’s card, and some exclude BNPL outright, as a past Mashreq offer on noon did. Check the offer terms.