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Apple Kuwait Personal Reviews

iBadala vs Urban Moon

I have a habit of installing apps on my iPhone and then only using them a handful of times and never again. Over the years I’ve accumulated a ton of useless apps to a point where finding one I needed became a hassle. So I decided to do some spring cleaning and delete the apps I hardly use anymore as well as apps that do pretty much the same thing. For example I had two apps that I used to re-size images on my phone, two apps to listen to internet radio stations, two RSS readers and so and so. I also had two apps which I used to find numbers of local businesses, iBadala and Urban Moon. So which did I decide to keep?

First I’ll state the obvious, iBadala looks terrible. The app feels like it’s stuck in a bad design time-warp somewhere between Windows 3.11 and the Pontiac Aztek. It’s not a pretty app while Urban Moon on the other hand looks a lot cooler and feels trendier. It has a pretty icon and a nice start up splash screen that really helps with the first impression. So in the looks category, Urban Moon wins hands down.

When it comes to functionality though, things are completely different. Although Urban Moon is the better looking app of the two and one that feels like it should be easier to use, it isn’t. When I run either one of these apps it’s usually because I’m looking for a number, usually a restaurant to call and check if I can reserve or see how long the line to get in is. Whenever I run Urban Moon I first need to wait for the app to check for updates, and if any are found I have to wait for them to download before I can even start using the app. Depending on how fast my internet connection is at that very moment this could take 5 second if there are no updates (on my 4s) or 10 to 20 seconds if there are any updates. The thing is, even 5 seconds is too long since it makes the app feel sluggish right from the get go due to the app freezing on the start up screen until it’s done checking for updates.

iBadala on the other hand takes just 2 seconds to launch and is then ready to use right away. While Urban Moon has all the numbers built into the app, iBadala grabs a number for you from an online database. Although that sounds slow in reality the search can take as little as under a second depending on how fast your connection is. The disadvantage here is the fact that if you don’t have an internet connection you can’t find any numbers.

It wasn’t that hard really to choose between the two. Even though iBadala is an ugly app, I constantly found myself using it instead of Urban Moon to find numbers quickly. Even if there wasn’t a long wait at the start of Urban Moon I still had to enter a section (another 1 second lost) before I could get to the search box. In any case both apps are free so you could download both and try them out and see which you prefer. I actually got Urban Moon back when they were selling it for $3.99 but they’ve recently made it free (but added advertising) which I think is a better way to go about it.

Here are the links for both apps:
iBadala App
Urban Moon App

25 replies on “iBadala vs Urban Moon”

For a second there, I thought you were going to pick Urban Moon.

I got both apps, but the one I mainly use is ibadala. It looks terrible, and that’s why i’m always pleasantly surprised that it works so good. It gets me the contact I want, and gets it fast too.

Urban Moon looks great, but in addition to its sluggishness, it’s not very accurate. At least not in the beginning when I originally got the app.

I downloaded Urban moon a while back, I never got to try it as it never loaded, not really sure why. Never heard of iBadala, will try it, thanks for the info. As for bad design, there are barely any nicely designed apps in our part of the world,and I am still not getting used to that…

I prefer using Urban Moon, looks prettier and is better when browsing through the app. The events are very useful, the things to do section gives you a variety of activities to do. personally it has helped me on more than one occasion. Never really tried iBadala, the interface didn’t cut it for me.

I paid for Urban Moon too and really regret it. Everything is saved on my phone, let me open the app, check the number, THEN ask me if I want to update.

Pointless to save it all on my phone if I need to wait for it to load off the internet anyway.

Honestly I don’t use either one, Google finds me the answer a lot quicker and more accurately. Both of them have a problem where if you’re looking for something and misspell it they won’t correct you and just assume it doesn’t exist.

I think the problem can be easily fixed. They should either have the updates be done manually or at least be done in the background. That way once you start the app you can use it while its updating.

I would also put the search bar on the first screen as well. That way I don’t have to choose a category and then search.

I always used urbanmoon to look and search for numbers, but after reading ur post and trying Ibadala I’m never going to try another app again . User friendly, 6*4( and extensive. Though I’d have to agree the design is depressing. Ibadala first choice

Thanks for your feedback. We have received this feedback regarding the updating at the beginning of the app from our users before, which is why we have posted on our Facebook and Twitter over the last few weeks that the next version will NOT have the automatic updating at the beginning of the app, the app will will open with zero wait time and updates will happen in the background. You can also turn this off if roaming. There will also be a main search box on the homepage to search the entire app. In addition to this, we are adding at least 10 new features we think you will love.

In terms of comparing the 2 apps, you should mention that they have 2 completely different purposes. iBadala is a phonebook. Urban Moon is a full City guide. In addition to numbers, there are Emails, Websites, Descriptions, Addresses, and a feature used often by our users: MAPS. Companies send us their info and we are happy to add it for free. In addition, there are filters in place to allow you to filter by things like Cuisine, City, Mall, Delivery, etc to help you out when you dont know exactly what you’re looking for. We also Have Special Offers and Events pages. None of these features are available on iBadala.

Mark: If your main purpose is to find a number for a restaurant we understand waiting 5 seconds for the app to open can be frustrating. However, a lot of users dont know exactly what they’re looking for. For example, they might be in the mood for chinese and want to know what chinese places deliver and which is closest to them. That is where a guide comes in most useful. If you’re only complaint about the app is the wait time in opening the app, we suggest you wait for the next update. You won’t be dissappointed.

I prefer urban moon much more cause it works offline and I always find what I’m looking for. iBadala never has what I want and numbers are often wrong. I also love the maps cause I don’t know how to get anywhere. Looking forward to the update.

For all Arabic iPhone Apps , they either have design points or performance points , I never saw an App that have both, although I am impressed with Q8Car App as it almost have both, its fast , no loading time , you can select between brands and models easily ,and its the first Arabic App that has uploading feature and registration other that banks.

I give Q8Car design and graphics 7/10 even though its much much better than Q8Car website design it self.

My choice is Ibadala simple fast and all the numbers that iv tried in ibadala are right I don’t understand when ppl lie about telling the truth that ibadala contains a lot of wrong numbers then for what do they have workers and pay them salary for ? Ibadala is a phone directory and urban moon a city guide different versions I guess hmmm that’s I guess

Ahhh same here tons of useless apps in particular 381 and most are non used not even once! ;( I did have both apps for a while now, used them couple of times and I think they are actually different in purpose.. I actually use urban moon for just looking around on what’s new when am bored :p though still hate the downloading time u talked about.. I badala on the other hand when I really need a no., didn’t fail me once 🙂

We update the app once a week, usually on Sunday. Until we release the new version of the app with no wait time, we suggest you open the app when ur not using it so the app downloads the updates in 5-10 seconds and then you wont have to wait when you open the app again.

Another difference between the 2 apps is our app works offline, you dont need an internet connection or wifi. iBadala only works with a connection. When using our app offline, there is zero wait time.

Hello all shloonkom ana I prefer iBadala asra3 as’hal
O bel add your company ebser3a they approve the number
Urban moon zain bas also they don’t concentrate on a main subject wayd subs edawkhoon.
So I go for iBadala

I honestly prefer Urban Moon, 1st off all, have ppl lost all their patience? waiting 5-10 seconds for loading and updating is not a big deal, that shouldnt be the issue.

Urban Moon is well visually pleasing, everything you need is at the tip of your finger, search box is simple and easy to find any contacts.

i like checking out the events sections, im always surprised to see all these things happening around kuwait? for instance did you guys know we had a spoon bending seminar? yes, spoon bending,

oh to all the ladies, if you check out the special offer section, you can get 10% shopping at al othman outlet, just show them the app!

I honestly prefer Urban Moon really, I just cant believe that no one has patience anymore, is waiting 5-10 seconds that big of deal?

Personally, Urban moon is visually pleasing, its really simple and everything (literally) is a finger tip away.

Im almost done with doing half of the list on ‘Things to do in Kuwait’, i lived here all my life and half the stuff was foreign to me!

Ill tell you wats cool thou, is the events page! I always seem random things going around kuwait on there, I mean a spoon bending seminar? yes, spoon bending.

also, i dont know if you girls havent noticed, but in the special offer section, you can get 10% off al al othmanoutlet if you show them the app. ( hey, im just sayin)

haha I wrote the review twice, cause it said error the first type i posted it! and changed my nickname.

Btw Gia and Noonie are one person, : ) same thought

I downloaded BOTH and I use BOTH. They’re both free people, whats the big deal. Use whichever one you need at that time.

In my opinion, there is no comparison. Urban Moon is on a completely different level and ibadala is obviously amateur. If ibadala was a bit easier on the eye i may consider using it, but at the moment it just doesn’t feel good browsing. I use urban moon often so my updates are minimal each time and i don’t have a problem opening it.

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