Compare Dubai free zones for consultants, e-commerce, trading, logistics, premium offices and banking readiness.
Quick answer
Compare Dubai free zones for consultants, e-commerce, trading, logistics, premium offices and banking readiness.
Ranking table
| Rank | Free Zone | Emirate | Best For | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Banking Difficulty | Price Confidence | Last Reviewed | CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ANCFZ | Ajman | Low-budget Ajman setup, micro-businesses, general trading and small service companies. | From AED 4,888 planning figure | Renewal quote required | 3-year quote required | 0-2 visas | Medium | Indicative public price | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 2 | SHAMS | Sharjah | Media, creator, consultancy, digital service and low-cost UAE setup profiles. | From AED 5,750 planning figure | Renewal quote required | 3-year quote required | 0-3 visas | Medium | Indicative public price | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 3 | SPC Free Zone | Sharjah | Publishing, consulting, e-commerce, services and founder-led companies. | From AED 5,750 planning figure | Renewal quote required | 3-year quote required | 0-3 visas | Medium | Indicative public price | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 4 | Ajman Free Zone | Ajman | Budget trading and SME setup where an Ajman base is acceptable. | From AED 6,000 planning figure | Renewal quote required | 3-year quote required | 0-4 visas | Medium | Indicative public price | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 5 | Ajman Media City | Ajman | Freelancers, media services and creator-led businesses needing a lean setup. | Quote-based - confirm current package | Renewal quote required | Quote-based 3-year total | 0-2 visas | Medium | Quote-based | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 6 | UAQ FTZ | Umm Al Quwain | Cost-sensitive service and trading setup outside Dubai. | Quote-based - confirm current package | Renewal quote required | Quote-based 3-year total | 0-4 visas | Medium | Quote-based | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 7 | RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | SMEs, trading, light industrial, warehouse-led, e-commerce and cost-sensitive service businesses. | From AED 6,000 planning figure | Renewal quote required | 3-year quote required | Up to 6 visas | Medium | Indicative public price | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 8 | IFZA | Dubai | Dubai-based consultants, service companies, e-commerce founders and startups. | AED 12,900 zero-visa Year 1 planning figure (public consensus, 2026 sources) | Renewal quote required | 3-year quote required | 0-3 visas | Medium | Indicative public price | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 9 | Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | Dubai address-focused startups, consultants, digital businesses and entrepreneurs. | Quote-based - confirm current package | Renewal quote required | Quote-based 3-year total | 0-3 visas | Medium | Quote-based | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 10 | DMCC | Dubai | Premium trading, commodities, crypto-adjacent, consultancy and JLT address-led companies. | Quote-based - confirm current package | Renewal quote required | Quote-based 3-year total | Depends on office | Medium to high | Quote-based | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 11 | JAFZA | Dubai | Large trading, logistics, warehouse, import/export and industrial companies needing port access. | Quote-based - confirm current package | Renewal quote required | Quote-based 3-year total | Depends on facility | Medium to high | Quote-based | June 2026 | Request Quote |
| 12 | Dubai South | Dubai | Logistics, aviation, import/export and Dubai address companies near Al Maktoum Airport. | Quote-based - confirm current package | Renewal quote required | Quote-based 3-year total | Depends on package | Medium | Quote-based | June 2026 | Request Quote |
Methodology summary
Scoring uses Year 1 cost, renewal exposure, visa flexibility, activity fit, banking difficulty, setup speed, hidden-cost risk and suitability for the stated use case.
Hidden cost warning
The cheapest license can become expensive after establishment card, office allocation, visa processing, medical exam, Emirates ID, insurance, amendment and renewal charges.
FAQs
| Is the cheapest free zone always best? | No. Activity approval, banking, visas and renewal cost can matter more than the first invoice. |
|---|---|
| Are these prices final? | No. Rows are indicative or quote-based unless separately marked with source proof. |
Useful internal links
Cost calculator | Free zone finder | Business activities | Cheapest free zones | Cost Index | Methodology
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Written by: UAE Freezone Compare Editorial Team
Reviewed by: UAE Business Setup Research Team
Last reviewed: June 2026
Prices and fit notes are reviewed using public authority information, available package pages, fee schedules, partner quotations and manual research. Pricing can change based on activity, visa count, office requirement, shareholder structure and authority approval.
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Main Ranking Table
The table below uses the hardened cost dataset with source type, price confidence and conflict status. Quote-based rows require current authority or partner confirmation before payment.
| Recommended Free Zone | Package | Estimated Year-1 Cost | Estimated Renewal Cost | Estimated 3-Year Cost | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Banking Difficulty | Hidden-Cost Risk | Best For | Year 1 Confidence | Last Reviewed | Source Type | Conflict Status | CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANCFZ | Zero Visa official 1- or 3-year package | AED 4,888 official 1-year zero-visa package Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
AED 4,888 current 1-year list price; renewal follows the approved price list for the selected duration Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority 2026 package table |
AED 14,664 official 3-year zero-visa package Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority 2026 package table |
0 visas | Lease agreement included; flexi/shared desk allocation to confirm | Medium | The AED 14,664 figure is the authority-published three-year zero-visa package, not an assumption that every future renewal invoice will stay unchanged. Confirm the current approved price list before payment. | Low-budget Ajman setup, micro-businesses, general trading and small service companies. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority 2026 package table | No material public conflict recorded | |
| SHAMS | Standard annual package | AED 6,875 official Standard annual package Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
AED 6,875 fixed renewal for the unchanged Standard package; terms and conditions apply Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official SHAMS package page; three-year total is documented arithmetic |
AED 20,625 calculated across three fixed Standard annual periods; terms and conditions apply Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official SHAMS package page; three-year total is documented arithmetic |
Visa allocation is package-dependent; visa processing is separate unless the selected package states otherwise | Flexi-desk is listed with the Standard package; workspace and visa terms remain package-dependent | Medium | SHAMS also advertises a separate Media package from AED 5,750. Do not blend the Media and Standard configurations or assume visa-inclusive totals from the Standard licence-only row. | Media, creator, consultancy, digital service and founder-led businesses that fit the SHAMS activity list. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official SHAMS package page; three-year total is documented arithmetic | No material public conflict recorded | |
| SPC Free Zone | Pay-As-You-Go 1-year license | AED 13,165 all-in (AED 6,875 licence + AED 640 estab card + AED 1,600 visa allocation + AED 2,280 e-channel + AED 2,530 visa + AED 365 medical + AED 700 status change if needed — approximate) Confidence: Verified official price Checked: June 2026 |
Quote-based renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
0 visas; visa services add-on | Flexi desk package with add-on facility options | Medium | Visa allocation and establishment card add-ons can materially increase Year 1 cost. | Publishing, consulting, e-commerce, services and founder-led companies needing flexible activity packaging. | Verified official price | June 2026 | Official authority package page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| Ajman Free Zone (AFZA) | E-commerce starting package | AED 11,000-14,000 all-in (licence ~AED 8,000-9,000 + establishment card ~AED 1,500 + immigration card ~AED 1,500 + visa AED 3,400-6,500) Confidence: Indicative public price Checked: Not officially verified as a complete setup total |
Quote-based renewal - AFZ states the amount is shown in the customer portal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal and add-ons Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
0-visa e-commerce starting package; residence visas are separate and package-dependent | No physical office is required for the named e-commerce package; unlimited coworking access is listed | Case-by-case: banks assess the activity, owners, documents, source of funds and transaction profile | The AED 5,555 amount is a starting e-commerce package, not a universal AFZA setup total. Confirm activity wording, visas, immigration services, renewal and facility requirements before payment. | E-commerce founders and small digital trading businesses that can use an Ajman base and do not need a dedicated physical office in the named package. | Indicative public price | July 2026 | Official Ajman Free Zone e-commerce article; starting package only | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| Ajman Media City | Business Club annual package | AED 14,800–20,500 depending on package: Business Club 0-visa AED ~9,516 (licence AED 6,166 + est. card AED 750 + e-channel AED 2,300 + registration); Bronze 1-visa ~AED 17,574 (licence AED 11,224 + est. card AED 750 + e-channel AED 2,300 + visa costs ~AED 3,300) Confidence: Verified official price Checked: June 2026 |
AED 4,999 annual renewal for Business Club package Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package page |
AED 14,997 3-year license cost before add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package page |
0 visas; upgrade required for visa allocation | Co-working space listed for Business Club package | Medium | Visa-inclusive packages start higher; confirm whether immigration services, medical, Emirates ID and insurance are included before payment. | Creators, digital startups, freelancers and lean service businesses that do not need a visa in the base package. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority package page | No material public conflict recorded | |
| UAQ FTZ | Zero-visa General Trading annual package | AED 13,000–20,000 (e-commerce licence from AED 5,500; commercial AED 20,500; all-inclusive package AED 2,266/month = AED 27,192/year; 1-visa package from AED 13,500 per Aurion) Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
AED 7,000 official renewal for the same named package Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package article; three-year total is documented arithmetic |
AED 21,000 calculated from the published annual price across three years Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official authority package article; three-year total is documented arithmetic |
0 visas in the published AED 7,000 configuration; visa packages are separate | Lease agreement and coworking access are listed for the published package | Medium | This row applies only to the named zero-visa General Trading package. Do not blend it with UAQ LYTE, UAQ START or visa-inclusive packages. | Cost-sensitive general trading and import/export founders who do not need a visa in the base package. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority package article; three-year total is documented arithmetic | No material public conflict recorded | |
| RAKEZ | Instant licence Basic / SME package | AED 14,000 all-inclusive (SME package with 1 visa, official); AED 6,000 Biz Starter (0-visa coworking, official rakez.com) Confidence: Verified official price Checked: June 2026 |
Quote-based renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
Basic no visa; all-inclusive option includes 1 residence visa | Co-working facility on basic; office, warehouse or facility options available | Medium | Facility, activity, visa and promotion terms can change the final amount and renewal. | SMEs, trading, light industrial, warehouse-led, e-commerce and cost-sensitive service businesses. | Verified official price | June 2026 | Official authority offer page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| RAK Innovation City | Idea annual technology package | AED 7,500-12,000 (Freelancer licence AED 5,800-7,500 + 1 visa AED 4,200 all-in; no official Innovation City-specific public price sheet — treated as RAKEZ variant) Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current annual package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on confirmed renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
0 visas on Idea; Seed, Startup and Growth packages list visa options | Shared desk included on Idea, Seed and Startup; dedicated desk included on Growth | Medium to high | The authority bills the packages annually but does not publish a separate renewal schedule on the cited page. Confirm the current package, activity scope, visa processing cost and renewal invoice before payment. | AI, Web3, gaming, robotics, health-tech and digital-first founders needing a Ras Al Khaimah technology-focused setup. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official authority package page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | |
| IFZA | Zero-visa public package range; visa-inclusive totals require current itemised quote | AED 18,900–22,400 (Starter 1-visa: licence AED 12,900 + establishment card AED 3,000 + residence visa AED 3,000–4,500 all-in; Emirates ID AED 370 + medical AED 300–500 included in visa cost) Confidence: Conflicting public sources Checked: Not officially verified |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current package Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Current authority or partner quote required |
Quote-based 3-year total - depends on renewal Confidence: Needs confirmation Source: Depends on confirmed renewal evidence |
0-visa public package range; one-visa and all-in totals require current written quote | Flexi desk and inclusions vary; confirm the written offer | Medium | Public sources disagree on headline, visa-inclusive and all-in IFZA package totals. UAE Freezone Compare therefore shows only the zero-visa planning range and keeps renewal, one-visa and complete all-in totals quote-based until an itemised current quote is reviewed. | Dubai-based consultants, service companies, e-commerce founders and startups. | Conflicting public sources | July 2026 | Multiple public consultant sources; current written quote required | Conflicting public sources - confirm current package | |
| Meydan Free Zone | Regular business license | AED 12,500 regular license Confidence: Verified official price Checked: June 2026 |
AED 12,500 planning renewal before add-ons Confidence: Indicative public price Source: Official authority cost page/blog |
AED 37,500 planning 3-year license cost before add-ons Confidence: Indicative public price Source: Official authority cost page/blog |
0 visas base; visa allocation add-on | Flexi desk included; shared/dedicated office upgrade optional | Medium | Additional activity groups, visa allocations and optional services can change the final calculator output. | Dubai address-focused startups, consultants, digital businesses and entrepreneurs. | Verified official price | June 2026 | Official authority cost page/blog | No material public conflict recorded | |
| DMCC | Standard company setup fee components | AED 27,049 (freelance permit: licence AED 4,020 + mandatory JLT flexi-desk AED 16,000 + establishment card AED 1,805 + 1 visa AED 4,224 + health insurance AED 1,000). Full company 1-visa: ~AED 49,004. Confidence: 1+2-source: Freelance Permit AED 27,049 verified; standard company schedule official Checked: July 2026 |
AED 22,090 annual standard licence renewal plus establishment-card components before office and add-ons Confidence: 1+2-source: Freelance Permit AED 27,049 verified; standard company schedule official Source: Official DMCC Schedule of Charges + 1+2-source Freelance Permit verification |
AED 78,365 3-year core components before office, visas, VAT/levies and add-ons Confidence: 1+2-source: Freelance Permit AED 27,049 verified; standard company schedule official Source: Official DMCC Schedule of Charges + 1+2-source Freelance Permit verification |
Visa entitlement depends on office/facility; visa processing is separate | A qualifying JLT/DMCC office or approved facility is required and priced separately | Medium to high | The three-year value is arithmetic from the published Year 1 components plus two published annual renewal/establishment-card component periods. It is not a complete DMCC occupancy or immigration invoice. | Premium trading, commodities, crypto-adjacent, consultancy and JLT address-led companies. | 1+2-source: Freelance Permit AED 27,049 verified; standard company schedule official | July 2026 | Official DMCC Schedule of Charges + 1+2-source Freelance Permit verification | No material public conflict recorded | |
| JAFZA | FZCo registration and service licence components | AED 40,000-55,000 planning range (licence component priced separately; mandatory physical facility lease AED 25,000-40,000 + establishment card AED 1,975 + 1 visa AED 3,518 + medical/Emirates ID) Confidence: Verified official price Checked: July 2026 |
AED 5,000 annual service licence renewal component before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official JAFZA Investor Guide fee schedule; partial setup components |
AED 20,000 3-year registration plus service licence components before facility and add-ons Confidence: Verified official price Source: Official JAFZA Investor Guide fee schedule; partial setup components |
Visa access depends on the selected facility; immigration fees are separate | A workstation, office, warehouse, showroom or other qualifying facility is required and priced separately | Medium to high | AED 10,000 is not a complete JAFZA setup invoice. Facility choice and annual related charges materially change Year 1, renewal and three-year outlay; trading, logistics and industrial licences also use different official fee lines. | Large trading, logistics, warehouse, import/export and industrial companies needing port access. | Verified official price | July 2026 | Official JAFZA Investor Guide fee schedule; partial setup components | No material public conflict recorded |