Direct answer: Compare UAE free zones side by side on Year 1 cost, renewal exposure, three-year planning cost, visa scope, activity fit, office requirements, banking readiness and hidden costs. Each result keeps its evidence label and review date visible so you can separate confirmed figures from estimates and quote-required items.
What the tool compares
- Year 1: the selected licence or package plus known mandatory setup components.
- Year 2 renewal: the published or evidenced renewal figure; otherwise the result says “Quote required” or “Insufficient evidence”.
- Year 3 renewal and three-year total: a planning view that distinguishes known components from assumptions.
- Visas: included allocation, processing components and costs that sit outside the headline licence price.
- Activities: whether the selected business activity appears compatible with the zone and package.
- Office or facility: flexi-desk, coworking, dedicated office, warehouse or other substance requirements.
- Banking readiness: a planning indicator based on documentation, activity clarity, substance and KYC complexity—not a bank-approval promise.
- Hidden-cost exposure: establishment card, immigration file, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, status change, approvals and optional support.
How to use the comparison
- Step 1: Open the comparison interface and select two UAE free zones.
- Step 2: Match the package scope to your activity, visa count and facility requirement. Do not compare a zero-visa licence with an all-inclusive one-visa package as though they are equivalent.
- Step 3: Review Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and the three-year planning total together.
- Step 4: Read the inclusion, exclusion, confidence and evidence fields beside the price.
- Step 5: Check activity and banking implications, then request a current itemised quotation for the configuration you intend to buy.
What the results mean
A lower headline price does not automatically mean a lower operating cost. The useful result is the option that fits the selected activity and visa need with acceptable renewal exposure, facility requirements and evidence quality.
| Confidence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Verified | An official authority source supports the stated configuration and date. |
| Multi-source | Multiple independent sources describe the same configuration; review the source notes for any remaining limitation. |
| Indicative | The figure is useful for planning but has a configuration, age or source limitation. |
| Quote required | No reliable public total exists for the chosen configuration. Obtain a current written quote. |
| Insufficient evidence | The available evidence is not strong enough to publish a defensible value or range. |
Pricing and evidence confidence
Every material price should describe the package, visa count, office or facility scope, included and excluded components, source and review date. A three-year total is not labelled verified when renewal, visa renewal, insurance or another material recurring component is estimated. Source links are provided so readers can inspect the basis of the result and submit a correction if it has changed.
Worked example from the central evidence record
Configuration: one visa with flexi-desk or coworking access. Values below come from the central evidence record; the labels explain which parts are official, multi-source or estimated.
| Decision factor | SPC Free Zone | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Package scope | 1 visa, flexi-desk, standard trading/publishing licence (pay-as-you-go) | 1 visa, flexi-desk/coworking, standard trading/SME licence |
| Year 1 | 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) OFFICIAL+2SOURCE | AED 14,000 all-inclusive (SME package with 1 visa, official); AED 6,000 Biz Starter (0-visa coworking, official rakez.com) OFFICIAL+2SOURCE |
| Year 2 renewal | AED 11,720 (AED 5,750 licence renewal + AED 1,600 visa allocation + AED 1,840 e-channel renewal + AED 2,530 visa renewal) 1+2-SOURCE | AED 12,000-14,320 for 1-visa package (0-visa renewal AED 6,000 confirmed; SME 1-visa renewal ~AED 14,320/yr from 2 independent sources) 1+2-SOURCE |
| Year 3 renewal | AED 11,720 (AED 5,750 licence renewal + AED 1,600 visa allocation + AED 1,840 e-channel renewal + AED 2,530 visa renewal) Uses the current Year 2 planning assumption; reconfirm before renewal. | AED 12,000-14,320 for 1-visa package (0-visa renewal AED 6,000 confirmed; SME 1-visa renewal ~AED 14,320/yr from 2 independent sources) Uses the current Year 2 planning assumption; reconfirm before renewal. |
| Three-year planning total | AED 36,605 (yr1 AED 13,165 + yr2 AED 11,720 + yr3 AED 11,720) | AED 42,640 estimated (AED 14,000 + AED 14,320 x2); 0-visa 3-year: AED 18,000 |
| Visa count | 1 | 1 |
| Included | One-year licence with zero visa, unlimited visas available on flexi desk, up to 5 activities and up to 100 shareholders listed by SPC. | Basic package lists one shareholder, one business activity and co-working facility; RAKEZ homepage lists an all-inclusive option with 1 residence visa. |
| Excluded | Visa allocation, establishment card, e-channel, investor visa, medical, change of status, banking assistance and stamp are add-on services. | Warehouse, office, extra activities, visas beyond package, insurance and regulated approvals unless quoted. |
| Evidence reviewed | June 2026 Verified official price | June 2026 Verified official price |
This is a worked planning example, not a universal recommendation. Activity, shareholder profile, applicant location, insurance and authority changes can alter the total. Follow the cited evidence and request a current itemised quote before payment.
Limitations
- Free-zone authorities can change packages, eligibility rules, promotions and fees without synchronising every public source.
- Activity approval depends on the exact activity wording and may require an external regulator.
- Visa, medical, Emirates ID, insurance and status-change costs depend on applicant circumstances and location.
- Banking readiness is a preparation indicator. The bank alone makes the onboarding decision after KYC and risk review.
- Tax, legal and immigration outcomes require advice appropriate to the company and owners.
Related decision tools
- UAE Free Zone Cost Calculator
- Best-Fit Free Zone Finder
- Visa Cost Calculator
- Banking Difficulty Checker
- UAE Free Zone Cost Index
Frequently asked questions
Is the comparison tool free?
Yes. The comparison and evidence fields are available without a service charge from UAE Freezone Compare. Any partner or revenue relationship relevant to a quote request is disclosed separately.
Which price should I compare?
Compare like-for-like configurations: the same activity scope, visa count, facility requirement, validity period and mandatory government services. A licence-only headline should not be compared directly with an all-inclusive package.
Why does a result say “Quote required”?
It means a reliable public value for that exact configuration is unavailable. The label is intentionally more honest than presenting a guessed total.
Does the lowest three-year total always win?
No. Cost is one decision factor. Activity eligibility, office substance, visa needs, banking preparation and renewal certainty can make another option a better fit.
Compare your shortlist
Select two zones, inspect the evidence and exclusions, and request an itemised current price only when the configuration matches your needs.