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| Recommendation type | Free zone | Fit score | Package / configuration | Year 1 planning cost | Renewal status | Banking difficulty | Why it fits | Why it may not fit | Source confidence | CTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | IFZA | 89/100 | 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) | Quote-based renewal - confirm the current package | Medium | Dubai-based consultants, service companies, e-commerce founders and startups. | Confirm exact activity, visa allocation, office requirement, banking profile and current package before payment. | Conflicting public sources; Multiple public consultant sources; current written quote required | |
| Cheapest comparable configuration | ANCFZ | 93/100 | Zero Visa official 1- or 3-year package | AED 4,888 official 1-year zero-visa package | AED 4,888 current 1-year list price; renewal follows the approved price list for the selected duration | Medium | Low-budget Ajman setup, micro-businesses, general trading and small service companies. | Confirm exact activity, visa allocation, office requirement, banking profile and current package before payment. | Verified official price; Official authority 2026 package table | |
| Best Dubai option | Meydan Free Zone | 88/100 | Regular business license | AED 12,500 regular license | AED 12,500 planning renewal before add-ons | Medium | Dubai address-focused startups, consultants, digital businesses and entrepreneurs. | Confirm exact activity, visa allocation, office requirement, banking profile and current package before payment. | Verified official price; Official authority cost page/blog | |
| Best banking-ready option | DMCC | 81/100 | 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. | AED 22,090 annual standard licence renewal plus establishment-card components before office and add-ons | Medium to high | Premium trading, commodities, crypto-adjacent, consultancy and JLT address-led companies. | Confirm exact activity, visa allocation, office requirement, banking profile and current package before payment. | 1+2-source: Freelance Permit AED 27,049 verified; standard company schedule official; Official DMCC Schedule of Charges + 1+2-source Freelance Permit verification | |
| Best visa option | UAQ FTZ | 86/100 | 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) | AED 7,000 official renewal for the same named package | Medium | Cost-sensitive general trading and import/export founders who do not need a visa in the base package. | Confirm exact activity, visa allocation, office requirement, banking profile and current package before payment. | Verified official price; Official authority package article; three-year total is documented arithmetic | |
| Best trading / logistics option | RAKEZ | 88/100 | 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) | Quote-based renewal | Medium | SMEs, trading, light industrial, warehouse-led, e-commerce and cost-sensitive service businesses. | Confirm exact activity, visa allocation, office requirement, banking profile and current package before payment. | Verified official price; Official authority offer page | |
| Best media option | SHAMS | 85/100 | Standard annual package | AED 6,875 official Standard annual package | AED 6,875 fixed renewal for the unchanged Standard package; terms and conditions apply | Medium | Media, creator, consultancy, digital service and founder-led businesses that fit the SHAMS activity list. | Confirm exact activity, visa allocation, office requirement, banking profile and current package before payment. | Verified official price; Official SHAMS package page; three-year total is documented arithmetic | |
| Best alternative | SPC Free Zone | 80/100 | 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) | Quote-based renewal | Medium | Publishing, consulting, e-commerce, services and founder-led companies needing flexible activity packaging. | Confirm exact activity, visa allocation, office requirement, banking profile and current package before payment. | Verified official price; Official authority package page |
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Written by: UAE Freezone Compare Editorial Team
Reviewed by: UAE Business Setup Research Team
Last reviewed: June 2026
Our free zone guides are prepared by the UAE Freezone Compare Editorial Team and reviewed using public authority information, official package pages, available fee schedules, partner quotations, and manual research. Prices may change depending on activity, visa count, office requirement, shareholder structure, and authority approval.
Finder notes
Are these UAE free zone prices final?
No. Prices are indicative or quote-based unless marked as verified official pricing. Final pricing depends on activity, visa count, office requirement, shareholder structure, authority approval and free zone updates.
Can UAE Freezone Compare recommend a free zone?
Yes. Share your business activity, visa need, budget, office requirement and banking priority so the team can shortlist practical options and current quotes.
Does bank account approval depend only on the free zone?
No. Bank approval depends on activity, shareholder profile, residency, documentation, expected transactions, compliance checks and bank policy.