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Independent UAE Free Zone Decision Engine

Compare 52 UAE Free Zones by Real Cost, Visa Quota, Banking Difficulty & Business Activity

Find the best-fit UAE free zone for your business using available setup-cost evidence, renewal exposure, eligible activities, visa options, office requirements, banking difficulty, and hidden-cost checks.

52 Free Zones · 2,500+ Activity Terms · 63 CBUAE-Listed Banks Tracked · 46 Detailed Bank Profiles · 7 Emirates · Updated July 2026

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Business activity Number of visas Preferred emirate Budget Need bank account? Need office?

Free quote support: UAE Freezone Compare is not only a comparison site. We help shortlist suitable UAE free zones and request the best available market quote for your activity, visa count and budget - with no service charge from us.

Free Zone	Starting Cost	Visa Option	Best For	Banking Difficulty	Last Reviewed	CTA
ANCFZ	From AED 4,888/year	0-2 visas	Micro-business and budget setup	Moderate	June 2026
SHAMS	Quote-based	0-6 visas	Media, creators and services	Moderate	June 2026
SPC Free Zone	Quote-based	0-6 visas	Consulting, publishing and e-commerce	Moderate	June 2026
IFZA	Quote-based	0-6 visas	Dubai consultants and startups	Moderate	June 2026
RAKEZ	Quote-based	0-6 visas	SMEs, trading and industrial setup	Moderate	June 2026
Ajman Free Zone	Quote-based	0-5 visas	Low-cost trading and services	Moderate	June 2026

Free quote support: UAE Freezone Compare is not only a comparison site. We help shortlist suitable UAE free zones and request the best available market quote for your activity, visa count and budget - with no service charge from us.

Best for E-commerce

Compare costs, activities, banking and mainland-trading limits.

Best for Consultants

Find flexible activity packages and low renewal-risk options.

Best for General Trading

Review trading scope, office needs and bank scrutiny.

Best for Freelancers

Shortlist low-cost options with lean visa requirements.

Best for Media

Compare creator, media, production and publishing-friendly zones.

Best for Logistics

Check warehouse, port, airport and import-export suitability.

Best for Manufacturing

Filter industrial, warehouse and facility requirements.

Best for Easy Banking

Start with zones that tend to be easier to explain to banks.

IFZA vs Meydan

Compare setup cost, renewal, visas, banking, office requirements and all-in costs.

IFZA vs DMCC

Compare setup cost, renewal, visas, banking, office requirements and all-in costs.

RAKEZ vs IFZA

Compare setup cost, renewal, visas, banking, office requirements and all-in costs.

DMCC vs JAFZA

Compare setup cost, renewal, visas, banking, office requirements and all-in costs.

DAFZA vs DMCC

Compare setup cost, renewal, visas, banking, office requirements and all-in costs.

SPC vs SHAMS

Compare setup cost, renewal, visas, banking, office requirements and all-in costs.

ADGM vs DIFC

Compare setup cost, renewal, visas, banking, office requirements and all-in costs.

Dubai South vs JAFZA

Compare setup cost, renewal, visas, banking, office requirements and all-in costs.

Compare UAE free zones side by side

Activity Eligibility

Search 2,500+ UAE Free Zone Business Activities

Find which free zones support your business activity, what license type you need, estimated cost, visa options, and banking access.

E-commerce License UAE General Trading License UAE Software Development License UAE Marketing Services License UAE

Check If My Activity Is Allowed

Search your activity and request confirmation before paying setup fees. Activity names differ by free zone authority.

Business activity Need visa? Preferred emirate Need bank account? Budget

Free quote support: UAE Freezone Compare is not only a comparison site. We help shortlist suitable UAE free zones and request the best available market quote for your activity, visa count and budget - with no service charge from us.

Browse All Business Activities

Banking Reality Check

Compare UAE Business Bank Account Options for Free Zone Companies

Bank approval depends on activity, shareholder profile, residency, documentation, expected transactions, compliance checks, and bank policy.

Check Banking Difficulty

Hidden Cost Warning

Do Not Choose a Free Zone Only by Starting Price

Some low-cost packages may exclude visa costs, establishment card, office or flexi desk, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, amendments, renewal charges, bank minimum balance, or cancellation fees. Compare the real total cost before choosing.

View Hidden Costs Guide

UAE Free Zone Hidden Costs

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Free Zone vs Mainland

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UAE Free Zone Visa Cost

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Business Bank Account Guide

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Documents Required for Company Setup

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Corporate Tax for Free Zone Companies

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UAE Free Zone Cost Index 2026

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UAE Visa Costs

Investor + employee visa costs broken down.

Free Zone Corporate Tax

9% rule + Qualifying Free Zone Person status.

Golden Visa via Free Zone

10-year residency through your free zone setup.

Setup Step-by-Step

Full company-formation walkthrough.

Best UAE Free Zone For…

Cheapest Free Zones

Compare current setup-cost evidence.

Startups

Founder-friendly visas + flexi-desks.

Tech & SaaS

Dubai Silicon Oasis, DIC, IFZA.

Freelancers

Solo-friendly zones with flexi-desk.

Consulting

Service licences for advisory firms.

E-commerce

Trading licences with broad activity scope.

Crypto

VARA-aligned + DMCC, ADGM, RAK DAO options.

Manufacturing

JAFZA, KIZAD, Hamriyah for industrial setups.

Media & Creative

Dubai Media City, twofour54, SHAMS.

Quick Tools

Setup Cost Calculator

Estimate total formation cost in 60 seconds.

Find Your Free Zone

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Browse All 52 Zones

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UAE Freezone Compare is an independent private research and comparison platform. We are not a UAE government authority, free zone authority, bank, law firm, tax advisor, or immigration authority. Pricing and suitability guidance is indicative unless marked as verified.

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