4 zones compared in Dubai
Dubai dominates the UAE free zone market with 20+ zones ranging from ultra-premium (DIFC) to budget-friendly (IFZA, Meydan). We compared 4 Dubai free zones for e-commerce — Year 1 costs range from AED 19,000 to AED 29,100 with one visa. Here is how they stack up.
Top Pick: Dubai South — logistics-heavy e-commerce
AED 19,000 Year 1 with 1 visa
Runner-Up: DSO — tech-driven e-commerce
AED 28,700 Year 1 with 1 visa
Budget Pick: IFZA — cheapest Dubai e-commerce license
AED 28,790 Year 1 with 1 visa
| Free Zone | Year 1 (1 visa) | Renewal | Max Visas | Banking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai South Top pick | AED 19,000 | AED 12,500 | 10 | Moderate |
| DSO | AED 28,700 | AED 18,500 | 15 | Moderate |
| IFZA | AED 28,790 | AED 12,900 | 15 | Moderate |
| Meydan FZ | AED 29,100 | AED 12,500 | 6 | Moderate |
AED 19,000
Year 1
For e-commerce businesses that move physical inventory — warehousing, fulfillment, import/export — Dubai South is purpose-built for your model. Located next to Al Maktoum International Airport, it offers same-day digital licensing and mainland trading rights at AED 19,000 with one visa.
View full Dubai South profile →AED 28,700
Year 1
At AED 28,700 with two visas and Dtec incubator access, DSO is the clear winner for e-commerce businesses built on proprietary technology. Think custom platforms, SaaS-enabled marketplaces, or AI-powered recommendation engines.
View full DSO profile →AED 28,790
Year 1
If you need a Dubai address — and for e-commerce, that brand weight matters with payment gateways and suppliers — IFZA is the cheapest way to get one. The 1-visa package lands at AED 28,790 in Year 1, roughly AED 8,000 below the next cheapest Dubai alternative.
View full IFZA profile →AED 29,100
Year 1
Some free zones are cheap. Some are fast.
View full Meydan FZ profile →Get a free quote from our verified partners. No spam, no obligations — just honest pricing for your setup.
Dubai South offers the lowest Year 1 cost at AED 19,000 with one visa. This includes license, visa processing, and mandatory government fees.
We evaluated 4 free zones in Dubai that offer licensing for e-commerce activities. Prices range from AED 19,000 to AED 29,100 for Year 1 with one visa.
Dubai South is our top pick for e-commerce in Dubai, offering the best balance of cost, banking access, and activity flexibility. DSO is a strong runner-up.
Most Dubai free zones offer virtual office or flexi-desk options for e-commerce licenses. Physical office requirements vary by zone — check individual zone profiles for package details.
Yes. All 4 free zones we evaluated in Dubai offer at least one residence visa with their e-commerce packages. Visa quotas range from 6 to 15.
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