5 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 5 Dubai free zones for startups — 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 — cheapest Dubai startup license
AED 19,000 Year 1 with 1 visa
Runner-Up: DIFC — best for fintech startups
AED 25,055 Year 1 with 1 visa
Budget Pick: DSO — best incubator ecosystem
AED 28,700 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 |
| DIFC | AED 25,055 | AED 16,515 | 4 | 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 |
Top Pick
AED 19,000
Year 1
Runner-Up
AED 25,055
Year 1
Budget Pick
AED 28,700
Year 1
Also Recommended
AED 28,790
Year 1
Also Recommended
AED 29,100
Year 1
AED 19,000
Year 1
If you need a Dubai address but refuse to overpay, Dubai South delivers the lowest Year 1 total we found: AED 19,000 with one visa, near Al Maktoum International Airport. That undercuts IFZA by AED 9,790 and Meydan by AED 10,100.
View full Dubai South profile →AED 25,055
Year 1
Since 2004, DIFC has been the centre of gravity for financial services in the Middle East. For fintech and insurtech startups, it is not optional — it is where the ecosystem lives.
View full DIFC profile →AED 28,700
Year 1
At AED 28,700 with two visas and Dtec incubator access, DSO is the clear winner for tech startups that need more than a license. Dtec provides co-working, mentorship, investor introductions, and a Mashreq NeoBiz banking partnership that streamlines account opening.
View full DSO profile →AED 28,790
Year 1
IFZA stands out for startups planning to scale their team. Standard packages support up to 6 visas, and a physical office upgrade pushes that to 15 — the highest scalable quota among budget Dubai zones.
View full IFZA profile →AED 29,100
Year 1
Some founders need a UAE entity yesterday. Meydan delivers.
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 5 free zones in Dubai that offer licensing for startups activities. Prices range from AED 19,000 to AED 29,100 for Year 1 with one visa.
Dubai South is our top pick for startups in Dubai, offering the best balance of cost, banking access, and activity flexibility. DIFC is a strong runner-up.
Most Dubai free zones offer virtual office or flexi-desk options for startups licenses. Physical office requirements vary by zone — check individual zone profiles for package details.
Yes. All 5 free zones we evaluated in Dubai offer at least one residence visa with their startups packages. Visa quotas range from 4 to 15.
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