Free Zone Comparison
AFZ vs RAKEZ 2026
AED 5,555 versus AED 6,000 — virtually the same entry cost, but different strengths. Ajman has 38 years of banking relationships that make account opening smoother. RAKEZ offers dual licensing and a wider activity range. For pure cost, it's a draw. For flexibility, RAKEZ edges ahead.
By Daniel Harmon, Senior Editor
AFZ
Ajman
AED 5,555
Year 1 from
CheaperRAKEZ
RAK
AED 6,000
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
- ● Choose AFZ if cost is your priority — AED 445 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose AFZ if you need more visas — up to 10
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Both target budget founders, and the zero-visa pricing barely differs — AED 5,555 at Ajman versus AED 6,000 at RAKEZ. But add a visa and the picture shifts: Ajman's 1-visa package is AED 13,451; RAKEZ's is AED 14,320. Ajman saves AED 869 per year with one visa. Neither zone requires a physical office, and both include flexi desk equivalents in their packages.
The real differentiator is operational flexibility. RAKEZ offers dual licensing for simultaneous free zone and mainland RAK operations, a feature Ajman lacks. RAKEZ also covers 3,000+ activities across 50+ sectors versus Ajman's 3,500+. Visa speed tilts toward Ajman — 4-day processing versus RAKEZ's 5 days. But RAKEZ mandates annual audits (AED 2,500 late fine) while Ajman does not, saving AED 3,000-10,000 per year in accounting costs. For cost-conscious founders who want audit-free simplicity, Ajman is the smarter pick. For mainland trading access and a broader industrial activity range, RAKEZ earns the extra spend.
AFZ vs RAKEZ at a Glance
| Metric | AFZ | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Ajman | RAK |
| Year 1 From | AED 5,555 🏆 | AED 6,000 |
| Renewal From | AED 5,555 🏆 | AED 6,000 |
| Rating | ★ 4.4/5 | ★ 4.4/5 |
| Max Visas | 10 🏆 | 4 |
| Processing Time | 5 days | 5 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 1988 | 2017 |
| Companies | 20,000+ | 40,000+ |
Year 1 From
AFZ
AED 5,555
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Renewal From
AFZ
AED 5,555
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Rating
AFZ
4.4/5
RAKEZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
AFZ
10
RAKEZ
4
Processing
AFZ
5 days
RAKEZ
5 days
Banking
AFZ
Moderate
RAKEZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
AFZ Packages
Ajman · 4 packages
Starter No Visa Package
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,555
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,555/yr
Starter 1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 13,159
Year 1
Renewal: AED 7,759/yr
Growth 2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 17,713
Year 1
Renewal: AED 8,113/yr
Team 3 Visa Package
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 22,267
Year 1
Renewal: AED 8,467/yr
RAKEZ Packages
RAK · 4 packages
Biz Starter Package (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 6,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 6,000/yr
SME Business Set-Up (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 14,320
Year 1
Renewal: AED 14,320/yr
SME Business Set-Up (2 Visas)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 18,640
Year 1
Renewal: AED 18,640/yr
SME Business Set-Up (4 Visas)
Up to 4 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 27,280
Year 1
Renewal: AED 27,280/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AFZ | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose AFZ if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want trading smes
- ✓ Want cost-sensitive startups
- ✓ Want light manufacturing
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 445 less)
Choose RAKEZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consultancies
Pros & Cons
AFZ
Pros
- ✓ Official AFZ marketing for the e-commerce package starts at AED 5,555, and Virtuzone lists the same AFZ starting price, keeping AFZ among the cheapest mainstream UAE free zones.
- ✓ AFZ publicly advertises 3,500+ activities, which is broader than many low-cost free zones and useful if you need multiple activities on one license.
- ✓ Setup is genuinely fast for simple cases: multiple 2026 consultancies put license issuance at about 1–3 business days or 2–5 working days, and AFZ runs a fully digital customer portal and One-Click flow.
- ✓ Flexi/co-working formats make entry easier: market tables commonly show virtual/flexi packages for 0, 1, 2, and 3 visas, while AFZ’s freelancer hub officially allows up to 2 visas and family sponsorship.
Cons
- ✗ Public data transparency is uneven. AFZ has a cost calculator, but it does not publish a simple official 2026 package table, so buyers still depend on quotes, consultants, or portal flows to see full costs.
- ✗ Banking is easier than in some small northern-emirate setups because AFZ has partners, but it is still the longest step in practice; 2026 market sources commonly say 2–4 weeks after license issuance, with more friction for higher-risk profiles.
- ✗ Visa-related charges are not cleanly standardized in the market. Recent sources disagree on what is bundled, what excludes health insurance, and whether establishment/e-channel/security items are quoted separately.
- ✗ AFZ’s own FAQ says e-commerce license holders must add a different import/export activity or different license if they want to import goods, so the cheapest e-commerce package is not the same thing as a full trading/import setup.
RAKEZ
Pros
- ✓ Lowest entry point in the UAE — Biz Starter promotion at AED 6,000 with 24-hour setup
- ✓ All-inclusive SME bundle at AED 14,000 includes trade license + 1 UAE residence visa, with same renewal price guaranteed
- ✓ Predictable visa add-ons: up to 3 additional visas at AED 4,000 each
- ✓ Massive activity catalog: 3,000+ activities across 50+ sectors
Cons
- ✗ Mandatory annual audit for all companies — ongoing cost even for small firms
- ✗ Minimum share capital of AED 10,000 for FZ-LLC; higher for regulated activities
- ✗ AED 6,000 Biz Starter may be restricted to UAE-based entrepreneurs
- ✗ Bank accounts still subject to standard due diligence despite partner facilitation
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AFZ or RAKEZ?
AFZ is cheaper by AED 445 in Year 1. AFZ starts from AED 5,555 while RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between AFZ and RAKEZ?
AFZ is based in Ajman and is best for Freelancers, E-commerce, Trading SMEs. RAKEZ is based in RAK and is best for Startups, SMEs, Manufacturing. AFZ starts from AED 5,555 while RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000.
Which has easier banking, AFZ or RAKEZ?
Both AFZ and RAKEZ are rated "Moderate" for banking difficulty, meaning there is no significant difference in how easily you can open a corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with AFZ vs RAKEZ?
AFZ supports up to 10 visas, while RAKEZ supports up to 4 visas. AFZ offers more visa capacity.
Is AFZ or RAKEZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose AFZ if you want freelancers focus and lower costs. Choose RAKEZ if you need startups support and a RAK address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.
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