Free Zone Comparison
DIC vs DSP
DIC has spent 25 years building the Middle East's premier tech ecosystem — home to Google, Microsoft, and Meta. DSP is a decade old, born from a 2015 merger of DuBiotech and EnPark. That maturity gap shows in scale: DIC hosts 4,000+ companies, DSP has 350+. The trade-off: DSP's 1-visa Year 1 costs AED 27,740 versus DIC's AED 37,340. That's AED 9,600 saved — enough to fund a second visa.
DIC
Dubai
AED 30,000
Year 1 from
DSP
Dubai
AED 18,540
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
Pick DIC for the tech ecosystem. Pick DSP for biotech, pharma, or lab-based R&D.
- ● Choose DSP if cost is your priority — AED 11,460 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose DIC if you need more visas — up to 6
- ● Choose DSP for faster setup — 10 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Both sit under TECOM Group's umbrella, but setup differs in practice. DIC's license processing takes 5–7 business days through the DCCA portal, with full visa completion stretching to about 3 weeks. DSP processes in 7–14 working days. The workspace cost gap is DIC's biggest structural disadvantage: flexi desks cost AED 15,000/year at DIC versus AED 3,000/year at DSP. That AED 12,000 annual difference compounds — over three years, it's AED 36,000.
Scaling separates the two for growth-stage companies. DIC's flexi desk supports 2–3 visas and private offices scale further. DSP caps at 3 visas on standard packages. For a software company growing past 3 employees, DIC is the practical choice. DSP's lab facilities — wet labs, dry labs, and light-industrial units — serve a purpose DIC doesn't offer: physical R&D and regulated prototyping. Both zones share banking partners (Emirates NBD, Mashreq Bank, RAKBANK) and both require annual audits.
DIC vs DSP at a Glance
| Metric | DIC | DSP |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 30,000 | AED 18,540 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 30,000 | AED 18,540 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 3.8/5 | ★ 4.0/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 6 🏆 | 3 |
| Processing Time | 21 days | 10 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 1999 | 2015 |
| Companies | 4,000+ | 350+ |
Year 1 From
DIC
AED 30,000
DSP
AED 18,540
Renewal From
DIC
AED 30,000
DSP
AED 18,540
Rating
DIC
3.8/5
DSP
4.0/5
Max Visas
DIC
6
DSP
3
Processing
DIC
21 days
DSP
10 days
Banking
DIC
Moderate
DSP
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
DIC Packages
Dubai · 5 packages
Zero Visa Package
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 30,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 30,000/yr
1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 37,340
Year 1
Renewal: AED 33,000/yr
2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 42,680
Year 1
Renewal: AED 34,000/yr
3 Visa Private Office Package
Up to 3 visas · Private Office
AED 73,020
Year 1
Renewal: AED 60,000/yr
DSP Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
0 Visa License Package
No visa · None
AED 18,540
Year 1
Renewal: AED 18,540/yr
1 Visa Flexi Desk Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 27,740
Year 1
Renewal: AED 22,890/yr
2 Visa Private Office Package
Up to 2 visas · Private Office
AED 33,940
Year 1
Renewal: AED 31,540/yr
3+ Visa Private Office Package
Up to 3 visas · Private Office
AED 43,140
Year 1
Renewal: AED 40,790/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | DIC | DSP |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Required | Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose DIC if you...
- ✓ Want it & software companies
- ✓ Want tech startups
- ✓ Want digital marketing agencies
- ✓ Want ai & data companies
- ✓ Want regional tech hqs
Choose DSP if you...
- ✓ Want biotechnology
- ✓ Want healthcare
- ✓ Want r&d startups
- ✓ Want pharmaceuticals
- ✓ Want technology
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 11,460 less)
Pros & Cons
DIC
Pros
- ✓ Premier tech ecosystem — home to Google, Microsoft, Meta, LinkedIn, IBM, and 1,600+ companies
- ✓ Strong brand signal for tech companies — DIC address carries weight with clients and investors
- ✓ Flexi desk packages from AED 15,000/year for license plus AED 15,000 for workspace
- ✓ Easier banking than newer free zones — established relationships with major UAE banks
Cons
- ✗ Higher setup costs than budget zones — Year 1 with 1 visa starts around AED 40,000+
- ✗ Physical office or flexi desk mandatory for visa eligibility — no virtual office option
- ✗ Activity scope limited to technology, media, and related sectors — not for general trading
- ✗ Private office rents range AED 1,200-1,800/sqm/year, significantly above average
DSP
Pros
- ✓ Subsidized licensing: ~30–40% lower cost than premium zones
- ✓ Specialized in life sciences, biotech and healthtech with lab facilities
- ✓ TECOM/Dubai Holding backing and startup support programs
- ✓ 100% foreign ownership and tax/fee exemptions
Cons
- ✗ Remote location (Al Barsha South) outside main business districts
- ✗ Primarily science/tech companies; limited for other industries
- ✗ Higher license fees than general zones (base ~AED 15K)
- ✗ Requires more capital for specialized lab facilities
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a software company set up in Dubai Science Park?
DSP is designed for biotech, pharma, healthcare, and science R&D — about 100 activities total. Software-only companies are better served by DIC, which is purpose-built for IT, AI, and digital services.
How do workspace costs compare between DIC and DSP?
DIC flexi desks start at AED 15,000/year. DSP flexi desks start at AED 3,000/year. Private offices diverge further: DIC ranges AED 40,000–75,000/year; DSP runs AED 5,000–10,000/year.
Which zone has a stronger networking ecosystem?
DIC, by a wide margin. It hosts 4,000+ companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta, and LinkedIn. DSP has 350+ companies — smaller but deeply specialised in biotech and healthcare R&D.
How many visas can I get at each zone?
DIC supports up to 6 visas (flexi desk: 2–3, private office: more based on size). DSP caps at 3 visas on standard packages. DIC gives more room for team growth.
Which is cheaper, DIC or DSP?
DSP is cheaper by AED 11,460 in Year 1. DSP starts from AED 18,540 while DIC starts from AED 30,000. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between DIC and DSP?
DIC is based in Dubai and is best for IT & Software Companies, Tech Startups, Digital Marketing Agencies. DSP is based in Dubai and is best for Biotechnology, Healthcare, R&D Startups. DIC starts from AED 30,000 while DSP starts from AED 18,540.
Which has easier banking, DIC or DSP?
Both DIC and DSP 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 DIC vs DSP?
DIC supports up to 6 visas, while DSP supports up to 3 visas. DIC offers more visa capacity.
Is DIC or DSP better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose DIC if you want it & software companies focus and a Dubai address. Choose DSP if you need biotechnology support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.