Free Zone Comparison
DCC vs IFZA
CommerCity charges AED 28,945 for purpose-built e-commerce infrastructure — customs-bonded warehousing, fulfilment centres, last-mile logistics. IFZA at AED 12,900 gives you a general license and flexibility. If you sell physical products, CommerCity earns its premium. If you sell digital, save the difference.
DCC
Dubai
AED 28,945
Year 1 from
IFZA
Dubai
AED 12,900
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
- ● Choose IFZA if cost is your priority — AED 16,045 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose DCC if you need more visas — up to 25
- ● Choose DCC for faster setup — 18 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Dubai CommerCity at AED 28,945 costs more than double IFZA's AED 12,900 — but they serve fundamentally different e-commerce models. CommerCity is the MENASA's first purpose-built e-commerce free zone with customs-bonded warehousing, temperature-controlled logistics, and last-mile fulfilment infrastructure. IFZA is a general-purpose Dubai license that covers e-commerce among 800+ activities but offers no physical logistics facilities.
If you sell physical products through Amazon FBA or direct-to-consumer channels, CommerCity's Logistics Cluster delivers infrastructure IFZA cannot replicate. If you sell digital products, SaaS subscriptions, or consulting services, IFZA's AED 12,900 license does everything CommerCity's AED 28,945 does at less than half the cost. Banking tilts toward IFZA's flexibility — two partners (Wio, Mashreq) versus CommerCity's single Emirates NBD relationship. CommerCity requires audit-compliant accounts; IFZA mandates tiered financial statements. Both offer Dubai addresses. For physical e-commerce with warehousing needs, CommerCity earns the premium. For everything digital, IFZA is the obvious choice.
DCC vs IFZA at a Glance
| Metric | DCC | IFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 28,945 | AED 12,900 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 28,945 | AED 12,900 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 3.8/5 | ★ 4.0/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 25 🏆 | 15 |
| Processing Time | 18 days 🏆 | 21 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2020 | 2018 |
| Companies | 200+ | 5,000+ |
Year 1 From
DCC
AED 28,945
IFZA
AED 12,900
Renewal From
DCC
AED 28,945
IFZA
AED 12,900
Rating
DCC
3.8/5
IFZA
4.0/5
Max Visas
DCC
25
IFZA
15
Processing
DCC
18 days
IFZA
21 days
Banking
DCC
Moderate
IFZA
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
DCC Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
Smart Desk (2 Visas)
Up to 2 visas · Smart Desk (7.5 sqm)
AED 28,945
Year 1
Renewal: AED 28,945/yr
Fitted Office (3 Visas)
Up to 3 visas · Fitted Office (25 sqm)
AED 72,645
Year 1
Renewal: AED 72,645/yr
Business Cluster Large Office (5+ Visas)
Up to 5 visas · Grade A Office (50+ sqm)
AED 97,145
Year 1
Renewal: AED 95,145/yr
Logistics Cluster Warehouse Package (5 Visas)
Up to 5 visas · Warehouse + Office
AED 119,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 98,000/yr
IFZA Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
Zero Visa Package
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,900
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,900/yr
1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 28,790
Year 1
Renewal: AED 24,400/yr
2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 36,380
Year 1
Renewal: AED 27,400/yr
3 Visa Package
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 43,970
Year 1
Renewal: AED 29,400/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | DCC | IFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose DCC if you...
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want online retail
- ✓ Want logistics
- ✓ Want digital services
- ✓ Want amazon sellers
Choose IFZA if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consulting
- ✓ Want digital nomads
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 16,045 less)
Pros & Cons
DCC
Pros
- ✓ Only dedicated e-commerce free zone in the MENASA region — purpose-built infrastructure for online businesses
- ✓ Strategic location 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport (DXB) for fast import/export
- ✓ Advanced warehousing and fulfillment infrastructure with 24/7 operations capability
- ✓ Solar-powered, sustainable campus with LEED certification aspirations
Cons
- ✗ Limited to e-commerce-aligned activities — not suitable for manufacturing, heavy industry, or unrelated services
- ✗ Newer zone (est. 2020) with still-developing company ecosystem and community
- ✗ Pricing not publicly transparent — requires direct inquiry for most packages
- ✗ Higher cost than general-purpose free zones for businesses that do not need the e-commerce infrastructure
IFZA
Pros
- ✓ Lowest all-in Dubai free zone option — Year 1 with 1 visa achievable under AED 25,000 through agents
- ✓ No physical office requirement — virtual/flexi desk options available
- ✓ Fast license issuance: 2–5 business days
- ✓ Up to 7 business activities per license (first 3 included free, extras AED 1,000 each)
Cons
- ✗ B2B-only model — must work through intermediary agents, direct pricing significantly inflated
- ✗ Relatively young (Dubai presence since 2020) with weaker brand recognition than DMCC
- ✗ Only ~5,000 companies — smaller networking ecosystem
- ✗ Limited crypto licensing (no exchange/custody activities)
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, DCC or IFZA?
IFZA is cheaper by AED 16,045 in Year 1. IFZA starts from AED 12,900 while DCC starts from AED 28,945. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between DCC and IFZA?
DCC is based in Dubai and is best for E-commerce, Online Retail, Logistics. IFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Startups, E-commerce. DCC starts from AED 28,945 while IFZA starts from AED 12,900.
Which has easier banking, DCC or IFZA?
Both DCC and IFZA 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 DCC vs IFZA?
DCC supports up to 25 visas, while IFZA supports up to 15 visas. DCC offers more visa capacity.
Is DCC or IFZA better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose DCC if you want e-commerce focus and a Dubai address. Choose IFZA if you need freelancers support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.