Free Zone Comparison
Dubai South vs IFZA
AED 12,500 versus AED 12,900 — nearly identical pricing for two Dubai free zones with nothing else in common. Dubai South launched its digital-first platform in September 2025 and offers same-day licensing near Al Maktoum Airport. IFZA has an established agent ecosystem that often drops the real cost below AED 12,000. The trade-off: Dubai South's banking relationships are still maturing.
Dubai South
Dubai
AED 12,500
Year 1 from
CheaperIFZA
Dubai
AED 12,900
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
Pick IFZA unless you need Dubai South's airport and logistics infrastructure.
- ● Choose Dubai South if cost is your priority — AED 400 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose IFZA if you need more visas — up to 15
- ● Choose IFZA for overall quality — rated 4.0/5
- ● Choose Dubai South for faster setup — 15 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
IFZA's B2B agent model is the hidden advantage here. Through Professional Partners, your actual Year 1 cost often lands at AED 10,000-12,000 — potentially cheaper than Dubai South's AED 12,500 sticker price. Dubai South counters with same-day licensing and a Beyond Hub portal that bundles visas, banking, and compliance in one place. For speed of incorporation, Dubai South wins. For total cost through agents, IFZA edges ahead.
Banking is where the maturity gap shows. IFZA's partnerships with Wio Bank and Mashreq are tested across thousands of tenants. Dubai South's banking introductions through its Beyond Hub are newer — Mashreq NeoBiz processes fast at 3-5 days, but the broader banking landscape for DSBH tenants hasn't had time to develop. If your business needs a reliable corporate account from day one, IFZA's track record carries real weight. On the flip side, Dubai South sits next to Al Maktoum Airport and Jebel Ali Port — for physical goods businesses, that location advantage is hard to replicate.
Dubai South vs IFZA at a Glance
| Metric | Dubai South | IFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,500 🏆 | AED 12,900 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,500 🏆 | AED 12,900 |
| Rating | ★ 3.6/5 | ★ 4.0/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 10 | 15 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 15 days 🏆 | 21 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2025 | 2018 |
| Companies | 4,200+ | 5,000+ |
Year 1 From
Dubai South
AED 12,500
IFZA
AED 12,900
Renewal From
Dubai South
AED 12,500
IFZA
AED 12,900
Rating
Dubai South
3.6/5
IFZA
4.0/5
Max Visas
Dubai South
10
IFZA
15
Processing
Dubai South
15 days
IFZA
21 days
Banking
Dubai South
Moderate
IFZA
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
Dubai South Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
Starter License (No Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,500/yr
1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 19,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 16,500/yr
2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 25,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 20,500/yr
3 Visa Package
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 37,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 27,000/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 | Dubai South | IFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Dubai South if you...
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want logistics
- ✓ Want trading
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 400 less)
Choose IFZA if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consulting
- ✓ Want digital nomads
Pros & Cons
Dubai South
Pros
- ✓ Competitive entry pricing — license from AED 12,500 including flexi desk and registered Dubai address
- ✓ Same-day licensing for eligible applications via fully digital Beyond Hub portal
- ✓ Strategic location near Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port
- ✓ No physical office required — flexi desk included with every license
Cons
- ✗ Very new platform (September 2025 launch) — limited track record and community ecosystem
- ✗ AED 300,000 minimum share capital stated for FZCO, though no bank deposit required
- ✗ Banking relationships still developing — fewer dedicated partnerships than DMCC or IFZA
- ✗ Limited international brand recognition compared to established free zones
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
Is Dubai South or IFZA faster for company setup?
Dubai South offers same-day licensing through its Beyond Hub portal. IFZA issues licenses in 2-5 business days. For the license itself, Dubai South is faster. Full setup including visas takes 2-3 weeks at Dubai South and 3-4 weeks at IFZA.
What's the share capital requirement at Dubai South vs IFZA?
Dubai South states AED 300,000 nominal share capital for FZCO companies, but no bank deposit is required — it's a paper figure only. IFZA has no minimum share capital requirement at all.
Which zone is better for e-commerce — Dubai South or IFZA?
For e-commerce with physical inventory, Dubai South's proximity to Al Maktoum Airport and Jebel Ali Port gives it a logistics edge. For digital e-commerce without warehousing, IFZA's lower effective cost through agents and fully remote setup is more practical.
How do renewal costs compare between Dubai South and IFZA?
Dubai South renews at AED 12,500 for a zero-visa license. IFZA renews at AED 12,900 — but through agents, renewals track lower. Both zones require annual audits, adding AED 3,000-10,000 depending on company size.
Which is cheaper, Dubai South or IFZA?
Dubai South is cheaper by AED 400 in Year 1. Dubai South starts from AED 12,500 while IFZA starts from AED 12,900. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between Dubai South and IFZA?
Dubai South is based in Dubai and is best for E-commerce, Logistics, Trading. IFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Startups, E-commerce. Dubai South starts from AED 12,500 while IFZA starts from AED 12,900.
Which has easier banking, Dubai South or IFZA?
Both Dubai South 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 Dubai South vs IFZA?
Dubai South supports up to 10 visas, while IFZA supports up to 15 visas. IFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is Dubai South or IFZA better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose Dubai South if you want e-commerce focus and lower costs. Choose IFZA if you need freelancers support and a Dubai address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.