Free Zone Comparison
Dubai South vs JAFZA
Dubai South at AED 12,500 costs less than a third of JAFZA's AED 40,211. Both sit near Al Maktoum Airport with logistics infrastructure — but JAFZA's 40-year port network is unmatched. If you ship containers through Jebel Ali, pay the premium. If you don't, keep the difference.
Dubai South
Dubai
AED 12,500
Year 1 from
CheaperJAFZA
Dubai
AED 40,211
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
- ● Choose Dubai South if cost is your priority — AED 27,711 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose JAFZA if easy banking matters — rated "Easy"
- ● Choose JAFZA if you need more visas — up to 50
- ● Choose JAFZA 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
Dubai South's AED 12,500 entry costs less than a third of JAFZA's AED 40,211 — yet both target logistics and trading businesses near Dubai's southern corridor. Dubai South sits adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport; JAFZA sits on Jebel Ali Port. For air-cargo businesses, Dubai South's proximity to the expanding airport makes sense. For container shipping, JAFZA's 40-year port network is unmatched anywhere in the region.
Banking separates them decisively. JAFZA rates 'Easy' with six partners — banks actively seek JAFZA licensees. Dubai South rates 'Moderate' with three partners and a platform that launched in September 2025. JAFZA scales to 50 visas with warehouse operations; Dubai South maxes at 10. JAFZA also requires physical office space and charges accordingly, while Dubai South bundles a flexi desk into its base price. For a lean trading startup under 10 employees, Dubai South saves AED 27,711 and delivers a Dubai address with same-day licensing. For operations that require Jebel Ali Port access and large teams, JAFZA remains the only serious choice.
Dubai South vs JAFZA at a Glance
| Metric | Dubai South | JAFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,500 🏆 | AED 40,211 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,500 🏆 | AED 32,910 |
| Rating | ★ 3.6/5 | ★ 4.0/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 10 | 50 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 15 days 🏆 | 21 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Easy 🏆 |
| Established | 2025 | 1985 |
| Companies | 4,200+ | 11,000+ |
Year 1 From
Dubai South
AED 12,500
JAFZA
AED 40,211
Renewal From
Dubai South
AED 12,500
JAFZA
AED 32,910
Rating
Dubai South
3.6/5
JAFZA
4.0/5
Max Visas
Dubai South
10
JAFZA
50
Processing
Dubai South
15 days
JAFZA
21 days
Banking
Dubai South
Moderate
JAFZA
Easy
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
JAFZA Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
Trading License + Flexi Desk
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 40,211
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,910/yr
Service License + Flexi Desk
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 40,211
Year 1
Renewal: AED 32,910/yr
General Trading License + Flexi Desk
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 49,329
Year 1
Renewal: AED 39,710/yr
General Trading + Showroom/Office
Up to 5 visas · Private Office
AED 102,565
Year 1
Renewal: AED 79,910/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Dubai South | JAFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | 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 Dubai South if you...
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want logistics
- ✓ Want trading
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 27,711 less)
Choose JAFZA if you...
- ✓ Want trading & import/export
- ✓ Want logistics & warehousing
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want industrial
- ✓ Want large enterprises
- ✓ Need easy corporate banking
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
JAFZA
Pros
- ✓ UAE's first and most established free zone — nearly 40 years of track record with 10,000+ companies
- ✓ Direct access to Jebel Ali Port, the Middle East's largest container port, for seamless import/export
- ✓ Strong banking credibility — well-known to all major UAE banks with typical account opening in 2-4 weeks
- ✓ Wide range of facility types: flexi desks, offices, warehouses, land plots, and light industrial units
Cons
- ✗ Higher Year 1 costs than budget free zones — minimum AED 30,000+ for a basic trading license with 1 visa
- ✗ Physical office or facility mandatory — no virtual office option available
- ✗ Jebel Ali location is 35 km from central Dubai — inconvenient for client-facing service businesses
- ✗ Setup process slower than newer free zones — 2-4 weeks typical for license issuance
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, Dubai South or JAFZA?
Dubai South is cheaper by AED 27,711 in Year 1. Dubai South starts from AED 12,500 while JAFZA starts from AED 40,211. 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 JAFZA?
Dubai South is based in Dubai and is best for E-commerce, Logistics, Trading. JAFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Trading & Import/Export, Logistics & Warehousing, Manufacturing. Dubai South starts from AED 12,500 while JAFZA starts from AED 40,211.
Which has easier banking, Dubai South or JAFZA?
JAFZA has easier banking (rated "Easy"). Dubai South is rated "Moderate". Banking difficulty affects how easily you can open a UAE corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with Dubai South vs JAFZA?
Dubai South supports up to 10 visas, while JAFZA supports up to 50 visas. JAFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is Dubai South or JAFZA better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose Dubai South if you want e-commerce focus and lower costs. Choose JAFZA if you need trading & import/export support and a Dubai address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.