Free Zone Comparison
FFZA vs RAKEZ
RAKEZ at AED 6,000 costs less than a third of Fujairah Free Zone's AED 21,500. But Fujairah offers port access, oil storage facilities and a strategic location outside the Strait of Hormuz. If you're in oil, gas or heavy maritime trade, Fujairah earns the premium. Otherwise, RAKEZ wins.
FFZA
Fujairah
AED 21,500
Year 1 from
RAKEZ
RAK
AED 6,000
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
- ● Choose RAKEZ if cost is your priority — AED 15,500 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose FFZA if you need more visas — up to 10
- ● Choose RAKEZ for overall quality — rated 4.4/5
- ● Choose RAKEZ for faster setup — 5 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
RAKEZ at AED 6,000 costs less than a third of Fujairah Free Zone's AED 21,500 entry. With one visa, RAKEZ totals AED 14,320; Fujairah's flexi desk plus visa runs AED 37,349. That's AED 23,029 saved — enough to cover four additional RAKEZ visas with change left over. RAKEZ processes visas in 5 business days; Fujairah takes 10. RAKEZ also skips the mandatory office requirement for its base package.
Fujairah's value proposition is geography. Its port sits on the Indian Ocean coast outside the Strait of Hormuz — strategic for trade routes to East Africa, India, and the Indian Subcontinent that don't pass through the Persian Gulf. FFZA's 2,000 companies include oil storage operators, maritime firms, and heavy-industry tenants that need this specific location. RAKEZ sits in Ras Al Khaimah with no direct seaport access. RAKEZ also mandates annual audits; Fujairah requires audits from Year 2. For oil, gas, or maritime operations on the Indian Ocean, Fujairah is worth the premium. For everything else, RAKEZ's pricing is hard to beat.
FFZA vs RAKEZ at a Glance
| Metric | FFZA | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Fujairah | RAK |
| Year 1 From | AED 21,500 | AED 6,000 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 16,200 | AED 6,000 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 3.7/5 | ★ 4.4/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 10 🏆 | 4 |
| Processing Time | 10 days | 5 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 1987 | 2017 |
| Companies | 2,000+ | 40,000+ |
Year 1 From
FFZA
AED 21,500
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Renewal From
FFZA
AED 16,200
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Rating
FFZA
3.7/5
RAKEZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
FFZA
10
RAKEZ
4
Processing
FFZA
10 days
RAKEZ
5 days
Banking
FFZA
Moderate
RAKEZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
FFZA Packages
Fujairah · 4 packages
Virtual Office — No Visa
No visa · Virtual
AED 21,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 16,200/yr
Flexi Desk — 1 Visa
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 37,349
Year 1
Flexi Desk — 2 Visas (Modeled)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 44,993
Year 1
Warehouse License — 100 sqm + 4 Visas
Up to 4 visas · Warehouse
AED 115,101
Year 1
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 | FFZA | 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 FFZA if you...
- ✓ Want logistics & supply chain
- ✓ Want industrial & manufacturing
- ✓ Want maritime & port-linked businesses
- ✓ Want oil & gas services
- ✓ Want import/export trading
Choose RAKEZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consultancies
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 15,500 less)
Pros & Cons
FFZA
Pros
- ✓ Published facility rents improve budgeting: Virtual Office from AED 12,000/year, Flexi Desk from AED 18,000/year
- ✓ Warehouse leasing from AED 230/sqm/year — competitive for industrial operators
- ✓ Strategic east-coast position near Port of Fujairah with Indian Ocean access for trade/logistics
- ✓ Fast licensing: FFZA markets license issuance within ~1 hour after documentation and payment
Cons
- ✗ Commonly quoted AED 21,500 starter often includes refundable deposits (~AED 5,000) affecting cash flow
- ✗ Visa onboarding includes multiple cost layers: FFZA fee + e-channel + medical + Emirates ID + insurance
- ✗ Renewals occur in January regardless of incorporation date — can create proration issues
- ✗ Distance from Dubai/Abu Dhabi adds operational friction for teams needing frequent in-person meetings
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, FFZA or RAKEZ?
RAKEZ is cheaper by AED 15,500 in Year 1. RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000 while FFZA starts from AED 21,500. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between FFZA and RAKEZ?
FFZA is based in Fujairah and is best for Logistics & Supply Chain, Industrial & Manufacturing, Maritime & Port-Linked Businesses. RAKEZ is based in RAK and is best for Startups, SMEs, Manufacturing. FFZA starts from AED 21,500 while RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000.
Which has easier banking, FFZA or RAKEZ?
Both FFZA 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 FFZA vs RAKEZ?
FFZA supports up to 10 visas, while RAKEZ supports up to 4 visas. FFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is FFZA or RAKEZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose FFZA if you want logistics & supply chain focus and a Fujairah address. Choose RAKEZ if you need startups support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.