Free Zone Comparison
IFZA vs Meydan FZ
AED 12,900 versus AED 12,500 — a difference of AED 400 that barely matters. Both give you a Dubai license at the lowest price point. IFZA has a longer track record and faster processing. Meydan has lower renewal costs. Pick the detail that matters to you.
IFZA
Dubai
AED 12,900
Year 1 from
Meydan FZ
Dubai
AED 12,500
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
- ● Choose Meydan FZ if cost is your priority — AED 400 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose IFZA if you need more visas — up to 15
- ● Choose Meydan FZ for faster setup — 15 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
At AED 12,900 versus AED 12,500, the zero-visa difference is negligible. The real gap appears with visas: IFZA's 1-visa package totals AED 28,790; Meydan's hits AED 29,100. Nearly identical. Where they diverge is the ecosystem. IFZA has operated since 2018 with roughly 5,000 companies, while Meydan, established in 2009, claims around 1,000 registered entities. IFZA's agent-driven model often drops the effective price below the sticker.
Banking favours Meydan on paper — six formal partners (Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, HSBC, ADIB, Wio) versus IFZA's two (Wio Bank and Mashreq). But both rate 'Moderate' for banking difficulty. Meydan also offers a 60-minute Fawri licence at AED 15,000 and instalment payment plans across 3-12 months — features IFZA lacks. IFZA counters with faster visa processing through its established agent network and support for up to 15 visas versus Meydan's 6. If you plan to grow past 6 employees, IFZA is the only option.
IFZA vs Meydan FZ at a Glance
| Metric | IFZA | Meydan FZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,900 | AED 12,500 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,900 | AED 12,500 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 4.0/5 🏆 | ★ 3.7/5 |
| Max Visas | 15 🏆 | 6 |
| Processing Time | 21 days | 15 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2018 | 2009 |
| Companies | 5,000+ | 1,000+ |
Year 1 From
IFZA
AED 12,900
Meydan FZ
AED 12,500
Renewal From
IFZA
AED 12,900
Meydan FZ
AED 12,500
Rating
IFZA
4.0/5
Meydan FZ
3.7/5
Max Visas
IFZA
15
Meydan FZ
6
Processing
IFZA
21 days
Meydan FZ
15 days
Banking
IFZA
Moderate
Meydan FZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
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
Meydan FZ Packages
Dubai · 6 packages
Regular License (No Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,500/yr
Fawri License (60-Min Instant)
No visa · Virtual
AED 15,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 15,000/yr
1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 29,100
Year 1
Renewal: AED 23,350/yr
2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 38,600
Year 1
Renewal: AED 25,600/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | IFZA | Meydan FZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose IFZA if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consulting
- ✓ Want digital nomads
Choose Meydan FZ if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want consultants
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want side hustlers
- ✓ Want budget-conscious startups
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 400 less)
Pros & Cons
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)
Meydan FZ
Pros
- ✓ Competitive pricing — regular license from AED 12,500, comparable to IFZA
- ✓ Fawri (instant) License: 60-minute LLC setup at AED 15,000 with money-back guarantee
- ✓ 2,500+ business activities — widest range among budget free zones
- ✓ No physical office requirement — virtual/flexi desk options available
Cons
- ✗ Small ecosystem — only ~1,000 registered companies versus DMCC's 26,000
- ✗ 83,000+ 'members' figure is misleading — likely inflated with non-active registrations
- ✗ 'Guaranteed IBAN' marketing means guaranteed introduction, not guaranteed bank approval
- ✗ Banking more challenging than DMCC — some banks less familiar with Meydan
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, IFZA or Meydan FZ?
Meydan FZ is cheaper by AED 400 in Year 1. Meydan FZ 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 IFZA and Meydan FZ?
IFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Startups, E-commerce. Meydan FZ is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Consultants, E-commerce. IFZA starts from AED 12,900 while Meydan FZ starts from AED 12,500.
Which has easier banking, IFZA or Meydan FZ?
Both IFZA and Meydan FZ 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 IFZA vs Meydan FZ?
IFZA supports up to 15 visas, while Meydan FZ supports up to 6 visas. IFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is IFZA or Meydan FZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose IFZA if you want freelancers focus and a Dubai address. Choose Meydan FZ if you need freelancers support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.