Free Zone Comparison
KIZAD vs Dubai South
KIZAD at AED 9,450 versus Dubai South at AED 12,500 — both bundle a flexi desk into the price, and both target logistics and trading businesses. That's AED 3,050 saved with KIZAD, enough to cover your establishment card and then some. The trade-off: Dubai South puts 'Dubai' on your license and offers same-day processing. KIZAD puts you next to Khalifa Port.
KIZAD
Abu Dhabi
AED 9,450
Year 1 from
CheaperDubai South
Dubai
AED 12,500
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
Pick KIZAD for port logistics. Pick Dubai South for a Dubai license with speed.
- ● Choose KIZAD if cost is your priority — AED 3,050 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose Dubai South if you need more visas — up to 10
- ● Choose KIZAD for overall quality — rated 4.6/5
- ● Choose KIZAD for faster setup — 14 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
KIZAD partners with six banks — FAB, ADCB, Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, and Wio Business — giving you a broader network than Dubai South's three (Mashreq, Emirates NBD, Wio). Both sit at 'Moderate' banking difficulty, but KIZAD's Abu Dhabi bank relationships and longer track record mean more consistent onboarding for industrial and trading profiles. Dubai South's Beyond Hub platform provides banking introductions, and Mashreq NeoBiz can open accounts in 3-5 days — but traditional banks still take 2-4 weeks.
Setup speed is Dubai South's clear advantage. Same-day licensing versus KIZAD's under-24-hours — functionally similar, but Dubai South's fully digital Beyond Hub portal handles visas, banking, and compliance in one place. Both require audited financials. The share capital difference matters: KIZAD mandates AED 150,000 minimum (a real deposit). Dubai South states AED 300,000 nominal but requires no bank deposit. For a lean startup, that distinction directly affects your launch cash flow.
KIZAD vs Dubai South at a Glance
| Metric | KIZAD | Dubai South |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 9,450 🏆 | AED 12,500 |
| Renewal From | AED 9,450 🏆 | AED 12,500 |
| Rating | ★ 4.6/5 🏆 | ★ 3.6/5 |
| Max Visas | 4 | 10 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 14 days 🏆 | 15 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2012 | 2025 |
| Companies | 2,000+ | 4,200+ |
Year 1 From
KIZAD
AED 9,450
Dubai South
AED 12,500
Renewal From
KIZAD
AED 9,450
Dubai South
AED 12,500
Rating
KIZAD
4.6/5
Dubai South
3.6/5
Max Visas
KIZAD
4
Dubai South
10
Processing
KIZAD
14 days
Dubai South
15 days
Banking
KIZAD
Moderate
Dubai South
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
KIZAD Packages
Abu Dhabi · 4 packages
KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 9,450
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,450/yr
KIZAD Incubation Hub Flexi Desk Package (1 Visa)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 14,088
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,450/yr
KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (2 Visas)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 19,426
Year 1
Renewal: AED 11,150/yr
KIZAD Incubation Hub Package (4 Visas)
Up to 4 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 30,102
Year 1
Renewal: AED 14,550/yr
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
Feature Comparison
| Feature | KIZAD | Dubai South |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | 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 KIZAD if you...
- ✓ Want manufacturing & light industrial
- ✓ Want logistics & warehousing
- ✓ Want import/export & trading
- ✓ Want smes & startups (incubation hub)
- ✓ Want industrial service providers
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 3,050 less)
Choose Dubai South if you...
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want logistics
- ✓ Want trading
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want freelancers
Pros & Cons
KIZAD
Pros
- ✓ Published SME startup packages from AED 9,450 (1 visa) to AED 14,550 (4 visas) — among the most competitive in Abu Dhabi.
- ✓ Packages bundle the license and workspace (shared workstation or dedicated office) into one price — no separate desk fee.
- ✓ License issued in under 24 hours after approvals, per the official brochure.
- ✓ Optional dual licence from Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development enables a mainland activity pathway.
Cons
- ✗ Location is industrial and car-dependent — not ideal for consumer-facing or retail businesses seeking central-city footfall.
- ✗ Activity scope is strongest for industrial, logistics, and trade-aligned sectors; general consultancy firms may find more flexibility in Dubai or Sharjah free zones.
- ✗ Some tariff line items show zero zone service fees but exclude federal immigration, medical, and Emirates ID costs — budget the real government charges separately.
- ✗ Abu Dhabi health insurance (Daman Basic Plan) can be materially higher than Dubai's EBP, with significant age-band pricing.
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
Still not sure?
Try our calculator to find the cheapest free zone for your specific requirements, or get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both KIZAD and Dubai South include a flexi desk in the price?
Yes. KIZAD's AED 9,450 package bundles a shared workstation per the official brochure. Dubai South's AED 12,500 package includes a flexi desk and registered Dubai address. Neither charges a separate desk fee at the entry tier.
Which zone has better mainland access — KIZAD or Dubai South?
Both offer mainland pathways. KIZAD provides an optional dual licence through Abu Dhabi DED. Dubai South benefits from Resolution No. 11 of 2025 for mainland branch access at AED 5,000 and its DWC-LLC license allows broad commercial scope.
What is the real share capital difference?
KIZAD requires AED 150,000 minimum for FZ-LLC — a real cash deposit. Dubai South states AED 300,000 nominal but no bank deposit is required. KIZAD's requirement ties up actual working capital; Dubai South's is declared on paper only.
Which is cheaper, KIZAD or Dubai South?
KIZAD is cheaper by AED 3,050 in Year 1. KIZAD starts from AED 9,450 while Dubai South starts from AED 12,500. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between KIZAD and Dubai South?
KIZAD is based in Abu Dhabi and is best for Manufacturing & Light Industrial, Logistics & Warehousing, Import/Export & Trading. Dubai South is based in Dubai and is best for E-commerce, Logistics, Trading. KIZAD starts from AED 9,450 while Dubai South starts from AED 12,500.
Which has easier banking, KIZAD or Dubai South?
Both KIZAD and Dubai South 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 KIZAD vs Dubai South?
KIZAD supports up to 4 visas, while Dubai South supports up to 10 visas. Dubai South offers more visa capacity.
Is KIZAD or Dubai South better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose KIZAD if you want manufacturing & light industrial focus and lower costs. Choose Dubai South if you need e-commerce support and a Dubai address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.