Free Zone Comparison
KIZAD vs RAKEZ
AED 9,450 versus AED 6,000 — a gap of AED 3,450 that buys you Khalifa Port adjacency and Abu Dhabi's industrial infrastructure. KIZAD bundles workspace into every package and issues licenses in under 24 hours. RAKEZ counters with 3,000+ activities, dual licensing, and 5-day visa processing. The trade-off: KIZAD's AED 150,000 minimum share capital is 15 times RAKEZ's AED 10,000 requirement.
KIZAD
Abu Dhabi
AED 9,450
Year 1 from
RAKEZ
RAK
AED 6,000
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
Pick KIZAD for port-adjacent manufacturing. Pick RAKEZ for everything else.
- ● Choose RAKEZ if cost is your priority — AED 3,450 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose RAKEZ for faster setup — 5 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
The sticker prices don't tell the full story. KIZAD's AED 9,450 bundles a flexi desk into the package — no separate desk fee. RAKEZ's AED 6,000 also includes coworking membership. But KIZAD's stated share capital minimum of AED 150,000 for FZ-LLC is a paper barrier that RAKEZ's AED 10,000 minimum doesn't impose. Both zones mandate annual audits, so the ongoing compliance burden is similar — budget AED 3,000-10,000 at either.
Ecosystem is where the real gap lives. KIZAD sits next to Khalifa Port with Metal Park, cold-chain logistics, and industrial land plots that manufacturers can't replicate from Ras Al Khaimah. RAKEZ compensates with sheer flexibility — 3,000+ activities, dual licensing for mainland RAK operations, and 40,000+ active companies creating a broader SME community. For a trading company that doesn't need port infrastructure, RAKEZ saves AED 3,450 annually and offers more operational freedom. For manufacturers who ship through Abu Dhabi, KIZAD's port ecosystem earns every dirham of the premium.
KIZAD vs RAKEZ at a Glance
| Metric | KIZAD | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | RAK |
| Year 1 From | AED 9,450 | AED 6,000 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 9,450 | AED 6,000 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 4.6/5 🏆 | ★ 4.4/5 |
| Max Visas | 4 | 4 |
| Processing Time | 14 days | 5 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2012 | 2017 |
| Companies | 2,000+ | 40,000+ |
Year 1 From
KIZAD
AED 9,450
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Renewal From
KIZAD
AED 9,450
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Rating
KIZAD
4.6/5
RAKEZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
KIZAD
4
RAKEZ
4
Processing
KIZAD
14 days
RAKEZ
5 days
Banking
KIZAD
Moderate
RAKEZ
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
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 | KIZAD | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| 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
Choose RAKEZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consultancies
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 3,450 less)
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.
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
What's the share capital difference between KIZAD and RAKEZ?
KIZAD requires AED 150,000 minimum for FZ-LLC companies (higher for regulated activities). RAKEZ requires just AED 10,000 (AED 1,000 per share). Neither requires a bank deposit of the full amount, but the stated figure affects your MOA documentation.
Which zone processes visas faster — KIZAD or RAKEZ?
RAKEZ processes employment visas in 5 business days. KIZAD's end-to-end timeline for SMEs is 1-3 weeks including license, establishment card, and visa. KIZAD issues licenses within 24 hours; RAKEZ's Biz Starter offers 24-hour setup. RAKEZ's visa pipeline is faster overall.
Can I do general trading with both KIZAD and RAKEZ?
Both support trading activities, but RAKEZ offers 3,000+ activities across 50+ sectors with a dedicated general trading category. KIZAD's strength is industrial, logistics, and manufacturing — general trading is available but the zone isn't optimised for it.
Which zone has better industrial infrastructure — KIZAD or RAKEZ?
KIZAD. It sits adjacent to Khalifa Port with Metal Park, cold-chain logistics, warehousing, and industrial land plots. RAKEZ offers warehouse and industrial facilities in Al Ghail and Al Hulaila, but lacks direct deep-water port access. For heavy manufacturing, KIZAD is the stronger pick.
Which is cheaper, KIZAD or RAKEZ?
RAKEZ is cheaper by AED 3,450 in Year 1. RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000 while KIZAD starts from AED 9,450. 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 RAKEZ?
KIZAD is based in Abu Dhabi and is best for Manufacturing & Light Industrial, Logistics & Warehousing, Import/Export & Trading. RAKEZ is based in RAK and is best for Startups, SMEs, Manufacturing. KIZAD starts from AED 9,450 while RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000.
Which has easier banking, KIZAD or RAKEZ?
Both KIZAD 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 KIZAD vs RAKEZ?
KIZAD supports up to 4 visas, while RAKEZ supports up to 4 visas. Both offer the same maximum visa quota.
Is KIZAD or RAKEZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose KIZAD if you want manufacturing & light industrial focus and a Abu Dhabi address. Choose RAKEZ if you need startups support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.