Free Zone Comparison
Meydan FZ vs AFZ
Ajman Free Zone at AED 5,555 costs less than half of Meydan's AED 12,500. You lose the Dubai address — but you gain 38 years of banking relationships and lower renewal costs. For many businesses, that's the smarter trade.
Meydan FZ
Dubai
AED 12,500
Year 1 from
AFZ
Ajman
AED 5,555
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
- ● Choose AFZ if cost is your priority — AED 6,945 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose AFZ if you need more visas — up to 8
- ● Choose AFZ for overall quality — rated 4.1/5
- ● Choose AFZ for faster setup — 4 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Ajman Free Zone at AED 5,555 is less than half of Meydan's AED 12,500 — a AED 6,945 gap that buys a Dubai address. With one visa, the gap holds: Ajman totals AED 13,451 versus Meydan's AED 29,100. That's AED 15,649 saved — enough to fund an entire second employee's visa and insurance with Ajman.
Ajman processes visas in 4 days versus Meydan's 10-20 working days. Ajman covers 3,500+ activities versus Meydan's 2,500+. Ajman doesn't require annual audits; Meydan does. Ajman has 25,000 companies and a 38-year track record; Meydan has 1,000 companies since 2009. Where Meydan fights back: it offers a Dubai trade license, a 60-minute Fawri licence at AED 15,000, instalment payment plans, and mainland trading access. Meydan also lists six banking partners versus Ajman's five. For businesses where a Dubai address drives client confidence and revenue, Meydan's premium may pay for itself. For budget founders who care about cost and speed above all else, Ajman is the smarter financial decision.
Meydan FZ vs AFZ at a Glance
| Metric | Meydan FZ | AFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Ajman |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,500 | AED 5,555 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,500 | AED 5,555 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 3.7/5 | ★ 4.1/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 6 | 8 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 15 days | 4 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2009 | 1988 |
| Companies | 1,000+ | 25,000+ |
Year 1 From
Meydan FZ
AED 12,500
AFZ
AED 5,555
Renewal From
Meydan FZ
AED 12,500
AFZ
AED 5,555
Rating
Meydan FZ
3.7/5
AFZ
4.1/5
Max Visas
Meydan FZ
6
AFZ
8
Processing
Meydan FZ
15 days
AFZ
4 days
Banking
Meydan FZ
Moderate
AFZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
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
AFZ Packages
Ajman · 4 packages
Kickstarter (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,555
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,555/yr
1 Visa Package (Trading/Service)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 13,451
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,851/yr
2 Visa Package (Trading/Service)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 21,852
Year 1
Renewal: AED 14,652/yr
Physical Office Package (3 Visas)
Up to 3 visas · Private Office
AED 30,710
Year 1
Renewal: AED 19,910/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Meydan FZ | AFZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Not Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Meydan FZ if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want consultants
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want side hustlers
- ✓ Want budget-conscious startups
Choose AFZ if you...
- ✓ Want budget startups
- ✓ Want trading
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want warehousing
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 6,945 less)
Pros & Cons
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
AFZ
Pros
- ✓ Among the UAE's cheapest free zone options — 0-visa starter licenses from AED 5,555
- ✓ Huge activity catalog with over 3,500 business activities
- ✓ Digital-first: fully digitized setup and customer portal
- ✓ All-inclusive packages covering license, lease, establishment card, visa, medical, and Emirates ID
Cons
- ✗ Visa quotas depend on business package and facility — cheapest options limit hiring flexibility
- ✗ Refundable deposits can affect cash flow: AED 20,000 office guarantee and AED 3,000 per person in some cases
- ✗ Medical reports accepted only from Al Hamidiya Health Center in Ajman
- ✗ Bank accounts facilitated but not guaranteed — standard vetting and compliance checks apply
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, Meydan FZ or AFZ?
AFZ is cheaper by AED 6,945 in Year 1. AFZ starts from AED 5,555 while Meydan FZ 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 Meydan FZ and AFZ?
Meydan FZ is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Consultants, E-commerce. AFZ is based in Ajman and is best for Budget Startups, Trading, E-commerce. Meydan FZ starts from AED 12,500 while AFZ starts from AED 5,555.
Which has easier banking, Meydan FZ or AFZ?
Both Meydan FZ and AFZ 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 Meydan FZ vs AFZ?
Meydan FZ supports up to 6 visas, while AFZ supports up to 8 visas. AFZ offers more visa capacity.
Is Meydan FZ or AFZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose Meydan FZ if you want freelancers focus and a Dubai address. Choose AFZ if you need budget startups support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.