Free Zone Comparison
Meydan FZ vs Dubai South
AED 12,500 versus AED 12,500 — identical sticker pricing for two Dubai free zones built in different decades. Meydan launched in 2009 and now offers a 60-minute Fawri licence. Dubai South launched in September 2025 with same-day licensing near Al Maktoum Airport. The trade-off: Meydan has 6 formal banking partners; Dubai South has 3 — and for a platform barely six months old, that banking gap is the one number that should worry you.
Meydan FZ
Dubai
AED 12,500
Year 1 from
CheaperDubai South
Dubai
AED 12,500
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
Pick Meydan for banking options. Pick Dubai South for airport logistics.
- ● Choose Dubai South if cost is your priority — AED 0 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose Dubai South if you need more visas — up to 10
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
The headline pricing is identical, but the 1-visa packages tell a different story. Meydan's 1-visa total hits AED 29,100 — Dubai South's is AED 19,000. That's AED 10,100 cheaper at Dubai South, largely because its flexi desk is bundled into the licence while Meydan charges AED 5,500 separately. Both require annual audits and offer instalment payment plans. If you're comparing zero-visa entry only, it's a draw. Once you add a visa, Dubai South pulls ahead on pure cost.
Where Meydan fights back is ecosystem maturity. Six formal banking partners — Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, HSBC, ADIB, and Wio — versus Dubai South's three (Mashreq, Emirates NBD, Wio). Meydan also offers 2,500+ activities and the Fawri 60-minute licence for AED 15,000. Dubai South covers 3,500+ activities and delivers same-day licensing at AED 12,500 — but its processes are still bedding in after a September 2025 launch. Consultants recommend Meydan for founders who need reliable banking from day one and Dubai South for logistics businesses that benefit from Al Maktoum Airport and Jebel Ali Port proximity.
Meydan FZ vs Dubai South at a Glance
| Metric | Meydan FZ | Dubai South |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,500 | AED 12,500 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,500 | AED 12,500 |
| Rating | ★ 3.7/5 🏆 | ★ 3.6/5 |
| Max Visas | 6 | 10 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 15 days | 15 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2009 | 2025 |
| Companies | 1,000+ | 4,200+ |
Year 1 From
Meydan FZ
AED 12,500
Dubai South
AED 12,500
Renewal From
Meydan FZ
AED 12,500
Dubai South
AED 12,500
Rating
Meydan FZ
3.7/5
Dubai South
3.6/5
Max Visas
Meydan FZ
6
Dubai South
10
Processing
Meydan FZ
15 days
Dubai South
15 days
Banking
Meydan FZ
Moderate
Dubai South
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
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 | Meydan FZ | Dubai South |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| 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 | 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 Dubai South if you...
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want logistics
- ✓ Want trading
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want freelancers
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
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
How do the 1-visa packages compare at Meydan vs Dubai South?
Dubai South's 1-visa package totals AED 19,000 in Year 1 — AED 10,100 cheaper than Meydan's AED 29,100. The gap comes from Meydan's separate AED 5,500 flexi desk charge, higher licence fee (AED 14,350 vs AED 12,500), an AED 2,250 medical/EID assistance fee not in Dubai South's package, and slightly higher insurance (AED 1,500 vs AED 1,000).
Which zone has more banking partners — Meydan or Dubai South?
Meydan lists 6 formal partners: Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, HSBC, ADIB, and Wio. Dubai South has 3: Mashreq, Emirates NBD, and Wio. Both rate 'Moderate' for banking difficulty, but Meydan's broader network gives you more fallback options.
Can I get an instant licence at Meydan or Dubai South?
Yes at both. Meydan's Fawri licence delivers a 60-minute LLC setup for AED 15,000 with a money-back guarantee. Dubai South offers same-day licensing at AED 12,500 through its Beyond Hub portal. For speed, both are among the fastest in Dubai.
What's the share capital requirement at Meydan vs Dubai South?
Dubai South states AED 300,000 nominal share capital for FZCO companies — but no bank deposit is required. Meydan's share capital is disputed, ranging from AED 0 to AED 100,000 nominal depending on the package. Neither zone requires a mandatory cash deposit like DMCC's AED 50,000.
Which is cheaper, Meydan FZ or Dubai South?
Dubai South is cheaper by AED 0 in Year 1. Dubai South starts from AED 12,500 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 Dubai South?
Meydan FZ is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Consultants, E-commerce. Dubai South is based in Dubai and is best for E-commerce, Logistics, Trading. Meydan FZ starts from AED 12,500 while Dubai South starts from AED 12,500.
Which has easier banking, Meydan FZ or Dubai South?
Both Meydan FZ 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 Meydan FZ vs Dubai South?
Meydan FZ supports up to 6 visas, while Dubai South supports up to 10 visas. Dubai South offers more visa capacity.
Is Meydan FZ or Dubai South better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose Meydan FZ if you want freelancers focus and a Dubai address. 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.