Free Zone Comparison
Meydan FZ vs RAKEZ
If your clients care about a Dubai address, Meydan at AED 12,500 is the cheapest way to get one. If they don't, RAKEZ at AED 6,000 with dual licensing gives you more for less. That's the only question that matters here.
Meydan FZ
Dubai
AED 12,500
Year 1 from
RAKEZ
RAK
AED 6,000
Year 1 from
CheaperQuick Verdict
- ● Choose RAKEZ if cost is your priority — AED 6,500 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose Meydan FZ if you need more visas — up to 6
- ● Choose RAKEZ for overall quality — rated 4.4/5
- ● Choose RAKEZ for faster setup — 5 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Meydan's AED 12,500 is more than double RAKEZ's AED 6,000 — and the gap widens with visas. Meydan's 1-visa package totals AED 29,100; RAKEZ's is AED 14,320. That's AED 14,780 saved — more than RAKEZ's entire 1-visa cost. The premium buys one thing: a Dubai trade license instead of a Ras Al Khaimah one.
RAKEZ processes visas in 5 business days versus Meydan's 10-20. RAKEZ offers dual licensing for mainland RAK operations; Meydan offers mainland trading through its Dubai DED partnership. RAKEZ covers 3,000+ activities versus Meydan's 2,500+. Both mandate annual audits. RAKEZ has 40,000 companies — 40 times Meydan's approximately 1,000. Banking is comparable: RAKEZ has six partners; Meydan has six. Both rate 'Moderate.' Meydan's advantages: Dubai address, instalment payment plans, and a 60-minute Fawri licence. For founders whose clients never check their free zone address, RAKEZ delivers substantially more value per dirham.
Meydan FZ vs RAKEZ at a Glance
| Metric | Meydan FZ | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | RAK |
| Year 1 From | AED 12,500 | AED 6,000 🏆 |
| Renewal From | AED 12,500 | AED 6,000 🏆 |
| Rating | ★ 3.7/5 | ★ 4.4/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 6 🏆 | 4 |
| Processing Time | 15 days | 5 days 🏆 |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2009 | 2017 |
| Companies | 1,000+ | 40,000+ |
Year 1 From
Meydan FZ
AED 12,500
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Renewal From
Meydan FZ
AED 12,500
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Rating
Meydan FZ
3.7/5
RAKEZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
Meydan FZ
6
RAKEZ
4
Processing
Meydan FZ
15 days
RAKEZ
5 days
Banking
Meydan FZ
Moderate
RAKEZ
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
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 | Meydan FZ | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| 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 RAKEZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consultancies
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 6,500 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
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
Which is cheaper, Meydan FZ or RAKEZ?
RAKEZ is cheaper by AED 6,500 in Year 1. RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000 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 RAKEZ?
Meydan FZ is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Consultants, E-commerce. RAKEZ is based in RAK and is best for Startups, SMEs, Manufacturing. Meydan FZ starts from AED 12,500 while RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000.
Which has easier banking, Meydan FZ or RAKEZ?
Both Meydan FZ 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 Meydan FZ vs RAKEZ?
Meydan FZ supports up to 6 visas, while RAKEZ supports up to 4 visas. Meydan FZ offers more visa capacity.
Is Meydan FZ or RAKEZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose Meydan FZ if you want freelancers focus and a Dubai address. Choose RAKEZ if you need startups support and lower costs. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.