Free Zone Comparison
RAKEZ vs DMCC
RAKEZ starts at AED 6,000. DMCC starts at AED 27,049. That's a fourfold gap — the biggest in UAE free zones. DMCC's JLT address and trading network earn the premium for commodities firms. For everyone else, RAKEZ delivers a solid license at a fraction of the cost.
RAKEZ
RAK
AED 6,000
Year 1 from
CheaperDMCC
Dubai
AED 27,049
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
- ● Choose RAKEZ if cost is your priority — AED 21,049 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose DMCC if easy banking matters — rated "Easy"
- ● Choose DMCC if you need more visas — up to 20
- ● Choose RAKEZ for faster setup — 5 days processing
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
The fourfold price gap — AED 6,000 versus AED 27,049 — is the largest in UAE free zones, and it reflects two entirely different value propositions. RAKEZ delivers a license with minimal overhead: no physical office required, 5-day visa processing, and dual licensing for mainland RAK operations. DMCC demands premium investment: mandatory flexi desk from AED 16,000, AED 50,000 share capital deposit, and 21-day visa processing. The ongoing cost compounds — RAKEZ's 1-visa package renews at AED 14,320; DMCC's Jump Start renews at AED 42,070.
DMCC justifies this through ecosystem and banking. Its 'Easy' banking rating with seven partners means corporate account opening in 2-4 weeks with minimal friction. RAKEZ's 'Moderate' rating and RAK address can trigger extra documentation requests at some banks. DMCC's 26,000-company community and dedicated centres for crypto, gaming, and AI create partnership density that RAKEZ's 40,000 SMEs — while larger in number — cannot match in specialisation. For a commodities trader or crypto firm, DMCC is the only serious option. For everyone else, RAKEZ delivers a functional license at 22% of the cost.
RAKEZ vs DMCC at a Glance
| Metric | RAKEZ | DMCC |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | RAK | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 6,000 🏆 | AED 27,049 |
| Renewal From | AED 6,000 🏆 | AED 22,070 |
| Rating | ★ 4.4/5 🏆 | ★ 4.2/5 |
| Max Visas | 4 | 20 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 5 days 🏆 | 21 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Easy 🏆 |
| Established | 2017 | 2002 |
| Companies | 40,000+ | 26,000+ |
Year 1 From
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
DMCC
AED 27,049
Renewal From
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
DMCC
AED 22,070
Rating
RAKEZ
4.4/5
DMCC
4.2/5
Max Visas
RAKEZ
4
DMCC
20
Processing
RAKEZ
5 days
DMCC
21 days
Banking
RAKEZ
Moderate
DMCC
Easy
Package Pricing Breakdown
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
DMCC Packages
Dubai · 5 packages
Freelance Permit
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 27,049
Year 1
Renewal: AED 23,825/yr
Basic Biz (Service License)
Up to 1 visa · None
AED 40,708
Year 1
Renewal: AED 22,070/yr
Jump Start — Flexi Desk
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 49,004
Year 1
Renewal: AED 42,070/yr
Jump Start — Co-Working Desk
Up to 2 visas · Dedicated Desk
AED 60,389
Year 1
Renewal: AED 47,070/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | RAKEZ | DMCC |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose RAKEZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consultancies
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 21,049 less)
Choose DMCC if you...
- ✓ Want general trading
- ✓ Want commodities
- ✓ Want crypto/blockchain
- ✓ Want corporate setup
- ✓ Want financial services
- ✓ Need easy corporate banking
Pros & Cons
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
DMCC
Pros
- ✓ Most prestigious and globally recognized UAE free zone — 9x Global Free Zone of the Year (FT fDi)
- ✓ Best banking relationships of any free zone — banks actively seek DMCC companies
- ✓ Dual License Office Permit allows mainland trading (AED 5,000/year)
- ✓ Dedicated ecosystems: Crypto Centre (700+ firms), Gaming Centre (140+), AI Centre (110+)
Cons
- ✗ Significantly more expensive — Year 1 minimum ~AED 47,000–50,000 with 1 visa
- ✗ Physical office mandatory — no virtual office option, minimum flexi desk AED 16,000–19,000/year
- ✗ AED 50,000 share capital must be deposited within 30 days (withdrawable after)
- ✗ Annual audit always mandatory (AED 5,000–15,000 in accounting fees)
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, RAKEZ or DMCC?
RAKEZ is cheaper by AED 21,049 in Year 1. RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000 while DMCC starts from AED 27,049. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between RAKEZ and DMCC?
RAKEZ is based in RAK and is best for Startups, SMEs, Manufacturing. DMCC is based in Dubai and is best for General Trading, Commodities, Crypto/Blockchain. RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000 while DMCC starts from AED 27,049.
Which has easier banking, RAKEZ or DMCC?
DMCC has easier banking (rated "Easy"). RAKEZ is rated "Moderate". Banking difficulty affects how easily you can open a UAE corporate bank account.
How many visas can I get with RAKEZ vs DMCC?
RAKEZ supports up to 4 visas, while DMCC supports up to 20 visas. DMCC offers more visa capacity.
Is RAKEZ or DMCC better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose RAKEZ if you want startups focus and lower costs. Choose DMCC if you need general trading support and a Dubai address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.