Free Zone Comparison
RAKEZ vs IFZA
RAKEZ at AED 6,000 versus IFZA at AED 12,900 — both budget favourites, but only one puts "Dubai" on your license. If your clients check your address, IFZA is worth the premium. If they don't, RAKEZ gives you dual licensing for half the price.
RAKEZ
RAK
AED 6,000
Year 1 from
CheaperIFZA
Dubai
AED 12,900
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
- ● Choose RAKEZ if cost is your priority — AED 6,900 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose IFZA if you need more visas — up to 15
- ● 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
RAKEZ's AED 6,000 Biz Starter is half of IFZA's AED 12,900 zero-visa package — but the savings come with trade-offs. IFZA puts 'Dubai' on your trade license, a detail that matters to international clients and banking officers. RAKEZ gives you a Ras Al Khaimah address, which some banks scrutinise more carefully. Both rate 'Moderate' for banking difficulty, but IFZA's two formal partners (Wio Bank and Mashreq) are Dubai-based, while RAKEZ offers six partners including ADIB, RAKBANK, NBF, Mashreq, Wio, and Emirates NBD — a broader network despite the northern emirates address.
Operational features tilt toward RAKEZ. Its dual licensing allows simultaneous free zone and mainland RAK operations — something IFZA cannot offer. RAKEZ also processes visas in 5 business days versus IFZA's 21-day timeline. The catch: RAKEZ mandates annual audited accounts with an AED 2,500 late fine, while IFZA introduced tiered financial statements from September 2025. For pure cost efficiency and visa speed, RAKEZ wins. For a Dubai address and simpler compliance, IFZA is worth the AED 6,900 premium.
RAKEZ vs IFZA at a Glance
| Metric | RAKEZ | IFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | RAK | Dubai |
| Year 1 From | AED 6,000 🏆 | AED 12,900 |
| Renewal From | AED 6,000 🏆 | AED 12,900 |
| Rating | ★ 4.4/5 🏆 | ★ 4.0/5 |
| Max Visas | 4 | 15 🏆 |
| Processing Time | 5 days 🏆 | 21 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2017 | 2018 |
| Companies | 40,000+ | 5,000+ |
Year 1 From
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
IFZA
AED 12,900
Renewal From
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
IFZA
AED 12,900
Rating
RAKEZ
4.4/5
IFZA
4.0/5
Max Visas
RAKEZ
4
IFZA
15
Processing
RAKEZ
5 days
IFZA
21 days
Banking
RAKEZ
Moderate
IFZA
Moderate
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
IFZA Packages
Dubai · 4 packages
Zero Visa Package
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 12,900
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,900/yr
1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 28,790
Year 1
Renewal: AED 24,400/yr
2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 36,380
Year 1
Renewal: AED 27,400/yr
3 Visa Package
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 43,970
Year 1
Renewal: AED 29,400/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | RAKEZ | IFZA |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| 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 6,900 less)
Choose IFZA if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consulting
- ✓ Want digital nomads
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
IFZA
Pros
- ✓ Lowest all-in Dubai free zone option — Year 1 with 1 visa achievable under AED 25,000 through agents
- ✓ No physical office requirement — virtual/flexi desk options available
- ✓ Fast license issuance: 2–5 business days
- ✓ Up to 7 business activities per license (first 3 included free, extras AED 1,000 each)
Cons
- ✗ B2B-only model — must work through intermediary agents, direct pricing significantly inflated
- ✗ Relatively young (Dubai presence since 2020) with weaker brand recognition than DMCC
- ✗ Only ~5,000 companies — smaller networking ecosystem
- ✗ Limited crypto licensing (no exchange/custody activities)
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 IFZA?
RAKEZ is cheaper by AED 6,900 in Year 1. RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000 while IFZA starts from AED 12,900. 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 IFZA?
RAKEZ is based in RAK and is best for Startups, SMEs, Manufacturing. IFZA is based in Dubai and is best for Freelancers, Startups, E-commerce. RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000 while IFZA starts from AED 12,900.
Which has easier banking, RAKEZ or IFZA?
Both RAKEZ and IFZA 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 RAKEZ vs IFZA?
RAKEZ supports up to 4 visas, while IFZA supports up to 15 visas. IFZA offers more visa capacity.
Is RAKEZ or IFZA better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose RAKEZ if you want startups focus and lower costs. Choose IFZA if you need freelancers support and a Dubai address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.