Free Zone Comparison
SHAMS vs RAKEZ
AED 5,750 versus AED 6,000 — a gap of AED 250 that won't swing your decision. What will: SHAMS covers 120+ media and services activities. RAKEZ covers 3,000+ across trading, manufacturing, and logistics. That said, RAKEZ mandates an annual audit that SHAMS doesn't — budget an extra AED 3,000-10,000 per year for that alone.
SHAMS
Sharjah
AED 5,750
Year 1 from
CheaperRAKEZ
RAK
AED 6,000
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
Pick SHAMS for media freelancing. Pick RAKEZ for everything else.
- ● Choose SHAMS if cost is your priority — AED 250 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose SHAMS if you need more visas — up to 20
- ● Choose RAKEZ for overall quality — rated 4.4/5
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
RAKEZ's activity catalog dwarfs SHAMS — 3,000+ activities across 50+ sectors versus 120+ media-focused categories. If you're a content creator or digital consultant, SHAMS is purpose-built for you. Need general trading, physical e-commerce, or light manufacturing? RAKEZ is your only real option here. Its dual licensing feature — simultaneous free zone and mainland RAK operations — gives traders a genuine edge that SHAMS can't match.
Banking tilts toward RAKEZ too. Six formal partnerships — ADIB, RAKBANK, NBF, Mashreq, Wio, and Emirates NBD — give you a broader network than SHAMS's four (Wio, Mashreq Neo, Mashreq NeoBiz, RAKBANK). On renewals, both zones keep pricing close to Year 1 figures. The hidden cost difference: RAKEZ's mandatory annual audit (AED 2,500 late fine if you miss the deadline) adds ongoing expense that SHAMS avoids entirely. For a solo freelancer, that audit cost narrows the price gap to zero — or worse.
SHAMS vs RAKEZ at a Glance
| Metric | SHAMS | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | RAK |
| Year 1 From | AED 5,750 🏆 | AED 6,000 |
| Renewal From | AED 5,750 🏆 | AED 6,000 |
| Rating | ★ 4.1/5 | ★ 4.4/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 20 🏆 | 4 |
| Processing Time | 5 days | 5 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2017 | 2017 |
| Companies | 13,500+ | 40,000+ |
Year 1 From
SHAMS
AED 5,750
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Renewal From
SHAMS
AED 5,750
RAKEZ
AED 6,000
Rating
SHAMS
4.1/5
RAKEZ
4.4/5
Max Visas
SHAMS
20
RAKEZ
4
Processing
SHAMS
5 days
RAKEZ
5 days
Banking
SHAMS
Moderate
RAKEZ
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
SHAMS Packages
Sharjah · 5 packages
Media License (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 5,750
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,750/yr
Standard License (0 Visa)
No visa · Flexi Desk
AED 6,875
Year 1
Renewal: AED 6,875/yr
Flexi-Desk + 1 Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 19,620
Year 1
Renewal: AED 15,520/yr
Flexi-Desk + 2 Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 26,015
Year 1
Renewal: AED 21,915/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 | SHAMS | RAKEZ |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Not Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose SHAMS if you...
- ✓ Want freelancers
- ✓ Want media & creative
- ✓ Want consultants
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want bootstrapped startups
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 250 less)
Choose RAKEZ if you...
- ✓ Want startups
- ✓ Want smes
- ✓ Want manufacturing
- ✓ Want e-commerce
- ✓ Want consultancies
Pros & Cons
SHAMS
Pros
- ✓ Low entry pricing — business licenses from AED 5,750 (0-visa)
- ✓ Fully digital setup: entire process is online (application, payment, license issuance)
- ✓ Up to five business activities under one license, even across sectors
- ✓ Visa scalability: up to 20 visas per license depending on package and facility
Cons
- ✗ Pricing fragmentation: multiple starting points (AED 5,750 vs AED 6,875) and agent bundles differ — expect quote variance
- ✗ Visa process costs inconsistently quoted across sources — confirm latest fee schedule during onboarding
- ✗ Banking friction remains real: partner introductions help, but KYC can extend timelines to weeks
- ✗ Activity count (120+) is smaller than mega free zones with thousands of activities
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
Does RAKEZ require an annual audit while SHAMS doesn't?
Yes. RAKEZ mandates audited financials within 6 months of year-end, with an AED 2,500 late fine. SHAMS does not require audited accounts for license renewal. Both zones still need compliance filings for UAE corporate tax.
Which zone has more business activities — SHAMS or RAKEZ?
RAKEZ offers 3,000+ activities across 50+ sectors including manufacturing and logistics. SHAMS covers 120+ activities focused on media, creative, and services. If your activity falls outside media and consulting, RAKEZ is likely your only option.
Can I get a dual license with SHAMS or RAKEZ?
Only RAKEZ. Its Dual License allows simultaneous free zone and mainland RAK operations — useful for traders selling locally. SHAMS does not offer dual licensing; mainland trading requires a separate structure.
Which has better banking partnerships — SHAMS or RAKEZ?
RAKEZ has more formal partnerships: ADIB, RAKBANK, NBF, Mashreq, Wio, and Emirates NBD (6 total). SHAMS partners with Wio, Mashreq Neo, Mashreq NeoBiz, and RAKBANK (4 total). Both sit at 'Moderate' banking difficulty, but RAKEZ's broader network gives trading businesses more options for corporate account opening.
Which is cheaper, SHAMS or RAKEZ?
SHAMS is cheaper by AED 250 in Year 1. SHAMS starts from AED 5,750 while RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between SHAMS and RAKEZ?
SHAMS is based in Sharjah and is best for Freelancers, Media & Creative, Consultants. RAKEZ is based in RAK and is best for Startups, SMEs, Manufacturing. SHAMS starts from AED 5,750 while RAKEZ starts from AED 6,000.
Which has easier banking, SHAMS or RAKEZ?
Both SHAMS 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 SHAMS vs RAKEZ?
SHAMS supports up to 20 visas, while RAKEZ supports up to 4 visas. SHAMS offers more visa capacity.
Is SHAMS or RAKEZ better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose SHAMS if you want freelancers focus and lower costs. Choose RAKEZ if you need startups support and a RAK address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.