Free Zone Comparison
SRTIP vs Masdar
Among UAE innovation zones, SRTIP is the cheapest gateway at AED 5,500 for a zero-visa license. Masdar charges AED 7,000 — an AED 1,500 gap that widens with visas. SRTIP's 1-visa Year 1 totals AED 15,190; Masdar's Business One hits AED 18,500. The trade-off: Masdar hosts Siemens Energy and IRENA in specialist clean-tech clusters you won't find in Sharjah's University City.
SRTIP
Sharjah
AED 5,500
Year 1 from
CheaperMasdar
Abu Dhabi
AED 7,000
Year 1 from
Quick Verdict
Pick SRTIP for lean tech startups. Pick Masdar for clean-tech credibility.
- ● Choose SRTIP if cost is your priority — AED 1,500 cheaper in Year 1
- ● Choose SRTIP if you need more visas — up to 10
- ● Both offer 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor required
Our Analysis
Renewal costs diverge sharply. SRTIP's 1-visa package renews at AED 9,910 — roughly 65% of its Year 1 total. Masdar's Business One renews at AED 20,100, actually exceeding its AED 18,500 Year 1 cost. Masdar requires annual audited accounts; SRTIP does not. And Masdar's AED 50,000 depositable share capital ties up cash SRTIP waives entirely. Over three years, these structural differences compound into tens of thousands of dirhams.
Ecosystem reputation is where Masdar earns its premium. It hosts global names — Siemens Energy, MBZUAI, IRENA — that signal clean-tech credibility to investors. SRTIP counters with prototyping labs (SoiLab), the Sharjah Advanced Industry Accelerator (SAIA), and a Business Angels network (SBAN). Consultants report that Masdar tenants get warmer receptions from Abu Dhabi banks and government procurement. Both zones support dual licensing for mainland operations.
SRTIP vs Masdar at a Glance
| Metric | SRTIP | Masdar |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Sharjah | Abu Dhabi |
| Year 1 From | AED 5,500 🏆 | AED 7,000 |
| Renewal From | AED 5,500 🏆 | AED 7,000 |
| Rating | ★ 4.0/5 | ★ 4.2/5 🏆 |
| Max Visas | 10 🏆 | 6 |
| Processing Time | 10 days | 10 days |
| Banking | Moderate | Moderate |
| Established | 2016 | 2009 |
| Companies | 2,000+ | 2,000+ |
Year 1 From
SRTIP
AED 5,500
Masdar
AED 7,000
Renewal From
SRTIP
AED 5,500
Masdar
AED 7,000
Rating
SRTIP
4.0/5
Masdar
4.2/5
Max Visas
SRTIP
10
Masdar
6
Processing
SRTIP
10 days
Masdar
10 days
Banking
SRTIP
Moderate
Masdar
Moderate
Package Pricing Breakdown
SRTIP Packages
Sharjah · 4 packages
Zero Visa Package
No visa · Virtual
AED 5,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 5,500/yr
One Visa Package
Up to 1 visa · Virtual
AED 15,190
Year 1
Renewal: AED 9,910/yr
Two Visa Package
Up to 2 visas · Virtual
AED 20,195
Year 1
Renewal: AED 12,160/yr
SME Office (4 Visas — Modeled)
Up to 4 visas · Private Office
AED 81,115
Year 1
Renewal: AED 58,875/yr
Masdar Packages
Abu Dhabi · 4 packages
Startup Package (No Visa)
No visa · None
AED 7,000
Year 1
Renewal: AED 7,000/yr
Business One (1 Visa + Flexi Desk Lite)
Up to 1 visa · Flexi Desk
AED 18,500
Year 1
Renewal: AED 20,100/yr
Innovation (2 Visa Quota + Flexi Desk)
Up to 2 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 25,980
Year 1
Renewal: AED 15,600/yr
Enterprise (3 Visa Quota + Flexi Desk Plus)
Up to 3 visas · Flexi Desk
AED 45,870
Year 1
Renewal: AED 31,600/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SRTIP | Masdar |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Trading | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Physical Office Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Dual License | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Crypto Friendly | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Online Portal | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Co-working | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audit Required | Not Required | Required |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose SRTIP if you...
- ✓ Want tech startups
- ✓ Want r&d & innovation
- ✓ Want sustainability & green tech
- ✓ Want engineering & advanced manufacturing
- ✓ Want sharjah-based smes
- ✓ Want the lowest cost option (AED 1,500 less)
Choose Masdar if you...
- ✓ Want cleantech
- ✓ Want renewable energy
- ✓ Want ai & ict
- ✓ Want life sciences
- ✓ Want sustainability startups
Pros & Cons
SRTIP
Pros
- ✓ Very competitive official pricing: Zero Visa AED 5,500; One Visa AED 13,990; Two Visa AED 17,795
- ✓ Fast setup: 7-10 working days from application to license
- ✓ 1,500+ approved activities with up to 5 activities per license
- ✓ Innovation ecosystem: prototyping labs (SoiLab), accelerator programs, angel investor network
Cons
- ✗ Office pricing for co-working, SME offices, and larger spaces requires quotation — not publicly published
- ✗ Visa bundle line-item details (medical, status change, deposits) not fully enumerated on official pages
- ✗ Dual licensing adds complexity and additional approvals/costs depending on activity
- ✗ Banking for innovation or cross-border businesses can be compliance-heavy
Masdar
Pros
- ✓ Published official package pricing: AED 7,000 / 12,000 / 17,500 / 27,000 with transparent visa fee line-items
- ✓ Very competitive coworking leases: Virtual Desk AED 6,000/year, Flexidesk AED 10,000/year
- ✓ Fast formation: business setup can be completed in as little as 5 days
- ✓ Clear visa fee breakdown: Establishment Card AED 1,600, eChannels AED 2,600, 2-year visa AED 3,050
Cons
- ✗ Some packages don't include visa processing fees — Year 1 can rise materially once you add visas
- ✗ Packages subject to 5% VAT; special-name and extra-activity surcharges may apply
- ✗ Visa process can require additional items (entry permit, status change, stamping) beyond base cost
- ✗ Bank account opening is compliance-driven — expect 2–6+ weeks
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 Masdar require share capital that SRTIP waives?
Yes. Masdar requires AED 50,000 depositable share capital for FZ-LLC. SRTIP promotes no paid-up share capital requirement — a meaningful cash-flow advantage for bootstrapped startups.
Which zone has better accelerator and R&D support?
Both are strong. Masdar offers The Catalyst clean-tech accelerator plus specialist clusters (SAVI for autonomous vehicles, AGWA for agri-food, Life Sciences). SRTIP has SoiLab prototyping, the SAIA accelerator, and SBAN angel investor network.
How do 1-visa renewal costs compare?
SRTIP renews at AED 9,910. Masdar's Business One renews at AED 20,100. That's AED 10,190 saved per year with SRTIP — enough to fund a second visa's processing costs.
Which is cheaper, SRTIP or Masdar?
SRTIP is cheaper by AED 1,500 in Year 1. SRTIP starts from AED 5,500 while Masdar starts from AED 7,000. However, the cheaper option may not include the same features — check the full comparison above for details.
What is the main difference between SRTIP and Masdar?
SRTIP is based in Sharjah and is best for Tech Startups, R&D & Innovation, Sustainability & Green Tech. Masdar is based in Abu Dhabi and is best for CleanTech, Renewable Energy, AI & ICT. SRTIP starts from AED 5,500 while Masdar starts from AED 7,000.
Which has easier banking, SRTIP or Masdar?
Both SRTIP and Masdar 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 SRTIP vs Masdar?
SRTIP supports up to 10 visas, while Masdar supports up to 6 visas. SRTIP offers more visa capacity.
Is SRTIP or Masdar better for my business?
It depends on your priorities. Choose SRTIP if you want tech startups focus and lower costs. Choose Masdar if you need cleantech support and a Abu Dhabi address. Use our calculator to find the best match for your specific requirements.