Compare UAE Free Zones Side by Side

Use the comparison tool above to select two or three free zones. You'll see a side-by-side breakdown of Year 1 costs, renewal costs, visa quotas, processing times, banking difficulty, and key features. The tool highlights which zone wins on each metric and generates a quick verdict to help you decide.

The most important factors are: (1) Total Year 1 cost including all fees, (2) Visa quota and processing time if you need residency, (3) Banking difficulty — some zones make it much easier to open a corporate bank account, (4) Location/emirate for credibility and client meetings, and (5) Specific features like crypto licensing or mainland trading permissions.

Free zone pricing ranges from under AED 6,000 to over AED 50,000 per year. The main cost drivers are: the emirate (Dubai is more expensive), physical office requirements (some zones mandate flexi desks at AED 5,000-19,000/year), visa allocations included in the base package, and brand prestige. Budget zones in Sharjah, Ajman, and RAK achieve lower prices by offering virtual offices and simpler licensing.

Yes, the comparison tool supports up to three free zones simultaneously. Click "+ Add a third zone" after selecting your first two zones. Comparing three zones is useful when you've narrowed your shortlist but want to see all options side by side.

All pricing data is verified as of February 2026. Each free zone profile shows a "Last verified" date. We update pricing quarterly or when zones announce fee changes. Contact us if you spot any discrepancies.

Banking difficulty rates how easy it is to open a UAE corporate bank account with a license from that free zone. "Easy" means most banks accept applications readily (e.g., DMCC, DIFC). "Moderate" means you'll need good documentation and may face delays. "Difficult" means many banks are reluctant and you may need to try multiple institutions.