RAKEZ, Ajman NuVentures, SPC, IFZA, Meydan, Dubai South and DWTC all compete on price. Here is an honest 2026 comparison of what each really costs, the fees the headline price hides, and which one actually fits your business.
"Which is the cheapest free zone in the UAE?" is one of the most-searched business-setup questions of 2026, and one of the most misleading. Every free zone advertises a headline number, but that number rarely reflects what you will actually pay once a visa, an establishment card and an office are added.
This guide compares the best-known value UAE free zones honestly: what each really starts at, what the price tag hides, and which one fits which kind of business. For the full cost picture across free zone and mainland, see our Business Setup Cost Dubai 2026 guide.
Almost every "cheapest free zone" headline quotes a licence-only price with zero visa allocation. That is a real number, but a company with no visa cannot sponsor you for UAE residence. The moment you add one investor visa, an establishment card, the medical and Emirates ID, the true figure rises by roughly AED 4,000 to 6,500. So the honest way to compare zones is not by the licence price alone, but by the all-in cost for what you actually need.
Indicative starting prices below are licence-only unless stated, and are a guide only, real pricing depends on your activities, visa count and package, and each authority updates its fees:
*Indicative licence-only starting prices for guidance, excluding visa, establishment card and office unless noted. The Ajman NuVentures figure is an approximate guide, confirm the current package on the official Ajman Free Zone portal. Figures are set by each free-zone authority and change frequently, always confirm live pricing on the official portals linked below or ask us for a written quotation. Try our cost calculator.
RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone). One of the lowest all-in costs in the country, with strong options for trading and industrial activities as well as service companies. Official site: rakez.com.
Ajman NuVentures (Ajman Free Zone). Ajman Free Zone's low-cost, digital-first licence aimed at freelancers, startups and small service businesses, one of the most affordable entry points in the UAE. Confirm the current package and price on the official site: ancfz.ae.
SPC Free Zone (Sharjah Publishing City). Known for fast, digital-first setup and generous activity lists, popular with e-commerce and publishing. Official site: spcfz.ae.
IFZA (Dubai). The most popular Dubai low-to-mid-cost zone, with a broad activity range and a Dubai address, priced above the Northern Emirates zones. Official site: ifza.com.
Meydan (Dubai). A premium Dubai brand with a strong reputation for banking introductions, a step up in price but a step up in prestige. Official site: meydanfz.ae.
Dubai South (Dubai). A Dubai address with competitive packages, especially strong for logistics, aviation and e-commerce given its location by Al Maktoum airport. Official site: dubaisouth.ae.
DWTC (Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone). A prestigious central-Dubai address, strong for events, fintech and virtual-asset businesses, positioned as a premium headquarters location. Official site: dwtc.com.
Whichever zone you pick, budget for these on top of the headline licence:
• Visa & establishment card — roughly AED 4,000–6,500 for one investor visa, plus the establishment card that lets the company sponsor visas.
• Office or flexi-desk — many packages include a basic flexi-desk, but a physical office costs more.
• Bank account balance — not a fee, but capital you must keep. See our corporate bank account guide.
• Corporate Tax registration — mandatory for every company with the Federal Tax Authority, even at 0 percent.
Freelancers & solo consultants: Ajman NuVentures, SPC or RAKEZ, lowest entry, one visa is usually enough.
E-commerce & online sellers: SPC or Dubai South for activity flexibility.
Trading & industrial: RAKEZ for cost, or a Dubai zone if you need a Dubai address for suppliers.
Client-facing Dubai brand: IFZA, Meydan or DWTC, higher cost, stronger address.
The honest rule: choose the zone by your activity, visa need and where your clients are, then optimise for price, not the other way around. The cheapest licence attached to the wrong activity or a zone your bank dislikes is not a saving. Compare structures in Mainland vs Free Zone and DMCC vs IFZA.
Which is the cheapest free zone in the UAE in 2026?
Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Sharjah zones such as RAKEZ, Ajman NuVentures and SPC have the lowest entry licences, often from around AED 5,500–6,900 licence-only. Dubai zones start higher but add a Dubai address.
Is the cheapest free zone the best choice?
Not always. The right zone depends on your activity, whether you need a visa, your clients and your preferred emirate. The lowest headline licence can cost more once visas, office and deposits are added.
Do cheap free zone licences include a residence visa?
Usually not, the lowest prices are licence-only. Add roughly AED 4,000–6,500 for one investor visa plus the establishment card. See our free zones guide.
Are Ajman, RAK and Sharjah free zones as good as Dubai ones?
For most trading, consulting and online businesses, yes, they are equally valid UAE free-zone companies with the same corporate-tax treatment. Dubai zones mainly add address and prestige at higher cost.
Can I open a UAE bank account with a cheap free zone company?
Yes. The zone matters less to banks than your activity, documents and substance. Approval always rests with the bank, we help prepare the file, see bank account opening.
Book a call with Imran Mirza. Tell us your activity and visa needs and we will tell you the genuinely cheapest right-fit zone, with a written quotation, before you commit.
Official sources: Dubai Economy & Tourism, UAE Government Portal, verify a licence, Federal Tax Authority, and each free zone authority: RAKEZ, Ajman NuVentures, SPC, IFZA, Meydan, Dubai South, DWTC. Prices are set by these authorities and change; confirm live figures before deciding.
Related reading: Business Setup Cost Dubai 2026 · Mainland vs Free Zone · DMCC vs IFZA · UAE Free Zones · Cost Calculator