Compare prices, visa quotas, setup times and benefits across 45+ zones. Get expert guidance from A&A.
5 cheapest free zones
Zero-visa license baselines· one-visa totals usually add AED 7,000–10,000
Highest-rated free zones in 2026
Rated on year-one cost, renewal honesty, visa flexibility, banking acceptance and activity breadth
Popular free zone matchups
Both are Sharjah's budget leaders. SPC wins on speed (45-minute Instant Licence) and the dual license; SHAMS wins on visa scale (up to 50) and the LLC name without "FZ". E-commerce leans SPC; creators lean SHAMS.
Dubai's two value zones. IFZA offers the broader activity list and strong banking record; Meydan is digital-first with e-commerce packages. Costs are similar — the activity list usually decides it.
Industry vs innovation. RAKEZ wins on warehouses, land and budget packages; Masdar wins for clean-tech and AI companies that want the Abu Dhabi ecosystem and dual license.
How we keep our pricing data honest
Free zones across all 7 emirates
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Full Sharjah guide: business setup in Sharjah free zone ›
Weighing mainland? Business setup in Abu Dhabi ›
Which free zone is best for your business?
| Business type | Best-fit zones | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General trading | SPC, SAIF, IFZA | Dual license, logistics, Dubai address — or a mainland general trading license if UAE customers dominate |
| IT & consulting | SHAMS, SPC, DSO | Cheap service licenses; DSO/Masdar for ecosystem |
| E-commerce | SPC, SHAMS, Meydan | Fast digital licenses; Meydan for a Dubai address |
| Logistics & warehousing | SAIF, JAFZA, RAKEZ | Airport, port, cheap industrial land |
| Gold & commodities | DMCC | DGCX, vaults, the gold trading ecosystem |
| Tech, R&D, clean energy | SRTIP, Masdar City | Labs (SRTIP); IRENA/MBZUAI + dual license (Masdar) |
| Holding & asset protection | RAK ICC | Offshore registry — no office or visas, ideal for holding |
Serving UAE customers directly? Compare mainland company setup and our free zone company formation guide first.
UAE free zone comparison FAQs
Which UAE free zone is the most affordable in 2026?
SPC Free Zone (from AED 4,999) and SHAMS (from AED 5,750), both in Sharjah, are consistently the cheapest routes, with RAKEZ and Ajman Media City close behind. A&A Associate, a registered partner of SPC and SHAMS, quotes realistic one-visa totals of AED 12,000–16,000 in these zones.
What is the best free zone for a general trading license?
SPC for its dual license (free zone + Sharjah mainland access), SAIF Zone for airport logistics, and IFZA for a Dubai-address trading company. If most customers are inside the UAE, compare a mainland general trading license first.
How many free zones are there in the UAE?
More than 45 across the seven emirates — Dubai has the most, with major clusters in Sharjah (SPC, SHAMS, SAIF, SRTIP), Ras Al Khaimah (RAKEZ), Ajman and Abu Dhabi (Masdar City, ADGM, KEZAD).
Which free zone is best for a lean IT consulting startup?
Low-cost service licenses at SHAMS or SPC cover most lean IT and consulting startups. Dubai Silicon Oasis or Masdar City fit better when investor optics, a tech ecosystem or a Dubai/Abu Dhabi address matter more than the license price.
Free zone vs mainland — which should I choose?
Choose by customer location: UAE customers → mainland (trade anywhere, government contracts); international or online customers → free zone (lower cost, faster setup, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income). Dual licenses at SPC and Masdar City cover both.
Do free zone companies pay corporate tax?
Free zone companies register with the FTA like everyone else. Qualifying free zone persons pay 0% on qualifying income; other taxable profits above AED 375,000 are taxed at 9%. VAT registration applies from AED 375,000 in UAE taxable supplies.
Can a free zone company do business in Dubai mainland?
Not directly — you need a distributor, a branch, or a dual license (offered by SPC and Masdar City; recent Dubai rules also allow some free zone firms to operate onshore with additional approvals). We map the cleanest route for your activity.
Get a zone recommendation in one call
Free consultation with A&A Associate's licensing team — registered partners of SHAMS, SPC, Masdar City, RAK ICC and RAKEZ. Same-day itemized quotes.