Compare prices, visa quotas, setup times and benefits across 45+ zones. Get expert guidance from A&A.
5 cheapest free zones
Year 1 total — license, visa, office included
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Answer a few quick questions about your business and budget. We'll shortlist the 3 zones that actually fit — based on 10 years of A&A setup experience.
Highest-rated free zones in 2026
Scored on real cost, banking ease, setup speed, and visa flexibility — verified by our consultants.
Smart tools to plan your UAE setup
Built by A&A's PRO consultants. Updated monthly with verified government fees and zone-specific pricing.
UAE Setup Cost Calculator
Get your real Year 1 cost in seconds. Includes license, visa, Establishment Card, medical, Emirates ID, and office — itemised by free zone.
- ✓ All 45+ free zones supported
- ✓ Hidden government fees included
- ✓ Renewal cost projection
- ✓ Downloadable PDF report
Side-by-Side Compare
Pick up to 4 zones, compare 25+ data points — pricing, visas, banking, audit rules.
Compare zones →Live Rankings
Auto-updated leaderboards: cheapest, fastest setup, best for trading, best banking.
View rankings →Visa Quota Estimator
Find out how many visas your office size unlocks — across all UAE free zones.
Check visa quota →Popular free zone matchups
See indicative pricing and key strengths of UAE free zones side-by-side. Get expert guidance from A&A's licensed setup consultants.
How we keep our pricing data honest
We're not a free zone reseller. We're licensed UAE business setup consultants who treat data like our reputation depends on it — because it does.
A&A Associate
UAE Business Setup · Tax · PRO Services
Direct verification with each authority
Every price is cross-checked against the official fee schedule published by each free zone authority — never from third-party agents or resellers.
Apples-to-apples cost framework
Year 1 totals always include license, visa quota, Establishment Card, medical, Emirates ID, and base office — so comparisons stay honest, not promotional.
Zero pay-to-rank policy
No free zone can buy a higher ranking. Our scoring algorithm weighs cost, banking access, setup speed and visa flexibility — not advertising budgets.
Monthly refresh + change log
Free zones update fees often. We re-verify every entry monthly and log every price change publicly — so you can trust today's number is today's number.
Free zones across all 7 emirates
Switch between emirates to see verified zones, pricing and setup times in your preferred region.
Latest from the A&A research desk
Fresh data, side-by-side breakdowns and founder-friendly guides — written by our PRO consultants, not freelance copywriters.
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Benefits of UAE Free Zone Company
UAE free zone is special business area made to help people start and run companies easily. If you are into business, you should be aware that there are over forty freezones in UAE which are located across seven emirates.
Read more →DMCC vs Mainland Dubai: The Ultimate Business Setup Comparison 2026
Choosing between DMCC free zone and Dubai mainland is one of the most consequential decisions an entrepreneur makes when setting up a business in the UAE. Both structures offer distinct advantages — and both come with specific limitations that can significantly impact your operations, costs, and growth potential.
Read more →The Best Freezones in UAE for 2026: A Comprehensive Ranking by Industry & Cost
You likely agree that while a low entry price is attractive, the real value lies in a jurisdiction that actually supports your growth. It's a common trap; over 25% of entrepreneurs find their "affordable" setup lacks the specific activity codes they need or carries a reputation that makes opening a corporate bank account a month-long ordeal.
Read more →