Which UAE freezone should you pick?
10 freezones covering the common tech / consulting / fintech scenarios — DIFC, ADGM, DMCC, Dubai Internet City, IFZA, Meydan, SPC, RAK DAO, Hub71, Dubai South. Enter your situation and see the top 3 with a score breakdown, then explore each in detail.
Your top 3 matches
DMCC
— Dubai Multi Commodities CentreLanded pickThe UAE's most popular freezone. 25,000+ companies. Good default for most tech consulting, holding, or commercial activities.
IFZA
— International Free Zone AuthorityThe aggressive-pricing challenger. Dubai-based, covers most general activities, no office required for basic tiers.
Meydan
— Meydan Free ZoneDubai budget freezone tied to the Meydan business district. Popular for remote consultants.
All 10 freezones
Ranked by fit for your inputsSPC
SharjahSharjah's low-cost freezone. AED 5,750 starting — the cheapest legitimate UAE option.
Dubai South
DubaiAirport-adjacent freezone. Good for logistics, aviation, and businesses that value proximity to Al Maktoum.
Hub71
Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi's startup ecosystem. Subsidised licences + housing + health + office for qualifying startups.
DIC
DubaiDubai's original tech hub. Microsoft, Meta, Google, Oracle regional HQs are here.
RAK DAO
Ras Al KhaimahThe UAE's crypto / web3 / DAO-friendly freezone. Licences virtual-asset activities that other freezones won't.
DIFC
DubaiThe UAE's financial-services flagship. English common-law jurisdiction. Fintech Hive scheme for early-stage.
ADGM
Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi's English common-law financial hub. Strong VC, family office, and fintech cluster.
The 30-second decision path
Before the cost tables: freezones cluster into four families, and most founders only need to compare within one.
Regulated financial services, funds or fintech?
You need a financial centre with its own courts and regulator: DIFC (Dubai) or ADGM (Abu Dhabi). Nothing else substitutes; pick by city and regulator fit.
Solo consultant or small tech studio optimising cost?
The value zones: IFZA, Meydan, SPC. Licences from the low thousands of dirhams, fast setup, flexi-desk presence. Compare visa quotas and renewal costs, not brochures.
Trading, commodities or a team that needs real offices?
The established heavyweights: DMCC or Dubai South for logistics reach, DIC for tech teams that want an ecosystem address.
Abu Dhabi-based startup or raising from UAE funds?
ADGM for the entity, and if you are venture-backed look at Hub71 for the ecosystem, incentives and the entrepreneur Golden Visa route.