OCTIS vs IFZA vs Meydan vs RAKEZ vs DMCC: what a free zone company costs
Prices come from each zone's own pages. Where a zone publishes no price, the table says so.
Last checked · 11 sources
Otty's short answer
RAKEZ publishes the lowest entry price, from AED 6,000. Meydan starts at AED 12,500 with a flexi-desk and can issue a licence in under an hour. DMCC is the most expensive, from AED 35,484 for its basic package, and is built for trading firms. IFZA publishes no price, so you must get a quote. Visas cost extra in every zone.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | IFZA | Meydan Free Zone | RAKEZ | DMCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headline starting price | At least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee), government fees and first-year company secretary included | Quote-based | From AED 12,500 | From AED 6,000 | AED 35,484 (Basic Biz) |
| Price list on its site | Incorporation: at least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) | No, proposal only | Partly, cost calculator | Partly, two packages | Yes, schedule of charges |
| Next tier up | 10–30% below your current bill | Quote-based | Fawri from AED 15,000 | All-inclusive AED 14,000 | Jump Start AED 43,780 a year |
| Registered address | Needs a Hong Kong registered office address | Not published | Flexi-desk included | Flexi to warehouse options | Flexi desk AED 16,000 to 19,000 |
| Visa cost | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | Quote-based | Investor from AED 4,000 | Not published | Up to 3 with a flexi desk |
| Mainland trading | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | Not stated | With a DET NOC | Not stated | Not stated |
| Location | Hong Kong, run from anywhere | Dubai | Dubai | Ras Al Khaimah | Dubai (JLT) |
| Corporate tax | Profits tax 8.25% on the first HK$2 million, 16.5% above; no VAT/GST | 0% only if qualifying | 0% only if qualifying | 0% only if qualifying | 0% only if qualifying |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you sell in several countries and want a company run from anywhere, with accounts and CRM in one place.
IFZA
Choose IFZA if you want a tailored package and are happy to compare quotes before you commit.
Meydan Free Zone
Choose Meydan Free Zone if you want a Dubai licence fast, with the flexi-desk and a published starting price.
RAKEZ
Choose RAKEZ if the lowest entry price matters most, or you need warehouse or industrial space.
DMCC
Choose DMCC if you trade goods and your buyers or banks expect a well-known licence, and you can carry the higher cost.
What the table does not show
Read the price in the right way
A headline price is not the first-year cost. Meydan lists investor visas from AED 4,000 plus a one-time AED 2,000 immigration establishment card. DMCC lists separate items such as a licence at AED 20,285 per year and an establishment card at AED 1,825 per year. RAKEZ shows AED 6,000 and AED 14,000 packages but no visa fees on its home page. Ask each zone for a first-year total with the visas you need.
Free zone or mainland
A free zone licence lets you own 100% of the company and trade from the zone. Selling directly to customers in the rest of the UAE is the limit. Meydan says it allows mainland trading with a No Objection Certificate approved by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. A mainland licence from the DET is the other route. If most of your customers are inside the UAE, ask each option how you will invoice them before you pay.
A free zone does not mean no tax
UAE corporate tax is 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000. A free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income and only if it meets the Federal Tax Authority's conditions for a Qualifying Free Zone Person. Other income is taxed at 9%. A qualifying free zone company cannot use the AED 375,000 band or small business relief. Ask an accountant before you assume 0%.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not set up companies or keep books in the UAE. If you run a Malaysian or Hong Kong company and are weighing a UAE free zone subsidiary, OCTIS can keep the home company's books and company secretary work in order so the two sets of accounts line up. Ask about 10–30% off your current bill for the home company.
Frequently asked questions
Which free zone is cheapest in the UAE?
On published prices RAKEZ is lowest, with a package from AED 6,000. Meydan starts at AED 12,500. IFZA publishes no price. DMCC starts at AED 35,484. Compare the first-year total, including visas, because the headline price leaves out several costs.
Is IFZA cheaper than Meydan?
IFZA does not publish a price on its site, so a fair answer needs a written quote. Meydan lists a Dubai licence from AED 12,500. Ask IFZA for a quote for the same activity and the same number of visas and compare the two totals.
Do I need an office in a free zone?
Meydan says no physical lease is needed to start, because a flexi-desk is included with the licence. DMCC sells a flexi desk as a separate item. RAKEZ lists flexi, standard, executive and warehouse options. Other rules depend on your licence type and the visas you want.
Do free zone companies pay UAE corporate tax?
Yes, in some cases. UAE corporate tax is 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on other taxable income. It must still register with the Federal Tax Authority. The Ministry of Finance states a AED 10,000 penalty for late registration.
Can a free zone company sell to UAE mainland customers?
Not freely. A free zone licence is meant for trade inside the zone and abroad. Meydan states that mainland trading needs a No Objection Certificate approved by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Check the rule for your zone and activity before you sign.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.
- Meydan Free Zone company formation
- RAKEZ home page, business setup packages
- IFZA business setup
- DMCC business setup packages
- DMCC schedule of charges
- DMCC Basic Biz Package terms
- DMCC setup overview
- FTA Free Zone Persons Corporate Tax Guide
- Ministry of Finance, taxable income threshold
- Ministry of Finance, late registration penalty
- UAE Government portal, corporate tax