Meydan Free Zone vs Other Free Zones in Dubai (2025) – Which One is Best for You?

Meydan Free Zone vs Other Free Zones in Dubai

Dubai is home to over 30 free zones, each designed to serve specific industries and meet the needs of investors. Among these, Meydan Free Zone has gained popularity for its modern infrastructure, prestigious address, and cost-effective setup options. But how does it compare with other well-known free zones, such as IFZA, DMCC, or Dubai South?

In this article, we’ll give you a direct comparison between the Meydan Free Zone and other major Dubai free zones to help you make the right decision for your business.

Why Choose a Free Zone in Dubai?

Before we compare, let’s recap why free zones in the UAE are so attractive:

100% foreign ownership
0% corporate and income tax (until 2023 corporate tax policies)
Full repatriation of profits
No currency restrictions
Streamlined company setup

Explore a full list of UAE free zones and compare which jurisdiction suits your business.

Meydan Free Zone vs Other Free Zones: A Quick Comparison

Feature / Zone	Meydan Free Zone	IFZA	DMCC	SHAMS	RAKEZ
Location	Near Downtown Dubai & Business Bay	Dubai Silicon Oasis	Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT)	Sharjah	Ras Al Khaimah
Business Setup Time	1–3 Days	2–4 Days	3–5 Days	2–5 Days	3–7 Days
Ownership	100% Foreign Ownership	100%	100%	100%	100%
Tax Benefits	0% Corporate & Income Tax	0% Tax	0% Tax	0% Tax	0% Tax
Business Activities	1,500+ Options	1,000+	800+	200+	2,000+
Office Options	Smart Desk, Virtual & Flexi Desks	Flexi Desk, Physical Offices	Physical Offices, Flexi Desk	Shared Desk, Physical Office	Wide Range
Bank Account Support	Strong UAE Bank Support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cost (Starting From)	AED 12,500	AED 11,000	AED 25,000	AED 5,750	AED 6,000
Ideal For	Startups, SMEs, Digital Businesses	Global Startups & Tech Firms	Trading, Crypto, Commodities	Media, Creatives, Freelancers	Industrial, E-commerce, Trading

✅ Quick Takeaway:

Choose Meydan Free Zone if you want a prestigious Dubai address, fast digital setup, and cost-effective smart desk solutions.
Choose DMCC for commodities, gold, crypto, and global trading.
Choose SHAMS or IFZA for budget-friendly startups or creative industries.
Choose RAKEZ for industrial units, warehouses, and logistics businesses.

Strengths of Meydan Free Zone

Central Dubai location near Downtown, Business Bay, and Dubai International Airport
Quick and hassle-free setup through Company Setup & Formation Services
Suitable for digital businesses, consultancies, and service providers
Low-cost entry with premium branding appeal
Offers over 1,500+ business activities, including tech, media, e-commerce

Interested in how much it would cost? Explore the benefits and pricing on the Meydan Free Zone setup guide.

Strengths of Meydan Free Zone

IFZA is highly popular among budget-conscious entrepreneurs. It’s flexible but lacks central Dubai appeal.
DMCC is ideal for global businesses seeking a premium image and access to global commodities markets.
Dubai South is ideally suited for logistics, aviation, and trading companies, offering direct access to Al Maktoum Airport and Jebel Ali Port.

Explore our full Jurisdictions to compare your options in-depth.

Services to Consider Regardless of Free Zone

No matter which free zone you choose, you’ll likely need:

Our team at Vazone provides complete end-to-end support to ensure your business is legally compliant and operational from day one.

Final Recommendation: Who Should Choose Meydan?

You should consider Meydan Free Zone if:

You want to operate in central Dubai
You’re starting a consultancy, tech, digital, or freelance business
You prefer quick setup and a low-cost entry
You value a prestigious office address and flexible visa options

For a side-by-side advisory call, feel free to Contact Us or explore our About Us to learn how we help businesses succeed in the UAE.

Ready to explore Meydan further?

Start with our Complete Setup Guide or browse our Business Services to get expert help today.

FAQs: Meydan Free Zone vs Other Free Zones in Dubai

Is Meydan Free Zone better than IFZA or DMCC?

It depends on your goals. Meydan offers a better central location and lower costs; DMCC is ideal for global prestige; IFZA is better for small, budget startups.