Compare RAKEZ Free Zone and Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone for Software Development & IT Consulting setup. Side-by-side comparison of fees, processing times, substance, and bank approval.
RAKEZ Free Zone vs Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone for Software Development & IT Consulting: RAKEZ Free Zone starts at AED 6,000 (90% bank approval) and Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone at AED 4,999 (88%). On Year-1 cost, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone is the lower-priced option.
| Jurisdiction | Baseline Gov Fee | Processing Speed | Banking | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AED 6,000 | 3-4 days | Moderate | Light industrial, trading operations, cost scaling | |
| AED 4,999 | 1-2 days | Moderate | Fastest setup time and lowest entry cost for freelancers and startups |
Cost-effective setup with industrial and trading options in RAK
Software development licenses in UAE free zones typically do not require physical office space initially, with flexi-desk arrangements accepted as the registered address. Most free zones allow 100% foreign ownership and offer instant license issuance when applying under this activity.
Software development qualifies as a qualifying free zone activity under the UAE Corporate Tax Law. The 0% rate applies to qualifying income generated from the activity. Standard 5% VAT applies to domestic supplies of software services.
Tech companies may face questions about IP ownership and revenue sources during KYC. Banks prefer to see a clear business model with identifiable clients and recurring revenue streams rather than speculative project-based income.
RAKEZ's software development licence offers IT companies an affordable Ras Al Khaimah base from AED 5,900 with no physical office requirement, and the zone's growing tech community in the Al Hamra area provides networking opportunities with digital agencies and e-commerce operators at a fraction of Dubai's licensing costs.
Feb 2026: NBF partnership renewed
Jan 2026: 19,000 new companies added in 2025, 40,000+ total
Jul 2025: MoU with ADIB for bank account opening
Company setup in RAKEZ Free Zone starts from AED 6,000 per year.
RAKEZ Free Zone processes company registrations in 3-4 working days.
Bank account approval probability is 90%. Banking difficulty is rated Moderate.
Most UAE free zones including RAKEZ Free Zone allow remote company incorporation. Bank account opening may require an in-person visit.
RAKEZ Free Zone does not require paid-up share capital for most standard license types. Share capital is notional.
Both zones are evenly matched. Choose RAKEZ Free Zone if: Cost-effective setup with industrial and trading options in RAK. Choose Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone if: Fastest setup time, lowest cost, ideal for freelancers and startups.
Used the calculator to compare Meydan with five other zones — the Year 1 cost breakdown and banking scores made the choice clear in under 5 minutes.
Needed to see exactly what I was paying for at RAKEZ versus other zones. The itemized fee breakdown — license, visa, sponsorship — made the comparison transparent.
Wanted clarity on banking approval rates and substance rules by zone. The zone-specific banking data was something I couldn't find on any agent's website.
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