Dubai South vs SPC: which free zone fits you?
A neutral comparison — no single free zone pays us more than another.
In short
Dubai South (licences from about AED 12,500) and SPC (from about AED 5,750) are both UAE free zones — SPC has the lower entry price. Dubai South best suits: Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. SPC best suits: Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub. No single zone pays us more, so the recommendation depends only on your activity, visa count and budget.
Dubai South and SPC side by side
Approximate budgeting figures — your final quote is confirmed in writing. Government fees are passed through at cost, never marked up.
| Criteria | Dubai South | SPC |
|---|---|---|
| Licence from | AED 12,500 | AED 5,750 |
| Emirate | Dubai | Sharjah |
| Location | Dubai World Central / Al Maktoum Airport | Sharjah Publishing City, Sharjah |
| Visas | The Business Hub package is sold with the option to add visas, and the zone's own Free Zone Management issues visas and work permits on site. | Visa packages are configured in SPC's cost calculator rather than published as a fixed quota per licence — your allocation depends on the package and facility. |
| Activities | Three registration routes: the Business Hub free-zone package, DWC LLC companies and branches, and freelancer professional permits. | 2,000+ business activities are available, and SPC publishes its activity list online with a name-check tool. |
Lower entry price: SPC.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Dubai South if
Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. Also a practical government-run package option (Business Hub) for SMEs and startups that want a published-price Dubai licence with same-day issuance.
Think twice if
Regulated financial-services firms (DIFC or ADGM fit better), businesses that need a prime central-Dubai address or walk-in mainland retail, and founders hunting the absolute cheapest paper licence — Shams and RAKEZ start lower. The district is still building out, so day-to-day city amenities are thinner than central Dubai.
Choose SPC if
Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub.
Think twice if
Regulated financial-services firms (DIFC or ADGM fit better), businesses that specifically need a Dubai-emirate address for clients or staff, and heavy industrial or port-side operations — JAFZA, RAKEZ or UAQ FTZ industrial facilities fit those better.
Cost breakdowns
Dubai South
from AED 12,500
Business Hub free-zone package
Same-day issuance, flexi-desk access, option to add visas; a promotional AED 11,375 was displayed at the time of checking (2026-08)
AED 12,500 (published)
DWC LLC company or branch
Registered through the Dubai South customer portal; fees confirmed per activity and facility
Quote-based
Freelancer professional licence
Individual professional permit within Dubai South
Quote-based
Office, warehouse or plot
Options across the Business Park and Logistics District; built-to-suit available
Quote-based
UAE corporate tax registration
Registration with the Federal Tax Authority is free of charge
Government fee: AED 0
SPC
from AED 5,750
Business setup package
SPC's published starting price; the total is configured in its online cost calculator from activities, visas and facility
From AED 5,750 (published)
Licence with lease agreement
A lease agreement comes with every business licence
Included
Visa packages
Configured per package in the cost calculator; residency processed in as fast as 5 working days
Quote-based
Paid-up share capital
SPC requires zero paid-up share capital
AED 0
UAE corporate tax registration
Registration with the Federal Tax Authority is free of charge
Government fee: AED 0
Strengths and trade-offs
Dubai South
- Published-price government package (AED 12,500) with same-day licence issuance — rare clarity among Dubai zones.
- The strategic bet: Dubai is building its future aviation capacity at Al Maktoum, and Dubai South is the city around it.
- Sea-air-rail logistics corridor: 30 km to Jebel Ali Port plus Etihad Rail — built for freight and fulfilment.
- On-site regulator (DACC Free Zone Management) for visas, permits and NOCs — no cross-town government runs.
- Dedicated aerospace cluster (MBR Aerospace Hub) and an employment dispute mediation service for licensees.
- DWC LLC, branch and freelancer fees are not published — those routes are quote-based through the portal.
- The district is still developing: fewer offices, restaurants and services on the ground than central Dubai today.
- Distance: roughly 45–60 minutes from Downtown and DIFC — a real commute if your clients sit in central Dubai.
- Like any free zone, direct mainland UAE retail requires additional licensing or arrangements.
- Cheapest-licence hunters can start lower at Shams (AED 5,750) or RAKEZ (AED 6,000).
SPC
- Published entry price of AED 5,750 — with the lease agreement included, the licence covers your legal address without a separate flexi-desk line.
- Speed: about 45 minutes to complete setup with an advisor, residency in as fast as 5 working days, immigration on site.
- Zero paid-up share capital and 100% foreign ownership across the 2,000+ activity list.
- Government of Sharjah backing with a fully digital portal for setup, amendments and renewals.
- Deep value-added bench: banking assistance, spouse/dependant visas, documentation, customs code and financing support under one roof.
- The AED 5,750 headline is a starting price — visas, extra activities and facilities move the calculator total up, so always compare the itemised quote.
- A Sharjah address, not Dubai: fine for most online and service businesses, but clients who expect a Dubai-emirate licence or address should weigh Dubai zones.
- No fixed published visa quota per licence — your allocation is configured per package and confirmed at quote stage.
- Like any free zone, direct mainland UAE retail requires additional licensing or arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Dubai South or SPC?+
Dubai South licences start from about AED 12,500 (from / published — Business Hub free-zone package (AED 12,500 list; a promotional AED 11,375 was displayed when checked, 2026-08) with flexi-desk access, same-day issuance and the option to add visas. DWC LLC / branch and freelancer routes are quoted via the Dubai South portal; visas and government fees are separate). SPC starts from about AED 5,750 (from / published — SPC states business setup packages start from AED 5,750; the final price is built in its online cost calculator from your activities, visas and facility, and government and visa fees are added on top). SPC has the lower headline price, but your real total depends on visa count and office needs — always compare a written, itemised quote.
Who is Dubai South best for?+
Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. Also a practical government-run package option (Business Hub) for SMEs and startups that want a published-price Dubai licence with same-day issuance.
Who is SPC best for?+
Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub.
How do I decide between Dubai South and SPC?+
Compare licence cost, visa allocation and activity fit. Dubai South: The Business Hub package is sold with the option to add visas, and the zone's own Free Zone Management issues visas and work permits on site. SPC: Visa packages are configured in SPC's cost calculator rather than published as a fixed quota per licence — your allocation depends on the package and facility. If you are still unsure, our free zone selector or a free 30-minute PRO Health Check will confirm the better fit for your case.
Still torn between Dubai South and SPC?
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need, and we'll confirm the better-fit zone and its real cost — in writing, line by line.