DMCC vs Meydan: Side-by-Side Comparison
DMCC dominates for trading and professional services thanks to its ecosystem and banking. Meydan is lighter-weight and faster to set up, with packages built for consultants and service providers who don't need a full DMCC setup.
- Trading companies
- Commodities
- Professional services
- Startups
- Consultants
- Small businesses
- Global reputation
- Excellent banking
- Large business community
- Affordable
- Fast processing
- Good location
- Higher cost than alternatives
- Minimum share capital required
- Slower than newer zones
- Smaller community
- Less established reputation
Still not sure which fits your business?
Take our 2-minute quiz and get personalized matches ranked by your budget, timeline, and activity.
Find Your Free ZoneKey differences at a glance
| DMCC | Meydan | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | dubai | dubai |
| License from | AED 15,000/yr | AED 7,500/yr |
| Annual renewal | AED 15,000 | AED 7,500 |
| Setup time | 3-5 business days | 1-3 business days |
| Min share capital | AED 50,000 | None |
| Established | 2002 | 2009 |
| License types | trading, service, industrial, e-commerce | trading, service, e-commerce |
| Office options | flexi desk, shared office, private office, warehouse | flexi desk, virtual office, shared office, private office |
Cost breakdown
DMCC
- License (starting from)
- AED 15,000/yr
- Annual renewal
- AED 15,000
- Visa packages
- 1 visa
- ~AED 5,750
- 3 visas
- ~AED 15,000
- 6 visas
- ~AED 25,000
- Min share capital
- AED 50,000
Meydan
- License (starting from)
- AED 7,500/yr
- Annual renewal
- AED 7,500
- Visa packages
- 1 visa
- ~AED 3,500
- 3 visas
- ~AED 9,000
Which one should you pick?
Pick DMCC if
You need a trading license, strong banking, or operate in commodities.
See full DMCC profilePick Meydan if
You want a mid-priced Dubai license with quick setup and fewer requirements.
See full Meydan profileFrequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, DMCC or Meydan?
Meydan is cheaper. Its license starts at AED 7,500/year vs AED 15,000/year for DMCC — a difference of AED 7,500 per year at the entry tier. Actual costs depend on visa count, office type, and activity.
How long does setup take at DMCC vs Meydan?
DMCC advertises 3-5 business days and Meydan advertises 1-3 business days. Real-world timelines depend on how quickly you submit documents, pay fees, and complete KYC.
What's the minimum share capital for DMCC vs Meydan?
DMCC requires AED 50,000 in share capital. Meydan requires no minimum. For most activities, the capital only needs to be declared — not physically deposited upfront — but rules vary by license type.
What license types does each offer?
DMCC issues trading, service, industrial, e-commerce licenses. Meydan issues trading, service, e-commerce licenses. Pick the zone that covers the license type matching your business activity.