Compare Dubai CommerCity vs Dubai Internet City

Dubai CommerCity
VerifiedDubaiFree Zone

Dubai CommerCity

The Verdict

Starts from AED 21,995 (Premium) — best for E-commerce businesses seeking a specialized ecosystem with integrated logistics, warehousing, and proximity to Dubai International Airport..

Starting From
AED 21,995
Setup Time
3 days
Dubai Internet City
More Affordable
VerifiedDubaiFree Zone

Dubai Internet City

The Verdict

Starts from AED 7,500 (Premium) — best for Established tech companies, multinationals, and specialized freelancers seeking a prestigious address and strong ecosystem..

Starting From
AED 7,500
Setup Time
5 days

Feature Comparison

A comprehensive side-by-side analysis of key metrics.

Starting From
AED 21,995
Starting From
AED 7,500
Price Positioning
Premium
Price Positioning
Premium
Visa Cost (All-in)
AED 5,570
Visa Cost (All-in)
AED 4,200
Health Insurance/yr
AED 800
Health Insurance/yr
AED 1,500
Setup Time
3 days
Setup Time
5 days
Remote Setup
Yes
Remote Setup
Yes
Bank Account Help
Yes
Bank Account Help
Yes
UAE Pass
Yes
UAE Pass
Yes
Max Visas (No Office)
0
Max Visas (No Office)
0
Golden Visa
Yes
Golden Visa
Yes
Dependent Sponsorship
Yes
Dependent Sponsorship
Yes
QFZP (0% Tax)
Yes
QFZP (0% Tax)
Yes
Corporate Tax 9%
Yes
Corporate Tax 9%
Yes
Audit Required
Required upon renewal
Audit Required
Required upon renewal
VAT Designated Zone
Yes
VAT Designated Zone
No
Total Activities
21
Total Activities
27

Cost Scenarios

Pre-computed year 1 and renewal costs for common business setups

Dubai CommerCity

Year 1 Total

AED 21,995

Annual Renewal

AED 21,995

Dubai Internet City

Year 1 Total

AED 7,500

Save AED 14,495

Annual Renewal

AED 7,500

Detailed Breakdown

license and registrationAED 21,995
facilityAED 0
government feesAED 0
third party servicesAED 0

Detailed Breakdown

license and registrationAED 7,500
facilityAED 0
government feesAED 0
third party servicesAED 0

License Packages

Pre-bundled business packages offered by each zone

Dubai CommerCity

2 Packages
Most Popular

E-commerce/Service Smart Desk Package

Starter Tier

Annual Cost

AED 21,995

2 Visas Included
20 Activities
Flexi Desk
Registration Fee P.O. Box Knowledge & Innovation Fees

NoteCost is an estimate for a service license; e-commerce licenses may be slightly higher. Total cost cited as approximately AED 21,995.

Fitted Office Package

Standard Tier

Annual Cost

AED 61,870

3 Visas Included
20 Activities
Private Office
Office Rent License Fee Registration Fee P.O. Box Knowledge & Innovation Fees

NoteTotal cost cited as approximately AED 61,870 for a 25 sq. m. office.

Dubai Internet City

2 Packages
Most Popular

GoFreelance Permit

Starter Tier

Annual Cost

AED 7,500

0 Visas Included
1 Activities
None
Access to TECOM business centres Eligibility to apply for a 1 or 2-year residence visa (additional cost)

NoteThis is a freelance permit, not a full company license. An Establishment Card (AED 2,000) is required to apply for a visa.

Flexi-Desk / Hot-Desk Package

Standard Tier

Annual Cost

AED 27,020

1 Visa Included
5 Activities
Flexi Desk

NoteEstimated cost including License Fee (15,020), Registration (3,500), Establishment Card (2,000) and Hot Desk facility (~6,500). Some sources indicate the license fee is reduced when taking a desk facility.

Who Wins Where?

A definitive category-by-category verdict based on real-time data and specific business priorities.

Dubai Internet City

Budget Priorities

Dubai Internet City offers a lower starting price point at AED 7,500

Dubai CommerCity

Setup Speed

Dubai CommerCity typically processes new licenses in ~3 days

Dubai Internet City

Visa Capacity

Dubai Internet City allows up to ? visas without requiring a physical office space

Tie

Tax Optimization

Both jurisdictions are eligible for QFZP (0% tax on qualifying income)

Tie

Brand Prestige

Both are widely recognized as premium, tier-1 jurisdictions

Tie

Lean Startups

Mixed results — each jurisdiction has specific cost vs speed trade-offs

Detailed Feature Breakdown

Expand each category for an exhaustive side-by-side comparison

Agricultural License
No
Agricultural License
No
Commercial Trade License
Yes
Commercial Trade License
Yes
Crypto Virtual Assets License
No
Crypto Virtual Assets License
No
E Commerce E Trader License
Yes
E Commerce E Trader License
Yes
Freelance Permit
Yes
Freelance Permit
Yes
General Trading License
No
General Trading License
No
Holding Company License
No
Holding Company License
Yes
Industrial Manufacturing License
No
Industrial Manufacturing License
No
Innovation And Tech License
Yes
Innovation And Tech License
Yes
Professional Services Consultancy License
Yes
Professional Services Consultancy License
Yes
Tourism Hospitality License
No
Tourism Hospitality License
No

About Each Zone

Executive summaries and competitive positioning

Dubai CommerCity

Dubai CommerCity targets regional and international e-commerce businesses, including online retailers, e-commerce service providers, and logistics companies. The primary investor profile ranges from startups and SMEs to large multinational corporations looking to establish or expand their e-commerce operations in the MENA region. It offers a complete turnkey solution covering all aspects of the e-commerce value chain.

Key Advantages

MENA's First & Only E-commerce Hub: Operate within an ecosystem purpose-built for online retail success.
Turnkey Logistics & Fulfillment: Launch faster with pre-integrated partners and scalable, pay-as-you-go warehousing.
Strategic Airport Proximity: Leverage unparalleled connectivity for import and export, located directly next to DXB.
0% Tax & 100% Ownership: Maximize profitability with zero corporate tax and full repatriation of capital and profits.
Ideal Target

E-commerce businesses seeking a specialized ecosystem with integrated logistics, warehousing, and proximity to Dubai International Airport.

Dubai Internet City

Dubai Internet City targets companies in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. Its primary focus is on software development, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cybersecurity, and telecommunications. The ideal investor profile ranges from innovative tech startups and entrepreneurs to multinational technology corporations seeking a strategic base for their regional operations.

Key Advantages

Join MENA's Largest Tech Hub: Become part of a curated ecosystem of over 3,000 companies, from innovative startups to Fortune 500 giants like Google and Microsoft.
Unlock Elite Partnership Opportunities: Leverage direct proximity to global tech leaders for unparalleled networking, strategic collaboration, and high-value B2B sales.
Accelerate with the in5 Incubator: Gain access to in5, a dedicated platform for entrepreneurs offering mentorship, funding opportunities, and a launchpad for tech startups.
Operate on World-Class Infrastructure: Run your business on a robust, high-speed Metro Ethernet environment built specifically for the demands of modern technology companies.
Ideal Target

Established tech companies, multinationals, and specialized freelancers seeking a prestigious address and strong ecosystem.

Things to Watch Out For

Hidden costs and common objections — with honest rebuttals

Dubai CommerCity

Hidden Costs
Annual audit is mandatory.
Visa processing fees are separate from the main package cost.

Dubai Internet City

Hidden Costs
Requirement to deposit AED 50,000 share capital for FZ-LLC
Office space is mandatory for most license types and can be a significant annual cost
External approvals for certain activities may add costs and time

Ask The Experts

Common questions answered transparently with real data

Dubai Internet City is currently more affordable for initial setup, with entry packages starting from AED 7,500. In the broader market context, Dubai Internet City is officially positioned as "Premium".

Dubai CommerCity typically processes new trade licenses faster, averaging around 3 days for issuance from the time of application submission. Furthermore, for Dubai CommerCity, fully remote company setup is natively supported, meaning you do not need to be physically present in the UAE.

Dubai CommerCity: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements. Dubai Internet City: Eligible for Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status. This means you may benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income, provided you meet all economic substance requirements.

Dubai CommerCity: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa. Dubai Internet City: Yes, the jurisdiction provides direct support channels and streamlined processing for eligible investors seeking a 10-year Golden Visa.

E-commerce businesses seeking a specialized ecosystem with integrated logistics, warehousing, and proximity to Dubai International Airport.

Established tech companies, multinationals, and specialized freelancers seeking a prestigious address and strong ecosystem.