The market · what resellers sell and what they charge
What the other formation companies sell, and the margin inside it.
Headline prices as published, the service fee model, the digital experience, and the complaints customers repeat. Markup is an observation from comparing a quote with the official line, never an estimate of our own.
Alpha Pro Services
markup: Not applicable; no company formation services offered.Business management consultancy and full e-commerce service provider, including product listing optimization, warehousing, delivery to platforms like Amazon and Noon, import/shipping coordination, certifications, customer service, visual content creation, inventory management, order fulfillment, and optional digital advertising. Also offers accounting, bookkeeping, corporate taxation, HR outsourcing, CFO services, Pipedrive configuration, and Xero implementation via Alpha Pro Partners.
- none recorded
- none recorded
What we can do better
- No company formation or PRO services offered, limiting ability to serve clients needing business setup
- No transparent pricing for any services
- No online checkout or client portal evident
- No reviews or testimonials found, reducing trust signals
- Website lacks detailed information on team, case studies, or regulatory credentials
Not researched
- No company formation, free zone, mainland, or offshore setup services found
- No pricing information for any service
- No digital experience features (online checkout, portal, AI, API) detected
- No customer reviews or ratings available
- No information on service fee model or markup
- No details on time to license or visa processing
- No mention of specific jurisdictions or zones
Arakan
markup: Not applicable; Arakan does not resell formation services. It provides a cost calculator that displays official fees from free zones.Compliance automation platform and jurisdiction advisory tools for UAE company setup and ongoing regulatory obligations. Includes apps for obligation tracking, KYC/onboarding, sanctions screening, free zone comparison, cost estimation, and business plan review.
- none recorded
- none recorded
What we can do better
- Does not directly incorporate companies; only provides advisory and compliance tools
- No published pricing for advisory services
- Limited to UAE jurisdictions
- No customer reviews or social proof
- No mobile app mentioned
- Relatively unknown brand
Not researched
- No company formation packages or service fees published
- No customer reviews or ratings available
- No information on company size, founding team, or funding
- No direct incorporation service; only advisory and compliance platform
- Pricing for credits and plans not publicly disclosed
Avyanco
markup: Professional fee not publicly disclosed; overall pricing estimated 20-40% higher than budget agents, reflecting compliance focus. freezonecompare.comCompany formation, corporate structuring, tax, audit, compliance, PRO services, and operational support across UAE mainland, free zones, and offshore. avyanco.com
| Offer | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget free zone (Ajman) one-visa licence | not published | Government cost for standard one-visa licence; professional fee separate. Basis: lowest published government cost. |
| RAKEZ free zone | not published | Government cost only; professional fee separate. Basis: lowest published government cost. |
| SHAMS/SPC free zone | not published | Government cost only; professional fee separate. Basis: lowest published government cost. |
| Meydan/IFZA free zone | not published | Government cost for standard one-visa licence; professional fee separate. Basis: lowest published government cost. |
| Dubai Mainland (DED) | not published | Government cost for licence; professional fee separate. Basis: lowest published government cost. |
| RAK ICC offshore | not published | Government cost; professional fee separate. Basis: lowest published government cost. |
| DMCC free zone | not published | Government cost; professional fee separate. Basis: lowest published government cost. |
| DIFC free zone | not published | Government cost; professional fee separate. Basis: lowest published government cost. |
- Premium pricing (20-40% higher than budget agents)
- Not competitive for simple freelancer/e-commerce setups
- Smaller client base, fewer reviews to evaluate
- No client portal or self-serve platform
- Strong compliance and regulatory knowledge
- Good for regulated industries (finance, logistics, manufacturing)
- Integrated accounting and audit services
- High Google rating (4.8★, 745 reviews)
What we can do better
- No client portal or self-serve digital platform
- Premium pricing may deter cost-sensitive clients
- Smaller review base (745 Google reviews) compared to larger competitors
- Not suitable for simple freelancer/e-commerce setups
- No online checkout or instant license purchase
Not researched
- Exact professional fee for company formation not publicly disclosed
- No information on online checkout, AI features, or API
- No independent review scores beyond Google
- Client portal confirmed absent, but no details on any digital tools
Commitbiz
markup: 15-40% over official free zone license fees, based on the commission free zones pay agents (e.g., IFZA license at AED 22,000 yields agent AED 5,000-8,000 commission) freezonecompare.com. Mainland markup not specified.Company formation and business setup services in UAE (Mainland, Free Zones, Offshore), plus accounting, tax, PRO, visa, bank account assistance, and post-incorporation support commitbiz.com.
| Offer | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Mainland LLC License | not published | Commercial License, MoA, UBO registration, plus free add-ons: Corporate digital Bank Account, P.O. Box, Company Stamp, Corporate Tax Consultation commitbiz.com |
| Free Zone Company Formation (typical promo price range) | not published | Not specified; likely basic license and incorporation freezonecompare.com |
- Poor banking support and delays trustpilot.com freezonecompare.com
- Mistakes in incorporation process leading to extra costs trustpilot.com
- Post-setup communication deterioration freezonecompare.com
- Additional charges for releasing company management trustpilot.com
- Competitive pricing freezonecompare.com
- Responsive pre-sales team freezonecompare.com
What we can do better
- Weak banking support and delays
- Post-setup communication decline
- Incorporation errors requiring costly fixes
- Hidden fees for releasing company management
Not researched
- No information on online checkout or client portal
- No AI features or API/MCP mentioned
- No specific free zone package price on Commitbiz website (only third-party range)
- Trustpilot score not available in provided snippets
- Exact markup over official fees for mainland not specified
Creative Zone
markup: Typically 16-23% based on Fujairah Creative City Free Zone pricing (CZ Fee of AED 2,625-4,200 on license fees of AED 13,000-18,000).Business setup advisory and company incorporation services across UAE free zones, mainland, and offshore, plus tax, accounting, banking, PRO, co-working space, and concierge services. One-stop shop for entrepreneurs and SMEs since 2010.
| Offer | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free zone trade license (Shams Free Zone) | not published | Free zone trade license for 1 year, free lease agreement, free tax and accounting consultation, free digital bank account |
| Dubai Mainland license | not published | Dubai mainland trade license for 1 year, Ejari included - Virtual, free PRO services, free 1-year access to Zoho CRM, dedicated account manager, free digital bank account, up to 5 visa allocation, Local Service Agent (LSA) |
| DIFC Commercial Trade License package | not published | Commercial Trade License, Co-working Space with Prestigious DIFC Office Address, 4 Visa Allocation, Fully Digital Onboarding Process, Access to all DIFC Amenities and Ecosystem, Same Renewal Price for 5 Years |
| Fujairah Creative City Free Zone license | not published | Free zone trade license for 1 year, free lease agreement, free tax and accounting consultation, free digital bank account |
| SPC Free Zone license | not published | Free zone trade license for 1 year, free lease agreement, free tax and accounting consultation, free digital bank account |
| Meydan Free Zone license | not published | Free zone trade license for 1 year, free lease agreement, free tax and accounting consultation, free digital bank account |
| Abu Dhabi Mainland license | not published | Trade license for 1 year, Ejari included - Virtual, free PRO services, free 1-year access to Zoho CRM |
- Inconsistent service quality depending on account manager
- Unresponsive account managers
- Being passed between team members mid-process
- Aggressive upselling of add-on services
- Wide range of zone options
- Competitive pricing on popular zones like SHAMS and Meydan
- High client satisfaction (95%)
- High renewal rate (75%)
- Strong referral rate (62%)
- Physical offices in multiple locations
What we can do better
- Inconsistent service quality due to high volume
- Account manager turnover and unresponsiveness
- Aggressive upselling that can alienate cost-conscious clients
- Renewal fees of AED 1,500-3,000 annually for minimal work
- Some clients report being passed between team members
Not researched
- No review site scores (Google, Trustpilot) found in provided sources
- No information on online checkout capability
- No AI features mentioned
- No API or MCP integration mentioned
doola (US analogue, the experience benchmark)
markup: Cannot be determined precisely; doola's $297 service fee covers formation, EIN, registered agent, and address, while state filing fees vary (typically $50-$500). The markup is the $297 minus the state fee, but state fees are passed through separately.US company formation (LLC and C-Corp), EIN, registered agent, virtual business address, bookkeeping, tax filing, and compliance services for global founders.
| Offer | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | not published | LLC or C-Corp formation, EIN, registered agent service for 1 year, virtual business address, operating agreement |
| Pulse (bookkeeping) | not published | Automated bookkeeping to track payouts, monitor expenses |
| Tax and Compliance | not published | Everything in Starter plus federal (IRS) and state tax filing, 1:1 tax consultation |
| Business-in-a-Box | not published | Everything in Tax and Compliance plus dedicated bookkeeper, monthly financial statements, synced bookkeeping and taxes, estimated quarterly taxes |
- Unexpected renewal charges
- Slow post-purchase support on Starter plan
- Mercury banking introduction not guaranteed
- Pushy upselling during onboarding
- Support response can take 1-2 business days
- Bookkeeping platform doesn't integrate with QuickBooks/Xero/Sage
- Learning curve for understanding needed services
- Fast formation (often within 24 hours)
- Responsive named support reps
- Ease of use and onboarding experience
- High Trustpilot rating
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Compliance-first focus with annual filings and reminders
What we can do better
- US-only, no UAE or free zone expertise
- No local UAE support or Arabic language
- Annual subscription locks customers into recurring fees, while UAE formation can be one-time
- Support can be slow (1-2 business days) and upselling is pushy
- Mercury bank account not guaranteed, no fallback
- Bookkeeping doesn't integrate with major accounting software
- Less brand recognition than Stripe Atlas for credibility
- No physical presence or local registered agent in UAE
Not researched
- Exact Trustpilot review count not provided
- G2 and Google Reviews exact scores not available
- BBB rating not found in provided sources
- Official state fee breakdown not available to calculate exact markup
- No information on number of employees or revenue
- No details on refund policy beyond 'formation guaranteed or money back'
UAE company formation (free zone, mainland, offshore), e-commerce licenses, professional/service licenses, corporate bank account opening, visa processing (investor, golden visa, family), accounting and corporate tax compliance.
| Offer | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free zone company setup (0-visa package) | not published | trade license, flexi-desk, visa eligibility |
| IFZA Trading or Service 2-visa package | not published | license, establishment card, 2 residence visas (3-year), medical, Emirates ID |
| E-commerce license with 1 visa (RAKEZ) | not published | license and 1 visa (government fees only, service fee extra) |
| DMCC free zone setup | not published | trade license, flexi-desk, visa eligibility |
| ADAFZ free zone setup | not published | trade license, flexi-desk, visa eligibility |
- Pricey fees compared to some competitors
- Requires personal appearance for certain steps
- Honest and direct advice, no pushy sales
- Speed of company setup
- One dedicated manager handles entire process
- Long-term client relationships and support
- Free initial consultation
- Strong expertise in DMCC free zone
What we can do better
- Higher fees than some competitors (described as 'pricey')
- Service fee not transparent in initial price listings
- No online instant purchase; requires consultation
- Personal appearance required, which may deter remote clients
- Limited digital self-service tools (no client portal or AI features evident)
Not researched
- No Trustpilot score available in provided snippet
- Exact service fee amount not disclosed
- No information on client portal or AI features
- No API or MCP integration mentioned
- Markup over official fees cannot be estimated from given data
Orience
markup: Unknown – no official or agent price breakdown provided.Company formation in the UAE (primarily through IFZA free zone), residency visa support, corporate relocation, legal and tax advisory, and international mobility services.
- none recorded
- none recorded
What we can do better
- No transparent pricing – only tailored quotes, which may deter price-sensitive customers.
- No online checkout or self-service portal mentioned, potentially slower onboarding.
- No independent customer reviews or testimonials found in provided sources.
- Limited free zone coverage (only IFZA explicitly mentioned).
Not researched
- No headline prices found – all sources emphasize free consultation and tailored quotes.
- No review scores or customer feedback available in the provided web results.
- No details on digital experience (online checkout, client portal, AI features, API).
- No official fee breakdown or markup estimate possible.
Business setup consultancy covering mainland, free zone, and offshore company formation in the UAE, plus PRO services, visa processing, bank account opening, accounting, and corporate tax support.
| Offer | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| General Trading License (Mainland) | not published | Not specified |
| Commercial License (Mainland) | not published | Not specified |
| Professional License (Mainland) | not published | Not specified |
| IFZA Free Zone License (Zero Visa) | not published | License co-branded by Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, 100% foreign ownership, zero personal income tax |
| RAKEZ Free Zone License | not published | Not specified |
| SRTIP Free Zone License | not published | Not specified |
| Offshore Company (RAK ICC or JAFZA) | not published | 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax, full confidentiality, 3-5 day setup |
| PRO Services (single service) | not published | Pay per service such as a single visa or licence renewal |
| PRO Services (monthly retainer) | not published | Ongoing PRO coverage with deadline tracking |
- none recorded
- none recorded
What we can do better
- No direct license issuance – only consultancy, so total cost is higher than applying directly with the authority
- Government fees are non-refundable and subject to change without notice
- No guarantee of license or visa approval
- Headline prices are 'starting from' and likely exclude visas, office space, and other mandatory costs
- Service fees are subject to 5% VAT
- Not affiliated with any government agency, so no special privileges or faster processing
Not researched
- No official fee data available to estimate markup over authority fees
- No customer reviews or ratings found in the provided sources
- No information on online checkout, client portal, AI features, or API/MCP
- SHAMS Free Zone price not provided
- PRO annual package price unclear (snippet incomplete)
- Exact inclusions for mainland and free zone headline prices not detailed
Shuraa Business Setup
markup: Free zone-only setups priced 15-25% above market; all-in costs typically 40-80% higher than advertised promo prices due to excluded government fees and upsells.Company formation services in UAE mainland, free zones, and offshore jurisdictions, including trade license registration, visa processing, PRO services, bank account assistance, office solutions, and tax consultation.
| Offer | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| UAE Free Zone Zero Visa Package | not published | Up to 10 business activities, trade license & lease agreement, banking account assistance, free flexi desk. Excludes visa and government fees. |
| UAE Free Zone with Visa Package | not published | Company License, Flexi-Desk, 2-Year Residency Visa, Bank Account Opening, Free Accounting Consultation, Corporate Tax Registration. Likely excludes government fees. |
| Ajman Free Zone Special Offer | not published | Trade license, free tax consultation, flexi desk. 2-hour license issuance. |
| Dubai Mainland Package | not published | 100% Business Ownership, Investor Visa Options, Banking Account Opening, License Approval in 24hrs, Dedicated Account Manager. Excludes government fees and visa costs. |
| DWTC Free Zone Package | not published | License fee (activity-dependent). Excludes foreign trade name, accommodation fees, SEWA deposit, visa cost, municipality fees. |
- Hidden costs and unexpected fees
- Lack of transparency and invoicing
- Aggressive upselling
- No client portal for tracking
- Bank account opening charged as high as AED 10,000
- Poor communication during execution
- Deep mainland expertise
- Strong knowledge of dual-license structures
- Good for businesses needing physical presence
- Long-standing reputation (since 2001)
- High overall rating (4.7/5)
What we can do better
- Aggressive upselling and hidden costs erode trust
- No client portal, poor digital experience
- Free zone-only setups priced 15-25% above market
- Bank account opening charged excessively
- Lack of transparent invoicing
- Inconsistent account management
Not researched
- No official fee breakdown from Shuraa; all prices are agent promo packages
- Exact markup over official fees not disclosed
- No information on online checkout or API
- No details on AI features
- Limited information on Abu Dhabi and offshore packages
Start Business UAE (Hamdan Bin Mohammed Programme / One Free Zone Passport intermediaries)
markup: Likely high; example IFZA package at AED 45,295 is significantly above typical agent prices (e.g., Virtuzone AED 22,000-25,000 for similar), suggesting a markup of 80-100% over official fees, but exact breakdown not provided.Business setup services for UAE free zones and mainland, including trade licence, establishment card, residence visa, and bank account opening.
| Offer | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| IFZA 1-person free zone company (example only) | not published | Trade licence, establishment card, first residence visa, bank account opening |
- none recorded
- none recorded
What we can do better
- High all-in pricing compared to competitors
- No itemized breakdown of fees
- No online checkout or self-service portal
- Limited zone coverage mentioned (only IFZA and mainland)
- No published reviews or trust signals
Not researched
- No official fee breakdown
- No list of supported free zones beyond IFZA
- No details on service fee model
- No customer reviews
- No digital platform features
- No mention of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Programme or One Free Zone Passport on the website; unclear if they are intermediaries for that programme
Company formation, trade licensing, residence visas, compliance, corporate services, banking support, VAT registration, accounting, offshore company formation, and e-commerce accelerator packages. virtuzone.com calculator.virtuzone.com virtuzone.com/corporate-services virtuzone.com/ecommerce-accelerator
| Offer | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free zone company formation (starting price, agent) | not published | Trade license, basic package (details not specified) |
| Mainland company formation (starting price, agent) | not published | Trade license, basic package (details not specified) |
| Offshore company formation (starting price, agent) | not published | Offshore incorporation (details not specified) |
| Free Zone Smart Choice Package (all-inclusive, agent) | not published | Trade license, residence visa, corporate tax registration, bank account assistance, one shareholder allocation |
| E-commerce accelerator package (starting from, agent) | not published | E-commerce licence, sourcing guidance, marketplace readiness, launch support |
- Slow service delivery and missed deadlines trustpilot.com
- Hidden termination fee of AED 7,350 trustpilot.com
- Inconsistent pricing and lack of itemized invoices trustpilot.com
- Unresponsive or uninformed relationship managers trustpilot.com
- Unrequested charges and invoices trustpilot.com
- none recorded
What we can do better
- Slow service delivery and unresponsive support trustpilot.com
- Hidden termination fees (AED 7,350) trustpilot.com
- Inconsistent pricing and no itemized invoices trustpilot.com
- Post-setup finance is an add-on, not integrated osome.com
- Less emphasis on modern SaaS accounting platforms osome.com
- Multi-year license terms may have pitfalls osome.com
Not researched
- No official fee breakdown or exact markup over government/free zone fees available in provided sources.
- No aggregate review score or count found on Trustpilot or other platforms in the given snippets.
- No direct customer praise or positive testimonials found in the provided sources.
- Digital experience details (client portal, AI features, API) not mentioned in any source.
- Online checkout capability unclear; process appears consultant-led, not self-service.