Masdar City or ADGM
Compare two Abu Dhabi free zones with very different purposes: Masdar City for cleantech and innovation companies, and ADGM for financial services under English common law with the FSRA regulating financial activity.
Your situation
Answer for the default situation: one visa. Change an answer above to update it.
Ajman Free Zone fits your answers, and it is not in this comparison.
Choose Dubai Mainland if you will sell or work onshore.
No like-for-like starting price is published for Masdar City Free Zone and ADGM, so the cost side of this comparison is open. Decide on activity fit, location and an itemised quote for your case.
Read from the same published figures as the table. Activity eligibility, approvals and the full first year still decide the route.
Side by side
Package figures cover their stated inclusions only. Activity eligibility, the full first-year cost and renewal still need confirmation for your case.
| Metric | Masdar City Free ZoneFree zone | ADGMFree zone |
|---|---|---|
| From, one visa | Masdar City Free Zone Not published: Not published | ADGM Not published: Not published |
| Lowest package price | Masdar City Free Zone Not published: Not published | ADGM Not published: Not published |
| Licence issued in | Masdar City Free Zone 1 calendar day The authority advertises a digital licence in one day. | ADGM 10 business days |
| Residency visa in | Masdar City Free Zone Not published: Not published | ADGM Not published: Not published |
| Renewal price | Masdar City Free Zone Not published: Not published | ADGM USD 500 Renewal quoted alongside Foundation initial fee |
| Licence types | Masdar City Free Zone Clean tech, Sustainability, Services | ADGM Non-regulated, FSRA-regulated financial |
| Facility options | Masdar City Free Zone Office, Campus facilities | ADGM Office, Coworking within ADGM |
| Visa options | Masdar City Free Zone Not published: Not published | ADGM Not published: Not published |
| Remote paperwork | Masdar City Free Zone No | ADGM No |
| Activity guides catalogued | Masdar City Free Zone Not published: Not published | ADGM Not published: Not published |
| Next step | Explore Masdar City Free Zone | Explore ADGM |
Check before choosing
Masdar City Free Zone
Confirm activity restrictions, premises and visa requirements for your case.
Read the Masdar City Free Zone guideAsk an assistant about this page: ChatGPT · Claude · Perplexity
FAQ
Which Abu Dhabi zone fits my business?
Regulated financial firms and holding structures usually look at ADGM. Technology, sustainability and innovation companies usually look at Masdar City. Confirm the activity in each catalogue.
How are the prices compared?
Only package prices at the same visa count and term are ranked against each other. A calculator output, a licence-only estimate or a product flagged as not like for like is shown in the table but never used to name a cheaper side.
Which costs less on published figures, Masdar City Free Zone or ADGM?
No like-for-like starting price is published for Masdar City Free Zone and ADGM, so the cost side of this comparison is open. Decide on activity fit, location and an itemised quote for your case.
Still torn?
Explore the full guides to compare package costs, visa requirements and how you plan to trade.