SHAMS vs ADGM
Head-to-head comparison of Sharjah Media City (Sharjah) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (Abu Dhabi). Costs, visa caps, banking, and who each zone is built for.
💰 Cheaper Option
SHAMS
AED 5,750 starting
👥 More Visas
ADGM
Up to 150 visas
| Feature | SHAMS | ADGM |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Sharjah Media City | Abu Dhabi Global Market |
| Emirate | Sharjah | Abu Dhabi |
| Established | 2017 | 2015 |
| Starting Cost | AED 5,750 | AED 65,000 |
| Flexi-Desk Cost | AED 2,500 | AED 35,000 |
| Max Visas | 6+ | 150+ |
| Banking Support | Moderate - may require additional documentation | Excellent |
| License Types | Media, Service, Commercial | Financial, Non-Financial, Retail |
SHAMS is built for
- ▸Media
- ▸Freelancers
- ▸Content creators
- ▸Small businesses
ADGM is built for
- ▸Financial services
- ▸Family offices
- ▸Fintech
- ▸Asset management
Full SHAMS Guide →
Full ADGM Guide →