Looking for the top broker in the United Arabic Emirates? Based on our hands-on analysis, we’ve identify 7 best options tailored to various trading needs. Practical tips from our experts are included.
*CFD Service. Your capital is at risk.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its most populous city, Dubai, have become a global hub for traders. Citizens benefit from not having to pay taxes on earnings from forex trading and can enjoy the country’s modern infrastructure and world-class amenities.
Trust is a significant factor in our reviews, and we pay careful attention to the regulatory status of brokers. The UAE has three regulators: the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) – both of which are categorized as Tier-2 – and the Central Bank of the UAE. Traders in the UAE also have the right to trade with brokers regulated abroad.
I carefully considered the needs of traders in the UAE and focused on the points that benefit this group the most.
Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FXEmpire’s comprehensive methodology. Here’s how we test.
Now let’s go through the selected brokers.
Swissquote is a leading bank in online financial services, including forex and CFD brokerage. The Gland, Switzerland-based company was founded in 1996 and has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since May 2000. I verified that Swissquote is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the top-tier Swiss Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Regional Features:
When it comes to financial strength and stability, I rate Swissquote among the top CFD brokers globally. It currently employs over 1,000 staff and serves over 400,000 clients. Clients can access over 400 Forex and CFD instruments via the proprietary Advanced Trader platform. After test-driving Advanced Trader for over a week, I concluded that the platform is a winner — both feature-rich and intuitive. Advanced traders seeking low trading costs will find Swissquote an excellent fit. Progressively tighter spreads are available with various Swissquote account types, catering to different trader profiles.
The DFSA regulates the UAE entity (Swissquote MEA Ltd.), and all accounts are insured up to CHF 100,000 via the Swiss deposit insurance scheme. The United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) is available as a base currency (the currency in which your account is denominated), along with EUR, CHF, and GBP as alternatives.
The multilingual support team at Swissquote can offer assistance in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German. Having made dozens of inquiries in the process of writing my review, I found the customer support reliably solid at this broker. If you are a UAE resident looking for a stable, well-rounded broker, Swissquote might be for you.
Sydney, Australia-based FP Markets was founded in 2005 and has entities regulated by top-tier CySEC and ASIC. With over 800 instruments across stocks, indices, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, traders can work with a broad range of markets.
Regional Features:
My hands-on tests showed that traders can expect rock-bottom trading costs with this broker. They offer two principal accounts: the commission-free Standard Account and the Raw Account, which is commission-based but provides tighter spreads. In my experience using the Standard Account, I found the spreads to be highly competitive, with, for example, 0.8 pips in the Dax 40. Clients have a variety of ways to access the markets, including MT4/5, WebTrader, IRESS, and FP Markets’ proprietary mobile app.
Deposits and withdrawals are processed fast, and FP Markets does not apply any charges, even via bank wire. 24/7 customer support is available in Arabic, and clients can access swap-free Islamic accounts.
Plus500 was founded in 2008 and since then has become a giant in the brokerage industry. Today, it boasts a presence in over 50 countries, with 400,000 active clients. Listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: PLUS), it is one of a handful of publicly traded CFD brokers. I verified that Plus500 is a multi-regulated broker, authorized by several top-tier authorities. Broker’s clients can access 2,500 CFD instruments via the state-of-the-art WebTrader platform and mobile app.
Regional Features:
In my hands-on assessment of Plus500, I found it to be particularly strong in the area of research materials and tools. Clients can stay updated with market news and digest helpful analysis throughout the week. The in-house research team primarily focuses on fundamental themes, delving into topics such as earnings reports and central bank policies.
The research tools built into the WebTrader platform are outstanding. The +Insights feature shows community trends, providing stats on the most traded instruments and the top profit/loss-making positions. This information helps traders identify interesting assets to focus on. Sentiment data is also available, indicating the proportion of traders going long or short on each instrument. In my experience, when the ratio of buyers versus sellers reaches an extreme level, this can be a powerful indicator of potential trend reversal. The information is especially valuable, given the large client base of Plus500.
AvaTrade was founded in 2006, making it an early mover in the forex and CFD industry. The Dublin-based broker has grown tremendously since then and now provides services to 400,000 traders globally. With a broad network of regulatory compliance across several international agencies, such as ASIC and CySEC, it stands as a highly trusted player in the global trading landscape.
Regional Features:
I was particularly impressed by the broad range of copy trading platforms available to AvaTrade clients. The MetaTrader-compatible DupliTrade platform allows traders to automatically copy more experienced traders’ strategies in real time. The popular ZuluTrade platform enables clients to copy top-performing traders from different brokers. Meanwhile, AvaSocial allows clients to copy and learn from successful traders within the AvaTrade community.
AvaTrade provides a great range of trading accounts and platforms to trade on over 1,250 instruments covering forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptos, and FX options. Clients can select from various accounts suitable for beginner and advanced traders, including CFD, Islamic, and Options Accounts.
Founded in 2009, Vantage is an award-winning multi-asset broker headquartered in Sydney, Australia. A significant player in the world of CFD brokerage, Vantage has over 50,000 active clients worldwide, trading forex, commodities, indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies. Entities are regulated by the top-tier ASIC and the offshore CIMA, the company undergoes regular audits, and all client funds are held in a segregated trust account.
Regional Features:
Vantage offers an exciting range of platforms, from the popular MetaTrader to the state-of-the-art ProTrader powered by TradingView. While exploring the Vantage app, I found it intuitive and easy to use even for inexperienced traders. In my opinion, it serves as a great tool for staying connected to the markets while on the move. Whether you’re an advanced trader working with automated strategies or a total beginner to the markets, Vantage has a suitable platform for you.
The Arabic version of the website allows UAE residents to easily reference important information. Vantage swap-free (Islamic) accounts are available for traders who wish to abide by Sharia law. Reliable 24/7 support in Arabic is available via live chat, phone, and email.
Established in 2011, FXTM is a forex and CFD broker headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. Top-tier authorities, including the UK FCA and CySEC, regulate its various entities. A global CFD broker, FXTM has offices in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America and has served 4 million clients across 180 countries.
Regional Features:
FXTM offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 for desktop, web, and mobile. For trading on the go, clients can also use the proprietary FXTM Trader mobile app. The MetaTrader platform has advanced functionality, including advanced order types and automated trading.
When exploring the tools offered by FXTM, I discovered that a selection of useful custom MT4 indicators is available to clients. Custom indicators, such as their Pivot SR Levels, are downloadable from the FXTM website and can help give traders an edge in their analysis.
MetaTrader is an advanced platform that can take time to master, and FXTM helps address this with dedicated account representatives on hand to answer questions. The broker provides robust educational materials that include detailed MetaTrader platform tutorials.
Moneta Markets is an award-winning broker offering competitive conditions to traders across the globe. Clients can access CFDs on forex, commodities, indices, shares, EFTs, and bonds. Among platforms, Moneta Markets offers the popular MetaTrader 4 and state-of-the-art ProTrader Powered by TradingView. I confirmed that Moneta Markets South Africa (Pty) Ltd is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa and that Moneta Markets Ltd is listed in the Saint Lucia Registry of International Business Companies.
Regional Features:
Moneta Markets can accommodate a range of trader profiles with its flexible account types. Beginners and casual traders can take advantage of the STP Direct account type, with spreads from 1.2 pips, the ability to trade in micro-lots, and a minimum deposit of only $50. Advanced traders can opt for the Prime and Ultra ECN account types – which our hands-on tests confirmed as having extremely low spreads across all asset classes. All account types have access to the full range of 1,000+ tradable assets.
All client funds are fully segregated in a trust account held with an AA-Rated Global Bank, and client trading accounts are covered by negative balance protection. If you are looking for a broker that can provide rock-bottom costs, high leverage, and robust platforms, Moneta Markets could be a good fit.
Consider the following questions when searching for a suitable broker to work in the UAE.
Take into account the regulatory status of the broker. Forex brokers regulated by top-tier financial authorities must undergo audits, meet capital requirements, and provide segregated accounts and negative balance protection. The UAE SCA requires brokers to segregate company and client funds and to provide negative balance protection. The UAE DFSA upholds high ethical standards by not allowing brokers to accept credit cards for funding trading accounts and by ensuring that all marketing and educational materials are not misleading.
A compensation fund is sometimes available in the event of broker insolvency. You can search the regulator’s website to confirm the broker’s status and check for any disciplinary action. The broker’s size and operating history are also worth considering. You can usually find these on the company’s LinkedIn page.
Read more about Best regulated forex brokers.
An intuitive, easy-to-navigate platform allows you to delve into the trading world with minimal hitches. The most user-friendly platforms are typically browser-based platforms created by the broker. Look for easy-to-implement features such as watchlists, trading from the chart, search, news, and a customizable interface. I find 1-click trading and the ability to tile your charts for viewing multiple instruments simultaneously particularly useful.
While the MetaTrader 4&5 platforms offer advanced features like backtesting, automated trading, and a wide range of order types, they can be less user-friendly. When using MetaTrader, I appreciate the market depth feature, which displays the depth of liquidity for the instrument. Also, it’s worth checking the availability of a well-designed, broker-specific (proprietary) mobile app.
The popular MetaTrader platform is also available in Arabic, making it easier to navigate for non-English speakers in the UAE. Read more about each trading platform in our detailed guides on the best MT4 and best MT5 forex brokers.
Check out our selection of Best forex trading platforms.
Working with a broker that keeps costs such as spreads to a minimum can make the difference between profit and loss at the end of the trading day. For example, a spread of 1 pip or less in EUR/USD is competitive, making it less expensive to enter and exit positions in the market – a crucial factor for day traders.
Inactivity and withdrawal fees are other factors to keep an eye on when considering a broker. Traders in the UAE can select from the world’s most competitive brokers in terms of fees. Based on my research, the lowest spreads are offered by FP Markets.
You can also check out our guide for the best forex brokers with lowest spreads for more professional tips and insights.
The minimum deposit to trade live can vary from less than $100 (for example, $50 at Multibank) to more considerable sums (for example, $1,000 at Swissquote).
Typically forex accounts are denominated in currencies like USD, EUR, GBP, or JPY. This currency (the base currency) shows your account balance. Some brokers, such as Swissquote and Multibank, offer AED as a base currency, making it a more familiar reference point for residents of the UAE.
DFSA-regulated brokers such as Swissquote can offer leverage of up to 1:30. SCA-regulated brokers such as MultiBank can offer 1:500. If you decide to work with a UK (FCA) or EU (CySEC) based broker, the maximum is 1:30. Most offshore brokers offer 1:500 leverage or even higher in some cases.
Check out our dedicated guides on best CySEC-regulated brokers and best FCA-regulated brokers.
Leverage is one of the most appealing features of CFD trading and can work in your favor when used wisely. Beware of using excessive leverage, even if it is tempting. It’s an enthralling feeling to control a large position in the market. But when markets are moving fast, and you are holding a highly leveraged position, there is a high risk of losing money. Accounts can get wiped out in seconds.
Read about Best high-leverage forex brokers.
As a forex trader in the UAE, it’s essential to be able to reach out to support in English or your native tongue of Arabic. Check the hours of availability, for example, whether help is on hand 24/7 or only during business hours. Chat support is the most convenient, so look for an easy-to-access chat window built into the broker platform. In the case of a platform outage, it is also helpful to be able to contact support via phone.
A common scam in the forex and CFD industry involves vendors offering a trading strategy that guarantees an outlandishly high return in a short period. These strategies may involve automated trading using bots or a signal service where trades are shared via chat or social media. It’s important to note that nobody can guarantee returns with certainty, and it is more likely that such strategies will result in losses. When assessing strategy or signal providers, you should look for a live track record audited by a third party, but remember that past performance does not guarantee future results.
Traders should also be highly cautious about opening an account with an unregulated offshore broker. Such brokers may offer a straightforward account opening process, bonuses, and high levels of leverage but client funds are not protected. Meanwhile, brokers regulated by top-tier authorities must undergo regular audits and are held accountable for misconduct. Traders can also benefit from features such as segregated accounts for holding their funds, negative balance protection, and a compensation fund in case of broker insolvency.
In selecting the best forex brokers for UAE residents, we used the results of our advanced proprietary methodology. All of the brokers listed were among the leaders in our tests.
FXEmpire has been reviewing brokers since 2011 and has pioneered the in-depth evaluation of CFD brokers. Our process has taken years to refine and involved hundreds of reviews. We’ve gone to a granular level — with over 250 data points in our analysis of each broker — so you can feel confident in selecting the right platform. To provide the most comprehensive view, we break down the brokers according to nine different categories:
In our broker reviews, we explain complex areas like regulatory status, so you can easily understand the safety of your funds and the benefits you are guaranteed. All our winning brokers listed above have at least one entity licensed by a top-tier regulator.
Data is gathered through live testing, research, detailed questionnaires, and in-person broker demonstrations. An account is opened with each broker, focusing primarily on the services of one entity and testing using the most standard account type and platform. We conduct live tests of spreads and measure overnight swap fees and account-related costs.
Our side-by-side analysis reveals whether a broker is competitive in relation to the industry. Trading platforms take time to master, but we have already done the legwork for you, and our evaluations highlight their essential features and usability.
FXEmpire abides by strict guidelines for editorial integrity. Scoring is based on objective criteria and mostly measurable data, so individual preferences or biases cannot sway our reviews. The review process is independent and follows a strict protocol. In addition, all facts are carefully checked and rechecked, as reviews are continually updated. Learn more about our methodology here.
For this best brokers page, we selected the best forex brokers for United Arab Emirates (UAE) Residents. We looked for top-tier regulated brokers and checked if they provide an Islamic account option, accept UAE dirham (AED) as a base currency, offer an Arabic version of their website, provide customer support in Arabic language, have offices in UAE, and offer competitive fees and low trading costs. Since traders have different needs, we then separated the brokers into categories where they stood out as winners.
The team of forex and CFD writers and editors at FXEmpire is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists. Our writers have been published on leading financial websites such as Investopedia and Forbes. In addition, they all have extensive trading experience.
Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licenced futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.
Jitan Solanki is a professional trader, market analyst, and educator. He day trades major currency and index markets and focuses on swing trading US equities and commodities. A qualified Market Technician, Jitan also works with trader education and brokerage companies on various projects. These include market analysis, live trading events, and broker reviews. As an experienced trader and educator, Jitan brings all his qualities in action when reviewing and recommending brokers.
Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.
In more than 15 years of trading in the financial markets, Vladimir dealt with a wide range of brokers and financial instruments. His career as a day-trader at a proprietary trading firm goes back to 2007. Later, Vladimir turned to longer time frames and became an independent trader and analyst managing his own portfolio. Using his experience, he helps traders find the best broker in his reviews.
Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licenced futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.
At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.