Top Stock Brokers in the United Arab Emirates: Top 10 (2025)

Brokers have developed significantly over the past 30 years by facilitating the buying and selling of financial securities (stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, cryptocurrencies, etc.) for their clients. Compared to traditional banks, they have access to many more products with significantly lower commission levels due to the volume they handle.

However, there are more than 78 financial intermediaries regulated in France, and it is therefore difficult to know which one to turn to for managing your buy or sell orders.

That's why our team of experts has analyzed all of them in order to offer you an independent and complete comparison.

Broker definition: What is a stock broker?

A broker, also known as a stockbroker, is a financial intermediary that facilitates the buying and selling of financial securities, such as stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and other financial instruments, on behalf of its clients. The primary role of a broker is to enable investors to access financial markets by executing their buy or sell orders.

Here is a comparison table between an online broker and a traditional bank for investing:

What are the different types of brokers?

The different types of brokers are as follows: 

What are the best online brokers?

Best broker according to the type of assets to trade

Best Forex broker

To choose the best Forex broker, here are the most important characteristics to take into account:

• Spreads and trading fees: check the spreads (differences between the buy and sell price) offered by the broker on Forex on the most important currency pairs such as EUR/USD, USD/JPY or GBP/USD.
• Overnight fees: if you wish to keep your positions open for more than one day, these fees, which are charged at night, should also be taken into account.
• Leverage: compare the maximum leverage available for currency pairs. Higher leverage allows you to maximise potential gains, but also increases risk.
• Order execution speed: fast execution is essential for Forex trading, where prices can change in a fraction of a second.
• Trading platform: check the quality of the trading platform (such as MetaTrader 4 or 5), its user interface, and the technical analysis tools offered.

Best CFD Broker

If you want to trade CFDs, here are the essential points to compare:

• Transaction Fees: Examine spreads, commissions, and overnight (swap) fees for CFDs.
• Leverage: CFDs allow trading with leverage. Compare the leverage levels offered for different assets (stocks, indices, commodities).
• Asset Offering: A good CFD broker should offer a wide range of underlying assets, including stocks, indices, commodities, and currencies.
• Negative Balance Protection: Verify that the broker offers negative balance protection, so you cannot lose more than you have invested.
• Risk Management Tools: Check the availability of stop loss, take profit, and other risk management tools to protect your investments.
• Interface and Trading Tools: Evaluate the quality of the trading platform, charts, technical indicators, and automated trading capabilities.

Watch out!

CFDs are speculative financial products that allow you to bet on the price variation of an "underlying asset" without owning it. They are based on a contract between the buyer and the seller, where the transaction is based on the difference in value between the asset at the opening and closing of the position. Consequently, you can potentially make significant gains, but you are also exposed to significant losses.

Best ETF Broker

To choose the best ETF broker, here are the characteristics to consider:

• Diversity of ETFs offered: A good ETF broker should offer a wide selection of ETFs, covering different sectors, indices, and geographical areas.
• Management fees: Compare the management fees of ETFs as well as transaction fees. Some brokers offer commission-free ETFs.
• Access to international markets: Check if the broker provides access to ETFs listed on different international stock markets.
• Dividend reinvestment options: Some brokers offer dividend reinvestment plans for ETFs, which can be beneficial for long-term investors.

Best Stock Broker

If you are looking to invest in stocks, here are the essential criteria to evaluate:

• Brokerage Fees: Compare brokerage fees for buying and selling stocks. Some brokers offer commission-free transactions, while others apply fixed or variable fees.
• Access to International Exchanges: If you want to invest in foreign stocks, check if the broker provides access to several international stock markets.
• Analysis Tools: Evaluate the availability of fundamental and technical analysis tools, such as stock screeners, analyst reports, and advanced charts.

Best online broker according to trading level

Broker for beginners

If you are new to trading, here are the essential characteristics to look for in a broker for beginners:

• Copy Trading Feature: Some platforms allow beginners to automatically copy trades from experienced traders, which can be a great way to learn by observing.
• Demo Account: A demo account is crucial for beginners as it allows them to practice trading with virtual money without risking real funds. Brokers with demo accounts are indicated in our comparator.
• Educational Resources: A good broker for beginners should offer a wide range of educational resources, such as tutorials, webinars, articles, and videos. These resources are essential for developing an understanding of the financial markets.
• Intuitive User Interface: The trading platform should be easy to navigate, with a clear interface and simple trading tools to use.
• Responsive Customer Support: Accessible and responsive customer support is important to help beginners quickly resolve any problems or questions they may encounter.

Broker for Experienced Traders

For experienced traders, here are the most important features to compare:

• Access to diversified markets: a broker for experienced traders should offer access to a wide range of markets, including stocks, currencies, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, to allow for maximum diversification.
• Advanced analysis tools: experienced traders need platforms offering advanced technical and fundamental analysis tools, such as indicators, customizable charts, and stock screeners.
• Fast order execution: ultra-fast order execution is crucial for experienced traders looking to enter and exit positions at specific times, especially in volatile markets.
• Platform customization: seasoned traders look for platforms that can be customized to their needs, with the ability to add specific indicators, trading algorithms, or automated strategies.
• Access to sophisticated trading tools: features such as algorithmic trading, APIs for third-party software integration, and margin trading options are important for experienced traders.
• Risk management and advanced order types: a good broker for experienced traders should offer a full range of order types (stop loss, take profit, trailing stop) and risk management tools to maximize profits while minimizing losses.
• Competitive transaction fees: experienced traders, who often make many trades, need brokers with low transaction fees to maximize their returns.

Best broker based on the trading platform

Broker with Metatrader MT4 or MT5

If you prefer to use MetaTrader, here are the essential characteristics to look for in a broker offering MT4 or MT5:

• MT4/MT5 Compatibility: Verify that the broker offers full integration with MetaTrader 4 or 5, allowing access to all platform features.
• Varied Asset Offering: Look for a broker that offers a wide range of assets to trade via MT4 or MT5, including currencies, commodities, indices, and stock CFDs.
• Advanced Trading Tools: MetaTrader is known for its advanced technical analysis tools, such as customizable indicators, trading robots (Expert Advisors), and interactive charts. Verify that the broker allows the use of these tools without restrictions.
• Fast Order Execution: To get the most out of MT4/MT5, choose a broker that offers fast and reliable order execution, which is essential for short-term trading strategies.
• Customization of Scripts and Algorithms: Experienced traders appreciate the ability to create and use custom scripts and algorithms on MetaTrader. Verify that the broker supports this feature.

Broker with TradingView

For traders who prefer to use TradingView, here are the most important criteria to consider:

• Integration with TradingView: ensure the broker is seamlessly integrated with TradingView, allowing you to execute trades directly from TradingView charts.
• Advanced charting tools: TradingView is renowned for its superior charting and technical analysis tools. Choose a broker that allows you to take full advantage of these tools to develop complex strategies.
• Access to real-time market data: a good broker with TradingView should offer accurate real-time data feeds for a wide range of assets, ensuring your trading decisions are based on the most up-to-date information.
• Compatibility with automated trading strategies: verify that the broker allows the execution of trading algorithms and automated strategies developed on TradingView.
• Multi-asset support: a TradingView-compatible broker should offer a wide range of assets to trade, including stocks, indices, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and currencies.
• Transparent trading fees: given that TradingView often attracts active traders, choose a broker that offers competitive trading fees to maximize your profits while using this powerful platform.

Best Broker According to Trading Strategy

Broker for Scalping

Scalping is a short-term trading strategy that involves making multiple small transactions over a short period to take advantage of micro-movements in prices.

If you practice scalping, here are the essential characteristics to look for in a broker:

• Ultra-fast order execution: Scalping relies on fast transactions, often in seconds or minutes. Choose a broker that offers near-instantaneous order execution to maximize profit opportunities.
• Tight spreads: Scalpers make many small transactions, so tight spreads are crucial to minimize costs and maximize gains.
• No scalping restrictions: Some brokers limit or prohibit scalping. Check that the broker you choose explicitly allows this strategy.
• High-performance trading platform: A responsive platform with advanced features, such as real-time charts and stop-loss orders, is essential for scalpers.
• Low transaction fees: As scalping involves many transactions per day, choose a broker with low transaction fees so as not to reduce your profits.
• Appropriate leverage: High leverage can be beneficial for scalping, but it is important to fully understand the risks involved. The maximum leverage for retail traders in the United Arab Emirates is according on the regulation.

Broker for Swing Trading

Swing trading is a medium-term investment strategy that aims to take advantage of price fluctuations over several days or weeks, by taking positions to capture trend movements.

If you practice swing trading, here are the important points to consider:

• Order Flexibility: Swing trading involves holding positions open for several days or weeks. Look for a broker that offers limit, stop-loss, and take-profit orders to manage your positions effectively.
• Technical Analysis Platform: A platform offering advanced technical analysis tools, such as trend indicators, oscillators, and candlestick patterns, is crucial for identifying swing trading opportunities.
• Competitive Spreads and Commissions: Even though swing trading generates fewer transactions than scalping or day trading, costs must remain low to maximize long-term profits.
• Access to Various Markets: Swing trading can be applied to different assets (stocks, currencies, commodities). Choose a broker that offers a wide range of assets to diversify your positions.
• Multi-Asset Support: The ability to trade different assets on a single platform is advantageous for swing traders looking to capture price movements in various markets.

Broker for Day Trading

Day trading is a short-term trading strategy that involves buying and selling financial assets within the same day, in order to profit from intraday price variations.

For traders practicing day trading, here are the essential characteristics to compare:

• Fast order execution: Day trading relies on rapid market movements, so instant order execution is crucial to capture small price fluctuations.
• Tight spreads and low commissions: As day trading involves numerous transactions during the day, look for a broker with tight spreads and low commissions to minimize transaction costs.
• Advanced trading platform: A platform with real-time technical analysis tools, interactive charts, and the ability to execute multiple order types is essential for day trading.
• Access to real-time data feeds: For day trading, real-time and accurate market data is essential for making quick and informed decisions.
• Appropriate leverage: Day trading can benefit from moderate leverage, but it's important to choose a leverage level that matches your risk tolerance.
• Risk management tools: Tools like stop-loss and trailing stop orders are essential to protect your positions from significant losses during day trading.

What else should you look at when choosing an online broker?

Broker Regulation

Broker regulation is a crucial aspect to consider when choosing an online broker. A regulated broker is subject to strict standards imposed by financial authorities, ensuring the security of client funds, transparency of operations, and compliance with applicable laws. Regulation also ensures that the broker has mechanisms in place to resolve disputes and protects investors against fraudulent practices.

Key Regulatory Bodies in the World:

• Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) - United Arab Emirates
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - United Kingdom
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - United States
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) - Australia
• Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) - Cyprus
• BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) - Germany

Investing with a broker regulated by one of these organizations allows you to benefit from better protection and greater peace of mind.

Assets offered for trading by the stockbroker

The choice of available assets is also essential, as it determines the diversification opportunities and trading strategies you can implement. Here is a table of the main types of assets that brokers can offer:

Choose a broker that offers the assets you want to trade, and check the diversity of options available to adapt your strategy.

Account Types

Online brokers offer different types of accounts to suit the varied needs of traders, whether they are beginners or professionals.

• Standard Trading Account: a standard account designed for individual investors, offering access to financial markets with basic tools.
• Pro Trading Account: designed for experienced or institutional traders, this account offers improved trading conditions, such as tighter spreads, higher leverage limits, and personalized services.
• Demo Account: allows traders to practice with virtual money, test strategies without risk, and familiarize themselves with the trading platform.
• Islamic Account: designed for traders who wish to comply with the principles of Islamic finance, this account does not apply interest charges on positions held open (swap).

Platform Features

The features offered by a trading platform can greatly influence your trading experience. Here are some features to consider:

• Copy Trading : allows traders to automatically copy the strategies and trades of other experienced traders.
• Market Analysis : access to technical and fundamental analysis, and market forecasts to inform your trading decisions.
• Automated Trading : ability to program trading algorithms that automatically execute orders based on predefined conditions.
• Risk Management Tools : features such as stop-loss, take-profit, and trailing stop orders to better manage your positions and limit losses.

Broker Fees, Spreads, and Commissions

Trading-related costs can significantly impact your profits, so it's essential to understand the different types of fees:

• Transaction Fees: fixed or percentage fees levied on each buy or sell order. For example, you buy shares of a company for AED 4,000. The broker applies a commission of 0.5% per transaction. You will therefore pay AED 20 (0.5% of AED 4,000) in commission for this purchase.
• Spreads: difference between the buying price and the selling price of an asset, constituting an implicit cost for the trader. Spreads can be fixed or variable. For example, on the Forex market, you decide to trade the EUR/USD pair. The purchase price is 1.1200 and the selling price is 1.1198. The spread is therefore 0.0002 (or 2 pips). If you buy this pair, you will start with a loss of 2 pips, which is the broker's margin.
• Financing Fees (swap): Interest charged on positions held open beyond one day (overnight), mainly on Forex and CFDs. For example, you keep a position open on a currency pair overnight. If the swap fees for this pair are 0.01% per day, and your position is AED 40,000, you will pay AED 4 (AED 40,000 x 0.01%) for each day you keep the position open.
• Inactivity Fees: some brokers charge a fee if the account is not used for a certain period. For example, your trading account has had no activity (neither transaction nor connection) for six months. The broker charges an inactivity fee of AED 40 per month. After six months of inactivity, you will be charged AED 240 (AED 40 x 6 months).
• Deposit/Withdrawal Fees: fees may be applied to deposit or withdraw funds from the trading account. For example, you deposit AED 4,000 into your trading account via a bank transfer, and the broker charges 1% deposit fee. You will therefore have to pay AED 40 (1% of AED 4,000) at the time of deposit. If you withdraw AED 2,000 later, and the withdrawal is charged at 2%, you will pay AED 40 (2% of AED 2,000) in withdrawal fees.

How to Start Trading with an Online Broker?

If you are a beginner and want to get started with online trading, here is a step-by-step guide using a typical example of the brokers available in the market.

1. Trading Account Creation

The first step to start trading is to create a trading account. The process is often designed to be simple and fast, perfect for beginners:

• Quick Registration: Go to your broker's website and click on the account creation button or link. Fill out a simple form with your basic personal information.
• Easy KYC: Most brokers have a simplified KYC (Know Your Customer) verification process. Simply upload a copy of your identity document (passport or Emirates ID) and a recent proof of address. The verification process is quick, usually completed within a few hours. Keep a copy of your KYC documents up to date, such as your proof of address, to facilitate future verifications. This could avoid delays in the processing of withdrawals.

2. Funding Your Account

Once your account is created and verified, you will need to deposit funds to start trading:

• Varied Deposit Methods: Brokers often offer multiple options for funding your account, including credit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill. If you use e-wallets like PayPal or Skrill to deposit funds, be sure to check the transaction fees. Some services may charge additional fees that could impact your earnings.
• Instant Deposit: Deposits made by credit card or e-wallet are generally instant, allowing you to start trading immediately. If your bank account is in AED but your trading account is in dollars, watch out for currency conversion fees. Consider using a multi-currency account or check if your bank offers competitive exchange rates to avoid additional fees when depositing and withdrawing.

3. Placing a Trading Order

After funding your account, you're ready to place your first trading order:

• Choose an asset: On your broker's trading platform, you can choose from a wide range of assets, such as currencies, stocks, indices, commodities, or cryptocurrencies.
• Place an order: You can choose to place a buy or sell order. For example, if you think the price of a stock will go up, you place a buy order. If you anticipate a decrease, you can sell.
• Order parameters: You can also set a stop-loss to limit your losses or a take-profit to automatically take your profits at a certain price level.

4. Funds Withdrawal

When you have made profits or wish to recover part of your funds, you can easily make a withdrawal:

• Simple process: Withdrawals with most brokers are simple and straightforward. Simply log in to your account, select the withdrawal option, and choose your preferred method.
• Quick turnaround: E-wallet withdrawals are often processed in under 24 hours, while bank transfers may take a little longer (typically 2 to 5 business days). If you plan to withdraw your winnings, avoid initiating the process at the end of the week or before a public holiday. Bank transfers can be delayed, so plan your withdrawals at the beginning of the week to minimize delays.

Example of trading with an online broker

Let's take a concrete example to illustrate the trading process:

Suppose you want to trade the EUR/USD currency pair.

You analyze the price charts and decide that the euro will strengthen against the US dollar.

You place a buy order of 1 lot on the EUR/USD at a price of 1.1200. You set a stop-loss at 1.1150 (to limit your loss to 50 pips) and a take-profit at 1.1250 (to take a gain of 50 pips).

Result : If the market moves as expected, the price reaches 1.1250, and your take-profit order is executed, realizing a gain of 50 pips. If the market reverses, your stop-loss is triggered at 1.1150, limiting your loss.

How does an online broker get paid?

An online broker is mainly remunerated in several ways, depending on the services it offers. Here are the main sources of revenue for an online broker:

• Commissions on buy and sell orders: Some brokers charge a fixed commission or a percentage on each transaction carried out by their clients. This commission may vary depending on the type of asset (shares, bonds, ETFs, etc.) and the volume of the transaction.
• Spreads or buy/sell price spreads: Brokers, especially those specializing in Forex or CFDs, are remunerated by applying a spread, which is the difference between the purchase price and the selling price of an asset. The broker makes a profit by selling an asset at a price slightly higher than the price at which it bought it on behalf of the client.
• Account maintenance fees: Some brokers charge management fees for maintaining accounts, especially if the account is not active for a certain period (inactivity fees).
• Deposit or withdrawal fees: Fees may be applied when depositing or withdrawing funds from the trading account.
• Interest on leveraged positions: When a client uses leverage to increase their investment capacity, the broker charges interest on the borrowed funds. These fees, called "financing fees", are generally applied daily for positions held open.
• Access to advanced platforms: Some brokers offer premium services or paid subscriptions to access advanced trading tools, real-time market data, or technical analysis.
• Advice and portfolio management: Fees may also be applied for personalized advice or portfolio management services.

All our guides on the best brokers in the United Arab Emirates

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.