Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in United Arab Emirates 2024
The best day trading platforms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offer accessible accounts for Emirati traders, plus a wide range of global markets, especially in the EMEA region.
Many leading brokers are also regulated by credible authorities, notably the Abu Dhabi Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
Our experts have rigorously evaluated hundreds of brokers against key criteria for day traders, including trading fees, charting platforms and execution quality. Explore our selection of the best platforms for day traders in the UAE.
Top 10 Platforms For Day Trading In The United Arab Emirates
Following our tests, these are the top 10 brokers for day trading in the UAE:
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1IC Markets
Ratings
$2000.01 Lots1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMACFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, CryptoMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTradePayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa, UnionPay, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Mastercard, POLi, BPAY, Credit Card, Klarna, Swift, SafeChargeUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD -
2AvaTrade20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000
Ratings
$1000.01 Lots1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFMCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, FuturesWebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTradeSkrill, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Swift, MoneyGram, Credit Card, WebMoney, JCB Card, Debit Card, Neteller, BoletoUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD -
3Exness
Ratings
$100.01 Lots1:UnlimitedCySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSCCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, CryptoExness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentralWire Transfer, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin Payments, Boleto, Airtel, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, Sticpay, AstroPay, Cashu, FasaPay, WebMoney, M-PesaUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, MYR, IDR, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, NGN, THB, VND, UAH, KWD, QAR, KRW, MXN, KES, CNY -
4PepperstoneCFDs and FX are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81.8% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.
Ratings
$00.01 Lots1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCBCFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread BettingMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTradeVisa, Mastercard, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer, POLi, UnionPay, BPAY, Neteller, Skrill, PIX PaymentUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD -
5XM$30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account
Ratings
$50.01 Lots1:1000ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSCCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, EnergiesMT4, MT5, TradingCentralCredit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Perfect Money, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, TransferWise, Visa, M-PesaUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY -
6Eightcap
Ratings
$1000.01 Lots1:500ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCBCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, CryptoMT4, MT5, TradingViewNeteller, Skrill, Visa, UnionPay, Credit Card, Debit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, BPAY, PayPal, Dragonpay, PIX PaymentUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD -
7LiteForex Europe
Ratings
$500.01 Lots1:30CySEC, AFMCFDs, Forex, Indices, CommoditiesMT4, MT5Neteller, Skrill, Visa, QIWI, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Western Union, Credit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, CHF -
8RoboForex$30 No Deposit BonusRoboForex Ltd and its affiliates do not target EU/EEA/UK clients. Please be aware that you are able to receive investment services from a third-country firm at your own exclusive initiative only, taking all the risks involved.
Ratings
$100.01 Lots1:2000IFSCCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, FuturesR StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingViewVisa, iDeal, Trustly, Neteller, Skrill, Giropay, Sofort, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Alipay, POLi, Perfect Money, MoneyGram, Cashu, SafeCharge, WeChat Pay, Vietcombank Transfer, Volet, ecoPayz, AstroPayUSD, EUR -
9eToroeToro AUS Capital Ltd ACN 612 791 803 AFSL 491139. OTC Derivatives are speculative and leveraged. Not suitable for all investors. Capital At Risk. See eToro T&Cs.
Ratings
$100$10FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMFCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTseToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentralVisa, Skrill, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Swift, Debit Card, iDeal, Klarna, Sofort, Trustly, Przelewy24USD, EUR, GBP -
10FOREX.com20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000
Ratings
$1000.01 Lots1:400NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMAForex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, CryptoMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentralWire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH TransferUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- IC Markets - IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.
- AvaTrade - Established in 2006, AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Operating under regulation in 9 jurisdictions, AvaTrade processes an impressive 2+ million trades each month. Through like MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader, the broker provides a growing selection of 1,250+ instruments. Whether it’s CFDs, AvaOptions, or the more recent AvaFutures, short-term traders at all levels will find opportunities. With terrific education and 24/5 multilingual customer support, AvaTrade delivers the complete trading experience.
- Exness - Established in 2008, Exness has maintained its position as a highly respected broker, standing out with its industry-leading range of 40+ account currencies, growing selection of CFD instruments, and intuitive web platform complete with useful extras like currency convertors and trading calculators.
- Pepperstone - Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for day traders at all levels.
- XM - XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been delivering low trading fees across its growing roster of 1000+ instruments. It’s also highly regulated, including by ASIC and CySEC and offers a comprehensive MetaTrader experience.
- Eightcap - Eightcap is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker established in Australia in 2009. The broker has proven popular with active day traders, providing 800+ instruments with tight spreads and notable improvements in recent years, integrating the leading TradingView platform, alongside AI-powered financial calendars and algo trading tools with zero coding experience required.
- LiteForex Europe - LiteForex Europe is a CFD broker established in 2008 and authorized by the CySEC. The brokerage offers forex, commodities and indices via the MT4 and MT5 platforms. Spreads are ultra tight on ECN accounts and leverage is available up to 1:30 in line with EU regulations. LiteForex also offers a rich education centre for new day traders and social trading capabilities.
- RoboForex - RoboForex is an online broker, established in 2009 and registered with the IFSC in Belize. Traders can choose from five accounts (Prime, ECN, R StocksTrader, ProCent, Pro) catering to different needs with trades from 0.01 lots and spreads from 0 pips. RoboForex has also enhanced its offering over the years, adding CFD instruments and launching its stock trading platform, plus the CopyFX system.
- eToro - eToro is a top-rated multi-asset platform which offers trading services in thousands of CFDs, stocks and cryptoassets. Launched in 2007, the brand has millions of active traders globally and is authorized by tier one regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. The brand is particularly popular for its comprehensive social trading platform. Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in the UK and some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 51% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
- FOREX.com - Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in United Arab Emirates 2024 Comparison
IC Markets
"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IC Markets Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
---|---|
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto |
Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
Minimum Deposit | $200 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
- You have access to over 2,250 CFDs across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing for diversified trading strategies.
- IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.
Cons
- There are fees for certain withdrawal methods, including a $20 wire charge, which can eat into profits, especially for frequent withdrawals.
- While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
- Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
AvaTrade
"AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
AvaTrade Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | 20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000 |
---|---|
Demo Account | Yes |
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures |
Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM |
Platforms | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
Minimum Deposit | $100 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD |
Pros
- The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
- Years on, AvaTrade remains one of the few brokers offering a bespoke risk management tool, AvaProtect, that insures losses up to $1M for a fee and is easy to activate on the platform.
- AvaTrade continues to enhance its suite of products, recently through AvaFutures, providing an alternative vehicle to speculate on over 35 markets with low day trading margins.
Cons
- AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but work is still needed in terms of customizability – frustratingly widgets like market watch and watchlists can’t be hidden, moved, or resized.
- The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.
- Although the deposit process itself is smooth, AvaTrade still doesn’t facilitate crypto payments, a feature increasingly offered by brokers like TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
Exness
"After slashing its spreads, improving its execution speeds and support trading on over 100 currency pairs with more than 40 account currencies to choose from, Exness is a fantastic option for active forex traders looking to minimize trading costs."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Exness Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
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Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
Regulator | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC |
Platforms | Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
Minimum Deposit | $10 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:Unlimited |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, MYR, IDR, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, NGN, THB, VND, UAH, KWD, QAR, KRW, MXN, KES, CNY |
Pros
- Highly competitive spreads, reduced for USOIL and BTCUSD in 2024, are available from 0 pips with low commissions from $2 per side.
- Excellent range of account types for all experience levels, including Cent, Pro plus the introduction of Raw Spread, ideal for day traders.
- Improved execution speeds, now averaging under 25ms, offer optimal conditions for short-term traders.
Cons
- Apart from a mediocre blog, educational resources are woeful, especially compared to category leaders like IG which provide a more complete trading journey for newer traders.
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 are supported, but TradingView and cTrader still aren’t despite rising demand from active traders and integration at alternatives like Pepperstone.
- Exness has expanded its range of CFDs and added a copy trading feature, but there are still no real assets such as ETFs, cryptocurrencies or bonds
Pepperstone
"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Pepperstone Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
---|---|
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting |
Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade |
Minimum Deposit | $0 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- Now offering spread betting through TradingView, Pepperstone provides a seamless, tax-efficient trading experience with advanced analysis tools.
- Pepperstone emerges as a low-cost broker, especially for serious day traders with spreads from 0.0 in the Razor account and rebates of 25%+ through the Active Trader program.
- There’s support for a range of industry-leading charting platforms including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader, catering to various short-term trading styles, including algo trading.
Cons
- Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.
- Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets, though it has introduced an intuitive copy trading app.
- Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.
XM
"With a low $5 minimum deposit, advanced charting platforms in MT4 and MT5, expanding range of markets, and a Zero account offering spreads from 0.0, XM provides all the essentials for active traders, even earning our ‘Best MT4/MT5 Broker’ award in recent years."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
XM Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | $30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account |
---|---|
Demo Account | Yes |
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies |
Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
Minimum Deposit | $5 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:1000 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY |
Pros
- XM’s customer support has delivered over years of testing, with 24/5 assistance in 25 languages, response times of <2 minutes and now a growing Telegram channel.
- XM stands out for its commitment to trader education, with a wealth of well-presented resources, including webinars, tutorials, and even real-time trading sessions through XM Live.
- XM’s growing roster of 1,000+ instruments provides diverse short-term trading opportunities, with unique turbo stocks, fractional shares, and more recently thematic indices.
Cons
- Although trusted and generally well-regulated, the XM global entity is registered with the weak IFSC regulator and UK clients are no longer accepted, reducing its market reach.
- XM is falling behind the curve by not offering cTrader and TradingView which are increasingly being favored over MetaTrader for their smoother user experience and superior charting packages.
- While the XM app stands out for its usability and exclusive copy trading products, the selection of technical analysis tools needs to be improved to meet the needs of advanced traders.
Eightcap
"Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms, education via Labs, and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 120+ crypto CFDs, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Eightcap Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
---|---|
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
Regulator | ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView |
Minimum Deposit | $100 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:500 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD |
Pros
- Eightcap stands out with a selection of powerful trading tools and resources, including MT4 and MT5, the innovative algorithmic trading platform Capitalise.ai, and more recently the 50-million strong social trading network TradingView.
- Having excelled across all key areas for day traders, Eightcap outperformed every competitor to win our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024, also securing our 'Best Crypto Broker' title.
- With tight spreads from 0 pips, low commission fees, and high leverage up to 1:500 for certain clients, Eightcap provides cost-effective and flexible trading conditions that can accommodate an array of strategies, including day trading and scalping.
Cons
- The demo account expires after 30 days and can only be extended upon request - a notable inconvenience compared to the likes of XM with its unlimited demo mode.
- In spite of an increasing variety of tools, Eightcap doesn't offer industry favorites like Autochartist or Trading Central, which offer cutting-edge charting analytics, live news, and market insights for short-term traders.
- Eightcap needs to continue bolstering its suite of instruments to match category leaders like Blackbull Markets with its 26,000+ assets, featuring a particularly weak selection of commodities.
LiteForex Europe
"LiteForex is a good option for active day traders with variable spreads from 0.0 pips, daily analysis and high-quality training guides. The forex copy system also lets you duplicate the positions of experienced traders."
William Berg, Reviewer
LiteForex Europe Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
---|---|
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities |
Regulator | CySEC, AFM |
Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
Minimum Deposit | $50 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:30 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF |
Pros
- LiteForex offers a client-oriented approach, with personal manager assigned to each trader and 24/5 multilingual customer support
- The broker offers a VPS server for experience day traders looking to run their auto strategies continuously
- LiteForex has been established for 15+ years and is regulated by a trusted regulator, CySEC
Cons
- Fees are fairly high, with spreads starting from 2.0 pips in the Classic account and $10 forex commissions in the ECN account
- There are limited funding methods compared to other brands
- The range of day trading markets is limited compared to alternatives, with no share CFDs offered
RoboForex
"RoboForex is great if you want a vast range of 12,000+ day trading markets with ECN accounts, powerful charting and loyalty promotions. It also stands out for stock traders with its user-friendly R StocksTrader platform, featuring 3,000+ shares, fees from $0.01 and sophisticated watchlists."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
RoboForex Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | $30 No Deposit Bonus |
---|---|
Demo Account | Yes |
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures |
Regulator | IFSC |
Platforms | R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
Minimum Deposit | $10 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:2000 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- RoboForex offers over 12,000 instruments, providing more short-term trading opportunities than the vast majority of online brokers, with forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, and futures.
- The broker offers two commission-free withdrawals each month in the Free Funds Withdrawal program, helping day traders to minimize transaction costs.
- The R Stocks Trader platform rivals leading solutions like MT4, with netting and hedging capabilities, comprehensive backtesting, Level II pricing, and a flexible workspace.
Cons
- RoboForex provides a variety of account types, which, while offering flexibility, can be overwhelming for newer traders trying to choose the most suitable option for their trading style. Alternatives, notably eToro, provide a smoother entry into online trading with one retail account.
- RoboForex now restricts base currency options to USD and EUR. This limitation may inconvenience day traders preferring to manage their accounts in other currencies, while potentially leading to conversion fees.
- Despite 15+ years in the industry and registering with the Financial Commission, RoboForex is authorized by one ‘Red-Tier’ regulator – the IFSC in Belize, lowering the level of regulatory protections for traders.
eToro
"eToro's social trading platform leads the pack with a terrific user experience and active community chat that can help beginners find opportunities. There are also competitive fees on thousands of CFDs and real stocks, plus excellent rewards for experienced strategy providers."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
eToro Quick Facts
Demo Account | Yes |
---|---|
Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs |
Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF |
Platforms | eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral |
Minimum Deposit | $100 |
Minimum Trade | $10 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- The web platform and mobile app perform better in user reviews and app rankings than top competitors, including AvaTrade
- There's a comprehensive online training academy with accessible resources, from bitesize articles to comprehensive courses
- eToro is a world-renowned brand with top-tier global regulation and a 25M+ user community
Cons
- Traders will face currency conversion fees for account denominations other than USD
- There is a $30 minimum withdrawal amount and a $5 fee, which will affect novices with low capital
- There are no guaranteed stop loss orders which would be a useful risk management feature for beginners
FOREX.com
"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
FOREX.com Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | 20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000 |
---|---|
Demo Account | Yes |
Instruments | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto |
Regulator | NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
Minimum Deposit | $100 |
Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
Leverage | 1:400 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN |
Pros
- Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
- With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.
- There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
Cons
- Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
- FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
- Despite increasing its range of instruments, FOREX.com's product portfolio is still limited to forex and CFDs, so there are no options to invest in real stocks, real ETFs or real cryptocurrencies.
Choosing A Day Trading Broker In The UAE
Drawing on our comprehensive industry knowledge and hands-on tests of hundreds of brokers, we focus on several key factors to find the best platforms for day traders:
Choose A Trustworthy Day Trading Broker
The best brokers for traders in the UAE will be regulated by a trusted authority, like the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
These regulators enforce strict measures to prevent broker misconduct and help protect you from trading scams, which have targeted Emirati traders in recent years.
For example, 7,000 victims based in the UAE were defrauded in a Ponzi scheme disguised as a forex trading program. The scam company, Exential Group, operated out of Dubai Media City and scammed victims out of DH 1.1 billion.
This highlights the importance of verifying that a broker is legitimate, along with conducting a background check of their track record and customer reviews.
You can check whether a broker is authorized in the UAE by entering their details into the- AvaTrade is one of the most trusted trading brokers in the UAE, thanks to multiple licenses including with the FSRA and a 15+ year history. This broker has also invested in trader safety, offering a risk management tool which lets you protect losses up to $1 million in a single trade.
Choose A Broker With Low Day Trading Fees
This is particularly important for active day traders looking to keep recurring costs as low as possible.
Our routine tests involve checking spreads during the most liquid times of day, for example, in popular markets like AED currency pairs.
We also compare commission rates against alternatives, for instance, fees on stocks like those listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).
Transaction costs can also eat into profits for serious day traders, so we assess non-trading fees like inactivity charges and conversion fees if transferring AED into another account currency.
- Multibank is a stand-out choice for traders on a budget with standard and Islamic accounts from $50, plus no deposit fees on a wide range of UAE-accepted payment methods, including MyFatoorah. Seasoned investors can also access spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account.
Choose A Broker With Excellent Market Coverage
A diverse range of assets helps enable day traders to utilize various strategies and spread risk across different markets.
Alongside forex day trading opportunities, investors in the UAE may require a good range of EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa) assets. This might include stocks such as Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and currency pairs involving the AED, like the USD/AED.
One of the most commonly used short-term trading vehicles are derivatives from CFD brokers in the UAE, which allow you to speculate on rising and falling prices without taking ownership of the underlying asset.
- Interactive Brokers is a fantastic option for day traders in the UAE looking to speculate on regional markets, notably Dubai and Abu Dhabi stocks, plus currency pairs with the AED. IB has also become more accessible in recent years, lowering its minimum deposit from $10,000 to $0.
Choose A Broker With Clear Leverage And Margin Requirements
Leverage allows you to increase the power of your trade with just a small initial outlay, known as margin.
The rates offered to clients depend on the jurisdiction. Most top-tier regulators cap leverage at 1:30 (or 3.33% margin) on major currency pairs like EUR/USD, including the DFSA and the FSRA. This means that with a 1,000 AED outlay, I would gain 30,000 AED (30 x 100) in buying power.
Brokers regulated in other jurisdictions also permit higher leverage rates which require a smaller margin, though I don’t recommend this for beginners – whilst leverage can magnify potential profits, it can also cause severe losses.
- Alpari provides tiered leverage and margin rates up front, with up to 1:1000 for professional traders. For example, crude oil CFDs are available with leverage of 1:500 (0.2% margin) for total position volumes up to $100,000.
Choose A Broker With Reliable Charting Platforms
Brokers that offer a range of powerful charting platforms provide an optimal day trading environment while helping users discover short-term opportunities on Dubai and Abu Dhabi stocks, for example.
During our evaluations, we favor software that delivers a selection of versatile tools for short-term strategies, such as technical indicators and time frames.
Some of the most comprehensive and feature-rich terminals remain MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), however, the outdated design are a key drawback in our view.
Thankfully, traders now have more choices with solutions like TradingView and cTrader delivering a more modern charting experience. Bespoke, web-accessible solutions are also often favored by newer investors looking for a simpler kick-start into day trading.
- Pepperstone delivers one of the best platform offerings for day traders of all experience levels, with access to market leaders like MT4 and cTrader, as well as valuable analysis tools like Autochartist that can help you discover trading opportunities.
Choose A Broker With Fast And Reliable Execution
During our routine tests, we assess brokers’ execution speeds, fill rate, and slippage data where possible. We consider execution speeds of <100 milliseconds or less ‘fast’.
This helps us gauge how efficiently firms execute orders, which is especially important when day trading volatile markets, for instance, UAE stocks like International Holding Company (IHC).
- IC Markets consistently tops our leaderboard when it comes to execution speeds, averaging 35 milliseconds on major assets. The firm also uses institutional-grade technology to secure optimum connections between its global trade servers.
Methodology
To find the best day trading platforms in the UAE, we first identified those that accept Emirati traders. We then ranked them using their total score, which weighs 100+ data points and key factors:
- We verified that the broker is licensed by the FSRA, DFSA or another credible authority.
- We checked that the broker offers competitive short-term trading and non-trading fees.
- We prioritized platforms that offer a wide range of global markets, for example, UAE stocks.
- We favored brokers with powerful and user-friendly charting platforms for day traders.
- We ensured that the broker offers clear leverage and margin requirements.
- We checked for fast and reliable execution.
FAQ
What Is The Best Day Trading Platform In The United Arab Emirates?
Use our ranking of the top day trading platforms in the UAE to find the right broker for your needs.
Many leading platforms offer a range of financial markets, particularly in the EMEA region, accessible payment methods, plus licensing from a credible authority, such as the DFSA or FSRA.
Who Regulates Day Trading Platforms In The UAE?
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Abu Dhabi Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) are the main authorities responsible for regulating day trading platforms and online brokers in the UAE.
That said, many international brokers that accept Emirati traders are regulated by other reputable authorities. You can verify that a broker is authorized by entering its credentials in the relevant national register.
How Much Money Do I Need To Start Day Trading In The UAE?
Our tests have found that most brokers in the UAE allow day traders to start with $250 or less, around 900 AED.
That said, some platforms allow you to start with no minimum deposit, making them ideal for newer traders – Pepperstone is the highest-rated in the United Arab Emirates.
Recommended Reading
Article Sources
- Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
- Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
- International Holding Company (IHC) - ADX
- Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) - ADX
- Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)
- Dubai Trading Scam - Gulf News
- MyFatoorah Payment Method
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