Best Investing Apps In The UAE

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1) Best Overall

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Etoro

Perfect for beginner investors with low fees & the best asset selection.

2) Local Option

Etoro

Open Account

Perfect for beginner investors with low fees & the best asset selection.

3) Best For High Budgets

An investing account lets you benefit long-term from the growth of the global economy and build wealth. You can find out which account is best suited for this in our comparison. Based on 1,537 people who participated in our survey, we compared and weighted the most important conditions.

1,537

Surveyed Users

Sean Kan

Updated on [Today]

What is a Brokerage Account?

If you want to invest in securities like stocks, ETFs, or bonds in the UAE, you’ll need a brokerage account. This digital account serves as the platform where you can store, manage, and trade various investment instruments. The brokers we compare all offer digital management of your investments. Depending on the provider, you can trade different securities and keep them in your portfolio. Stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds are almost always included. Many brokers also offer derivatives, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.

Your brokerage account is linked to a cash account. You can use the balance in this account to purchase securities. Proceeds from sales and dividends are credited to your cash account.

💡Brokerage account and broker are often used interchangeably

A broker facilitates financial transactions, such as buying and selling securities. They direct your order to a trading venue. Since a brokerage account is required for securities trading, almost all brokers offer this service. Therefore, both terms are used synonymously in this article.

Which Brokers Are the Best in the UAE?

To invest easily and cost-effectively in the UAE, you should choose an affordable broker with a wide selection of investment options. Since many international and local brokers now offer services in the UAE, additional factors like user interface, trading fees, and available assets matter significantly.

The table below compares the top 7 investment brokers available in the UAE:

Broker	Account Fee	Trading Fee	Min. Deposit	Best For	Assets	Regulation	Rating
eToro	0€	0€ (1% spread)	$50	Beginners, Social Trading	4,500+	ADGM	4.6/5
Interactive Brokers	0€	Low commissions (1-1.5% spread)	$0	Experienced Investors	2,500+	SCA, FCA	4.7/5
DEGIRO	0€	0€ (1% spread)	0€	Cost-effective Trading	2,500+	SCA	4.5/5
Plus500	0€	0€ (1-2% spread)	$100	User-friendly Interface	2,800+	DFSA	4.4/5
SaxoTraderGO	Tiered	Tiered pricing	$2,000	Professional Tools	Multi-asset	Global	4.3/5
Sarwa	0.85%	0€	$500	Automated Investing	Limited	Local	4.2/5
TastyWorks	0€	$1 per contract	$0	Options Trading	Options-focused	Global	4.0/5

Let’s look at what makes each of these platforms stand out. We’ve summarized the key features of these brokers for you.

eToro

✅No account maintenance fees
✅Commission-free trading with 1% spread
✅Minimum deposit of $50
✅Excellent for beginners and social trading
✅Access to 4,500+ assets
✅Regulated by ADGM
✅User rating: 4.6/5
✅Copy trading feature lets you mirror successful investors’ strategies

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Interactive Brokers

✅ No account maintenance fees
✅ Low commissions with 1-1.5% spread
✅No minimum deposit
✅Ideal for experienced investors
✅Access to 2,500+ assets across 100+ global markets
✅Regulated by SCA and FCA
✅User rating: 4.7/5
✅Advanced trading platform with professional tools

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DEGIRO

✅No account maintenance fees
✅Commission-free trading with 1% spread
✅No minimum deposit
✅Perfect for cost-effective trading
✅Access to 2,500+ stocks and ETFs
✅Regulated by SCA
✅User rating: 4.5/5
✅Transparent fee structure

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Plus500

✅No account maintenance fees
✅Commission-free trading with 1-2% spread
✅Minimum deposit of $100
✅Known for user-friendly interface
✅Access to 2,800+ financial instruments
✅Regulated by DFSA
✅User rating: 4.4/5
✅Intuitive mobile application

SaxoTraderGO

✅Tiered account fees
✅Tiered pricing structure for trades
✅Minimum deposit of $2,000
✅Excellent for professional trading tools
✅Multi-asset trading capabilities
✅Global regulatory compliance
✅User rating: 4.3/5
✅Comprehensive research and analysis tools

Sarwa

0.85% annual management fee
Commission-free trading
Minimum deposit of $500
Specialized in automated investing
Limited but well-curated asset selection
Locally regulated
User rating: 4.2/5
Algorithm-based portfolio management

TastyWorks

No account maintenance fees
$1 per contract trading fee
No minimum deposit
Focused on options trading
Specialized in options markets
Global regulatory compliance
User rating: 4.0/5
Advanced options analytics

How to Find the Right Broker?

When searching for the right broker in the UAE, you should first ask yourself what’s important to you. In the next step, you can use our comparison table to compare the exact conditions.

As a general rule: If low costs are particularly important to you, platforms like DEGIRO or eToro are recommended. If you want advanced trading tools, Interactive Brokers or SaxoTraderGO might be better. However, you’ll have to consider higher minimum deposits or more complex interfaces with these options.

Another aspect in selecting a broker is your experience level and trading goals:

For beginners: Look for platforms with educational resources, user-friendly interfaces, and social trading features. eToro and Sarwa excel here.
For experienced traders: Prioritize advanced charting tools, low fees, and access to global markets. Interactive Brokers and SaxoTraderGO stand out.
For passive investors: Consider automated solutions with portfolio management features. Sarwa offers an excellent option here.

Also consider what assets you want to trade. While most platforms offer stocks and ETFs, if you’re interested in options trading, TastyWorks provides specialized tools for this purpose.

What Costs Can Arise?

A brokerage account can incur various costs. Here’s an overview of typical costs:

Account maintenance fees: Most modern brokers in our comparison don’t charge account maintenance fees. However, some premium platforms like SaxoTraderGO use a tiered fee structure based on your account balance or trading activity.

Trading fees: These come in several forms:

Commissions: Direct fees charged per trade (either fixed or percentage-based)
Spreads: The difference between buy and sell prices (typically 1-2% for most brokers)
Per-contract fees: Especially relevant for options trading (like TastyWorks’ $1 per contract)

Minimum deposits: While some brokers like Interactive Brokers and DEGIRO have no minimum requirements, others require initial deposits ranging from $50 (eToro) to $2,000 (SaxoTraderGO).

Currency conversion fees: If you’re trading international securities, most brokers charge 0.5-1% when converting between currencies.

Inactivity fees: Some platforms charge if your account remains dormant for extended periods.

Withdrawal fees: Check if there are costs associated with transferring money out of your brokerage account.

To minimize costs, consider:

Choose brokers with no account maintenance fees
Look for commission-free trading if you trade frequently
Consider the total cost (including spreads) rather than just advertised fees
Match your trading frequency with the broker’s fee structure

Key Financial Concepts for New Investors

Before you start investing, it’s important to understand these fundamental concepts:

Spread: The difference between the buying and selling price of an asset. Lower spreads mean lower trading costs. Most UAE brokers offer spreads between 1-2%.
Social Trading: A feature allowing you to copy trades from experienced investors, beneficial for beginners. eToro specializes in this approach.
ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds): Investment funds traded on stock exchanges, offering diversification at lower fees than traditional mutual funds. Most brokers offer hundreds of ETF options.
Automated Investing: Platforms like Sarwa use algorithms to manage and rebalance portfolios based on your preferences and risk tolerance.
Options Trading: Trading contracts that give the right to buy or sell assets at a predetermined price within a specific timeframe. TastyWorks specializes in this area.

How Safe is a Securities Account?

Securities accounts offer a high degree of safety in the UAE. Securities such as ETFs and stocks are considered special assets. Since the broker only holds these for the customer, they do not become part of the broker’s insolvency estate. You can transfer your securities to another broker if your broker becomes insolvent.

The regulatory oversight varies by broker:

ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) regulation
SCA (Securities and Commodities Authority) regulation
DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) regulation
International regulations (FCA, etc.)

Always verify that your chosen broker maintains regulatory compliance in at least one major jurisdiction.

⚠️Securities themselves can be risky

The safety of the securities account refers to the custody of the securities. However, the managed securities themselves can carry risks. Even with the safest broker, investment values can fluctuate based on market conditions.

How to Open a Brokerage Account?

Opening a brokerage account in the UAE is now a streamlined digital process with most providers. You’ll need to provide:

Emirates ID or passport
Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement)
Tax identification information
Source of funds declaration

Most accounts can be opened within 1-3 business days, with digital verification processes replacing traditional paperwork. Many brokers also offer demo accounts to practice before investing real money.

How to Switch Brokers?

If you’re considering switching brokers, follow these steps:

Open an account with your new broker before closing the existing one
Check if all your securities can be transferred directly (not all brokers support all security types)
Compare the transfer fees (many brokers offer promotions covering these costs)
Ensure no open orders remain with your current broker
Initiate the transfer through your new broker when possible

The transfer process typically takes 1-3 weeks depending on the brokers involved and the types of securities being transferred.

💡Demo accounts are valuable learning tools

Before committing to a new platform, take advantage of demo accounts to familiarize yourself with the interface and tools. All major brokers in our comparison offer free demo options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Consider your experience level, trading goals, and preferred asset classes. Beginners might prefer user-friendly platforms with educational resources like eToro, while experienced traders may prioritize advanced tools and lower fees through Interactive Brokers. Always ensure the platform is properly regulated and offers the assets you’re interested in trading.

Yes, all the brokers in our comparison are regulated by reputable financial authorities. However, different brokers offer varying levels of protection. International brokers often provide additional safeguards through their home country regulations. Always verify the regulatory status before opening an account.

Automated investing (like Sarwa offers) uses algorithms to build and manage a portfolio based on your risk tolerance and goals, requiring minimal involvement. Self-directed trading gives you complete control over buying and selling decisions but requires more knowledge and time commitment. Beginners often start with automated options before transitioning to self-directed as they gain experience.

Absolutely. Several brokers in our comparison require minimal or no minimum deposits. eToro lets you start with just $50, while Interactive Brokers and DEGIRO have no minimum requirement. Additionally, fractional shares (available through some platforms) allow you to invest in expensive stocks with small amounts.

Spreads are often overlooked but can significantly impact returns, especially for frequent traders. A 1% spread means you’re effectively starting each trade at a 1% loss. For long-term investors, spreads matter less than for active traders. Most UAE brokers offer spreads between 1-2%, with DEGIRO and eToro on the lower end at 1%.