Page Summary
This guide helps users to find online brokers in UAE with the best free trading platforms. Free trading platforms are popular among retail traders and investors in UAE as they allow users to trade with zero fees and commissions. Due to the increasing number of brokers that offer free trading, it can be hard to choose the ideal option for individual financial goals.
Skipping the research and comparison of different services can cause picking a free platform with high deposit & withdrawal fees, a low range of assets, a lack of regulation, and limited trading features.
This guide assesses 5 online brokers in UAE for users to review and find the ideal platform for their needs. To help them make an informed decision, a list of the best free trading platforms in UAE is shared below, followed by detailed reviews and comparisons.
Best Free Trading Platforms in UAE
- TradeStation – Best for active traders
- eToro – Best Free Trading Platform for Beginners
- Charles Schwab – Ideal for Stocks
- Interactive Brokers – Optimal for ETFs
- TastyTrade – Best for U.S. stock and stock options trading
- Trading212 – Best for Mobile Trading
Top 6 Free Trading Platforms in UAE Reviewed
The top 6 free trading platforms in UAE are reviewed below, including pros, cons and key features.
1. TradeStation – Best for active traders
Min Deposit: $0 ($2000 – Margin account; $25000 – Day Trading account; $5000 – Futures account)
Fees: 4.8
Assets available: 5.0
Total Fees:
Tradestation is a reputable online broker known for its technology-leading trading platforms, great selection of tools and zero commission stock and ETF trading. Their industry leading trading platform suite combines a desktop, web and mobile version which are all performing above industry average. Tradestation offers a great selection of most popular asset classes including stocks, cryptos, options, futures, ETFs and IRAs.
Their trading fees vary based on account selection. Pricing is below industry average on the most used accounts (select and GO). Minimum deposit is $2000 and there are no monthly charges.
Pros
- Zero commission trading on all stocks and ETFs (for first 10k shares)
- Professional trading platform with fast trade execution on all commission free trading instruments
- Commission free trading
- Free paper trading on commission free trading assets
Cons
- Trading platform for commission free instruments is complex
Key features
- Access to over 20,000 stocks, ETFs, options, futures, mutual funds, bonds, and other financial instruments.
- Early-access to newly listed securities via TradeStation’s IPO trading platform
- Broad range of research and analysis tools for advanced traders like FuturesPlus, TSCrypto, Discover, and Insights
- Fully paid stock lending and margin trading available
- Low floating spreads, commissions, and other trading fees
- Perfect for both beginner and advanced traders
2. eToro – Best For Beginners
Min Deposit: $200
Fees: Commission-free stocks and ETFs, 0,50% stamp duty fees
Assets available: 3,000+ CFDs on stocks, ETFs, cryptos, and forex
Total Fees: $5 withdrawal fees, USD conversion fees, $10/month inactivity fees
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more
eToro is an Israeli-based, internationally operating forex and CFD broker founded in 2007. Users can trade over 3,000 CFDs on stocks, ETFs, forex, and cryptos at eToro with up to 30:1 leverage (or 500:1 for professional traders).
The broker’s proprietary trading platform is beginner-friendly and provides users with copy trading features, allowing them to automatically copy the trades of experienced traders from within their accounts.
Besides having an intuitively designed trading platform aimed at beginner traders, eToro offers users a free demo account and a wide range of educational materials. Additionally, the broker provides access to a broad selection of research and analytical tools, such as Delta, which allows clients to track their portfolio performance and ESG investment vehicles.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly trading platform with basic trading and investing features
- Commission-free stock and ETF investing
- Access to social trading to automatically copy the trades of advanced traders
- Freely available demo account
- A broad range of educational material (webinars, courses, guides, and tutorial videos)
- Vast selection of research and analysis tools (Delta, eToro Plus, Retail Investor Beat)
- Intuitive trading and investing app
Cons
- The eToro trading platform lacks advanced features, such as advanced charting features, algorithmic trading support, and conditional order types.
- Relatively high spreads, withdrawal fees, conversion fees, and inactivity fees
- No third-party trading platform or plugin support (such as MetaTrader, TradingView, or Trading Central)
Key features
- Built-in cryptocurrency wallet
- Option to trade or invest with or without leverage
- Access to eToro Debit Card and ready-made investment portfolios
- Negative balance protection
- The option to participate in social trading
- Investment insurance of $1m for Platinum, Platinum+, and Diamond Club customers
- All funds are kept in segregated accounts at top-tier banks
- Access to a free demo account
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more
3. Charles Schwab – Best for Stocks
Charles Schwab is a US-based FINRA and SEC-regulated broker that has been in business since 1971 at which users can trade stocks and ETFs without paying any commissions. Charles Schwab offers high-quality trading tools like stock research and detailed fundamental data to help you generate trading ideas.
Charles Schwab offers traders and investors the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios service, which is a robo-advisory service to help you optimize your portfolio and the StreetSmart Edge advanced desktop trading platform which includes a wide range of tools and features.
Pros
- Zero commission trading on non-OTC Stocks and on ETFs
- Wide choice of zero-commission trading instruments
- Free premium research tools
Cons
- European listed stocks not available
Key features
- Access to over 3,000 US stocks and thousands of other financial instruments
- Multiple advanced order types
- Provides own equity ratings and reports from Morningstar and Credit Suisse
- Integrated with Google Assistant – Ask Google any stock price or market update
- Commissionless stock trading
- Suitable for both beginners and advanced traders
- Robo-advisor and financial advisors available
4. Interactive Brokers – Best for ETFs
Min Deposit: $0
Fees: 4.9
Assets available: 4.9
Total Fees:
All trading involves risk. More than 80% of investors lose in spread bet and CFD trading. As these complex instruments allow for the use of leverage, there is a high risk of losing more money than you have deposited. Before attempting to participate in spread bets and CFDs, consider how well you understand them and if you can afford to lose your money.
Interactive Brokers is a highly trusted global broker with a well-rounded offer of tradable markets, great educational content and sophisticated order type configuration. It is a high trusted and well capitalize company with an industry leading trading platform, a competitive fee structure and great global market access. Their low entry level and the Global Trader platform, which is intuitive and easy to use trading station, make this broker s great choice for beginners and advanced forex traders.
Professional and seasoned traders will appreciate the great selection of advanced trading tools and order type configurations available on their proprietary Trader Workstation desktop platform (TWS).
Pros
- Zero commission trading on US listed ETFs
- Professional trading platforms, useful tools for zero-commission trading
- Research tools for zero-commission trading assets
Cons
- Market data for zero-commission products delayed by 10-15 minutes
Key features
- Margin loan rates on stocks of 1.3%
- Access to 135+ global markets
- Advanced order types, tools and features
- Access to frictional shares
- Lowest commissions in the industry
All trading involves risk. More than 80% of investors lose in spread bet and CFD trading. As these complex instruments allow for the use of leverage, there is a high risk of losing more money than you have deposited. Before attempting to participate in spread bets and CFDs, consider how well you understand them and if you can afford to lose your money.
5. Tastytrade – Best for U.S. stock and stock options trading
TastyTrade, formerly known as TasyWorks, is a DIY investing platform based in the United States. It was founded in 2011 by Tom Sosnoff. TastyTrade is a licensed and regulated broker under FINRA, SIPC, and the NFA. Users can trade options, futures, options on futures, stocks, ETFs, commodities, and indices.
TastyTrade users can access over 8,000 U.S. stocks and other financial assets using browser-based and downloadable desktop and mobile device trading platforms.
TastyTrade has 3 different options trading accounts (Limited, Basic, and The Works) and offers stock trading with up to 2:1 leverage. Margin accounts are upgradable by contacting the broker’s customer support. IRA accounts are margin accounts by default and allow users to conduct options spread trading.
All available stocks can be traded from as low as $0,0008 per share commission, $1,00 per stock option contract opened with a commission capped at $10 per leg, and a 1% commission on cryptocurrency purchases and sales.
The TasyTrade customer support is contactable by phone (888-247-1963, toll-free), email (support@tastytrade.com), and through the 24/7 live chat in English.
Pros
- No minimum deposit requirements
- Transparent pricing model
- A broad range of available financial instruments
- Multiple account types
- Web-based and downloadable platform/app
Cons
- Mainly option-focussed
- Expert Advisors and other forms of automated trading software are not allowed
- Limited educational material and trading tools
- There are no mutual funds or bonds and a limited selection of tradable cryptocurrencies
Key features
- Mainly option-focussed
- Expert Advisors and other forms of automated trading software are not allowed
- Limited educational material and trading tools
- There are no mutual funds or bonds and a limited selection of tradable cryptocurrencies
6. Trading212 – Best for Mobile Trading
Trading212 is a CySEC and FCA-regulated forex, CFD, and stock broker where traders can trade over 7,000 financial instruments including shares, commodities, ETF’s, cryptocurrencies with up to 1:30 leverage whilst paying no commission. Trading212 allows investors to buy fractional shares and has two trading platforms available, one for stocks and ETF’s and one for CFD’s.
Trading212 is not compatible with MetaTrader 4, 5, cTrader or other external trading platforms, but its own trading platforms are beginner-friendly and feature all the tools and functionalities needed to trade the financial markets successfully. Traders can make use of dynamic charting, multiple advanced order types, and technical analysis tools like indicators.
Trading212 provides educational material in the form of Youtube videos and has a free demo account available for those who want to test-drive the trading platform before trading with real money. Opening a live trading account can be done from $10.
The Trading212 customer support is available by live chat and email in English, German, French, and 5 other languages.
Pros
- Stocks and ETFs available for zero-commission trading
- Trading platforms easy to use and suitable for beginners
- Wide choice of zero-commission trading assets
Cons
- Trading account not available for USD, EUR only
Key features
- Provides access to over 7,000 different stocks, commodities, forex pairs, ETF’s, and cryptocurrency CFDs
- Dynamic charting, advanced order types, and technical analysis tools
- Regulated by the FCA and CySEC
- Low minimum deposit required of $10
- Funds up to €1m insured by Lloyd’s of London
- Offers the opportunity to invest in fractional shares
Tips To Help Finding The Ideal Free Trading Platform in UAE?
Criteria for finding an online broker with the best suited free trading platform in UAE are listed below.
- Fees – Fees impact trading profits, so make sure you choose a broker with a low fee structure. Also, look for brokers that offer 0% trading fees, and save money.
- Banking options – It should be easy to fund your account and there should be no deposit fees. We compare the deposit and withdrawal options of these brokers as well as daily limits.
- Account types – Brokers offer different kinds of accounts based on your trading needs. Be sure to look at all the accounts the brokers have, and choose the best one for you.
- Available assets – The brokers we review guide offer stock, forex, commodity, ETF, bond, and cryptocurrency trading, so you can trade the assets you want.
- Trading platforms – We look at all the trading platforms that brokers offer, including MetaTrader 4, 5, cTrader, or proprietary trading platforms. Choose the best one for your needs.
- Mobile apps – Brokers offer mobile trading platforms that are compatible with iOS and Android, so you can trade from wherever you are.
- Customer support – Brokers should always offer the best possible service to clients on a 24/7 basis, and speak a language you are comfortable with.
Top Free Trading Platforms Compared
Fees of the highest rated online brokers with free trading platforms in UAE are compared in the table below.
| Feature/Broker | TradeStation | eToro | Charles Schwab | Interactive Brokers | TastyTrade | Trading 212 |
| Minimum deposit | $0.00 | $200 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $10.00 |
| Stock trading fees | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options trading base fees | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | N/A |
| Option contract fees | $0.65 | $2 per month | $0.65 | $0.65 | $1.00 – $1.50 | N/A |
| Futures contract fees | $1.50 | $2.25 | $2.25 | $0.85 | $0.85 – $1.25 | N/A |
| Mutual fund fees | $25.00 | N/A | $74.95 | $14.95 | N/A | N/A |
| ETF fees | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Broker assisted fees | $0.00 | $0.00 | $25.00 | $30.00 | $0 | N/A |
What Is Commission Free Trading?
Commission-free trading means you don’t pay a fee for trading. With this structure, you pay for the trade via spread instead, or your broker earns money with PFOF (Payment For Order Flow). Every time you place a buy or sell order with PFOF, your broker sends the order to market makers, exchanges, and ECNs, and receives a commission.
Commission-free brokers like Robinhood and Webull make money with PFOF while full-service brokers like Fidelity and Charles Schwab deposit the overnight positions of customers into a bank account to earn interest.
Understanding Broker Fees
Every broker has fees besides trading fees. Some brokers charge contract fees, and other charge managed account fees or transfer fees when you choose to switch brokers.
Conclusion
The various online brokers in UAE offering different platforms and apps make it hard to find the ideal choice for individual needs. Comparing and evaluating the services of different providers requires time, knowledge and expertise.
This guide does the hard part by evaluating top rated free platforms for different types of traders and investment goals. The results of our analysis and comparison of the best free trading platforms in UAE are wrapped up in the table below.
| RANK | BROKER | PLATFORM SCORE | BEST FOR | WEBSITE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | TradeStation | 4,9/5 | Active traders | Official website |
| #2 | eToro | 4,9/5 | Beginners | Official website |
| #3 | Charles Schwab | 4,1/5 | Stocks | Official website |
| #4 | Interactive Brokers | 4,9/5 | ETFs | Official website |
| #5 | TastyTrade | 4,3/5 | U.S. Stocks | Official website |
| #6 | Trading212 | 4,2/5 | Mobile Trading | Official website |
FAQ
What Is a Free Trading Platform?
A free trading platform is an online trading platform that doesn’t charge commissions for trading. These platforms earn profits through spreads, non-trading charges payment, or by depositing overnight positions in a bank account to earn interest.
Which is the best free mobile trading app for UAE?
Based on the results from our research, the best commission free trading apps are Tradestation, Charles Schwab, and eToro.
Can I trade for free on a free trading platform?
Yes, you could open a demo account or use a day trading simulator to trade with a virtual balance. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the platform and test trading strategies for free.
Which free trading platform earns the least amount of money on my trades?
Brokers don’t disclose the payment for order flow or interest yields on overnight positions they generate, so it is impossible to know.
Are there any charges on free trading platforms?
Free trading platforms do not charge commissions for trade execution. However, these platforms may apply other fees in the form of spreads, non-trading fees and margin interest.
Braden Chase is an investor, trading specialist, and former research specialist for Forex.com who helps aspiring investors develop the confidence and habits they need to make an income from the market. Braden has served as a registered commodity futures representative for domestic and internationally-regulated brokerages and has also spoken & moderated numerous forex and finance industry panels across the globe.