Best Trading Platforms in UAE For Beginners 2024 (UPDATED)

This guide helps users to find the best trading platforms in UAE for beginners. There are numerous online brokers available in the UAE for new traders, and it is often hard to separate the “wheat from the chaff” when choosing the best suitable platform for certain financial goals, needs, and trader personalities.

Proper research, comparison, and background check on different brokers can help traders and investors avoid selecting a platform with a complex interface, inconvenient trading features, high fees, and poor customer support.

This guide assesses 68 online brokers in UAE for users to review and find the ideal platforms for their needs. To help them make an informed decision, a list of the best trading platforms in the UAE for beginners is shared below, followed by detailed reviews and comparisons.

Top 6 Beginners Trading Platforms in UAE

1. eToro – Best Overall Trading Platform in UAE for Beginners
2. AVAtrade – Top For Forex Traders
3. ActivTrades – Best Choice of trading platforms
4. Pepperstone – Ideal CFD Platform
5. Interactive Brokers – Great for Stock and ETFs
6. Sarwa – Best Full Service Stock Broker in UAE

Top Brokers For Beginners in UAE Compared

Key features of online broker with the highest rated platforms for beginners are compared in the table below.

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

Best Trading Platforms in UAE for Beginners Reviewed

6 Online brokers with the highest listed trading platforms in UAE for beginners are reviewed below.

1. eToro – Best Trading Platform and App in UAE for Beginners

Rating: 4,9/5

Min Deposit: $100

Fees: 4.8

Assets available: 4.8

Total Fees: 0.9 pips

Open account Read review

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

With an easy-to-use trading platform, great educational materials and social/copy trading features, eToro is an interesting choice to be considered by beginners and casual traders.

Beginners can choose from over 5,000 financial instruments including:

• 2800 Shares & 2800 Stocks as CFDs
• 264 ETFs
• 32 Cryptocurrencies
• 49 Forex pairs
• 54 Commodities & 250 Indices

Most of them are available as “real assets” and also as CFDs.Trading-wise eToro only offers a web and mobile platform (Web Trader and Mobile Trader). Both are smooth, easy to use, and of course extended with copy trading abilities – it’s the feature that allows beginners to follow professional traders and copy their exact trades. Trading features are simple and include one-click trading, price alerts, and excellent charting.

eToro supports beginners with great research tools such as Tip Ranks, The Bull Club, and eToro Plus, which provide insights from leading analysts and financial institutions, a broad range of technical indicators and dynamic charting features.

Users can choose between 4 different account types, which include a beginner (retail) account with a low minimum deposit ($100), 1:30 leverage on CFDs, and access to all tradable assets. Keep in mind that as a beginner you can also make use of the free demo account and the $100,000 virtual money to test your trading strategies before investing real money.

eToro also offers great customer support around the clock in Arabic and English.

Pros

• Easy to use trading platform
• Broad range of educational material and research tools
• Excellent social trading services for all kinds of traders

Cons

• Some research tools are only available to VIP members
• Platform lacks features for professional traders such as advanced order types and MetaTrader 4 and 5 compatibility
• Relatively high fees on crypto trades (1%) compared to other brokers

Key features

• Great Social Trading platform for beginner and advanced traders
• Over 5,000 tradable assets
• More than 10 different payment methods to fund your account
• Super-fast registration and KYC process
• Commission-free stock trading
• Beginner-friendly trading platform and app

Open 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

2. AVAtrade – Best Trading Platform For Beginner Forex and CFD Traders

Rating: 4,9/5

Min Deposit: $100

Fees: 4.9

Assets available: 4.9

Total Fees: 0.9 pip

Open account Read review

71% of retail CFD accounts lose money

AvaTrade is a DFSA-regulated forex and CFD broker that provides users access to over 1,250 CFDs and 44 forex pairs. Users can start trading with as low as $100 or practice with a free $100,000 funded demo trading account. The maximum leverage ratio at AvaTrade is 30:1 and they also offer negative balance protection through AVAprotect.

AvaTrade users have access to 8 different trading platforms and beginner friendly add-ons including DupliTrade and ZuluTrade. Those allow beginners to copy trades from advanced traders instead of investing on their own. They also feature beginner friendly buy/sell options and technical analysis tools such as indicators, drawing tools, and an economic calendar.

Beginners have access to an extensive selection of educational resources which include guides, Ebooks and video tutorials on CFD and forex trading.

With no commissions charged on CFDs and an average spread during peak trading hours of only 0,22, AvaTrade is one of the cheapest brokers to trade with. 

AvaTrade’s customer service is available 24/7 in English, Arabic via email, live chat, WhatsApp, and by phone. The UAE customer support number is 97-145-285-110.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly trading platform
• Up to 30:1 leverage, low spreads, no commissions, and instant order execution
• Broad range of educational material and research tools

Cons

• Not all educational material is aimed at beginners
• Only offers CFD trading
• Charges inactivity fees of $50 after 3 months of inactivity and $100 administration fee after 1 year of inactivity

Key features

• Over 1250 CFDs and 44 forex pairs available
• Beginner-friendly social trading platform
• Intuitively designed mobile trading app
• Low trading fees
• Well-suited for beginner traders
• Compatible with MetaTrader 4 and 5 and other external trading software

Open account

71% of retail CFD accounts lose money

3. ActivTrades – Best Choice of trading platforms

Rating: 4,4/5

Min Deposit: $0

Fees: 3.6

Assets available: 3.8

Total Fees:

Open account Read review

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

ActivTrades is a multi-asset broker with over 100,000 users and one of the best for beginners. It offers traders access to popular platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ActivTrader, and Tradingview, which are easy for users to operate in.

The broker is known for its beginner-friendly and intuitively designed trading platforms. ActivTrades is famous for the $0 minimum deposit fee, which is the lowest among all the brokers. 

Through ActivTrades, users can trade or invest in thousands of financial instruments, including shares, forex pairs, indices, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, options, and CFDs on these asset classes across global stock markets. 

ActivTrades offers smooth CFD and forex trading and has low spreads, starting at 0,8 pips (on EUR/USD). Other trading fees include overnight margin funding fees and guaranteed stop-loss order fees. Additionally, ActivTrades charges users non-trading fees, including currency conversion fees and inactivity fees ($10/month) after 12 months of inactivity.

ActivTrades has carefully designed its account options to match its clients’ different trading goals. They offer different types of accounts for different needs, such as professional accounts, individual accounts, demo accounts for beginners, and Islamic accounts.

Pros

• $0 deposit requirement to open an account
• Regulated by the FCA
• Access to various financial instruments with up to 200:1 leverage

Cons

• Platforms lack features for advanced traders
• Little long-term investment options compared to other brokers

Key features

• Beginner-friendly trading platforms and apps
• Low-cost trading and competitive spreads
• The option to invest over the long term or to conduct self-directed short-term trading (day trading, swing trading, scalping, etc.)
• Free demo account available for beginner traders
• A wide range of educational material, research tools, and analysis features
• Multiple order types (market order, limit order, guaranteed limit order, etc.)
• $0 minimum deposit.

Open account

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

4. Pepperstone – Best CFD Platform

Rating: 4,9/5

Min Deposit: $0

Fees: 4.9

Assets available: 4.8

Total Fees: 0.0 pips

Open account Read review

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Pepperstone is an Australian CFD broker, founded in 2010. Their platforms offers access to 180 + financial instruments including forex and CFDs on stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies.

Trading platforms available on Pepperstone are listed below.

• MetaTrader 4
• MetaTrader 5
• TradingView
• cTrader

The platform charges zero spreads on most forex pairs and a fixed commission of $3,50. Pepperstone is a reputable broker regulated by top-tier financial authorities including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Pepperstone’s customer support is available 24/7 in English and Arabic. They are reachable through email, live chat, and phone.

Pros

• Algorithmic trading features
• Multiple third party integrations (MT4, MT5, cTrader, Tradingview)
• Competitive fees
• Social trading features
• Excellent education and research materials

Cons

• Limited video educational resources
• Limited advanced order types
• Customer not available in Arabic

Key features

• 60+ Forex pairs and 700+ different CFDs
• MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader trading platforms
• TradingView integration
• Zero spreads on a few forex pairs including EUR/USD
• Special set of tools for professional traders
• Islamic swap-free account available

Open account

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

5. Sarwa – Best Full Service Stock Broker in UAE

Rating: 4,2/5

Min Deposit: $0

Fees: 4.5

Assets available: 4.5

Total Fees:

Open account Read review

Sarwa is a full-service broker based in Dubai, that allows users to trade and invest in 4,000+ different US stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, indices, and cryptocurrencies. 

With combining automated investing, self-directed trading, and financial advisory services from the same dashboard, Sarwa makes it easy for beginners to enter the market. Those can either let professionals trade on their behalf or trade on their own with support from a financial advisor.

With commission-free stock trading, 0,50% – 0,85% advisory fees on investment services, and 0,75% spreads on cryptocurrency transactions, Sarwa’s fees are low. Users are also allowed to make deposits in AED without paying any extra transaction or conversion fees.

Sarwa’s trading platform is intuitive and easy to use, featuring basic buy/sell options, watch lists and search features which is great for beginners. Those can also make use of five pre-made portfolios: Conventional, Halal, Socially Responsible, Conventional Crypto, or Socially Responsible Crypto without having to do any research.

The Sarwa customer service is available 24/7 in  English and Arabic by email, live chat, and phone. Users  can also visit one of Sarwa’s physical offices in the UAE and speak with their financial advisors directly.

Sarwa is regulated by two top-tier financial regulators from the UAE including the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi (FSRA), which makes it a safe broker to trade with.

Sarwa Account Types and Features

Sarwa Invest Account Type / Features	Starter	Standard	Premium	Platinum
Personalized Financial Advice	✓	✓	✓	✓
Low-cost, Globally Diversified Portfolios	✓	✓	✓	✓
Easy Rebalancing	✓	✓	✓	✓
Dividend Reinvesting	✓	✓	✓	✓
Free Financial Education	✓	✓	✓	✓
Access to Expert Financial Advice	1 Free Call	✓	✓	✓
Financial Planning	✗	✗	✓	✓
Lower Advisory Fees	✗	✗	✓	✓

Pros

• No minimum deposit requirement to open account
• Access to financial advisors and long-term investment services
• Beginner-friendly trading and investing platform

Cons

• No demo account available
• You cannot choose your own long-term investments
• Even crypto portfolios have only 5% exposure to crypto

Key features

• Trade or invest in over 4,000 US stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies
• 5 Differently diversified portfolios available to invest in
• Physical offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
• Well-suited for both beginners and advanced traders and investors
• Multiple order types available (Limit, Market, and Stop Limit)
• Access to historical and real-time price data
• Commission-free stock trading and no transaction fees for depositing AED from UAE bank accounts

Open account

How To Find The Ideal Trading Platform in UAE For Beginners?

The most important criteria for finding an online broker with the ideal platform for beginners are listed below.

• Low Minimum Deposit – brokers with low minimum deposits should be preferred as they allow beginners to start with smaller investments and trade with less risk of loosing money.
• Copy Trading Features – allow beginners to start investing by copying trades from seasoned investors. This increases chances of profitable trading.
• Demo Account Availability – allows beginners to test their trading strategy with virutal money before investing real money.
• Extensive Educational Materials – beginners should look out for brokers that offer a broad range of educational materials in the form of tutorial videos, educational articles, and webinars.
• Trading Signals and Ideas – help beginners to open the right trades and to increase their overall chances for profitability.
• Professional Customer Support – makes it easy for beginners to get their questiones answered by experienced traders

What Should Beginners Look out for When Choosing a Broker in UAE?

New investors need to start by defining their goals and looking for a broker that works for their investing needs. For example, an investor that wants to hold stocks for the long term would need a different kind of broker compared to a new trader that wants to learn how to day trade. 

In addition, beginners should look for educational resources and copy trading platforms. There is a lot to learn about investing, and if it is possible to get that education for free, all the better. 

It is very important to understand fees because the amount an investor pays to buy, sell, and hold positions has an impact on profits. It is possible to gain exposure to US stocks with CFDs, but the cost to hold that position will be more than if an investor buys the same exposure via a broker that offers US stocks to investors in the UAE. 

Can I trust these brokers in the United Arab Emirates?

Yes, we thoroughly researched each broker and have ensured legitimate authorities regulate them. Also, while choosing a broker, you can check whether it is controlled by a reputable authority, such as the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) or the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). International brokers operating in the UAE may also be regulated by international authorities such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK or the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). 

You can check the websites of these authorities to see if a particular broker is licensed.

How Is Online Trading Regulated In The UAE?

Two primary authorities regulate the online trading landscape in the UAE:

1. The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) – The SCA regulates the trading of securities and commodities in the UAE, except the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
   
2. The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) – The DFSA is the regulatory body for financial services within the DIFC, an independent financial-free zone in Dubai.

These authorities set rules and regulations to protect investors and ensure the fair and orderly operation of the markets. They also have the power to investigate and take enforcement action against brokers who violate the rules.

More info on safety and regulation of top tier brokers in the UAE:

What To Consider Before Starting Trading?

If you are a beginner and starting your trading journey, here are some of the points you can consider before you start trading: 

1. Regulation: As we have already discussed, ensure that your broker follows all regulatory compliances and checks on your account’s safety concerns.
   
2. Fees and Commissions: As a beginner, if your broker charges higher fees and there are hidden platform fees, these can mount up to a large amount, which will stress your financials and also impact your trading performance. Understand the broker’s fee structure, including trading commissions, spreads, and account maintenance fees.
   
3. Trading Platforms: Your broker’s trading interface must be easy to use and advanced enough to allow you to operate efficiently in the market. You can also look for features like access to educational tools and customer support, especially as a beginner. Also, ensure the platform offers risk management tools such as stop-loss and take-profit orders to minimize potential losses.
   

Asset Variety: Choose a platform that offers access to various asset classes, including stocks, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.

What is the process for opening an account and trading stocks in the UAE?

The step-by-step process for opening an account in UAE:

Step 1: Considering the points mentioned above, you must choose a regulated broker that meets your trading needs. This is an important step because choosing a good broker will provide you with a good platform for your trading.

Step 2: Fill out an online application form on the broker’s platform, providing personal information such as name, email, and phone number.

Step 3: Complete the KYC process by submitting identification documents (passport, photo, bank statements, utility bills) and proof of residence. Also, there might be questions about your income or trading experience.

Step 4: After verifying your account, you can fund it through bank transfers, credit/debit cards, or e-wallets. You can then begin trading stocks manually or via the platform’s automated trading systems.

Details on timeline of the above process for top tier brokers:

What is the best way to buy and sell stocks in the UAE?

The best way to buy and sell stocks in the UAE is through an online trading platform with a user-friendly interface, educational resources, and low trading costs. Look for a platform that provides real-time market data, research tools, and multiple order types to execute trades efficiently. You can also trade on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) or the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) through brokers licensed to offer access to these markets.

What are the benefits of trading in Dubai?

Here are some of the benefits of trading in Dubai:

1. Tax-Free Capital Gains: One of the most significant benefits of trading in Dubai is the tax-free environment. The UAE does not impose taxes on capital gains from stock trading, allowing investors to keep 100% of their profits.
   
2.  Access to Global Markets: Dubai is a regional financial hub that provides access to international markets. Many trading platforms operating in the UAE offer various financial instruments, including global stocks, bonds, ETFs, forex, and commodities. This allows traders to diversify their portfolios and reduce risk by investing in assets across various sectors and geographies.
   
3. Supportive Regulatory Environment: The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) ensure a well-regulated trading environment in Dubai. These regulators oversee brokers’ operations and ensure transparency and fairness in trading practices.
   
4. State-of-the-Art Trading Platforms: Brokers and trading platforms based in Dubai often provide advanced technology solutions to traders. Whether using desktop platforms or mobile applications, these tools have real-time market data, analytics, research reports, and customizable interfaces. Many platforms also offer algorithmic trading, enabling users to automate their trading strategies. 

How can I trade in the UAE on the best platform?

Some points to keep in mind to trade on the best platform in the UAE:

1. Research and Compare Platforms: Thorough research is the first step to trading on the best platform. Not all platforms are created equal; each has strengths, weaknesses, and unique features. Look for platforms specifically tailored for UAE residents, considering local regulations and trading preferences.
   
2. Test the Platform Using a Demo Account: Most top trading platforms offer demo accounts, allowing you to familiarize yourself with their features and tools without risking any real money. This is particularly useful for beginner traders who want to test strategies and understand how the platform works before committing to actual funds.
   
3. Customer Support: Customer support is essential, especially for new traders navigating the platform or resolving technical issues.
   
4. Start Small and Scale Gradually: Once you’ve chosen a platform and opened a live account, it’s important to start with a small investment. This strategy helps mitigate risk, allowing you to gain more experience and confidence before committing larger sums of money. Gradually increase your trade sizes as you become more familiar with the platform’s features and market behavior.

The Popularity of Top Brokers in the United Arab Emirates

Stock trading fees in the United Arab Emirates

For detailed information, see the following articles:

• Best forex brokers for beginners in the United Arab Emirates
• Best CFD brokers in the United Arab Emirates
• Best free brokers in the United Arab Emirates

Conclusion

The various online brokers in UAE offering different platforms and features, make it tough to find the ideal choice for individual needs. Evaluating and comparing the services of different providers requires time and expertise.

This guide does the tough grind by assessing top platforms for different types of traders and investment goals. The results of our analysis and comparison of the best trading platforms in UAE for beginners are wrapped up in the table below.

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

After analysing and comparing 105 online brokers available to users from the Middle east across 9 major categories, we consider eToro as the best trading platform for beginners in UAE. They offer a high “ease of use” level, seamless and simple on-boarding, great customer support in Arabic and industry leading social trading features. This broker scored high in each of those areas, making it a great fit for novice traders who want to step into the markets confidently.

Stefan Grasic

Stefan Grasic is the owner of Business24-7 and has considerable experience in the financial and investment niche, but also enjoys writing articles for the general readership. Stefan is an active stock, CFD, crypto and general investment researcher, advising blockchain companies such as Blockbird, GoCrypto, Hive Terminal at their start up level.

Read more about Stefan Grasic