If you’re looking for the best trading app in the UAE, or for a trading app approved by a UAE regulator, this guide compares the main options available to UAE residents in 2026: what each app offers, what it costs and who supervises it.
Disclosure: this article contains affiliate links. If you open an account through them, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
The best trading apps in the UAE at a glance
- Sarwa: best trading app overall. A UAE-based platform with Sarwa Trade (US stocks, ETFs, options and crypto), Sarwa Invest (robo-advisor) and Sarwa Save, regulated in the ADGM and the DIFC.
- Interactive Brokers: best for experienced investors. Low fees, the widest product range (stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds) and interest on larger cash balances, with a more complex platform.
- eToro: best for beginners, crypto and social trading. Commission-free ETFs, low-cost stocks and CopyTrader, regulated by the FSRA in the ADGM.
- XTB: best for CFDs and forex. Regulated by the DFSA in Dubai, with Islamic (swap-free) accounts.
- Freedom24: best for US stocks, options and bonds. Access to over 1 million instruments and commission-free recurring ETF investment plans.
- Amana: best for commission-free MENA stocks. MENA and US stocks, over 375 cryptocurrencies and a USD 100 bonus with our Amana promo code “IITW”.
- Capital.com: best for fee-free AED deposits and CFD trading. Regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), with Dubai-based support.
CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Side-by-side comparison
| App | US stocks | UAE regulator | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarwa | USD 1 or 0.25% (whichever is higher) | FSRA (ADGM), DFSA | US stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, robo-advisor, savings |
| Interactive Brokers | From USD 0.0035 per share (tiered) | Global broker, entity depends on residence | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds, funds |
| eToro | USD 1 per trade | FSRA (ADGM) | Stocks, ETFs, crypto, CFDs |
| XTB | Check XTB’s UAE fee table | DFSA | Stocks, ETFs, forex and CFDs |
| Freedom24 | USD 2 + USD 0.02 per share (Smart plan) | CySEC (EU) | Stocks, ETFs, bonds, options |
| Amana | 0% commission | Group licensed by the DFSA and others | MENA and US stocks, ETFs, crypto, CFDs |
| Capital.com | 0% commission on CFDs (other fees apply) | SCA | CFDs on shares, indices, forex, commodities, crypto |
Data checked in September 2026. Other fees, such as currency conversion, spreads and overnight financing on CFDs, may apply.
How we selected the best trading apps in the UAE
We compared the apps on these criteria: app functionality and ease of use, the products you can trade, regulation, fees, minimum deposit, interest on uninvested cash and customer service. We tested the apps ourselves and you can find our video reviews on our YouTube channel.
1. Sarwa: best trading app overall
Sarwa was founded in 2017 and is based in the UAE. Sarwa Digital Wealth (Capital) Limited is regulated by the FSRA in the ADGM and Sarwa Digital Wealth Limited by the DFSA in the DIFC. With Sarwa Trade you can buy fractions of more than 5,000 US stocks and ETFs, trade options and invest in crypto. Stocks and ETFs cost USD 1 per trade or 0.25% of the order, whichever is higher, and options a flat USD 4 per contract trade. Sarwa Invest builds a diversified ETF portfolio for you and Sarwa Save pays a variable return on cash. Deposits from a local AED account are free.
✅ UAE-based, regulated in the ADGM and the DIFC
✅ Robo-advisor for hands-off investing and fractional US shares
❌ Limited to US markets for stocks, no bonds
2. Interactive Brokers: best for experienced investors
Interactive Brokers was founded in 1978, is listed on the Nasdaq and is part of the S&P 500. It gives you access to over 170 markets with one account and offers stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds and funds. Fees on US stocks start from USD 0.0035 per share on the tiered plan. It pays interest on cash balances above USD 10,000, with the full rate from USD 100,000. IBKR GlobalTrader is a simpler app for beginners, while Trader Workstation offers professional tools.
✅ Widest product and market range
✅ Low fees and interest on larger cash balances
❌ Complex platform and fee structure for beginners
3. eToro: best for beginners, crypto and social trading
In the UAE, eToro operates through eToro (ME) Limited, regulated by the FSRA in the ADGM. Stocks cost USD 1 per trade (USD 2 on the Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong and Australian exchanges), ETFs are commission-free and crypto costs 1% to buy or sell. With CopyTrader you can copy other investors’ portfolios. New users in the UAE can get a stock or crypto position worth USD 50 after a first deposit of USD 200 (terms apply).
✅ Very easy to use, with social trading
✅ Commission-free ETFs and a wide choice of crypto
❌ USD 5 withdrawal fee and conversion fees on non-USD deposits
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Copy trading does not amount to investment advice.
4. XTB: best for CFDs and forex
XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and serves UAE clients through its Dubai entity, regulated by the DFSA. It offers stocks and ETFs as well as CFDs on forex, indices, commodities and crypto, on its xStation platform. Islamic (swap-free) accounts are available. Check XTB’s UAE fee table for the current conditions on stocks and ETFs.
✅ Regulated in Dubai with Islamic accounts
✅ Strong platform for CFD and forex trading
❌ No bonds or listed options, inactivity fee after 12 months
CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.
5. Freedom24: best for US stocks, options and bonds
Freedom24 is the online broker of Freedom Finance Europe Ltd, regulated by CySEC in the EU and part of Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding Corp. It offers access to over 1 million instruments, including US stocks, ETFs, bonds and options. On the Smart plan, US stocks cost USD 2 per order plus USD 0.02 per share. ETF investment plans are commission-free on recurring purchases, and a personal manager is available.
✅ Wide range of stocks, bonds and US options
✅ Commission-free recurring ETF investment plans
❌ EUR 7 per withdrawal and no crypto
Commission-free investing applies exclusively to specific recurrent investment plans. Other fees apply according to the Freedom24 fee schedule. Your capital is at risk.
6. Amana: best for commission-free MENA stocks
Amana is a Dubai-based investment app. You can trade MENA stocks with no commission on the first USD 100,000 invested or the first 50 trades, US stocks 24 hours a day, five days a week, and more than 375 cryptocurrencies, or invest passively with Amana Invest. New users can get a USD 100 bonus with our promo code IITW.
✅ Commission-free MENA stocks and 24/5 US stock trading
✅ Stocks and crypto in one app
❌ Fewer advanced tools than global brokers, USD 10 monthly inactivity fee
7. Capital.com: best for fee-free AED deposits and CFD trading
Capital.com is regulated in the UAE by the SCA and offers CFDs on shares, indices, forex, commodities and crypto with no commission (other fees apply). You can deposit and withdraw in AED without fees (conversion charges may apply) and get Dubai-based support 24/7 in English and on weekdays in Arabic. Islamic accounts are available.
✅ Fee-free AED deposits and local support
✅ Regulated by the SCA, with Islamic accounts
❌ CFDs only, no real shares or bonds
CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Capital.com is regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority.
How to choose the best trading app in the UAE
Regulation: choose an app regulated in the UAE, by the SCA, the DFSA in the DIFC or the FSRA in the ADGM, or by a strong international regulator. Check which entity holds your account.
Products: decide what you want to invest in (US or MENA stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, forex, gold). Not all apps offer the same range, and some only offer CFDs.
Fees: compare trading commissions, currency conversion, spreads and withdrawal fees, especially if you often convert AED to USD.
AED support: apps that accept AED deposits for free, or charge low conversion fees, save you money over time.
Ease of use and support: beginners benefit from a simple app, while active traders need advanced charts and order types.
FAQs
Which trading app is approved by the UAE government?
Financial services in the UAE are supervised by the SCA at federal level, the DFSA in the DIFC and the FSRA in the ADGM. In this list, Sarwa (FSRA and DFSA), eToro (FSRA), XTB (DFSA) and Capital.com (SCA) are regulated by a UAE authority.
What is the best trading app for beginners in the UAE?
Sarwa and eToro are the easiest to use. Sarwa also offers a robo-advisor, while eToro offers social trading.
Disclaimer: this article is for information only and is not investment advice. Your capital is at risk.
Pedro is passionate about finance, marketing, and technology. He is a growth manager at several online projects and a former digital marketer for a fintech company.
