Sarwa is one of the best-known investment apps born in the UAE. It combines a robo-advisor (Sarwa Invest), a trading app for US stocks, ETFs, options and crypto (Sarwa Trade and Sarwa Crypto) and a cash account (Sarwa Save) in a single app. In this Sarwa review for 2026 we look at each service, the fees, how Sarwa is regulated and who it suits.
Disclosure: this article contains affiliate links. If you open an account through them, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Sarwa at a glance
| Sarwa | |
|---|---|
| Regulators | FSRA (ADGM) and DFSA (DIFC) |
| Sarwa Invest | 0.4% to 0.85% a year (min USD 7 a month) |
| Sarwa Trade | USD 1 or 0.25% per trade, whichever is higher |
| US options | USD 4 per contract |
| Sarwa Crypto | 0.75% spread |
| Sarwa Save | Variable return, 0.5% annual fee |
| Transfers from UAE banks | Free |
| Referral bonus | Up to AED 3,000 |
Data checked in September 2026. Sources: Sarwa Help Center and Sarwa pricing.
Video summary
What is Sarwa?
Sarwa was founded in 2017 and is a digital wealth management platform based in the UAE. It serves residents of the UAE and other countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia (see the list of eligible countries). Its investors include Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Kuwait Projects Company (KIPCO).
Sarwa Invest: the robo-advisor
Sarwa Invest builds and manages a diversified portfolio of low-cost ETFs based on your risk profile. It automatically invests your deposits, reinvests dividends and rebalances the portfolio. You can choose between six risk levels and four portfolio styles: Conventional, Conventional Crypto (with a small crypto allocation), Socially Responsible and Halal (Shariah-compliant ETFs).
Example of a Sarwa Invest portfolio. Source: sarwa.co.
Fees: the annual management fee depends on your total Sarwa Invest balance, and the underlying ETFs have their own costs on top:
| Tier | Annual fee | Balance |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 0.85% (min USD 7 a month) | Below USD 100,000 |
| Platinum | 0.7% | USD 100,000 to 500,000 |
| Private Wealth | 0.5% | Above USD 500,000 |
| Legacy | 0.4% | Above USD 5,000,000 |
Source: Sarwa Help Center, September 2026. The USD 7 minimum does not apply in the first three months. Clients who joined before 2025 keep their original pricing.
Example: with USD 20,000 in Sarwa Invest you pay about USD 14 a month (0.85% a year). With USD 1,000 the fee would be about USD 0.70, so the USD 7 monthly minimum applies, equal to 8.4% a year on that balance. The minimum makes Sarwa Invest expensive for small balances.
Other features: multiple portfolios for different goals, joint accounts, a beneficiary you can nominate for your Invest account and access to Sarwa’s advisors by call, WhatsApp or email.
Sarwa Trade and Sarwa Crypto
Sarwa Trade: buy and sell thousands of US stocks and ETFs, also in fractions, with limit and stop orders, news and financials. Each trade costs USD 1 or 0.25% of the order, whichever is higher. US options cost USD 4 per contract. Markets are limited to the US.
Sarwa Crypto: buy and sell major cryptocurrencies, in full or in fractions, with a 0.75% spread charged by Sarwa’s crypto service provider.
Options are complex instruments with a high risk of loss. Cryptoassets are highly volatile and you could lose all the money you invest.
Sarwa Save
Sarwa Save is a USD cash account with no lock-up and no withdrawal fees, with a Shariah-compliant option. The estimated return is variable and follows US interest rates, and Sarwa charges a 0.5% annual fee. Check the current estimated return in the app.
Is Sarwa safe?
Sarwa is regulated in the UAE: Sarwa Digital Wealth (Capital) Limited by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Sarwa Digital Wealth Limited by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) in the DIFC. Client assets are held with third-party custodians, separately from Sarwa’s own assets. For more detail on custody and investor protection, see our Sarwa safety analysis.
Sarwa referral bonus
New users who sign up with a referral link and deposit at least USD 500 within 90 days get a bonus of at least AED 100 and up to AED 3,000, depending on how much they fund. Deposits across Invest, Trade and Save count, and you need to keep the minimum balance for 12 months or the bonus may be revoked. Joint accounts are excluded.
Pros and cons
✅ UAE-based, regulated by the FSRA and the DFSA
✅ Robo-advisor with Halal and socially responsible portfolios
✅ Free transfers from UAE banks and everything in one app
❌ USD 7 monthly minimum makes Sarwa Invest expensive for small balances
❌ Stocks limited to US markets, no bonds or futures
❌ Higher trading fees than global brokers for active traders
Sarwa alternatives
Interactive Brokers: for investors who want to build their own ETF portfolio at lower cost, with access to over 170 markets.
eToro: regulated in the UAE by the FSRA, with commission-free ETFs, Smart Portfolios and social trading.
StashAway: a robo-advisor regulated by the DFSA in the UAE, the closest equivalent to Sarwa Invest.
Vault Wealth: a digital private wealth manager for larger amounts, with dedicated advisors.
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
FAQs
Is Sarwa safe?
Sarwa is regulated by the FSRA in Abu Dhabi and the DFSA in Dubai, and client assets are held with third-party custodians.
How much does Sarwa cost?
Sarwa Invest costs 0.4% to 0.85% a year, with a USD 7 monthly minimum below USD 100,000. Sarwa Trade costs USD 1 or 0.25% per trade.
What is the Sarwa referral bonus?
Up to AED 3,000 when you deposit at least USD 500 within 90 days of signing up with a referral link.
Disclaimer: this article is for information only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Your capital is at risk.
João Nunes is a senior portfolio manager and director at Edenhurst Capital, a global wealth management company based in Dubai.
