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Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in United Arab Emirates 2024

Written By

Jemma Grist

Written By

Jemma Grist

Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.

» Jemma Grist Profile Page

Edited By

James Barra

Edited By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. He has worked as a management consultant, where he delivered large-scale operational transformational programmes at some of Europe's biggest banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

» James Barra Profile Page

Updated

Apr 2, 2024

The best day trading platforms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offer accessible accounts for Emirati traders, plus a wide range of global markets, especially in the EMEA region.

Many leading brokers are also regulated by credible authorities, notably the Abu Dhabi Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

Our experts have rigorously evaluated hundreds of brokers against key criteria for day traders, including trading fees, charting platforms and execution quality. Explore our selection of the best platforms for day traders in the UAE.

Top 5 Platforms For Day Trading In The United Arab Emirates

Following our tests, these are the top 5 brokers for day trading in the UAE:

1. Alpari - Alpari will suit short-term binary options traders with a low $5 deposit, powerful charting terminals, and a rebate scheme. Forex traders also get very high leverage with tight spreads while the broker's PAMM service will appeal to hands-off investors.
2. AvaTrade - AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit.
3. FXTM - FXTM is a good pick for day traders seeking low forex commissions on the MetaTrader 4 platform. That said, the range of other assets is not extensive for those looking to diversify, especially stocks and cryptocurrencies.
4. Pepperstone - Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support.
5. XM - XM is one of the best forex and CFD brokers we have tested. The flexible account types will suit a variety of short-term trading styles while the $5 minimum deposit and smooth sign-up process make it easy to start trading.

Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in United Arab Emirates 2024 Comparison

Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in United Arab Emirates 2024 Comparison

Broker	Minimum Deposit	Markets	Platforms	Leverage	Visit
	$5	Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Crypto	MT4, MT5	1:1000	Visit
	$100	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting	WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade	1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)	Visit
	$10	Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Stocks	FXTM App, MT4, MT5	1:2000	Visit
	$0	CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting	MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade	1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)	Visit
	$5	Forex, Stock CFDs, Turbo Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Precious Metals, Energies, Shares, Crypto, Futures	MT4, MT5	1:1000	Visit
	$200	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto	MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade	1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)	Visit
	$100	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto	MT4, MT5, TradingView	1:500	Visit
	$50	CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities	MT4, MT5	1:30	Visit
	$10	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto	Exness Trade App, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral	1:2000	Visit
	$100	CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto	MT4, MT5	1:500	Visit
	$100	Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto	MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral	1:200 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)	Visit
	$50	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs	eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral	-	Visit
	$10	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures	R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView	1:2000	Visit
	€200	CFDs on Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Forex, Cryptocurrencies, US Synthetic Shares & ETFs, Shares Baskets	MT4, MT5	1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)	Visit
	$20	Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto	MT4	1:1000	Visit

#1 - Alpari

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Review

Why We Chose Alpari

Alpari is an offshore multi-asset broker that offers traders a wide range of forex trading opportunities as well as stock, index and commodity CFDs. The broker also offers fixed costs with payouts known upfront. Trading takes place on the reliable MT4 and MT5 platforms, plus the brand's mobile app. Alpari offers tight ECN spreads which will serve active day traders.

• Instruments: Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Crypto
• Regulator: FSC, SEBI, JFSA
• Platforms: MT4, MT5
• Minimum Deposit: $5
• Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
• Leverage: 1:1000

Pros

• Low or no commissions are available and there are tight spreads on ECN accounts
• The broker offers high leverage up to 1:1000 for experienced clients
• There's an excellent choice of funding options with no fees

Cons

• There are fairly high charges for strategy manager copy trading tools
• The lack of educational resources is disappointing compared to alternatives
• The market analysis and research tools are limited

Visit Alpari

#2 - AvaTrade

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Review

Why We Chose AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.

• Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting
• Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM
• Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
• Minimum Deposit: $100
• Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
• Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)

Pros

• Day traders can access stable spreads and zero commissions with no hidden fees
• The broker’s unique risk management tool, AvaProtect, protects against losses up to $1 million and is easy to activate in the platform
• The broker offers reliable 24/5 multilingual customer support with fast response times during testing

Cons

• A high $2000 minimum investment is required to use DupliTrade, which will be out of reach for many beginners
• There is no ECN account with raw spreads
• It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here

Visit AvaTrade

#3 - FXTM

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Review

Why We Chose FXTM

FXTM is a top-rated forex and CFD broker established in 2011 and operating across 4 continents. The company is secure and regulated by leading authorities, including the FCA and CySEC. Offering 1000+ day trading markets and three account types, they cater to all levels of trader.

• Instruments: Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Stocks
• Regulator: CySEC, FCA, FSCA, FSC
• Platforms: FXTM App, MT4, MT5
• Minimum Deposit: $10
• Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
• Leverage: 1:2000

Pros

• FXTM offers free VPS hosting for active day traders looking for 24/7 uninterrupted connection with up to 99.9% uptime
• Beginners can access a strong range of free educational materials and short-term market insights, including a podcast hosted by the brand’s expert team
• Customer support is reliable and available in 30+ languages, making FXTM a top choice among global traders

Cons

• Spreads are mediocre in the commission-free accounts, with typical EUR/USD spreads around 1.9 pips - the industry average is around 1.2 pips
• There are limited e-wallet payment options compared to alternatives
• Withdrawal fees apply, including a 30 EUR fee on bank wire withdrawals

Visit FXTM

#4 - Pepperstone

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Review

Why We Chose Pepperstone

Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for day traders at all levels.

• Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting
• Regulator: FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB
• Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade
• Minimum Deposit: $0
• Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
• Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)

Pros

• Pepperstone boasts impressive execution speeds, averaging around 30ms, facilitating fast order processing and execution that’s ideal for day trading.
• Pepperstone emerges as a low-cost broker, especially for serious day traders with spreads from 0.0 in the Razor account and rebates of 25%+ through the Active Trader program.
• Award-winning customer support is available via telephone, email or live chat with response times of <5 minutes during testing.

Cons

• Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.
• Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets.
• Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.

Visit Pepperstone

#5 - XM

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Review

Why We Chose XM

XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been known for its low fees on 1000+ instruments. XM is regulated by multiple financial bodies, including the ASIC and CySEC.

• Instruments: Forex, Stock CFDs, Turbo Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Precious Metals, Energies, Shares, Crypto, Futures
• Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA
• Platforms: MT4, MT5
• Minimum Deposit: $5
• Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
• Leverage: 1:1000

Pros

• The broker offers premium research including market sentiment, fundamental insights and strategy builders
• Powerful MT4 and MT5 platforms are available with 60+ and 80+ technical charting tools
• XM is a hugely respected broker authorized by tier-one regulators

Cons

• There is weak regulatory oversight through the global entity
• There's $5 inactivity fee after only 3 months, though this won't affect active traders
• PayPal deposits are not supported

Visit XM

Choosing A Day Trading Broker In The UAE

Drawing on our comprehensive industry knowledge and hands-on tests of hundreds of brokers, we focus on several key factors to find the best platforms for day traders:

Choose A Trustworthy Day Trading Broker

The best brokers for traders in the UAE will be regulated by a trusted authority, like the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

These regulators enforce strict measures to prevent broker misconduct and help protect you from scams, which have targeted Emirati traders in recent years.

For example, 7,000 victims based in the UAE were defrauded in a Ponzi scheme disguised as a forex trading program. The scam company, Exential Group, operated out of Dubai Media City and scammed victims out of DH 1.1 billion.

This highlights the importance of verifying that a broker is legitimate, along with conducting a background check of their track record and customer reviews.

Choose A Broker With Low Day Trading Fees

This is particularly important for active day traders looking to keep recurring costs as low as possible.

Our routine tests involve checking spreads during the most liquid times of day, for example, in popular markets like AED currency pairs.

We also compare commission rates against alternatives, for instance, fees on stocks like those listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).

Transaction costs can also eat into profits for serious day traders, so we assess non-trading fees like inactivity charges and conversion fees if transferring AED into another account currency.

Choose A Broker With Excellent Market Coverage

A diverse range of assets helps enable day traders to utilize various strategies and spread risk across different markets.

Alongside forex day trading opportunities, investors in the UAE may require a good range of EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa) assets. This might include stocks such as Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and currency pairs involving the AED, like the USD/AED.

One of the most commonly used short-term trading vehicles is contracts for difference (CFDs) which allow you to speculate on rising and falling prices without taking ownership of the underlying asset.

Choose A Broker With Clear Leverage And Margin Requirements

Leverage allows you to increase the power of your trade with just a small initial outlay, known as margin.

The rates offered to clients depend on the jurisdiction. Most top-tier regulators cap leverage at 1:30 (or 3.33% margin) on major currency pairs like EUR/USD, including the DFSA and the FSRA. This means that with a 1,000 AED outlay, I would gain 30,000 AED (30 x 100) in buying power.

Brokers regulated in other jurisdictions also permit higher leverage rates which require a smaller margin, though I don’t recommend this for beginners – whilst leverage can magnify potential profits, it can also cause severe losses.

Choose A Broker With Reliable Charting Platforms

Brokers that offer a range of powerful charting platforms provide an optimal day trading environment while helping users discover short-term opportunities on Dubai and Abu Dhabi stocks, for example.

During our evaluations, we favor software that delivers a selection of versatile tools for short-term strategies, such as technical indicators and time frames.

Some of the most comprehensive and feature-rich terminals remain MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), however, the outdated design are a key drawback in our view.

Thankfully, traders now have more choices with solutions like TradingView and cTrader delivering a more modern charting experience. Bespoke, web-accessible solutions are also often favored by newer investors looking for a simpler kick-start into day trading.

Choose A Broker With Fast And Reliable Execution

During our routine tests, we assess brokers’ execution speeds, fill rate, and slippage data where possible. We consider execution speeds of <100 milliseconds or less ‘fast’.

This helps us gauge how efficiently firms execute orders, which is especially important when day trading volatile markets, for instance, UAE stocks like International Holding Company (IHC).

Methodology

To find the best day trading platforms in the UAE, we first identified those that accept Emirati traders. We then ranked them using their total score, which weighs 100+ data points and key factors:

FAQ

What Is The Best Day Trading Platform In The United Arab Emirates?

Use our ranking of the top day trading platforms in the UAE to find the right broker for your needs.

Many leading platforms offer a range of financial markets, particularly in the EMEA region, accessible payment methods, plus licensing from a credible authority, such as the DFSA or FSRA.

Who Regulates Day Trading Platforms In The UAE?

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Abu Dhabi Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) are the main authorities responsible for regulating day trading platforms and online brokers in the UAE.

That said, many international brokers that accept Emirati traders are regulated by other reputable authorities. You can verify that a broker is authorized by entering its credentials in the relevant national register.

How Much Money Do I Need To Start Day Trading In The UAE?

Our tests have found that most brokers in the UAE allow day traders to start with $250 or less, around 900 AED.

That said, some platforms allow you to start with no minimum deposit, making them ideal for newer traders – Pepperstone is the highest-rated in the United Arab Emirates.

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