This guide is for forex traders in the UAE and GCC who are looking for the best forex broker to trade with. Forex trading has grown massively in popularity in the UAE and globally, leading to hundreds of forex trading brokers now operating in the region. Having such a wide choice of online forex trading brokers can make it hard to differentiate and choose the right one.
To make things easier, we have researched and analyzed more than 125 forex brokers available for traders, narrowing it down to 4 of the top forex brokers, based on our evaluation.
A global CFD broker with broad international regulation, including in the UAE from the SCA and DFSA.
A world-leading broker offering forex along with CFDs on stocks, indices, crypto and commodities at competitive prices.
Recommended for MT4/MT5 traders looking for low average spreads along with top educational and analysis material.
Recommended for professional UAE traders looking for a broker with strong local presence in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Traders looking for solid educational support, UAE share trading, and detailed trading tools.
Minimum deposit
$100
Average forex spreads
1.4 pips
Demo account
Mobile trading
Time to open account
1 day
Forex trading options
70+ currency pairs
Full review
Plus500 was founded in 2008 and is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange, part of the FTSE 250 index. The platform gives traders access to over 2,800 instruments across forex, stocks, indices, commodities, crypto, options and ETFs. It offers a user-friendly platform designed internally by Plus500 with commission-free trading available. Plus500 is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including the UAE under both the SCA and DFSA.
Trading forex with Plus500 means access to a wide range of over 70 currency pairs, including majors, minors and exotics, giving traders plenty of opportunities to diversify and find the markets that suit their strategies. With competitive leverage of up to 1:300, you can amplify your positions while maintaining full control through built-in risk management tools such as stop orders and negative balance protection.
Beyond the breadth of pairs, Plus500 also stands out for its user-friendly, multi-device platform, real-time quotes, and transparent pricing with no hidden commissions.
✅ High leverage. Access leverage up to 1:300
✅ 70+ pairs. Plus500 offers a wide range of over 70 currency pairs
✅ Trading academy. Gain access to Plus500’s academy focused on forex learning.
✅ Regulated in UAE. Plus500 is regulated by the SCA and DFSA.
❌ Deposit and withdrawals. Plus500’s deposit and withdrawal options are limited.
❌ No phone support. Plus500 cannot be reached via telephone support.
Recommended for traders looking for some of the lowest industry spreads across multiple markets, unlimited leverage and advanced trading research.
Minimum deposit
$10
Average forex spreads
1 pip (EURUSD)
Demo account
Mobile trading
Time to open account
1 day
Forex trading options
Forex, stocks, indices, commodities, crypto
Full review
Exness is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for having tight spreads, lightning-fast execution, and remarkably transparent trading conditions. Founded in 2008, Exness has earned the trust of millions of traders through its offering of robust platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and its own proprietary trading platform. Exness is also well-known for having almost-instant withdrawals, 24/7 customer support, and no hidden fees.
What sets Exness apart is its dynamic and unlimited leverage, low minimum deposit, and commission-free trading options, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced traders. They have multiple regulatory licenses—including CySEC and the FSCA, promising a secure and compliant trading environment.
We rate Exness as our top pick for forex trading. While many brokers claim tight spreads and fast execution, Exness consistently delivers all these across a wide range of currency pairs, platforms and market conditions.
One of the standout features is Exness’ market access to over 100 forex pairs, spanning major, minor and exotic currencies. This extensive selection offers forex traders flexibility to choose markets that suit their strategies, no matter whether they’re looking for high-volume major pairs or rarer exotics.
Spreads with Exness remain low and stable, even during high-impact news events like NFP, CPI or FOMC. As the forex market is known for volatility, this high level of consistency adds a layer of predictability that traders appreciate. Combine this with lightning-fast millisecond execution speeds, it ensures that traders can react quickly to market moves without a delay.
Another feature that’s worth highlighting is Stop Out Protection—a mechanism designed to protect forex traders from unnecessary stop outs during brief volatility in the currency markets. For those navigating leveraged forex trades, this protection can be the difference between maintaining or losing a position prematurely.
Traders also have access to swap-free forex trading options, making Exness a viable choice for forex traders who follow Islamic finance principles. Additionally, we found that funds are accessible without long hold-ups, allowing for smooth, delay-free forex withdrawals.
✅ Ultra-tight, stable spreads. Competitive spreads even during volatile news events.
✅ Fast execution speeds. Orders are filled in milliseconds, crucial for scalpers.
✅ 100+ forex pairs. Forex trading available across major, minor, and exotic pairs.
✅ Swap-free account options. Ideal for traders seeking Sharia-compliant solutions.
✅ Unlimited leverage. Forex traders can access unlimited leverage on majors and minor pairs
❌ Limited educational resources. Not as strong as other brokers when it comes to beginner training or in-depth trading guides.
❌ Less markets than most. Exness does not offer as many markets as other brokers.
❌ High cost for social trading. Minimum of $500 to copy-trade, $2,000 to be a strategy provider.
Recommended for MT4/MT5 traders looking for some the lowest average spreads along with top educational and analysis material.
Minimum deposit
$5
Average forex spreads
0.6 pips
Demo account
Mobile trading
Time to open account
1 day
Forex trading options
Forex, stocks, stock indices, thematic indices, commodities, crypto
Full review
XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker. They combine user-friendly platforms, and multilingual support tailored to forex traders of all experience levels. This has made them a leading name in the industry. Regulated across several jurisdictions, XM has built a reputation for transparency, educational outreach, and extremely solid client protection policies. XM is also regulated locally by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
Traders at XM can access over 1,000 instruments, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies, with the flexibility to trade on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 or the XM App. With account types targeted for both beginners and advanced traders, XM’s appeal lies in its reliable spreads and very low minimum deposits. Whether you’re starting out with a demo or diving straight into live markets, XM gives you a balanced mix of accessibility, regulation, and trading power—making it a reliable option for serious forex traders and the #3 option on our list for best forex brokers.
XM shines as a solid choice for forex traders valuing high leverage, a broad selection of pairs, and strong educational support. While it doesn’t lead in pricing, its thoughtful mix of flexibility, platform reliability, and client protection still makes it a broker worth considering—particularly if you’re looking for multilingual learning tools and local UAE support in English and Arabic.
XM offers access to approx. 57 forex pairs, including a well-balanced mix of majors, minors, and exotics. All forex trading is done via CFDs. This is where traders speculate on the price of currency pairs without actually owning the underlying asset physically, like you would if you swapped money in an exchange. For those seeking higher exposure, with XM, you can get high leverage up to 1:1000 available through XM Global Ltd. Though availability may vary depending on your jurisdiction.
Where XM earns extra points is its dedicated focus on trader education. Their in-house team of analysts and over 70 instructors provide in-depth market analysis, webinars, and tutorials—creating a trading environment centered around learning. This commitment to forex education makes XM appealing to traders who want to improve their understanding of currency markets while trading in real time.
The XM Standard Account offers accessible conditions for forex trading, with floating spreads starting from 1 pip, no re-quotes, and fast execution. With a minimum deposit of just $5, traders can open up to 200 simultaneous positions, trade in micro-lot sizes, and benefit from currency diversity. Accounts can be funded in USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF, SGD, and AUD, a solid range of options.
✅ High leverage available. Forex traders can access leverage up to 1:1000
✅ Broad selection of forex pairs. Around 57 currency pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics.
✅ Trading competitions. XM regularly holds forex trading competitions.
✅ Local support for UAE traders. English and Arabic-speaking support available 24/5.
✅ Regulated in multiple jurisdictions. Licensed by top-tier regulators including the DFSA, FCA, ASIC, IFSC, and CySEC.
❌ Leverage varies by region. 1:1000 maximum leverage not available to forex traders in all jurisdictions.
❌ Inactivity fee: $15 fee imposed after 1 year of inactivity, then a $5 monthly fee if the account stays inactive.
❌ No proprietary desktop platform. XM does not have a proprietary trading platform for desktop.
❌ No crypto deposits. You can not deposit via cryptocurrency with XM
Recommended for professional UAE traders looking for a broker with strong local presence in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Minimum deposit
$500
Average forex spreads
1.4 pips
Demo account
Mobile trading
Time to open account
1 day
Forex trading options
Forex, local stocks, global stocks, indices, commodities, crypto, ETFs
Full review
Equiti is a UAE-regulated forex broker that’s rapidly gaining ground in the Middle East and beyond, offering traders access to global markets through a locally trusted platform. Licensed by the UAE’s SCA and other big names like the UK’s FCA and Jordan’s JSC, Equiti blends regional reliability with international standards. This makes Equiti a compelling choice for traders who want a local experience with global reach.
Equiti provides access to a range of instruments including 60+ forex pairs, plus commodities, indices, global stocks, local UAE stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies, all tradable through MetaTrader 4, 5, and Equiti’s own web and mobile platforms. The broker supports both retail and pro accounts. A standout strength for Equiti is its localized support, especially for forex traders in the UAE and GCC. With dedicated Arabic and English-speaking service teams, plus offices in Dubai and Amman, Equiti stands out for its regional accessibility in the Arab world.
Equiti stands as a reliable and locally regulated forex broker in the UAE, offering a secure and transparent way to access the global currency markets. Here at chooseabroker.ae, we recommend Equiti to traders looking for a broker that blends regional trust with A-grade tools and infrastructure. With Equiti, you get access to over 60 forex pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics.Equiti offers traders ample opportunity to diversify across different currencies and market conditions.
Forex traders can benefit from leverage up to 1:400 with Equiti, depending on account type and jurisdiction. This gives forex traders the flexibility to amplify their exposure responsibly. Equiti also provides rolling forex futures that are swap-free, come with fixed spreads, and no expiry dates. Such options could be attractive to traders looking for an alternative to traditional spot FX with clearer cost structures.
Costs are kept competitive with tight spreads starting from 0.0 pips on selected accounts and no sign-up fees or unnecessary commissions. Plus, Equiti uses direct market access (DMA) and straight-through processing (STP), with no dealing desk interference. In short, this means Equiti does not trade against their clients, so there is no conflict of interest between you and the broker.
Another strong point is Equiti’s educational ecosystem, which includes a good size library of guides, videos, and tutorials designed to help traders at all levels build confidence and knowledge. This is reinforced by partnerships with the likes of Acuity Trading, giving clients access to daily trading ideas, sentiment analysis, market overviews, and real-time news.
✅ Regulated in the UAE. Equiti is licensed by the SCA.
✅ Leverage up to 1:400. Competitive leverage options available.
✅ Swap-free rolling forex futures. Fixed spreads, no expiry dates, and an alternative to traditional FX.
✅ DMA and STP execution. No dealing desk interference.
✅ Strong educational tools. Tutorials, webinars, and daily market insights from Acuity.
❌ Trading conditions vary. Features and leverage will vary depending on location.
❌ Inactivity fee. Accounts are charged a monthly fee after 180 days of no trading activity.
❌ 1% e-wallet fee. Deposits and withdrawals via e-wallets incur a 1% fee.
Looking for the best forex brokers in Dubai? Check out our in-depth broker reviews and choose the right one today.
Choosing the best forex broker requires careful consideration of regulation, trading conditions, fees, and customer support. A well-regulated and reputable broker will provide a secure trading environment, competitive spreads, and access to global markets. For traders in Dubai and wider region, the top forex brokers offer:
If you’re ready to start forex trading, explore our expert reviews and compare the best forex trading brokers in Dubai, UAE to find the perfect platform for your needs.
Not all forex brokers in Dubai offer the same trading conditions. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting the best forex broker in UAE:
By focusing on these factors, you can confidently select the best forex trading broker Dubai that matches your trading style and needs.
Yes, forex trading is fully legal in Dubai and the UAE. However, while it’s legal for individuals to trade forex, offering forex brokerage services or managing funds on behalf of others without a proper license is illegal. Always ensure you trade with a fully regulated forex broker in Dubai to protect your funds.
Forex brokers operating in Dubai and the UAE must comply with strict regulations set by financial authorities such as:
Choosing a regulated forex broker licensed by any of the above ensures your funds are protected, and you are trading in a secure and legally compliant environment.
Getting started with forex trading in Dubai is straightforward if you follow these key steps:
Following these steps will help you trade profitably and safely with the best forex brokers online Dubai.
Under SCA regulations, the maximum leverage permitted for forex trading is 1:500.
No, forex trading is not taxable in the UAE. While many other countries will require traders to report capital gains or trading income, Dubai and the wider UAE have no personal income tax, making it a tax-efficient location to trade forex freely.
Yes, UAE residents can trade with international brokers, but it’s crucial to make sure the broker you choose is regulated in respected jurisdictions (like the UK’s FCA or Australia’s ASIC). Keep in mind, choosing a locally regulated broker under SCA, DFSA or ADGM’s FSRA provides more protection for local traders and will align better with UAE financial regulations.
To comply with UAE ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) regulations, you’ll need to provide the following to your online trading broker.
If applying as a professional client, you may also need to show proof of funds or declare the source of your trading capital.
Trading involves risk to your capital. As a general rule, you should only trade in financial products that you are familiar with and understand the risk associated with them. The risk warning described in each financial product below is not exhaustive, you should carefully consider your investment experience, financial situation, investment objective, risk tolerance level and consult your independent financial adviser as to the suitability of your situation prior making any investment.