The UAE is home to many online stock brokers, but which ones are the best? Whether you're looking to trade CFDs or invest in stocks, your choice of stock broker can be one of the hardest decisions to make. Therefore, at Choose a Broker.ae we’ve done all the heavy lifting to research the top stock brokers in the UAE to help you make an informed decision.
In today's world, a ‘stock broker’ can imply so many things. But they usually take two main forms, with each type of broker offering different ways to capitalize on the opportunities that stocks present. These include CFD brokers and stock investing brokers.
In today's world, a ‘stock broker’ can imply so many things. But they usually take two main forms, with each type of broker offering different ways to capitalize on the opportunities that stocks present. These include CFD brokers and stock investing brokers.
Trading CFDs
When trading CFDs, you never actually own the stocks you trade, but you profit from changes in its price, either higher or lower. This flexibility also covers "short selling," where traders can benefit if a stock goes down in price. Optimal CFD trading can include short-term strategies like day trading or scalping, leveraging quick and sharp volatility in markets.
Investing in Stocks
Stock investing entails taking physical ownership of the shares you want to trade and reaping the benefits through long-term price appreciation and sometimes, dividend yields. It can work for those whose goal is steady long-term returns, including passive income in the form of dividends.
This guide sheds light on brokers that shine in CFD trading and physical stock investing at every level and goal.
This guide sheds light on brokers that shine in CFD trading and physical stock investing at every level and goal.
- eToro
Best for Copy Trading and Global CFD Market Access
eToro stands out as one of the most popular stock brokers in the world due to the fact that it's pretty well-liked among beginners and those interested in its innovative copy trading feature.
Copy trading stocks essentially allows users to automatically mirror experienced investors' stock trades in their account, making it easier for new traders to get started. For experienced traders, it means earning exclusive rewards for sharing strategies.
What Makes eToro Unique?
eToro also boasts a very user-friendly platform for beginners, but with enough substance to meet the requirements of the advanced trader. At eToro, traders have the flexibility to either trade CFDs or actually invest in physical stocks.
Market Access
US Stock Investing: ✅ Yes
US Stock CFD: ✅ Yes
MENA Stock Investing: ✅ Yes
MENA Stock CFD: ❌ No
eToro stands out as one of the most popular stock brokers in the world due to the fact that it's pretty well-liked among beginners and those interested in its innovative copy trading feature.
Copy trading stocks essentially allows users to automatically mirror experienced investors' stock trades in their account, making it easier for new traders to get started. For experienced traders, it means earning exclusive rewards for sharing strategies.
What Makes eToro Unique?
- Global Access: eToro offers access to more than 5,000 financial instruments, including 2800+ stocks and CFDs.
- Commission-Free Stock Investing: For investors, eToro enables users to invest in stocks without any commission, proving to be very cost-effective.
- Regional Partnership: The recent partnership of eToro with the DFM opened the way for trading with its users of leading local stocks such as DEWA, Emaar Properties, and Dubai Islamic Bank, therefore expanding investment options.
eToro also boasts a very user-friendly platform for beginners, but with enough substance to meet the requirements of the advanced trader. At eToro, traders have the flexibility to either trade CFDs or actually invest in physical stocks.
Market Access
US Stock Investing: ✅ Yes
US Stock CFD: ✅ Yes
MENA Stock Investing: ✅ Yes
MENA Stock CFD: ❌ No
2. amana
Best for regional MENA stock trading
Amana has grown rapidly as one of the leading online stock brokers in the UAE due to its focus on physical stock investing along with global CFD trading. This is all available on its intuitive mobile trading app. Amana targets a younger demographic and has made it relatively very easy to invest in regional MENA stocks and global giants. If you want to choose a broker that offers regional and global stocks, amana is your go-to.
What makes Amana unique?
- Regional Strength: Amana is one of the few brokers that can offer access to top MENA stocks such as EMAAR, ADCB, and Salik, which can make it a very good choice for those interested in regional markets.
- Global Stock Access: Amana gives access to invest in some of the largest global companies, such as Apple, Tesla, and Microsoft.
- Fractional Trading: You can start investing in Amana from as low as you want, even below the price of a single share through fractional investing.
For example, if Apple's stock costs $160, with fractional trading, you could invest less than this amount, making investing more affordable for smaller budgets. Amana would be well-suited for investors who seek a long-term approach to stocks.
Market Access
US Stock Investing: ✅ Yes
US Stock CFDs: ✅ Yes
MENA Stock Investing: ✅ Yes
MENA Stock CFDs: ✅ Yes
3. XTB
Best for Advanced CFD Stock Trading and EU Stock investing
Having a stong global presence and with cutting-edge, proprietary technology, XTB is among the top choices for traders who primarily want to deal in CFD stock trading. The award-winning xStation 5 platform from XTB offers an excellent and smooth experience for both novice and professional traders alike, pointing toward the brokers core values of precision and speed.
What Makes XTB Unique?
XTB is a great choice for traders who want to take advantage of short-term stock CFDs or invest in shares long term. The only downside is that XTB does not have access to MENA stocks. However they do have over 1000 US and European stocks which have 0% commission.
Market Access
US Stock Investing: ✅ Yes
US Stock CFDs: ✅ Yes
MENA Stock Investing: ❌ No
MENA Stock CFDs: ❌ No
Having a stong global presence and with cutting-edge, proprietary technology, XTB is among the top choices for traders who primarily want to deal in CFD stock trading. The award-winning xStation 5 platform from XTB offers an excellent and smooth experience for both novice and professional traders alike, pointing toward the brokers core values of precision and speed.
What Makes XTB Unique?
- Diverse CFD Options: XTB offers CFDs in various asset classes, from stocks and indices to forex and cryptocurrencies, meeting a range of most traders’ requirements.
- Regulated and Trusted: Licensed by topmost authorities, including the UAE DFSA and UK FCA, XTB enjoys its reputation as a reliable and transparent broker in everything that concerns finance.
- Global Presence: Present in more than 13 countries, XTB has emerged as a household name in the world of trading, backed by decades of experience in the industry. It is also publicly listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
XTB is a great choice for traders who want to take advantage of short-term stock CFDs or invest in shares long term. The only downside is that XTB does not have access to MENA stocks. However they do have over 1000 US and European stocks which have 0% commission.
Market Access
US Stock Investing: ✅ Yes
US Stock CFDs: ✅ Yes
MENA Stock Investing: ❌ No
MENA Stock CFDs: ❌ No
4. Admirals
Best for Flexibility and Multi-Platform Access
Admirals have been in the game for over two decades. Traders can enjoy both CFDs and physical stocks trading with them. Admirals are known to be versatile for beginners and experienced investors alike, with the possibility to trade thousands of stock instruments.
Admirals have been in the game for over two decades. Traders can enjoy both CFDs and physical stocks trading with them. Admirals are known to be versatile for beginners and experienced investors alike, with the possibility to trade thousands of stock instruments.
What Makes Admirals Special?
Combining sophisticated tools and flexibility with a strong reputation, Admirals can also become an excellent choice for traders who look to both short-term CFD stock opportunities and investments for the long run.
Market Access
US Stock Investing: ✅ Yes
US Stock CFDs: ✅ Yes
MENA Stock Investing: ❌ No
MENA Stock CFDs: ❌ No
- Diverse Portfolio: 3350+ stocks in 17 global exchanges under CFD and available physical stock investment at low commissions.
- Multi-Platform Access: Accessibility through a variety of popular platforms, such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or Admirals' own proprietary app, makes trading on the go possible.
- Fractional Investing: As with Amana, Admirals offers fractional trading-a must when working with more budget-conscious clients to be able to invest in higher-valued stocks easily.
Combining sophisticated tools and flexibility with a strong reputation, Admirals can also become an excellent choice for traders who look to both short-term CFD stock opportunities and investments for the long run.
Market Access
US Stock Investing: ✅ Yes
US Stock CFDs: ✅ Yes
MENA Stock Investing: ❌ No
MENA Stock CFDs: ❌ No
Final Thoughts
Your best broker for trading stocks depends on what you are trying to achieve. Are you looking for simple, on-the-go applications? Access to international and MENA markets? Then eToro and Amana shine for ease of access and platform simplicity. Meanwhile, brokers like XTB and Admirals are strong for more advanced traders and investors with a wide range of instruments, sophisticated tools, and powerful platforms.
At Choose a Broker.ae, our aim is to make the selection of choosing a broker simpler by comparing the top stock trading brokers in the UAE from countless hours of research. Whether you're new to trading or already a seasoned investor, our informed recommendations ensure you're confident in selecting a regulated, secure and competitive platform to start trading stocks.
Whether you want to trade CFDs or wish to invest in stocks, choosing the right broker is just the first baby step toward achieving success within trading.
At Choose a Broker.ae, our aim is to make the selection of choosing a broker simpler by comparing the top stock trading brokers in the UAE from countless hours of research. Whether you're new to trading or already a seasoned investor, our informed recommendations ensure you're confident in selecting a regulated, secure and competitive platform to start trading stocks.
Whether you want to trade CFDs or wish to invest in stocks, choosing the right broker is just the first baby step toward achieving success within trading.
