8 best CFD brokers in the UAE: Global and local platforms compared

_{Disclaimer: CFDs are leveraged contracts. You don’t own the underlying asset; you trade against the broker. Retail protections like negative balance protection apply under DFSA, FSRA, and CMA rules, but professional clients may not be covered. If you want direct ownership of UAE-listed shares, use a cash-equity broker. If you want leverage and short-term trading, choose a locally licensed CFD broker.}

The UAE’s CFD trading market in 2026 is more active and regulated than ever. Global brokers have expanded into the region with DFSA, FSRA, and CMA licenses, while local firms like ADSS and Equiti continue to grow their presence. 

In this guide, we compare the 8 best CFD brokers in the UAE: five global and three UAE-based platforms, based on what matters most: fees, commissions, leverage rules, and market access.

Best CFD brokers in the UAE: A quick overview

• XTB: Best for low-cost CFD trading on its xStation platform.
• Pepperstone: Best for tight spreads and platform choice (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView).
• Plus500: Best CFD trading app in the UAE, CMA-regulated.
• eToro: Best for social/copy trading with beginner-friendly UX. eToro offers welcome bonuses for UAE users.
• Capital.com: Best for AI-driven CFD trading and AED accounts.‍
• ADSS: Best local UAE CFD broker, CMA-regulated with AED funding & Arabic support.‍
• Equiti: Best for MENA-focused CFD trading with MT4/MT5.
• amana: Best for lower spreads

_{⚠️ Be aware of brokers operating without a license in the UAE. Check our Broker Warning List.}

For larger portfolios, XTB and Capital.com should be your top choices. They’re well-regulated, offer a huge CFD range, and Capital.com even supports AED accounts.

For most active traders, Pepperstone is the standout: tight Razor spreads and a choice of MT4, MT5, TradingView, or cTrader. If you’re new to trading, eToro is the easiest entry point with its social copy-trading.

Local brokers ADSS and Equiti offer AED accounts, Arabic support, or access to ADX/DFM stocks only through CFDs.

Here’s a quick fees and commissions comparison for all the CFD brokers in the list:

^{As of July 2026}

_{Note: In CFD trading, a spread is the difference between the buy (ask) and sell (bid) price of an asset. This is the main way brokers earn money when no commission is charged. A commission is a fixed fee charged per trade or per lot, usually on top of the spread. Some brokers charge only spreads, some only commissions, and others a mix of both.}

Our evaluation criteria for the best CFD brokers

1. Regulation and license

We ensured that each broker that makes it to this list is appropriately licensed to offer CFDs in the UAE, either by the national Capital Market Authority (CMA) or a financial center regulator like the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) or Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).

A local license means the broker has met security and compliance standards to operate in the UAE, which is an important trust factor.

Check our list of regulated brokers in the UAE.

2. Retail protections

CFDs are high-risk, leverage products, so look for brokers that have a strong retail protection scheme in place. 

All the brokers you will see in this guide provide margin call and stop-out systems, which automatically limit losses if your account equity falls below 50% of the required margin.

And all brokers also offer negative balance protection, so you can’t lose more money than what you deposit.

3. Client money and custody

We verified that regulated CFD brokers keep client money in segregated accounts at reputable banks, separate from the broker’s own funds. This arrangement is designed to reduce the risk that your deposits are used for the broker’s operations.

However, it does not provide the same ownership rights or protections as holding actual stocks, and your funds may still be at risk in cases such as broker insolvency or bank failure.

With stocks, you actually own the underlying asset (or a beneficial right to it in custody). With CFDs, you don’t own the stock at all; it’s just a contract with the broker. That means you rely entirely on the broker’s ability and willingness to honor the contract. Even if client money is segregated, your CFD positions aren’t separate assets in your name.

1. XTB

• Product range: CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and selected cryptocurrencies.
• Leverage and margin: 30:1, 50% margin call/stop-out
• Minimum deposit: None
• Regulators: DFSA, CMA
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank transfer, cards, and e-wallets
• Access to local markets: No

XTB is a global broker and has a DFSA (2022) and CMA (early 2025) license to operate in the UAE. The broker’s known for its wide range of CFD markets, all delivered via its award-winning xStation 5 platform.

Fees and commissions

XTB uses a spread-only model on most CFD products, meaning no separate commission is charged on forex, indices, or commodities.

Spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD average about 0.9 pips during peak hours. Index CFDs like the S&P 500 have an average spread of ~0.5 points.

Overnight financing (swap) fees apply to leveraged positions, but swap-free Islamic accounts are available for UAE traders.

A currency conversion fee of 0.5% is applied to trades in a currency different from the account’s base currency.

Lastly, deposits and withdrawals are free, with only a small inactivity fee (€10) after 12 months.

Features

• Offers xStation 5 on web, desktop, and mobile with fast execution. The platform comes with 30+ indicators, heatmaps, calculators, and a news feed.
• XTB MENA provides free trading tutorials, weekly webinars, and market analysis in both English and Arabic.
• 24/5 multilingual support via phone, live chat, and email, with English and Arabic coverage.

Pros 

• Interest paid on ideal cash in your account 
• Has local offices and Arabic support
• Tight spreads and no commissions on standard accounts

Cons

• Doesn’t have a MetaTrader platform
• Charge a €10 inactivity fee

Check our complete overview of XTB.

2. Pepperstone

• Product range: CFDs on forex (majors, minors, exotics), indices, commodities (gold, oil, etc.), shares (global markets), ETFs, and cryptocurrencies
• Leverage and margin: 200:1 on the CMA entity, 50% margin call/stop-out (30:1 on the DFSA entity)
• Minimum deposit: None
• Regulators: CMA (Pepperstone Financial Services LLC, licence no. 20200000358) for all UAE-based retail clients, DFSA (Pepperstone Financial Services (DIFC) Ltd, licence no. F004356) for professional clients only
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank transfers, cards (credit and debit), e-wallets; AED trading accounts supported on the CMA entity
• Access to local markets: No

Pepperstone is an Australian-founded CFD broker with a strong presence in the UAE, where it runs two local entities. Pepperstone Financial Services LLC is regulated by the CMA and serves all UAE-based retail clients, while Pepperstone Financial Services (DIFC) Ltd is DFSA-regulated and reserved for professional clients. Both hold client funds in segregated accounts and offer negative balance protection. It’s widely known for its low spreads and multiple platform choices.

If you are a retail client, the CMA entity is the one that applies to you: default leverage of 1:200, AED trading accounts, credit and debit cards both accepted, and crypto CFDs available. The DFSA entity caps leverage at 1:30, has no AED accounts, and accepts debit cards only.

Fees and commissions

Pepperstone’s fee structure is among the most competitive in the market. There are two main account types:

1. Razor account: This provides raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major FX pairs, with a small commission on trades. The commission is $7 per standard lot round-turn on MT4/MT5 (or $6 on cTrader). For indices, Razor spreads can be as low as 0.5 points on the US500, 1 point on the NAS100, with no extra commission.

2. Standard account: This account is commission-free; Pepperstone simply adds a markup to the spreads. Typical EUR/USD spread on Standard is ~1.0 to 1.3 pips. The cost is slightly higher than Razor for most pairs. 

Pepperstone’s swap rates are very transparent and based on the following calculations:

There are no fees for deposits or withdrawals, and because the CMA entity supports AED trading accounts, UAE clients can avoid conversion costs entirely by matching their account currency to their bank.

Features

• Offers a lot of trading platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, Trading View, and its proprietary platform, all with advanced indicators, EAs/automation, and backtesting tools.
• Pepperstone employs an ECN-like model with deep liquidity, enabling fast execution, which makes it a popular choice for scalpers and algorithmic traders. 
• 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, phone, and email.

Pros 

• Tight spreads with the Razor account option
• No minimum deposit
• AED trading accounts available on the CMA entity
• Excellent reputation for execution speed and reliability

Cons

• Research and analysis tools are decent, but not as extensive
• Limited product range outside Forex
• 1:200 leverage is easy to misuse, and most retail CFD traders lose money

For more details, check our in-depth review of Pepperstone.

3. Plus500

• Product range: CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies (2,800+ instruments)
• Leverage and margin: Up to 300:1 on major FX pairs; 50% margin close-out for retail clients (see leverage table below)
• Minimum deposit: $100 (approx. AED 367)
• Regulators: CMA (Plus500Gulf Securities LLC, licence no. 20200000232); Plus500AE Ltd is DFSA-regulated (licence no. F005651) in the DIFC
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank transfer, Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay; commission-free AED or USD deposits
• Access to local markets: No (global markets only)

Plus500 is one of the largest CFD providers in the world - founded in 2008, listed on the London Stock Exchange since 2013 (ticker: PLUS), and serving over 33 million registered customers globally.

In the UAE, it operates through Plus500Gulf Securities LLC, incorporated locally and regulated by the CMA as a trading broker in international markets and OTC derivatives, with the group also holding a DFSA licence in the DIFC through Plus500AE Ltd. UAE retail clients get client money held in designated segregated accounts under CMA rules and negative balance protection - you cannot lose more than the balance of your trading account.

Fees and commissions

Plus500 uses a spread-only model across its entire CFD range: no dealing commissions on any instrument. Plus500 is mainly compensated through the bid/ask spread.

Overnight funding (swap) fees apply to leveraged positions held past the close on standard accounts, and a currency conversion fee of up to 0.70% of a trade's realised net P&L applies to trades in a currency different from the account's base currency.

Since AED and USD deposits are accepted commission-free, UAE traders can avoid unnecessary conversion by matching their deposit currency.

Deposits and withdrawals are free. The only account fee to watch is an inactivity fee of up to $10/month after three months without logging in.

Retail leverage caps by asset class (each instrument's fixed leverage is shown in its details on the platform):

Features

• Proprietary WebTrader platform on web, iOS, and Android with an enhanced charting tool (100+ indicators), one of the most beginner-friendly CFD interfaces on the market, and a free unlimited demo account.
• +Insights reveals real-time trading trends based on the activity of millions of Plus500 traders - a quick read on retail positioning that is unique to Plus500.
• Advanced risk management: stop-loss, trailing stops, guaranteed stop orders (where available, priced via a wider spread), pro-level alerts via email/push/SMS, and the +Me dashboard to track your own trading behaviour.
• 24/7 customer support via chat, email, and WhatsApp, with the platform and support available in Arabic.

Pros 

• CMA-regulated local entity with commission-free AED deposits and a low $100 minimum
• Very wide CFD range (2,800+), including options CFDs
• Simple, polished platform ideal for beginner and intermediate CFD traders
• Guaranteed stop orders and negative balance protection

Cons

• No MetaTrader (MT4/MT5) or cTrader support - proprietary platform only
• No access to ADX/DFM local stocks
• Inactivity fee of up to $10/month after three months

Disclaimer: CFDs are complex leverage-based over-the-counter derivatives which carry a high level of risk and are not suitable for everyone. You should carefully consider your objectives, financial situation, needs, and experience level.

4. eToro

• Product range: CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and crypto
• Leverage and margin: 30:1, 50% margin call/stop-out
• Minimum deposit: USD 100
• Regulators: ADGM
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank transfers, debit/credit cards, e-wallets
• Access to local markets: None for CFD trading

eToro is a global social trading platform that holds a license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), allowing UAE residents to use its CFD services under local regulation. It comes with full KYC/AML controls, segregated client funds, and negative balance protection for retail clients.

Fees and commissions

Spreads are the main cost on CFD trades; there is no commission on stock or ETF CFDs under normal conditions. 

Forex pairs like EUR/USD have spreads typically around 1.0 to 1.5 pips. 

eToro charges overnight (swap) fees for all leveraged CFD positions; these are applied nightly Monday-Friday and are higher on certain asset classes. 

There’s also an inactivity fee of $10/month after 12 months of no login or trading. 

eToro’s platform base currency is USD for all clients, meaning AED deposits get converted to USD. The conversion fee depends on the deposit method: ~0.75% via Online Banking / Instant Bank Transfer (the cheapest AED route), rising to ~8.2% (820 PIPs) via credit/debit card or bank wire transfer. eToro Club members get further discounts on the Instant Bank Transfer rate.

Features

• CopyTrader lets you automatically copy the trades of experienced investors on the platform for free, aside from underlying spreads.
• In the UAE, eToro has made local assets available; currently, top DFM stocks, like DEWA, Emaar, and Emirates NBD, can be purchased.
• Customer support (English and Arabic) is available 24/5 by live chat, phone, and email.

Pros 

• Social trading features make it easy for beginners to follow experienced traders
• VIP-style perks are available to eToro Club members
• A wide asset variety lets you trade many CFD classes from one account

Cons

• Spreads are higher than specialist CFD brokers
• Swaps can add up on long-term leveraged positions

Read our full review of eToro.

5. Capital.com 

• Product range: CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies
• Leverage and margin: 30:1, 50% margin call/stop-out
• Minimum deposit: USD 10 (~37 AED) for card payments; USD 50 (~180 AED) for direct bank deposit
• Regulators: CMA
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: Card payments, direct bank transfer, Apple Pay/Google Pay
• Access to local markets: Yes: ADX and DFM

Capital.com is a fast-growing global CFD broker with growing popularity in the UAE. In a recent news article by Finance Magnates, Capital.com’s regional CEO, Chebib, said that 51% of the platform’s H1 trading volume came from MENA. 

It’s CMA-regulated for UAE clients and provides segregated accounts and negative balance protection. 

Fees and commissions

Capital.com charges no commission on CFD trades, with costs built into competitive spreads. 

Forex spreads start around 0.6 pips on EUR/USD. Major indices like the US 500 CFD trade around 0.5 points spread.

Overnight financing fees apply to leveraged positions, calculated daily based on position size and market rates.

There’s a $10/month inactivity fee if your account has been inactive for more than one year. Withdrawals are free.

Capital.com supports AED as an account currency for UAE clients. With their local entity, you can deposit in AED via direct bank transfer using Lean.

Features

• Comes with a proprietary AI-driven platform with advanced charts, 70+ indicators, and a mobile-first design. Also supports MT4.
• The AI system can analyze your trading patterns and send ‘Trading Bias Alerts,’ gently highlighting if, say, you tend to go long in downturns, and more such errors to help you improve your decisions. 
• 24/7 customer service through chat, email, and phone, including Arabic support.

Pros

• No commissions with competitive spreads
• AI integration makes it beginner-friendly
• You get access to UAE stocks and regional markets alongside global markets

Cons

• Only supports MT4 apart from its own proprietary platform
• Doesn’t offer trading signals and copy trading

6. ADSS

• Product range: CFDs on forex, global indices, commodities, equity CFDs, cryptocurrencies‍
• Leverage and margin: Up to 30:1 on major FX with 50% margin close-out; higher leverage (100:1 to 500:1) available for Elite and Pro accounts‍
• Minimum deposit: USD 100 for Classic, USD 25,000 for Elite and Pro
• Regulators: CMA‍
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank wire transfers, credit/debit cards, UAEPGS (for UAE bank transfers), e-wallets‍
• Access to local markets: Yes, ADX

Abu Dhabi-based ADSS is one of the UAE’s largest homegrown CFD brokers, fully regulated by the CMA. It is a popular local choice for traders seeking Arabic support and AED accounts.

Fees and commissions

ADSS follows a spread-based, commission-free model for most CFDs. 

The Classic account (min. $100 deposit) offers spreads from about 1.4 to 1.6 pips on EUR/USD, GBP/USD ~2 pips, Gold ~ $0.30, Crude Oil ~ $0.05.

High-volume clients can upgrade to Elite or Pro accounts (min. $25k deposit) with tighter spreads. 

Swap fees apply, calculated from interbank rates plus a markup, though Islamic swap-free accounts are available. 

Deposits and withdrawals are generally free, with local AED bank transfers supported; international wires cost $15, and ADSS doesn’t levy inactivity or platform fees.

Features

• Offers MT4 and a proprietary ADSS trading app with robust charting and order tools.
• ADSS invests in client education through its ADSS Academy, which has webinars, how-to videos, etc., and regularly publishes market analysis focusing on MENA market impacts.
• Dedicated UAE-based Arabic and English customer support 24/5 via phone, chat, and email.

Pros

• Low $100 minimum deposit to get started
• Supports AED accounts and funding
• Arabic-speaking customer service and a UAE office

Cons

• Limited CFD crypto offering compared to global brokers
• The proprietary platform is less advanced than cTrader or MT5

7. Equiti

• Product range: CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, shares/stock, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies
• Leverage and margin: 30:1, 50% margin call/stop-out
• Minimum deposit: Standard account: USD 0, Premier account: USD 100
• Regulators: CMA
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: Cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets
• Access to local markets: Yes, DFM and ADX

Equiti is a global brokerage group with a strong presence in the Middle East, licensed by the CMA for UAE operations. It offers CFD trading on a broad set of instruments through MT4 and MT5.

Fees and commissions

Equiti offers two main CFD accounts. The Standard account has no commission, with average EUR/USD spreads around 1.4 pips and slightly wider spreads on indices, gold, and crypto CFDs. 

The Premier account provides raw spreads from 0.0 to 0.2 pips with a $6 round-turn commission per lot, designed for higher-volume traders. 

Swap fees apply to leveraged trades, but Islamic swap-free accounts are available. 

Deposits and withdrawals are free, supporting local bank transfers, cards, and e-wallets, with most payments processed within one business day. No inactivity or hidden platform fees are charged.

Features

• Comes with MT4  and MT5 across desktop, web, and mobile with advanced charting, EAs, and backtesting tools.
• Offers a free virtual private server for clients who maintain a certain balance, a useful feature for algo traders.
• 24/5 multilingual customer support, including Arabic via chat, phone, and email.

Pros

• Choice between spread-only or raw spread + commission
• Higher leverage available on selected products
• Offers both MT4 and MT5

Cons

• The fee structure for local stocks is complex
• Withdrawal processing can take a little time on standard accounts

8. amana

• Product range: Stocks, ETFs, CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, shares/stock, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies
• Leverage and margin: 30:1
• Minimum deposit: $25
• Regulators: DFSA, CySEC, LFSA, FSC, and CMA (UAE)
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: Cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets‍
• Access to local markets: Yes, DFM and ADX

amana is a UAE-based, regulated brokerage firm with over 15 years of experience in the financial markets. Headquartered in Dubai, it offers an easy and modern way for investors in the Middle East and beyond to access both local and global markets, all through a single intuitive app.

It allows users to trade with 0% commissions on U.S. and international stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies (over 375 digital assets), and MENA region shares, as well as other leveraged products such as forex and commodities.

Fees and commissions

Amana offers a transparent and low-cost trading model, promoting zero commissions on most assets such as US stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Instead of charging per-trade fees, the broker earns mainly from spreads, which it claims are up to 70% lower than market averages.

For leveraged products like CFDs or derivatives, traders pay overnight financing (swap) fees when positions are held beyond the trading day. Clearing fees may also apply when trading regional or local shares, depending on exchange requirements.

Pros

• Zero-commission stock trading: Buy U.S. or MENA stocks with no commissions.
• Extensive asset offering: It’s one of the few apps combining local stocks, international markets, and crypto in one platform. You won’t need multiple broker accounts.
• Beginner-focused features: Despite offering advanced products, Amana’s app has a modern, intuitive design. It provides educational content, webinars, and trading guides to help users learn. There’s also a social aspect with community events and challenges (like trading competitions with rewards).
• Multiple funding options: Credit cards, bank transfers, and even instant UAE bank integration and crypto deposits.

Cons

• No 24/7 customer support: Support is available during market hours, but not round-the-clock.
• Entity differences: Amana operates via different entities; the exact products you get might depend on whether you’re under DFSA or offshore. For example, crypto might be offered via an offshore entity.
• No mutual funds, bonds, or options: The platform doesn’t currently support mutual funds, bonds, or options, making it less suitable for investors seeking a broader set of asset classes.

Which CFD broker in the UAE is the best for you?

The right CFD broker for you in the UAE depends on your trading style and priorities.

If you want tight spreads and multiple platforms like MT4, MT5, and cTrader, Pepperstone is a strong global pick, and its CMA entity supports AED trading accounts. 

For beginners who value social trading, eToro stands out. Traders looking for a commission-free structure with a powerful proprietary platform will find XTB appealing. 

If you prefer AI-driven insights and AED account support, Capital.com is worth considering. 

For a homegrown option with Arabic support and high leverage, ADSS is unmatched, while Equiti is a solid choice for those focused on MENA markets and local stock CFDs.

If you value simplicity and a locally regulated broker with easy AED funding, Plus500 offers the most user-friendly CFD platform, backed by an LSE-listed group and unique tools like +Insights.

No matter which broker you choose, always check that it holds a valid UAE license, and start with a demo account before risking real money.

Relevant articles to read:

• Best stock brokers in the UAE
• Best cypto exchanges in the UAE and Dubai
• Best trading platforms in the UAE