6 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 SCA 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 2025 is more active and regulated than ever. Global brokers have expanded into the region with DFSA, FSRA, and SCA licenses, while local firms like ADSS and Equiti continue to grow their presence.
In this guide, we compare the 6 best CFD brokers in the UAE: four global and two local 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.
- eToro: Best for social/copy trading with beginner-friendly UX.
- Pepperstone: Best for tight spreads and platform choice (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView).
- Capital.com: Best for AI-driven CFD trading and AED accounts.
- ADSS: Best local UAE CFD broker, SCA-regulated with AED funding & Arabic support.
- Equiti: Best for MENA-focused CFD trading with MT4/MT5.
⚠️ 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.
If you’re new to trading, eToro is the easiest entry point with its social copy-trading. However, Pepperstone is a better option if you prefer low spreads and advanced platforms like MT4, MT5, TradingView, or cTrader.
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 September 2025
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 Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) 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, SCA
- 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 SCA (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
2. 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 is about 50 pips each way (~0.5%), but it can go up to ~8.2% on some AED credit card deposits.
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
3. Pepperstone
- Product range: CFDs on forex (majors, minors, exotics), indices, commodities (gold, oil, etc.), shares (global markets), ETFs, and cryptocurrencies
- Leverage and margin: 30:1, 50% margin call/stop-out
- Minimum deposit: None
- Regulators: DFSA
- Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank transfers, cards (credit/debit), e-wallets (varies from region to region)
- Access to local markets: No
Pepperstone is an Australian-founded CFD broker with a strong presence in the UAE. The broker is regulated in the UAE by DFSA and offers negative balance protection with segregated client funds. It’s widely known for its low spreads and multiple platform choices.
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, though currency conversion charges apply when funding in AED.
Features
- Offers a lot of trading platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, Trading View, and its proprietary platform, all with advanced indicators, EAs/automation, and backtesting.
- 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
- Excellent reputation for execution speed and reliability
Cons
- Research and analysis tools are decent, but not as extensive
- Limited product range outside Forex
4. 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: SCA
- 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 SCA-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 also a $10 inactivity fee if your account has been inactive for more than one year.
No charges on withdrawal or inactivity.
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
5. 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: SCA
- 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 SCA. 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
6. 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: SCA
- 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 SCA 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
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.
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.
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.
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