Best gold trading platforms in the UAE: A definitive guide for serious investors
Disclaimer: Gold trading involves risk. Prices can be volatile, and leveraged products amplify both gains and losses. Always use regulated platforms, understand the fees, and never invest money you can’t afford to lose.
The Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX), the Middle East’s largest digital marketplace, is experiencing strong growth in gold trading.
As of June 2025, the number of traded contracts on the exchange surpassed 1 million, with average daily volumes increasing 30% year-over-year. Spot gold contracts alone recorded a remarkable 200% surge in trading value during the first half of 2025.
In this guide, we explore the best gold trading platforms and compare their fees, features, pros, and cons.
How UAE investors buy gold
For many investors in the UAE, the traditional starting point is still the gold souks in Dubai and Sharjah:
These markets remain the most accessible way to purchase Swiss PAMP bars, sealed bullion from Emirates Gold, Etihad Gold, or Anjali Jewellers, and a wide range of coins.
Prices are generally quoted at wholesale plus a fixed making charge, while cast bars often carry no additional charge.
The main drawback of physical bullion is the responsibility of storage and security, which can be costly and restrictive when holding large amounts.
The second method of buying gold is what the guide is about.
A growing number of investors prefer gold exposure through exchange-traded funds such as iShares Physical Gold (IGLN, SGLN) in London or SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) in the US. These products are cheaper, highly liquid, and remove the burden of storage and insurance.
Physically backed ETFs are a better choice over synthetic products, as they more closely track the spot price of gold and offer greater investor confidence. ETFs are also well-suited for long-term portfolio diversification and regular rebalancing.
Best gold trading platforms in the UAE: A quick overview
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR): Best overall for low fees and global gold market access.
- Pepperstone: Best for traders seeking tight spreads on gold CFDs.
- Sarwa: Best for beginners investing in gold EFTs.
- IG: Best for a comprehensive gold trading experience with a top-tier platform.
- Equiti: Best for local support and Islamic accounts.
- ISA Bullion: Best for physical gold trading and Shariah compliance.
⚠️ Always use a licensed broker. Unfortunately, there are unlicensed ‘gold trading’ schemes targeting UAE residents. Stick to platforms regulated by UAE authorities (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA) to ensure your funds are protected.
Here’s a quick fees and commissions comparison table for the above-mentioned gold trading platforms:
As of October 2025
Which gold trading platform should you choose?
If you want professional-grade tools, ultra-low fees, and access to the global gold markets, Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the clear choice.
Pepperstone and IG are strong global options if your priority is trading gold CFDs with tight spreads and flexible leverage. Both are DFSA-regulated and provide competitive pricing, advanced trading platforms, and educational resources for traders.
If you prefer simplicity and are new to investing, Sarwa is the most beginner-friendly option. It allows you to buy gold exposure through ETFs at minimal cost and with no hidden fees.
For UAE-focused investors who want local support, AED accounts, or Shariah-compliant options, Equiti and ISA Bullion are both equally good.
Our evaluation criteria for the best brokers in the UAE for gold trading
1. Instrument type
Gold can be traded in many forms. We favored brokers that offer the instrument type that investors demand, whether that’s:
- Exchange-traded gold futures - standard COMEX Gold (GC) or mini contracts
- Options on gold futures
- Spot gold CFDs for short-term trading
Some platforms (like Sarwa) allow investing in gold ETFs or ETCs that track gold’s price, which is great for buy-and-hold strategies.
A few even facilitate the purchase of allocated physical gold (bullion bars/coins), although this is rare among brokers. By offering multiple gold exposure options, ranging from leveraged derivatives to fully backed physical gold, a platform can cater to a broader range of investor needs.
2. Exchange access you want
Where your gold trade is executed matters for liquidity, timing, and compliance, we examined whether the broker offers access to major international exchanges, such as CME/COMEX in the US, where gold futures have deep liquidity and tight spreads.
We also evaluated brokers that provide access to regional markets, such as the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX). This will help you to trade during Gulf hours and offer local delivery mechanisms along with Shariah-compliant Spot Gold (DGSG).
3. Trading costs
We examined all trading costs associated with gold on each platform. This includes the spread and/or commissions on gold trades, any financing charges like overnight swap rates for CFD positions, and other fees.
For brokers offering leveraged gold trading, we looked at margin requirements and how margin calls are handled.
We favored brokers with tight spreads and low or no commissions, as well as those with no surprise charges.
Note: In the UAE, there are no government taxes on capital gains from gold trades, and no stamp duties. The main cost to compare is what the broker itself charges in terms of spreads, commissions, and financing.
1. Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Type of gold exposure: Spot gold (XAU/USD), COMEX futures, gold ETFs/ETCs
- Minimum deposit: $0
- Regulator: DFSA (DIFC branch)
- Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank transfer; one free withdrawal per month
- Sharia law compliance: No Islamic accounts
Interactive Brokers is a globally renowned brokerage that operates in the UAE through a DFSA-regulated branch in the DIFC. For gold traders, IBKR offers an unparalleled range of markets: from U.S. spot gold to futures, all under one roof.
Fees and commissions
IBKR has no spread markup; you trade at the market prices. For spot gold (XAU/USD), IBKR has a range of commissions it charges based on your order amount:
Minimum per order: $2 for Tier 1 and $0 for Tiers 2 and 3.
Storage fees (only for allocated metal): If you custody metal with IBKR, storage is 0.10% p.a. for London Gold and $0.15 per oz per month for US Gold.
If you trade using margin, IBKR applies its benchmark rate plus a spread based on your borrowed balance. For balances under USD 1 million, the charge is about BM + 1.0%. Larger balances are charged lower spreads.
If you trade from a cash account, no borrowing fees apply.
Apart from these, there are no extra fees or commissions for gold trading.
While IBKR operates under the stringent rules of the DFSA, its global business model involves interest-based activities, and as such, it does not offer specific Sharia-compliant accounts.
Features
- Gives you access to multiple gold instruments. You can trade spot gold in increments as small as 1 ounce or gold futures on exchanges like CME’s COMEX. The platform also lets you buy gold ETFs and ETCs globally.
- Offers a proprietary Trader Workstation (TWS) on both mobile and web that gives you direct market access and features like depth of book, algo trading, and extensive charting.
Pros
- Near-zero commissions and tight spreads
- No minimum deposit
- Withdrawals are free once a month
Cons
- Does not offer gold CFD trading
- No Islamic account option
2. Pepperstone
- Type of gold exposure: Gold CFDs (XAU/USD and multi-currency pairs)
- Minimum deposit: $0
- Regulator: DFSA
- Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank transfer, cards, e-wallets
- Sharia law compliance: Yes, swap-free accounts
Pepperstone is a top-tier Australian broker with a strong presence in the UAE. Through its Dubai office, regulated by the DFSA, the platform offers UAE gold traders access to a fast and cost-effective way to trade spot gold prices with high leverage if desired.
Fees and commissions
Pepperstone operates on a spread-based pricing model for gold. It's known for its ultra-tight spreads; the minimum spread can be as low as 5 cents, and the average spread is around $0.15 on XAU/USD.
Remember, if you hold gold CFD positions past 5 pm New York time, swap charges apply. These swaps are the only fees to watch for, and they’re transparently displayed on the platform.
Lastly, for UAE clients, Pepperstone does offer a swap-free Islamic account option.
Features
- Comes with an XAU/USD CFD instrument that lets you track the real-time gold price in USD.
- Lets you trade gold in various currencies: AUD, EUR, CHF, GBP, JPY, CNH, SGD, and THB.
- Offers multiple trading platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and its proprietary platform to trade gold and other commodities.
Pros
- Offers leverage up to 1:500 (only to clients who qualify as professionals)
- No fees on deposits or withdrawals
- Swap-free Islamic accounts available
Cons
- MT5 offering has fewer symbols than the top multi-asset brokers
- No AED base currency
- CFDs are high-risk instruments with no asset ownership - you don’t actually own gold, it’s a derivative that replicates Gold’s price
3. Sarwa
- Type of gold exposure: Gold ETFs via Sarwa Trade; managed portfolios via Sarwa Invest
- Minimum deposit: $500
- Regulator: ADGM, DFSA
- Deposit and withdrawal methods: AED bank transfers and withdrawals via local bank
- Sharia law compliance: No dedicated Islamic share-class for gold ETFs
Sarwa is a homegrown UAE investment platform that has become a go-to for beginner investors. The FSRA regulates it in ADGM along with DFSA and offers commission-friendly brokerage services.
While Sarwa isn’t a traditional ‘gold broker,’ we include it because it provides one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to invest in gold, through low-cost gold ETFs.
Fees and commissions
If you buy or sell gold EFTs on Sarwa Trade, you incur a commission of just $1 or 0.25% of the trade value (whichever is higher). There are no other trading fees; no monthly fees, no custody fees, and no inactivity fees.
If you use Sawra Invest - their managed robo-service plan, it charges an annual advisory fee that ranges from 0.4% to 0.85% depending on the account balance.
Features
- Gives you access to 7 major gold EFTs, including popular ones like SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU), among others.
- Offers a web-based platform and an app to trade gold. That’s got clear visuals, easy search for ETFs, and a few basic order types, making it perfect for beginners.
- Lets you schedule regular deposits to automatically invest in a set of ETFs via its automatic investing feature.
Pros
- Just $1 minimum balance policy
- Minimal commissions with no hidden fees
- Lets you buy fractions of a gold EFT shares
- Offers a signup bonus
Cons
- Limited to ETFs only
- The gold ETFs available trade on U.S. exchanges, which means you can only trade during U.S. market hours
4. IG
- Type of gold exposure: Gold CFDs (spot)
- Minimum deposit: $0
- Regulator: DFSA
- Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank transfer, cards
- Sharia law compliance: No swap-free option
IG is a globally recognized broker that operates in the UAE via IG Limited, regulated by the DFSA in Dubai. It's a good choice for gold traders if you want a balance of competitive fees and robust trading tools.
Fees and commissions
IG uses a spread-only pricing model for gold CFDs. The typical spread on XAU/USD is around $0.3 (30 cents) for the spot CFD.
IG doesn’t charge any minimum deposit or account fees; you can open an account with $0, and you won’t incur monthly charges just for having it.
IG charges swap fees for positions held overnight. Here’s the formula they use to calculate it:
Features
- IG has a web-based platform that comes with features like customizable charts, technical indicators, drawing tools, and an economic calendar. Also offers MT4.
- Provides daily market analysis, trading ideas, webinars, and an extensive IG Academy for new traders.
- Comes with useful risk management tools like Guaranteed Stop Loss Order (GSLO), where, for a small fee, you can ensure your stop loss on a gold trade will be filled at the level you set, even if the market gaps.
Pros
- Offers competitive spreads on spot gold CFDs
- Comes with comprehensive educational resources
- No withdrawal charges
Cons
- Does not offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts
- Doesn’t support AED as base currency
- CFDs are high-risk instruments with no asset ownership - you don’t actually own gold, it’s a derivative that replicates Gold’s price
5. Equiti
- Type of gold exposure: Gold CFDs; physical gold grams with UAE delivery
- Minimum deposit: $0 for Standard account and $3,000 for Premiere account
- Regulator: SCA
- Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank transfer, cards, e-wallets
- Sharia law compliance: Yes, swap-free accounts
Equiti is a global broker with a strong focus on the Middle East region. The broker has an onshore presence in the UAE; its subsidiary Equiti Securities Currencies Brokers LLC is licensed by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).
Fees and commissions
With Equiti’s Standard account, you can trade gold (XAU/USD CFD) with zero commission; the cost is built into the spread.
Typical spreads on gold at Equiti are $0.28 (28 cents). For more advanced traders, Equiti offers a Premier account with no spread.
Equiti charges overnight swaps on gold positions at competitive rates. It uses this formula to calculate swap fees:
Fee = Lots × Contract Size × Long/Short Swap × Point Size.
Features
- Equiti offers both gold CFDs and physical gold. You can trade physical gold via its mobile app, which allows buying gold grams with delivery in the UAE.
- Lets you choose from MT4 and MT5 trading platforms, available on both desktop and mobile.
- VPS options are available, but perks depend on Elite-tier criteria.
Pros
- Lets you maintain your balance in AED
- Comes with Islamic (swap-free) accounts
- Arabic and English customer support
Cons
- Slightly higher fees and commissions compared to other gold trading platforms
- The physical gold delivery service is limited to the UAE
- CFDs are high-risk instruments with no asset ownership - you don’t actually own gold, it’s a derivative that replicates Gold’s price
6. ISA Bullion
- Type of gold exposure: Physical allocated gold; fractional buying; delivery or pickup in the UAE
- Minimum deposit: $0 (buy from 0.1 g)
- Regulator: DMCC (Dubai)
- Deposit and withdrawal methods: Bank transfer, in-person pickup, or insured courier delivery
- Sharia law compliance: Yes, Shariah-compliant physical gold
ISA Bullion is a Dubai-based online platform that specializes in physical precious metals trading, with a focus on gold. Unlike the other brokers on this list, ISA Bullion isn’t about derivatives or paper trades; it’s about buying and selling real, allocated gold that you own.
ISA Bullion operates under the umbrella of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a government-backed free zone known for regulating commodity trade.
Fees and Commissions
When trading physical gold on ISA Bullion, you’ll encounter:
- A small spread between the buy and sell price (the platform’s markup)
- Trading fee of $5 per oz
Note: ISA Bullion doesn’t list exact spreads on its official website.
ISA Bullion allows you to buy gold in tiny increments (as low as 0.1 grams), and they quote prices in real-time.
Features
- Offers a trading platform that’s focused more on transactional features, so it shows you gold’s current prices, charts for price history, and your portfolio value.
- No charge for withdrawal if you go to pick up gold from their office, but delivery by courier would incur insurance and shipping costs.
Pros
- You get actual ownership of gold
- Lets you do fractional buying and selling
- Since it’s fully funded purchases, there’s no chance of margin calls or liquidation
Cons
- No short-term trading or leverage
- Limited product range
Other gold trading platforms
Here are two more Gold trading platforms which we think are worth mentioning:
- Mashreq Gold: Mashreq lets UAE clients buy and sell investment-grade gold online through its Gold/Silver Edge Investment Account, with prices updated twice daily and instant conversion back to cash for liquidity. Regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE.
- Gold Era: A Dubai-based, Shariah-compliant app for purchasing and holding physical gold digitally. You can accumulate grams in an account without storage hassles or commissions/interest, and request delivery ‘in kind’ when needed. Regulated by the Economic Commission of Dubai.
Which gold trading platform in the UAE is the best for you?
Selecting the best gold trading platforms depends on how you want exposure to gold, your time horizon, and whether you need local/AED or Shariah considerations.
If you want professional tools, near-zero commissions, and access to global markets, Interactive Brokers is the most complete, low-cost option.
If your priority is fast execution on spot gold CFDs with tight spreads and flexible leverage, choose Pepperstone or IG. Be aware that with CFDs you don’t actually own the underlying assets.
New to gold trading? Sign up for Sarwa for a simple, long-term approach with no complexity or hidden charges.
If you are only focused on local support, AED accounts, or Islamic accounts, Equiti or ISA Bullion are the most UAE-centric trading platforms offering physical grams for delivery.
