Best 10 Trading Apps in the UAE: Features, Fees, and Ratings

Sam Reid Staff Writer

13th May 2025

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The UAE’s appetite for mobile investing has exploded. On a global scale, around 60% of trades are conducted on mobile, with the market expected to reach $100 billion by 2029. From the high-rise offices of DIFC to neighborhood cafés, investors now tap into the markets with a few swipes.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, choosing among the top trading apps in UAE can feel overwhelming. We’ve tested them. Here’s what you need to know.

Introduction

Trading used to require a broker’s call or a desktop terminal. Now, your smartphone is your trading floor. The right app can save you time, reduce costs, and put powerful analysis tools at your fingertips! In this guide, we rank the ten best mobile platforms available to UAE investors—highlighting features, fees, and ratings—so you can pick the perfect fit.

trading app

Below are the ten standouts, ranked by overall value and usability. Out of these, Exness, AVATrade, and XM take the top spots.

1. Exness

Best for: Ultra-low spreads and fast execution

Key features: Zero-commission on major forex pairs, Sharia-compliant accounts, and advanced charting via MT4/MT5 integration
Min. deposit: $1
App Rating: 4.9/5

Exness leads the pack with rock-bottom spreads (often from 0.0 pips) and lightning-fast trade execution. Its intuitive app offers one-tap order entry and in-depth analytics. Perfect for forex aficionados who demand minimal costs and maximum speed.

2. AvaTrade

Best for: Beginners in forex and CFDs

Key features: Demo accounts, Sharia-compliant Islamic accounts, MT4/MT5 & proprietary AvaTradeGO app
Min. deposit: $100
App Rating: 4.8/5

AVATrade combines an accessible UI with powerful risk-management tools like guaranteed stop-loss orders. Its one-day account opening means you can jump in quickly. It’s our top pick among online forex trading brokers for new traders.

3. XM

Best for: Commission-free CFD stock investing

Key features: 600+ stock CFDs, “no re-quotes” policy, MT4/MT5 & WebTrader
Min. deposit: $5
App Rating: 4.7/5

XM shines for equity traders who want to speculate on stock movements without commission drag. The ultra-low barrier to entry (just $5) and multilingual support make it a crowd-pleaser.

4. eToro

Best for: Social and copy trading

Key features: CopyTrader™, Smart Portfolios, Islamic accounts, $100K virtual wallet

Min. deposit: $100
App Rating: 4.6/5

When talking about community insight, eToro is the go-to. Follow top performers and mirror their positions. It’s a brilliant way to learn from seasoned investors while you build confidence.

5. Interactive Brokers

Best for: Global diversification & pros

Key features: 150+ markets, multi-currency (including AED), Trader Workstation & Client Portal
Min. deposit: $0
App Rating: 4.5/5

IBKR offers unparalleled market access—from New York to Hong Kong—at rock-bottom fees. Its mobile app delivers professional-grade tools in a sleek package.

6. Pepperstone

Best for: Tight spreads on forex

Key features: cTrader & MT4/MT5, Sharia accounts, no inactivity fees

Min. deposit: $0
App Rating: 4.4/5

Spread hunters rejoice: Pepperstone often tops the list when you need the narrowest spreads. It’s a solid choice for high-frequency FX trading.

7. XTB

Best for: Beginner-friendly CFD trading & stock investing

Key features: Zero-commission stocks/ETFs, Islamic accounts, xStation 5 platform
Min. deposit: $0
App Rating: 4.3/5

XTB’s educational resources and demo mode make it approachable for new CFD traders. The custom xStation interface is clean and fast.

8. Sarwa

Best for: Passive ETF investing

Key features: Robo-advisor portfolios, Sharia-compliant options, financial advisor consultations
Min. deposit: $0
App Rating: 4.2/5

If you’d rather set and forget, Sarwa’s robo-advice does the heavy lifting. It’s less about active trading and more about steady, long-term growth.

9. Saxo Bank

Best for: High-net-worth & multi-asset pros

Key features: 71,000+ instruments, SaxoTraderGO/PRO, deep research tools

Min. deposit: $5,000
App Rating: 4.1/5
With a $5,000 barrier and advanced PRO platforms, Saxo is geared toward serious investors who demand breadth and depth.

10. Trading 212

Best for: Commission-free fractional shares

Key features: 10+ global markets, low FX fees, intuitive UI

Min. deposit: $1
App Rating: 4.0/5

Trading 212 makes fractional investing simple. It’s perfect if you want to dip your toes into high-ticket stocks with just a few dirhams.

Features and Fees Comparison

Key Features

Mobile usability: All ten apps deliver smooth Android/iOS experiences.
Demo accounts: Available on AVATrade, XM, eToro, IBKR, XTB, and Pepperstone.
Islamic accounts: Offered by Exness, AVATrade, eToro, Pepperstone, and XTB.

Fee Structures

Spreads & commissions: Exness and Pepperstone compete for the lowest FX spreads; XM and Trading 212 waive stock commissions.
Inactivity fees: Charged by eToro and others after 12 months; Exness and Pepperstone are fee-free.
Deposit/withdrawal: Most apps support AED bank transfers; minimal conversion costs on IBKR and Saxo.

How to Choose the Right Trading App

1. Define your goal. Are you day-trading forex? Or building a passive ETF portfolio?

2. Check regulation. Always use SCA-, DFSA-, or ADGM-approved platforms.

3. Compare costs. Look at both trading spreads and hidden non-trading fees.

4. Test the UI. A demo account tells you if you’ll enjoy the platform’s workflow.

5. Seek local support. Arabic-language help can be a game-changer for quick issue resolution.

Conclusion

Choosing among the top trading apps in UAE boils down to fit. If you want rock-solid spreads and strong compliance, Exness leads the pack. AVATrade’s beginner-friendly tools make it a close second, while XM’s commission-free stock CFDs round out the podium. From there, each platform has its niche—social trading, global markets, or robo-advice. Pick your priority, test a demo, and start trading with confidence!