Best Brokers in the UAE for Long-Term Investors

There is no single best broker in the UAE; the right one depends on how much you invest, how long you hold, and how much paperwork you accept. For a long-term investor who wants diversified funds and shares, three regulated options stand out in what I checked: Interactive Brokers, Sarwa and eToro. This page shows what each one is, who regulates it, what it costs as published, and who it suits.

I receive nothing from any broker named here, and none of the links are affiliate links. That is unusual in this niche, where most "best broker" pages earn a commission on each signup. I do sell my own services, which I explain at the end. This is general information, not personal advice. Part of the broader guide: How to invest in the UAE as an expat.

How I chose

A broker is included only if I could verify its UAE entity and regulator on its own regulatory page, and if it lets you hold real shares or funds for the long term.

• Regulation first. I used each broker's own regulatory disclosure to identify the legal entity and the regulator (DFSA in the DIFC, FSRA in ADGM, or CMA onshore). Review sites often disagree about this, and several get it wrong.
• Long-term investing, not trading. Platforms that offer only CFDs (contracts that never give you the underlying asset) are excluded, because you never own anything.
• Costs as published. I quote each broker's published fees and flag what I could not confirm.
• Not assessed. Bank brokerage arms, Saxo and other platforms are not in this comparison, because I could not verify their current UAE entity and terms. That is a gap in this page, not a verdict on them.

See also: how to check if a broker is legal.

The three brokers compared

The table shows facts each broker publishes. Always confirm the entity and the fees in your own account documents before you send money.

Interactive Brokers

Best for: self-directed long-term investors who want the widest choice of markets and funds, and accept more admin.

• It reaches many markets and a very wide range of funds, so you can choose funds domiciled outside the US. This matters for tax: see ETFs for UAE residents.
• Fees on large orders are very low. On small orders the minimum per order matters most.
• Watch out: the account may be held with a different group company from the DIFC branch. Read the client agreement. Full walk-through: Interactive Brokers in the UAE.

Sarwa

Best for: beginners who want a local, AED-friendly app and are happy with a simpler product range.

• Sarwa states that it is regulated by the FSRA in ADGM, not by the DFSA, which several comparison sites say. Check the regulator on its own disclosure.
• Different products use different partners. Sarwa Trade accounts are carried and cleared by Alpaca Securities LLC, a US firm. Sarwa Invest and Sarwa Save use Saxo Bank (Denmark) for custody. Crypto is not covered by SIPC.
• Sarwa Trade offers US shares and ETFs. US-listed funds can create a US estate tax exposure for non-US residents above USD 60,000, so read the ETF page before you build a long-term portfolio there.
• Its pricing page says "USD 1 or 0.25% of traded value" and a USD 500 account minimum. Ask how the two figures apply to your order size.

eToro

Best for: investors who want a simple app and low-cost ETFs, possibly as a second account.

• eToro (ME) Limited is licensed by the FSRA in ADGM (permission no. 220073). Its permission covers dealing as principal (matched), arranging deals, providing and arranging custody, and managing assets.
• Commission on ETFs is zero, but other costs exist: currency conversion fees vary by location and payment method, and shares carry a fee per trade.
• eToro announced in December 2024 that users could invest in a number of ADX-listed companies starting in 2025. Fees apply.
• eToro's page does not name a compensation scheme for the UAE entity. Ask the firm in writing.

What to check before you open any account

Seven checks take ten minutes and prevent most problems.

1. The exact legal entity on your agreement.
2. Its regulator and licence number, found in the regulator's own register.
3. The protection scheme for that entity, and what it does not cover.
4. The fee per order, including the minimum, for the order size you will actually use.
5. Withdrawal and currency conversion fees.
6. Whether you can buy diversified funds domiciled outside the US.
7. The tax forms you must complete and the withholding that applies.

Questions people ask

What is the best broker in the UAE?

There is no best broker for everyone. For long-term investors with larger balances who want global funds, Interactive Brokers is a common choice. Beginners with small balances often prefer a local app such as Sarwa or eToro. Compare the regulated entity, the fees at your order size, and the protection scheme.

Which broker is best for beginners in the UAE?

A beginner needs low minimums, a simple app and clear fees more than a long menu of markets. Sarwa and eToro are built around that. Check the regulator and costs first, then start with a diversified fund and a fixed monthly amount. If you are unsure, the Wealth Profile Quiz helps.

Is Sarwa regulated in the UAE?

Yes. Sarwa says its entity, Sarwa Digital Wealth (Capital) Limited, is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi Global Market, holding a Category 3C licence. Some comparison sites list the DFSA instead, which appears to be wrong. Check the register yourself before depositing money.

Is eToro regulated in the UAE?

Yes, for UAE clients. etoro (ME) Limited holds a Financial Services Permission from the FSRA in ADGM, number 220073. That permission is separate from eToro's other European and UK entities, which have different protection schemes. Confirm which entity you are contracting with before you fund the account.

Which broker is the cheapest in the UAE?

It depends on your order size. Fixed minimum fees hurt small orders, and percentage fees hurt large ones. Also count currency conversion, withdrawals and the fund's own ongoing charge. Over a decade, a fund costing 1% a year usually matters far more than a commission of a few dollars.

Where my services fit

I offer paid services, so you should know where they fit. Titanium is a 12-month one-to-one programme for investors with at least USD 100,000 (details). Hedgebra Trading runs automated strategies on currencies and gold; it is high risk and you can lose money (details). Neither is a recommendation to you personally, and I do not receive anything from the brokers on this page.

Not sure which route fits your capital and goal? Take the 2-minute Wealth Profile Quiz or download the free Wealth Guide.