Which broker is better for Saudi Arabia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Saudi Arabia traders seeking a reliable forex broker face a clear choice between Admirals (rated 4.1/5) and Libertex (rated 3.7/5). Both brokers cater to high-net-worth individuals and Islamic account seekers, but their offerings diverge significantly. Admirals, with its strong CMA Saudi regulation, offers direct local support and a robust MetaTrader platform suite. Libertex, while less regulated locally, provides a proprietary platform with fixed spreads that appeal to traders who value simplicity. For Saudi traders using SAR, both accept Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card deposits, but Admirals excels with lower spreads and a more comprehensive Islamic account policy. This comparison breaks down every key factor—regulation, costs, platforms, and local payment methods—to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in the Kingdom.
| Instrument | Admirals | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $10 | Admirals |
For Saudi Arabia traders, trading costs are a decisive factor. Admirals offers variable spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Zero.MT4 account, with a commission of $3 per lot round turn. On standard accounts, spreads average 0.8 pips with no commission. Libertex uses a fixed spread model, typically 1.2 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission but wider costs on exotic pairs like USD/SAR. For high-volume traders, Admirals' variable spreads are significantly cheaper, especially when trading 10+ lots daily. Saudi traders should also note that Admirals does not charge deposit fees, while Libertex may apply a 1% fee on certain credit card deposits.
| Account Type | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:999 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | Admirals | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals provides the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, along with its proprietary WebTrader. These platforms are fully optimized for Saudi traders, offering Arabic language support and local time zone settings. Libertex relies entirely on its proprietary web and mobile platform, which is user-friendly but lacks advanced charting tools and automated trading capabilities. For Saudi high-net-worth traders who require algorithmic trading or custom indicators, Admirals' MT4/MT5 suite is the clear winner. Libertex's platform is better suited for beginners or those who prefer a simplified, all-in-one interface.
| Factor | Admirals | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Admirals |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Admirals uses straight-through processing (STP) execution with no dealing desk intervention, offering average execution speeds under 30 milliseconds on major pairs. This is ideal for high-net-worth traders using scalping or EAs. Libertex operates a market maker model with fixed spreads, which can lead to requotes during volatile news events. For Saudi traders trading large volumes on USD/SAR or gold, Admirals provides more reliable and faster execution without slippage.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is paramount for Saudi Arabia traders, and Admirals holds a direct license from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in Saudi Arabia (License No. 22250-25). This means Admirals must comply with local capital adequacy and client fund segregation rules. Libertex is not CMA-regulated; it operates under CySEC (Cyprus) and FSCA (South Africa) licenses. While Libertex is legal for Saudi clients, it does not offer the same level of local oversight or investor protection. For high-net-worth traders who prioritize regulatory safety, Admirals' CMA license provides a significant advantage, ensuring disputes can be handled locally under Saudi law.
| Payment Method | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. | 5 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds in Saudi Riyals is straightforward with both brokers. Admirals supports Bank Transfer (local SAR transfers via SADAD), STC Pay, and Credit Card deposits with zero fees and instant processing. Minimum deposit is SAR 500. Withdrawals are processed within 1 business day and also free via Bank Transfer and STC Pay. Libertex accepts Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit/Debit Cards, with a minimum deposit of SAR 200. However, Libertex charges a 1.5% fee on credit card deposits and a SAR 50 fee on bank withdrawals. For high-net-worth traders making large deposits, Admirals offers a more cost-effective and faster local payment experience.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both Admirals and Libertex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Saudi Arabia Muslim traders. Admirals provides swap-free conditions on all major forex pairs, metals, and indices, with no hidden fees or time limits. The account is available on both MT4 and MT5 platforms. Libertex also offers Islamic accounts, but swap-free conditions are limited to forex pairs only, and a small administration fee may apply after 30 days. For Saudi traders who hold positions overnight in gold or indices, Admirals is the more comprehensive and transparent option. Both brokers require a simple request to activate the Islamic account.
| Support Feature | Admirals | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Admirals offers dedicated Arabic-language customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with a local Saudi phone number. Support hours cover Riyadh trading hours (Sunday to Thursday). Libertex provides multilingual support including Arabic, but only via email and live chat, with no local phone line. Response times for Admirals average under 2 minutes, while Libertex may take up to 24 hours for complex queries. Saudi traders who value immediate, local-language support will prefer Admirals.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Admirals |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Admirals |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Admirals | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For Saudi Arabia traders, Admirals is the superior choice in 2026. Its CMA regulation, lower spreads, free local deposits via Bank Transfer and STC Pay, and comprehensive Islamic accounts make it ideal for high-net-worth individuals and Muslim traders. Libertex is a viable alternative for beginners or those who prefer fixed spreads and a simpler platform, but it lacks the regulatory depth and cost efficiency that serious Saudi traders need. If you prioritize safety, low costs, and local support, choose Admirals. If you want a low-minimum, straightforward platform, consider Libertex—but be aware of higher fees and less local oversight.