Which broker is better for Saudi Arabia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For high-net-worth traders in Saudi Arabia, choosing the right forex broker is critical, especially with local regulatory oversight from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (CMA Saudi). Both AvaTrade and Forex.com are well-established global brokers, but they cater to Saudi traders differently. AvaTrade, with a strong 4.6/5 rating, offers full CMA regulation, Islamic accounts tailored to local needs, and local payment methods including STC Pay and Bank Transfer. Forex.com, scoring 3.4/5, provides robust trading platforms and competitive pricing but lacks direct CMA oversight and STC Pay integration. This comparison dives deep into spreads, deposit options, Islamic account conditions, and regulatory compliance to help Saudi traders make an informed decision in 2025.
| Instrument | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Forex.com |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Forex.com |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Forex.com |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Forex.com |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
When trading in SAR, spreads and commissions directly impact profitability, especially for high-volume Saudi traders. AvaTrade offers spreads from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD and tight spreads on USD/SAR via its standard account, with no commission on most instruments. Forex.com’s spreads start at 1.2 pips for the same pair, though its Raw Pricing account can reduce spreads to 0.0 pips but with a $5 commission per lot. For Saudi traders trading 10+ lots daily, AvaTrade’s lower spread structure typically results in lower overall costs, particularly on the major pairs favored locally.
| Account Type | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:50 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:50 |
| 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 | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | AvaTrade |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | AvaTrade |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | AvaTrade |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Saudi traders often require platforms that support fast execution and Arabic interfaces. AvaTrade offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary WebTrader, all fully available in Arabic and optimized for mobile trading. Forex.com provides MT4, its proprietary Web Trading platform, and TradingView integration, with partial Arabic support. AvaTrade’s platforms include one-click trading and advanced charting, which suit high-net-worth traders. Forex.com’s platforms are strong but may require customization for local preferences.
| Factor | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Forex.com |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | AvaTrade |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Execution speed matters for Saudi day traders. AvaTrade uses a market execution model with no requotes on most accounts and reports average execution speed below 0.5 seconds. Forex.com also offers fast execution with its No Dealing Desk model, but some users report occasional slippage during news events. For high-frequency traders in the Riyadh time zone, AvaTrade’s consistent low-latency execution is preferable.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key factor for Saudi traders. AvaTrade is regulated by the CMA Saudi (licence no. 2020-09), offering direct legal protection under Saudi law. This means Saudi clients can access local dispute resolution and segregated accounts held in Saudi banks. Forex.com is regulated globally by the FCA, CFTC, and others, but is not directly licensed by the CMA. While still accessible, Saudi traders using Forex.com may lack the same level of local recourse. AvaTrade’s CMA regulation gives it an edge in trust and compliance for Saudi-based traders.
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
Saudi traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card at AvaTrade, with deposits processed in SAR without additional conversion fees. Bank transfers take 1-2 business days, while STC Pay and credit cards are instant. Withdrawals are similarly smooth, often processed within 24 hours to STC Pay or bank accounts. Forex.com supports Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits in SAR, but does not accept STC Pay. Withdrawals can take up to 3-5 business days via bank transfer. For traders who prefer instant local e-wallets, AvaTrade is clearly more convenient.
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 brokers offer Islamic swap-free accounts for Saudi Muslim traders, but conditions differ. AvaTrade provides a dedicated Islamic account with zero swap on overnight positions, no expiry, and no hidden fees – ideal for swing traders following Sharia law. Forex.com’s Islamic account is also swap-free but has a $1,000 minimum deposit and may charge an administrative fee after 30 days if positions are held long-term. For Saudi traders seeking a fully compliant and cost-effective Islamic account, AvaTrade is the better choice.
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
Saudi traders value local-language support. AvaTrade offers 24/5 customer service in Arabic via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated Saudi support team. Forex.com provides English-only support, with limited Arabic availability. For high-net-worth traders needing immediate assistance during Saudi business hours, AvaTrade’s localised support is a significant advantage.
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | AvaTrade |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | AvaTrade |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | AvaTrade | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
Choose AvaTrade if you...
Choose Forex.com if you...
For Saudi Arabia traders in 2025, AvaTrade emerges as the stronger choice, with a higher overall rating (4.6/5 vs 3.4/5) driven by its CMA regulation, local payment support including Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card, and a truly swap-free Islamic account. High-net-worth traders will appreciate the lower spreads, Arabic support, and ease of depositing in SAR. While Forex.com excels in platform variety and has competitive raw spreads, its lack of direct CMA oversight and absence of STC Pay make it less suitable for most Saudi traders. We recommend AvaTrade for a seamless, regulation-friendly trading experience tailored to the Kingdom.