Which broker is better for Saudi Arabia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Saudi Arabia traders, choosing between EasyMarkets and Alpari in 2025 requires a close look at local payment options, Islamic account policies, and trading costs. Both brokers accept SAR deposits and support Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card – essential for Saudi clients. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, stands out with tighter spreads, a dedicated Islamic account, and a user-friendly web platform. Alpari, scoring 3.1/5, offers a wider range of instruments and MetaTrader platforms but has higher spreads and fewer local features. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Saudi high-net-worth traders: low costs, Sharia-compliant accounts, and reliable local payment processing.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Alpari |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Alpari |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Alpari |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Alpari |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 | EasyMarkets |
For Saudi Arabia traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. EasyMarkets offers EUR/USD spreads from 0.6 pips on its VIP account, while Alpari starts at 1.2 pips on standard accounts. On a 10-lot trade, EasyMarkets saves approximately $60 per round turn. Alpari’s commission-based ECN account can narrow spreads to 0.2 pips but adds a $7 per lot commission. For high-net-worth traders executing large volumes, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads provide predictability, whereas Alpari’s variable spreads may widen during Saudi market hours.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Alpari |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform, which is intuitive and requires no download – ideal for Saudi traders on the go. It includes risk management tools like DealCancellation and Freeze Rate. Alpari offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are industry standards with advanced charting and automated trading. For Saudi traders who prefer algorithmic trading or expert advisors, Alpari is the better choice. However, for simplicity and mobile access, EasyMarkets’ platform is more straightforward.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Alpari |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with instant execution and no requotes, suitable for Saudi traders who need fast order fills. Alpari offers both instant and market execution on MetaTrader, but slippage can occur during volatile news events. For scalpers and high-frequency traders, EasyMarkets’ execution is more reliable, while Alpari’s ECN model may suit algorithmic strategies.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor Alpari is directly regulated by the CMA Saudi, but both hold reputable international licenses. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), providing strong client fund segregation. Alpari is regulated by the FSC (British Virgin Islands) and FSA (Seychelles). For Saudi traders, this means deposits are not covered by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority’s investor protection fund. However, EasyMarkets offers negative balance protection and compensation schemes under EU regulations, giving it an edge in safety.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) | Cryptocurrency / E-Wallets: Instant to 2 hours (after internal processing).Credit / Debit Cards: 2 to 10 business days.Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 5 business days. |
Saudi Arabia traders can fund both EasyMarkets and Alpari accounts using Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card. EasyMarkets processes STC Pay and Credit Card deposits instantly with zero fees, while Bank Transfers take 1-3 business days. Alpari also supports these methods but may charge a small fee for Credit Card deposits (around 2.5%). Withdrawals at EasyMarkets are typically processed within 24 hours to local bank accounts. Alpari takes 1-3 business days for withdrawals. Both brokers support SAR accounts, but EasyMarkets offers more transparent fee structures for Saudi clients.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Arabia Muslim traders. EasyMarkets’ Islamic account is fully compliant with Sharia law, with no swap fees on overnight positions and no hidden charges. Alpari also provides Islamic accounts but applies a small administrative fee after holding positions for more than 3 days. For Saudi traders who trade frequently and hold positions overnight, EasyMarkets is the more cost-effective and transparent option. Both brokers require a simple request to activate the Islamic account.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets offers 24/5 customer support in English and Arabic, with live chat, email, and phone. Alpari provides support in English and Russian, with limited Arabic assistance. For Saudi traders who prefer Arabic-language support, EasyMarkets is the stronger choice. Response times are similar, averaging under 5 minutes for live chat.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Alpari if you...
For Saudi Arabia traders in 2025, EasyMarkets is the superior choice, scoring 3.4/5 vs Alpari’s 3.1/5. It offers lower spreads, a dedicated Islamic account with no hidden fees, and seamless local payment support including STC Pay and Credit Card. While Alpari provides more advanced platforms and a broader product range, its higher costs and less transparent Islamic account make it less appealing for high-net-worth Saudi traders. For those prioritizing cost efficiency, Sharia compliance, and local payment convenience, EasyMarkets is the clear winner.