Which broker is better for Saudi Arabia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Choosing between EasyMarkets and FBS Max is a key decision for Saudi Arabia traders in 2025, especially for high-net-worth individuals and Islamic account seekers. Both brokers cater to the local market with support for SAR, Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card deposits, but they differ significantly in trading costs and features. FBS Max scores higher (3.7/5) with its ultra-low spreads and extensive account customization, ideal for active traders. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) appeals to those who value fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and a simpler trading experience. With the Saudi Riyal as the base currency and the Capital Market Authority (CMA) setting regulatory expectations, traders must weigh cost efficiency against risk management tools. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment methods to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in the Kingdom.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FBS Max |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FBS Max |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FBS Max |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FBS Max |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | FBS Max |
For Saudi Arabia traders, trading costs directly impact profitability, especially for high-volume strategies. FBS Max offers variable spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $6 per lot, making it competitive for frequent traders. EasyMarkets, in contrast, provides fixed spreads averaging 1.5 pips on EUR/USD without commission, which is predictable but higher over many trades. When trading 10 standard lots per month, FBS Max can save you around $150 in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads protect against slippage during volatile news events, a feature valued by risk-averse Saudi traders. Both brokers offer Islamic accounts with no swap fees, ensuring cost transparency for Muslim traders.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FBS Max |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and FBS Max offer platforms tailored to Saudi Arabia traders, but with different strengths. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and MetaTrader 4 (MT4), which is intuitive and includes risk management tools like guaranteed stop-loss and deal cancellation. FBS Max also supports MT4 and MT5, giving traders advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and a wider range of indicators. For local traders, FBS Max’s MT5 offers better multi-asset support and faster execution, while EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler for beginners. Both platforms are available in Arabic and English, with mobile apps for on-the-go trading via STC Pay deposits.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FBS Max |
| 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 |
Execution quality is vital for Saudi traders, especially during volatile market hours. FBS Max uses Straight Through Processing (STP) with no dealing desk, offering average execution speeds of 30-50 milliseconds and minimal slippage. EasyMarkets also uses STP but with a market maker model, resulting in slightly slower execution (around 100 milliseconds) but with guaranteed stop-loss protection. For high-frequency or scalping strategies, FBS Max is superior, while EasyMarkets suits traders who prioritize risk control over speed.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | IFSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Saudi Arabia traders, and while neither broker is directly licensed by the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA), they operate under reputable international regulators. EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), offering client fund segregation and negative balance protection. FBS Max is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize and also holds a license from CySEC, providing a layer of oversight. For Saudi traders, this means deposits up to €20,000 may be covered by investor compensation schemes in Cyprus, but not under CMA rules. Always check the broker’s specific entity for your region and ensure compliance with local trading laws.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 5 to 7 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is seamless for Saudi Arabia traders at both EasyMarkets and FBS Max, thanks to support for Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card. EasyMarkets allows minimum deposits of $100 via STC Pay, with instant processing and no fees for Saudi riyal transactions. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days via the same method, though bank transfers may take up to 5 days. FBS Max offers a lower minimum deposit of $10, making it more accessible, and supports STC Pay for instant deposits in SAR. For withdrawals, FBS Max charges a small fee for bank transfers but offers free STC Pay withdrawals. Both brokers also accept local debit cards, but STC Pay is the fastest option for Saudi traders, with no currency conversion costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| 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 EasyMarkets and FBS Max cater to Saudi Arabia’s Muslim traders by offering Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts on all its account types (including its fixed spread account) automatically upon request, with no swap fees on overnight positions. FBS Max also offers Islamic accounts, but traders must request it after registration, and it is available on Standard and Cent accounts. Neither broker charges hidden fees for swap-free status, though FBS Max may limit the number of days positions can be held without swaps. For long-term position traders in Saudi Arabia, EasyMarkets’ more flexible Islamic policy is advantageous, while FBS Max suits shorter-term strategies.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support for Saudi Arabia traders is available 24/5 at both brokers, with Arabic language options. EasyMarkets offers live chat, email, and phone support, with response times under 5 minutes for chat queries. FBS Max provides similar channels, plus a 24/7 live chat for premium account holders. Both brokers have FAQ sections in Arabic, but EasyMarkets’ support is more personalized for high-net-worth clients. For STC Pay or Bank Transfer issues, EasyMarkets’ dedicated local support team resolves queries faster.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | FBS Max | 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 | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose FBS Max if you...
For Saudi Arabia traders comparing EasyMarkets vs FBS Max in 2025, the choice depends on your trading style and priorities. FBS Max (3.7/5) wins on cost efficiency with lower spreads and faster execution, making it ideal for active traders using STC Pay or Bank Transfer. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) excels in risk management with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss, appealing to conservative high-net-worth individuals. Both support Islamic accounts and local payments like Credit Card, but FBS Max offers better value for volume traders. Consider your volume, platform needs, and risk tolerance when choosing. While neither is CMA-regulated, both provide adequate international oversight for Saudi traders.