Which broker is better for Saudi Arabia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Saudi Arabia traders seeking reliable forex brokers, EasyMarkets and IC Markets represent two distinct options tailored to different trading styles. EasyMarkets, with a rating of 3.4/5, is known for its user-friendly platform, fixed spreads, and risk management tools like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop-loss. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is a global powerhouse offering raw spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced trading platforms ideal for active and high-net-worth traders. Both brokers cater to Saudi clients by supporting local payment methods including Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card, all in SAR or USD. The Saudi capital market is growing, and traders here demand reliable brokers with Islamic account options and regulatory compliance. While EasyMarkets appeals to beginners and those seeking simplicity, IC Markets attracts experienced traders who need low costs and high liquidity. This comparison dives deep into spreads, regulation, deposit options, and Islamic account features to help you decide which broker better suits your trading needs in Saudi Arabia.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IC Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IC Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IC Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IC Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $200 | IC Markets |
When comparing trading costs for Saudi Arabia traders, IC Markets has a clear advantage with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD plus a commission of $3.50 per lot. For high-volume traders, this translates to significantly lower costs. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, which suits occasional traders but penalizes active scalpers. For example, a Saudi trader executing 100 lots monthly would pay far more at EasyMarkets than at IC Markets. Considering the SAR exchange rates, IC Markets' raw pricing model is more cost-effective for serious traders.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:5000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:5000 |
| 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 | IC Markets | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, which are the gold standard for advanced traders. These platforms offer full customization, algorithmic trading, and deep liquidity. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform and MetaTrader 4, but with a simplified interface. For Saudi traders who need charting tools and automated strategies, IC Markets is superior. However, EasyMarkets' platform includes user-friendly features like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop-loss, which may appeal to risk-averse traders.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IC Markets |
| 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 |
IC Markets is renowned for its execution speed, with average order execution under 40ms and no requotes, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center and tier-1 liquidity providers. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with slower execution and potential requotes during high volatility. For Saudi traders who engage in scalping or high-frequency trading, IC Markets' ECN/STP model delivers superior fills and minimal slippage. EasyMarkets is acceptable for longer-term positions but not for high-speed strategies.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and IC Markets are regulated by respected authorities: EasyMarkets by CySEC (EU) and ASIC (Australia), while IC Markets is regulated by ASIC and CySEC as well as the FCA (UK) and SCB (Bahamas). Neither broker is directly licensed by the CMA Saudi, meaning they operate as international brokers. For Saudi traders, this means deposits are not covered by the Saudi deposit insurance scheme. However, both brokers comply with stringent financial standards, and IC Markets' ASIC regulation offers a high level of client fund protection. EasyMarkets also provides negative balance protection and segregated accounts.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Saudi Arabia traders at both brokers. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer (local and international), STC Pay, and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard). Minimum deposit is $100. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days, and STC Pay offers instant transfers in SAR. IC Markets also accepts Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card, with a minimum deposit of $200. IC Markets offers a wider range of e-wallets including Skrill and Neteller. For Saudi traders, STC Pay is the fastest option, allowing instant local deposits without currency conversion fees. Both brokers process withdrawals back to the original payment method, which for STC Pay means quick access to funds. Note that bank transfers may incur intermediary fees; using STC Pay or Credit Card can reduce costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 IC Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Saudi Arabia. EasyMarkets provides swap-free accounts on all account types, with no interest charged on overnight positions. IC Markets also offers Islamic accounts that are swap-free and compliant with Sharia law. It's important to note that IC Markets may restrict certain instruments or charge an administration fee after a holding period, while EasyMarkets maintains no such fees. For Saudi traders observing Islamic finance principles, both options are viable, but EasyMarkets' policy is more straightforward with no hidden fees.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support is essential for Saudi traders facing time zone differences. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support, including Arabic language assistance during business hours. IC Markets provides 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, with multilingual staff including Arabic. IC Markets' round-the-clock availability is beneficial for traders in Saudi Arabia aligning with global market hours. Both brokers are responsive, but IC Markets has an edge with 24/7 coverage.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | 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 | IC Markets | 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 IC Markets if you...
In the EasyMarkets vs IC Markets comparison for Saudi Arabia, IC Markets emerges as the stronger choice for most traders, especially high-net-worth individuals and active scalpers. Its superior execution, lower spreads, and extensive platform support outweigh EasyMarkets' beginner-friendly features. IC Markets also supports local payments like STC Pay, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, making it convenient for Saudi clients. However, EasyMarkets' risk management tools and straightforward Islamic account may appeal to risk-averse or novice traders. Both brokers operate without CMA Saudi regulation, but IC Markets' ASIC license provides a higher level of trust. Ultimately, for Saudi traders seeking low-cost, professional trading, IC Markets is recommended.