Which broker is better for Saudi Arabia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Saudi Arabia traders looking for a reliable broker face a choice between EasyMarkets and IG. Both are regulated by the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA), ensuring compliance with local laws. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads, simple platform, and risk management tools like dealCancellation. IG, scoring 4.2/5, is a global leader offering deep liquidity, advanced platforms, and competitive variable spreads. For high-net-worth Saudi traders and those seeking Islamic accounts, this comparison examines fees, payment methods (Bank Transfer, STC Pay, Credit Card), regulation, and execution. Whether you trade SAR pairs or international markets, understanding these differences will help you choose the broker that aligns with your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IG |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IG |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IG |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IG |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | IG |
Spreads and commissions directly impact profitability for Saudi traders. IG’s variable spreads are lower on major pairs like EUR/USD (from 0.6 pips) and GBP/USD (from 0.8 pips), making it cost-effective for high-volume traders. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads averaging 1.2–1.5 pips on majors, which can be higher but predictable. For Saudi traders dealing in SAR-based pairs or commodities, IG’s tighter pricing reduces costs over many trades. Commissions apply on some IG accounts, while EasyMarkets is commission-free. Overall, IG wins for cost efficiency, especially for active high-net-worth traders.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:30 |
| 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 | IG | 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 | ✗ | 1,700+ | IG |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IG provides advanced platforms: its proprietary web platform, MetaTrader 4, and ProRealTime, all with sophisticated charting, automated trading, and research tools. Saudi traders who need algorithmic capabilities or custom indicators will favor IG. EasyMarkets offers a proprietary web-based platform and mobile app focused on simplicity and risk management features like dealCancellation and guaranteed stop-loss. For high-net-worth individuals who prefer ease of use over complexity, EasyMarkets’ platform is intuitive. Mobile trading works well on both, but IG’s platform strength gives it an edge for technical traders.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IG |
| 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 matters for active Saudi traders. IG uses Straight Through Processing (STP) and direct market access, resulting in low-latency fills with average execution speeds below 50 ms. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads, which can lead to requotes during volatile news events. For high-net-worth traders executing large orders, IG’s superior liquidity and price improvement are advantageous. EasyMarkets’ guaranteed stop-loss protects against slippage but may incur a wider spread. In terms of reliability and speed, IG is the better choice for Saudi traders who prioritize execution.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation by the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA) is a key trust factor for local traders. Both EasyMarkets and IG hold CMA licenses, meaning they comply with Saudi financial laws, maintain segregated client funds, and undergo regular audits. IG also has FCA and other top-tier regulatory status, adding extra security. EasyMarkets’ CMA license builds confidence, but its offshore subsidiaries operate under less strict oversight. For Saudi traders, the primary regulator is CMA, so both are legally sound. However, IG’s multi-regulatory framework offers additional protection and transparency.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 1 to 5 business days |
Saudi traders have convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer (SAR), STC Pay, Credit Cards, and e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill. Minimum deposit is $100 (about 375 SAR). Withdrawals are free and processed within 1-3 business days. IG accepts Bank Transfer, debit/credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), and PayPal. Bank transfers have no minimum, while card deposits start at $10. IG processes withdrawals to the original payment method, usually within 1-2 days. STC Pay is available on both, offering instant deposits. For high-net-worth traders, IG’s higher deposit limits are beneficial. Both brokers handle SAR transactions efficiently.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in Saudi Arabia seeking Sharia-compliant trading, both EasyMarkets and IG offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. These accounts waive overnight interest (swap) on positions held beyond one day, complying with Islamic finance principles. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts across all account types without additional fees, and you can enable swap-free upon request. IG also offers Islamic accounts after approval, with the benefit of no hidden charges. Saudi traders can trade forex and CFDs with peace of mind. Both brokers maintain transparent policies, making them top choices for Muslim high-net-worth traders in the Kingdom.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | IG | 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, especially during peak trading hours. IG offers 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email, with English and Arabic language options. EasyMarkets provides multilingual support including Arabic, with live chat, phone, and email available 24/5. Both respond promptly, though IG’s support team is larger and offers more specialized assistance for high-net-worth clients. For local context, both have phone lines reachable from Saudi Arabia without international charges. Overall satisfaction is slightly higher with IG due to faster problem resolution.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | IG | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | IG |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | IG | 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 IG if you...
For Saudi Arabia traders, IG emerges as the stronger choice, especially for high-net-worth individuals and active traders. Its lower spreads, superior platforms, and robust regulatory framework (including CMA Saudi) justify its 4.2/5 score. EasyMarkets, with 3.4/5, remains a viable option for those who value fixed spreads and risk control, particularly beginners or part-time traders. Both support local payments like Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card, and offer Islamic accounts. However, IG’s execution quality and cost efficiency tip the scale. If you prioritize professional trading tools and lower costs, IG is your best bet; for simplicity and guaranteed pricing, consider EasyMarkets.