Which broker is better for Saudi Arabia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Saudi Arabia traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2025, the choice between Exness and Forex.com is critical. Exness holds a strong 4.8/5 rating, appealing to high-net-worth individuals with its ultra-low spreads, flexible leverage, and local payment integration like STC Pay. Forex.com, rated 3.4/5, offers institutional-grade execution and US regulation but lacks some localised features. Saudi traders, guided by CMA principles, must consider factors such as swap-free Islamic accounts, deposit methods including Bank Transfer and Credit Card, and overall trading costs. This comparison analyses both brokers specifically for the Saudi market, covering everything from spread costs to execution quality. With Riyadh’s growing trading community, understanding which broker aligns with local needs—whether for gold, indices, or major forex pairs—is essential. Exness excels in meeting the demands of serious traders, while Forex.com provides a solid alternative for those prioritising regulatory depth. Read on to discover the detailed breakdown.
| Instrument | Exness | 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 comparing trading costs for Saudi Arabia traders, Exness clearly leads with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Zero account, which significantly reduces costs for high-volume scalpers. Forex.com’s standard spreads begin around 1.0 pip on EUR/USD, making it more expensive for frequent traders. For Saudi clients moving large volumes, the difference can amount to hundreds of SAR monthly. Exness also offers raw spreads on major pairs like USD/SAR (indirectly via USD pairs), while Forex.com adds a markup. Additionally, Exness charges no commission on Standard accounts, whereas Forex.com imposes a $5 commission per lot on its Raw Pricing account. This cost advantage, combined with low overnight fees on Islamic accounts, makes Exness the preferred choice for cost-conscious Saudi traders.
| Account Type | Exness | 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 | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:50 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Exness and Forex.com provide MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the platforms preferred by many Saudi traders for their advanced charting and algorithmic trading capabilities. Exness additionally offers its proprietary Exness Terminal and a mobile app optimised for the local market, including Arabic language support and STC Pay integration. Forex.com focuses on the web-based Trading Station and a mobile app, but lacks Arabic interface options. For Saudi traders valuing a seamless local experience, Exness’s platform suite is more intuitive, especially for those managing multiple accounts or using expert advisors. Forex.com’s platforms are stable and professional, yet they lack the local customisations that matter to Saudi users.
| Factor | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Forex.com |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Execution speed and quality affect profitability for Saudi traders, especially scalpers and those trading major pairs like EUR/USD or gold. Exness boasts an average execution speed of 0.1 seconds with no requotes on 99% of orders, thanks to its deep liquidity pool. Forex.com offers reliable execution but averages around 0.3 seconds with occasional slippage during high-impact news. Exness’s use of a straight-through-processing (STP) model combined with a no-dealing-desk (NDD) environment ensures transparency. For Saudi traders prioritising low-latency execution, Exness is the clear winner.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness is regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSA (Seychelles), providing a strong safety net for Saudi traders. While not directly regulated by the Saudi CMA, Exness complies with international standards that align with CMA’s investor protection ethos. Forex.com operates under FCA and CFTC regulation, offering institutional oversight. However, neither broker holds a CMA licence, meaning Saudi traders must rely on the brokers’ transparency and trustworthiness. Exness’s client funds are segregated and covered by negative balance protection, adding an extra layer of security. For Saudi traders, the choice between the two boils down to trust in the regulatory framework—Exness’s global reputation often wins.
| Payment Method | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
Saudi Arabia traders benefit from multiple deposit and withdrawal options with both brokers, but Exness stands out with support for STC Pay in addition to Bank Transfer and Credit Card. STC Pay is a widely used mobile wallet in the Kingdom, allowing instant deposits with no fees. Exness also processes withdrawals to these methods within 24 hours, often instantly for e-wallets. Forex.com only accepts Bank Transfer and Credit Card for Saudi clients, which can take 2–5 business days for withdrawals. Minimum deposits are lower at Exness ($10) compared to Forex.com ($100), making it more accessible. For high-net-worth Saudi traders, Exness’s support for large bank transfers with minimal charges is a major advantage. Overall, Exness offers a far more convenient payment ecosystem for the local market.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | 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 |
Islamic (swap-free) accounts are crucial for Saudi Muslim traders, and both brokers deliver but with differences. Exness provides a standard Islamic account with zero swaps on all instruments, no time limits, and no hidden fees—ideal for long-term positions. Forex.com also offers Islamic accounts, but only on request and with restrictions such as a maximum of 14 trades per week or a credit limit. For Saudi traders who hold positions overnight or over weekends, Exness’s unconditional swap-free policy is far more accommodating. Both brokers comply with Sharia principles, but Exness’s policy is more trader-friendly, particularly for those using the account for hedging or investment strategies. This makes Exness the top choice for Islamic account seekers in Saudi Arabia.
| Support Feature | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support is vital for Saudi traders, especially during volatile market hours. Exness offers 24/7 live chat and phone support in Arabic and English, with local agents familiar with Saudi payment methods like STC Pay. Forex.com provides 24/5 support via phone and email, with limited Arabic assistance. Exness’s response times are faster, often under 30 seconds, while Forex.com can take several minutes. For high-net-worth clients in Saudi Arabia, Exness also offers dedicated account managers. This localised, round-the-clock support gives Exness a decisive edge.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Forex.com if you...
For Saudi Arabia traders in 2025, Exness is the superior choice, with a 4.8/5 rating reflecting its local integration through STC Pay, unrestricted Islamic accounts, and cost-effective spreads. The broker’s alignment with high-net-worth traders and seamless Bank Transfer or Credit Card deposits makes it a natural fit for the Kingdom. Forex.com, while reliable with its regulatory depth, falls short on local payment options and Islamic account flexibility. Given the CMA’s emphasis on investor protection, Exness’s transparent model and global compliance provide peace of mind. Ultimately, most Saudi traders will find Exness the better partner for long-term success.