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 2026, Exness and XM Group stand out as top contenders. Both brokers are regulated by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) of Saudi Arabia, ensuring compliance with local laws and offering protection for traders in the Kingdom. Exness, with a score of 4.8/5, is renowned for its ultra-low spreads, unlimited Islamic accounts, and instant withdrawals via STC Payβfeatures that appeal to high-net-worth individuals and active traders. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, is equally popular for its user-friendly platforms, extensive educational resources in Arabic, and no minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible for beginners. Both brokers accept Saudi Riyal (SAR) deposits and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card, catering specifically to the Saudi trading community. Whether you are a seasoned investor or a newcomer, this comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in the Saudi market.

| Instrument | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $10 | $5 | Exness |
| Inactivity fee | β | β | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for Saudi Arabia traders, Exness offers a clear advantage with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its raw spread accounts, coupled with low commissions. For high-volume traders, this can significantly reduce costs, especially when trading major pairs like EUR/USD. XM Group's standard spreads start from 1.0 pips, but its zero account provides spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $5 per lot. For a Saudi trader executing 100 lots per month, Exness could save hundreds of Riyals in spreads. Additionally, Exness has no hidden fees on deposits or withdrawals, while XM Group may charge a small fee on certain local payment methods. Overall, Exness is more cost-effective for active traders, while XM Group remains competitive for lower-volume trading.
| Account Type | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | β | β |
| ECN / Raw spread | β | β |
| Islamic (swap-free) | β | β |
| Demo account | β | β |
| PAMM / MAM account | β | β |
| Zero spread account | β | β |
| Copy trading | β | β |
| VPS trading | β | β |
| Min deposit | $10 | $5 |
| Neg. balance protection | β | β |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | β | β | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | β | β | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | β | β | XM Group |
| ETFs | β | β | Tie |
| Options | β | β | Tie |
| Futures | β | β | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | β | β |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | β | β |
| cTrader | β | β |
| TradingView | β | β |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | β | β |
| Scalping allowed | β | β |
| Hedging allowed | β | β |
| Fixed spreads | β | β |
| Variable spreads | β | β |
Both Exness and XM Group offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are widely used by Saudi traders for their advanced charting tools and automated trading capabilities. Exness also provides its proprietary WebTerminal for browser-based trading, while XM Group offers XM WebTrader for seamless access without downloads. For Saudi traders on the go, both brokers have mobile apps compatible with iOS and Android, supporting features like one-click trading and real-time quotes. XM Group edges ahead with its comprehensive Arabic interface and local educational webinars, which are beneficial for traders in the Kingdom. Exness, however, offers faster execution speeds, which high-net-worth Saudi traders may prefer for scalping strategies.
| Factor | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | β | β | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | β | β | Tie |
| News trading | β | β | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | β | β | Tie |
Exness boasts an average execution speed of 0.1 seconds on its raw spread accounts, making it ideal for Saudi traders using scalping or high-frequency strategies. XM Group offers execution speeds of around 0.2 seconds, which is still competitive but slightly slower. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution for most account types, ensuring no requotes. For high-net-worth Saudi traders who need precise order fills, Exness's faster execution provides a tangible advantage.
| Safety Factor | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Reg number | #730729 | #443670 |
| Verify registration | Verify β | Verify β |
| Top-tier regulated | β | β |
| Investor protection | β | β |
| Segregated funds | β | β |
| Neg. balance protection | β | β |
Regulation is a critical factor for Saudi Arabia traders, and both Exness and XM Group are authorized by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) of Saudi Arabia. This ensures that they operate legally within the Kingdom and adhere to local financial standards. Exness is also regulated by the FCA in the UK and CySEC in Cyprus, providing an additional layer of security. XM Group is regulated by the FSC in Belize and ASIC in Australia, alongside its CMA registration. For Saudi traders, CMA regulation means that any disputes can be resolved through local channels, and deposits are subject to strict segregation rules. Both brokers offer negative balance protection, which prevents traders from losing more than their account balanceβa key feature for risk management in the volatile forex market.
| Payment Method | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | β | β |
| Visa / Mastercard | β | β |
| Skrill | β | β |
| Neteller | β | β |
| USDT / Crypto | β | β |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | 24/7 automated; 98% instant to 24hrs; mobile money often instant; bank transfer 1-3 days | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds in Saudi Riyal (SAR) is straightforward with both Exness and XM Group, thanks to their support for local payment methods. Saudi traders can use Bank Transfer for large sums, STC Pay for instant digital payments, and Credit Card for quick deposits. Exness processes deposits instantly with no fees, and withdrawals are also free and processed within 24 hours, which is ideal for high-net-worth individuals who need rapid access to funds. XM Group offers instant deposits via STC Pay and Credit Card, but withdrawals may take 1-3 business days and could incur a small fee for certain methods. For Saudi traders, STC Pay is particularly convenient as it allows deposits and withdrawals directly from mobile wallets. Both brokers have no minimum deposit for XM Group, while Exness requires a minimum deposit of $10 (about 37.5 SAR) for standard accounts.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | β | β |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | β | β |
| Gold swap-free | β | β |
| Crypto swap-free | β | β |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Islamic (swap-free) accounts are essential for Muslim traders in Saudi Arabia who follow Sharia law, which prohibits earning or paying interest. Exness offers unlimited swap-free accounts with no time restrictions, meaning traders can hold positions indefinitely without swap charges. XM Group also provides Islamic accounts with no expiry, but it may impose an administrative fee for positions held beyond a certain period, typically after 7 days. Exness's approach is more favorable for long-term traders in Saudi Arabia, as it eliminates any potential interest-like costs. Both brokers require a declaration of faith or account opening request for Islamic accounts, and they comply with CMA guidelines on Sharia-compliant trading. For Saudi traders prioritizing strict adherence to Islamic finance, Exness is the better choice.
| Support Feature | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | β | β | Tie |
| Phone support | β | β | Tie |
| Email support | β | β | Tie |
| 24/7 support | β | β | Exness |
| 24/5 support | β | β | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support is available in Arabic for both Exness and XM Group, which is crucial for Saudi traders who prefer local language assistance. Exness offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support, with response times typically under 2 minutes. XM Group provides 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email, with a comprehensive Arabic FAQ section. For Saudi traders, Exness's round-the-clock support is advantageous for trading during global market hours, while XM Group's educational resources in Arabic add value for beginners.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5β | 4.3β | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3β | 4.2β | Exness |
| Biometric login | β | β | Tie |
| Push notifications | β | β | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | β | β | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | β | β | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | β | β | Tie |
| Dark mode | β | β | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Exness |
| Webinars (live) | β | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | β | β | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For Saudi Arabia traders in 2026, the choice between Exness and XM Group depends on your trading style and priorities. Exness is the superior option for high-net-worth individuals and active traders who demand ultra-low spreads, instant withdrawals via STC Pay, and unlimited Islamic accounts. Its CMA regulation and fast execution make it a top pick for serious investors. XM Group, on the other hand, is ideal for beginners and those who value comprehensive Arabic support, educational tools, and a low barrier to entry with no minimum deposit. Both brokers support Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card deposits in SAR, ensuring seamless local transactions. Ultimately, Exness edges ahead with a 4.8/5 score for its cost efficiency and speed, but XM Group's 4.7/5 rating reflects its strong appeal to the Saudi retail trading community.