Which broker is better for Saudi Arabia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Saudi Arabia traders looking for a reliable forex broker, the choice between FBS and Forex.com is a critical one. Both brokers cater to high-net-worth individuals and Islamic account seekers, but they differ significantly in terms of local payment support, trading costs, and regulatory oversight. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, offers a more tailored experience for Saudi clients, including support for STC Pay, a popular local payment method, and lower minimum deposits. Forex.com, scoring 3.4/5, is a globally recognized brand with a strong reputation but lacks some local features. This comparison focuses on the specific needs of Saudi Arabia traders, including deposit methods like Bank Transfer and Credit Card, and the availability of Islamic accounts. We also consider the regulatory environment, as neither broker is directly regulated by the CMA, but both operate under international licenses that accept Saudi clients. Whether you are a seasoned trader or new to forex, understanding these differences will help you choose the broker that best aligns with your trading goals.
| Instrument | FBS | 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 | $5 | $100 | Forex.com |
When comparing trading costs for Saudi Arabia traders, FBS offers a clear advantage with lower spreads starting from 0.7 pips on its standard account, compared to Forex.com's 1.0 pip minimum. For high-volume traders, this difference can result in substantial savings. FBS also provides a zero-spread account for active traders, while Forex.com charges a commission on its Raw account. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but FBS's lower spreads and flexible account types make it more cost-effective for Saudi traders who trade frequently.
| Account Type | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:50 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and Forex.com offer the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are widely used by Saudi Arabia traders. Forex.com additionally provides its proprietary web-based platform and TradingView integration, which may appeal to traders who prefer advanced charting tools. FBS also offers a mobile app with full functionality. For Saudi traders who value platform variety, Forex.com has an edge, but FBS's platforms are sufficient for most trading needs.
| Factor | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Forex.com |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FBS provides instant execution with no requotes on most accounts, while Forex.com offers market execution with low latency. Both brokers have reliable execution speeds, but FBS's instant execution may be preferable for Saudi traders using automated trading systems or scalping strategies. Forex.com's execution is suitable for day traders and long-term investors.
| Safety Factor | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FBS nor Forex.com is directly regulated by the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA), but both operate under reputable international licenses. FBS is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while Forex.com is regulated by top-tier authorities like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). For Saudi Arabia traders, this means both brokers offer a degree of protection, but Forex.com's stronger regulatory oversight may appeal to those seeking higher security.
| Payment Method | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | 1 to 3 business days |
For Saudi Arabia traders, deposit and withdrawal options are a key differentiator. FBS supports Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card deposits, with STC Pay being a fast, local option that processes instantly. Forex.com accepts Bank Transfer and Credit Card but does not support STC Pay. Both brokers allow deposits in SAR and have no deposit fees. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days for both, but FBS's STC Pay option offers faster access to funds for local traders. FBS also has a lower minimum deposit of $10, compared to Forex.com's $100, making it more accessible.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | 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 |
Both FBS and Forex.com offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Saudi Arabia Muslim traders. FBS provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Standard, Cent, and Zero Spread, with no swap fees on overnight positions. Forex.com offers Islamic accounts only on its Standard account and requires a minimum deposit of $100. For Saudi traders seeking maximum flexibility in Islamic trading, FBS is the better option due to its broader availability and lower minimum deposit.
| Support Feature | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FBS offers 24/7 customer support in Arabic via live chat, email, and phone, which is ideal for Saudi Arabia traders. Forex.com also provides support in Arabic but only during business hours. FBS's round-the-clock support ensures that Saudi traders can get help whenever needed, especially during after-hours trading.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose Forex.com if you...
For Saudi Arabia traders, FBS is the clear winner due to its superior support for local payment methods like STC Pay, lower spreads, and more accessible Islamic accounts. While Forex.com offers stronger regulatory oversight and advanced platforms, FBS's tailored features for Saudi clients—such as instant STC Pay deposits and 24/7 Arabic support—make it the better choice for most traders. If you prioritize local convenience and cost-effectiveness, FBS is the recommended broker for 2025.