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, FXCM and EasyMarkets are two leading choices, each with distinct strengths. FXCM, scoring 3.5/5, is known for its tight spreads, advanced platforms like Trading Station, and strong regulatory oversight from the FCA and ASIC, making it ideal for high-net-worth traders in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, offers fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and a user-friendly web platform, appealing to beginners and risk-averse traders. Both brokers support Islamic accounts and local payment methods like STC Pay, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, crucial for Saudi traders. While neither is directly regulated by the Capital Market Authority (CMA), they operate under reputable international regulators, providing a secure trading environment. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs in the Kingdom.
| Instrument | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $50 | $25 | EasyMarkets |
For Saudi Arabia traders, trading costs vary significantly between FXCM and EasyMarkets. FXCM offers variable spreads starting from 0.2 pips on EUR/USD, with commissions from $7 per lot for active traders, making it cost-effective for high-volume scalpers. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads from 1.0 pips with no commissions, but its costs are higher for frequent traders. In SAR terms, a Saudi trader executing 100 lots monthly on FXCM would pay around 1,050 SAR in spreads, versus 1,750 SAR on EasyMarkets, assuming 1 pip = 10 SAR. FXCM's lower costs benefit traders in Saudi Arabia who trade large volumes, while EasyMarkets' fixed spreads provide cost certainty for those who prefer predictable expenses.
| Account Type | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $50 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXCM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXCM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FXCM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FXCM provides the Trading Station platform, MetaTrader 4, and NinjaTrader, offering advanced charting and algorithmic trading tools that suit experienced Saudi traders. EasyMarkets delivers a proprietary web-based platform and mobile app with a simplified interface, ideal for beginners in Saudi Arabia who prioritize ease of use. Both platforms support Arabic language and local time zones, but FXCM's platforms offer more depth for technical analysis. For Saudi high-net-worth traders, FXCM's platforms enable complex strategies, while EasyMarkets' platform is better for those who want a straightforward trading experience without overwhelming features.
| Factor | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXCM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FXCM uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with an average speed of 15 milliseconds, offering minimal slippage for Saudi traders trading major pairs. EasyMarkets uses market maker execution with guaranteed stop-loss, but execution speeds are slower at around 50 milliseconds. For high-frequency traders in Saudi Arabia, FXCM's faster execution is critical for scalping strategies, while EasyMarkets' guaranteed stops appeal to those who prioritize risk management over speed.
| Safety Factor | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FXCM is regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA (UK) and ASIC (Australia), providing strong client fund segregation and negative balance protection. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and the FSCA (South Africa), offering similar protections but with a lower regulatory tier. For Saudi Arabia traders, neither broker is directly licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA), but they comply with international standards. This means Saudi traders have access to dispute resolution mechanisms via the FCA or CySEC, but they should verify local tax implications. FXCM's stronger regulatory framework offers extra security for high-net-worth traders, while EasyMarkets' regulation still ensures a safe trading environment.
| Payment Method | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Internal Processing: FXCM reviews and processes requests in 1–2 business days.Credit or Debit Card: Arrives within 5 business days, though statements can take up to 1 billing cycle to update.Domestic Bank Wire: Arrives in 1–2 business days after processing.International Bank Wire: Arrives in 3–5 business days after processing. | 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) |
Both FXCM and EasyMarkets support the most common payment methods for Saudi Arabia traders: Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card. For STC Pay, both brokers process deposits instantly with zero fees, making it the fastest option for Saudi traders in Riyadh or Jeddah. Bank Transfers are accepted in SAR but may take 1-3 business days and incur intermediary bank charges of around 50-100 SAR. Credit card deposits are instant but subject to a 2-3% fee. Withdrawals are processed via the same methods: STC Pay withdrawals are completed within 24 hours, while Bank Transfers take 2-5 days. FXCM has a minimum deposit of $50, while EasyMarkets requires $100, making FXCM more accessible for smaller accounts. Both brokers do not charge internal fees, but bank charges may apply.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
FXCM and EasyMarkets both offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Saudi Arabia traders, complying with Sharia law by eliminating interest charges on overnight positions. FXCM provides Islamic accounts across all account types, with no additional fees, and allows traders to hold positions indefinitely without swap. EasyMarkets offers similar conditions with a simple activation request via support, but may charge an administrative fee after a certain period on some account types. For Muslim traders in Saudi Arabia, both brokers are suitable, but FXCM's policy is more transparent and cost-effective for long-term positions. Traders should confirm with customer support that the account remains swap-free for all instruments, including commodities and indices.
| Support Feature | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXCM |
FXCM offers 24/5 customer support in Arabic via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated team for Middle East clients. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support in English and Arabic, with live chat and phone options, but response times can be slower. For Saudi Arabia traders, FXCM's faster Arabic support and local phone numbers are advantageous, while EasyMarkets' support is adequate but less responsive during peak hours.
| Mobile Feature | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXCM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXCM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FXCM |
| Resource | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXCM |
Choose FXCM if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Saudi Arabia traders in 2025, FXCM is the better choice overall due to its lower trading costs, advanced platforms, and strong regulation, especially for high-net-worth individuals trading large volumes. EasyMarkets is a solid alternative for beginners or risk-averse traders who value fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss. Both brokers support local payment methods like STC Pay, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, and offer Islamic accounts compliant with Sharia law. While neither is directly regulated by the CMA, FXCM's FCA oversight provides extra security. Ultimately, FXCM's 3.5/5 score edges out EasyMarkets' 3.4/5, making it the recommended broker for most Saudi traders.