Which broker is better for United Arab Emirates traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For traders in the United Arab Emirates, choosing between Global Prime and EasyMarkets involves evaluating trading costs, platform experience, and local support. Global Prime, with a 3.6/5 rating, is favored by experienced traders with significant capital due to its raw spreads and institutional-grade execution. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, appeals to expats and those seeking simplicity with fixed spreads and guaranteed risk controls. Both brokers accept AED deposits via Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, and Neteller, and offer Islamic accounts for Muslim traders. While neither is directly regulated by the DFSA, their licenses from ASIC and CySEC provide a solid regulatory framework. This comparison highlights key differences for UAE traders, including spreads, platforms, and deposit options, to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in 2025.
| Instrument | Global Prime | 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 | $0 | $25 | Global Prime |
For UAE traders, trading costs are a primary differentiator. Global Prime offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a $7 round-turn commission per lot, ideal for high-volume traders who trade EUR/USD or USD/AED pairs. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, typically 1.2 pips on major pairs, with no commission, making costs predictable for smaller accounts. Over 100 lots per month, Global Prime can save UAE traders hundreds of dollars in spreads, while EasyMarkets' fixed model suits those who avoid variable cost surprises. Both brokers offer competitive swaps, but Islamic accounts remove overnight fees entirely.
| Account Type | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Global Prime |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | ✗ | 20+ indices | Global Prime |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Global Prime |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Global Prime provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, plus cTrader for advanced charting and algorithmic trading, appealing to experienced UAE traders who use Expert Advisors. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web platform and mobile app, designed for simplicity with features like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop-losses. For UAE expats who trade on the go, EasyMarkets' mobile interface is user-friendly, while Global Prime's MT5 is better for technical analysis. Both platforms support Arabic language and local time zones, ensuring smooth trading from Dubai.
| Factor | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Global Prime |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Global Prime uses Electronic Communication Network (ECN) execution with no dealing desk, offering low latency and minimal slippage for UAE traders. EasyMarkets operates a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-losses, prioritizing risk management over raw speed. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in the UAE, Global Prime's execution is superior, while EasyMarkets suits those who value order certainty. Both brokers execute orders in milliseconds, but Global Prime's liquidity depth is better for large volumes.
| Safety Factor | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Global Prime is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and VFSC (Vanuatu), while EasyMarkets holds licenses from CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC. Neither broker is directly regulated by the DFSA in the Dubai International Financial Centre, but their international licenses are recognized by UAE authorities for offshore trading. For UAE traders, this means client funds are segregated and negative balance protection applies, though DFSA oversight is absent. Both brokers comply with international anti-money laundering standards, ensuring secure transactions via Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, and Neteller.
| Payment Method | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Global Prime processes withdrawals instantly on their end, but the time to receive your funds depends on your payment method: bank wire transfers take 1 to 5 business days, credit or debit cards take 1 to 10 days, and e-wallets are instant once completed. | 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) |
UAE traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, and Neteller at both Global Prime and EasyMarkets. Global Prime supports AED bank transfers without conversion fees, while EasyMarkets processes deposits in USD with competitive exchange rates. Credit card deposits are instant and fee-free, while Skrill and Neteller offer e-wallet speed for withdrawals. Minimum deposits vary: Global Prime requires $200, EasyMarkets starts at $250. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 2-5 days for bank transfers. Both brokers avoid internal fees, but UAE banks may charge for international wire transfers.
| Islamic Account Feature | Global Prime | 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 |
Both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for UAE Muslim traders, compliant with Sharia law. EasyMarkets provides a straightforward Islamic account application during registration, with no swap charges on any instrument. Global Prime offers Islamic accounts on request, typically for major forex pairs, with swap-free conditions that meet Islamic finance principles. Neither broker charges hidden fees for these accounts, though Global Prime may require a minimum deposit of $500 for Islamic accounts. UAE traders can trade confidently, knowing overnight positions incur no interest, aligning with local religious practices.
| Support Feature | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Global Prime |
Global Prime offers 24/5 live chat and email support in English, with response times under 2 hours. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support via phone, live chat, and email, with Arabic language assistance available. For UAE traders, EasyMarkets' Arabic support is a key advantage, while Global Prime's faster response times suit active traders. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites, but EasyMarkets' phone support is more accessible for urgent queries.
| Mobile Feature | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Global Prime |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Global Prime |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | ✗ | 50+ videos | EasyMarkets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Global Prime |
Choose Global Prime if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For UAE traders, Global Prime is the better choice for experienced, high-volume traders who prioritize low trading costs and advanced platforms. Its 3.6/5 rating reflects strong execution and liquidity, ideal for those using Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, or Neteller for large deposits. EasyMarkets, with a 3.4/5 rating, suits expats and beginners who value fixed spreads, Islamic accounts, and Arabic support. While neither broker is DFSA-regulated, both offer secure trading environments. Ultimately, Global Prime wins on cost and flexibility, while EasyMarkets excels in user-friendliness and risk control. Consider your trading volume and need for local support when deciding.