Which broker is better for Saudi Arabia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Saudi Arabia traders seeking a reliable forex broker, comparing XM Group (rated 4.7/5) and Admirals (rated 4.1/5) is essential to find a platform that aligns with local needs. Both brokers accept Saudi residents and support key payment methods like Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card, making deposits and withdrawals straightforward in SAR. XM Group excels with lower trading costs, faster execution, and a more comprehensive Islamic account policy, which is critical for high-net-worth individuals and Muslim traders in the Kingdom. Admirals, on the other hand, offers robust research tools and a wider range of asset classes, though its spreads are slightly higher. While neither broker is directly regulated by CMA Saudi, both hold reputable international licenses. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Saudi traders: cost efficiency, Sharia-compliant accounts, local payment integration, and customer support in Arabic.
| Instrument | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Admirals |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Admirals |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Admirals |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Admirals |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $1 | Admirals |
For Saudi Arabia traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. XM Group offers tighter spreads, starting from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD for Standard accounts, while Admirals starts from 0.8 pips. On a 10-lot trade (1,000,000 units), XM's lower spread saves approximately 20 SAR per trade compared to Admirals. XM also has no hidden fees on deposits via STC Pay or Bank Transfer, whereas Admirals may charge conversion fees for SAR deposits. For high-volume traders, XM's cost advantage becomes substantial over a month of active trading.
| Account Type | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 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 |
| Asset Class | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Admirals |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers provide MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Saudi traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. XM Group also offers its own XM WebTrader for instant access without download, ideal for traders on the go in Saudi Arabia. Admirals provides the proprietary Admiral Markets WebTrader and access to TradingView, which is appreciated by technical analysis enthusiasts. For mobile trading via STC Pay deposits, both platforms are reliable, but XM's interface is slightly more intuitive for beginners.
| Factor | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Admirals |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
XM Group has a reputation for fast execution with an average order execution speed of under 1 second, which is crucial for Saudi traders in volatile markets. Admirals also offers competitive execution but may experience slight delays during high-impact news events. XM's no-dealing-desk model ensures minimal slippage, while Admirals uses a hybrid model. For scalping and day trading, XM is the better choice.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither XM Group nor Admirals is directly regulated by the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA), which means Saudi traders must rely on the brokers' international licenses. XM Group is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), offering strong client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Admirals holds licenses from the FCA, CySEC, and the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority. For Saudi traders, this means deposits are protected under European investor compensation schemes, but local legal recourse is limited. Both brokers comply with international anti-money laundering standards.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. |
Saudi Arabia traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card at both brokers. XM Group supports instant STC Pay deposits with no fees and a minimum of $5, while Admirals requires a minimum of $100 for STC Pay. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days and are free for both brokers, though Admirals may charge a conversion fee if depositing in SAR. Credit card deposits are instant and widely accepted. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for XM and up to 48 hours for Admirals, with STC Pay withdrawals being the fastest option for Saudi users. XM also offers local bank transfers in SAR, reducing currency conversion costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Saudi Arabia Muslim traders, complying with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest. XM Group provides swap-free accounts with no time limit on Standard and Micro accounts, making it ideal for long-term positions. Admirals also offers Islamic accounts but may charge an administrative fee after holding positions for more than a few days. For Saudi traders who trade frequently or hold positions overnight, XM's policy is more favorable. Both brokers require a simple request to activate the Islamic account.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
XM Group offers 24/5 customer support in Arabic via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated Saudi Arabia hotline. Admirals provides 24/5 support in Arabic but with slightly longer response times. XM's support team is more responsive for local payment issues like STC Pay deposits. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections in Arabic.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose Admirals if you...
For Saudi Arabia traders, XM Group (4.7/5) is the clear winner over Admirals (4.1/5) due to lower costs, better Islamic account terms, and superior local payment integration via STC Pay and Bank Transfer. XM's instant deposits and withdrawals in SAR, combined with tight spreads, make it ideal for high-net-worth individuals and active traders. Admirals remains a solid choice for those who prioritize research tools and a wider product range, but its higher spreads and less flexible Islamic account policy are drawbacks for the Saudi market. Ultimately, XM Group aligns more closely with the needs of Saudi traders seeking efficiency, Sharia compliance, and local convenience.