All UAE Brokers
UAE Head-to-Head · 2026
IC Markets vs XTB
The Dubai trading desk verdict — regulation, fees and AED funding compared side by side.
Quick verdict
Editorial picks for the two most common UAE trader profiles.
Best for high-volume traders
IC Markets
IC Markets wins on execution quality and pricing for active UAE traders — From 0.0 pips with $3.00 commission per lot.
Trade IC Markets Best for beginners
XTB
XTB is friendlier for new UAE accounts — $0 minimum, DFSA regulated, and a guided onboarding flow.
Trade XTBHead-to-head data
Sourced from each broker's UAE-facing entity. Winners highlighted in gold.
| Metric | IC Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Official UAE Licence | Offshore licence (UAE clients accepted) | DFSA Retail Licence (DIFC) |
| UAE Entity | Raw Trading Ltd (FSA Seychelles) | XTB MENA Limited (DIFC) |
| Funding Options | AED Bank Transfer, Credit/Debit Card | AED Bank Transfer, Credit/Debit Card, Crypto (USDT/BTC), SWIFT (USD/EUR) |
| Avg. Spread / Fee | From 0.0 pips | From 0.5 pips |
| Commission | $3.00 commission per lot | Spread-only on standard accounts |
| Trading Platforms | MT4 · MT5 · cTrader | MT4 · WebApp |
| Min. Deposit (USD) | $200 | $0 (no min) |
| Min. Deposit (AED) | AED 734 | AED 0 |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:200 |
| DirhamTrader Rating | 4.7 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
IC Markets
- Tightest raw spreads
- 1:500 leverage offshore
- Excellent execution speed
XTB
- DFSA regulated Dubai branch
- Award-winning xStation 5 platform
- Free deposits & withdrawals
UAE trader FAQ
- Is IC Markets or XTB better for UAE residents?
- IC Markets is regulated under Offshore while XTB operates under DFSA. For most UAE residents the broker with a local DFSA, VARA or ADGM licence offers the strongest consumer protection.
- Does IC Markets support local AED bank deposits?
- Yes — IC Markets accepts AED bank transfers from major UAE banks including ADCB, Emirates NBD, Mashreq and Wio.
- What is the minimum deposit for IC Markets vs XTB?
- IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while XTB requires $0.
- Which has tighter spreads, IC Markets or XTB?
- IC Markets advertises spreads from 0.0 pips, while XTB offers from 0.5 pips.