Choosing the right broker is crucial for your trading success. If you’re in the UAE and looking to compare brokers and find the best option, Interactive Brokers stands out as a top choice.
Investors often face challenges in selecting a broker that offers comprehensive services, competitive pricing, and reliable support, which makes this decision particularly important.
We conducted an in-depth analysis to solve this problem and found that Interactive Brokers meets and exceeds expectations in several key areas. Our approach included evaluating their fee structures, trading platforms, customer service, and unique features tailored for UAE traders. This thorough evaluation ensures that you can make an informed decision.
1. IBKR News
The Future of Desktop Trading Today
IBKR Desktop is a completely redesigned trading platform that integrates the best of existing features with new, innovative tools. Yeah, we can really say we are witnessing the future of desktop trading today with IBKR desktop.
IBKR desktop offers a clear, user-friendly interface that makes navigation straightforward. In my experience, IBKR Desktop is the fastest one I have seen and has become the top choice for traders.
Favorite of traders is their flagship Trader Workstation with various customizable, advanced tools, setting a new benchmark in trading technology. Whether you’re a beginner, an experienced trader, or an intermediate like me, IBKR Desktop provides a powerful and efficient platform with a comprehensive list of current features and a clear vision for future updates.
2. IBKR Technology
Trade Stocks and ETFs Globally from a Single Account
The best thing is that you don’t need different accounts to trade different assets with IBKR; you can invest in 150 markets in 34 countries and use 27 currencies. With its diverse options, it offers the lowest commissions and access to stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds from a single integrated account.
You can access the market data 24 hours a day, six days a week, and you can fund your account in whatever currency you want. You can also trade assets denominated in multiple currencies.
IBKR GlobalTrader – Simplicity. Worldwide. Stock Trading.
- Trade global stocks easily from your smartphone or tablet.
- Discover undervalued stocks around the world.
- Try IBKR GlobalTrader for free and access a simulated trading environment for $10,000.
- Deposit in your local currency.
- Access trading on over 90 U.S., Canada, and Asia stock exchanges.
IBKR GlobalAnalyst - How Do You Find Undervalued Stocks Around the World?
You can follow the process below to find undervalued stocks around the world with IBKR GlobalAnalyst:
- With IBKR GlobalAnalyst, you will find searchable & sortable tables for “fast-growing companies at reasonable prices.”
- If you want stock from your region, search for stocks by region, country, industry, market cap, and currency.
- Results show current market prices, various financial metrics, & Price/Earnings/Growth Ratio (P/E/G).
- You can scan the Globe for Undervalued Stocks – Trade on 150 Markets, 34 Countries, 27 Currencies.
Stock Yield Enhancement Program
You can make extra money from the stocks you fully own in your account by lending them out. Yeah, you heard it right: extra money on investment. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) will use these shares to provide to traders who wish to short-sell them. In return for borrowing your shares, IBKR gives you collateral, which can be U.S. Treasuries or cash. You’ll also earn interest from the traders who borrow your shares.
- Each day your stock is on loan, you will be paid interest on the collateral (U.S Treasury or cash) value for the loan based on market rates. IBKR pays you 50% of a market-based rate.
- The program is available to eligible IBKR clients who have been approved for a margin or cash account with equity greater than USD 50,000 (or equivalent).
- With IBKR, you will find it simple and automatic with complete transparency.
· Earn Supplemental Income
· Trade Your Loaned Stock with No Restrictions
IBKR Trading Platforms
IBKR is an award-winning platform that offers everything from powerful features for an experienced trader for fast execution to streamlined solutions for a novice trader.
There are various options you can choose with IBKR; go with the one that suits you:
IBKR Trader Workstation (TWS): Trading Skills: Intermediate | Advanced
Ideal for both intermediate and advanced traders, this desktop platform supports trading multiple products like stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds. It offers powerful features and flexibility, allowing you to access over 150 markets worldwide from a single platform.
IBKR Mobile: Trading Skills: Intermediate | Advanced
Designed for experienced and advanced skilled traders, this app lets you trade various assets across more than 150 markets globally. With advanced order types and trading tools, you can trade from anywhere.
IBKR GlobalTrader: Trading Skills: Beginner | Intermediate
This streamlined app makes trading stocks, ETFs, and options worldwide easy. You can start investing with as little as $1 and trade in fractions. You can also open a simulated trading account in seconds to practice before going live.
IBKR Client Portal: Trading Skills: Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced
Accessible for traders of all skill levels, this web platform is straightforward and easy to use. It allows you to view, trade, and manage your account from a single login, with no downloads necessary.
3. IBKR Products
Powerful Tools for Advanced Options Trading Worldwide
- Commissions from USD 0.15 to 0.65 per US option contract.
- Trade options globally on 30+ market centers.
- Professional trading platforms and advanced options trading tools.
- Choose from four levels of options trading permissions to find choices more precisely aligned with your options trading strategies.
Trade Futures Worldwide with Professional Tool
- Low commissions from USD 0.25 to 0.85 per contract.
- Trade commodity futures globally on 30+ market centers.
- Professional trading platforms, order types, and futures tools.
IBKR ForecastTrader and Forecast Contracts are Live!
Limit your risk with TWO different ways to trade economic indicators AND futures
- IBKR ForecastTrader lets you use exchange-listed Forecast and Event Contracts to trade your opinion on yes-or-no questions on economic and climate indicators, or in key futures markets.
- ForecastEx Forecast Contracts let you trade on the probabilities associated with the future outcomes of economic and climate indicators. Economic indicators include Unemployment Claims, the Consumer Price Index, Retail Sales, Fed Funds, Housing Starts and many others. Climate indicators include temperatures and atmospheric CO2.
- Plus, you’ll earn 4.83% APY* on your investment with an incentive coupon.
- IBKR ForecastTrader also lets you use CME Event Contracts, exchange-listed event contracts to trade your opinion on yes-or-no questions in key futures markets.
- Express your view on whether the price of key futures markets will move up or down by the end of each day’s trading session. Select from CME listed event contracts in the Equity Index, Energy, Metals & Foreign currency futures markets. CME Event Contracts are short-term positions good for that trading day only.
- To trade, simply choose YES or NO on an event contract.
Trade Global Currencies with Direct Access to Interbank Quotes
- Tight spreads as narrow as 1/10 PIP.
- Deep liquidity and real-time quotes from 17 of the world’s largest FX dealers.
- 100+ currency pairs are available.
- Professional FX trading tools.
- Rated 5/5 stars Overall in the ForexBrokers.com 2023 Annual Review.
- Low commissions, 0.08 to 0.20 bps times trade size, with no hidden spreads or markups.
Trade Crypto for Less Coin
- Low commissions – Just 0.12% to 0.18% of trade value1 with no added spreads, markups, or custody fees.
- Trade and hold Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and Litecoin.
- Additional features let clients hold USD and cryptocurrencies in their crypto trading account, trade cryptocurrencies 24/7, place non-marketable limit orders, and withdraw cryptocurrency assets from their Paxos or Zero Hash account to an external wallet.
- Invest in crypto, stocks, options, ETFs, futures, bonds, and more from a unified platform.
- Depending on your account type and country of legal residence, either Paxos Trust Company or Zero Hash LLC provides cryptocurrency trade execution and custody.
Trade US Spot Gold
- Low, transparent commissions.
- Efficient pricing in quantities as small as 1 ounce.
- Trade US Spot Gold (symbol: USGOLD) with other asset classes from a single unified platform.
The Bond Marketplace has a Vast Selection of Global Fixed Income Securities.
- No mark-ups or built-in spreads with low, transparent commissions.
- A vast universe of over 1 million bonds globally.
- Use our Bond Search tool to compare available yields.
- Trade directly with other IBKR clients.
- Benzinga has been rated rates Interactive Brokers its Best Online Brokers Overall for Bonds.
The Mutual Fund Marketplace: More Funds = More Opportunities
- 43,000+ Funds available to residents worldwide.
- 18,000+ Funds with no transaction fees.
- Other funds are available at low commissions and no custody fees.
- IBKR is neutral and has no proprietary funds.
- Free Mutual Fund Search tool to help you find the right funds.
- Rated Best Online Broker for Mutual Funds by Benzinga.
4. IBKR Lowest Costs
Professional Pricing – Maximize Your Returns
- Minimize your costs to maximize your returns. IBKR offers low commissions on products across 150 global markets and no added spreads, ticket charges, platform fees, or account minimums.
- Margin rates up to 49% lower than the industry.
- Earn interest rates of up to USD 4.83% on instantly available cash.
- Earn extra income on your lendable shares.
Interactive Brokers has been recognized by StockBrokers.com for offering the lowest margin fees. They charge margin loan rates ranging from 5.83% to 6.83%.
Zero Commissions Doesn’t Mean Free Trades – US Stock Trading Costs for International Investors – European Example:
5. IBKR Strength & Security
A Broker You Can Trust for Financial Strength
When placing your money with a broker, you need to make sure your broker is secure and can endure good and bad times.
Interactive Brokers’ strong capital position, conservative balance sheet, and automated risk controls are designed to protect IBKR and our clients from large trading losses.
- IBKR: Nasdaq Listed
- $15.2B Equity Capital
- 74.3% Privately Held
- $10.9B Excess Regulatory Capital
- 2.92M Client Accounts
- 2.39M Daily Avg Revenue Trades
- Nine regulated entities, globally
6. Education
IBKR Campus: On-Demand Educational Resources – Never Stop Learning
- Investors of all levels, whether novice or experienced, can find resources to learn about the markets, trading, and how to use Interactive Brokers’ platforms.
- Dozens of beginner-level courses, videos, and articles.
- Free of charge on the Interactive Brokers website for clients and non-clients.
7. IBKR Awards
IBKR’s award rack is full of the different awards received:
- Rated #1 – Best Online Broker Six Years in a Row by Barron’s 2023.
- 2024 BrokerChooser Best Online Brokers: 12 #1 Awards.
- 2024 StockBrokers.com Online Broker Review: 21 #1/Best in Class Awards.
- Benzinga rates Interactive Brokers #1 for such categories as Bonds, Mutual Funds, and a host of product/trading areas.
- 2024 ForexBrokers.com Online Broker Review: 15 #1/Best in Class Awards.
- 2024 Bankrate Best Online Brokers rate #1 Best Overall Online Broker.
Conclusion
In conclusion, comparing and evaluating brokers in the UAE reveals that Interactive Brokers offers exceptional value. Their competitive fee structures, advanced trading platforms, outstanding customer service, and unique features tailored for UAE traders set them apart. By collecting and evaluating these key factors, we’ve identified Interactive Brokers as a top choice for investors in the UAE.
Disclaimer
eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.
Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money
This communication is intended for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or investment recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
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eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.
Braden Chase is an investor, trading specialist, and former research specialist for Forex.com who helps aspiring investors develop the confidence and habits they need to make an income from the market. Braden has served as a registered commodity futures representative for domestic and internationally-regulated brokerages and has also spoken & moderated numerous forex and finance industry panels across the globe.