Address
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
What You Need to Know First
The best stock trading broker in Saudi Arabia is the one that fits how you invest; no single broker suits everyone. The answer depends on four things: what the commission really costs, which markets you need, how easy it is to open an account, and the quality of the app and service. Before any comparison, the broker must be licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA). In this article we set Derayah Financial beside four licensed brokers: Al Rajhi Capital, SNB Capital, Riyad Capital and Albilad Capital, based on what their official pages state. We also show where Derayah is strong and where another broker may suit you better.
What Does a Stock Broker Do, and Why Must It Be Licensed?
A stock broker is a licensed firm that executes buy and sell orders for you on the Saudi stock market (Tadawul) and opens the portfolio where your shares are recorded. You cannot trade on the exchange directly; you go through a member firm.
The CMA advises investors to confirm that an institution holds all the licences it needs before investing any money with it, and to check its list of licensed financial market institutions. All five firms in this article show a CMA licence number in the footer of their official pages, but the CMA list is the final reference.
What Should You Compare Between Brokers?
This table lists the six questions that decide the comparison and where to find each answer.
| Criterion | Question to ask | Where to find the answer |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | Does the broker charge the maximum or less? Is there a minimum, a custody fee or a currency conversion fee? | The official fee page |
| Markets | Do you need Saudi shares only, or also Gulf, US and global markets? | Product pages |
| Account opening | Is it fully online or through an investment center? Does it serve residents and non-residents? | The account opening page |
| Minimums | Is there a minimum deposit or trade, especially in global markets? | Fee table or FAQ |
| App and support | Is the app clear and is support available when you need it? | Try the app and call support before depositing |
| Extra products | Do you need funds, IPOs or margin financing? | Product pages |
To understand the difference between a platform, an app and a broker, see our guide to choosing a stock trading app. Here we focus on the brokers themselves.
How Is Stock Trading Commission Calculated, and What Is the CMA Cap?
The CMA set the maximum commission on listed shares at 0.155% of trade value, split between the broker (0.105%) and the CMA and the Saudi stock exchange (0.05%). It applies to every trade with no fixed minimum amount. The figure is a ceiling, not a mandatory price, so a broker may charge less. VAT is added on top of the commission.
An illustration with a SAR 50,000 trade at the full cap:
| Component | Rate | Amount in SAR before VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Broker share | 0.105% | 52.50 |
| Regulatory share | 0.05% | 25.00 |
| Total | 0.155% | 77.50 |
So compare the broker share specifically, since the regulatory share is the same everywhere. When a broker advertises zero commission, read the offer terms to see who qualifies and what remains payable.
How Do the Brokers Compare on Their Official Pages?
This table summarizes what each broker’s official pages stated in October 2026. Where we could not find a clear figure, we say to check the official fee page rather than guess.
| Broker | Licence | Stated commission on Saudi shares | Markets mentioned | Account opening and app |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derayah Financial | Licence number shown in the site footer | No Derayah commission on TASI and Nomu stocks, REITs and ETFs for individual clients on electronic channels; regulatory fees still apply | Saudi Arabia; the UAE, Egypt, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain; and 46 global markets through Derayah Global | Online without a branch visit for residents using the national access service; Gulf nationals visit a branch. App on Apple and Google stores |
| Al Rajhi Capital | Licence number shown in page footers | Check the official fee page; its table did not load for us | Local shares and Nomu; Gulf and international markets including the US, UK and Hong Kong | Online through the Al Rajhi Tadawul portal, or at an investment center. App on both stores |
| SNB Capital | Licence number shown in page footers | Not stated on the pages we reviewed; check the official page | Local, regional and international; its global trading page cites 30 markets | Registration through the AlAhli Tadawul platform; global markets are a three-step process starting with opening an account. App on both stores |
| Riyad Capital | Licence number shown in page footers | 0.155% of trade value plus VAT; the page says no other fees apply through its channels | Saudi market (shares, sukuk, bonds, ETFs) and the US market | Online with Riyad Bank login details, at an investment center, or by phone |
| Albilad Capital | Licence number shown in the site footer | Publishes a local trading fee page for TASI and Nomu; check it for details | TASI and Nomu per its fee page | Check the official page |
US stocks are priced differently at each broker:
| Broker | What the US stock page states |
|---|---|
| Derayah Global | The Lite account, for individual investors only, has no commission on US stocks and ETFs, and no minimum balance or trade. The page’s fee table shows a per-share commission for the Pro and Plus accounts |
| SNB Capital | Pricing is built on a global brokerage partner: no commission during market hours on its Lite package, a minimum deposit of SAR 1,000 or equivalent, and deposit and withdrawal fees listed on the page |
| Riyad Capital | No commission on exchange-listed stocks through digital channels during official sessions; otherwise one cent per share with a USD 1.99 minimum, and regulatory fees extra |
| Al Rajhi Capital | The page mentions access to the NYSE and Nasdaq; fees are on its official page |
Which Type of Broker Suits Which Investor?
| Investor type | What matters most | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Local investor with small amounts | The broker share of commission and easy account opening | Offer terms and who they cover |
| Active trader | Commission across many trades, app speed and tools | Fees at high trade counts and charting tools |
| Investor wanting US and global stocks | Commission by account type, minimum deposit, trading hours | Deposit, withdrawal and currency conversion costs |
| Investor who prefers in-person service | Investment centers and phone support | Center locations and support hours |
Where Does Derayah Financial Stand Out?
The points below rely on Derayah’s platform page, its Derayah Global page and its fee table:
- One account relationship for Saudi and Gulf markets, plus global markets through Derayah Global, whose page cites 46 exchanges across 18 countries and 11 currencies.
- No Derayah commission on TASI and Nomu shares, with regulatory fees still applying.
- No minimum balance or trade on Derayah Global, plus fractional shares, instant funding with Apple Pay, direct support and execution during US market hours, and trading before the open and after the close.
- Account opening online without paperwork, and sub-accounts for family members at no cost.
- Partner tools such as TradingView, margin financing, IPO access on the main market and Nomu, and investment funds on the same platform.
To be fair, Derayah does not suit everyone. Its fee table lists a 0.45% commission on traded value in other Gulf markets, and an investor who wants an investment center or a specific bank relationship may prefer a bank-affiliated broker.
What Mistakes Do Investors Make When Choosing a Broker?
- Judging a broker by the words “zero commission” alone, without reading the regulatory fees and tax that remain.
- Comparing brokers on Saudi shares only, then discovering global market fees after depositing.
- Ignoring deposit, withdrawal and currency conversion costs when investing outside Saudi Arabia.
- Relying on a passing opinion instead of trying the app and contacting support.
- Depositing a large amount before testing the broker with a small one.
What Are the Steps to Open a Trading Account?
- Check the broker’s licence in the CMA list of licensed institutions.
- Decide which markets you need: local only, or global as well.
- Read the fee page, the minimums and the terms of any offer.
- Open the account. At Derayah this is online through the national access service for residents, and you can start from the trading account page. After activation you receive a text message with the IBAN to fund your portfolio.
- Start with an amount whose swings you can tolerate, and review the experience before increasing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a CMA licence protect me from losing money?
No. A licence means the firm is subject to CMA supervision and rules. It does not guarantee profit or prevent losses from price swings.
Are global markets part of the same account at every broker?
Not necessarily. Derayah presents its local platform and Derayah Global as two separate platforms, and SNB Capital makes applying for global markets a third step after opening an account. Always ask whether a separate request is needed.
Can a non-Saudi or non-resident open an account?
Derayah’s platform page points to a dedicated route for non-Saudi and non-resident investors. Brokers differ in how ready they are for this, so ask which documents are required before you start.
What if I cannot find clear fees on a broker’s page?
Ask customer service for the fees in writing, and confirm they include custody and conversion charges that apply after the trade. If the fees stay unclear, that alone is a good reason to delay depositing.
Are commission waivers permanent?
You should not assume so. The terms of Derayah’s offer say it can be amended or suspended without notice, so check the official page before each decision.
This content is educational and is not investment advice. Investing involves risk, and you may lose part of your capital.
Sources
- New Mechanism for Share Purchase and Sale Commissions, Capital Market Authority
- CMA: Avoid Dealing with Unauthorised Persons to Do Securities Business, Capital Market Authority
- Financial Market Institutions, Capital Market Authority
- About the Capital Market Authority and investor protection, Capital Market Authority
- Derayah Global, Derayah Financial
