Interactive Brokers is a US-headquartered multi-asset broker offering direct market access to global exchanges, while Sarwa is a UAE-based robo-advisory and brokerage platform designed for passive, low-cost investing through managed portfolios and self-directed accounts.
Interactive Brokers and Sarwa: side by side
Reference data from public sources. Confirm details on each broker's own website.
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Sarwa |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | Interactive Brokers LLC is regulated by the SEC and FINRA in the United States. The entity serving Middle East clients may fall under IBKR's UK arm regulated by the FCA, or another group entity. See the official website to confirm which entity covers Saudi Arabia residents. | Sarwa is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and operates within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). |
| Account types | Individual, joint, trust, corporate, and SMSF accounts. Includes margin accounts and access to options, futures, forex, stocks, ETFs, bonds, and funds across global markets. | Managed robo-advisory portfolios and a self-directed trading account (Sarwa Trade) offering access to US-listed stocks and ETFs. |
| Availability for Saudi Arabia residents | Saudi Arabia residents can generally open an account. Interactive Brokers performs its own onboarding checks. Confirm current eligibility on the official website before applying. | Sarwa is available to Saudi Arabia residents. The platform is built with GCC-based clients in mind and supports onboarding from the Kingdom. |
| Fees - trading | Interactive Brokers charges commissions that vary by asset class, account tier, and volume. A tiered and a fixed pricing structure are available. See the official website for the current commission schedule applicable to your account. | Sarwa Trade charges a commission per trade on US stocks and ETFs. The managed portfolio service charges an annual management fee based on assets under management. See the official website for current rates. |
| Fees - account maintenance | Interactive Brokers has historically applied a monthly minimum activity fee for accounts below a certain balance threshold, though this has changed over time. Verify current fee conditions on the official website. | Sarwa does not publicly advertise a flat account maintenance fee for its managed portfolios beyond the annual management fee. See the official website for full fee disclosure. |
| Minimum deposit | Interactive Brokers has no stated minimum deposit for standard cash accounts, though certain account types may have requirements. Check the official website for current conditions. | Sarwa publishes a minimum initial investment for its managed portfolios. See the official website for the current minimum applicable to new accounts. |
| Investment approach | Self-directed platform. The investor selects instruments, executes trades, and manages their own portfolio. Suitable for those comfortable making their own investment decisions across a wide range of asset classes. | Primarily a guided platform. Managed portfolio clients answer a risk questionnaire and Sarwa allocates to a pre-built ETF portfolio. Sarwa Trade allows self-directed US stock and ETF investing. |
| Asset coverage | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds, mutual funds, and cryptocurrencies across exchanges in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. | US-listed stocks and ETFs via Sarwa Trade. Managed portfolios invest in a selection of globally diversified ETFs. Asset coverage is narrower than a full-service broker. |
| Platform and interface | Trader Workstation (TWS) is a professional-grade desktop platform with extensive charting and order types. A web portal and mobile app are also available. The platform has a steeper learning curve for new investors. | Web and mobile app with a clean, simplified interface. Designed for investors who prefer a straightforward experience rather than advanced trading tools. |
| Currency and funding | Supports deposits in multiple currencies. Saudi Arabia residents typically fund in SAR or USD via bank transfer. Currency conversion fees apply when switching between currencies. | Supports USD funding. Saudi Arabia residents will need to transfer funds internationally. Check with your Saudi bank regarding outward remittance requirements and any SAMA-related transfer considerations. |
| Saudi Arabia regulatory context | Neither broker is licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) of Saudi Arabia. Saudi residents using either platform are investing through an offshore broker. SAMA oversees banking and payments in the Kingdom but does not regulate foreign investment platforms directly. | Sarwa is DFSA-regulated but not licensed by the Saudi CMA. The same offshore-broker consideration applies. Saudi residents should review their own obligations before investing. |
| Investor protection | Accounts held with the US entity are covered by SIPC up to applicable limits. Accounts held with the UK or other group entities fall under the rules of the respective regulator. See the official website to identify which entity holds your account. | As a DFSA-regulated firm, Sarwa operates under the investor protection framework of the DIFC. Review the DFSA client money rules and Sarwa's terms for specific protections applicable to your account. |
| Things to know | The platform complexity may require time to learn for investors new to multi-asset trading. Currency conversion costs can add up for frequent traders moving between SAR and other currencies. Tax reporting is the investor's own responsibility. | Asset selection is more limited compared to a full-service broker. Managed portfolio investors have less control over individual holdings. Sarwa Trade is focused on US markets only. |
Frequently asked questions
- Can I have an account with both Interactive Brokers and Sarwa?
- There is no general restriction on holding accounts at multiple brokers. Each broker has its own eligibility and onboarding requirements - check both broker websites to confirm.
- Where do I verify each broker's regulatory status?
- Look up each broker on the public register of its regulator. The Official sources section below links the common GCC and UK regulator registers.
- How do I compare fees between Interactive Brokers and Sarwa for my situation?
- Fee schedules depend on product, currency, and trade size. Use each broker's own fees page and run example trades through their calculators if available.
Official sources
Verify regulatory status: DFSA Public Register.
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