If you’re an active trader in the UAE (or elsewhere in the GCC), you want a broker that’s not just local—but deeply capable, regulated, and built to serve serious CFD trading. That’s where ADS Securities, better known as ADSS, comes into play.
In this review, we look into what makes ADSS stand out in terms of account types, market reach, and how real traders experience it in daily use.
Table of Contents
Account Types & Funding
ADSS offers a structured range of account types, catering to different styles of trading: for example, Classic, Elite, and Pro accounts, plus a swap-free or “Islamic” variant for clients who require that.
In terms of funding, ADSS supports a variety of deposit methods. Their UAE-centric payment setup is noteworthy—they even integrate UAEPGS, the UAE’s Central Bank–endorsed payment gateway, which streamlines local transfers.
For some traders, the costs associated with funding and withdrawals are important. According to their brochure, ADSS holds client funds separately (segregated accounts) to enhance security.
Market Access: Which CFDs Are Available?
ADSS offers a broad and multi-asset CFD trading environment. Its offerings include:
- Forex: Over 60 currency pairs are available.
- Commodities: Energy products, precious metals, and more.
- Indices: A variety of global indices via CFD.
- Cryptocurrencies: Select cryptos via CFD.
- Equities / Stocks & ETFs: CFD access to global stocks and ETFs.
Because ADSS only offers CFD contracts, you’re not owning the underlying asset—you’re speculating on price movements. That makes it especially well-suited for traders who want agility, leverage, and flexibility, but less suitable for longer-term investors seeking ownership.
Pricing, Leverage & Costs
Understanding how much trading costs is vital, and ADSS provides a mix of competitive conditions—though not without trade-offs. According to their documentation:
- Spreads: On their proprietary platform, spreads for major forex pairs can start as low as 0.7 pips.
- Leverage: ADSS offers leverage up to 1:500, particularly on major forex pairs.
- Commission: Depending on account type, some trades are commission-free (especially classic accounts), with costs built into the spread.
- Other fees: There may be withdrawal or conversion fees, so it’s wise to check the current fee schedule.
High leverage and relatively tight spreads make ADSS attractive for active traders, but the risk of amplified losses is very real—CFD trading is inherently risky.
Risk Management & Support Features
From a risk-management standpoint, ADSS offers a solid toolkit:
- Multiple order types: market, limit, stop, and trailing stops.
- Real-time position monitoring: P&L is shown in real time on the platform.
- Price alerts and notifications are available via its web/mobile platform.
- Dedicated support: ADSS provides multilingual support (English, Arabic, etc.) 24/5.
These tools allow active traders to manage their exposure efficiently—provided they are disciplined and familiar with margin trading.
Reputation, Reliability & Customer Feedback
When choosing a broker, trust is everything—and ADSS’s reputation has both strengths and challenges:
- On Trustpilot, ADSS has a score of around 3.4/5. Some traders praise its broad instrument range and solid execution; others raise concerns about widening spreads or slippage under volatile conditions.
- According to third-party broker-review platforms, ADSS is seen as stable and well-regulated, but not without its own set of trade-offs (e.g., funding flexibility and cost).
- From a company perspective, ADSS emphasises strong client fund protection, segregated accounts, and transparent operations.
This mixed feedback is fairly typical for active CFD brokers: they offer powerful opportunities—but they also demand respect for their risks.
Strengths & Drawbacks: A Summary
Strengths:
- Locally regulated by the SCA in the UAE, which is attractive for GCC-based traders.
- Comprehensive CFD market access: forex, indices, commodities, crypto, equities.
- Flexible platforms: proprietary interface + MT4.
- High leverage options (up to 1:500) for aggressive traders (with risk).
- Good risk-management tools and multilingual, 24/5 support.
- Local payment integration via UAEPGS.
Trade-offs:
- CFD-only broker; no ownership of underlying assets.
- Leveraged trading increases risk.
- Some fee elements (withdrawals, currency conversions) could be relatively high.
- Execution or pricing issues (e.g., slippage) have been mentioned by some users.
- Educational resources are decent, but not necessarily as deep as some global “educational-first” brokerages.
Real-World Usability for UAE Traders
In practice, ADSS performs strongly for UAE-based active traders:
- Its local regulation and office presence help ensure responsiveness and relevance to regional market dynamics.
- The UAEPGS funding option is a genuine plus for clients transferring funds from UAE banks.
- The dual-platform structure means traders can switch depending on whether they prefer simplicity or advanced tools.
- However, to trade effectively, you’ll need to be comfortable with CFDs, leverage, and the risks that come with them.
Conclusion: Is ADS Securities (ADSS) Right for You?
ADSS UAE (ADSS) remains one of the most compelling CFD brokers for active traders in the UAE. With strong local regulation, flexible platforms (proprietary + MT4), broad CFD market access, and tools built for real trading, it’s a very practical choice—particularly for those who prioritise regional trust and efficient execution.
However, ADSS is not a one-size-fits-all solution. If your strategy leans toward long-term investing, physical share ownership, or ultra-low-risk trading, its CFD-only model may feel limiting. Likewise, high-leverage opportunities demand rigorous risk management.
If you’re a disciplined, active CFD trader based in the UAE (or GCC), ADSS is well worth serious consideration—especially if you value execution quality and local regulatory assurance.