5 Best Investment Apps for Millennials and Gen Z in the UAE

Millennial and Gen Z investors in the UAE are increasingly turning to mobile-first, low-cost platforms that offer fractional shares, robo-advisory services and access to a wide range of asset classes beyond traditional stocks and bonds. Five platforms stand out in the market for their suitability to younger, tech-savvy savers: Sarwa, eToro, Interactive Brokers (IBKR), Wahed Invest and StashAway. Each app targets different priorities — from Sharia-compliant portfolios and social copy trading to advanced research tools and private-market access — while offering low account minimums and competitive fee structures.

"Sarwa is best known for offering an all-in-one platform that supports both active and passive investors," according to the product overview used in the UAE market.

How the platforms compare

• Sarwa — Positioned as the best overall investment app in the UAE, Sarwa provides access to US stocks, US and local stock ETFs, bond ETFs, REIT ETFs, commodities ETFs, stock options and cryptocurrencies. The app supports both active trading via Sarwa Trade and passive strategies via Sarwa Invest, with conventional, Halal and socially responsible portfolio options. Sarwa offers fractional investing and advertises free AED deposits and withdrawals. Fees include a commission of the higher of $1 or 0.25% on stocks and ETFs, plus a 0.40–0.85% annual management fee on passively managed portfolios. Account minimums start at $500, and the platform includes an educational library, including guides such as how to invest $1,000 in stocks in the UAE.
• eToro — A global platform licensed to operate in the UAE, eToro offers cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs, indices, currencies and commodities from 20 global exchanges. eToro supports fractional investing and promotes commission-free stock trading, complemented by competitive fees on other assets. Its signature feature is social or copy investing, which allows users to replicate the investment choices of other experienced investors. The platform is described as ideal for beginners who want to learn from and mirror expert strategies.
• Interactive Brokers (IBKR) — Targeted at advanced investors, IBKR provides access to stocks, bonds, mutual funds, spot currencies, spot commodities, futures and options across more than 170 markets. IBKR advertises low costs: stocks and ETFs are commission-free on IBKR Lite and cost $0.005 per share on IBKR Pro. There is no account minimum, and users can choose between beginner-friendly GlobalTrader or the more sophisticated Trader Workstation for advanced research and execution.
• Wahed Invest — Billed as a Sharia-compliant robo-advisor, Wahed Invest offers passively managed portfolios reviewed by a Shariah Review Bureau (SRB) to ensure halal investments. Portfolios are diversified across stocks, real estate, gold and bonds, and tailored to individual risk tolerances. The platform also has a low entry threshold, with minimum investments from $500, making it a fit for passive investors focused on Sharia compliance.
• StashAway — StashAway provides globally diversified, expert-managed portfolios and curated ETF lists for active investors. It also gives retail users curated access to private markets — including private equity, private credit and private infrastructure — with no minimum for public market investments and a $20,000 entry requirement for private markets exposure. The platform is recommended for investors seeking automated robo-advisory combined with private-market allocation.

Outlook: With clear options for fractional investing, low or no account minimums for public assets, robo-advisory and Sharia-compliant choices, UAE investors from the millennial and Gen Z cohorts now have tailored pathways to assemble diversified portfolios. Choice of platform will depend on whether users prioritise social trading (eToro), advanced tools and broad market access (IBKR), Sharia compliance (Wahed), an all-in-one experience (Sarwa) or private-market access (StashAway).