Best Forex Broker - How to Find Trusted FX Brokers
Choosing the right forex broker can be daunting because several factors must be considered before reaching a decision. At Forexbrokers.net, we do the research and test several brokers to provide you with comprehensive reviews of the forex brokers available today.
An ideal forex broker should be regulated, reputable, and offer the best possible trading conditions suited for your trading needs. For instance, if you’re a scalper or day trader, you may favor brokers with low spreads and speedy trade execution. We have tested and researched the best forex brokers to help you make informed decisions, regardless of your style. Based on our evaluations, we’ve selected winners for each category in our best forex brokers list below:
Top Forex Brokers for 2025
Best forex brokers for beginners
Best customer suppоrt
Best research and education
Best forex broker for US traders
Best copy trading software
Best high leverage forex broker
Best forex broker for Bitcoin trading
Selecting the Best Online Forex Broker for You
Why XM?
Rating: 100% (Excellent) MinDep: $5 Leverage:1000:1 Platform: MT4, MT5 Licensed: CA, CySEC, ASIC Assets: Stock, Currencies
Why XTB?
Rating: 99% (Excellent) MinDep: $250 Leverage:30:1 - 500:1 Platform: MT4 Licensed: FCA, KNF, CySEC, CNMV, IFSC, DFSA Assets: Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Stocks, ETFs
Why bubinga?
Rating: 83% (Excellent) MinDep: $5 Platform: Bubinga Web Platform Licensed: SVGFSA Assets: Forex, Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies
Why Pepperstone?
Rating: 97% (Excellent) MinDep: $200 Leverage: 400:1 Platform: MT4, MT5, TradingView Licensed: FCA, DFSA, ASIC Assets: Forex, Indices, Crypto, Shares, Commodities
Why 8 eightcap?
Rating: 96% (Excellent) MinDep: $100 Leverage: 500:1 Platform: MT4, MT5 Licensed: ASIC Assets: Forex, Indices, Crypto, Shares, Commodities
Why AVATRADE?
Rating: 90% (Excellent) MinDep: $100 Leverage:400:1 Platform: MT4, MT5 Licensed: ASIC, CBI, FSCA, FSA, FFAJ Assets: Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Currencies
Why FOREX.com?
Rating: 81% (Excellent) MinDep: $100 Leverage: 1:50 Licensed: FCA, FSA, CFTC, IIROC, CIMA Assets: Stocks, Currencies
Why FBS?
Rating: 84% (Excellent) MinDep: $1 Leverage: 1:3000 Licensed: CySEC, MiFID Assets: Stocks, Currencies
Why FXTM?
Rating: 84% (Excellent) MinDep: $5 Leverage: 1:30 Platform: MT4, MT5 Licensed: FCA, CySEC, FSCA, FSA, AMF Assets: Forex, Metals, Commodities, Indices, Stock baskets, Stock CFDs, Stocks
Why eTORO?
Rating: 91% (Excellent) MinDep: $200 Leverage:1:30 Platform: eTORO Trading app web platform Licensed: FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MiFID Assets: Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Forex, Commodities, Crypto **Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
*18+ T&Cs apply to each offer. Click “Open an Account” for more information.
*Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
Why ForexBrokers.net
ForexBrokers.net was born with the idea of bringing traders closer to the best online forex brokers available today. We are a team of experts in assessing financial market intermediaries and have experience in doing so.
Moreover, we love what we do.
ForexBrokers.net is more than just a broker-comparison website. We are transparent in the methodology we use to assess brokers, as well as in what we believe matters for traders and investors.
We all know that picking the right broker is difficult because brokerage houses offer a plethora of services at different costs. We focus on what matters to you, such as promotions, account types, fees, withdrawals, and more
Trading and investing go beyond simply buying or selling an asset. Above all, it is about risk management and optimizing trading costs. Here is where ForexBrokers.net steps in, helping you avoid risk and save money, as well as time.
More importantly, we help you navigate the various trading conditions offered by brokerage houses, with the ultimate aim of helping you avoid scams.
We believe we are well equipped to offer guidance on finding the best forex in a world with numerous brokerage houses. Here, you’ll find which online brokers to trust, which ones to avoid, what matters when deciding on a specific broker, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
Furthermore, we believe in transparency. Our methodology of evaluating a forex broker leaves no room for error. After researching and testing each broker on our website, we ended up with criteria to best differentiate them. Our methodology is based on 11 different criteria.
Finally, our five-level trading academy offers state-of-the-art educational materials for all types of traders.
Who We Are
We are a team of dedicated experts and experienced authors who have come together to build a place where traders can pick the broker that best suits their style. Every trader has a unique trading style, so not all brokers are suitable for it.
Therefore, choosing the right broker is key to success when trading financial markets. We believe that providing accurate information about brokerage houses and using a reliable methodology to compare and rank them is the perfect way to serve traders.
The Methodology of Evaluating a Forex Broker
At Forexbrokers.net, our mission is to provide you with comprehensive reviews of the forex brokers available today. Our methodology was developed by thoroughly testing and researching each broker using several criteria to ensure you have all the information you need. In this review, we will discuss the various criteria used while evaluating forex brokers.
Investor Protection and Regulation
Surely, the investor’s number one priority when choosing a broker should be the safety of funds. This is where regulation comes in to play an important role in our evaluation process. The most renowned licenses in the industry are held by CySEC, FCA, ASIC, and IFSC.
Another important factor that we take into consideration when evaluating a forex broker is transparency. A transparent broker is one who provides its clients with all the necessary information about its activities, policies, and procedures. Last but not least, we also look at whether a broker offers insurance on accounts.
Tradable Products / Assets / Offering of Investments
While evaluating a forex broker, there are several important factors you need to consider. This includes the number of currency pairs offered, the other trading products available on the platform, and the overall tradable offering of investments. These can include commodities, indices, and even stocks.
You should evaluate the overall tradable offering of investments. This includes both traditional and alternative investments. The more options available to you the better.
Commissions, Spreads, and Fees
Broker’s commission is the fee charged by a broker for each transaction. Some brokers do not charge any commission, while others may charge a percentage of the trade value. Spread in forex is the difference between the bid and ask prices of a currency pair. A low spread means that there is little difference between the two prices, making it easier to buy or sell at a good price.
Fees are charges assessed by a broker for services such as account maintenance or withdrawals. Leverage is the ratio of funds borrowed from a broker to funds deposited by the trader, while margin is the amount of money required to open a position.
Though some brokers offer no commissions, it does not necessarily mean that they are the best option. The correlation between commissions and spreads should be considered when making a decision. In some cases, the lower the commission, the higher the spread.
Opening an Account, Account Types
The process of opening an account with a forex broker can vary depending on the broker you choose. Some brokers may have a more streamlined process than others. However, in general, you will need to provide some personal information and documents, such as your ID or passport, proof of residence, and bank statements or other financial documents.
It is important to make sure that there are different account types available, including:
- Demo accounts: These accounts are typically used by beginner traders to get a feel for the market and how the platform works. It can help traders practice and test new strategies.
- Swap-free (Islamic) accounts: These accounts do not incur or earn interest, in accordance with Islamic law.
- Raw Spread accounts: These accounts typically have lower spreads than other types of accounts, but may also have higher commissions.
- STP accounts: The Straight Through Processing (STP) account type is an order execution model where orders are sent directly from the client to the broker’s liquidity provider.
- Live accounts: A live account is a real money account that can be used to trade the markets.
- Micro accounts: Micro accounts allow traders to trade smaller contract sizes with a lower minimum deposit. When using micro accounts, traders can trade micro or nano lots.
- Standard accounts: Standard accounts are the most common type of forex trading account and usually have a higher minimum deposit than micro accounts.
Of course, a single broker offering different account types can make that broker a preferred option as it provides significant flexibility.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options
Traditional payment methods like credit/debit cards and bank wire transfers are typically offered by all forex brokers. But some brokers also offer additional e-wallet options like PayPal, Skrill, NETELLER, etc. And in recent years, an increasing number of brokers have begun to accept cryptocurrency as a deposit/withdrawal option.
Privacy, Security, Data Protection, Funds Protection
When evaluating a potential forex broker, account segregation, 2-factor authentication, independent audits, and minimum capital requirements should all be taken into consideration to ensure the best experience and security for the user.
Most importantly, account segregation means that a broker keeps your funds separate from its own operating funds. This ensures that if the broker becomes insolvent, your funds will not be lost or used to pay off other debts. Furthermore, independent audits are important because they help to ensure that a broker is following all the rules and regulations set by the forex industry.
Web and Desktop, Mobile Trading Platforms
Most brokers offer mobile trading apps for Android and iOS devices, which allow you to access your account and trade on the go. You also need to consider which forex trading platforms are available. The most popular platforms are MT4 and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Both platforms offer a wide range of features and customizability. However, MT4 is more widely used by brokers and is generally considered easier to use than MT5. cTrader is another popular platform that is favored by some traders for its advanced charting tools.
Features
It is important to consider the different trading tools that are available through the broker. Some brokers offer advanced charting tools while others only provide basic information. We consider these factors when rating brokers as they can help you choose a broker that offers the types of trading tools you need.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and promotions are elements that many traders consider when choosing a broker. Some brokers offer significant bonuses, while others may offer more modest rewards. There may also be restrictions on acquiring and withdrawing profits from bonuses. It is important to evaluate the terms and conditions of any forex bonuses or promotions before deciding to open an account with a particular broker.
Customer Support
Another factor you will want to consider when choosing the best forex broker is customer support. Does the broker offer a variety of customer support channels, such as chat, phone, email, and social media? Is there someone available to help you 24/7? Does the forex broker provide customer service in more than one language? These are all important factors to consider when choosing a forex broker.
How to Sign Up with a Forex Trading Broker
The stiff competition that exists among forex brokers resulted in a fight to attract customers. As such, brokerage houses strive to offer the best possible trading conditions and to make the process of signing up a new customer extremely easy.
Simplicity is key here. Otherwise, a potential customer might not have the patience to sign up if the process is complex and takes a lot of time.
The signing-up process might differ from broker to broker, but all brokers typically request the following information from a potential new customer: name and address, email and phone number, date of birth, country of citizenship, and ID.
In addition, the broker will ask for the customer’s employment status and what type of account the customer wants. Most brokers offer multiple account types. The new customer might also specify the account’s currency and tax ID.
Once all the above is filled, the broker will ask some financial questions in order to quantify the new customer’s trading experience and objectives. This is also the moment when most brokers will ask about the customer’s annual income and/or net worth.
Proof of address is often required, too.
Finally, upon verification, the broker sends the details of the new account via email: credentials to log in to the trading platform, as well as a link to download it and any other information that might be useful to the new customer.
Brokers must comply with the local law enacted by regulators, and thus, they need all this information from their customers before signing them up.
In short, the signing-up process is usually very simple and user-friendly and should not take long.
Are Forex Brokers Safe? Understanding Regulatory Bodies
Unfortunately, not all forex brokers are safe for traders. Some run the business to earn money as soon and as much as possible, without having customers’ interests at heart.
Some other ones choose to trade directly against their own customers. The idea behind this strategy is that the broker has more knowledge about the market, more resources, and a better infrastructure, and thus, has more chances than the regular trader to make a profit.
Therefore, some ethical issues exist. But also, some brokers present a real risk for traders because traders do not have certainty that their funds are safe.
After all, a safe broker is best defined as one where customers do not have a problem withdrawing their funds, at any one moment they wish to do so.
As such, a safe broker equals the safety of funds.
Here is where regulatory bodies intervene. A broker MUST be regulated by a financial authority.
Many brokerage houses are regulated by multiple regulatory bodies because they have operations in multiple jurisdictions. Each regulator has specific conditions that the broker must comply with in order for the regulator to grant a license to operate in that particular jurisdiction.
But why is regulation so important? Why should traders avoid unregulated brokers?
There are many reasons for it.
- First, regulation does not come cheap. On the contrary, a regulated broker already spent a lot of time and funds to comply with the financial authority conditions for operating in that jurisdiction. Therefore, a regulated broker signals the desire to do things right and to follow the law, which makes it a safe broker in the customers’ eyes.
- Second, a regulated broker means that the financial authority stands ready to intervene should something happen with the broker’s business. Brokerage houses operate a profit-and-loss business, and, in some cases, they can go bust.
For example, when the Swiss National Bank eliminated the EUR/CHF 1.20 exchange rate floor in 2015, several brokers went bankrupt. However, it did not mean that customers lost their funds because the regulatory bodies intervened, and traders received their funds back.
- Third, regulation often comes with the express condition that brokers keep their customers’ funds in segregated accounts. Effectively, it means that the broker cannot touch the customer’s deposits and will place them at segregated banks. Therefore, the customers’ funds and the funds the broker needs to run the business are two different things.
Put it simply, regulatory bodies are here to help. A regulated broker inspires trust, and trust is what customers placing funds with the broker are interested in.
Different Types of FX Brokers
Several types of forex trading brokers exist. Different trading conditions apply depending on the type. As such, traders must be very careful when picking a broker to trade with because transaction costs vary depending on the type of broker.
Also, some brokers act as hybrid houses, meaning that they can operate different brokerage businesses under the same umbrella. For instance, different trading types may run different technologies.
Out of the various types of forex brokers, four are worth mentioning:
- ECN
- STP
- NDD
- Market makers
ECN (DMA)
ECN stands for Electronic Communications Network. Such a broker matches buy and sell orders automatically and has plenty of advantages.
One is that spreads in the forex market (i.e., the difference between bid and ask prices) are tighter than in other cases. Thus, tighter spreads mean lower transaction costs, something that all traders are looking for.
Another is given by the other acronym – DMA. It stands for Direct Market Access, which means improved liquidity. Liquidity is important for traders looking for similar conditions throughout the trading week.
Some disadvantages exist, too. The most important one is that ECN brokers is a dealing desk, meaning requotes happen. For traders entering the market using pending orders (e.g., buy-stop, sell-limit, buy-limit, sell-stop), requotes do affect the entry price and, therefore, have an impact on the profitability of any trading strategy. Because it matches transactions between clients by routing their orders to the market, ECN or DMA brokers cannot be market makers (i.e., trade against their clients). One may summarize the advantages of an ECN broker as flexibility, speed of execution, flat commission rate, and tight spreads.
STP
STP stands for Straight-Through Processing, which means that this type of broker routes the trades to the market electronically. Because of that, both ECN and STP brokers are also called NDD brokers or Non-Dealing Desk brokers.
So, if ECN and STP brokers are somewhat similar, what differentiates them still?
Put simply, STP brokers offer more favorable pricing than ECN ones. However, it comes at the cost of inconsistent processing time for the orders received. Also, order routing transparency is reduced.
NDD
An NDD broker is a Non-Dealing Desk broker. Only two types of NDD brokers exist – ECN and STP.
Market Makers
Market makers are the opposite of NDD brokers. It means that these are dealing desk brokers.
A dealing desk broker or a market maker does not route its customers’ orders to the market. Instead, it keeps them in the house, taking the opposite market direction to the one taken by its customers.
Effectively, these brokers make the market for retail traders. While trading with a market maker may raise some ethical concerns, there are some advantages to using such a broker. For example, a market maker usually offers fixed spreads and low commissions on trades.
What Is Forex Trading?
Forex is short from foreign exchange. This is the biggest market in the world, with a volume of over $7.5 billion daily. Forex market players range from retail traders to institutional investors.
The forex market is made up of currency pairs that move 24/5. It means that the only times the currency market closes are over the weekend, on Christmas and New Year. Effectively, a currency pair reflects the value of one currency in terms of another, and the value is reflected in its exchange rate.
Moreover, the forex market fluctuates dramatically during the trading day and week, its exchange rates being influenced by factors such as economic releases, central banks’ decisions, or geopolitical events.
In this market, brokers act as intermediaries. Most of them route traders’ orders to the market (NDD brokers), and some keep the orders in-house (DD brokers).
- Orders are sent via a trading platform offered by the broker. Upon opening a trading account with the brokerage house, traders get credentials to log in to the platform, which they use for technical analysis and sending orders to buy or sell a currency pair.
- One should keep in mind that in the forex market, traders do not buy or sell a currency but a currency pair. This small detail is very important because a trader’s job is not only to know if a currency will appreciate or depreciate but also against which other currency it will do so.
Brokers charge a fee or commission for routing orders to the market. It is our job to highlight which brokers have the highest or lowest commissions, what other fees might be incurred, and so on.
Long trade
When buying a currency pair, traders hope that the exchange rate will rise. If it does, traders can mark a profit by closing the position at a higher level. The profit is the difference between the exit and entry price. In this case, it is said that traders went long.
Short trade
Traders can also sell short currency pairs. If they believe that the exchange rate will decline, they can sell the pair, and make a profit if the price does fall. The profit is the difference between the entry and the exit price. In the case the market does the opposite, the trader marks a loss when closes the position.
How to Trade Forex – a Short Beginners’ Guide
Before trading the Forex market, a trader needs to understand what moves the market. The economic calendar, available for free, is one starting point, as news is released at precise time intervals.
Economic data and geopolitical events, or anything else other than interpreting charts, is called fundamental analysis. When using past price data to forecast future price levels, traders engage in technical analysis. There is a wide range of technical indicators (trend indicators and oscillators), as well as trading theories, that the technical trader uses to forecast future prices.
Therefore, technical and fundamental analyses result in a bullish or bearish bias. A bullish trader expects a currency pair’s exchange rate to rise, and a bearish one will bet on a drop in the exchange rate.
Armed with bias, traders need a setup made of three distinct elements: entry, take-profit, and stop-loss levels.
Price and Quote
Best online brokers present two quotes for each currency pair. More precisely, two prices – the bid and ask prices.
When buying, traders can only use ask prices. If selling, they can only use bid prices. When exiting a long position, the bid price is used, while when exiting a short position, the ask price is used.
The difference between the bid and ask prices is called a spread. Spreads are a trading cost and such, the tighter they are, the better.
Traders can enter a trade at the market, meaning at the current price shown by the broker. Or they can wait for the market to move first and reach a specific level.
In the latter case, traders must instruct the broker when to buy or sell a currency pair. To do so, they place pending orders that the broker will fill automatically when and if the price reaches the desired entry level.
An ideal trading setup has a risk-reward ratio bigger than 1:2. Effectively, it means that for every $1 risked, the trader expects to make 2$. This is part of a sound money management system and traders who embrace it have bigger chances to trade the forex market successfully. To obtain such a ratio, the distance between the take-profit and the entry levels must be twice as big as the one between the entry and the stop-loss level.
If the market rises after a bullish trade, the trader makes a profit. If it drops after a bearish setup, traders make a profit, too. On the other hand, if it doesn’t and reaches the stop-loss level, traders mark a loss.
There is no such thing as only winning trades. A successful trader must embrace losses, and the aim is to have more winners than losers so that the trading account consistently grows over time.
Trading systems
To introduce the trading systems we can say that they are organized methods used to buy and sell stocks. Some systems are manual, where the trader makes all the decisions, while others are automated. The goal is always the same: to make as much money as possible while taking on as little risk as possible. Trading systems usually rely on technical analysis, fundamental analysis, or a mixture of both to help traders make smart decisions. They’re super helpful at keeping traders disciplined and consistent.
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I am a senior broker analyst at Forexbrokers.net. With over ten years of experience working in the financial markets. As an MBA holder, I have worked in multiple financial service firms, giving me a well-rounded perspective on the industry. My mission is to help traders and investors find the best possible brokers and avoid fraudsters.
FAQ
This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on your level of experience and knowledge. If you are new to the world of forex trading, it may take some time to learn the ropes.
However, if you have some experience in other financial markets, you may be able to pick up forex trading more quickly. Ultimately, it will take as long as it takes for you to feel comfortable with the market and your trading strategies.
Again, this is a difficult question to answer definitively. There are many reputable forex brokers out there, and it really depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Some things you may want to consider when choosing a broker include the size of their spreads, the quality of their customer service, and the fees they charge.
No, forex trading is not a gamble. While there is always some element of risk involved in any financial transaction, forex trading can be very lucrative and rewarding if done correctly.
Yes, forex trading can be a career. Many people around the world make a living by buying and selling currencies on the forex market.
However, it is essential to note that success in forex trading requires hard work, dedication, and discipline.
Yes, you can learn forex by yourself. There are several resources available online and in books that can teach you about the basics of forex trading.
However, it is always advisable to consult a professional before making any significant decisions in the market.
No, a forex broker cannot steal your money as long as it is regulated. However, it is essential to be aware of the risks involved in any financial transaction and to choose a reputable and trustworthy broker.
In most cases, yes, forex trading is subject to taxation. However, there may be exceptions depending on your country of residence and the regulations.
It is always advisable to consult with a tax professional before making any decisions about your taxes.
Brokers make money by charging fees for their services, such as commissions or spreads. They may also make money from interest on margin accounts or by selling products and services to their clients.
This depends on a number of factors, such as the broker you choose and the type of account you open. Most brokers require a minimum deposit to open an account, and some may also charge additional fees for certain services.