1
IG
IG
- FCA
- ASIC
- BaFin
- FINMA
- +2
London-listed group with the widest regulatory footprint on this list.
8.5
/10 rating
2
FP
FP Markets
- ASIC
- CySEC
- FSCA
- Seychelles FSA
Dated, published raw-spread pricing and the widest platform list outside IG.
7.7
/10 rating
3
FX
FxPro
- FCA
- Bahamas SCB
- Seychelles FSA
FCA-regulated UK entity and five platforms, including cTrader and TradingView.
7.6
/10 rating
4
TM
Tickmill
- FCA
- CySEC
- FSCA
- Seychelles FSA
FCA, CySEC and FSCA entities plus a low-cost Raw account with a flat US$100 minimum.
7.4
/10 rating
5
AV
AvaTrade
- Central Bank of Ireland
- ASIC
- CySEC
- FSCA
- +1
Irish-regulated EU entity, ASIC entity in Australia and broad platform choice.
7.4
/10 rating
6
HF
HFM
- FCA
- CySEC
- FSCA
- Seychelles FSA
Low entry costs, real education and copy trading; international accounts run through an entity with no named regulator.
7.3
/10 rating
7
P5
Plus500
- FCA
- ASIC
- CySEC
- MAS
- +1
London-listed, multi-licensed CFD provider with a single in-house platform.
6.9
/10 rating
8
XM
XM
- CySEC
- FSC Belize
US$5 minimum, negative balance protection and Islamic terms on all accounts, with strong free education.
6.7
/10 rating
9
EX
Exness
- FSA Seychelles
- CBCS Curaçao
- BVI FSC
- FSCA
Very transparent pricing tiers and fast payouts, but retail clients sit under offshore entities.
6.6
/10 rating
10
FX
FXCM
- FCA
- ASIC
- CySEC
- FSCA
Regulated entities in the UK, EU, Australia and South Africa; its global entity states it needs no licence.
6.4
/10 rating
Which regulator protects you depends on the entity that opens your account, which depends on where you live. Check the entity named in your client agreement, and see each review for the details. Ratings are editorial opinion based on public information. Forex and CFD trading is high risk and most retail accounts lose money. We may earn a commission if you open an account through our links. Read the full disclaimer.
Before you deposit
Ten checks before you fund an account.
Run through this list for any broker, including the ones on this site. It takes ten minutes and can save you months of trouble.
- The licence number matches the entity name on the regulator’s own register.
- You know which legal entity will hold your account, and it is named in the client agreement.
- You have read what the agreement says about negative balance protection and compensation.
- You have checked spreads, commission, swaps and inactivity or conversion fees for the way you trade.
- You have tried the platform on a demo account.
- Deposit and withdrawal methods work in your name and your currency.
- Nobody who contacted you first is pushing you to deposit.
- Two-factor authentication is on and your password is unique.
- You will deposit a small amount first and test a withdrawal.
- You know the maximum you can afford to lose, and the risk per trade you will stick to.
General information for education only, not financial advice. Trading forex and CFDs carries a high risk of loss. Read the disclaimer.