The foreign exchange market is one of the most fascinating and fast-paced financial marketplaces. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most volatile, with substantial fluctuations in currency prices occurring on a regular basis. As a result, selecting the best forex broker for your needs can be time-consuming and difficult.
To begin forex trading, simply research the top forex brokers and open an account with one that matches your trading style. To choose the finest forex broker, you must first conduct some preliminary research. You can quickly choose the best broker for your trading experience and needs.
We will explore how to find the best forex brokers, why you should start forex trading, the pros and disadvantages of forex, and much more in this tutorial. In addition, to assist you in selecting the best broker, we will analyze the characteristics and benefits of some of the industry’s leading brokers to provide you with an overview of each offer. So, let’s get started.
How to Pick the Most Reliable Forex Broker
There are various factors to consider while looking for the best forex brokers. These are some examples:
1. Regulatory Compliance
The first and most important thing to look for is if the broker is regulated by a respectable body. It is a good idea to determine if the broker is listed on a major exchange. If they are, they will almost certainly be regulated. A credible forex broker in the United States, for example, will be an NFA member who is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
2. Trading Platform
The trading platform is the next thing you should think about. This is the program you’ll use to execute transactions. It is critical to ensure that the trading platform is user-friendly and equipped with all necessary functionality. Some of the things you should look for include:
- Simpleness of use
- Quotes in real time
- Tools for technical analysis
- Charting software
- Order management applications
- Mobile commerce
3. Account Features
Account features must be considered when selecting a forex broker. Some of the things you should look for include:
- Requirements for a minimum deposit
- Ratios of leverage
- Commissions and spreads
- Initial Deposit
- Commission fees
- Leverage and Margin
- Ease of Deposits and Withdrawals
4. Customer Support
Because Forex trading occurs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a broker’s customer support should be available. Consider whether it is simple to reach a live person on the phone. A brief call to a forex broker can provide information about their customer service and average wait times.
What exactly is a Forex Broker?
A forex broker serves as a middleman between traders and the foreign exchange market. They provide a platform for traders to buy and sell currencies, as well as other services such as margin trading, which enables traders to borrow money to trade with.
As the forex market has been more accessible to regular investors in recent years, the function of forex brokers has grown in importance. Previously, only huge financial institutions and banks traded forex, but many internet brokers now allow regular investors to trade forex.
In general, online forex brokers allow traders to execute forex transactions primarily through electronic trading platforms supported by the broker. Many famous online forex brokers, in addition to providing their own trading software, also support third-party MetaQuotes platforms, such as MetaTrader 4 and 5 (MT4/5).
Furthermore, many forex brokers offer substantial training resources for beginners that may be used to increase their trading knowledge. They may also offer expert Forex market analysis and financial news feeds to help you make more informed trading selections. Furthermore, forex brokers profit from the transactions they assist by charging commissions and spreads.
Why Should You Trade Forex?
A forex transaction is defined as the simultaneous purchase of one currency and sale of another at a predetermined exchange rate. Forex traders benefit by selling one currency pair for a low price and then selling it for a high price.
A large number of people trade forex because it is a reasonably simple process to get started. Download a free trading platform, such as MetaTrader, once you’ve opened an account. Because trades may be completed fast and efficiently, traders have the freedom to choose their own pace. Making money is also a major reason why people engage in forex trading.
This is frequently where investors start because it allows them to get a feel for the market without being overwhelmed by the item they’re dealing.
How can I tell if my Forex Broker is Authorized?
It is crucial to know if your forex broker is regulated. This ensures that your broker is held to a higher level and that your funds are safe. The best approach to find out is to visit the broker’s website or directly call them.
Check the regulator’s website as well to determine if the broker is listed. In the United States, for example, you can contact the National Futures Association (NFA) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) (CFTC). Check out your broker’s reviews to see what other traders have to say about their experience.
Here’s how to find out if your forex broker is regulated:
- Examine their license number: A license number will be assigned to all regulated brokers. You can validate it by comparing it to the regulator’s list of licensed brokers.
- Examine their registration status: Brokers must be registered with the regulator in addition to holding a license. You can double-check this on the regulator’s website.
- Determine their membership status: Some regulations mandate that brokers join a self-regulatory organization (SRO). In the United States, for example, brokers must be members of the National Futures Association (NFA).
- Verify Details: If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a website or brand, contact the regulator using the phone number or email address listed on their website.
- Global accessibility: Check to see if the broker you’re considering may accept customers from your native country. If they lack the necessary regulations in your country, check to determine if they may lawfully accept clients from your country (for example, if an alternate yet suitable jurisdiction regulates the broker).
The Top 10 Forex Brokers
#1. Avatrade – Best Overall
Avatrade is a regulated forex broker that provides online trading services in over 250 products from a variety of markets, including forex, indices, commodities, shares, and cryptos. Furthermore, it is subject to seven rules across seven continents, including the UAE, South Africa, Japan, Australia, Europe, and the British Virgin Islands.
Avatrade allows you to begin trading with a $100 minimum deposit and leverage of up to 400:1. Traders can also take advantage of the broker’s numerous benefits, including a $10,000 welcome bonus and an Avapoints loyalty program to gain extra points.
Furthermore, traders can trade a variety of assets such as FX pairs, commodities, equities, indices, bonds, ETFs, and Vanilla Options. To protect our customers’ safety, AvaTrade is governed by seven worldwide commissions: CBI (EU), B.V.I. FSC (British Virgin Islands), ASIC (Australia), FSCA (RSA), FRSA (UAE), FSA, and FFAJ (Japan).
Advantages
- Multiple financial authorities regulate it.
- Up to 400:1 leverage
- Negative Balance Protection
- Various account types and platforms are available.
Disadvantages
- There are no US clients accepted
- Variable spreads
#2. Roboforex
RoboForex is a brokerage firm created in 2009 with the goal of providing first-rate financial services to markets all over the world. Roboforex today has over 3.5 million customers and services clients in 169 countries.
RoboForex has garnered numerous important accolades and has earned the trust of many recognized financial market professionals. The RoboForex group operates under an FSC Belize international license and a European CySEC license (license No. 191/13 Robomarkets Ltd).
Roboforex allows traders to trade a variety of securities, including forex, indices, equities, commodities, and cryptocurrency. Roboforex is a wonderful option for scalpers and day traders due to its leverage of 1:2000 and cheap spreads. Furthermore, to begin trading with this broker, you only need $10.
Advantages
- Lots of account types with low minimum deposit requirements
- Leverage up to 1:2000
- Affiliate payments are the highest.
- Payment withdrawals are made instantly.
Disadvantages
- A deposit of at least $10 is required.
- Lack of cryptocurrency trading tools
- For accounts Pro, Pro-Cent, ECN, and Prime, there are only 36 different currency pairs
#3. Exness
Exness is a multinational brokerage corporation with headquarters in the Seychelles and Cyprus. This organization offers financial services, investment solutions, and mostly corporate relationships to clients all around the world. The fully regulated EU-based corporation in Cyprus provides services to members of the EEA and other parts of the world.
Exness provides a variety of assets, including stocks, cryptocurrency, more than 120 currency pairings, and metals. The broker’s service is dependable, with minimal commissions, immediate order execution, and fund withdrawal. Exness is one of the top brokers for scalpers, with leverage ranging from 1:100 to 1:2000.
Furthermore, this broker offers a variety of payment methods for depositing and withdrawing funds in any currency combination. Plus, with limitless leverage, traders have the possibility to generate gains on modest deposits – something other platforms don’t offer.
Advantages
- VPS hosting is provided at no cost.
- Instant cash withdrawal
- Segregated accounts
- Narrow spreads
- Several trading platforms (MT4, MT5, and mobile trading)
Disadvantages
- Minimum deposit requirements are quite high.
- Although the Exness Training resource section is comprehensive, it would be more inclusive if offered in multiple languages.
#4. Alpari
Alpari is a global trading firm created in 1998 by three Russian partners. Over the years, the company has gained considerable knowledge and skill, and it has grown to become one of the leading Forex brokers.
Alpari is dedicated to providing high-quality services for trading on the currency exchange market. Alpari has a reputation for dependability and excellence, with over a million clients in 150 countries and offices worldwide.
With leverage of up to 1:3000 and spreads starting at 0.2 pips, Alpari is excellent for both scalpers and long-term traders. The organization also offers a demo account for testing techniques and becoming acquainted with the trading platform.
Advantages
- A wide range of account options with low minimum deposit requirements are available
- Leverage up to 1:3000
- Excellent customer support
- There are several methods for depositing and withdrawing funds quickly.
Disadvantages
- No trades on weekends
- A number of benefits are only available to VIP accounts.
- Swap-free Islamic accounts are only available for MetaTrader 4
#5. FXChoice
FXChoice is an excellent alternative for new forex traders because it provides several account types and 100:1 leverage. Furthermore, it is a MetaTrader-only broker with access to the MT4 and MT5 platforms.
FXChoice provides 1:200 leverage on all account types, with spreads starting at 0.1 pips on the ECN account. The minimum deposit is $100, which may be prohibitively expensive for some new traders. FX CHoice’s spreads and swaps are reasonable, the collaboration program is handy, and the loyalty program is adequate.
This online broker also offers a demo account and a variety of payment methods for depositing and withdrawing monies. Furthermore, there are other currency pairs and other assets to trade. It does not, however, accept clients from the United States.
Advantages
- Regulated by the IFSC
- Up to 1:200 leverage
- MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms
- ECN trading available
Disadvantages
- Does not accept customers from the United States.
- Withdrawals take about 4-5 days (wire transfers)
#6. JustForex (Now JustMarkets)
JustForex is an online broker that provides a diverse selection of assets such as currency pairs, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, and stock indexes. The company was established in 2012 and is based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. JustForex serves clients from over 100 different countries.
JustForex provides a variety of account types with leverage up to 1:3000 and spreads starting at 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit is $1, making it suitable for new traders on a tight budget.
This brokerage firm is perfect for traders who employ a variety of trading tactics. You may use expert advisors, trade news, and copy transactions. The broker is also ideal for clients who favor long-term and medium-term trading strategies, as well as those who follow Islamic values.
Advantages
- Negative balance protection for a trader’s deposit
- EA trading allows you to trade automatically
- Hedging to reduce risk exposure
- Allows traders to trade cryptocurrency
- Automated copy trading is used to replicate successful deals
Disadvantages
- There are no PAMM accounts
- A limited number of trading instruments
- Withdrawals may be delayed for traders, and there are withdrawal costs
#7. FXTM
FXTM (FXTM) is another forex broker that launched in 2011. It allows investors to earn from active trading or investment techniques. The organization is governed by the CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission), the FSCA (Financial Sector Supervision Authority) of South Africa, the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) of the United Kingdom, and the FSC (Financial Standards Council) (Mauritius Financial Supervisory Commission).
The Micro account requires a minimum deposit of $10, allowing beginners to learn the fundamentals of trading and understand the market’s operational principles without putting their money at risk. The Standard account, on the other hand, demands a $100 deposit with 0.01 lots and spreads starting at 1.3 pips.
Furthermore, FXTM provides leverage up to 1:2000, which is much larger than the industry average. You can also use strong trading platforms like as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader to open swap-free accounts.
Advantages
- 1:2000 leverage ratio
- Segregated accounts
- Negative Balance Protection
- Ultra-low spreads are from 0.0 pips
Disadvantages
- For investment, only copy trading is available
- On weekends, brokers are not available
#8. InstaForex
Since 2007, InstaForex International Company has been offering currency traders with services. Our services are currently used by over 7 million traders globally. We provide clients with access to over 300 trading instruments, including the PAMM Investment system and ForexCopy, a tool for replicating successful trades of other traders.
InstaForex’s user-friendly interface enables traders to get started trading quickly and effortlessly. The minimum deposit is one dollar, and the maximum leverage ratio is one thousand to one. InstaForex’s web-based platform and mobile trading app for Android and iOS devices are also available.
In addition, InstaForex is the excellent broker for individuals who want to mix active trading with passive investment. The best trading conditions and platforms can boost the profitability of passive investments while reducing the trader’s financial risks. The most advantageous services for extra money are the ForexCopy trade copying system, PAMM accounts, and an affiliate scheme.
Advantages
- The best trading conditions for new traders
- Futures, stocks, and cryptocurrency are among the trading products available
- PAMM accounts and copy trading provide passive income.
- Hedging trader’s currency risks
- Fixed spread options and optional average market spread
Disadvantages
- Trading terminals may occasionally freeze for traders
- Some evaluations reveal customer service ignorance
- The mobile trading app lacks the breadth of the web trading platform
#9. XM
XM Group is a forex and CFD broker that was established in 2009. XM Broker has been providing technology-based solutions to over 5 million traders for over ten years. The company is presently witnessing rapid growth and industry acclaim, including honors for Fastest Growing Broker and Best Forex Service Provider.
Because of its fast order processing and minimal degree of commitment, XM Broker is suitable for trading experts. Furthermore, XM Broker is licensed by three major foreign regulators: ASIC (Australia), FCS (Belize), and CySEC (Cyprus). The broker provides leverage of up to 1:888 and a $5 minimum deposit.
XM is the greatest option, particularly for new traders. With its cutting-edge trading platforms like MetaTrader 4, Webtrader 4, and Mobile trading app, XM offers the ideal atmosphere for learning and practicing forex trading with virtual money before going on to a live account.
Advantages
- XM Broker guarantees that all orders will be fulfilled, with 99.35% being executed almost immediately
- There are no additional fees on tight market margins
- More than 1000 trading items and 55 currency pairings are available
- There are no fees for money withdrawals
Disadvantages
- Filing claims with the regulator for minor sums is impractical due to the associated financial and time costs
- Weekend help is unavailable
#10. NordFX
NordFX is a global forex broker that has been offering online trading services since 2008. The company is based in Mauritius and is governed by the Financial Services Commission (FSC). NordFX provides its clients with a diverse range of currency pairs, CFDs, and commodities to trade.
NordFX is an excellent choice for new traders because it provides a sample account with $10,000 in virtual money. This enables newcomers to test trading methods before going on to a live account. The firm also features a comprehensive education center that covers all aspects of forex trading.
On key currency pairings, this broker provides leverage of up to 1:1000 with spreads of 0.9 pips for floating and two pips for fixed. Overall, NordFX provides excellent trading conditions for both novice and experienced traders.
Advantages
- Trading on currency pairs, cryptocurrencies, metals, oil, and major stock indices is possible
- Customer reporting that is advanced, including traffic tracking and commission statistics
- NordFX’s stable servers provide dependable trading alternatives
- Provides multilingual support in several languages
Disadvantages
- The claims of traders with little amounts are not taken into account by the regulator
- No support on weekends
How We Rank the Best Forex Brokers
To find the best forex brokers, we looked for mobile-friendly platforms with cheap spreads and trading costs, a diverse variety of currency pairs, and responsive customer service. We also sought out regulated brokers who have been in business for at least five years.
We analyze reviews on popular forex forums. However, we rely solely on the opinions of other traders. We do our homework, gathering as much information as we can to ensure that our list is as accurate and up to date as possible. As a consequence, we calculate each broker’s overall score and select the top-rated forex brokers to suggest to our readers based on our evaluation criteria.
Conclusion
After you’ve mastered some of the finest forex trading platforms, it’s time to select the best forex broker. The brokers on this list were carefully chosen based on their costs, features, and regulatory status. So, regardless of your trading style, you should be able to locate a forex broker that meets your requirements.
Take a spin on some of these finest forex broker platforms to determine which one is ideal for you. Best wishes!
Best Forex Brokers FAQs
Which Forex brokers are the cheapest?
There is no such thing as the “cheapest” Forex broker. The cost of trading is determined on the type of account you have, the currency pairings you trade, and the broker’s commission. Some brokers do not charge commissions at all, while others charge up to $10 per lot transacted.
What is the best forex broker in 2022?
The “best” forex broker will be determined by your requirements and trading style. For example, if you are a new trader, you may prefer a low-cost broker with an easy-to-use platform. An experienced trader, on the other hand, may prefer a broker who offers multiple currency pairs and a large leverage ratio. We recommend IQ Option or eToro for beginners. We recommend FXTM or Tickmill for experienced traders.
Which forex brokers are legit?
All of the forex brokers on this list are regulated by at least one financial body, and the majority of them are regulated by several. This ensures that your broker is held to high standards of financial stability and customer safety. If you’re looking for a certain regulation, see our list of forex brokers by regulator.