In this guide, we looked for brokers offering the best combination of features for new traders. We sought out brokers with an intuitive platform, strong education resources, responsive customer support, and demo accounts so you can practice before risking real money.
We also looked for low account minimums and the availability of micro lot trading. These allow you to trade live while keeping risk to a minimum. Here are the brokers that made the cut.
*AvaTrade doesn’t allow CFD trading in Spain; only Futures are available.
Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FXEmpire’s comprehensive methodology.
Now let’s go through the selected brokers.
FP Markets is an Australian broker that has been operating since 2005, and is licensed by several top-tier regulators, including ASIC and CySEC. In my tests, it stood out as a top option for beginners thanks to its education content and responsive support.
Key Features
I explored the brokers educational resources and I especially liked the MetaTrader tutorials, since the platform can present a steep learning curve for new traders. You can test drive each platform via demo accounts. I found the TradingView and MT5 web platforms the most intuitive. FP Markets supports copy trading via Myfxbook, which connects to your MetaTrader account.
During my 2-week test period I probed agents with dozens of questions, ranging from fees to platform features. I had the best experience via live chat, but you can also use email and phone. Agents were consistently well informed and professional. Support is available in 18 languages.
Roboforex has been around since 2009 and is based in Belize. In the way of platforms you have the classic MT4 and MT5, and the R StocksTrader platform is where things get interesting with 12,000 CFDs and real stocks to choose from.
Key Features
The education section is one of the areas that stood out to me the most. There are 69 guides in the Trading Strategies section, and not the usual fluff. These aren’t “here’s what a moving average is” but practical ideas you can apply. There’s also an Acuity plugin you can bolt into MT4 or MT5 for live market analysis and signals right inside the platform.
And the barrier to entry here is very low with a $10 minimum deposit. The ProCent account lets you test strategies of Expert Advisors (EAs) with tiny position sizes. For beginners, that’s kind of ideal. You’re in a live market environment, real money is on the line (just not much of it), so the psychology is real without the risk being scary.
Fusion Markets launched out of Melbourne, Australia back in 2017. The spreads caught my attention. I experienced 0.01 pip spreads in WTI crude oil, which is hard to beat. You get 250+ CFD instruments, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView. And free VPS, solid research from Trading Central round out the offering.
Key Features
There are two account types. One has zero commissions with floating spreads, the other has raw spreads with a $4.50 round trip commission. There’s no minimum deposit to get started, and Islamic swap free accounts are available if that’s something you need.
Research is a strong point. Trading Central gives you daily signals, a market sentiment gauge, and featured ideas that blend technical and fundamental analysis. There’s also an economic calendar and Market Buzz for tracking social media chatter. And the Week Ahead series of videos on the Fusion Markets YouTube channel gives you a preview of key economic events and market themes that could move the markets.
Founded in 2007, IC Markets has emerged as one of the most competitive CFD brokers I have reviewed. Clients can access 2,200+ instruments via a strong platform lineup of MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradingView. Private account insurance of up to $1M gives clients a sense of security.
Key Features
Pricing is exceptional. The Standard account delivered spreads of 0.8 pips in EUR/USD, and 0.5 pips in the Dax 40. The $12 spread in Bitcoin is 76% better than our industry benchmark of $51. And for traders looking for even lower costs, there is a Raw Spreads account.
Educational resources go above and beyond. There’s a lot there, from video, to webinars and ebooks that are worth going through. You can access 600 multilingual webinars archived on the YouTube channel. And when you are short of ideas, Trading Central and Autochartist can help with actionable trade setups.
FXTM was founded in 2011. The Mauritius-based broker offers over 1,460 CFDs and real stocks. Clients can access the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform along with custom indicators and third-party research. Traders can choose between a spreads only account or a raw spreads plus commissions option.
Key Features
FXTM gives you MT4 across desktop, web, and mobile. I’m a fan of pivot points and I noted that the platform can be enhanced with custom indicators like the Pivot SR Levels indicator. This can be used as part of a classic breakout strategy.
You can also access AI powered trading ideas and sentiment analysis from Acuity.
When using Advantage Plus accounts, all costs are reflected in the spread. For lower trading costs you can opt for the Advantage account which features a raw spreads plus commission model. The minimum deposit is $30, and you can apply for swap-free service for all accounts.
South Africa-based Headway was founded in 2022. The broker is regulated by the FSCA and offers over 400 CFDs via MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. You can get started with as little as $1 and customer support is on hand 24/7.
Key Features
Headway’s copy trading feature makes it easy to mirror the trades of experienced traders. You can access copy trading from within the client portal. If you are a signal follower, you can select strategies by looking at stats like net gain, running losses, win rate, trades executed, and more. Signal provers set a subscription fee but Headway does not charge any additional costs for copy trading.
I found that Headway’s Standard account offers competitive spreads for forex, stocks, and Bitcoin. I experienced spreads as low as $13 in Bitcoin, which handily beats our industry benchmark of $51. And it’s worth noting that there are no fees for inactivity or deposits and withdrawals.
AvaTrade launched in 2006 and is based in Dublin, Ireland. Platforms are a key strength. Clients can access the flagship AvaTrade Web platform and AvaTrade app. And these are complimented by AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AvaSocial, and Duplitrade. There are 1,450+ CFD instruments to trade, including forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, bonds, fx options, and crypto.
Key Features
The AvaTrade app packs a lot of features into a clean mobile trading experience. You can trade 1,000+ instruments, build custom watchlists, monitor live prices, and analyze charts from the palm of your hand. I especially liked the Market Trends feature, which provides real-time insight into trader sentiment and activity. It reveals how other traders are positioned, so you can spot emerging market trends.
The app also includes AvaProtect, AvaTrade’s proprietary risk-management tool. It allows you to protect a specific trade against losses of up to $1 million over a selected time, in exchange for a hedging cost made at the time of purchase. AvaProtect is available on forex, gold, and silver trades.
tastyfx is a US-based forex broker, and part of forex industry pioneer IG Group. Clients can access the tastyfx Web Platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, and ProRealTime. The focus is on forex, and you can access 86 major, minor, and exotic pairs. The minimum deposit is only $1. Experienced traders can choose the Zero+ account, which features a raw spreads plus commissions pricing model.
Key Features
Regulation is tight, with oversight from the top-tier National Futures Association (NFA). The parent company, IG Group, trades on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:IGG) and is a member of the FTSE 250. My tests confirmed better than average spreads and low swap fees. For example, USD/JPY came in at 0.8 pips during the London open session. High volume traders can cut costs even more with rebates.
Research materials are top-notch. Clients get access to a flow of in-house research, a Thomson Reuters news feed, Autochartist signals, and client sentiment data. The education section gets beginners up to speed with a selection of “need to know” articles on how the forex market works. And the tastyfx YouTube channel provides useful platform tutorials to refer to.
Plus500 US offers 64 Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) futures contracts and 300+ Kalshi exchange prediction markets contracts. The platform is the most beginner-friendly and intuitive that I have experienced. Fees are minimal. I verified that commissions are competitive and there are no inactivity or deposit/withdrawal fees.
Key Features
The Plus500 WebTrader platform is clean and easy to navigate, with a well designed order ticket and advanced charting offering 100+ indicators. I found it super easy to toggle between the unlimited demo account and live trading. The dark mode option is a nice touch to help you avoid eye strain at night. The prominent search tool is another feature that I found handy.
For first time traders the futures market can be intimidating. The Plus500 Futures Trading Academy provides helpful articles and bite-sized videos. You can learn at your own pace and pick out the sections you need the most help with. It’s a valuable resource that can get you on track to a strong start.
Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later, Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licensed futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.
Jitan Solanki is a professional trader, market analyst, and educator. He day trades major currency and index markets and focuses on swing trading US equities and commodities. A qualified Market Technician, Jitan also works with trader education and brokerage companies on various projects. These include market analysis, live trading events, and broker reviews. As an experienced trader and educator, Jitan brings all his qualities in action when reviewing and recommending brokers.
Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.
In more than 15 years of trading in the financial markets, Vladimir dealt with a wide range of brokers and financial instruments. His career as a day-trader at a proprietary trading firm goes back to 2007. Later, Vladimir turned to longer time frames and became an independent trader and analyst managing his own portfolio. Using his experience, he helps traders find the best broker in his reviews.
Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later, Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licensed futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.
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