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10 Best Forex Trading Platforms and Software for 2026

Updated: Oct 29, 2026
Written by: 
Jitan Solanki
Edited By: 
Ola Alder
Fact Checked By: 
Amy Jones

We’ve reviewed brokers for 15 years, and our benchmark data shows how much trading platforms really differ. MetaTrader and TradingView are the familiar names, but many brokers now offer their own software. Still, a great platform only counts if the broker behind it is well-regulated, fairly priced, and offers solid trading conditions.

This year alone, we’ve opened accounts with over 70 brokers we reviewed and placed real orders on their platforms. We assessed charting, trading tools, order execution, web and mobile performance, and the unique features each broker offers.

Seven platforms made our list, plus three runners-up. Each of them delivers on all fronts, which we confirmed by testing these brokers across more than 250 variables in our nine categories. Every “Best” title below is tied to a number from our 2026 re-test. How we test →

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  • How this list works. Our editors choose brokers that meet this page's criteria and impressed us in testing. The list is not in score order. Brokers pay to appear on our site, which can affect which brokers we feature and where. No broker can pay to change a score or a verdict.
  • The authority on broker reviews since 2011. Traders have relied on our independent testing for over a decade.
  • 70+ brokers tested. We test leading brokers the same way, so we can compare them fairly.
  • Every broker takes the same test. One published scoring system, with 9 weighted categories and 250+ variables, all measured hands-on by our analysts.
  • Key facts are checked before publishing. An editor re-checks licenses, spreads and fees against our test data.

The Best Forex Trading Platforms

Best Overall Platform Choice
Access to four most popular retail platforms with very competitive fees.
  • MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView (desktop, web and mobile)
  • Access Level II market depth with VPS and FIX API through cTrader confirmed in live test
  • Ultra-low spreads: 0.8 pips on EURUSD and 3 cents on Apple in our testing
Trading Forex and CFDs carries a high level of risk to your capital and you should only trade with money you can afford to lose. Trading Forex and CFDs may not be suitable for all investors, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved and seek independent advice if necessary.

Best for Copy Trading
Large variety of signal providers to copy with no broker service fee.
  • MT4, MT5, TradingView, Vantage Web, Vantage App
  • Proprietary copy trading service with 90,000+ signal providers
  • Up to $50 million aggregate Lloyd’s insurance for all 6 global entities
Trading derivatives carries significant risks. It is not suitable for all investors and if you are a professional client, you could lose substantially more than your initial investment. When acquiring our derivative products, you have no entitlement, right or obligation to the underlying financial assets. Past performance is no indication of future performance and tax laws are subject to change. The information on this website is general in nature and doesn't take into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances, or needs. Accordingly, before acting on the advice, you should consider whether the advice is suitable for you having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. We encourage you to seek independent advice if necessary. Please read our legal documents and ensure that you fully understand the risks before you make any trading decisions.

Best Trading App
Versatile proprietary app with great design, flexible charts, plus research tools and educational content.
  • Capital.com Web Trader, Capital.com App, MT4, MT5 and TradingView
  • Over 5,000 CFDs available via mobile app
  • Dedicated Investmate app for trading education
  • Licensed by several regulators, including CySEC, FCA UK, and ASIC
Depending on the company, 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Capital.com Group. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Best for Professional Traders
DMA share trading, raw forex spreads, and multiple platforms with advanced features.
  • MT4 and MT5 (+Traders Toolbox plugin), cTrader, TradingView
  • DMA share trading on Iress and Mottai*
  • Raw spreads from 0.2 pips confirmed on EUR/USD in live test
  • Low spreads on CFDs on shares, indices, and Bitcoin
Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are leveraged over-the-counter derivative products and carry a high level of risk to your capital. You should only risk capital that you can afford to lose. In certain circumstances, due to fluctuations in market value you may not get back your initial investment amount. You may not only lose your initial investment but you may incur a liability to pay a further amount to cover losses. This means you can lose more money than you have invested.

Best Proprietary Web Platform
Highly customizable platform with client sentiment data, Reuters research, and signals from Autochartist and PIA First.
  • IG Web, IG App, MT4, ProRealTime, TradingView, and L2 Dealer
  • Access to 17,000+ tradable instruments with CFDs and spread bets* on futures, options, and spot markets
  • Licensed by 10 global regulators and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:IGG)
70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money

Best Order Execution
Tested execution speed of 9 milliseconds, with advanced proprietary CFXD platform and FIX API.
  • CFXD Web, MT4, MT5, and TradingView
  • 70+ drawing tools and sub-minute timeframes on the CFXD platform
  • Unique OCO and IF-Done order types and built-in Autochartist trading signals
  • Swiss investment bank licensed by 9 global regulators and listed on SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX:SQN)
Investing in FX & CFD carries a high degree of risk. Losses can exceed your initial investments

Best for Share CFD Trading
14,100+ stock CFDs with low spreads and zero commissions.
  • MultiBank App (web and mobile), MT4, and MT5
  • From our live test: Apple spread – $0.12 (vs $0.56 industry average)
  • Free VPS hosting, FIX API access, and copy trading service
  • Licensed by 14 global regulators: ASIC, BaFIN, CySEC, FMA, and others
All forms of investment carry risk including an investor not recovering the amount invested. These services may not be suitable to all.

Also Worth Considering

FxPro
Sophisticated proprietary platform, with one-click trading, trading from the chart, price alerts, and built-in news section. Plus other industry favorites: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. But FxPro fell short in our fee testing, with mostly higher-than-average spreads on both accounts we tested.
73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money. (EU, UK)
Tickmill
Access to a wide variety of educational materials, strong lineup of platforms (MT4, MT5, TradingView, and the Tickmill Trader), with extra MetaTrader add-ons. But spreads on forex swaps and some swaps were high in our testing.
Trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Before deciding to trade Contracts for Difference (CFDs), you should carefully consider your trading objectives, level of experience and risk appetite. It is possible for you to sustain losses that exceed your invested capital and therefore you should not deposit money that you cannot afford to lose. Please ensure you fully understand the risks and take appropriate care to manage your risk.
Pepperstone
Top trading platforms – MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView + highly customizable Pepperstone WebTrader and Pepperstone Mobile app. Access to 24-hour US stocks and rebates for high-volume traders, but we found it difficult to connect to a live agent in chat support test.
73–89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.

Compare All Listed Brokers

BrokerScoreFees ScoreMin DepositMax LeveragePlatformsVisit Broker
IC
IC
5.0
$0
1:30 (ASIC)
1:400 (CMA) · 1:200 (SCB) · 1:5000 (FSA) · 1:30 (CySEC)
MT5, cTrader, MT4, TradingView, Zulutrade
Trading Forex and CFDs carries a high level of risk to your capital and you should only trade with money you can afford to lose. Trading Forex and CFDs may not be suitable for all investors, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved and seek independent advice if necessary.
Vantage
Vantage
4.4
$50
1:30 (ASIC)
1:30 (FCA) · 1:1000 (FSCM) · 1:1000 (FSCA) · 1:2000 (VFSC) · 1:1000 (CIMA)
MT4, MT5, TradingView, Vantage App, Vantage Web Trading
Trading derivatives carries significant risks. It is not suitable for all investors and if you are a professional client, you could lose substantially more than your initial investment. When acquiring our derivative products, you have no entitlement, right or obligation to the underlying financial assets. Past performance is no indication of future performance and tax laws are subject to change. The information on this website is general in nature and doesn't take into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances, or needs. Accordingly, before acting on the advice, you should consider whether the advice is suitable for you having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. We encourage you to seek independent advice if necessary. Please read our legal documents and ensure that you fully understand the risks before you make any trading decisions.
Capital.com
Capital.com
4.1
$20
1:30 (ASIC)
1:200 (SCB) · 1:30 (CySEC) · 1:300 (CMA UAE) · 1:30 (FCA)
MT4, TradingView, Capital.com Web Trader, Capital.com App, MT5
Depending on the company, 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Capital.com Group. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
FP Markets
FP Markets
4.1
$0
1:500 (FSA)
1:500 (FSCM) · 1:500 (Unregulated) · 1:500 (FSCA) · 1:400 (CMA) · 1:30 (ASIC)
MT5, cTrader, IRESS, MT4, Mottai, TradingView
Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are leveraged over-the-counter derivative products and carry a high level of risk to your capital. You should only risk capital that you can afford to lose. In certain circumstances, due to fluctuations in market value you may not get back your initial investment amount. You may not only lose your initial investment but you may incur a liability to pay a further amount to cover losses. This means you can lose more money than you have invested.
IG
IG
3.8
$50
1:30 (FCA)
1:25 (JFSA) · 1:30 (FSCA) · 1:30 (ASIC) · 1:30 (FINMA) · 1:30 (DFSA) · 1:20 (MAS) · 1:50 (CFTC) · 1:50 (NFA) · 1:200 (BMA) · 1:30 (BaFin) · 1:20 (MAS)
MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView, IG Online Platform
70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money
Swissquote
Swissquote
2.6
$1000
1:100 (FINMA)
1:100 (DFSA) · 1:20 (MAS) · 1:20 (SFC) · 1:30 (FCA) · 1:100 (FSCA) · 1:30 (CSSF) · 1:30 (MFSA) · 1:30 (CySEC)
MT5, MT4, CFXD, TradingView
Investing in FX & CFD carries a high degree of risk. Losses can exceed your initial investments
MultiBank Group
MultiBank Group
4.0
$50
1:500 (TFG)
1:30 (ASIC) · 1:500 (SCA) · 1:20 (MAS) · 1:30 (BaFin) · 1:30 (CySEC) · 1:500 (BVI FSC) · 1:1000 (CIMA) · 1:30 (FMA) · 1:500 (FSA) · 1:30 (AUSTRAC) · 1:500 (VARA) · 1:500 (VFSC) · 1:500 (FSCM)
MT5, MT4, MultiBank App
All forms of investment carry risk including an investor not recovering the amount invested. These services may not be suitable to all.

The Best Forex Trading Platforms, Tested

Best Overall Platform Choice

Tested by: Plamen Stoyanov October 2026
Trading Forex and CFDs carries a high level of risk to your capital and you should only trade with money you can afford to lose. Trading Forex and CFDs may not be suitable for all investors, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved and seek independent advice if necessary.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    7342
  • Fees
    Low

What We Tested & Measured

We opened live and demo commission-free Standard and commission-based Raw CFD accounts with Raw Trading Ltd (Seychelles). We conducted the recent full review in July 2026, testing the broker’s cTrader on desktop and mobile platforms, as well as MT5 desktop platform for order execution. We also measured IC’s spreads, commissions, and swap fees during peak London and New York trading hours. Full methodology →

Why We Picked It

We chose IC as Best Overall Platform Choice because it’s one of the few brokers to offer a full range of platforms catering to different styles. I find MT4/MT5 most suitable for automated traders running Expert Advisors. TradingView offers various prebuilt market scanners and the ability to create your own, while cTrader is designed for short-term, active traders who need fast execution.

These styles work well with IC trading accounts because our testing showed the broker offers zero requotes with no minimum price distances in its order execution. We also found the Level II data from cTrader easy to read and helpful for spotting where market liquidity is stacked.

IC earned the highest score for fees in our rating, becoming the first broker to achieve it. In our live test, we recorded an average 0.8 pips EUR/USD spread from the commission-free Standard account, beating the 1.19 pips all-broker industry average (as of 1 October 2026). The spreads on Apple (3 cents) and Bitcoin ($12) were also very tight. However, the swap fee to hold EUR/USD trades overnight was $8.41 per standard lot (vs. $7.64 industry average.

Key Features of IC cTrader:

  • Availability: Desktop, web and mobile
  • Order Types: Market, limit, stop, stop-limit, trailing stop
  • Analytical Tools: 86 indicators, 20+ drawing tools, 26 timeframes, 6 chart types
  • Trading Tools: One-click trading, Level II market depth, VPS hosting, FIX API, copy trading
  • Integrated Research: Trading Central, Autochartist, IC Insights (powered by TipRanks), economic calendar
  • Also Offered: MT4, MT5 and TradingView

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView – all available from a single account
  • Apple CFD spread of only 3 cents at the New York open (vs. the 56-cent industry average)
  • Copy trading available from Signal Start, ZuluTrade, MT4/MT5 Signals
Cons
  • EUR/USD overnight swap of $8.41 per lot (vs. $7.64 industry average)
  • MT4/MT5 Raw account commission ($7) is higher than cTrader Raw account ($6)
  • Customer support is only available in English and Chinese

Screenshots & Video from Our Test

IC cTrader charts
IC cTrader order execution modes
IC cTrader platform
IC cTrader app

Best for Copy Trading

Tested by: Plamen Stoyanov July 2026
Trading derivatives carries significant risks. It is not suitable for all investors and if you are a professional client, you could lose substantially more than your initial investment. When acquiring our derivative products, you have no entitlement, right or obligation to the underlying financial assets. Past performance is no indication of future performance and tax laws are subject to change. The information on this website is general in nature and doesn't take into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances, or needs. Accordingly, before acting on the advice, you should consider whether the advice is suitable for you having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. We encourage you to seek independent advice if necessary. Please read our legal documents and ensure that you fully understand the risks before you make any trading decisions.
  • Min Deposit
    $50
  • Tradable Instruments
    1056
  • Fees
    Low

What We Tested & Measured

We opened a standard commission-free CFD account with Vantage Global Limited, regulated by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), in July 2026. We used the broker’s MetaTrader 5 desktop and mobile platforms to measure the average spread on EUR/USD and 8 other markets during the London and New York trading sessions. We also examined the broker’s copy trading environment and conditions for copiers and providers. Full methodology →

Why We Picked It

Vantage offers the widest selection of signal providers, over 90,000 signal providers from our testing. You can view the performance of these providers in the Vantage Client Portal and copy their trades directly into your account, with no broker copying fees. Vantage also delivers on the software front, offering its own web platform and Vantage mobile app, along with MT4, MT5, and TradingView. As a bonus, you can use the VPS hosting free of charge.

Our live fee test showed the spread for EUR/USD averaged 1.2 pips, which is higher than the 1.19 pips all-broker industry average (as of 1 October 2026). The spread on the Dow Jones 30 stock index was only 1 point, beating the 3.3-point industry average. One area to watch is the broker’s low overall customer support score: while it offers 24/7 live chat, our tests show it can be slow during peak times.

Key Features of Vantage MT5:

  • Availability: Desktop, web and mobile
  • Order Types: Market, limit, stop-loss
  • Analytical Tools: 38 indicators, 24 drawing tools, 21 timeframes, 3 chart types
  • Trading Tools: Copy trading portal, VPS hosting, price alerts, one-click trading
  • Integrated Research: Economic calendar
  • Copy Trading: 90,000+ signal providers with no broker service fee
  • Also Offered: MT4, TradingView, Vantage Web Trader, Vantage App

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • 90,000+ signal providers in the Vantage Client Portal
  • $0 broker service fee for copy trading
  • Social trading and trading ideas available from TradingView
  • Free VPS hosting for 24/5 copy and automated trading
Cons
  • Live chat support response time of approximately 10 minutes during peak London session hours
  • Some individual signal providers may charge their own subscription fees

Screenshots & Video from Our Test

Vantage mobile app for copy trading
Vantage MT5 platform with depth of market
Vantage MT5 platform order ticket
Vantage MT5 platform

Best Trading App

Tested by: Plamen Stoyanov May 2026
Depending on the company, 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Capital.com Group. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
  • Min Deposit
    $20
  • Tradable Instruments
    6313
  • Fees
    Medium

What We Tested & Measured

We opened a Standard commission-free CFD account with Capital Com SV Investments Limited on 26 November 2025 and verified its CySEC license directly on the CySEC public register. To test the broker’s live spreads, we used the Capital.com Web Trader and mobile app. Particularly for this guide, we examined the usability of the Capital.com App, the number of indicators, the different order types, and other features. Full methodology →

Why We Picked It

The Capital.com App gives you access to over 5,000 CFDs and 2,799 knock-out options – a selection that is hard to find at many other trading apps. The app also boasts a vast range of features, including 107 built-in indicators, 64 drawing tools, and 16 chart types. Plus, the charts are powered by TradingView and look uncluttered even on the small screens of smartphones. The built-in Trade Smart Academy lets beginners learn while on the move. A dedicated Investmate app covers trading education in more depth.

After viewing live spreads in the mobile app, we found a 0.6 pip spread on EUR/USD during the London and New York open, beating our benchmark of 1.19 pips (as of 1 October 2026). The average spread on the DAX 40 stock index of 1.5 points also beat the broker benchmark of 2.4 points. But crypto traders need to watch out, as we found the average spread on Bitcoin was $50, which is higher than the $45.72 broker average.

Key Features of Capital.com App:

  • Availability: iOS and Android
  • Order Types: Market, limit, stop-loss
  • Analytical Tools: 107 indicators, 64 drawing tools, 16 chart types, 8 timeframes
  • Trading Tools: 1-click execution, price alerts, depth of market, news screener, market sentiment gauge, Trade Smart Academy, FIX API (institutional)
  • Integrated Research: In-house market analysis, Talking Markets video series, news screener
  • Also Offered: Capital.com Web Trader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, Investmate app for education

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The biggest range of indicators (107) we’ve seen in the app
  • 0.6 pip EUR/USD spread (vs. 1.19 pip industry average)
  • 5,000 CFDs and 2,799 knock-out options available via the app
  • 543 crypto CFDs
  • $20 minimum deposit
Cons
  • No copy trading
  • No Islamic swap-free accounts (CySEC entity)
  • High spreads on Bitcoin

Screenshots & Video from Our Test

Capital.com education app
Capital.com trading app showing watchlists, charts and Trade Smart Academy
Capital.com WebTrader discover
Capital.com WebTrader platform

Best for Professional Traders

Tested by: Plamen Stoyanov September 2026
Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are leveraged over-the-counter derivative products and carry a high level of risk to your capital. You should only risk capital that you can afford to lose. In certain circumstances, due to fluctuations in market value you may not get back your initial investment amount. You may not only lose your initial investment but you may incur a liability to pay a further amount to cover losses. This means you can lose more money than you have invested.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    10180
  • Fees
    Medium

What We Tested & Measured

We opened live and demo versions of the Standard and Raw accounts with First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd (ASIC-regulated) on 28 April 2026 and verified its license on the ASIC register. To test the broker’s spreads, order execution, and platform trading features, we used MT5 and cTrader desktop and mobile platforms. Full methodology →

Why We Picked It

FP Markets incorporates the most popular retail platforms – MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView – and also enables DMA access via the Iress and Mottai platforms, with the ability to trade 10,000 stocks (Australian clients only). Professionals would also appreciate raw spread pricing that works well with cTrader that features built-in risk management calculators and one-click execution. Access to Autochartist and Trading Central content can help traders stay on top of market trends.

Our live test revealed the spread on EUR/USD on the Standard account during the London and New York trading sessions averaged 1.25 pips, higher than the all-broker industry average of 1.19 pips (as of 1 October 2026). The spread on DAX 40 of 0.5 points easily beats the 2.4-point industry average. The Raw account features a commission of $6 per lot per round turn, which is in line with the industry average, and generally low spreads, so I’d recommend it for high-volume traders. Unfortunately, there is no Islamic swap-free account for Australian clients, and the swaps we recorded during our tests exceeded the benchmarks on some popular assets like EURUSD and gold.

Key Features of FP Markets cTrader:

  • Availability: Desktop, web and mobile
  • Order Types: Market, limit, stop, stop-limit
  • Analytical Tools: 97 indicators, 20+ drawing tools, 26 timeframes, 6 chart types
  • Trading Tools: One-click trading, three levels of Depth of Market, no minimum order distance restrictions, copy trading, auto trading
  • Integrated Research: Autochartist, Trading Central, in-house webinars and market analysis
  • Also Offered: MT4, MT5, TradingView, Iress and Mottai*

*Available only to Australian clients.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • 6 trading platforms
  • DAX 40 spread of 0.5 pips vs. 2.4 pips industry average
  • cTrader's built-in risk management calculator
  • Autochartist signals
  • 970+ CFDs and 10,000 real stocks
Cons
  • DMA access via Iress and Mottai platforms is only available to Australian clients
  • EUR/USD average spread of 1.25 pips vs. 1.19 pips broker average (Standard account)
  • No Islamic accounts for Australian entity clients

Screenshots & Video from Our Test

FP Markets cTrader copy trading
FP Markets cTrader order ticket
FP Markets cTrader charts
IC cTrader app

Best Proprietary Web Platform

Tested by: Dan Blystone June 2026
70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money
  • Min Deposit
    $50
  • Tradable Instruments
    19234
  • Fees
    Medium

What We Tested & Measured

We opened a standard commission-free CFD account with IG Markets Ltd in January 2025 and verified its UK FCA license on the FCA’s online Financial Services Register. To test the broker’s fees, platform functionality, and the quality of order execution, we used the IG Online Platform on both web and mobile. Full methodology →

Why We Picked It

IG has developed powerful trading software with an intuitive design, the ability to create personalized workspaces, and a built-in news Reuters feed. The IG platform gives access to 17,000+ CFDs covering forex, indices, commodities, ETFs, bonds, options, and shares, which is one of the widest selections among the brokers we reviewed. The platform also provides client sentiment data, drawing from its user base of over 300,000 clients.

We recorded a 0.6-pip average spread on EUR/USD during the London and New York trading sessions, beating the industry benchmark of 1.19 pips (as of 1 October 2026). While the Apple CFD spread of 3 cents is better than the 56-cent broker average, there is a commission of $0.02 per share, which is in line with comparable brokers. One issue we found is that the minimum charge for a US stock trade is $15, which is not ideal for small trading accounts.

Key Features of IG Online Platform:

  • Availability: Web and mobile
  • Order Types: Market, limit, stop-loss, trailing stop, guaranteed stop-loss (UK only)
  • Analytical Tools: 33 indicators, 19 drawing tools, 17 timeframes, 5 chart types
  • Trading Tools: One-click trading, indicator-based price alerts, client sentiment, Trade Analytics tool, Autochartist signals, DMA via L2 Dealer (professional accounts only)
  • Integrated Research: Reuters news feed, Autochartist, PIA First signals, in-house analyst research, Trade Live with IG daily show, Trade of the Week newsletter
  • Also Offered: MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer and TradingView

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Guaranteed stop-loss orders for UK clients
  • Built-in trading signals from Autochartist and PIA First
  • Indicator-based price alerts
  • 17,000 trading assets via a single platform
Cons
  • Minimum US stock CFD commission $15
  • Forex DMA requires a professional account
  • No copy trading

Screenshots & Video from Our Test

IG Online Platform client sentiment data
IG Online platform order ticket
IG Online platform popular markets watchlist
IG Online platform Autochartist signals

Best Order Execution

Tested by: Plamen Stoyanov April 2026
Investing in FX & CFD carries a high degree of risk. Losses can exceed your initial investments
  • Min Deposit
    $1000
  • Tradable Instruments
    454
  • Fees
    High

What We Tested & Measured

We opened a live, standard commission-free CFD account with Swissquote Bank Ltd in March 2026 and verified its FINMA license on the Swiss regulator’s online public register. We used the Swissquote proprietary CFXD web platform and its mobile version to check the software functionality and record live spreads and commissions. Full methodology →

Why We Picked It

In our testing of Swissquote, we recorded an average execution speed of 9 milliseconds, which beats the industry average of 60 milliseconds. This is achieved through Swissquote’s unique execution model, which is a hybrid principal/ECN model without a dealing desk. In this model, the bank either fills client orders internally or matches them on the interbank market using Electronic Communication Networks (ECNs).

Swissquote reported that 58% of orders are filled with zero slippage and 20% with a positive price improvement, although we are not able to verify this independently. The CFXD platform also offers unique order types not seen in other proprietary or third-party platforms like MetaTrader or TradingView. These include OCO, IF-Done, and IF-OCO orders.

The average spread on EUR/USD during the London and New York open was 1.8 pips in our live fee test, which is higher than the all-broker industry average of 1.19 pips (as of 1 October 2026). In our testing, only the US share CFDs had spreads lower than the industry average. However, these also have a commission of $0.03 per share, which is only slightly higher than the industry standard of $0.02.

Key Features of Swissquote CFXD:

  • Availability: Web and mobile
  • Order Types: Market, limit, stop, OCO, IF-Done, IF-OCO
  • Analytical Tools: 86 indicators, 70+ drawing tools, 15 chart types, 15 timeframes
  • Trading Tools: One-click trading, FIX API (CFXD only), Autochartist signals integrated into CFXD, multi-chart layout, Compare tool for cross-market correlation
  • Integrated Research: Autochartist, In the Spotlight market analysis, YouTube market breakdowns, podcast series
  • Also Offered: MT4, MT5 and TradingView

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • 9 ms average execution speed
  • OCO, IF-Done and IF-OCO order types on CFXD
  • 4 million+ trading and investing products across CFDs, real stocks, ETFs, bonds and mutual funds
Cons
  • Average EUR/USD spread 1.8 pips vs. 1.19 pips industry average
  • High share CFD commission
  • High minimum deposit of $1,000

Screenshots & Video from Our Test

Swissquote CFXD platform charts
Swissquote CFXD platform order ticket
Swissquote CFXD platform with Autochartist signal
Swissquote CFXD platform

Best for Share CFD Trading

Tested by: Plamen Stoyanov March 2026
All forms of investment carry risk including an investor not recovering the amount invested. These services may not be suitable to all.
  • Min Deposit
    $50
  • Tradable Instruments
    14187
  • Fees
    Medium

What We Tested & Measured

We opened a standard commission-free CFD account on 17 September 2025 with MEX Atlantic Corporation and verified its license on the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) register. To measure the broker’s live spreads, platform usability, features and tools, we used the MultiBank App on web and mobile. Full methodology →

Why We Picked It

MultiBank Group offers one of the largest ranges of share CFDs among the brokers we have tested, with over 14,100 stocks available from around the world. You can trad all of them on the MultiBank App web platform, which has built-in market scanners that show top gainers, top losers and the most popular markets being traded. I consider this feature very useful to find the best stocks to trade. The integrated market research covers fundamentals and economics of the stock market and other asset classes, but doesn’t offer specific stock analysis.

We also confirmed that MultiBank offers competitive conditions on stock CFDs. In our fee test, the spread on Apple during the New York open was 12 cents, beating the 56 cents industry average and with zero commission. Tesla also performed better than average, with 35 cents compared to the 50-cent benchmark. However, forex pairs were pricier: the average spread on EUR/USD during the London and New York open was 1.5 pips, higher than the 1.19 pips all-broker industry average (as of 1 October 2026).

Key Features of MultiBank App:

  • Availability: Web and mobile
  • Order Types: Market, limit, stop-loss
  • Analytical Tools: 107 indicators, 50+ drawing tools, 12 chart types, 7 timeframes
  • Trading Tools: Copy trading, FIX API, free VPS (for qualifying traders who have a minimum of $2,000 equity and 10 lots/month), in-platform live chat support
  • Integrated Research: In-house economic calendar, market news screener, market analytics with sentiment indicators, trading signals
  • Also Offered: MT4 and MT5

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • 14,100+ share CFDs
  • Apple CFD spread of 12 cents vs. 56 cents industry average
  • Zero commission on US stocks
Cons
  • EUR/USD spread of 1.5 pips vs. 1.19 pips industry average
  • High inactivity fee of $60 triggered after just 3 months of account dormancy
  • No ETFs or bonds available

Screenshots & Video from Our Test

MultiBank App charts
MultiBank App market analytics
MultiBank App order ticket
MultiBank App main screen

How We Chose the Best Forex Trading Platforms

Trust first

Before testing a platform, we first verified each broker’s licenses directly on the regulators’ public registers. We also reviewed corporate transparency and each broker’s operating history. Every broker in this list has at least one entity regulated in a Tier-1 jurisdiction, like the UK (FCA), Australia (ASIC), and Europe (CySEC, BaFin).

Platform choice

We gave higher scores to brokers that offer several major retail platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Those who invested in building their own proprietary software earned credit. We didn’t consider brokers that offer fewer than two platforms for their clients.

Hands-on platform testing

We tested every platform on this page using live or demo accounts. We assessed ease of access, the number of indicators, chart types, and timeframes, available order types, order execution speed, and tools like one-click trading and Level II data. We added a bonus for platforms with a broad toolset and an intuitive layout.

Supporting tools

We gave extra credit to brokers offering services that support different trading styles: VPS hosting, FIX API access, automated trading, and copy trading.

Integrated research

Platforms with built-in research were scored higher, so traders don’t need to switch to a separate website to stay informed. We assessed the quality of third-party packages like Trading Central and Autochartist, as well as brokers’ in-house research.

Competitive fees

We looked for brokers with competitive conditions. To confirm this, we measured live spreads on popular assets like EUR/USD, Gold, WTI Oil, the DAX 40, Apple, and Bitcoin, and showed them against the industry average, using live spread data from every broker we’ve tested.

Side-by-side comparison

Once all scores were in, we compared the finalists category by category. A “Best” title went only to the broker with the highest score in that category.

CategoryWeight
Platforms & Tools20%
Fees17%
Trust13%
Tradable Instruments11%
Research11%
Customer Support8%
Deposit & Withdrawal8%
Account Types & Terms7%
Education5%

How a broker loses its place

Any of the following factors removes a broker at the next re-test: an overall score below 4.0, an open enforcement action from any of its regulators; a platform feature that has been withdrawn or changed in a way that no longer supports its award, a measured execution speed or spread that no longer leads the group, or a failed license re-verification. Removals are recorded in the update history at the bottom of this page.
Read our full review process

Who tested what

Dan Blystone – tastyfx, Plus500 US, Exness, FxPro, IG, and Pepperstone.

Plamen Stoyanov – IC, Vantage, Capital.com, FP Markets, Swissquote, MultiBank Group, and Tickmill.

Where to Go Next

More of our best-broker guides, grouped by what you trade, the platform you use, how you trade and where you trade from.

See all our best-broker guides →

All the Brokers We Tested

See a list of all the brokers we tested and considered for this guide
4XC
ActivTrades
ADSS
Alchemy Markets
AMarkets
Anzo Capital
ATFX
AvaTrade
BlackBull Markets
Bullwaves
Capital.com
DB Investing
Deriv
DLSM
Doto
DuraMarkets
Elev8
Errante
eToro
eToro US
Exness
FISG
Forex.com International
FP Markets
FP Trading
Fusion Markets
FXCC
FxPro
FXT
FXTM
Hantec
Headway
IC
iFOREX
IG
Interactive Brokers
IronFX
IUX
JustMarkets
Libertex
LiteForex
Mitrade
Moneta Markets
MultiBank Group
OANDA
OANDA US
OneRoyal
Pepperstone
Plus500
Plus500 US
PrimeXBT
PU Prime
Rock-West
Spreadex
STARTRADER
Swissquote
tastyfx
Taurex
TenTrade
Tickmill
TIOmarkets
TMGM
Trade Set Go
TradeSmart
Trading 212
Trading.com
Trading.com US
Vantage
Versus Trade
VT Markets
XM Group
XTB
YWO

Update History

Oct 29, 2026 · Ola Alder
We rewrote the page in our new format: seven ranked platforms with short cards, regional picks for the US and worldwide, three runners-up, a full test card with screenshots for every ranked broker, and a new methodology section.
Sep 10, 2026 · Jitan Solanki
We moved the page to our new template, adding a country picker, a summary card, a compare table of all listed brokers, a list of every broker we tested, and this update history.
Jul 6, 2026 · Jitan Solanki
We removed ActivTrades from the list.
May 27, 2026 · Jitan Solanki
We removed the "How to Choose a Forex Trading Platform?" guide section, rewrote the introduction, and recategorised Plus500 US as our Best Futures Trading Platform in the US.
Mar 31, 2026 · Dan Blystone
We added MultiBank to the list.
Feb 25, 2026 · Plamen Stoyanov
We moved IronFX to our Best Trading Tools category and IG to Best Range of Tradable Instruments.
Jan 4, 2026 · Ola Alder
We replaced TMGM with Capital.com.
Apr 20, 2025 · Plamen Stoyanov
We added 50K Global to the list; it was removed again on 15 October 2025.
Aug 4, 2024 · Jitan Solanki
We added FxPro to the list.
Jul 18, 2024 · Ola Alder
We removed BDSwiss from the list.
We change this page's date only for a material change, logged here. Typo fixes never change the date.

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About the Authors

Jitan SolankiBroker Analyst

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.

Ola AlderSenior Content Editor

As a Senior Content Editor at FXEmpire, Ola has edited and fact-checked more than 350 broker reviews and guides. She continually refines FXEmpire’s proprietary broker rating system and keeps a close eye on industry trends, making sure our reviews reflect the latest changes in the market.

Amy JonesFinance Editor

Amy leads the prop trading area at FXEmpire, collaborating closely with industry experts to deliver insightful and trustworthy reviews. Her work ensures that readers gain transparent, reliable guidance in navigating the fast-evolving world of proprietary trading firms.