*80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
**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.
Swissquote is a leading bank in online financial services, including forex and CFD brokerage. The Gland, Switzerland-based company was founded in 1996 and has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since May 2000. I verified that Swissquote is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the top-tier Swiss Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Regional Features:
The DFSA regulates the UAE entity (Swissquote MEA Ltd.) and all accounts are insured up to CHF 100,000 via the Swiss Deposit Insurance Scheme. The United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) is available as a base currency (the currency in which your account is denominated), along with EUR, CHF, and GBP as alternatives.
The multilingual support team at Swissquote offers assistance in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German. I made dozens of inquiries while writing my review, and support was consistently reliable. SwissQuote combines the security of a bank with advanced trading technology and a wide variety of assets, including forex, stocks, bonds, commodities, and crypto.
FP Markets launched in 2005 and is based in Sydney, Australia. The broker is multi-regulated and holds licenses from top-tier ASIC and CySEC. UAE residents are assigned to the First Prudential Markets (Global) Ltd entity. While testing the Standard account, I recorded spreads of 0.8 pips in the Dax 40, which is far better than our industry benchmark of 2.4 pips.
Regional Features:
Research is a strength at FP Markets. You can find plenty of ideas in the Traders Hub, which includes coverage of central bank meetings and major economic releases by seasoned in-house analysts. Trading Central and Autochartist provide actionable trade ideas, with features like chart pattern recognition and breakout alerts.
There are plenty of platforms to work with. Time-tested MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are on hand, along with the more modern cTrader. The TradingView platform offers strong social features and an intuitive interface. Standard account spreads are competitive, but you can access even lower trading costs via the raw spreads plus commission account.
Plus500 was founded in 2008 and has blazed a trail with its cutting-edge platform and innovative +Insights sentiment tool. The brokerage giant has gained over 33 million clients to date and has been listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:PLUS) since 2013. Plus500 has a presence in 65 countries and is licensed by over 15 regulators.
Regional Features:
Clients can access a steady flow of research reports from the in-house team, covering news and providing useful insights. The +Insights tool is a unique window into what Plus500 clients are buying and selling. You can get trading ideas from lists like most traded instruments and most profit-making positions, drawing from the massive Plus500 client base.
Plus500 also shines in the area of tradable instruments, with over 2,800 CFDs. Assets include forex, commodities, indices, global stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and options. Extended hours trading is available for CFDs on some CFDs on shares, including the Magnificent 7 tech stocks. The selection of instruments enables you to capitalize on global markets from a single account.
Vantage was founded in 2009 and is based in Sydney, Australia. The broker has a global presence, and I verified that it is licensed by top-tier regulators, including FCA and CySEC. UAE clients are assigned to the global entity, based in the Cayman Islands. Clients can access over 1,000 CFDs via the Vantage Web Trading platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView.
Regional Features:
Vantage Web Trading is a browser-based trading platform that provides advanced charting with 100+ indicators and real-time data within an intuitive interface. You can manage multiple accounts with a single login, execute trades with 1-click order entry, and easily track your open positions. Vantage also offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView platforms.
There are 3 accounts to choose from: a commission-free Standard account, along with Raw and Pro ECN accounts with raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips plus commissions. Setting up an account is a breeze and takes under 10 minutes. The minimum deposit is $50. Islamic accounts are available for clients who want to trade in accordance with Shariah (Islamic) principles.
FXTM was founded in 2011 and is based offshore in Mauritius. Clients can access over 1,460 CFDs on forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, and crypto, along with real stocks. The broker offers the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform with custom indicators. You can choose between a simple spreads-only account or a raw spreads plus commissions option.
Regional Features:
FXTM provides MT4 across desktop, web, and mobile. MetaTrader add-ons are a nice perk, and the platform can be enhanced with tools like the Pivot SR Levels indicator. This can be used as part of a classic breakout trading strategy. You can also access trading ideas and sentiment analysis from third-party provider Acuity.
Advantage Plus accounts are an easy option for beginners, with all costs reflected in the spread. For lower trading costs, you can select the Advantage account, which features a raw spreads plus commissions model. The minimum deposit is $30, and swap-free trading is available across all account types.
Founded in 2019, Moneta Markets outshines much of the industry with rock-bottom fees, a versatile account lineup, and a broad range of tradable assets. In my tests, spreads came in consistently lower than the industry average. The broker offers over 1,050 tradable assets, which include forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, bonds, and crypto.
Regional Features:
Clients can choose between the spreads only Standard STP account and the Prime ECN and Ultra ECN accounts with raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips. In my Standard account tests I recorded spreads as low as 0.5 pips in the Dax 40, much lower than our industry benchmark of 2.6 pips. Swap -ree (Islamic) trading conditions can be applied to any account by completing a form.
The flagship ProTrader web platform features TradingView charts, integrated trading signals, and a beginner-friendly interface. For mobile traders, it offers App Trader and CopyTrader, a dedicated app for social and copy trading. Moneta Markets also supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which can be enhanced with the Alpha Generation plugin.
FxPro has grown to be one of the best-known brands in the forex industry. The London-based titan offers 2,100+ CFDs across forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, and crypto. During my review of the broker, I was especially impressed by the diverse platform selection and ultra-fast execution times.
Regional Features:
While spreads are important, they have little meaning if trade execution times are too slow. FxPro provides execution speeds of under 12 milliseconds, which can provide a major advantage for day traders and scalpers. And VPS hosting can enhance the experience further with low-latency execution and continuous 24/7 uptime.
The platform selection is one of the largest I have encountered. You can choose between the proprietary FxPro WebTrader platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. I found FxPro WebTrader to be the most intuitive and convenient, while TradingView offers unique social elements, and MT4/MT5 and cTrader enable strategy automation.
JustMarkets was founded in 2012 and is based in Limassol, Cyprus. UAE clients are assigned to the global entity, regulated by the Seychelles FSA. The broker offers a spread-based Standard account, along with Professional account with raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus commissions. Clients can access 250+ CFDs, with a maximum leverage of 1:3000.
Regional Features:
JustMarkets stands out as a low-cost broker, with no commissions on Standard accounts and tight spreads. I recorded spreads as low as 0.2 pips while testing the Standard account, which is far better than our industry benchmark of 1.1 pips. Lower costs still can be found via the Professional accounts using the raw spreads plus commission model.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms offer clients advanced charting, customizable indicators, 1-click trading, and automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). And the feature-rich JustMarkets app includes mobile charting and order management along with solid analytical resources. It also offers the convenience of deposits/withdrawals and chat support at the palm of your hand.
Capital.com launched in 2016 and is based in Limassol, Cyprus. Clients who are UAE residents have regulatory oversight from the UAE Capital Market Authority (CMA). The broker stood out to me with its combination of thousands of CFD assets, spreads from 0.6 pips in EUR/USD, and a solid range of platforms. There is only one account type, which features floating spreads and zero commissions.
Regional Features:
Professional traders can take advantage of over 5,000 CFD instruments and 2,799 knock-out options. The range of 147 forex pairs and 543 crypto contracts beats the industry average by a wide margin. The extensive product selection enables you to trade a wide range of different strategies from a single platform.
You can choose between the slick proprietary web platform or the time-tested heavyweights MT4 and MT5. Social trading and advanced charting can be found via TradingView. API access is available for traders looking to automate strategies, develop custom applications, or integrate third-party tools. Capital.com also stands out with fast execution times of around 25 milliseconds.
ADSS launched in 2014 and is based in the United Arab Emirates. UAE-based clients benefit from regulatory oversight by the UAE Capital Market Authority. You can access 1,050+ CFDs along with 11,500 real stocks via the beginner-friendly ADSS WebTrader platform and mobile app. During my tests, I received solid customer support across email, live chat, and phone.
Regional Features:
The broker offers a strong range of tools to support new traders, including insightful market analysis from the in-house team, a Dow Jones news feed, and trading ideas from Trading Central. The education section has a clear and structured layout and covers essentials like technical analysis, risk management, and trading psychology.
ADSS offers a simple spreads-only account, which is a good fit for traders starting out. The minimum deposit is relatively low at $100. Experienced traders can opt for the Elite and Pro accounts, which feature raw spreads plus commission. Swap-free conditions are available across all account types.
AvatTrade launched in 2006 and is based in Dublin, Ireland. UAE clients benefit from regulatory oversight of the Abu Dhabi Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). The broker offers a unique range of platforms, including AvaTrade WebTrader, AvaOptions, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaSocial, and DupliTrade. And the range of 1,450+ CFD instruments is equally impressive.
Regional Features:
The AvaSocial app allows you to follow, copy, and interact with expert traders via your smartphone. This helps you learn from successful traders across a wide range of markets and strategies. AvaTrade clients can also access third-party DupliTrade, which also allows you to automatically mirror the trades of strategy providers in real time.
During my review, I experienced better-than-average customer support. You can reach agents 24/7 via live chat, email, and phone. The chatbot was surprisingly strong and able to answer most of my questions in detail. Education is another highlight, with a broad range of courses and webinars that can support both beginners and experienced traders.
The forex and CFD analysts and editors at FXEmpire bring together seasoned trading professionals and experienced financial journalists. Many of our experts have been featured in leading publications such as Investopedia and Forbes, and all of them combine strong industry credentials with hands-on trading experience.
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.
At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.