Trading apps have improved by leaps and bounds in recent years. You can now access advanced charting and order management, along with tools and research that can rival the desktop/web experience. And you no longer have to compromise on design and usability for a feature-rich app, as some apps manage to combine the two. In this guide, I’ll take a deep dive into the best options, covering charting, tools, research, security, and UX. Here are the broker apps that made the cut.
*80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
**AvaTrade doesn’t allow CFD trading in Spain; only Futures are available.
We carefully considered the needs of mobile traders and focused on the qualities that benefit this group the most.
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.
Plus500 launched in 2008 and has earned a reputation as a leader with its cutting-edge WebTrader platforms and mobile app. The brokerage giant has gained over 33 million clients since its inception and has been listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:PLUS) since 2013. It has a presence in 65 countries and is licensed by over 15 regulators.
Plus500 App Features:
The Plus500 mobile app has a clean, uncluttered layout. You can access customizable watchlists, real-time price alerts, and robust charting with 100+ technical indicators. Features like the +Insights tool, market news, and economic calendar go above and beyond the average app. I especially like how the app makes it easy to flip between demo and live trading.
Plus500 provides a steady stream of articles covering news and market insights, which are available via the app. The +Insights tool provides unique information on what traders at Plus500 are buying and selling. You can get ideas from lists like most traded instruments and most profit-making positions, drawing from the massive Plus500 client base.
FxPro traces its roots to 1999, making it a forex industry pioneer. The London-based broker is multi-regulated and has a strong global presence. Traders can access 2,100+ instruments via FxPro WebTrader and the robust FxPro mobile app. FxPro stands out as a leader in execution speed, with trades usually clocking in times of under 8 milliseconds.
FxPro App Features:
The FxPro App has a modern, intuitive design, making a contrast from the dated feel of the MetaTrader 4 app. Technical traders will appreciate TradingView charts within the app, which feature 100+ technical indicators and 12 chart types. 1-tap trading and trading from the chart make it easy to get in and out of positions fast. The app also features an economic calendar.
FxPro packs plenty of punch in the area of research. Clients can access a steady stream of Elliott Wave analysis and macro commentary from the in-house team. FxPro Squawk caters to news traders, delivering real-time alerts from the client portal. And third-party research from Trading Central is also available for funded account holders.
FXTM launched in 2011 and has grown to have a global presence. The broker offers 1,460+ CFDs and real stocks via the FXTM mobile app. Clients can choose between a spreads-only account or a raw spreads plus commissions model. FXTM also has a special account type for stock trading called Advantage Stocks, which had better-than-average spreads in my tests.
FXTM Trader App Features:
The FXTM mobile app combines trading, account management, and market intelligence in the palm of your hand. Traders can access trading signals from Acuity, market sentiment data, an economic calendar, and financial news. Charting is powered by TradingView and you can access trading from the chart and 1-tap trading.
Education materials include over 250 videos on the FXTM YouTube channel, including platform/app tutorials. FXTM scored well in our deposit/withdrawal review category with a wide range of payment options and fast processing times. Deposits and withdrawals are available within the app.
Best for Beginners – AvaTrade
AvaTrade launched in 2006 and is based in Dublin, Ireland. The multi-regulated broker has a global presence and is licensed by top-tier authorities, including CBI, CySEC, and ASIC. Clients can access 1,450+ CFDs via the AvaTrade WebTrader and AvaTrade mobile app. AvaTrade offers a unique feature called AvaProtect for risk management, which allows users to insure a single trade for a flat fee.
AvaTrade App Features:
The AvaTrade app enables easy market access with a beginner-friendly and intuitive design. You can create custom watchlists, set price alerts, and enter orders fast with 1-tap trading. Trading Central insights and AvaTrade’s own educational materials are integrated within the app. Demo and live trading are also available from a single login.
While testing AvaTrade, I found that customer support is better than average. You can reach agents 24/7 via the app itself. Education is another highlight with a wide range of courses and webinars that can help both beginners and experienced traders. You can find a series of platform useful tutorial videos on the AvaTrade YouTube channel.
eToro has evolved into one of the largest and most creative players in the world of CFD trading. The London-based broker launched in 2007, and now has over 30 million registered users from 140 countries. Licensed by leading regulators including FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, it provides access to 7,300+ CFD instruments. I was most impressed by eToro’s intuitive platform and industry-leading social and copy trading features.
eToro App Features:
The eToro Delta app combines investing, trading, and social networking in a beginner-friendly package. Traders can access thousands of instruments, copy experienced investors, explore Smart Portfolios, and use advanced tools like ProCharts. TORI, eToro’s AI-powered investing assistant is available via the app. The app also features a demo account, analyst insights, and cross-device synchronization.
Educational materials at eToro are first-class. The eToro Academy offers courses, videos, and guides for beginners. Topics include trading, investing, stocks, ETFs, crypto, technical analysis, portfolio building, and risk management. You can also access live webinars designed to build confidence and market knowledge.
tastyfx is a US-based forex broker and part of the forex industry giant IG Group. With CFTC and NFA oversight, regulation is top-tier. Clients can access 86 major, minor, and exotic currency pairs via the cutting-edge tastyfx web platform and mobile app. The minimum deposit is just $1. Experienced traders can choose the Zero+ account, which features a raw spreads plus commissions model.
tastyfx App Features:
In my tests, the tastyfx app felt intuitive and easy to navigate, without sacrificing functionality. The app is packed with features, including watchlists, alerts, chart-based trading, client sentiment data, Autochartist signals, and a Thomson Reuters news feed. You can flip between demo and live trading and light or dark mode. It is also possible to deposit and withdraw funds via the app.
tastyfx offers a range of accounts for different trading styles. The Standard account uses a spreads-only model without commissions. I recorded spreads as low as 0.8 pips in EUR/USD via the Standard account. The Zero+ account offers spreads from 0.0 pips plus a $5 per-lot commission. Trading costs can be reduced even further with volume-based cash rebates.
Plus500 US offers 64 Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) futures contracts and 300+ Kalshi exchange prediction markets contracts. The Plus500 WebTrader platform and mobile app are the most intuitive I have tested. Fees are competitive. Commissions are low, and I verified that there are no inactivity or deposit/withdrawal fees.
Plus500 US App Features:
The Plus500 US mobile app closely mirrors the web platform and offers both futures and prediction markets trading on the move. The design is clean, and the experience is beginner-friendly. The app features first-class charting with 100+ technical indicators. The full range of account management features is available, including position tracking, deposits/withdrawals, and access to live chat.
Futures trading can be intimidating for newcomers to the market. The Plus500 Futures Trading Academy provides helpful articles and bite-sized videos. You can learn at your own pace and pick out the sections where you need the most guidance. It’s a valuable resource that can get you on track to a strong start.
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.