Trading metals in the CFD markets, such as gold, silver, copper, or others, is a bit different than many of the other markets, with the need for fees and spreads to be paid close attention to. The amount of difference in spreads can be drastic, especially in some of the smaller metal markets.
We at FXEmpire have tested over 80 brokers in the past year, and I have selected those that provide CFD markets for metals, via CFD markets. I paid considerable attention to the brokers’ spreads and fees, tested the platforms, and other peripherals that can make a difference for traders. All brokers in this article were also tested for safety, security, competitive costs, and flexibility.
*80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
**AvaTrade doesn’t allow CFD trading in Spain; only Futures are available.
| Broker | Ranking | Max Leverage | Asset Classes | Fees Score | Foundation Year | Min Deposit | Meta Trader | cTrader | Trading View | Trading Desk Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plus500 US Plus500 US | 4.5 Read Review | 1:50 (CFTC), 1:50 (NFA) 1:50 (CFTC), 1:50 (NFA) | Futures (64) Futures (64) | 4.6 | 2008 | $10 | - | |||
FxPro FxPro | 4.3 Read Review | 1:30 (FCA), 1:10000 (FSA), 1:200 (SCB), 1:30 (CySEC) 1:30 (FCA), 1:10000 (FSA), 1:200 (SCB), 1:30 (CySEC) | Forex (75), Commodities (40), Stocks (1862), Crypto (37), Indices (30), ETFs (46) Forex (75), Commodities (40), Stocks (1862), Crypto (37), Indices (30), ETFs (46) | 3.0 | 1999 | $0 | No dealing desk | |||
FP Markets FP Markets | 4.6 Read Review | 1:500 (FSA), 1:500 (FSCM), 1:500 (Unregulated), 1:400 (FSCA), 1:30 (ASIC), 1:500 (CMA) 1:500 (FSA), 1:500 (FSCM), 1:500 (Unregulated), 1:400 (FSCA), 1:30 (ASIC), 1:500 (CMA) | Forex (72), Commodities (29), Stocks (10000), Crypto (12), Indices (19), ETFs (46), Bonds (2) Forex (72), Commodities (29), Stocks (10000), Crypto (12), Indices (19), ETFs (46), Bonds (2) | 4.1 | 2005 | $100 | ECN, STP, DMA | |||
AvaTrade AvaTrade | 4.5 Read Review | 1:400 (FSCA), 1:30 (CBI), 1:200 (BVI FSC), 1:30 (ASIC), 1:400 (ADGM), 1:25 (JFSA), 1:30 (ISA), 1:30 (CySEC) 1:400 (FSCA), 1:30 (CBI), 1:200 (BVI FSC), 1:30 (ASIC), 1:400 (ADGM), 1:25 (JFSA), 1:30 (ISA), 1:30 (CySEC) | Forex (53), Commodities (19), Stocks (643), Crypto (25), Indices (36), ETFs (607), Bonds (2), Options (87) Forex (53), Commodities (19), Stocks (643), Crypto (25), Indices (36), ETFs (607), Bonds (2), Options (87) | 4.2 | 2006 | $100 | Market Maker, Dealing Desk | |||
Plus500 Plus500 | 4.3 Read Review | 1:30 (ASIC), 1:30 (FMA), 1:30 (FSCA), 1:300 (FSA), 1:30 (FCA), 1:20 (MAS), 1:30 (EFSA), 1:30 (CySEC), 1:30 (DFSA), 1:200 (SCB) 1:30 (ASIC), 1:30 (FMA), 1:30 (FSCA), 1:300 (FSA), 1:30 (FCA), 1:20 (MAS), 1:30 (EFSA), 1:30 (CySEC), 1:30 (DFSA), 1:200 (SCB) | Forex (74), Commodities (28), Stocks (2600), Crypto (24), Indices (38) Forex (74), Commodities (28), Stocks (2600), Crypto (24), Indices (38) | 3.3 | 2008 | $100 | Market Maker | |||
BlackBull Markets BlackBull Markets | 4.4 Read Review | 1:500 (FSA), 1:500 (FMA) 1:500 (FSA), 1:500 (FMA) | Forex (85), Commodities (27), Stocks (1596), Crypto (27), Indices (15) Forex (85), Commodities (27), Stocks (1596), Crypto (27), Indices (15) | 4.2 | 2014 | $0 | No dealing desk, STP |
Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FXEmpire’s comprehensive methodology.
FxPro is a giant in the CFD trading world, founded in 2006. The London-based broker allows trading of over 2,100 instruments, including 14 spot metals markets, and some other ETF-based metals contracts.
Metals Trading Features:
I was mostly impressed by the trading software FxPro offers. First of all, its proprietary web trader stands out as a modern, user-friendly platform with a customizable layout and a great range of tools. While giving the platform a try, I counted over 50 technical indicators, 15 timeframes, and all standard orders (except for trailing stop-loss orders). I appreciated the integrated news section, so I could track what’s going on with metals without leaving the platform.
FxPro also allows you to trade metals on top popular retail platforms, including MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. In my live fees test, the spread on gold was 32 cents, which is aligned with the industry benchmark. But I figured out that much tighter spreads are available on the Raw+ and Elite accounts.
The broker also provides a range of educational materials dedicated to metals trading. I found dozens of recorded webinars on FxPro’s YouTube channel, plus you can access articles and in-depth courses from CME Group in video and text format.
FP Markets has been in existence since 2005 and has been known for low spreads for some time. The broker offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, WebTrader, and TradingView. Access to spreads as low as 0.0 pips keeps this an excellent choice for those looking to save on costs.
Metals Trading Features:
During our last fees test, FP Markets performed well across all popular markets, including gold. I found that it’s 23-cent spread on gold beats the industry benchmark of 33 cents on the Standard account. Although I’d choose the Raw account, which has no commissions on metals and has an even tighter spread of 15 cents on gold.
FP Markets has developed several trading courses, publishes articles, and conducts regular webinars. Traders can learn about technical analysis, fundamental analysis, and trading psychology.
AvaTrade is a large player in the CFD space and has been around since 2006. It offers over 1,250 trading assets, including 5 major CFDs on metals as well as a ton of ETF and stock-related products to speculate on metal movements.
Metals Trading Features:
I tested the Standard CFD trading account and found the execution on the AvaTrade WebTrader platform to be fast. I liked the intuitive interface for the platform and appreciated the amount of research and educational materials that AvaTrade offers its clients.
I also found several articles about metals on the AvaTrade website, as well as a free trading course dedicated to commodities on the AvaAcademy. The broker also develops strong in-house research content and integrates materials from Trading Central. I’ve been using both when placing my orders in silver during the review process, and found lots of useful information.
Plus500 has been around since 2008 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Plus500 is also regulated by eight different global regulators, including the FSA, CySEC, and ASIC. For my research, though, it has the best proprietary platform out there, with it being so intuitive and user-friendly. Plus500 offers over 2,800 CFD instruments in both their web and mobile apps.
Metals Trading Features:
Plus500 offers a web trading platform and mobile app to access all of the markets available. The platform is well-designed, and I found the search function particularly useful, as the list of assets is particularly long. The platform has an extensive list of indicators and risk management tools, allowing even the most technically-driven traders to assess the markets.
Both the web and mobile versions of the app offer the +Insights Tool, which is a sentiment indicator of the Plus500 trading community, a sometimes useful indicator of a potential market shift.
BlackBull Markets is a favorite of professional traders, as the spreads in the metals markets are tight, and the offering allows metals to be traded against multiple currencies, such as the US dollar, Japanese yen, Euro, Aussie dollar, and more. The broker offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, BlackBull Copy Trader, BlackBull Invest, and TradingView to its clients.
Metals Trading Features:
BlackBull has been in business since 2014, founded in Auckland, New Zealand. They offer over 26,000 instruments and have been regulated in several countries. For BlackBull Markets, I tried the ECN Standard account, which is a variable spread with no commissions. That being said, they offer ECN Prime (spread plus commission) and Prime+ for high-volume traders.
I used the tried-and-true MetaTrader 5 platform and found execution to be as fast as you would expect from a professional firm. The education section was good, and the massive amount of markets available means that you will have plenty of opportunities.
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Chicago, Plus500 US is a multi-asset financial derivatives broker that offers 69 futures contracts in forex, metals, energies, soft commodities, equity indices, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. It is authorized and regulated by the CFTC and NFA, adhering to the strictest safety regulations.
Metals Trading Features:
I learned that Plus500 offers 8 metal futures contracts, which are available as Standard or E-mini contracts, both featuring a $0.89 single-turn commission. Additionally, the broker imposes a $10 liquidation commission. On the plus side, Plus500 US does not charge any deposit or withdrawal fees, platform fees, routing fees, or any other type of fee.
I performed my testing on Plus500’s flagship web trader, which stands on its own two feet and offers metals traders robust charting and advanced market analytics. The platform features over 100 technical indicators and drawing tools for enhanced technical analysis.
Plus500 operates on a best execution basis, which benefits metals traders looking for precise order execution. Additionally, the broker has pooled an extensive library of CME Group educational articles and videos on futures trading. Beginners, intermediate, and experienced traders can learn about the specifics of futures trading, with special attention paid to metal futures, as well as how to implement various trading strategies.
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.
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.
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