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4 Best Stock CFD Brokers in Europe of 2024

Searching for the top broker for trading stock CFDs in Europe? Based on our hands-on analysis, we’ve identified the 4 best options tailored to various trading needs. Practical tips from our experts are included.

By:
Dan Blystone
Reviewed By:
Aviva Gurevich
Updated: Apr 17, 2024

List of Top Stock CFD Brokers in Europe

700+ CFDs on shares across global exchanges. Great range of trading platforms. Globally regulated broker. Educational webinars. Reliable customer support.

2000+ CFDs on shares. Investment and banking products. Fast trade execution under 13 milliseconds. MT4, MT5, cTrader, FxPro platforms.

335 CFDs on shares across global exchanges. High trust rating. Strong range of tradable assets. Trading Central, Autochartist, MetaTrader Master Edition plug-ins. MAM accounts for money managers. VPS hosting.

1900+ CFDs on shares across global exchanges. Intuitive, feature-rich xStation 5 platform. Stock screeners and heatmaps. Competitive spreads. Strong educational materials. Personal account manager.

Regulatory Landscape in Europe

The European stock CFD (Contract for Difference) trading landscape is heavily shaped by stringent regulatory measures enforced by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). These regulations, designed for increased investor protection, include leverage caps, negative balance protection, and a prohibition on trading volume-based bonuses. While each European country may impose additional regulations, the overarching theme is a focus on transparency and trader safety.

How did FXEmpire select the Best Forex Brokers for trading Share CFDs in Europe?

FXEmpire's Methodology

  • We carefully considered the needs of share CFD traders in Europe and focused on the qualities that benefit this group the most.
  • We looked for brokers regulated by European authorities, including FCA, CySEC, FINMA, and ESMA, and assessed their level of trustworthiness, reliability, and financial strength.
  • We focused on brokers with low spreads, commissions, and swap fees for trading CFDs on shares.
  • We reviewed available software for share CFD trading, focusing on platforms with robust charting, diverse order types, 1-click trading, watchlists, alerts, and an intuitive interface.
  • We checked the availability of a strong variety of tradable CFDs on shares from global exchanges.
  • We examined the available leverage for CFDs on shares. Leverage allows you to trade without paying for the full value of your position upfront.
  • We looked for insightful research and educational content to help traders develop effective trading strategies and make informed decisions when trading CFDs on shares.
  • We verified the availability of a diverse range of European deposit and withdrawal methods, ensuring quick and easy money transfers in and out of your account.

Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FX Empire’s comprehensive methodology. Here’s how we test.

Now let’s go through the selected brokers.

Best Overall

Trading CFDs and FX Options entail risk and could result in the loss of your capital.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    853
  • Fees
    Medium

AvaTrade was founded in 2006, making it an early mover in the forex and CFD industry. The Dublin-based broker has grown tremendously since then and now provides services to 400,000 traders globally. With a broad network of regulatory compliance across several international agencies, such as ASIC and CBI, it stands as a highly trusted player in the global trading landscape. AvaTrade offers clients access to CFDs on the world’s most popular shares with competitive spreads.

Key Features:

  • EU Regulators: CBI
  • EU Entities: Ava Trade EU Ltd
  • Leverage for Share CFDs in Europe: Up to 1:5
  • Tradable Share CFDs: 700+, across all major stock exchanges including NYSE, Nasdaq, LSE
  • Spreads and commissions: Spreads as low as33 cents in Apple (AAPL)
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, WebTrader, AvaTradeGo mobile app
  • Tools/Resources: Trading Central, DupliTrade, AvaSocial
  • Share CFD Dividends: Yes

I was particularly impressed by the broad range of copy trading platforms available to AvaTrade clients. The MetaTrader-compatible DupliTrade platform allows traders to automatically copy more experienced traders’ strategies in real time. The popular ZuluTrade platform enables clients to copy top-performing traders from different brokers. Meanwhile, AvaSocial allows clients to copy and learn from traders within the AvaTrade community.

AvaTrade provides a great range of trading accounts and platforms to trade on over 1,250 instruments covering forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptos, and FX options. Clients can select from various accounts suitable for beginner and advanced traders, including CFD, Islamic, and Options Accounts.

Pros
  • Shares from multiple global exchanges.
  • High trust rating.
  • Diverse platforms for social and copy trading.
  • Good range of account types.
Cons
  • High inactivity fee.

Best for Professional Traders

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)
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    2120
  • Fees
    Medium

Founded in 2066, FxPro is a London-based broker that has clients in over 170 countries and is an official sponsor of the McLaren Formula 1 team. FxPro recently launched its BnkPro E-Money and investment products, offering attractive solutions to professional traders.

Key Features:

  • EU Regulator: FCA, CySEC
  • EU Entity: FxPro UK Limited, FxPro Financial Services Ltd
  • Leverage for Share CFDs in Europe: Up to 1:5
  • Tradable Share CFDs: 2,000+ including from Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States
  • Spreads: as low as 41 cents in Apple (AAPL) + zero commission
  • Platforms: cTrader, FxPro Platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5
  • Tools/Resources: Trading Central, VPS, BnkPro E-Money and Investments
  • Share CFD Dividends: Yes
  • EU Support Languages: English, French, Greek, Hungarian, Spanish

BnkPro E-Money and investment products allow investing in actual shares and ETFs directly from the US, UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal, and Netherlands stock exchanges from one account. The account can also be linked to the BnkPro Mastercard and current account, allowing traders to spend profits as well as send and receive funds globally.

Professional traders are also offered multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro. The first three are tailored to advanced traders and offer algorithmic trading capabilities. MT4/MT5 has a Trading Central plugin to view stock research on thousands of instruments. The FxPro web and mobile apps are also easy to use and the quickest to trade, but they offer fewer features.

Pros
  • Current account and Mastercard available.
  • Trading Central stock research.
  • Multiple trading platforms.
  • Zero commission share CFDs.
Cons
  • FxPro platform is only available in English.

Best MT5

Trading involves risks. Products and services of Swissquote are only intended for those permitted to receive them under local law.
  • Min Deposit
    $1000
  • Tradable Instruments
    506
  • Fees
    Medium

The Swissquote financial platform was founded in 1996. The Geneva-based banking and brokerage giant has been listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (symbol: SQN) since May 2000 and is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). Swissquote delivers services to over 500,000 clients with access to more than 60 stock exchanges worldwide.

Key Features:

  • EU Regulators: FINMA, FCA, CySEC, CSSF, MFSA
  • EU Entities: Swissquote Bank Ltd, Swissquote Ltd, Swissquote Capital Markets Ltd, Swissquote Bank Europe Ltd, Swissquote Financial Services (Malta) Ltd
  • Leverage for Share CFDs in Europe: 1:20 with Swissquote Bank Ltd entity, 1:5 with all other European entities
  • Tradable Share CFDs: 340 including French, UK, German, and Swiss companies
  • Spreads and Commissions: as low as 3 cents in Apple (AAPL) + a commission of 3 cents per share (Standard Account)
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, Advanced Trader
  • Tools/Resources: Trading Central, Autochartist
  • Share CFD Dividends: Yes
  • EU Support Languages: English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and Greek

Swissquote clients can access the full suite of MetaTrader (MT5) platforms (desktop, web, and mobile). Traders unfamiliar with MetaTrader can orient themselves using the platform tutorials available via the Swissquote YouTube channel. Swissquote also offers Autochartist and Trading Central plug-ins for MetaTrader. Autochartist provides automated trade alerts, volatility analysis, and more. Trading Central Identifies opportunities in real time and assists trading decisions with expert analytics.

While checking benefits for professional traders, I noted that the Personal Multi-Account Manager (MAM) platform allows clients to manage multiple MT4 accounts simultaneously. I also confirmed that third-party VPS hosting is available, providing fast connectivity and improved stability.

Pros
  • Great research tools.
  • Reliable customer support.
  • High trust rating.
  • Depositor protection scheme up to CHF 100,000.
Cons
  • High minimum deposit.

Best for Beginners

4.5
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76-83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. 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
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    2134
  • Fees
    Low

New traders searching for an all-around superior broker need to look no further than XTB. A pioneer in forex and CFD brokerage, XTB has an operating history of over 20 years. The company is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and I verified that it is regulated by two top-tier authorities, CySEC and FCA, helping it earn a high score in our trust rating.

Key Features:

  • EU Regulators: CySEC, FCA, CNMV, KNF
  • EU Entities: XTB Limited (CY), XTB Limited (UK), XTB S.A., X-Trade Brokers DM SA
  • Leverage for Share CFDs in Europe: Up to 1:5
  • Tradable Share CFDs: 1935 including Belgian, Czech, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Swiss, and UK companies
  • Spreads: As low as 47 cents in Apple (0.30% markup included in the spread)
  • Platforms: xStation 5, xStation Mobile
  • Tools/Resources: Stock Scanners, Heatmaps
  • Share CFD Dividends: Yes
  • EU Support Languages: Czech, Italian, Polish, German, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, French, Spanish, English

The clean, uncluttered interface of xStation 5 makes it an excellent choice for beginners. The platform has popular features such as alerts, hotkeys, 1-click trading, market sentiment data, and robust charting.

Traders focused on CFDs on shares can benefit from the built-in market scanner – a tool I have rarely found among CFD brokers. Stocks can be scanned based on criteria like market capitalization, earnings per share (EPS), P/E Ratio, and dividend yield. The Heatmap feature visually shows you which markets are the top risers and fallers across multiple periods – the stronger the stock, the more green it is, while weakness is expressed in shades of red. I find it a powerful way to take in key market data quickly.

After doing dozens of tests via live chat, phone, and email, I concluded that customer service is very accessible and helpful. High-quality research and educational materials written by in-house experts round out an overall strong offering from XTB.

Pros
  • Regulated by several top-tier authorities.
  • Competitive spreads.
  • Strong customer service.
  • User-friendly trading platform.
Cons
  • Withdrawals can only be made via bank transfer.

How to Choose the Best Share CFD Broker in Europe?

When looking for a CFD broker in Europe for trading shares, you should pay special attention to the following points.

Can I trust the broker?

To be authorized and regulated, brokers must undergo audits, meet capital requirements, and provide segregated accounts and negative balance protection. You can search the regulator’s website to confirm the broker’s status and check for any disciplinary action. The broker’s size and operating history are also worth considering. You can usually find this information on the company’s LinkedIn page.

Read more about best regulated forex brokers in our detailed guide.

What fees to consider when choosing a CFD broker for share trading?

It’s important to understand and compare the fee structures of different brokers before deciding which one to use. When choosing a CFD broker, there are main types of fees that a trader should consider:

  • Spreads: The spread is the difference between the buying and selling price of a financial instrument. It’s the main way CFD brokers make their money. Lower spreads generally mean lower trading costs. See our guide on the best lowest spread forex brokers.
  • Commissions: Some brokers charge a commission on trades in addition to spreads. This is often a fixed fee per trade, or it can be a percentage of the total trade volume.
  • Overnight or Swap Fees: If you hold a CFD position open overnight, you might have to pay a fee known as an overnight or swap fee. The swap fee represents the cost of holding a leveraged position in CFDs on shares. Discover best low swap fees brokers.
  • Inactivity Fees: Some brokers charge inactivity fees if you don’t make a certain number of trades within a specified timeframe.
  • Withdrawal Fees: Some brokers may charge you for withdrawing money from your account. Check the fee structure and withdrawal methods before choosing a broker.

Not all brokers charge fees in the same way. Some charge a commission per trade, while others earn through the spread. Some may also include hidden charges like inactivity fees or withdrawal fees. It’s crucial to understand these fee structures to make an informed comparison.

How to choose a CFD trading platform?

An intuitive, easy-to-navigate platform will allow you to launch into the trading world with minimal hitches. The most user-friendly platforms are typically browser-based platforms created by the broker. Look for easy-to-implement features such as watchlists, trading from the chart, search, news, and a customizable interface. MetaTrader and cTrader platforms have advanced features like backtesting, automated trading, and a wide range of order types, though are less user-friendly.

There are a variety of trading platforms available to forex traders. Here are a few that you may want to consider for gaining great trading results.

  • MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are two of the most popular and widely used forex and CFD trading platforms, offering a good range of features and tools, such as advanced charting tools, automated trading through expert advisors, custom indicators and expert advisors, one-click trading and portfolio management. Read more about the platforms in our dedicated guides on the best MT4 and best MT5 forex brokers.
  • TradingView is another growing and popular charting platform that makes it possible to track almost all markets, and describes itself as a “supercharged super-charting platform and social network for traders and investors.” TradingView has over 50 million users. Check out our list of the best forex brokers offering TradingView.
  • cTrader, developed by Spotware Systems, is a strong platform for high-frequency day traders of the forex market. It specializes in providing an algorithmic, social trading community for the financial market. Read more about the best cTrader brokers.
  • ZuluTrade is a social forex and CFD trading platform that allows you to easily follow and copy other traders. As Zulutrade has a more social approach, tools for charting and technical analysis are limited.

You can also check out our dedicated guide on best forex trading platforms.

What is the minimum deposit?

The minimum deposit required by a CFD broker varies widely and depends on the individual broker’s policies. Typically, the minimum deposits at CFD brokers are relatively low. For example, among the brokers listed in this article, minimum initial deposits range from $0 in the case of XTB to $200 in the case of IC Markets.

What account types are available?

A broad range of account types helps a broker cater to different trader profiles. For example, a simple STP account may be the best for beginners in the markets, while an ECN/Raw Spread account can help sophisticated, active traders keep their costs to a minimum.

Here are some of the most common account types offered by CFD brokers:

  • Standard Accounts. These are the most common types of accounts that CFD brokers offer. They usually provide access to a wide range of financial instruments, including indices, commodities, shares, and more. The minimum deposit requirement for standard accounts can vary greatly between brokers.
  • Mini or Micro Accounts. These accounts are designed for beginners or traders with smaller account balances. They often allow trading with smaller contract sizes, which can be a way to manage risk, especially for new traders learning the ropes.
  • VIP or Premium Accounts. These accounts are designed for high-volume or professional traders. They often come with lower spreads or commissions, a dedicated account manager, and other perks like free access to premium research or advanced trading tools. However, they usually require a higher minimum deposit.
  • Demo Accounts. Almost all CFD brokers offer demo accounts where traders can practice their strategies with virtual money before risking real money. This is a great way to get to know the broker’s platform and test your trading skills. Read more about the best forex demo accounts.
  • Islamic Accounts. These are swap-free accounts that comply with Islamic law, which prohibits earning or paying interest. They are designed for traders of the Islamic faith. See our guide on the best Islamic forex accounts.

What is the available leverage?

The leverage options at CFD brokers offer a substantial advantage when trading CFDs. The extent of leverage you can access depends on where your broker (or broker’s entity) is located. For instance, if you’re trading through a UK-based, FCA-regulated broker, you’ll find the maximum leverage capped at 1:30. In contrast, offshore brokers frequently provide much higher leverage, sometimes reaching 1:500 or beyond.

The level of available leverage depends on what type of asset you are trading. When you are trading via a CySEC-regulated broker, the maximum leverage for trading CFDs on shares is 1:5. Here is the complete breakdown across each asset category:

  • Forex Majors: 1:30
  • Forex Minors: 1:20
  • Forex Exotics: 1:20
  • Indices Majors: 1:20
  • Indices Minors: 1:10
  • Commodities: 1:10
  • Gold: 1:20
  • Metals: 1:10
  • Energies: 1:10
  • Cryptos: 1:2
  • Futures: 1:10
  • Bonds: 1:5
  • Shares: 1:5

Beware of using excessive leverage, even if it is tempting. It’s an enthralling feeling to control a large position in the market. But when markets are moving fast and you are holding a highly leveraged position, there is a very high risk of losing money. Accounts can get wiped out in seconds.

However, if you’re set on pursuing higher leverage, FX Empire offers a list of the best forex brokers with high leverage, carefully selected to suit specialized trading needs.

Is customer support reliable?

Having solid support on hand is essential. Check the hours of availability, for example, whether help is on hand 24/7 or only during business hours. Chat support is the most convenient, so look for an easy-to-access chat window built into the broker platform. In the case of a platform outage, it is also important to be able to contact support via phone.

What to avoid when choosing a CFD broker?

Opening an account with an unregulated offshore broker entails substantial risk. In some instances, brokers with offshore entities purchase private insurance from Lloyds of London to mitigate the risk for clients. Be sure to check what kind of account insurance is available to safeguard your account – whether a compensation fund is provided in association with a regulator or private insurance.

Another important area to check is trading costs and fees. Some brokers may have very wide spreads making it expensive to get in and out of trades. In some cases, for example, when trading CFDs on shares, commissions may also be added. Among account-related fees, find out if there is an inactivity fee – many brokers charge a sum each month after your account has been dormant for a set period. If you take a break from the market and are unaware of this, you could be surprised to find your account balance lower when you return to trading.

How to avoid forex and CFD scams?

  • High-Return Guarantees. A common scam in the forex and CFD industry involves vendors offering a trading strategy that guarantees an outlandishly high return in little time. These may involve automated trading using bots or a signal service where trades are shared via chat or social media. Nobody can guarantee returns with certainty, and it is more likely that such strategies will lose money. When assessing strategy or signal providers, you should look for a live track record audited by a third party and be conscious that past performance does not guarantee future results.
  • Lack of Protection. Traders should also be cautious about opening an account with an unregulated offshore broker. Such brokers may offer a straightforward account opening process, bonuses, and high levels of leverage, but client funds are typically not protected. Meanwhile, brokers regulated by top-tier authorities must undergo regular audits and are held accountable for misconduct. Traders can also benefit from having their funds held in segregated accounts, negative balance protection, and a compensation fund in the event of broker insolvency.

And if you are still uncertain, you can always check out our database of reviews to find the most reliable brokers.

Our Methodology

In selecting the best stock CFD brokers for Europeans, we relied on the findings of our advanced proprietary methodology. All of the brokers listed were among the leaders in our tests.

FXEmpire has been reviewing brokers since 2011 and has pioneered the in-depth evaluation of CFD brokers. Our process has taken years to refine and involved hundreds of reviews. We’ve gone to a granular level – with over 250 data points in our analysis of each broker – so you can feel confident in selecting the right platform.

To provide the most comprehensive view, we break down the brokers according to nine different categories:

  • Trust
  • Fees
  • Platforms and tools
  • Tradable instruments
  • Customer service
  • Deposit and withdrawal
  • Account types
  • Research
  • Education

In our individual broker reviews, we explain complex areas like regulatory status, so you can easily understand the safety of your funds and the benefits you are guaranteed.

Data is gathered through live testing, research, detailed questionnaires, and in-person broker demonstrations. An account is opened with each broker, focusing primarily on the services of one entity and testing the most standard account type and platform. We conduct live tests of spreads and measure overnight swap fees and account-related costs.

Our side-by-side analysis reveals whether a broker is competitive in relation to the industry as a whole. Trading platforms take time to master, but we have already done the legwork for you, and our evaluations highlight their important features and usability.

FX Empire abides by strict guidelines for editorial integrity. Scoring is based on objective criteria and mostly measurable data, so our reviews cannot be swayed by individual preferences or biases. The review process is independent and follows a strict protocol. In addition, all facts are carefully checked and rechecked, as reviews are continually updated. Read more about our review process here.

For this guide, we focused on brokers regulated by top European authorities that offer low spreads, commissions, and swap fees for share CFD trading. We also ensured these brokers offer a wide range of tradable share CFDs from global exchanges, coupled with suitable leverage options that allow trading without the need for full upfront payment for positions. Additionally, we checked for a diverse range of European deposit and withdrawal methods, guaranteeing convenient and efficient money transfers for traders’ accounts.

We abide by our strict guidelines for editorial integrity based on the objective standards we have set for our reviews. You can read more about our review process here.

Meet Our Writers

The team of forex and CFD writers and editors at FX Empire is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists. Our writers have been published on leading financial websites such as Investopedia and Forbes. In addition, they all have extensive trading experience.

Get to Know Our Authors

Dan BlystoneBroker Analyst

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 licenced 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 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.

Plamen StoyanovBroker Analyst

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.

Vladimir ZernovBroker Analyst

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.

CFDs on shares are financial instruments that mirror the price movement of the underlying stock. They allow you to speculate on the price of a stock without actually owning it.
Yes, CFD trading is completely legal in Europe and regulated by various government authorities.
Most CFD brokers in Europe are regulated by The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). CFD brokers in the United Kingdom are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
When you buy real stocks, you own a share of the underlying company and have voting rights. When trading CFDs on shares, you are speculating on the stock's price movement. Trading CFDs on shares has some important advantages: higher leverage is available, and it is easier to short-sell.
We ranked IC Markets as the best overall broker for trading CFDs on shares in Europe. It offers a wide range of global stocks, cutting-edge platforms, and rock-bottom fees.
We rated the XTB xTrader 5 platform the best for share CFD trading in light of its user-friendly interface and advanced features such as scanners and heatmaps.
European brokers regulated by CySEC and FCA offer leverage of up to 1:5 for trading CFDs on shares. Switzerland FINMA offers leverage of up to 1:20 for trading CFDs on shares.
Yes, you must pay taxes on capital gains from CFD trading in the EU and UK. In the UK, there is no stamp duty to pay for CFD trading. Note that forex trading can be a complex and risky investment. It is important to understand the tax implications of forex trading and to consult with a tax advisor.
To enter a trade in CFDs on shares, you must pay the spread, and there is usually also a fixed commission per share. The commission can vary based on the exchange where the underlying stock is listed. In some cases, for example – XTB, there are no commissions for trading CFDs on shares, but a markup is included in the spread.
It’s important to check if the broker offers the exchanges where the shares you want to trade are listed. Fees can also vary substantially, so check the spreads and commissions charged per share. Swap fees can add up if you plan to hold positions for days or weeks – get an idea of what you will be charged each night so you won’t be taken by surprise.
In our tests, we found that EightCap has among the lowest spreads on CFDs on shares – for example, spreads as low as 2 cents in Apple (AAPL) with a commission of 2 cents per share per side when using a Standard Account. EightCap also offers a Raw account with spreads starting from 0.0 pips.
We ranked XTB as best for beginners thanks to the intuitive xTrader 5 platform, reliable on-hand customer service, and plentiful educational resources.
We rated FxPro as the best broker for professional traders in Europe thanks to its advanced proprietary platforms, robust research materials, and diverse range of CFDs on shares.
Dividends are typically paid directly to your account if you own a CFD on a dividend-yielding stock. If you hold a short position in the stock, the dividend will be charged to your account. Your broker may show this credit or debit as a line in your transaction history.
Tools such as scanners, heatmaps, market depth (DOM), and chart pattern recognition are valuable, and you can usually find out what a broker offers via their demo account.
Negative balance protection is a feature offered by some brokers that protects traders from incurring a negative account balance. In CFD trading, it is possible to lose more money than you have in your account due to leverage, which magnifies both gains and losses. With negative balance protection, the broker guarantees that the trader's account balance will never go below zero, even in the event of a sudden and significant market move that results in a large loss. If the trader's account balance falls to zero, the broker will close out their positions and absorb the loss rather than requiring the trader to cover the negative balance.
To verify whether your broker has negative balance protection, you can review the terms and conditions of your account agreement, which should outline the broker's policy on negative balance protection. This information is usually available on the broker's website or can be obtained by contacting their customer support team.
A compensation scheme is a type of investor protection program that provides financial compensation to investors who have suffered losses as a result of a broker's insolvency, fraud, or other misconduct. In most countries, compensation schemes are established and regulated by the government or financial regulatory agencies. These schemes typically have specific eligibility requirements, such as a maximum level of compensation per investor or per claim, and may only cover certain types of financial instruments or transactions.
To verify whether your broker is a member of a compensation scheme, you can check their regulatory status and the terms and conditions of your account agreement. Compensation schemes are typically established and regulated by government or financial regulatory agencies, and brokers are required to be registered with these schemes to offer protection to their clients. You can also check the website of the compensation scheme in your country or region to see if your broker is listed as a member.
A segregated fund refers to the practice where brokers hold their clients' funds separate from their own operational funds. This is done to protect clients' funds in the event of the broker's bankruptcy or other financial difficulties.
To verify if a broker offers segregated funds, you can check their website, contact them directly, review their regulatory filings, look for independent reviews, or consult with a financial advisor.

About the Author

Dan BlystoneBroker Analyst

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 licenced 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.

Why you can trust FX Empire

At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.

Why you can trust FX Empire

FXEmpire was founded in 2011, making us one of the first forex broker review sites. You can trust FXEmpire because of our thorough and unbiased review process. With over a decade of experience, we have a team of industry experts who conduct rigorous tests to ensure our reviews are accurate and unbiased. Our reviews are designed to bring clarity and confidence to the process of choosing a broker, and are based on objective criteria and measurable data. Our editorial team is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists, who ensure that our reviews are accurate and unbiased. Additionally, our review system is based on 9 core categories and over 250 distinct variables, which ensures that all aspects of a broker are considered before giving a final rating. So, you can trust FXEmpire to provide you with honest and informative reviews that will help you make an informed decision on which broker will best enable you to reach your financial goals.