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Sheet 07 · Broker Inspection

Inspected against the same spec, every time.

Every broker is scored on the same four criteria. Scores are editorial; always check which regulated entity serves your country before you deposit.

Fig. 07.1

Inspection criteria

  1. 01

    Regulation

    Who licenses the entity you'd actually sign up with, and what protection that gives you.

  2. 02

    Costs

    Spreads, commissions, swaps and the fees nobody advertises — withdrawals, inactivity, conversion.

  3. 03

    Platforms

    Stability, charting, order types, mobile apps and how easy it is to learn on.

  4. 04

    Execution

    Fill speed, slippage behaviour around news, and requote history.

Fig. 07.2

Top specification

Approved · Top spec
8.6/ 10

XM

Best for · Beginners & small accounts

One of the most widely used brokers in the world, with a very low entry cost, MT4/MT5 platforms and free daily education — a practical place to start for traders who are still learning.

  • $5 minimum deposit
  • No requotes
  • MT4, MT5 and the XM mobile app
  • Free webinars and education in 20+ languages
Visit XM

Specification

Min. deposit
$5
Spreads from
0.6 pips
Max leverage
1:1000
Regulators
ASIC · CySEC · FSC
Platforms
MT4 · MT5 · XM App

check what your local entity offers ✓

⚠ RiskCFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. The majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Fig. 07.3

Partner attachments

Attachment ASponsoredFXTMLearn, then copyLow $10 entry, strong education and FXTM Invest copy trading.Open account Attachment BSponsoredExnessWithdraw in secondsInstant automated withdrawals, stable gold spreads.Open account Attachment CSponsoredVantageRaw spreads from 0.0ECN pricing with native TradingView trading.Open account

⚠ RiskCFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Leverage and products vary by region. LearnForexInfo may earn a commission if you open an account through these links.

Fig. 07.4

All inspection reports

Report 02

IC Markets

Sydney

9.1

True ECN pricing with deep institutional liquidity — a favourite of scalpers and algorithmic traders.

Min. deposit
$100
Spreads from
0.0 pips
Max leverage
1:500
Regulators
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
Platforms
MT4 · MT5 · cTrader

Best for · Scalping & EAs

Report 03

Pepperstone

Melbourne

9.0

Award-winning execution and excellent TradingView integration with no minimum deposit.

Min. deposit
$100
Spreads from
0.0 pips
Max leverage
1:500
Regulators
FCA · ASIC · BaFin · DFSA
Platforms
MT4 · MT5 · cTrader · TradingView

Best for · Active day traders

Report 04

eToro

Global · multiple regulated entities

9.0

A multi-asset investing platform with forex CFDs, stocks, ETFs, cryptoassets and social investing features. Available products, fees and protections depend on your country and the eToro entity serving your account.

Min. deposit
Varies by region
Spreads from
Variable by instrument
Max leverage
Varies by asset and region
Regulators
FCA · CySEC · ASIC · FSRA (ADGM)
Platforms
Web platform · iOS app · Android app

Best for · Multi-asset investing & social trading

Report 05

Vantage

Sydney

8.8

Multi-regulated CFD broker with raw ECN pricing, fast execution and a well-rated mobile app.

Min. deposit
$100
Spreads from
0.0 pips
Max leverage
1:500
Regulators
ASIC · FCA · CIMA · VFSC
Platforms
MT4 · MT5 · TradingView · Vantage App

Best for · Raw-spread trading

Visit site

Report 06

Exness

Limassol

8.5

High-leverage broker with instant withdrawals and transparent, publicly reported volumes.

Min. deposit
$100
Spreads from
0.1 pips
Max leverage
Unlimited*
Regulators
FCA · CySEC · FSCA
Platforms
MT4 · MT5 · Exness Terminal

Best for · Fast withdrawals

Visit site

Report 07

FXTM

Limassol

8.4

ForexTime offers flexible account types, strong education and a popular copy-trading service.

Min. deposit
$100
Spreads from
0.0 pips
Max leverage
1:2000
Regulators
FCA · CySEC · FSC · CMA
Platforms
MT4 · MT5 · FXTM Trader

Best for · Education & copy trading

Visit site

Report 08

FP Markets

Sydney

8.4

Tight ECN spreads and a broad CFD menu, with a strong record on customer service.

Min. deposit
$100
Spreads from
0.0 pips
Max leverage
1:500
Regulators
ASIC · CySEC
Platforms
MT4 · MT5 · cTrader · TradingView

Best for · Low-cost ECN trading

Report 09

AvaTrade

Dublin

8.2

A long-established broker offering fixed spreads and built-in risk-management tools.

Min. deposit
$100
Spreads from
0.9 pips
Max leverage
1:400
Regulators
CBI · ASIC · FSCA · FSA
Platforms
MT4 · MT5 · AvaTradeGO · AvaOptions

Best for · Risk management tools

Report 10

FXPrimus

Limassol

8.1

Security-focused broker known for its client-fund protection and straightforward account range.

Min. deposit
$100
Spreads from
0.0 pips
Max leverage
1:1000
Regulators
CySEC · VFSC · FSCA
Platforms
MT4 · MT5 · cTrader · WebTrader

Best for · Fund security

Visit site