Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms in 2025
Discover our list of the best CFD brokers and trading platforms. Every CFD provider we recommend has been tested by our research team, earning a high overall rating and the trust of our experts.
Top 10 CFD Brokers
As of February 2025, we have reviewed 219 brokers and our hands-on tests show that these are the 10 best CFD brokers in February 2025:
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1
Interactive Brokers
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$0$1001:50FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFMStocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, CryptocurrenciesTrader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, QuantowerCheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF -
2
UnitedPips40% Deposit Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$100.01 Lots1:1000IFSACFDs, Forex, Precious Metals, CryptoUniTraderPayPal, Credit Card, Debit Card, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum PaymentsUSD -
3
RedMars
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
€2500.01 Lots1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)CySEC, AFMCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, CryptosMT5Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Sticpay, FasaPay, Bitcoin Payments, Trustly, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Mastercard, VisaUSD, EUR -
4
IQCent20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$250$0.011:500IFMRRCBinary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, CryptoOnline Platform, TradingViewCredit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments, Visa, MastercardUSD, EUR -
5
Dukascopy10% Equity Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$1000.01 Lots1:200FINMA, JFSA, FCMCCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Bonds, Binary OptionsJForex, MT4, MT5Neteller, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Skrill, Visa, Maestro, Credit Card, Debit Card, Apple Pay, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum PaymentsUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, CZK, AED, SAR, HUF, MXN -
6
Capitalcore40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$100.01 Lots1:2000IFSAForex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures Indices, Binary OptionsWebTrader, ProEthereum Payments, Mastercard, Visa, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Debit Card, Credit Card, PayPalUSD -
7
Sage FX$1,500 trading competition
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$100.01 Lots1:500PendingForex, indices, cryptosTradeLockerCredit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum PaymentsUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD -
8
Videforex20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$250$0.011:500Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, CryptoTradingViewSkrill, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Ethereum PaymentsUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB -
9
xChief$100 No Deposit Bonus
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$100.01 Lots1:1000ASICCFDs, Forex, Metals, Commodities, Stocks, IndicesMT4, MT5Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Credit Card, UnionPay, Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney, Perfect Money, Debit Card, Ethereum Payments, FasaPay, VoletUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF -
10
InstaTrade
Ratings/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5
$10.011:1000BVI FSCFISP, CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos, FuturesInstaTrade Gear, MT4Visa, Mastercard, Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum PaymentsUSD, EUR, RUB
Why Are These Brokers the Best for CFD Trading?
Here is a short summary of why we think these are the best CFD brokers:
- Interactive Brokers is the best CFD broker in 2025 - Over 8,000 CFDs are offered on a vast array of instruments, encompassing stocks, indices, forex, and commodities. Moreover, the TWS platform lends itself to seasoned day traders, offering a comprehensive selection of over 100 order types and algorithms, alongside premium market data sourced from reputable sources such as Reuters and Dow Jones.
- UnitedPips - UnitedPips supports CFD trading on a narrow selection of currencies, metals and cryptos. It somewhat compensates for the meagre asset range with high leverage up to 1:1000, seriously amplifying potential profits or losses, and spreads that don’t change with market conditions.
- RedMars - RedMars caters to various short-term trading styles across popular asset classes, including 7 commodities, 14 indices, and 120+ stocks. Leverage is available up to 1:30 (retail) and 1:500 (pro), amplifying results. However, there is no calculator to help with understanding margin requirements and the depth of investments is limited.
- IQCent - CFDs are available on forex, indices, commodities and cryptos, although the range of 100+ instruments is limited compared to alternatives such as Quotex with 400+. Leverage is available up to 1:500 but the $250 minimum deposit is noticeably higher than competitors.
- Dukascopy - Dukascopy offers highly leveraged CFD trading up to 1:200. A wide selection of asset classes are available, including currencies, equities, commodities, ETFs and cryptos. Spreads are tight starting from 0.1 pips and traders get 24/7 support that performed well during testing. However, the real standout is the security provided by trading CFDs through a multi-regulated broker and Swiss bank
- Capitalcore - The range of CFDs at Capitalcore is narrow, with 6 precious metals, 6 indices, and a slim suite of stocks. Notably, there are no commodities such as oil or gas and spreads vary greatly. Tiered leverage is available depending on the account, from 1:100 to 1:2000.
- Sage FX - Trade CFDs on forex, stocks, metals, energies, indices, cryptos and dollar futures. Sage FX offers tight spreads and high leverage on all instruments from 1:100 to 1:500.
- Videforex - Videforex CFDs are available on forex, indices, cryptocurrencies and commodities with up to 1:500 leverage and tight spreads from near zero. CFDs incur a commission fee of 1%–2.5% and up to 5% for leveraged trades.
- xChief - You can trade a competitive range of CFDs encompassing crypto, indices, energies and metals, with very high leverage up to 1:1000. ECN pricing is available, with spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions from $2.50. A Cent account is also available for those on a smaller budget.
- InstaTrade - InstaTrade offers the flexibility to trade CFDs across various markets, from stocks and indices to forex and commodities. Where it excels is its dynamic leverage up to 1:1000, amplifying potential returns and losses with negative balance protection preventing accounts from falling below zero.
Compare the Best CFD Brokers on Key Attributes
Find the best CFD broker for you based on our comparison of key features important to CFD traders:
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Leverage | Platforms | Regulators |
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$0 | 1:50 | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM |
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$10 | 1:1000 | UniTrader | IFSA |
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€250 | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | MT5 | CySEC, AFM |
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$250 | 1:500 | Online Platform, TradingView | IFMRRC |
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$100 | 1:200 | JForex, MT4, MT5 | FINMA, JFSA, FCMC |
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$10 | 1:2000 | WebTrader, Pro | IFSA |
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$10 | 1:500 | TradeLocker | Pending |
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$250 | 1:500 | TradingView | - |
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$10 | 1:1000 | MT4, MT5 | ASIC |
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$1 | 1:1000 | InstaTrade Gear, MT4 | BVI FSC |
Interactive Brokers
"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Interactive Brokers Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 0.005% (£1 Min) |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value |
| Stocks Spread | 0.003 |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Regulator | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF |
Pros
- The TWS platform has clearly been built for intermediate and advanced traders and comes with over 100 order types and a reliable real-time market data feed that rarely goes offline.
- IBKR continues to deliver unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands of equities available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries, most recently the Saudi Stock Exchange.
- The new IBKR Desktop platform takes the best of TWS while adding bespoke tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to create a genuinely impressive trading experience for day traders at every level.
Cons
- You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
- IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
- Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.
UnitedPips
"UnitedPips is ideal for traders seeking leveraged trading opportunities, the security of fixed spreads, and the flexibility to deposit, withdraw, and trade cryptocurrencies - all in one sleek TradingView-powered platform."
UnitedPips Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 40% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | NA |
| GBPUSD Spread | 1.3 |
| Stocks Spread | NA |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Regulator | IFSA |
| Platforms | UniTrader |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- UnitedPips offers impressive leverage up to 1:1000 with zero swap fees or commissions, which can enhance potential returns for day traders and swing traders looking to control prominent positions with less capital.
- Although being handed off mid-chat due to shift changes during testing was frustrating, customer support is generally good with quick, helpful responses, and 24/7 support via phone and email for regional teams is a definite advantage.
- UnitedPips’ platform performs well, with an intuitive design that will appeal to beginners, while the TradingView integration delivers powerful charting tools without overwhelming users, making it straightforward to execute trades efficiently.
Cons
- UnitedPips' selection of tradable instruments is still minimal, comprising a bare minimum selection of forex, metals and crypto. There are no equities, indices or ETFs, which may be a drawback for experienced traders looking for diverse opportunities.
- Unlike brokers such as IG, UnitedPips is an offshore broker not regulated by any 'green tier' financial authorities, raising concerns for traders seeking assurance and protection under well-established regulatory frameworks.
- UnitedPips lacks comprehensive research, while the educational content for beginner traders is woeful. Compared to brokers like eToro, which offers tutorials, webinars, and advanced courses, UnitedPips offers minimal resources to help new traders understand key concepts.
RedMars
"RedMars is the best fit for experienced day traders familiar with the MetaTrader 5 platform and based in the EU, where the broker is authorized by the CySEC. However, the threadbare education and research tools make it unsuitable for beginners."
RedMars Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 15 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.7 |
| Stocks Spread | Variable |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) |
| Regulator | CySEC, AFM |
| Platforms | MT5 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- Clients in the EU, in particular, can trade with peace of mind knowing RedMars is authorized by the CySEC with up to €20K compensation available through the ICF in the event of bankruptcy
- The broker supports a range of flexible payment methods, including wire transfers, credit cards, e-wallets, and notably cryptocurrencies
- RedMars offers one of the best platforms for day trading, MT5, hosting 21 timeframes, dozens of analytical tools, flexible templates and algo trading
Cons
- While RedMars' spreads are within industry averages, they don't offer a significant edge over the cheapest day trading brokers we've personally used, notably IC Markets
- With just 300 instruments, RedMars offers a narrow trading environment, particularly compared to category leaders like BlackBull Markets which offers 26,000 assets
- The no-frills trading environment offers little beyond the basics, with no Islamic account, PAMM account or copy trading.
IQCent
"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
IQCent Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 1.4 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.8 |
| Stocks Spread | N/A |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Regulator | IFMRRC |
| Platforms | Online Platform, TradingView |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- The broker's 24/7 customer support is fast and reliable, responding within 1 minute during tests
- CFD trading fees are competitive based on tests, including 0.7 pips on major forex pairs such as EUR/USD
- IQCent is one of the few binary options brokers that also offers a copy trading service for hands-off traders
Cons
- IQCent charges a punitive $10 monthly inactivity fee if you fail to place at least 1 trade per month
- IQCent trails binary brokers like Quotex with its narrow investment offering of around 100 assets with no stocks
- The market analysis is very basic with limited technical summaries and insights from analysts
Dukascopy
"If you’re an experienced trader, Dukascopy provides the tools you need: JForex for algorithmic strategies, competitive spreads from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200, and the peace of mind of using a Swiss-regulated bank and broker."
Dukascopy Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 10% Equity Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 100 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.1 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.1 |
| Leverage | 1:200 |
| Regulator | FINMA, JFSA, FCMC |
| Platforms | JForex, MT4, MT5 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, CZK, AED, SAR, HUF, MXN |
Pros
- Dukascopy features some of the best research we’ve seen, even a professional TV studio in Geneva covering financial news, market analysis, and daily insights from professionals.
- Dukascopy is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) as both a broker and a bank, ensuring top-tier financial security and adherence to strict standards.
- Dukascopy offers tight spreads starting from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200 (depending on the jurisdiction), and volume-based commissions that reward high-frequency traders.
Cons
- Some account types, such as the MT4/MT5 accounts, require a higher minimum deposit of $1,000, which may not be ideal for traders with smaller budgets.
- While JForex is feature-rich, it has a steep learning curve, making it less suitable for beginner traders who might prefer simpler platforms.
- While Dukascopy provides some educational resources and 24/7 support, the complexity of its platforms and tools required extensive testing and may overwhelm newer traders.
Capitalcore
"The major selling points of Capitalcore are its high leverage options up to 1:2000 and zero commission or swap fees. However, its weak regulatory oversight from the IFSA and non-existent education place it far behind the top brokers."
Capitalcore Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500 |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 25 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.5 |
| Stocks Spread | 1.5 (Apple) |
| Leverage | 1:2000 |
| Regulator | IFSA |
| Platforms | WebTrader, Pro |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- The Capitalcore platform provides comprehensive charting tools and a wide range of 150+ technical indicators, ideal for detailed market analysis.
- Capitalcore is one of the only brokers to charge zero swap fees, which may appeal to Islamic traders looking to comply with Islamic Finance.
- Capitalcore has added binary options trading on 30+ currency pairs, metals and crypto with one-click trading and payouts up to 95%.
Cons
- Platform support is limited to proprietary software, so there's no integration with the market-leading MetaTrader or cTrader, which offer built-in economic news and support automated trading.
- Capitalcore’s threadbare education and research seriously trail category leaders like IG, making it less suitable for aspiring traders.
- The web platform was inconsistent during testing, with occasional technical glitches that meant the trading platform wouldn’t load.
Sage FX
"Sage FX will suit forex traders looking for high leverage and ECN spreads. The broker's prop trading service will also appeal to users looking for funded accounts with up to $200K available."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer
Sage FX Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | $1,500 trading competition |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 5.0 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.9 |
| Stocks Spread | N/A |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Regulator | Pending |
| Platforms | TradeLocker |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD |
Pros
- Ability to deposit and withdraw via Bitcoin
- Low starting deposit from $10
- Prop trading accounts with multiple funding tiers
Cons
- Relatively narrow range of asset classes
- Not regulated by any reputable body
- Lacks educational resources and other extra features
Videforex
"Videforex will serve traders looking for a no-frills, easy-to-use platform to speculate on the direction of popular financial markets through binaries. With a sign-up process that takes a matter of minutes and a web-accessible platform, getting started is a breeze. "
William Berg, Reviewer
Videforex Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | Floating from 0.2 |
| GBPUSD Spread | Floating from 0.1 |
| Stocks Spread | NA |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Platforms | TradingView |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB |
Pros
- Traders can earn up to 98% payouts on 100+ assets with the broker’s binary options, bringing it in line with competitors like IQCent.
- Videforex regularly runs trading contests, offering practice opportunities and cash prizes to beginners and experienced traders, with position sizes from just ¢0.01.
- Videforex is one of the few brokers with 24/7 multilingual video support, providing comprehensive assistance for active traders.
Cons
- Videforex lacks authorization from a trusted regulator, meaning traders may receive little to zero safeguards like segregated client accounts.
- The client terminal needs improvements based on our latest tests, sporting sometimes slow and unresponsive widgets which could dampen the experience for day traders.
- The absence of any educational tools is a serious drawback for newer traders who can find blogs, videos and live trading sessions at category leaders.
xChief
"xChief continues to prove popular with investors looking to trade highly leveraged CFDs on the popular MetaTrader platforms. The broker's rebate scheme and investment accounts will particularly appeal to seasoned traders. However, the lack of top-tier regulatory oversight is a major drawback."
xChief Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | $100 No Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 70 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.9 |
| Stocks Spread | 50 |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Regulator | ASIC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF |
Pros
- Traders can access a copy trading solution via the MetaQuotes Signals service
- The broker offers several account types to suit different traders, including a Cent account for beginners and pro-level hedging/netting accounts
- The broker offers a turnover rebate scheme geared towards active investors, as well as trading credits and several other occasional bonuses
Cons
- The Classic+ and Cent accounts provide access to fewer instruments than the other account types, at 50+ and 35+, respectively
- The broker trails competitors when it comes to research tools and educational resources
- Fees and minimums are imposed on most withdrawal methods, including a €60 minimum for SWIFT bank transfers
InstaTrade
"Although InstaTrade offers active trading on a comprehensive platform, it stands out with its fairly unique Fixed Income Structured Product (FISP), providing passive investment opportunities with up to 50% returns in 6 months if conditions are met. "
InstaTrade Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 660 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.2 |
| Stocks Spread | 8 (Apple Inc) |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Regulator | BVI FSC |
| Platforms | InstaTrade Gear, MT4 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, RUB |
Pros
- InstaTrade delivers an excellent suite of charting tools for day traders with its web trader comprising 250+ indicators, 11 chart types and a user-friendly design.
- VPS hosting caters to algo trading strategies with a dedicated physical server providing rapid execution speeds as low as 9 milliseconds.
- InstaTrade claims to "guarantee" returns through the structured element of its passive trading solution (FISP), with applications approved within 24 hours.
Cons
- InstaTrade sports one of the most cluttered websites and client cabinets in the industry, potentially overwhelming new traders, especially compared to XTB’s intuitive trading journey and resources.
- InstaTrade is registered in the offshore jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands, resulting in limited regulatory safeguards for retail investors.
- Marketing of the FISP, especially phrasing around the “guarantee of profitability” and the “elimination of risks of trading on financial markets” raises concerns.
How To Choose A CFD Broker
Contracts for difference (CFDs) are a high-risk product available from hundreds of online brokers, however not all firms can be trusted and trading conditions vary. That’s why we, and you, should look at several factors to find the right CFD provider for your needs:
Trust
The most important consideration is choosing a trusted CFD broker.
You risk losing money in scams or from business failure if you sign up with an unreliable broker. This was demonstrated in 2023 when a seemingly credible CFD broker, EverFX, was found to be operating a scam where account managers encouraged traders to move capital to high-risk, unregulated entities, leaving clients with little to no regulatory protection.
The best sign that a CFD broker can be trusted is oversight from a top-rate regulator like the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), or Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (CySEC).
That’s why we review each CFD broker’s licensing details to ensure they have the regulatory authorizations they advertise.
We also test each broker carefully to check for unethical practices and only recommend providers that earn the confidence of our in-house experts, who have reviewed hundreds of brokers over many years.
- Plus500 maintains a very high trust score of 4.9/5 thanks to its oversight from the likes of the FCA, ASIC and CySEC, listing on the London Stock Exchange, 15+ years of industry experience, transparent trading conditions, and excellent reputation.
Markets
Selecting a CFD broker that offers access to the financial markets you want to speculate on is key.
CFDs are a versatile trading vehicle that can be used to trade a wide range of asset classes, including stocks, forex, commodities and cryptocurrencies, and we look for brokers that provide enough variety for traders to build a diverse portfolio.
- CMC Markets continues to excel for its above-average selection of 12,000+ CFDs, including 300+ currency pairs – more than every other CFD provider we have tested to date.
Fees
Picking a CFD broker with competitive fees is an important consideration, especially for active day traders for whom frequent costs can cut into profits.
Most CFD platforms make money through spreads. This is the difference between the quoted buy and sell prices, and real market prices. It’s essentially a markup for the broker’s services.
Fees also come in the form of commissions which take a percentage of each trade. The good news is that to stay competitive, many of the best CFD brokers are waiving commission fees.
CFD brokers also make money through financing. When you trade using margin or leverage, you essentially borrow funds from the brokerage to increase your position size. Most firms factor in a fee for these financing services.
We monitor the trading fees of our top CFD brokers each year to ensure they maintain their edge by continuing to offer tight spreads with low or no commission fees.
We also weigh the trading and non-trading fees (deposit/withdrawal charges and inactivity penalties) against the total package available, including market access and trading tools, on the basis that value for money is more important than simply having the lowest fees.
- IC Markets consistently ranks as one of our cheapest CFD brokers. The Standard account is great for beginners with commission-free CFDs and spreads from 0.8 pips, while the Raw account will serve intermediate and advanced traders with spreads from 0.0, a low commission of $3.50, plus rebates for high-volume traders.
Leverage
Given the risk of high losses with derivatives like CFDs, choosing a broker with transparent leverage and margin requirements is key.
Leverage allows you to greatly increase the potential profitability of trades with a relatively small amount of capital. Leverage is often written as a ratio, for example 1:10. Here, a $100 outlay would give you $1,000 in buying power ($100 x 10).
Importantly, the amount of leverage available can vary greatly among CFD providers. If your broker is regulated by a top-tier body like the FCA, ASIC or CySEC, then it is likely to be restricted to a maximum of 1:30 for forex and lower amounts for more volatile instruments like crypto.
These regulators also require CFD brokers to provide negative balance protection, ensuring you cannot lose more than your account balance.
Still, many traders choose to sign up with offshore CFD brokers who can offer higher amounts of leverage, sometimes reaching 1:3000.
I do not recommend beginners trade CFDs with high leverage given the risk of substantial losses. And if you do, make use of risk management tools in your broker’s platform like stop-loss orders. These can limit potential losses.
- FXCC is a good example of a reliable CFD broker that offers leverage up to 1:500 for traders who sign up with its global entity.
Platforms and Apps
Choosing a broker with a user-friendly CFD trading platform and the features you need to analyze the markets is essential.
Based on our extensive experience, the top CFD providers offer popular third-party software like MetaTrader 4, which is great for advanced traders interested in technical analysis and algo trading, alongside user-friendly proprietary platforms and mobile apps that deliver an intuitive user experience for beginners.
- AvaTrade stands out for its excellent platform line-up, from MT4 and MT5 to the in-house WebTrader that performed well during testing with an intelligent design, smooth user experience and a strong charting package comprising 60+ indicators, 14 drawing tools and 10 timeframes.
Value-Add Features
With many CFD brokers offering competitive packages today, considering the additional features available can be a great way to find a firm that best caters to your experience level and strategy.
We’ve seen that the best CFD providers offer a variety of extra tools to give traders the best chance at success. This can include engaging educational materials and social investing platforms to support new traders, market research tools like Trading Central to help you discover opportunities and virtual private server (VPS) hosting to give advanced day traders the fastest execution speeds with low latency.
- Pepperstone excels for its large suite of extra tools that elevate the CFD trading experience, from daily market news, code-free automation tools like Capitalise.ai, and top-rate education with guides to CFDs for beginners.
Bottom Line
The best CFD platforms provide a secure environment where you can speculate on global financial markets with user-friendly tools and low fees. Choose from our list of top CFD brokers to find the right platform for your needs.
Find out more about how we test CFD brokers.
FAQ
What Is A CFD?
In a CFD trade, you can place a long or short bet on the price movement of an instrument without needing to actually buy or sell it.
The profit (or loss) is determined by the difference between the starting price and the price when you close the contract.
Since CFDs can be traded with leverage, even traders with a relatively small amount of capital can generate significant profits (or large losses).
CFDs can also be a good way for day traders to earn from smaller price movements over short timeframes.
What Is A CFD Broker?
A CFD broker is a financial intermediary that enables you to speculate on price movements in various financial markets without owning the underlying assets.
They facilitate the trading process through an online platform. You sign up for an account, deposit funds, trade CFD products and then withdraw any profits.
Are All CFD Brokers Regulated?
CFDs are legal financial instruments that are tightly regulated in many jurisdictions. That said, brokers are banned from offering CFDs in some countries, including the United States.
For Specific Countries
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