Best CFD Brokers In India 2025
Contracts for difference (CFDs) are not authorized trading products in India, so you won’t find CFD brokers regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Indian traders can use overseas CFD trading platforms, but this comes with significant risks, including potentially a lack of legal protection for your funds under Indian laws.
We’ve listed the best CFD brokers accepting traders from India. We’ve personally tested each CFD trading platform, with several catering specifically to Indian traders with INR accounts.
Top 10 CFD Brokers In India
Our findings show these 10 platforms are the best for CFD traders in India:
-
1IC Markets
Ratings
$2000.01 Lots1:1000ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMACFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, CryptoMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTradePayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa, UnionPay, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Mastercard, POLi, BPAY, Credit Card, Klarna, Swift, SafeChargeUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD -
2XM$30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account
Ratings
$50.01 Lots1:1000ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSCCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, EnergiesMT4, MT5, TradingCentralCredit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Perfect Money, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, TransferWise, Visa, M-PesaUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY -
3Exness
Ratings
$100.01 Lots1:UnlimitedCySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC, JSCCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, CryptoExness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentralWire Transfer, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin Payments, Boleto, Airtel, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, Sticpay, AstroPay, Cashu, FasaPay, WebMoney, M-PesaUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, MYR, IDR, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, NGN, THB, VND, UAH, KWD, QAR, KRW, MXN, KES, CNY -
4AvaTrade20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000
Ratings
$1000.01 Lots1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFMCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, FuturesWebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTradeSkrill, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Swift, MoneyGram, Credit Card, WebMoney, JCB Card, Debit Card, Neteller, BoletoUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD -
5Olymp Trade
Ratings
$10$1VFSCForex, CFD, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, ETFs, OTC, Fixed Time TradesOlymptrade PlatformSkrill, Perfect Money, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, Mastercard, Visa, Debit Card, Credit Card, UnionPayUSD -
6Deriv
Ratings
$50.01 Lots1:1000MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSACFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFsDeriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingViewNeteller, Visa, Skrill, WebMoney, FasaPay, Perfect Money, Diners Club, Banxa, Paytrust, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, JCB Card, Sticpay, Trustly, Volet, Paysafecard, AstroPay, Maestro, Airtm, Boleto, JetonCash, Przelewy24, Bitcoin Payments, PIX Payment, Airtel, M-PesaUSD, EUR, GBP -
7RoboForex$30 No Deposit BonusRoboForex Ltd and its affiliates do not target EU/EEA/UK clients. Please be aware that you are able to receive investment services from a third-country firm at your own exclusive initiative only, taking all the risks involved.
Ratings
$100.01 Lots1:2000IFSCCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, FuturesR StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingViewVisa, iDeal, Trustly, Neteller, Skrill, Giropay, Sofort, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Alipay, POLi, Perfect Money, MoneyGram, Cashu, SafeCharge, WeChat Pay, Vietcombank Transfer, Volet, ecoPayz, AstroPayUSD, EUR -
8PepperstoneCFDs and FX are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81.8% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.
Ratings
$00.01 Lots1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCBCFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread BettingMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTradeVisa, Mastercard, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer, POLi, UnionPay, BPAY, Neteller, Skrill, PIX Payment, Apple Pay, Google WalletUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD -
9FOREX.com20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000
Ratings
$1000.01 Lots1:400NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMAForex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, CryptoMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentralWire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH TransferUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN -
10Trade Nation200 Sign-Up Reward Points84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Ratings
$00.1 Lots1:500 (entity dependent)FCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSAForex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only)MT4Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Wire Transfer, Skrill, PayPal, Debit CardUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- IC Markets - You gain access to over 2,250 CFDs, available for trading 24/5 across popular markets such as forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and bonds. Utilizing deep liquidity and advanced bridge technology, IC Markets ensures optimal conditions for scalpers, hedgers, and algo traders alike.
- XM - XM delivers for CFD traders with flexible leverage and a huge range of markets, including bespoke thematic indices for exposure to popular sectors like artificial intelligence. The MT4/MT5 platforms are also fast and dependable while a free VPS is available to qualifying XM traders running algo trading strategies.
- Exness - Exness provides CFDs on forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptos with leverage up to 1:2000, tailored for advanced day traders and featuring over 100 technical indicators in its proprietary terminal.
- AvaTrade - AvaTrade's 1250+ leveraged CFD products span a wide range of asset classes including stocks, indices, commodities, bonds, crypto, and ETFs. What we love is that you can speculate on rising and falling prices in the broker’s feature-rich web and mobile platforms with market-leading research tools to help you discover short-term trading opportunities.
- Olymp Trade - You can speculate on a small range of CFDs covering popular asset classes such as forex, indices, commodities, cryptos and ETFs. Whilst prices trail the best brokers, the CFD trading platform is a compelling solution for beginners looking for simplicity, and you can get started with just $10.
- Deriv - Since broadening its range of CFDs in 2023, Deriv now offers trading on rising and falling prices across hundreds of global financial markets. This includes the firm’s exclusive synthetic indices which imitate real markets but run around the clock for additional trading opportunities.
- RoboForex - RoboForex offers a growing suite of over 12,000 CFDs, encompassing forex, stocks, indices, commodities, futures and ETFs. With an initial deposit of $10 and micro lot trading through to very high leverage up to 1:2000, RoboForex caters to a broad range of derivative traders. On the downside, analysis reveals execution speeds of 1-3 seconds, noticeably slower than IC Markets at 0.35 seconds, and suboptimal for fast-paced strategies like scalping.
- Pepperstone - Pepperstone maintains its position as one of the fastest and most dependable CFD brokers during our latest round of testing. With execution speeds averaging around 30ms and an outstanding fill rate of 99.90%, the broker ensures a seamless trading experience without requotes or dealing desk interference. It also provides ample trading opportunities across over 1,300 assets.
- FOREX.com - With the ability to take both long and short positions on 5,500+ CFDs across forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, FOREX.com excels. Its exclusive Web Trader platform offers an excellent trading experience, equipped with over 80 technical indicators and average execution speeds of just 20 milliseconds, ensuring an optimal environment for serious day traders.
- Trade Nation - Trade leveraged CFDs on over 1000 assets with low-cost spreads. You can also take advantage of the broker's integrated signals to help you determine when to enter and exit positions.
Best CFD Brokers In India 2025 Comparison
IC Markets
"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IC Markets Quick Facts
FTSE Spread | 1.0 |
---|---|
GBPUSD Spread | 0.23 |
Stocks Spread | 0.02 |
Leverage | 1:1000 |
Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.
- You have access to over 2,250 CFDs across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing for diversified trading strategies.
- As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
Cons
- The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.
- Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
- There are fees for certain withdrawal methods, including a $20 wire charge, which can eat into profits, especially for frequent withdrawals.
XM
"With a low $5 minimum deposit, advanced charting platforms in MT4 and MT5, expanding range of markets, and a Zero account offering spreads from 0.0, XM provides all the essentials for active traders, even earning our ‘Best MT4/MT5 Broker’ award in recent years."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
XM Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | $30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account |
---|---|
FTSE Spread | 1.4 |
GBPUSD Spread | 0.8 |
Stocks Spread | 0.002 |
Leverage | 1:1000 |
Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY |
Pros
- XM’s Zero account is ideal for day trading with spreads from 0.0 pips, 99.35% of orders executed in <1 second, and no requotes or rejections.
- XM’s customer support has delivered over years of testing, with 24/5 assistance in 25 languages, response times of <2 minutes and now a growing Telegram channel.
- XM’s growing roster of 1,000+ instruments provides diverse short-term trading opportunities, with unique turbo stocks, fractional shares, and more recently thematic indices.
Cons
- XM is falling behind the curve by not offering cTrader and TradingView which are increasingly being favored over MetaTrader for their smoother user experience and superior charting packages.
- XM relies solely on the MetaTrader platforms for desktop trading, so there’s no in-house downloadable or web-accessible solution for a more beginner-friendly user experience with unique features.
- While the XM app stands out for its usability and exclusive copy trading products, the selection of technical analysis tools needs to be improved to meet the needs of advanced traders.
Exness
"After slashing its spreads, improving its execution speeds and support trading on over 100 currency pairs with more than 40 account currencies to choose from, Exness is a fantastic option for active forex traders looking to minimize trading costs."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Exness Quick Facts
FTSE Spread | 15.2 |
---|---|
GBPUSD Spread | 0.0 |
Stocks Spread | 0.5 (Apple Inc.) |
Leverage | 1:Unlimited |
Regulator | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC, JSC |
Platforms | Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, MYR, IDR, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, NGN, THB, VND, UAH, KWD, QAR, KRW, MXN, KES, CNY |
Pros
- Exness was the first brokerage to pass the $1 trillion and $2 trillion marks in monthly trading volumes, highlighting its legitimacy.
- Improved execution speeds, now averaging under 25ms, offer optimal conditions for short-term traders.
- Fast and dependable 24/7 multilingual customer support via telephone, email and live chat based on hands-on tests.
Cons
- Exness has expanded its range of CFDs and added a copy trading feature, but there are still no real assets such as ETFs, cryptocurrencies or bonds
- Retail trading services are unavailable in certain jurisdictions, such as the US and the UK, limiting accessibility compared to top-tier brokers like Interactive Brokers.
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 are supported, but TradingView and cTrader still aren’t despite rising demand from active traders and integration at alternatives like Pepperstone.
AvaTrade
"AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
AvaTrade Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | 20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000 |
---|---|
FTSE Spread | 0.5 |
GBPUSD Spread | 1.5 |
Stocks Spread | 0.13 |
Leverage | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) |
Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM |
Platforms | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD |
Pros
- The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
- Support at AvaTrade performed excellently during testing, with response times of 3 minutes and localized support in major trading jurisdictions, including the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
- AvaTrade continues to enhance its suite of products, recently through AvaFutures, providing an alternative vehicle to speculate on over 35 markets with low day trading margins.
Cons
- AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but work is still needed in terms of customizability – frustratingly widgets like market watch and watchlists can’t be hidden, moved, or resized.
- Although the deposit process itself is smooth, AvaTrade still doesn’t facilitate crypto payments, a feature increasingly offered by brokers like TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
- While signing up is a breeze, AvaTrade lacks an ECN account like Pepperstone or IC Markets, which provides the raw spreads and ultra-fast execution many day traders are looking for.
Olymp Trade
"Olymptrade remains a good choice for beginners looking for a user-friendly bespoke platform and mobile app, plus 24/7 customer support. The $10 minimum deposit makes it easy to get started, however, the range of additional day trading tools trails competitors."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
Olymp Trade Quick Facts
Regulator | VFSC |
---|---|
Platforms | Olymptrade Platform |
Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- Minimum deposit and withdrawals of only $10, ideal for newer traders
- Over 10 flexible payment methods available including bank cards and Bitcoin deposits
- Fixed time trades (FTT) on popular markets with payouts up to 93%
Cons
- Weak regulatory oversight and offshore registration means traders will receive limited safeguards compared to top alternatives
- Limited transparency on the website
- Research and education trails most alternatives
Deriv
"Deriv is ideal for active traders seeking alternative and unique ways to speculate on global financial markets, from multipliers and accumulator options to its bespoke synthetic indices, which mimic real market movements and are available 24/7, allowing for continuous trading opportunities regardless of market hours."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Deriv Quick Facts
FTSE Spread | 1.28 |
---|---|
GBPUSD Spread | 1.4 |
Stocks Spread | 0.59 (Apple) |
Leverage | 1:1000 |
Regulator | MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA |
Platforms | Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- Deriv revamped its app in 2025, now sporting a slicker interface alongside improved position management and streamlined contract details for smarter mobile trading.
- Although response times trail alternatives in our personal experience, Deriv offers 24/7 support and is one of the few brokers to offer WhatsApp assistance.
- Deriv stands out with its innovative products, from multipliers and derived indices to its addition of accumulator options, providing exclusive short-term trading opportunities.
Cons
- While the Academy launched in 2021 is a step in the right direction, there is limited education on advanced trading topics for seasoned traders and no live webinars to upskill new traders.
- Although there’s a basic blog, there's little in terms of technical analysis or market reports which could help active traders identify potential opportunities.
- Leverage up to 1:1000 will appeal to traders with a large risk appetite but frustratingly there is no ability to flex the leverage in the account area.
RoboForex
"RoboForex is great if you want a vast range of 12,000+ day trading markets with ECN accounts, powerful charting and loyalty promotions. It also stands out for stock traders with its user-friendly R StocksTrader platform, featuring 3,000+ shares, fees from $0.01 and sophisticated watchlists."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
RoboForex Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | $30 No Deposit Bonus |
---|---|
GBPUSD Spread | 0.4 |
Stocks Spread | 0.01 |
Leverage | 1:2000 |
Regulator | IFSC |
Platforms | R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- The broker offers two commission-free withdrawals each month in the Free Funds Withdrawal program, helping day traders to minimize transaction costs.
- RoboForex offers over 12,000 instruments, providing more short-term trading opportunities than the vast majority of online brokers, with forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, and futures.
- The R Stocks Trader platform rivals leading solutions like MT4, with netting and hedging capabilities, comprehensive backtesting, Level II pricing, and a flexible workspace.
Cons
- Despite offering a range of platforms, RoboForex still doesn't support the increasingly popular cTrader. This might deter traders who prefer this specific platform for their day trading activities and is available at firms like Fusion Markets.
- Despite 15+ years in the industry and registering with the Financial Commission, RoboForex is authorized by one ‘Red-Tier’ regulator – the IFSC in Belize, lowering the level of regulatory protections for traders.
- While RoboForex offers competitive spreads, some of its account types come with high trading commissions up to $20 per lot, trailing the cheapest brokers, such as IC Markets.
Pepperstone
"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Pepperstone Quick Facts
FTSE Spread | 1.0 |
---|---|
GBPUSD Spread | 0.4 |
Stocks Spread | 0.02 |
Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) |
Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- There’s support for a range of industry-leading charting platforms including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader, catering to various short-term trading styles, including algo trading.
- Now offering spread betting through TradingView, Pepperstone provides a seamless, tax-efficient trading experience with advanced analysis tools.
- Pepperstone emerges as a low-cost broker, especially for serious day traders with spreads from 0.0 in the Razor account and rebates of 25%+ through the Active Trader program.
Cons
- Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets, though it has introduced an intuitive copy trading app.
- Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.
- Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.
FOREX.com
"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
FOREX.com Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | 20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000 |
---|---|
FTSE Spread | 1.0 |
GBPUSD Spread | 1.3 |
Stocks Spread | 0.14 |
Leverage | 1:400 |
Regulator | NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA |
Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN |
Pros
- With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.
- Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
- The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
Cons
- Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
- Despite increasing its range of instruments, FOREX.com's product portfolio is still limited to forex and CFDs, so there are no options to invest in real stocks, real ETFs or real cryptocurrencies.
- FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
Trade Nation
"Trade Nation is a good choice for newer traders looking for a wide range of financial markets on a user-friendly platform. There is no minimum deposit, free funding options and strong education."
William Berg, Reviewer
Trade Nation Quick Facts
Bonus Offer | 200 Sign-Up Reward Points |
---|---|
FTSE Spread | From 0.4 |
GBPUSD Spread | From 0.6 |
Stocks Spread | Variable |
Leverage | 1:500 (entity dependent) |
Regulator | FCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA |
Platforms | MT4 |
Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK |
Pros
- A choice of trading platforms and apps, including MT4, make the brand a good fit for savvy traders
- Trade Nation is a multi-regulated and respected broker that previously operated as Core Spreads
- The trading firm offers tight spreads and a transparent pricing schedule
Cons
- Fewer legal protections with offshore entity
How We Rate CFD Brokers In India
To list the best CFD providers for Indian traders we took our database of 216 online brokers, then:
- Identified those offering CFD trading
- Pinpointed those accepting Indians
- Sorted them by their overall rating
Our broker ratings consider 100+ quantitative data points and qualitative insights gathered by our industry experts during hours of hands-on testing, with a focus on key areas, notably:
Trust
Given that there is no regulatory framework authorizing and overseeing CFD trading platforms in India, it’s even more important for Indians who choose to deal in this risky financial product to choose a trusted overseas firm.
We only recommend CFD brokers we trust after considering several elements:
- Regulatory oversight: If they’re not authorized by India’s SEBI, we investigate whether they hold licenses with other respected regulators, such as the FCA in the UK, ASIC in Australia, or SEC in the US.
- Industry standing: We scrutinize their background, looking for regulatory breaches and complaints from traders, including our own team, that the platform doesn’t provide fair CFD trading conditions or pay out withdrawals.
- Years of experience: We find out how long they’ve been offering CFD trading, as we know brokers with many years in the industry, an active user base, and respected awards, are usually more reliable.
- Despite not holding a license with the SEBI, Interactive Brokers consistently ranks as one of the most trusted CFD providers, with 7 ‘green-tier’ licenses, 40+ years in the industry, 2+ million clients, plus it’s listed on the NASDAQ, ensuring financial transparency.
Tradable Assets
The Indian economy is classed as emerging but has a huge presence on the global stage. It is the 5th largest economy in the world by GDP, though Forbes predicts it will be the 3rd largest by 2027.
This scale is driven largely by the country’s population – 1.4 billion, the second largest globally – as most of its economy is domestic consumption.
India’s economy is clearly an exciting place for global investment, so it’s no surprise that Indian traders want to use CFDs to speculate on its financial markets. Yet we’ve explored countless trading platforms and CFDs on Indian assets remain rare, though there are exceptions…
- IG is a stand-out option if you want to trade CFDs on Indian markets. The brokerage offers CFDs on a number of ETFs, including iShares India 50, Amundi ETF MSCI India UCITS, and Invesco India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust. IG also provides CFDs on relevant currency pairs, including USD/INR, GBP/INR and INR/JPY, plus stocks like the State Bank of India GDR (SBID).
Leverage Requirements
Leverage trading is one of the biggest draws of CFD trading. It allows you to multiply trading results (profits and losses) by putting down a relatively small amount of Indian Rupees, known as ‘margin’.
Let’s say I suspect there is about to be an announcement concerning increasing foreign investment towards Big Tech companies in India, such as Infosys, Wipro and TCS.As a result, I believe that the value of HSBC S&P India Tech UCITS ETF may rise and my broker offers me 1:5 leverage on a CFD for the asset.
If I have 20,000 INR in my account, this would allow me to take a long CFD position worth 100,000 INR (5 x 20,000).
Every one of our recommended CFD platforms offers leverage with clear margin requirements so you know how much money you need to put down and maintain in your account to keep positions open.
However, we’ve observed many CFD platforms offering very high leverage to Indian traders, significantly beyond the 1:30 available in tightly regulated jurisdictions like Europe and Australia. We do not recommend trading CFDs with this high leverage, especially if you’re a beginner – it significantly increases the risk of large losses.
- IC Markets offers leverage up to 1:1000 on CFDs, available to Indian traders with clear margin requirements; if your account’s margin level falls below 50% your positions may be closed out. Its ‘All in One’ calculator is also super easy to use and shows you the required margin depending on the asset and position size.
Pricing
Low-cost brokers are key for successful CFD trading, especially those adopting short-term strategies like day trading.
That’s why we’re consistently testing brokers, evaluating spreads, commissions, and any additional fees such as those for transferring Indian Rupees to CFD accounts based in another currency.
However, we also know that price isn’t everything. That’s why we weigh the cost against the quality of the tools provided, as a CFD broker that provides expert insights into events that may affect the Indian economy and its stock exchange, for example, may help investors identify short-term trading opportunities that can be capitalized on with CFDs.
- Pepperstone is a low-cost CFD provider, especially after reducing its fees in recent years. During testing, we found it continually delivers competitive spreads. For example on the USD/INR, spreads came in as low as 7 pips, but averaged 9 pips throughout the day.
Trading Tools
A CFD trader needs the right tools to successfully execute positions. The world of trading platforms can feel overwhelming as the number of options available and their unique features are time-consuming to compare.
Fortunately, we’ve taken the legwork out of it. Our analysts have spent countless hours testing major platforms and apps, marking them for criteria such as their intuitive design (key for beginners) and the strength of their charting package (key for advanced traders).
CFD brokers that provide research tools that you can tailor to regions, such as India, also stand out, providing insights that could inform short-term trading decisions.
- IG offers a fantastic selection of trading tools, from third-party favorites like MT4 to its incredibly intuitive web platform. Its comprehensive economic calendar also allows you to filter to India, providing updates on trade deficits, manufacturing output, unemployment rates, CPI and more.
Account Funding
We only recommend CFD trading platforms in India with an affordable minimum deposit of below 250 USD, around 20,000 INR. We also investigate the payment methods available, including the availability of local transfer solutions.
For example, the top payment methods used by Indians are wire transfers and bank cards, according to Statista – available at all our top-rated CFD brokers.
Popular Indian e-wallets, however, such as RuPay and MobiKwik, are not widely available in our experience – brokers tend to prioritize globally recognized payment methods, such as PayPal instead.
- Exness offers convenient account funding for Indian traders, notably bank cards and wire transfers. It also supports an INR-based CFD trading account with a low minimum investment of 10 USD, around 850 INR. Islamic trading accounts are also provided.
FAQ
Which Is The Best CFD Broker In India?
Refer to our list of the best CFD brokers in India to find the right trading platform for you.
However, it’s important to note these brokers are not authorized by an Indian regulator, substantially increasing the risk for Indian traders.
Who Regulates CFD Brokers In India?
There is no regulatory framework in India permitting CFDs – the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) does not authorize CFD brokers.
There are many international brokers offering CFDs to Indian traders and even providing INR-based accounts and opportunities to speculate on underlying Indian assets. However, Indians may be forgoing any legal protections and should seek professional advice to ensure they are operating within India’s laws.
What Is The Minimum Deposit Needed To Open A CFD Trading Account In India?
Our analysis shows the vast majority of CFD brokers accepting Indian traders require a starting deposit of below $250, or 20,000 INR.
That said, Interactive Brokers stands out as the highest-rated platform with no minimum investment, catering to Indian CFD traders on a budget.
Recommended Reading
Article Sources
- Muslim Population in India is Nearly 20 Crore in 2023: Govt in Lok Sabha, The Economic Times
- India Will Grow To Become The World’s Third-Largest Economy By 2027, Forbes
- MAKE IN INDIA 2.0, Goverment of India
- Securities & Exchange Board of India
- 22 Technology Companies in India to Know, Built In
- Most Common Payments by Type in India, Statista
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