Best Day Trading Platforms And Brokers In Sri Lanka 2025
We’ve tested, rated and ranked the best day trading platforms in Sri Lanka.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka supervises the country’s financial markets, but many resident traders use trusted international brokers that provide an excellent environment for short-term traders. This is allowed, but you must still follow local tax and trading regulations.
Top 6 Platforms For Day Trading In Sri Lanka
Following our latest evaluations, these 6 brokers stand out as the best for short-term traders in Sri Lanka:
Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers in March 2025:
- AvaTrade - Established in 2006, AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Operating under regulation in 9 jurisdictions, AvaTrade processes an impressive 2+ million trades each month. Through like MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader, the broker provides a growing selection of 1,250+ instruments. Whether it’s CFDs, AvaOptions, or the more recent AvaFutures, short-term traders at all levels will find opportunities. With terrific education and 24/5 multilingual customer support, AvaTrade delivers the complete trading experience.
- XM - XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been delivering low trading fees across its growing roster of 1000+ instruments. It’s also highly regulated, including by ASIC and CySEC and offers a comprehensive MetaTrader experience.
- IC Markets - IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.
- Exness - Established in 2008, Exness has maintained its position as a highly respected broker, standing out with its industry-leading range of 40+ account currencies, growing selection of CFD instruments, and intuitive web platform complete with useful extras like currency convertors and trading calculators.
- RoboForex - RoboForex is an online broker, established in 2009 and registered with the IFSC in Belize. Traders can choose from five accounts (Prime, ECN, R StocksTrader, ProCent, Pro) catering to different needs with trades from 0.01 lots and spreads from 0 pips. RoboForex has also enhanced its offering over the years, adding CFD instruments and launching its stock trading platform, plus the CopyFX system.
- Deriv - Established in 1999, Deriv is an innovative broker now serving over 2.5 million global clients. The firm offers CFDs, multipliers and more recently accumulators, alongside its proprietary derived products which can't be found elsewhere, providing flexible short-term trading opportunities.
Best Day Trading Platforms And Brokers In Sri Lanka 2025 Comparison
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Markets | Platforms | Leverage | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | $100 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM |
| XM | $5 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies | MT4, MT5, TradingCentral | 1:1000 | ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC |
| IC Markets | $200 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA |
| Exness | $10 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral | 1:Unlimited | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC, JSC |
| RoboForex | $10 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures | R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView | 1:2000 | IFSC |
| Deriv | $5 | CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs | Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | 1:1000 | MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA |
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."
AvaTrade Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000 |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures |
| Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM |
| Platforms | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD |
Pros
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.
- 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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies |
| Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $5 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY |
Pros
- 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 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 growing roster of 1,000+ instruments provides diverse short-term trading opportunities, with unique turbo stocks, fractional shares, and more recently thematic indices.
Cons
- Although trusted and generally well-regulated, the XM global entity is registered with the weak IFSC regulator and UK clients are no longer accepted, reducing its market reach.
- 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.
- 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.
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."
IC Markets Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
- 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.
Cons
- While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
- Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
- Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
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."
Exness Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Regulator | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC, JSC |
| Platforms | Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:Unlimited |
| 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
- Fast and dependable 24/7 multilingual customer support via telephone, email and live chat based on hands-on tests.
- Exness Terminal offers a streamlined experience for beginners with dynamic charts while setting up watchlists is a breeze.
- Excellent range of account types for all experience levels, including Cent, Pro plus the introduction of Raw Spread, ideal for day traders.
Cons
- 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.
- Apart from a mediocre blog, educational resources are woeful, especially compared to category leaders like IG which provide a more complete trading journey for newer traders.
- 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.
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."
RoboForex Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | $30 No Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures |
| Regulator | IFSC |
| Platforms | R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:2000 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- RoboForex is known for its tight spreads starting from 0 pips and low minimum deposits from $10, making it accessible to those on a budget. The ability to trade with micro lots further lowers the barrier to entry for new traders.
- The broker offers leverage up to 1:2000 for certain account types, which is among the highest in the industry. This high leverage allows day traders to maximize their trading potential, albeit with a corresponding increase in risk.
- The broker offers two commission-free withdrawals each month in the Free Funds Withdrawal program, helping day traders to minimize transaction costs.
Cons
- RoboForex now restricts base currency options to USD and EUR. This limitation may inconvenience day traders preferring to manage their accounts in other currencies, while potentially leading to conversion fees.
- 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.
- 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.
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."
Deriv Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs |
| Regulator | MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA |
| Platforms | Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $5 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- 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.
- After integrating TradingView and adding MT5 web trader, Deriv now offers a first-class selection of charting tools across desktop, web and mobile devices.
- Deriv revamped its app in 2025, now sporting a slicker interface alongside improved position management and streamlined contract details for smarter mobile trading.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Methodology
To identify the top day trading platforms in Sri Lanka, we analyzed our evolving database of 219 brokers, focusing on those that accept Sri Lankan traders.
Our rankings were based on comprehensive assessments, drawing on direct evaluations and objective data.
- We ensured that each broker on our list accepts day traders from Sri Lanka.
- We only included brokers with credible regulatory licenses.
- We prioritized brokers offering a broad range of financial markets.
- We favored brokers with competitive fees for active traders.
- We focused on brokers with dependable charting platforms.
- We examined each broker’s leverage and margin requirements.
- We assessed the quality and speed of each broker’s order execution.
How To Choose A Day Trading Broker In Sri Lanka
Based on extensive experience testing online brokers, we’ve boiled it down to several key factors when selecting a day trading provider:
Trust
Choosing a reputable broker is essential to protect yourself from trading scams, something the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has warned against in recent years.
Trustworthy brokers often have a long history, positive user reviews and are sometimes even listed on stock exchanges. Importantly, they are regulated by respected authorities in DayTrading.com’s Regulation and Trust Rating.
That said, although the Central Bank regulates Sri Lanka’s financial markets, many online brokers are not under its jurisdiction, so some residents turn to overseas brokers. While no laws prohibit this, it’s important to comply with local tax and trading regulations.
- AvaTrade continues to provide a trustworthy environments for day traders, with licensing from nine regulators, including CySEC and ADGM. Combined with its long history since 2006, AvaTrade earned a high trust score in our latest assessment.
Market Access
To build a rounded portfolio, consider a broker with a wide range of instruments.
Sri Lankan traders may look for currency pairs involving the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR), such as LKR/USD, or stocks listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, like Beruwala Resorts PLC, although these markets aren’t widely offered in our experience.
Fortunately, many brokers offer access to global markets, including the country’s major export commodities such as rubber, and popular currency pairs like EUR/USD.
- Pepperstone offers a wide selection of over 1,300 global markets, including exotic currency pairs, emerging markets ETFs and a diverse array of hard and soft commodities.
Pricing
Active day traders can easily burn through their profits if trading costs are too high, so we look for notable fees during our evaluations. This includes spreads, commissions and applicable conversion fees when transferring to and from LKR.
Note that spreads and fees can be higher for volatile or illiquid markets, such as Sri Lankan securities.
We also check for account maintenance fees, such as inactivity charges as well as deposit and withdrawal charges (although many brokers don’t charge for deposits these days).
- IC Markets maintains its reputation as one of the cheapest brokers for active traders, with raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major assets like EUR/USD and commission rates from only $3.50 per side.
Charting Platforms
Choose a reliable charting platform with all the analysis tools you need to make informed decisions.
A good selection of technical indicators can be particularly important for short-term strategies, and leading platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingView deliver these in the dozens.
Many of these platforms also offer integrated research and analysis such as news feeds and economic calendars.
For beginners, a proprietary terminal such as eToro’s copy trader may be a superior choice if you’re looking for a user-friendly design.
- RoboForex delivers a superb package of tools and platforms, including MetaTrader 4, the proprietary R Stocks Trader terminal and an integrated copy trader tool, catering to beginners and seasoned traders.
Leverage Trading
Leverage allows you to gain exposure to a larger position size using a small deposit (known as margin), and subsequently increase your potential profits and losses.
With this in mind, it’s important to understand a broker’s leverage and margin requirements and to implement a risk management strategy to help protect you from significant losses.
Our research has found that there are no restrictions on leverage in Sri Lanka, which means you could trade with up to 1:1000 at some brokers, though we don’t recommend this for beginners due to the risk of thumping losses.
- XM offers high leverage up to 1:1000 with flexibility for traders of all experience levels. Leverage and margin requirements are provided clearly from within the client area, along with an ‘all in one calculator’ that’s a snap to use.
Execution Quality
Fast order execution can make the difference when you’re day trading financial markets.
The best brokerages ensure that trades are executed with minimal slippage (the difference between the requested price and executed price) and low rates of latency (the delay between the requested trade and the actual trade).
We prefer firms with fast execution speeds (usually less than 100 milliseconds for optimum performance).
- Fusion Markets offers competitive execution speeds of around 37 milliseconds, making it a top choice for active traders or those using Expert Advisors (EAs).
Account Funding
Opt for a broker that supports convenient deposit and withdrawal methods. Most brokers we’ve examined require a minimum deposit of up to 250 USD.
It’s also worth checking for local bank transfers, credit card payments and mobile payments accepted in Sri Lanka which might make funding smoother.
FAQ
Who Regulates Day Trading Platforms In Sri Lanka?
The Sri Lankan Central Bank oversees the country’s financial markets but does not actively regulate as many brokerages as some other bodies.
Sri Lankans can sign up with brokers that are regulated by other trusted authorities, but they must still adhere to local laws, including tax requirements.
Which Is The Best Broker For Day Traders From Sri Lanka?
The best broker depends on your requirements. See DayTrading.com’s list of the top day trading platforms in Sri Lanka to find the right fit.
Recommended Reading
Article Sources
- Central Bank of Sri Lanka
- Central Bank of Sri Lanka Warns Against Forex Trading Scams - EconomyNext
- Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE)
- Beruwala Resorts Plc (BERU)
The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com