Forex & CFD Brokers

How to Choose a Forex & CFD Broker

Instead of chasing the highest leverage or the tightest advertised spread, work through a simple framework: regulation, products, pricing, execution, tools and service. The right broker is the one that fits your actual trading plan and risk tolerance.

1. Regulation & Jurisdiction

• Prefer brokers authorised by recognised regulators (for example FCA, ASIC, IIROC, CySEC or other national regulators).
• Understand which legal entity you are opening with (EU, UK, Australia, offshore) and how that entity is regulated.
• Check whether client money is held in segregated accounts and whether negative balance protection applies to your region.

2. Products & Markets You Actually Trade

• Major FX pairs (EURUSD, GBPUSD, USDJPY, AUDUSD, USDCAD, USDCHF) and the minors / crosses you rely on.
• Index CFDs such as US30, US500, NAS100, GER40, UK100 and others if you trade indices.
• Gold, silver, energies and key commodities if they are part of your strategy.
• Single-stock and crypto CFDs only if you fully understand the extra risks and trading conditions.

3. Leverage, Margin & Risk Controls

• Maximum leverage available on FX and CFDs in your region (for example 1:30, 1:50, 1:100+).
• Margin call and stop-out levels — at what point positions are automatically reduced or closed.
• Negative balance protection policies and how they operate during gaps or extreme volatility.
• Any restrictions around news trading, scalping or high-frequency algos.

4. Pricing Model & All-In Trading Cost

• Standard account (wider spread, no explicit commission) vs. raw/ECN account (tight spread, per-lot commission).
• Typical spreads during the liquid parts of the day on your core pairs, not just “from 0.0” marketing claims.
• Swap/rollover rates for positions held overnight or over the weekend.
• Deposit/withdrawal charges, inactivity fees and currency conversion costs.

5. Execution, Platforms & Tools

• Execution model: STP/ECN, no-dealing desk, or hybrid / market-maker. Understand how your orders are filled.
• Platform choice: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, proprietary web or desktop platforms.
• Order types, depth of market, partial fills and slippage behaviour during fast conditions.
• Back-testing, VPS and API support if you run EAs, algos or custom tools.

6. Service, Support & Account Types

• Local language support and trading desk hours that match your session.
• Availability of professional, Islamic/swap-free or corporate accounts where needed.
• Quality of education and research if you value broker-supplied market commentary.

Examples of Well-Known Forex & CFD Brokers

The firms below are widely used by retail FX and CFD traders around the world. This list is not a recommendation and is not exhaustive. It is a neutral starting point for your own due diligence. Always confirm current regulations, products and fees directly with each broker.

Reminder: MRSLM Group has no control over any broker listed here and does not guarantee accuracy of third-party information. Regulations, leverage limits and trading conditions can change at any time. Always perform your own checks.

Next Steps for Your Broker Selection

1. Short-list two or three brokers that are regulated in your region and offer the products you trade.
2. Open demo accounts and test spreads, execution, swaps and platform stability during your usual session.
3. Read the full terms, risk disclosures and margin/stop-out policies for each broker.
4. Compare all-in trading cost for your average position size and holding time.
5. Fund small at first and scale gradually as you confirm that execution and support fit your needs.

You can combine this page with the **Trading & Prop Firms** guides to see how traditional forex/CFD brokers fit alongside prop-firm accounts in one overall trading plan.