Trading CFDs carries considerable risk of capital loss. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Compare forex and cfd brokers

Navigating the world of CFD and forex brokers can be a daunting task, given the multitude of options. The first rule of thumb is to select a broker that’s well-regulated, significantly reducing the risks of falling victim to scams or fraudulent practices. Regulations provide a layer of security for your investments.

CFD brokers selection

Here is a selection of CFD brokers curated by our team. Let’s delve into a comparative analysis of these brokers.

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Fortrade
  • Very easy to use ForTrade platform and mobile apps
  • Nice and clear charts and technical indicators
  • Very suitable for price action trading
  • Trading is also possible on MT4: MetaTrader 4 software, MT4 Webtrader, MT4 Android App en MT4 iOS App
  • Good education in the Fortrade Academy with ebooks and videos on technical analysis and top trading strategies
  • Unlimited free demo
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IC Markets
  • True ECN broker: Institutional pricing with no dealing desk, no requotes and no trading restrictions
  • Experience some of the lowest spreads available, with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.1 pips
  • Ideal for scalping and high-frequency trading
  • No limits on trade sizes, trade as small as one micro lot (0.01)
  • Trading with the cTrader platform or MT4 software
  • Very good customer service and free webinars with top traders
  • Free unlimited demo
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FP Markets
  • Forex and CFD’s: indices, equities, commodities, metals, shares, cryptocurrencies
  • Over 10,000+ products
  • Trade with advanced platforms like MT4, MT5 or IRESS
  • Webtrader and mobile apps
  • Education section with videos and ebooks, daily research, webinars
  • Support: email, livechat or phone
  • Free demo account
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  • CFDs only
  • Intuitive trading platform
  • Trade from your browser or use the mobile apps
  • Charting options are rather limited
  • Support: email and online chat
  • Free unlimited demo
Negative balance protection

Regulated brokers

For traders within the European Union, there’s an extra layer of protection, as all EU-regulated brokers are mandated to offer negative balance protection for retail traders. However, it’s vital to be aware that the maximum leverage is capped at 30 to ensure your trading experience remains within manageable risk levels.

Lastly, a critical reminder: never, under any circumstance, engage with an unregulated broker. The well-known regulators in the forex and CFD market, including CySEC (Cyprus), the FCA (UK), and ASIC (Australia), offer a safety net for traders. Keep in mind that CFDs are leveraged products, and with leverage comes a heightened risk factor. While the potential for profit is greater, so is the potential for loss. You may even incur losses exceeding your initial deposit if your broker does not provide negative balance protection.

In essence, trading CFDs or forex is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor; it carries its own set of risks. Make sure you fully comprehend the complexities before taking the plunge into this dynamic world of trading.

Platform features

The decision-making process doesn’t stop after you’ve found well-regulated brokers. You must also consider the specific features you need on a trading platform, the minimum deposit requirements, and even the counterparty risk involved in trading with a particular broker.

You’ll want to know if your chosen broker offers additional support, such as webinars, seminars, educational resources, daily market analysis, or trading signals. These can be invaluable tools to help you make informed decisions in the fast-paced world of trading.

Managing your funds should be straightforward, and for many, a Skrill account is the go-to choice, widely accepted by most brokers for funding and withdrawals.

regulatory oversight

Regulation

Worldwide regulation

Every country has an organisation which regulates the financial services industries. We only list brokers that operate in an officially regulated environment. List of possible regulators:

  • ASIC: Australian Securities & Investments Commission
  • CBI: Central Bank of Ireland
  • CONSOB: Commissione Nazionale Per Le Societa’ e La Borsa, Italy
  • CySEC: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission
  • FCA: Financial Conduct Authority, UK
  • FMA: Financial Market Authority, New Zealand
  • FSA: Financial Services Agency, Japan
  • FSB: Financial Services Board, South Africa
  • SFC: Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission

 

* Plus500 UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 509909).
Plus500 CY LTD is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (License No. 250/14).
Plus500AU Pty Ltd, ACN 153 301 681, AFSL # 417727, issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission is authorized to issue these products to Australian residents. Derivatives issuer licence in New Zealand, FSP #. 486026 authorises Plus500 to issue these products to New Zealand residents. Plus500AU Pty Ltd, is also an authorized Financial Services Provider in South Africa, FSP 47546.