ATFX

ATFX is a Forex and CFD broker which is authorised and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority under the name of AT Global Markets (UK). This company is also a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, offering a high level of safety and security of funds.

With ATFX users can trade on more than 100+ trading instruments covering Forex, Commodities, Metals, Oil, Indices, Shares and Cryptocurrency CFDs on the MetaTrader 4 trading platform for Desktop, Android, iPhone and Web. Both beginner and professional traders will enjoy the impressive trader education tools, webinars and seminars that are available as well as the market research provided and special trading tools such as Trading Central indicators.

PROS:CONS:
FCA UK regulated.Commission-free trading accounts available.Spread Betting and CFDs accounts available.Impressive trader education resources.No access to MetaTrader 5 yet.

Tickmill

Tickmill was founded in 2014 and is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA).

The broker provides more than 80+ CFD instruments to trade on covering Forex, Indices, Commodities and Bonds through three core trading accounts called the Pro Account, Classic Account and VIP Account. They also offer a demo trading account and Islamic swap-free account.

PROS:CONS:
Multiple regulations and licences.Commission-free trading accounts available.Competitive spreads and overnight swap charges.Impressive range of trader research tools and analysis.No stocks available.MetaTrader 5 not available.

RoboMarkets

ActivTrades was founded in 2001 and was recognised by the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 as the 90th fastest growing company in the UK for 2017. The company is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as well as the Securities Commission of the Bahamas and offers CFD and Spread Betting trading accounts with direct execution (non-dealing desk).

PROS:CONS:
FCA regulated.Segregated client funds and additional insurance protections.500+ tradable assets across Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities, ETFs and Cryptocurrencies.Free advanced trading tools such as Smart Pattern, Smart Order and Smart Forecast.One-to-one platform trainingNot accessible for US clients.Limited market analysis and research tools.

ActivTrades

ActivTrades was founded in 2001 and is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The broker also operates another entity, ActivTrades Corp, which is authorised and regulated by The Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB). 

The broker was recognised by the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 as the 90th fastest growing company in the UK for 2017. ActivTrades not only offers a negative balance protection policy but also segregated accounts and enhanced client money protection, as well as competitive spreads and a no requotes policy.

ActivTrades offers individual and corporate retail accounts, as well as professional accounts for those eligible. Swap-free accounts are also available upon request. The demo accounts are free and allow access to the full range of 1,000+ products available through CFDs and Spread Betting, including Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares and ETFs

Users can trade via the well established MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, as well as their own ActivTrader platform, which includes the exclusive Progressive Trailing Stop order. All platforms are available on Mac. PC, iOS and Android systems. The broker also provides free advanced trading tools, such as SmartOrder2, Smart Lines, Smart Forecast, Smart Patter and others.

The broker offers customer support 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, via Phone, Live Chat and email enquiry form. Exclusive market analysis is provided daily and clients can access a large online archive of webinars. Demonstration videos are also provided for those less familiar with the different trading platforms. Market analysis and trader research are limited but there are educational videos on the different trading platforms provided.

The broker announced it was on track to post its best-ever half-year results in 2020, due to an increase in trading volumes and client accounts. Second-quarter revenue of £30 million in 2020 is more than triple what was recorded at the same time last year highlighting the broker’s robust offering.

PROS:CONS:
FCA regulated.Segregated client funds and additional insurance protections.Free advanced trading tools such as Smart Pattern, Smart Order and Smart Forecast.Not available for residents in the United States or Canada.

OctaFX

OctaFX is a Forex and CFD trading platform with a focus on low, competitively priced spreads. It supports MT4, MT5, and cTrader trading platforms. cTrader offers the lowest costs, but does require a bit more experience. Novice traders are best starting off at OctaFX using MetaTrader 4, which supports micro accounts.

PROS:CONS:
Low spread pricing3 different platforms and flexible pricingFree Forex demo availableJust 28 currency pairsLimited deposit optionsLost UK Financial Conduct Authority coverage in 2017

Swissquote

Swissquote Bank Ltd. is an online forex, CFD and derivatives trading broker that offers what may be called a total trading package that goes beyond forex or CFDs. Swissquote Bank is part of the Swissquote Group Holdings Ltd, and represents the Swiss-based trading division of the company. Swissquote Bank operates from Gland, Switzerland and commenced operations in 1996.

PROS:CONS:
Swissquote Bank is a regulated entity.here is a comprehensive trader education suite.Customer support is very responsive and provides timely service.Investor protection is very strong.Highly diversified asset base, which caters to all kinds of traders.Many countries are excluded from doing business with Swissquote, which prevents traders in those countries from opening trading accounts.Minimum deposit amounts are high.

FP Markets

This brokerage offers a massive range of tradable assets through Forex, CFD, and share trading accounts. FP Markets supports the MT4, MT5, and IRESS platforms and offers leverage up to 500:1. You can trade 45 currency pairs with competitive spread or commission pricing.

PROS:CONS:
10,000+ tradable assetsChoose between 3 trading platformsCompetitive spread pricing on raw accountHigh spreads on the standard accountA range of possible additional feesAU $200 minimum opening balance

IC Markets

IC Markets was founded in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), as well as the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA). According to the broker’s website, they processed $646 billion worth of trading volume in April 2019 alone.

PROS:CONS:
True ECN broker with institutional grade liquidity.MetaTrader and cTrader available on desktop, web and mobile.Wide range of tradable products with 24/7 customer support.Impressive library of educational material and videos.Beginner traders may be overwhelmed by the choice of markets and platforms.

XTB

XTB is an award-winning CFD platform that supports Forex, indices, commodities, stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, and cryptocurrencies. For Forex, XTB supports 48 currency pairs with low-cost spreads. Customers of XTB can choose between trading on the xStation 5 or MT4 platforms. For leverage accounts, this brokerage offers leverage of up to 200:1.

PROS:CONS:
Choose between two excellent trading platforms (xStation 5 or MT4 platforms)A collection of 3000+ trading instruments across six asset classesLow spreadsFewer Forex pairs than some top competitorsNo 24/7 support

FXTM

FXTM, short for ForexTime, is a platform with a primary focus on foreign exchange. That specialization allows it to rise above many others when it comes to Forex focused trading platforms and tools. CFDs are available on 50+ currency pairs including major, minor, and exotic pairs. Leverage is available up to 1000:1.

Spreads are competitive across all platforms with 24-hour trading open 5 days per week. FXTM is based in Cyprus and licensed by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulators in and out of the EU. A free demo account is available. 

 PROS: CONS:
Support for 250+ products to trade across global markets, including Forex, commodities, shares, indices and cryptocurrency CFDsCompetitive spreadsMetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platform supportLow maximum order sizeNo native Mac desktop app