Best Trading Platforms Guide
Trading Platforms
Trading platforms are used to execute orders in the financial markets. Traders open, close as well as manage market positions with software with the help of online brokers.
Usually, the online brokers provide trading platforms to traders charging varied commissions and fees. Some brokerages offer trading platforms without any charge but may not offer as many trading features.
Trading Platforms Explained
Traders and investors who want to place trades online need to do it through trading platforms. Online brokers provide software that sometimes comes bundled with features like news feeds, charting tools, real-time quotes and premium research.
Trading Platforms are categorized into two types. Proprietary platforms and commercial platforms.
Proprietary Trading Platforms
larger brokerages invest in developing customized platforms known as proprietary platforms that are tailored to specific tasks and trading styles.
Commercial Trading Platforms
Commercial platforms come with helpful features and best suited for retail investors and day traders.
Traders have their own trading style and they choose trading platforms accordingly.
Choosing Trading Platforms
Trading platforms play an important role in executing orders and here we will discuss what are the factors to consider while choosing one.
The first important thing to check is whether the platform charges any fees or commissions when trading. Don’t be put off by a broker charging for a trading platform.
Brokers will often offer more trading features, tools and educational resources if they are charging.
Brokers will no fees or charges are usually aimed at new traders. Brokers with no fees will earn through the buy and sell price of your trading activity.
For short-term and day traders market maker depth charts and Level2 quotes features are required on the trading platforms. Options traders look for tools to visualize options strategies.
Some trading platforms are specially designed by a broker or intermediary and may not be available with other brokers or intermediaries. Traders should check the reputation of such brokers before striking a deal.
Trading platforms may have certain requirements, like traders must have a certain amount in equity before trading.
Key Factors
Investors need to consider several factors when selecting a platform for their trading strategy. While some trading platforms are aimed at beginners, the majority are developed for experienced traders who look for additional features like live streaming of quotes, sophisticated tool sets and charting features.
Popular Trading Platforms
There are several popular trading platforms including MT4 and MT5. Online brokers will be able to offer platforms once they know their clients trading requirements.
Beginners are treated differently, platforms offered to them are equipped with additional tools and features to help them learn about the markets.
Trading Platforms Verdict
Trading platforms are online software platforms available on online through the web or through custom IOS and Android apps on mobile devices and tablets. Trading platforms help in executing orders in the financial markets.
Platforms need to be helpful to traders and help traders make informed trading decisions though analysis tools and offer risk limiting features. Choose a trading platform based on the requirements of your investment strategy.
Beginners will need platforms with more tools and educational resources than more experienced traders.
We've collected thousands of datapoints and written a guide to help you find the best Trading Platforms for you. We hope this guide helps you find a reputable broker that matches what you need. We list the what we think are the best trading platforms below. You can go straight to the broker list here.
Reputable Trading Platforms Checklist
There are a number of important factors to consider when picking an online Trading Platforms trading brokerage.
- Check your Trading Platforms broker has a history of at least 2 years.
- Check your Trading Platforms broker has a reasonable sized customer support of at least 15.
- Does the Trading Platforms broker fall under regulation from a jurisdiction that can hold a broker responsible for its misgivings; or at best play an arbitration role in case of bigger disputes.
- Check your Trading Platforms broker has the ability to get deposits and withdrawals processed within 2 to 3 days. This is important when withdrawing funds.
- Does your Trading Platforms broker have an international presence in multiple countries. This includes local seminar presentations and training.
- Make sure your Trading Platforms can hire people from various locations in the world who can better communicate in your local language.
Our team have listed brokers that match your criteria for you below. All brokerage data has been summarised into a comparison table. Scroll down.
Our brokerage comparison table below allows you to compare the below features for brokers offering Trading Platforms.
We compare these features to make it easier for you to make a more informed choice.
- Minimum deposit to open an account.
- Available funding methods for the below Trading Platforms.
- What you are able to trade with each brokerage.
- Trading Platforms offered by these brokers.
- Spread type (if applicable) for each brokerage.
- Customer support levels offered.
- We show if each brokerage offers Micro, Standard, VIP and Islamic accounts.
Top 15 Trading Platforms of 2021 compared
Here are the top Trading Platforms.
Compare Trading Platforms min deposits, regulation, headquarters, benefits, funding methods and fees side by side.
All brokers below are trading platforms. Learn more about what they offer below.
You can scroll left and right on the comparison table below to see more trading platforms that accept trading platforms clients
| Broker |
IC Markets
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XTB
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FP Markets
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Roboforex
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Pepperstone
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EasyMarkets
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XM
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FXPrimus
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SpreadEx
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Forex.com
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OctaFX
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| Rating | |||||||||||
| Regulation | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FCA number FRN 522157, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), CySEC Licence Number: 169/12, Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores, Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego, Belize International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) under license number IFSC/60/413/TS/19, Polish Securities and Exchange Commission (KPWiG) | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Capital Markets Authority of Kenya (CMA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F217 | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) | International Financial Services Commission (IFSC), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Markets In Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), National Futures Association (NFA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Min Deposit | 200 | No minimum deposit | 100 | 1 | 200 | 100 | 5 | 100 | 1 | 100 | 5 |
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| Used By | 60,000+ | 250,000+ | 10,000+ | 10,000+ | 10,000+ | 142,500+ | 70,000+ | 10,000+ | 10,000+ | 150,000+ | 30,000+ |
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| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Mac | MT4, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, IRESS, Mac, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mac, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mac, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, Mac, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, WebTrader, Advantage Trader Pro, TradingView, Tablet and mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
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| Learn More |
Sign
Up with icmarkets |
Sign
Up with xtb |
Sign
Up with fpmarkets |
Sign
Up with roboforex |
Sign
Up with pepperstone |
Sign
Up with easymarkets |
Sign
Up with xm |
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Up with fxprimus |
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Up with spreadex |
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Up with forexcom |
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Up with octafx |
| Risk Warning | Losses can exceed deposits | 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. | Losses can exceed deposits | Losses can exceed deposits | CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 79.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money | Your capital is at risk | Your capital is at risk | Losses can exceed deposits | Losses can exceed deposits | 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider | Losses can exceed deposits |
| Demo |
IC Markets Demo |
XTB Demo |
FP Markets Demo |
Roboforex Demo |
Pepperstone Demo |
easyMarkets Demo |
XM Demo |
FXPrimus Demo |
SpreadEx Demo |
Forex.com Demo |
OctaFX Demo |
| Excluded Countries | AF, GN, SL, BW, IR, SY, MM, IQ, TG, KH, LS, YE, CI , LR, ZW, CU, LY, TZ, CG, ML, BO, LR, NE, AO, GM, NG, AG, GH, KR, KG, GN, SN, NA | US, IN, PK, BD, NG , ID, BE | US, JP, NZ | US, JP | BR, KR, IR, IQ, SY, JP, US | US | US, CA, IL, KR, IR, MM, CU, SD, SY | AF, CI, CU, IQ, IR, LY, MM, KR, SD, PR, US, AU, SY, DZ, JP, EC. | US, TR | BE | US |
All Trading platforms in more detail
You can compare Trading Platforms ratings, min deposits what the the broker offers, funding methods, platforms, spread types, customer support options, regulation and account types side by side.
We also have an indepth Top Trading Platforms for 2021 article further below. You can see it now by clicking here
We have listed top Trading platforms below.
Trading Platforms Table of Contents
- Trading Platforms Explained
- 6 Factors to Consider when Choosing Trading Platforms
- Are Your Trading Platforms Trusted And Established?
- Are The Trading Platforms World Leading?
- What are the Trading Platforms Commissions and Fees?
- What are the Trading Platforms Funding and Withdrawl Methods?
- Find Trading Platforms with Round-the-clock support?
- Make sure the Trading Platforms Offer Comprehensive Trader resources?
- Why do Trading Platforms need to be regulated?
- Trading Platforms FAQ
- What are the best Trading platforms brokers?
- What is the best Trading platform broker?
- Related Trading Platforms Reviews
- Related Trading Platforms Alternatives
- Related Trading Platforms Comparisons
Trading Platforms Explained
Trading the financial markets with Trading Platforms when conditions are volatile can be difficult, even for experienced traders.
Apart from the educational and other resources made available online, another important factor for traders to consider when looking for Trading Platforms is the platform that a Trading Platforms offer.
Choose Trading Platforms that's at the forefront of innovation and generally considered an industry-leader.
To gain access to the financial markets, you'll need Trading Platforms that you can rely on.
6 Factors to Consider when Choosing Trading Platforms
Follow these five rules for selecting a broker that's right for you:
Are Your Trading Platforms Trusted And Established?
Look for a broker that has a good track record/longevity in the market so that your strategy is your primary concern for navigating the markets. The top rated Trading Platforms broker is IC Markets. Established in 2007, and in operation for 12 years IC Markets have a head office in Australia.
IC Markets is regulated. This means IC Markets are supervised by and is checked for conduct by Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) regulatory bodies.
Another top rated broker is XTB.
XTB was established 2002, and in operation for 16 years XTB have a head office in Poland.
XTB is regulated. This means XTB are supervised by and is checked for conduct by Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) regulatory bodies.
| Broker |
IC Markets
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XTB
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FP Markets
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Roboforex
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Pepperstone
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EasyMarkets
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| Year Established | 2007 | 2002 | 2005 | 2009 | 2010 | 2001 |
| Head Office | Australia | Poland | Australia | Cyprus | Australia | Cyprus, Australia |
| Regulation | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FCA number FRN 522157, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), CySEC Licence Number: 169/12, Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores, Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego, Belize International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) under license number IFSC/60/413/TS/19, Polish Securities and Exchange Commission (KPWiG) | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Capital Markets Authority of Kenya (CMA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F217 | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) |
| Used By | 60,000+ | 250,000+ | 10,000+ | 10,000+ | 10,000+ | 142,500+ |
| Negative balance protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Learn More | Visit IC Markets | Visit XTB | Visit FP Markets | Visit Roboforex | Visit Pepperstone | Visit easyMarkets |
| Risk Warning | Losses can exceed deposits | 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. | Losses can exceed deposits | Losses can exceed deposits | CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 79.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money | Your capital is at risk |
Are The Trading Platforms World Leading?
Choose a broker that's at the forefront of innovation and generally considered an industry-leader. IC Markets Segregates clients funds and offers over 232 instruments. IC Markets offers both an online trading platform as well as a mobile platform giving clients easy access to markets.
In addition, IC Markets supports many popular third-party trading platforms enabling access to a variety of markets worldwide that can be traded with the assistance of expert advisors or a customizable automatic trading strategy. IC Markets is a world-leader when it comes to innovation and they are always looking at ways to improve and to maintain their competitive advantage.
Another good choice when looking for Trading Platforms is XTB . XTB Segregates clients funds and offers over 4000 instruments.
| Broker |
IC Markets
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XTB
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FP Markets
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Roboforex
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Pepperstone
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EasyMarkets
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| Instruments Available | 232 | 4000 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 200 |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Mac | MT4, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, IRESS, Mac, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mac, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
| Excluded Countries | US | US, AU, CA, JP, KR, KP, SG, MU, IL, TR, IN, PK, BA, ET, UG, CU, SY, BD, NG, ID, BE, LY, MO, KE, YE, VU, GY, CD, CG, AF, LA, MZ, IQ, IR | US, JP, NZ | US, JP | BR, KR, IR, IQ, SY, JP,US | US |
| Forex pairs offered | 65 | 57 | 60 | 35 | 70 | 150 |
| Forex pairs offered | 65 | 57 | 60 | 35 | 70 | 150 |
| Major forex pairs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minor forex pairs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Exotic forex pairs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies (availability subject to regulation) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities Offered | 19 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 12 |
| Metals | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Energies | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Agricultural | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Stocks Offered | 110 | 1696 | 10000 | 0 | 60 | 52 |
| UK Shares | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| US Shares | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| German Shares | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Japanese Shares | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
What are the Trading Platforms Commissions and Fees?
Ensure that your broker is transparent with fees and those dues are competitive.
The best rated Trading Platforms broker IC Markets offers competitive offers for Forex, CFDs, Spread Betting, Share dealing, Cryptocurrencies. IC Markets minimum deposit is 200.
Another top rated Trading Platforms broker XTB offers Forex, CFDs, Cryptocurrency. XTB minimum deposit is 0. Please note that any cryptocurrency availability with any broker is subject to regulation.
| Broker |
IC Markets
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XTB
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FP Markets
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Roboforex
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Pepperstone
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EasyMarkets
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| Min Deposit | 200 | 0 | 100 | 1 | 200 | 100 |
| Withdrawl Fees | No | varies | No | Yes | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | Varies | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD Commission Fees | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
What are the Trading Platforms Funding and Withdrawal Methods?
When dealing with Trading Platforms having convenient funding and withdrawl facilities makes the trading process and your trading experience smoother.
| Broker |
IC Markets
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XTB
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FP Markets
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Roboforex
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Pepperstone
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EasyMarkets
|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Cards | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Paypal | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Skrill | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Payoneer | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Neteller | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Find Trading Platforms with Round-the-clock support?
Customer service is very important when dealing with Trading Platforms.
When investing and dealing with brokers customer support can be a range of customer services to assist customers in making cost effective and correct use the brokers services. It can include assistance in installation, training, troubleshooting, upgrading, and cancelation of a product or service.
Trading Platforms customer support can include Phone answering services, Live chat support and Email customer service support.
IC Markets support a wide range of languages including English, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, Afrikans, Danish, Dutch, German and more
XTB support a wide range of languages including English, Spanish, Czech, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovenian, and Turkish
IC Markets and XTB offer support where clients are able to call or contact the helpdesk via email or a chat service.
| Broker |
IC Markets
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XTB
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FP Markets
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Roboforex
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Pepperstone
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EasyMarkets
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| Support |
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| Languages | English, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, Afrikans, Danish, Dutch, German and more | English, Spanish, Czech, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovenian, and Turkish | English, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Bulgarian, Arabic, Russian, French, Italian, Greek, Philippines, Latvian, Polish,Indonesian, Thai, Malay, German, Vietnamese | English, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Indonesian, Malaysian, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Arabic, Thai, Russian, and Ukrainian | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic | English, German, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish and Polish |
| Learn More | Visit IC Markets | Visit XTB | Visit FP Markets | Visit Roboforex | Visit Pepperstone | Visit easyMarkets |
| Risk Warning | Losses can exceed deposits | 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. | Losses can exceed deposits | Losses can exceed deposits | CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 79.3% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money | Your capital is at risk |
Make sure the Trading Platforms Offer Comprehensive Trader resources?
Make sure your broker offers free resources like analysis, education and risk-management tools. With a wealth of knowledge from top analysts, IC Markets and XTB work together to bring the latest news and insights to traders.
For most traders, the first – and sometimes only – concern is pursuing their 'edge'. While that is surely important, along with sound money management habits, to navigating the markets; that step alone does not represent the full preparation. As each trader dives into this important venture, it is important not to forget the most rudimentary yet crucial steps such as selecting the best broker to access the markets.
Why do Trading Platforms need to be regulated?
A regulated Trading Platforms broker lowers your risk.
Broker regulation protects consumers. Too little broker regulation can lead to poor services and possibly financial harm.
Trading Platforms brokers are regulated to stop fraud. The agent's working capital and clients funded account have to be separated. This amounts to fraud if client money is used to conduct the business. Regulation is required to make sure this does not happen.
Trading Platforms List
Funding methods
Bank transfer Credit Card PaypalPlatforms
MT4, MT5, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, MacCustomer support
Live chat Phone support Email supportAccount Types
Micro account Standard account Islamic account VIP account
Funding methods
Bank transfer Credit Card PaypalPlatforms
MT4, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile appsCustomer support
Live chat Phone support Email supportAccount Types
Micro account Standard account Islamic account VIP account
Funding methods
Bank transfer Credit Card PaypalPlatforms
MT4, MT5, IRESS, Mac, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile appsCustomer support
Live chat Phone support Email supportAccount Types
Micro account Standard account Islamic account VIP account
Funding methods
Bank transfer Credit Card PaypalPlatforms
MT4, MT5, Mac, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile appsCustomer support
Live chat Phone support Email supportAccount Types
Micro account Standard account Islamic account VIP account
Funding methods
Bank transfer Credit Card PaypalPlatforms
MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile appsCustomer support
Live chat Phone support Email supportAccount Types
Micro account Standard account Islamic account VIP account
Funding methods
Bank transfer Credit Card PaypalPlatforms
MT4, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile appsCustomer support
Live chat Phone support Email supportAccount Types
Micro account Standard account Islamic account VIP account
Funding methods
Bank transfer Credit Card PaypalPlatforms
MT4, MT5, Mac, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile appsCustomer support
Live chat Phone support Email supportAccount Types
Micro account Standard account Islamic account VIP account
Funding methods
Bank transfer Credit Card PaypalPlatforms
MT4, Mac, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile appsCustomer support
Live chat Phone support Email supportAccount Types
Micro account Standard account Islamic account VIP account
Funding methods
Bank transfer Credit Card PaypalPlatforms
Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile appsCustomer support
Live chat Phone support Email supportAccount Types
Micro account Standard account Islamic account VIP account
Funding methods
Bank transfer Credit Card PaypalPlatforms
MT4, MT5, WebTrader, Advantage Trader Pro, TradingView, Tablet and mobile appsCustomer support
Live chat Phone support Email supportAccount Types
Micro account Standard account Islamic account VIP account