1
9.6Score
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Best CFD Brokers
Independently reviewed and ranked by our editorial team.
Summary:
- This article describes the characteristics of the best CFD brokers and what features they present to their clients.
Introduction
The quest to choose the best CFD broker goes beyond just the lowest spread or a fanciful trading app. It’s about choosing a broker with a strong mix of low trading costs, broad market access, effective risk-management tools, and fast/reliable order execution.
CFDs stand for Contracts for Difference (CFDs). The best CFD brokers let traders buy contracts that speculate on the price movements of underlying assets without owning them directly. Generally, CFDs cover markets such as FX, stocks, commodities, cryptos, and indices. Available markets vary by broker.
CFDs are leveraged trading products. This means they are traded using enhanced buying power provided by the broker, where the broker provides the full capital for the trade and the trader puts up margin as collateral once the position is set up. If the trade moves against the trader and causes a loss in the position’s value, the trader loses that margin. If the margin drops to a critical level, the broker issues a margin call. If the margin collateral is used up, a stop out closes the position, resulting in a total loss of the trader’s capital. Leverage increases both potential profit and potential loss. Therefore, the best CFD broker rankings must focus not just on what happens when things go right, but on what’s available to protect the trader when things go wrong.
Ranking the Best CFD Brokers
We rank the parameters used to select our best CFD broker using a 100-point scoring system designed to highlight what traders most often look for when choosing a CFD broker. These parameters include fees, platforms, safety, research, and support.
Only brokers explicitly tagged as CFD-market brokers appear here, sorted by Editorial Score from highest to lowest — the same five-factor methodology (fees, platforms, safety, research, support) used across every Best Page on this site.
Best CFD Brokers — 100-Point Ranking System
We rank CFD brokers across five core categories, with a maximum score of 100 points:
| Ranking factor | Weight | What we assess |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | 30 points | Spreads, commissions, rollover charges, etc. |
| Platforms | 25 points | Types of platforms (desktop, mobile and web), charting packages, execution tools, the platforms (cTrader, MT4/MT5, Tradingview, TradeLocker, etc) |
| Safety | 20 points | Regulation, client-fund protection, corporate track record and security |
| Research | 15 points | Market analysis, real-time news, economic calendar, scanners, tools and live market information. |
| Support | 10 points | Customer service, availability, response times and support channels, speed of resolution, channels of escalation. |
| TOTAL | 100 points |
1ATFX9.62
IC Markets9.53
Pepperstone9.44
IG9.25
Exness9.16
FP Markets9.07
CMC Markets9.08
XM8.99
AvaTrade8.810
Eightcap8.7
ATFX9.62IC Markets9.53Pepperstone9.44IG9.25Exness9.16FP Markets9.07CMC Markets9.08XM8.99AvaTrade8.810Eightcap8.71ATFX
Pros
- Scores high for safety, execution quality, and support.
- Regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), SFC (Hong Kong), CySEC (Cyprus), CMA (UAE), SFC (Colombia), FSCA (South Africa), SERC (Cambodia), FSC (Mauritius), FSA (Seychelles)
- In-depth educational content, with webinars and courses.
- Fast, reliable trade execution with minimal slippage reported in independent testing
- Quick trade execution, showing minimal slippage in tests.
- 24/5 customer service that's quick to respond, available in many languages
- Free market analysis and daily commentary from a professional in-house analyst research team.
Cons
- Charges an inactivity fee if you don't trade for three months
- Has fewer assets than larger competitors.
- Doesn't accept clients from the United States.
- Fixed-spread accounts have higher trading fees than raw accounts.
2IC Markets
2
9.5Score
Pros
- True ECN pricing from many liquidity providers
- Spreads can be as low as 0.0 pips on the Raw Spread account during peak hours
- Order execution is very fast, often under 40 milliseconds
- High maximum leverage is available for eligible accounts
- Deep liquidity helps with larger trades, limiting slippage
- You can choose from MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView
Cons
- Requires a higher minimum deposit than some competing platforms.
- Raw accounts charge a commission fee in addition to market spreads
- Limited proprietary research or in-house market analysis tools
3Pepperstone
3
9.4Score
Pros
- Raw spreads start at 0.0 pips on the Razor account
- Four platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView
- No minimum deposit requirement, lowering the barrier to entry
- Fast execution speed in independent tests
- Regulated in four jurisdictions
- Copy-trading and social-trading options available
Cons
- The Razor account charges commission per lot, in addition to raw spreads
- No proprietary desktop trading platform
- Its educational content is lighter than some competitors', particularly for beginners
- Standard account spreads are wider than those on the commission-based Razor tier
4IG
4
9.2Score
Pros
- Over 50 years of operating history
- Publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: IGG), part of the FTSE 250
- Access to over 17,000 financial markets across asset classes
- Comprehensive educational resources via the IG Academy
- Its platform stays stable even during volatile market events
- Strong track record of regulatory compliance across multiple major jurisdictions
Cons
- Higher minimum deposit requirement than many competing brokers
- Maximum leverage is lower under European regulatory guidelines
- Wide asset selection can feel overwhelming for absolute beginners….
5Exness
5
9.1Score
Pros
- Withdrawals are processed instantly for most payment methods.
- A low minimum deposit, only $10
- Regulated in several jurisdictions, including the FCA and CySEC.
- Flexible account currencies and local funding methods are available.
- Transparent, publicly displayed real-time trading statistics on its website
- Wide range of account currencies and flexible funding options
Cons
- Very high maximum leverage poses extreme financial risk for beginners
- Account features vary by regional entity
- It lacks advanced in-house market analysis and research software.
6FP Markets
6
9.0Score
Pros
- Long operating history since 2005 under regulated entities
- Competitive raw spreads from 0.0 pips on the Raw account
- Wide range of CFDs including individual shares
- Strong regulatory footprint spanning ASIC, CySEC, and FSCA
- Consistent execution quality reported across independent broker reviews
Cons
- The website and trading platform interface feel less modern than some newer competitors.
- Customer support response times can vary by region and time zone.
- It relies on MT4 and MT5 instead of a proprietary next-generation platform.
- The website and trading platform interface feel less modern than some newer competitors.
7CMC Markets
7
9.0Score
Pros
- It's publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: CMCX).
- The Next Generation platform comes packed with features, like advanced charting tools
- They cover a wide range of products, with over 12,000 tradable instruments
- There's no requirement for minimum deposit to open an account.
- You can add optional guaranteed stop-loss orders for better risk control.
Cons
- Spreads are wider than many competitor ECN specialists offer
- Beginners might find the platform's many features complex
- An inactivity fee applies if you don't trade for 12 months.
- Their crypto offerings are limited compared to specialist crypto brokers
8XM
8
8.9Score
Pros
- A low $5 minimum deposit makes trading accessible to many.
- They offer free daily webinars and educational materials in multiple languages.
- Market execution account tiers have a no-requotes policy.
- Standard negative balance protection keeps accounts from going below zero.
- It's been operating globally since 2009, giving it a long track record
Cons
- Spreads are wider than ECN competitors on the Standard account.
- Only MT4 and MT5 platforms are available. o cTrader or proprietary desktop platform — MT4/MT5 only
- Very high maximum leverage might encourage excess risk.
- Withdrawal processing can take longer than a day for some methods.
9AvaTrade
9
8.8Score
Pros
- Regulated across several international jurisdictions.
- Intuitive AvaTradeGO mobile app, good for newer users.
- Fixed-spread account options provide cost predictability during volatile news events
- Built-in risk management tools including AvaProtect, a downside-protection feature
- Supports social trading integrations, including AvaSocial and DupliTrade
- Offers fixed-spread accounts, making costs predictable during market news
Cons
- Trading spreads are wider than low-cost ECN alternatives.
- Inactivity fees apply if an account is idle for 90 days
- Fewer advanced tools aimed specifically at professional or institutional traders
- Features like AvaProtect come with separate utility costs
10Eightcap
10
8.7Score
Pros
- Full native integration with TradingView for charting and execution
- Competitive raw spreads starting from 1.0 pips.
- Expanding selection of crypto CFDs, alongside traditional assets
- Streamlined account opening and identity verification
- Regulated across ASIC, FCA, and CySEC for broad jurisdictional coverage
- Fast account opening process with a streamlined verification flow
Cons
- Shorter operating track record and brand recognition than some larger rivals
- Research and in-house analysis tools are still comparatively early in development
- Phone support availability is more limited outside core business hours
- Fewer account currency options than some multi-regional competitors
1. Fees — 30 Points
Fees are assigned the highest rating under the ranking system. We assign this rating because trading costs can directly affect a trader’s potential returns. A broker can offer the best execution technology and still remain unattractive to traders if its trading costs are consistently high. Fees fall into three categories: trading fees, non-trading fees, and financing costs.
What does the trading fee category cover?
- Commission structure (or zero spread accounts)
- spreads (bid-ask price)
- Commissions payable
- Minimum spreads
- Pricing transparency
- Costs to open and close positions (what some may call round-trip costs).
Under non-trading fees, we look at:
- deposit and withdrawal fees
- any currency conversion costs
- fees charged for account inactivity
- and any other account-related charges, such as maintenance of the trading platform or the use of VPS services, if available.
Financing costs typically refer to:
- swap rates
- rollover costs
- weekend financing costs
- long-short financing differences.
Whichever category the fees fall into, the principle is that they are assessed as a total cost. We believe it is better to view these fees holistically under these headings rather than simply advertising that Broker A or Broker B has a lower spread in the market because spreads are not the only costs. This is especially important for CFDs because traders who hold positions for several days or weeks incur overnight financing costs that can become significant. Many other broker comparisons only examine CFD spreads, commissions and withdrawal fees without typically considering some of these costs that we mentioned above.
2. Platforms — 25 Points
Trading platforms give traders market access and perform many other functions critical to trading. That is why this metric has been assigned the second-largest weighting. A CFD broker’s platform gives traders tools to analyze markets, place orders, and manage active positions.
Trading platforms can be assessed by
- platform type
- trading functionality, and
- ease of use.
The key question is how well the available platforms suit the trader. This distinction matters because several local methodologies check desktop, web, and other platforms as separate entities rather than combining them into a single platform availability checkbox.
Under Trading Functionality, check the available charting types, technical indicators, drawing tools, and other features. Also under Trading Functionality, you will look at parameters such as the ability to set price alerts or develop watchlists. The ability to execute technical trades and manage positions is also a key part of trading functionality.
When it comes to Platform Types, you should consider whether the platforms are turnkey, such as MetaTrader, or proprietary. Lately, trading integration has also become an important factor in the best broker platforms. You’ll also want to know whether a broker offers a proprietary mobile app in addition to a web platform and desktop version. Are the platform features available across all devices? This is a key question. You should also look at how stable and usable the platform is. Trading is hard enough on its own, and traders should not spend extra energy navigating the platform’s functions, which adds stress. The platform must be reliable, responsive, and easy for traders to navigate. Stability during active trading periods is also very important, as there have been stories of platforms freezing during high-volume trading events.
3. Safety — 20 Points
What is the best CFD broker’s safety net for its clients? This is where the following come in:
- regulation
- client protection
- track record
- security
Is the CFD broker regulated? What jurisdiction are clients’ funds held in? What are the compensation packages you can seek as a trader if all goes awry?
For client protection, consider negative balance protection, leverage restrictions, and segregation of client funds.
A corporate track record gives you an idea of how long the company has been in operation and what the experience of its clients over that period has been like. Look at the company’s regulatory history. Search trusted review sources for reviews of its operations, especially withdrawals. Has the company been in any scandal? Does the company pay out well-earned withdrawals?
You also need to review the broker’s security features. Do they offer 2-factor authentication? How about data protection and secure account access?
4. Research — 15 Points
Research has become an important feature of CFD trading, as traders want to know what is driving a market before they commit funds into a position. Research is different from trading education. Research tells the trader what is moving the market NOW.
Under research, we have:
- market research
- market information
- tools
Market research comes in the form of analysis reports, trading ideas, market commentary and technical/fundamental analysis. This can be provided by the broker or by third-party companies.
From research, we move to market information. These channels let traders learn what is happening in real time. The economic calendar (for news traders), earnings releases, and other real-time news reels are sources of market information that can set the best CFD brokers apart from the rest.
Then there are the tools that support market research. These include volatility tools, volume tools, scanners, pattern-identification screeners, squawk plug-ins, and even trading signals. A good CFD broker should provide some of these tools and the infrastructure that lets traders add them from third-party providers.
5. Support — 10 Points
Trading is time-sensitive, and any problems with deposits, withdrawals, platform unresponsiveness, or account access require urgent, responsive customer support. In this era of transitioning to AI chatbots, the human touch of customer support is almost being lost, and the best CFD brokers should not fall into this trap that can alienate their clients.
Human supervision in a live chatbox still beats other established channels such as email, support tickets, and social media handles. Customer support must deliver speedy responses and resolutions and feature knowledgeable staff. Answers must be professionally delivered and accurate. There must also be a functional escalation channel if issues remain unresolved at the primary level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CFD?
A Contract for Difference is a derivative that lets you speculate on the price movement of an underlying asset — such as an index, commodity, or share — without owning it, settling the difference between the opening and closing price.
Are CFDs available to traders everywhere?
No — CFD trading is restricted or banned for retail clients in some jurisdictions, including the United States, so availability depends on where you are regulated as a client.
Do CFD brokers charge overnight fees?
Most CFD positions held overnight incur a financing charge (sometimes called a swap or rollover fee), which varies by broker and instrument — check each broker’s contract specifications before holding positions for multiple days.
Does the broker support my trading strategy?
Requirements vary from one CFD broker to another. A scalper, swing trader, algorithmic trader and long-term CFD trader can have very different requirements.