1
9.6Score
ℹ️
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Best Regulated Brokers
Independently reviewed and ranked by our editorial team.
Summary:
- Avoiding counterparty risks is a key factor to consider when choosing a broker, and here we discuss the best regulated brokers in 2026.
Introduction
When choosing a broker, regulatory oversight is a key safety point. It affects how your money’s handled, whether investor protection programs exist, and what options you have for resolving issues. This page evaluates brokers licensed by top-tier regulators such as the FCA and ASIC.
A broker might offer great trading terms, but they still pose a major counterparty risk if they only operate under a less-regulated offshore license. That’s why regulation is the most critical factor to consider.
How We Ranked Them
Brokers on this list must hold at least one FCA or ASIC license. These regulators are among the most stringest globally for retail trading. We rank them using our Safety sub-score. This score focuses solely on regulatory trust, not a full assessment of their overall quality.
1ATFX9.62
IG9.23
CMC Markets9.04
Pepperstone9.45
IC Markets9.56
AvaTrade8.87
Exness9.18
XM8.99
FP Markets9.010
Eightcap8.7
ATFX9.62IG9.23CMC Markets9.04Pepperstone9.45IC Markets9.56AvaTrade8.87Exness9.18XM8.99FP Markets9.010Eightcap8.71ATFXBest Overall
Why We Chose It
Best Overall
ATFX secures the top spot by maintaining strong scores across key performance areas. It scores above 9.5 out of 10 across fees, platforms, safety, research, and support. This broker is regulated by major authorities like the FCA and CySEC. On top of that, it provides 24/5 customer support and helpful educational resources for new traders.rnActive traders who need the absolute lowest raw spreads might prefer specialized ECN brokers, but ATFX offers a solid mix of strong oversight, dependable trade execution, and good customer service.
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.
2IGBest for Market Breadth
2
9.2Score
Why We Chose It
Best for Market Breadth
IG has operated since 1974 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. It offers more than 17,000 tradeable markets across asset classes. This breadth is one of the widest available to retail clients.rnThe IG Academy provides substantial educational content, plus strong in-house research and market analysis. Its platform also stays stable, even during volatile periods.rnBut this wide market access does come with a trade-off: a higher minimum deposit and lower maximum leverage than some other brokers listed here. These factors are a result of stricter retail protections from its main UK/EU regulation. Traders who prioritize institutional-grade market access over the absolute lowest fees will likely find IG a strong match.
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….
3CMC MarketsBest for Advanced Charting Software
3
9.0Score
Why We Chose It
Best for Advanced Charting Software
CMC Markets is a publicly listed broker with over 35 years of industry experience. It offers access to over 12,000 financial instruments via its proprietary Next Generation trading platform. The platform includes advanced technical charting tools and integrated analyst insights.rnThey provide in-house research and analyst commentary. You don’t need a minimum deposit to get started, and you can add guaranteed stop-loss orders for an extra fee.rnSpreads are wider than what you’d find with pure ECN specialists. Beginners might find the platform’s many features a bit much. Plus, there’s an inactivity fee if you don’t trade for 12 months. Their crypto offerings are limited compared to brokers specializing just in crypto.
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
4PepperstoneBest for Platform Choice
4
9.4Score
Why We Chose It
Best for Platform Choice
What makes Pepperstone stand out is its flexibility. Traders can choose from four platforms, which include MT4, MT5, cTrader, and native TradingView execution. It also offers razor-thin spreads on its Razor account and no minimum deposit. This mix of low entry costs and platform variety is unusual for its price.rnIt doesn’t have its own desktop platform, and its educational materials are pretty basic. Still, traders who prioritize competitive pricing and platform flexibility will likely find it a solid choice.rnPros
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
5IC MarketsBest for Raw ECN Execution
5
9.5Score
Why We Chose It
Best for Raw ECN Execution
IC Markets earns its place mainly through raw execution quality. It offers true ECN pricing and deep liquidity from many providers, with trade execution often averaging under 40 milliseconds. This makes it a great fit for scalping and algorithmic trading strategies. rnrnIt offers less educational content than brokers aimed at beginners, which is a drawback. Its commission-based Raw Spread account also adds a separate cost, one traders might overlook when comparing advertised spreads. Still, for those with a strategy who simply want quick, clean fills, it’s a solid option.
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
6AvaTradeBest for Risk Management Features
6
8.8Score
Why We Chose It
Best for Risk Management Features
AvaTrade holds licenses across several major jurisdictions. Its AvaTradeGO mobile app, with its simpler navigation, works well for many beginners. Fixed-spread accounts offer more predictable costs during volatile news events.rnIts AvaProtect, a built-in risk tool, can limit losses on certain trades. You’ll also find copy-trading and social-trading options through AvaSocial and DupliTrade. The product range covers forex, CFDs, stocks, and crypto in one account.rnIts standard spreads are higher than pure ECN alternatives. It also charges an inactivity fee if the account remains idle for three months. Nevertheless, its built-in safety features appeal to risk-averse retail traders.
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
7ExnessBest For Fast Withdrawals and High Leverage
7
9.1Score
Why We Chose It
Best For Fast Withdrawals and High Leverage
Exness stands out for its flexible funding and low initial capital needs. Traders can open an account with just $10. Most withdrawals are processed almost instantly.rnrnIt’s regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSCA, and FSC Mauritius. The entity a client joins depends on their location. The company also publishes real-time trading statistics on its website.rnrnIn some regions, Exness provides exceptionally high leverage. While this boosts buying power, it also significantly raises financial risk, especially for new traders. The platform offers limited in-house market research tools.
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.
8XMBest for Educational Webinars and Low Minimums
8
8.9Score
Why We Chose It
Best for Educational Webinars and Low Minimums
XM makes trading accessible for beginners, with a low $5 minimum deposit. They offer free, multilingual educational webinars and daily interactive market sessions. Their market execution accounts have a strict no-requotes policy.rnRetail accounts get standard negative balance protection, and a wide range of base currencies works well for international clients.rnSpreads on the Standard account are wider than those of ECN-focused brokers. Only MT4 and MT5 are offered. Maximum leverage goes up to 1:1000, which might encourage inexperienced traders to take on too much risk. Withdrawals can take longer than a day, depending on the payment method.
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.
9FP MarketsBest For Direct Equity and CFD Trading
9
9.0Score
Why We Chose It
Best For Direct Equity and CFD Trading
FP Markets has operated since 2005, overseen by ASIC, CySEC, and the FSCA. They offer raw account spreads starting at 0.0 pips. You can also access share CFDs alongside traditional forex pairs.rnAn IRESS platform is available for clients who want direct market access to shares. Execution quality receives consistent notes in independent reviews. MT4 and MT5 remain the main platforms.rnIts web interface feels less modern than some newer platforms. Customer support response times can also vary by time zone. Still, strong execution and IRESS platform access make it a solid choice for equity traders.
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.
10EightcapBest For TradingView Integration
10
8.7Score
Why We Chose It
Best For TradingView Integration
Eightcap combines raw ECN account pricing with full TradingView integration. This enables technical traders to analyze charts and execute orders directly from the TradingView interface. The broker also offers a growing list of cryptocurrency CFDs, plus standard forex pairsrnIts web platform offers a clean, modern interface for both desktop and mobile. It’s regulated by ASIC, the FCA, and CySEC. Opening an account and verifying your identity is streamlined.rnEightcap has a shorter operating history than some larger competitors. Its research and in-house analysis tools are still developing. Phone support is also more limited outside core business hours. You’ll find fewer account currency options compared to some multi-regional firms.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is regulatory oversight so important for choosing a safe broker?
Regulatory oversight shows how your money’s handled. It also offers investor protection programs and gives you clear ways to resolve disputes if you have issues with your broker.
What's the main risk when choosing a broker based just on favorable trading terms?
If you pick a broker just for good trading terms, especially one with a less-regulated offshore license, you face significant counterparty risk. So, strict regulatory oversight is the most important thing for your safety.
What do brokers need to do to be included on this list?
To be on this list, brokers must be licensed by highly regulated authorities like the FCA or ASIC. We rank them based on safety and regulatory trust, putting these ahead of their overall quality.