Brokers With Low Spreads
Spreads are the difference between the buy and sell price of a security, such as a forex pair. Some of the best trading brokers will offer low or tight spreads, but they may charge additional commissions. Conversely, wider spreads can reduce your profit margins if you’re trading in large volumes.
This guide will explain what spreads are in detail and what affects them, as well as looking at how ECN brokers work. We also share helpful tips for comparing UK brokers that offer the tightest spreads. Read on for a list of the top brokers with low spreads in 2024.
Best Brokers With The Lowest Spreads
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FXCC is an established broker that’s been offering low-cost online trading since 2010. Registered in Nevis and regulated by the CySEC, it stands out for its ECN trading conditions, no minimum deposit and smooth account opening that takes less than 5 minutes.
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IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.
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Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for traders at all levels.
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Eightcap is an award-winning, FCA-regulated broker offering industry-low trading fees. They are also the highest-rated brand by TradingView’s 50 million-strong users, who can trade directly on the platform. UK traders can sign up for a live account with an accessible £100 minimum deposit.
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RoboForex is an online broker, established in 2009 and registered with the IFSC in Belize. Traders can choose from five accounts (Prime, ECN, R StocksTrader, ProCent, Pro) catering to different needs with trades from 0.01 lots and spreads from 0 pips. RoboForex has also enhanced its offering over the years, adding CFD instruments and launching its stock trading platform, plus the CopyFX system.
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Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
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InstaForex is a forex and CFD broker founded in 2007. The broker offers diverse market coverage to millions of clients, spanning traditional assets like currencies and shares, as well as other interesting opportunities such as IPOs.
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BlackBull is a New Zealand-based CFD broker with trading opportunities on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptos. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms as well as TradingView, cTrader and a proprietary mobile app. Clients can trade with high leverage and tight spreads from 0 pips on the broker's ECN accounts.
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Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.
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Fusion Markets is an online broker established in 2017 and regulated by the ASIC, VFSC and FSA. It is best known for its low-cost forex and CFD trading, although its multiple account types and copy trading solutions cater to a range of traders. New clients can sign up and start trading in 3 easy steps.
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GO Markets is an established forex and CFD broker with multiple industry awards and accolades. The ECN/STP broker is popular with budding traders, offering competitive accounts in multiple base currencies and a range of flexible payment methods. With top-tier regulation from CySEC and ASIC, GO Markets is a trusted broker.
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Founded in 2008, NordFX is an offshore CFD broker offering forex, stock, commodities, indices and crypto trading to over 1.7 million clients in 190 countries. Traders access markets through the MT4 and MT5 platforms and benefit from low commissions, spreads from zero and decent extra features. Minimum deposits start from just $10 and very high leverage is available up to 1:1000.
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Axi is a global forex and CFD trading firm, founded in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Highly leveraged trading opportunities plus a $0 minimum deposit make it a popular choice among 60,000+ traders worldwide. Axi also stands out for its resources, including copy trading and Autochartist.
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EagleFX is a forex and CFD broker, established in 2019. The broker uses STP execution on the MT4 platform, offering tight spreads and low commissions. With leverage up to 1:500 and no restrictions on hedging or scalping, EagleFX is an attractive option for short-term traders.
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Founded in 2015, VT Markets maintains its position as a top Australian multi-asset CFD broker. With 1000+ tradeable instruments and support for the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, this broker delivers a wide range of trading opportunities to over 200,000 clients worldwide. VT Markets is regulated by the ASIC, FSCA, and FSC.
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Tradeview is an offshore forex and CFD broker based in the Cayman Islands and regulated by CIMA. Traders can access over 5000 instruments with a minimum deposit of $100. There are several third-party platforms on offer, including MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and cTrader.
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FXTrading.com is global broker offering highly leveraged CFDs on 10,000+ assets, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. Competitive prices with raw spreads and low to zero commissions are available. Traders can use the popular MetaTrader 4 platform and will have access to a suite of additional analytical tools and other resources. The multi-regulated brokerage is authorized by the ASIC and VFSC.
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Grand Capital is a MetaTrader broker with welcome bonuses, trading competitions and an intuitive copy trading service. Several account types and 400+ assets provide trading opportunities for various types of investors and strategies. New users can also open an account and start trading in a matter of minutes.
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IronFX is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker founded in 2010. This award-winning firm offers 500+ markets to over 1.5 million clients across 180 countries. Traders can access various account types with competitive pricing on the MT4 platform, as well as 24/5 customer support in 30 languages.
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Ingot Brokers is a multi-regulated brokerage established in 2006. The broker offers CFD trading opportunities on 1000+ instruments including forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. The broker supports the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms and offers both raw spreads and commission-free account options.
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Dukascopy is an online broker operated by a Swiss-regulated banking group. It offers a good selection of 500+ markets, with forex, stocks, gold, ETFs, indices, bonds and cryptocurrencies available. It also offers flexible trading opportunities through the choice of CFDs or binary options. Traders will use MetaTrader 4 or a proprietary platform that is well-suited to automated trading.
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AZAforex is a multi-asset broker founded in 2016. The brand offers a sophisticated proprietary platform, ECN trading and 40+ deposit methods. The brokerage has 120,000+ registered customers with copy trading and a VPS.
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RockGlobal is a New Zealand based and regulated CFD broker. They offer competitive spreads from 0.1 pips and a large range of trading assets, trading platforms and educational services, with up to 1:500 leverage. Operating in a Tier 1 regulated environment, RockGlobal offers peace of mind and excellent customer support.
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Kwakol Markets is a Nigerian headquartered broker with strong regulatory oversight in Australia and Canada. A great selection of trading assets are available, including synthetic products that simulate realistic market activity. Clients can trade on the MT4, MT5 and cTrader platforms, as well as a copy trading solution whereby a fee is only paid on profitable trades.
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Axofa is a forex and CFD broker registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The broker offers three account types with access to forex, commodities and indices. With ECN processing, low minimum deposits and no commissions, Axofa remains an attractive option, although the broker does not hold a reputable license.
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SageFX is an offshore, unregulated CFD broker that offers highly leveraged trading on forex, stocks, commodities, indices and crypto via the TradeLocker platform. Traders can access commission-free trading or an ECN account with tight spreads. While the broker's regulatory status is weak, it does provide segregated accounts and two-factor authentication.
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OspreyFX is an ECN broker headquartered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Established in 2019, the firm offers 120+ forex and CFD assets with high leverage up to 1:500, tight spreads from 0.1 pips and round-the-clock customer support. OspreyFX also stands out for its funded trading accounts where traders can keep up to 70% of profits.
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Errante is a Cyprus-based and regulated forex and CFD broker with leveraged trading on multiple assets, tiered accounts including a zero-spread option, and copy trading support. The broker offers leveraged trading up to 1:30 under its CySEC-regulated branch and 1:500 from an offshore branch, and supports the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. Errante's asset list is relatively limited but it does offer fast execution and low latency, and it is a trustworthy brand.
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Coinexx is an unregulated broker that provides leverage up to 1:500 on forex, commodities, indices and cryptocurrencies with deep liquidity, pure ECN spreads and negative balance protection. The broker uses crypto as base currencies and has low minimum deposit requirements of 0.001 BTC.
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LonghornFX is a forex and CFD broker offering over 150 instruments with leverage up to 1:500. The firm is registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and was launched in 2020. Clients can access a strong selection of cryptos, alongside forex, indices, commodities and stocks. With ECN/STP processing, this offshore broker promises tight spreads and fast execution.
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TMGM is an ASIC-regulated forex and CFD broker with a vast range of tradeable assets covering forex, stock, index, crypto and commodity markets. The account types on offer provide a flexible choice between no commission or zero spreads, with competitive pricing all-round.
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Anzo Capital is an offshore broker that offers leveraged CFDs on 100+ instruments including forex, stocks, indices and metals. The MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms are supported, and traders can choose between an STP account with spreads starting from 1.4 pips and zero commission, or an ECN account with a $4 round-turn commission and spreads from zero. A decent range of payment methods are accepted, including crypto deposits.
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Pacific Union Prime is an FSCA and offshore-regulated multi-asset broker offering competitive fees and direct market access on forex, commodities, stocks, bonds and indices. The broker supports the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms and a proprietary mobile app. Fees vary by account type with no commission and spreads from 1.9 pips on the Standard account and $7 commission per lot and spreads from 0.4 pips on the Prime account.
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AdroFx is an offshore ECN/STP broker that has offered CFD trading since 2018. The firm supports 100+ tradable assets on the popular MetaTrader 4 platform as well as a web trader, Allpips. Eight live accounts are available with no restrictions on trading strategies.
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RoboMarkets is a Cyprus-based forex, CFD and stock broker aimed at traders from Europe. The broker offers thousands of instruments across six asset classes and provides access to four leading platforms, including MetaTrader 4. With ECN pricing, Cent accounts and algorithmic trading tools, RoboMarkets caters to a range of trading strategies and investing styles.
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MultiBank FX is an established broker offering forex and CFD products since 2005. With 20,000+ instruments, plenty of local payment methods and 24/7 multilingual customer support, the broker is a popular choice among traders globally. New clients can also access a variety of bonus offers and access the hugely popular MT4 and MT5 trading platforms.
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Global Prime is a multi-regulated trading broker offering 150+ markets. Traders can get started with a $200 minimum deposit and trade with leverage up to 1:100. The firm also has a high trust score and a good reputation with a license from the ASIC.
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Swissquote is a Switzerland-based bank and broker that offers online trading and investing. The company has a high safety score and is listed on the Swiss stock exchange. The firm offers a huge range of products, from stocks, ETFs, bonds and futures to 400+ forex and CFD assets. Hundreds of thousands of traders have opened an account with the multi-regulated brokerage. Clients can get started in three easy steps while 24/7 customer support is available to assist new users.
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Fortrade is a multi-asset, multi-regulated broker with branches regulated by the FCA, CySEC and ASIC among others. The brand offers trading opportunities on a wide range of instruments including stocks, bonds, commodities, forex, indices, cryptocurrencies and ETFs, with competitive fees and support for MetaTrader 4 and a proprietary platform.
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Established in 2005 in Australia, FP Markets is an ASIC- and CySEC-regulated broker boasting an extensive suite of tradable assets. Its Standard and Raw accounts cater to traders at every level, while it packs a punch in the tooling department, from the MetaTrader suite and intuitive TradingView to actionable trading ideas from Trading Central and AutoChartist.
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HYCM is an online broker with authorization from four international bodies including the FCA and CySEC. The broker offers short-term CFD trading on forex, shares, commodities, indices, ETFs and Bitcoin, and supports the MT4 and MT5 platforms, as well as Trading Central analysis.
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FXOpen is a multi-asset broker with regulation from several trustworthy bodies including the UK's FCA. The broker offers CFD trading on forex, stocks, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies and ETFs via the MetaTrader 4 & 5 and TradingView platforms.
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Infinox is a UK-based and FCA-regulated broker that offers diverse trading products thanks to its STP and ECN account types and support for MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and a proprietary platform. Clients can also benefit from a free VPS that can support automated strategies and a social trading platform, catering to both beginner and seasoned traders.
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Saxo Markets is a multi-award-winning trading brokerage, investment firm and regulated bank. With a huge 72,000+ trading instruments, plus investment products and managed portfolios, clients have no shortage of opportunities. The trusted brand also offers transparent pricing and top-tier regulatory protection from 10+ agencies including FINMA, FCA & ASIC.
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Established in 2013, SuperForex is an offshore CFD and forex broker offering highly leveraged trades on 400+ instruments via the popular MetaTrader 4 platform. The broker has gained clients in over 150 countries and is regulated by the Belize IFSC. With a range of STP/ECN account types, including swap-free, micro and zero spread, this broker continues to suit traders with different styles and setups. SuperForex also offers a range of welcome bonuses and trading contests.
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Amega is an offshore STP broker offering CFD trading fon forex, stocks, indices and commodities with very high leverage up to 1:1000 and a zero-commission pricing structure. Traders access markets through the MT5 platform and can test the broker's services through a demo account.
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Just2Trade is a reliable multi-regulated broker registered with FINRA, NFA and CySEC. The company has 155,000 clients from 130 countries and stands out for its huge suite of instruments and additional features, including a social network, robo advisors and a funded trader programme.
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World Forex is an offshore broker registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines, offering commission-free trading with a $1 minimum deposit and 1:1000 leverage. Digital contracts are also available, offering beginners a straightforward way to speculate on popular financial markets.
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FXPrimus is an award-winning CySEC-regulated brokerage offering CFD trading on 200+ instruments via the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader platforms. The choice between a competitive commission-free account and two affordable raw spread options make this an accessible broker for anyone seeking forex, stocks, indices and commodities with high leverage.
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FXCentrum is an offshore broker that offers highly leveraged, commission-free trading on diverse instruments with tight spreads. Traders can access forex, equity and commodities markets via MetaTrader 5 or the proprietary FXC platform and use the award-winning ZuluTrade platform for copy trading.
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Exinity provides flexible low-cost trading in FX, commodities, indices and equities alongside unique education and support provided by teams located across the world. Now operating in the Middle East, through regulation from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi and the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, Exinity provides a range of services to traders and investors looking for new opportunities in the financial markets.
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FXTM is a top-rated forex and CFD broker established in 2011 and operating across four continents. The company is secure and regulated by leading authorities, including the FCA. Offering 1000+ markets and three account types, they cater to all levels of trader.
What Are Spreads?
Spreads are a key way that brokers generate profit. They are the difference between the ask price (sell) and bid price (buy) of an asset. The bid price can be taken as the demand for an asset, while the ask quote can be seen as the supply. The bid price is usually just above the market value of the asset, and the ask price is normally just below. The difference between the underlying value and the bid/ask price is profit for the broker.
Particularly with high volume trading, wide spreads usually mean that it takes longer for traders to make a profit. This is because the risk of trading the asset is higher due to the volatility in price.
Example
The difference between the ask and bid quote is measured in percentage in points (or pips).
So, if the ask price of Tesla is 899.34 and the bid price is 900.41, the spread is 1.07 points/pips.
Types Of Spreads
- Fixed: These are spreads that remain the same regardless of changes in the market. Fixed spreads help traders calculate their potential profit before trading, and can also save traders’ money in markets that have a lot of price fluctuation. However, for stable markets, fixed spreads are not always helpful and can sometimes even cut into profits due to their unchanging position.
- Variable/Floating: The opposite of fixed spreads, variable spreads change with market conditions. When prices are less volatile and markets are more liquid, brokers will offer tighter spreads. When prices are more volatile and the markets are less liquid, the spread will be wider.
What Affects Spreads?
- Volatility: The volatility of an asset’s price creates confusion between buyers and sellers on what the actual underlying price should be. This instability causes bigger spreads. Traders can expect to see wider spreads on cryptocurrency and volatile forex pairs, whereas brokers with low spreads will typically offer the best price quotes on stable assets like gold.
- Liquidity: Assets in more liquid markets tend to have tighter spreads. This is because they can be more easily bought and sold, which means that online brokers are more confident in the price.
ECN Brokers & Raw Spreads
Electronic Communication Network (ECN) is a term used to describe the way that a broker manages and processes client orders. It is a Non-Desk Dealing (NDD) type of broker, meaning that the brokerage does not act as the counterparty to customers’ positions. Importantly, this also means more competitive spreads for traders.
Dealing desk brokers take the opposing side to traders, which means that they usually fix the bid and ask price to be profitable for themselves. This can often lead to spreads being wider and can create a conflict of interest as the brokerage profits from traders’ losses.
ECN brokers behave as the intermediary between traders and liquidity providers. This eliminates the conflict of interest. Liquidity providers then bid to trade with the investor, resulting in more competitive spreads.
Because of these benefits, ECN brokers often charge higher fees, for example, increased commission on each trade made and/or a higher minimum deposit amount.
Benefits Of Brokers With Low Spreads
- Trading in high volumes can have a lower overall cost
- If commissions are not too high, low spreads can help traders to improve profit margins
Drawbacks Of Brokers With Low Spreads
- It may not be beneficial to those who trade in low volumes, such as beginners
- ECN brokers often charge higher commissions for low spreads
How To Compare Brokers With The Lowest Spreads
- Commissions: As outlined above, brokers may charge commissions on top of tight spreads. Competitive commissions along with brokers that offer low spreads are best for reducing the overall cost of trading. Note, commissions are usually a fixed charge per trade or a variable fee based on trading volumes.
- Additional Fees: To compensate for low spreads, brokers can also charge additional fees, such as overnight financing rates, withdrawal fees, conversion costs, and more. Some of the best brokers with the lowest spreads also have a relatively high minimum deposit, for example, upwards of £100.
- Competitive Spreads: Compare the spreads being offered by the broker against the average spread of the asset you wish to trade. For example, the average spread of the GBP/USD forex pair is 1.7 pips. Pepperstone offers a spread of 0.38 pips on this currency pairing, whereas IG offers a spread of 0.90 pips. In this case, Pepperstone’s spread is lower so is more competitive.
- Market Access: If you are interested in trading in international markets such as the US, Europe, and Nigeria, ensure that your broker provides access to them. For instance, if you wish to trade Nasdaq assets, you need to choose UK brokers with very low spreads that offer access to that market, such as eToro.
- Regulation: Regulation ensures that you and your funds receive added protection when you trade. Whether you are looking for a list of ECN, MT4 or forex platforms, ensure that they are all FCA-regulated brokers with low spreads and a competitive minimum deposit.
Bottom Line On Brokers With Low Spreads
Brokers with low spreads are helpful for traders seeking to cut costs when investing. Spreads are one of the most common ways that trading platforms generate revenue, so it is useful to understand how to compare providers.
As a trader, you should look for the tightest spread possible to maximise your profit margins. However, brokers with the lowest spreads often charge additional commission fees, so it is important to paint a full picture of trading costs before opening an account.
See our list of the best brokers with low spreads to start trading today.
FAQ
How Do I Know A Broker With Low Spreads Is Not A Scam?
Check to see if the broker is FCA-approved. The Financial Conduct Authority enforces regulations that help ensure the safety of traders’ funds. You can check the broker’s licensing details on the official FCA register. The best-regulated investing firms also publish regulatory information on their websites.
How Do I Know If A Spread Is Good?
To ensure that your broker is offering competitive spreads, it is a good idea to compare their spreads with other online brokers. The lower the spread, the better, though also take into account any additional fees, such as commissions and overnight/rollover charges.
Do All Trading Brokers Charge A Commission?
Not all brokers with low spreads charge a commission on top. For example, Pepperstone only charges a commission with its CFD Razor account, while also offering commission-free trading solutions.
Why Are ECN Brokers Expensive?
ECN brokers often charge a higher commission because they provide tighter spreads. This is because the liquidity providers bid for the buyer’s order, which reduces the spread. Use our list of the best ECN brokers to find a reliable, low-cost provider.
Is It Safe To Trade At Brokers With Low Spreads?
Trading is inherently risky, and there are no guarantees that you will not make a loss. However, low spreads often mean lower volatility and higher liquidity which can be beneficial. The best way to ensure that a broker is safe is to check if they are regulated by a reputable financial authority, such as the FCA.