11 Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms for 2024

Vantage is an award-winning CFD broker headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Since launching in 2009, Vantage has grown to acquire over 50,000 active clients worldwide, according to its website. Clients have access to CFDs on forex, commodities, indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies. I confirmed that Vantage is regulated by ASIC and CIMA. All client funds are held in segregated custodial accounts with an AA-rated Australian Bank.

Broker Features

• Regulation: ASIC (1:30 leverage), FSCA (1:500 leverage), VFSC (1:1000 leverage)
• CFD Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ProTrader by TradingView, Vantage App
• Spreads: EUR/USD from 1.2 pips, Dax 40 from 0.05 pip (Standard STP Account)

I judged Vantage a well-rounded broker thanks to its high performance in all our review categories. When evaluating the ProTrader by TradingView platform, I was dazzled by its intuitive design and range of powerful features. The popular MetaTrader is also available to clients; an ideal platform for advanced traders and automated strategies.

In my hands-on tests, I recorded spreads of 26 pips in gold – better than average for the industry. WTI crude oil came in closer to average compared to its peers at 4 pips. Vantage earned a perfect score in the education category of our review. Live webinars led by industry experts and high-quality analysis guide clients toward achieving their goals in the markets. While exploring available tools, I saw that Vantage also offers sentiment data – a powerful indicator reflecting the percentage of buyers and sellers for a given instrument.

Founded in 2010, IronFX is a global forex and CFD broker with an impressive range of tradable instruments, tools, and account types. My examination showed that the Cyprus-based broker has entities regulated by top-tier CySEC and FCA and an unregulated Bermuda entity.

Broker Features

• Regulation: CySEC (1:30 leverage), FCA UK (1:30 leverage), an unregulated entity registered in Bermuda (1:1000 leverage)
• CFD Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, IronFX Web Trader, IronFX Mobile App
• Spreads: EUR/USD from 0.9 pip, Dax 30 from 4.5 pips (Standard Account)

I verified that IronFX clients can access the popular MT4 platform via desktop, web, and mobile. A detailed user guide covers everything from getting started to auto-trading and custom indicators. In my hands-on tests, I recorded spreads of 6 pips in WTI crude oil and 38 pips in gold.

While checking benefits for professional traders, I noted that the Personal Multi-Account Manager (PMAM) platform allows clients to manage multiple MT4 accounts simultaneously. I also confirmed that free VPS hosting is available, providing fast connectivity and improved stability for IronFX clients.

Founded in 2007, IC Markets is a veteran of the forex and CFD industry. With over 180,000 active clients worldwide and US $1.2 trillion in trading volume (March 2023), it has emerged as a market leader. The Sydney, Australia-based broker provides access to trading in CFDs on currency pairs, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, futures, and cryptocurrencies. I verified that IC Markets is overseen by two top-tier regulators: CySEC and ASIC.

Broker Features

• Regulation: ASIC (1:30 leverage), CySEC (1:30 leverage), FSA Seychelles (1:500 leverage)
• CFD Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, IC Social
• Spreads: EUR/USD from 0.6 pip, Dax 40 from 0.5 pip (Standard Account)

Rock-bottom trading costs are a hallmark of this broker. I experienced spreads as low as 2.2 pips in GBP/JPY, 18 pips in gold, and 3 pips in crude oil – providing an edge for active, short-term traders. Advanced and systematic traders can take advantage of the full suite of MetaTrader platforms along with cTrader, which I rated as having a better-designed interface.

IC Markets earned a perfect score in our Deposits and Withdrawals category. I learned that 15 funding and withdrawal methods are available, including bank wire, credit cards, and digital wallets, making it easy to transfer money in and out of your account.

Sydney, Australia-based TMGM launched in 2015 and has since established itself as a leading CFD broker with attractive trading conditions. I confirmed that TMGM is regulated by top-tier ASIC, helping it to receive a high trust score in our review. Several platforms and account types are available, catering to different trader profiles.

Broker Features

• Regulation: ASIC (1:30 leverage), New Zealand FMA (1:200 leverage), VFSC (1:500 leverage).
• CFD Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, IRESS
• Spreads: EUR/USD from 0.9 pip, Dax 40 from 0.4 pip

TMGM traders are spoiled for choice when it comes to CFDs on shares. I took note of the impressive range of 12,000 shares from the world’s major exchanges, from New York to Hong Kong.

CFDs on shares can be traded via the popular MetaTrader 4 platform and the institutional-grade IRESS platform. IRESS provides advanced features like access to genuine exchange pricing and market depth. In my live tests, I recorded competitive spreads: as low as 13 cents in Apple and 22 cents in Tesla.

Flowbank launched in 2020, making it a relative newcomer to the world of forex and CFD trading. The Geneva-based online bank provides an appealing offering quite different from most CFD brokers. I verified that FlowBank is regulated by top-tier FINMA.

Broker Features

• Regulation: Swiss FINMA (1:200 leverage).
• CFD Trading Platforms: FlowBank Pro, FlowBank App, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5
• Spreads: EUR/USD from 1.4 pips, Dax 30 from 0.9 pip

The broker offers trading via its in-house FlowBank Pro trading platform. My hands-on tests showed that its browser-based version is easy to navigate and suitable for beginners and advanced traders. FlowBank’s clients can access over 50,000 instruments – CFDs, stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures, options, and cryptocurrencies – all from a single log-in.

During my evaluation, I noted that the platform has some rarely seen features, such as a market depth tool that shows underlying trading volume. While testing the FlowBank Pro platform I experienced spreads as low as 23 pips in gold and 3 pips in WTI crude oil – better than average for the industry.

FXTM, which was founded in 2011 and offers more than 1200 tradable instruments across different asset classes, is tightly regulated by the FCA in the UK and FSC in Mauritius. It offers traders a choice of platforms and competitive trading fees. Following my thorough review of FXTM, one of the standout features of the broker’s offering was its versatile mobile app.

Broker Features

• Regulation: Mauritius FSC (1:200 leverage), FCA, CySEC, and FSCA (1:30 leverage)
• CFD Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5
• Spreads: EUR/USD from 0.0 pips, Dax 40 from 0.7 pips

I executed several trades on the FXTM mobile app, which has an easy feel to it. The app’s intuitive design makes it extremely easy to navigate, and even newbies can quickly make their way around it. The greatest advantage of the app is that it eases order execution. Traders can get in and out of positions in several seconds, which could prove crucial in times of heightened market volatility.

I would recommend going for FXTM’s MetaTrader 5 platform for desktop or web trading. It features more than 80 analytical tools and chart configurations, which can be used to carry out basic technical analysis. Additionally, algo traders can automate their strategies via MetaTrader’s Expert Advisors (EAs) feature.

I also discovered that FXTM offers below-average trading fees. The combination of raw spreads (from 0.0 pips) and a $5 round-turn commission per traded lot (100,000 units) on the Advantage account is geared toward the needs of high-frequency traders. Those may include day traders and scalpers.

Aussie CFD industry giant Pepperstone was founded in 2010 by a team of experienced traders. It now has a global presence and is licensed by multiple Tier-1 regulators. Traders can work with a fabulous range of platforms, from the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 to the more intuitive cTrader and cutting-edge TradingView.

Broker Features

• Regulation: ASIC (1:30 leverage), BaFin Germany (1:30 leverage), CySEC (1:30 leverage), DFSA (1:30 leverage), FCA UK (1:30 leverage), SCB Bahamas (1:200 leverage)
• CFD Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView
• Spreads: EUR/USD from 1 pip, Dax 40 from 0.9 pip (Standard Account)

I found Pepperstone an exciting broker to test thanks to its advanced technology, user-friendly client portal, reliable customer support, and first-class education and research materials. My tests showed that this broker’s fees are kept to a bare minimum with no inactivity fee and no fees for deposits and withdrawals.

Pepperstone offers an impressive range of tradable instruments, including CFDs on forex, stocks, ETFs, stock indices, currency indices, and cryptocurrencies. Within commodities, you can trade instruments as varied as rough rice and high-grade copper. Spreads in the standard account are good overall, and more competitive trading costs can be accessed via the Razor account type.

London-based Tickmill performed well in all major categories of our hands-on tests. This versatile broker was founded in 2014 and provides access to a wide selection of CFDs, futures contracts, and options. Among trading platforms, CFD traders can choose between MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. I confirmed that Tickmill is regulated by top-tier FCA and CySEC.

Broker Features

• Regulation: FCA UK (1:30 leverage), CySEC (1:30 leverage), FSCA South Africa (1:500), Labuan FSA (1:500 leverage), FSA Seychelles (1:500 leverage)
• CFD Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5
• Spreads: EUR/USD from 1.6 pips, Dax 40 from 0.9 pip (Classic Account)

The Classic Account can be opened for just $100. I also noted that Tickmill offers trading micro-lots, which helps beginners minimize their risk when trading live. Over two weeks of exhaustive testing via phone, live chat, and email, our team experienced strong customer support.

Tickmill excels in another critical area for new traders: education. I found the live webinars guided by industry experts to be especially valuable. Similarly, their research materials are rich, earning the broker a perfect score in this category. While evaluating costs, I experienced spreads as low as 18 pips in gold, and 5 pips in WTI crude oil.

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Australia, Eightcap is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker with licenses from several top-tier regulatory bodies. It is authorized to serve traders globally and adheres to some of the most stringent safety requirements in the industry.

Broker Features

• Regulation: ASIC Australia (1:30 leverage), CySEC Cyprus (1:30 leverage), FCA UK (1:30 leverage), SCB Bahamas (1:500 leverage), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (unregulated, 1:500 leverage)
• CFD Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView
• Spreads: Floating from 1.0 pips, Raw from 0.0 pips

Eightcap features over 100 crypto CFDs. It also incorporates Capitalise.ai, a system used to automate trading strategies easily. This helps crypto traders to position themselves with precise entries and exits in and out of the market. Another available tool is FlashTrader, which helps traders by automatically adding stop and target orders.

Eightcap incorporates the renowned MetaTrader 4&5, which I consider beginner-friendly but somewhat rugged and inflexible. The broker also provides access to the seamless TradingView with its markedly more versatile design and professional-grade charting solutions offering traders far greater flexibility to exploit various trading opportunities.

I opened a Raw account with the broker, which I consider to have better conditions for crypto trading. It features raw spreads from 0.0 pips and a $3.5 round-turn commission per standard lot (100,000 units). This pricing mechanism falls below the industry average, and I found it especially suitable for trading volatile instruments like crypto CFDs.

Sydney, Australia-based FP Markets was founded in 2005. I verified that it has entities regulated by top-tier CySEC and ASIC. With over 10,000 CFD instruments across stocks, indices, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, traders can work with an exciting range of markets.

Broker Features

• Regulation: CySEC (1:30 leverage), ASIC (1:30 leverage), FSCA South Africa (1:500 leverage), an unregulated entity registered in St. Vincent & the Grenadines (1:500 leverage)
• CFD Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, FP Markets App
• Spreads: EUR/USD from 1 pip, Dax 40 from 0.8 pip (Standard Account)

FP Markets offers competitive trading costs: in my live tests, I experienced spreads of 14 pips in gold and 4 pips in crude oil. Speed is the name of the game at this broker – made possible with low latency trade execution delivered from the Equinix NY4 facility server cluster. I also confirmed that scalpers and algorithmic traders can be more confident of having a stable trading environment thanks to free VPS hosting.

The FP Markets’ selection of platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, is robust and can cater to the most sophisticated traders. I noted another important feature for professional traders: MAM/PAMM accounts that allow money managers to trade multiple accounts simultaneously from a master account.

Markets.com launched in 2009 and has become a significant player in the forex and CFD industry. The London-based broker provides trading in forex, shares, commodities, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, indices, and bonds. According to the company’s LinkedIn page, Markets.com has amassed over 4.3 million traders on its platform. I rated Markets.com as a trustworthy broker due to the extensive regulation of its global entities, high transparency, and lengthy operating history.

Broker Features

• Regulation: BVI FSC (1:300 leverage), FSCA (1:300 leverage), FCA (1.30 leverage), CySEC (1:30 leverage), ASIC (1:30 leverage)
• CFD Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Markets.com platform
• Spreads: EUR/USD from 0.7 pip, Dax 40 from 1.2 pips

When it comes to education, Markets.com has covered all bases. Traders can refer to the Education Center, which features helpful content broken down into Trading 101, How to Guides, and Definitions. The Traders’ Clinic Podcast, hosted by market veterans Charlie Burton and Ali Crooks, offers a great way to develop your mindset. I found their stories and anecdotes relatable and insightful. Webinars led by industry experts are another excellent way to learn. Markets.com offers live webinars that go in-depth, covering practical topics like how to use trendlines.

Clients can access various innovative technical and fundamental tools via the Markets.com proprietary platform. These include the Related Instruments feature, showing which assets correlate with the ones you’re already trading and what other traders who share your existing positions are doing. I also noted that Markets.com offers sentiment analysis, a powerful indicator of potential trend reversals.