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4 Best Fast Execution Forex Brokers for 2024

Looking for the top forex broker with fast order execution? Based on our hands-on analysis, we’ve identified 4 best options tailored to various trading needs. Practical tips from our experts are included.

By:
Jitan Solanki
Reviewed By:
Ola Alder
Updated: Apr 8, 2024

List of Top Fast Execution Forex Brokers

Execution under 40 milliseconds. Competitive trading fees. Raw ECN pricing and zero requote policy. MT4, MT5, and cTrader platforms.

Execution under 50 milliseconds. Low spreads. DMA stock trading on IRESS platform. Commission rebates for high-volume traders.

Execution under 32 milliseconds. Multiple beginner-friendly accounts. Over 70 educational videos. Extensive trading courses.

Execution under 30 milliseconds. IRESS platform for DMA. AI-powered research. Free VPS hosting.

Why Fast Execution Matters

Order execution in forex and CFD trading refers to how quickly and efficiently a broker can complete a trade order at the requested price. Fast order execution is crucial because it minimizes the risk of slippage  –  the difference between the expected price of a trade and the price at which the trade is actually executed.

This is especially important in fast-moving markets, where prices can change rapidly. Choosing a broker with fast order execution ensures that trades are completed as close to the desired entry or exit points as possible, maximizing potential profits and reducing unnecessary losses.

How Did FXEmpire Select the Best Fast Execution Forex Brokers?

Fx Methodology at a Glance

  • We only selected brokers with a high overall score from our proprietary rating system.
  • We checked the broker offers fast execution speeds relative to the industry.
  • We ensured each broker provided access to institutional-grade liquidity to support fast execution.
  • We ensured the broker offer a variety of platforms and tools to support high-frequency, short-term trading.
  • We tested the broker’s spreads for competitiveness and transparency by opening a live trading account and comparing them to the industry average.
  • We verified the regulatory licenses for each jurisdiction where the broker operates.

Using FX Empire’s comprehensive methodology, our team of experts has identified the best forex brokers for auto trading this year. Here’s how we test.

Now let’s explore the selected brokers.

Best Overall

Trading Derivatives carries a high level of risk to your capital and you should only trade with money you can afford to lose. Trading Derivatives may not be suitable for all investors, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved, and seek independent advice if necessary. A Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) can be obtained either from this website or on request from our offices and should be considered before entering into a transaction with us. Raw Spread accounts offer spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission charge of USD $3.50 per 100k traded. Standard account offer spreads from 1 pips with no additional commission charges. Spreads on CFD indices start at 0.4 points. The information on this site is not directed at residents in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.
  • Min Deposit
    $200
  • Tradable Instruments
    2251
  • Fees
    Low

Founded in 2007 and regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and the FSA Seychelles, IC Markets has become the top choice for high-volume and high-frequency traders seeking ultra-fast execution. It offers access to raw ECN pricing, low fees, deep liquidity, and a zero requote policy.

Key Features:

  • Average Execution Speed: Under 40 milliseconds
  • Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader
  • Trading Tools: VPS, Autochartist

The IC Markets Raw Trader account is tailored to short-term and high-volume trading. Lightning-fast trade execution and access to deep liquidity sourced from the interbank market ensure execution speeds of under 40 milliseconds.

In our live fee test, I found the EUR/USD spread averaged an impressive 0.65 pips, beating the industry average of 1.0 pips for a zero-commission account. Spreads are further reduced on the Raw Trader Plus account, starting from as low as 0.0 pips. A commission of $3.50 per lot applies, aligning with industry standards.

Moreover, the account offers cash rebates of $1.50 per lot for trading volumes ranging from 100 lots to 1,000 lots, with rebates increasing to $2.25 per lot beyond this threshold. Coupled with complimentary VPS hosting, IC Markets is the top choice for fast-execution trading.

Pros
  • Raw ECN pricing
  • Low fees
  • Multiple trading platforms
  • Free VPS hosting
Cons
  • No rebates for stock trading

Best Low Spreads

Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are leveraged over-the-counter derivative products and carry a high level of risk to your capital. You should only risk capital that you can afford to lose. In certain circumstances, due to fluctuations in market value you may not get back your initial investment amount. You may not only lose your initial investment but you may incur a liability to pay a further amount to cover losses. This means you can lose more money than you have invested.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    8977
  • Fees
    Low

Founded in 2005, FP Markets is licensed by CySEC and ASIC and has one unregulated entity based in SVG. Over 10,000 tradable instruments with low spreads and interbank market pricing are available to trade from multiple platforms.

Broker Features:

  • Average Execution Speed: Under 50 milliseconds
  • Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, IRESS
  • Trading Tools: VPS, Autochartist, MT4 Advanced Tools

FP Markets offers a wide range of trading platforms facilitating fast order execution. The FP Markets DMA Account offers direct market access pricing from the IRESS trading platform. The platform is geared toward professional traders and offers market depth, deeper liquidity, zero requotes and no broker intervention. There are also extra tools and indicators for the popular MT4 and MT5 trading platforms.

As prices are sourced directly from multiple liquidity providers from the interbank market, FP Markets offers low spreads. My live fee test showed that the spread for EUR/USD averaged 1.1 pips, which aligns with the 1.0 pips industry average for a zero-commission account. Traders can access lower spreads from 0.0 pips on the Raw Account, which has a commission of $3 per lot, beating the industry average of $3.50.

Pros
  • Low spreads and commissions
  • DMA trading platform
  • Market depth, deep liquidity
  • Rebates for active traders
Cons
  • The IRESS platform has a steep learning curve

Best for Beginners

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80.84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
  • Min Deposit
    $20
  • Tradable Instruments
    4342
  • Fees
    Medium

Founded in 2016, Capital.com is licensed by multiple regulators, including the UK FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SCB, and the FSA Seychelles. With extensive research and educational materials and a feature-rich but user-friendly trading platform, Capital.com is a top broker for beginners.

Key Features:

  • Average Execution Speed: Under 32 milliseconds
  • Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, TradingView, Web Platform
  • Trading Tools: Built-in market scanners and sentiment on the web platform

Capital.com offers a comprehensive selection of educational tools with over 70 educational videos covering a wide range of trading topics for novice traders. The videos are in-depth and presented well, providing an excellent addition to the variety of trading courses that are also available.

The broker offers the well-known and popular social trading platform TradingView which is an excellent choice for beginners. Capital.com’s proprietary web platform is also easy to use and comes with built-in research tools beginners will find of use. Our live fee test showed the spread for EUR/USD averaged 0.6 pips, beating the industry average of 1.0 pips.

Pros
  • Comprehensive educational materials
  • Competitive fees
  • In-depth trading courses
  • TradingView for social trading
Cons
  • Live chat support is not the fastest

Best for Professional Traders

4.2
80.26% of retails CFD accounts lose money.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    10107
  • Fees
    High

Founded in 2013, TMGM is regulated by ASIC, VFSC, and the FMA New Zealand. Traders can use a variety of trading platforms and an excellent range of trading tools catering to professional traders.

Key Features:

  • Average Execution Speed: Under 30 milliseconds
  • Trading Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, IRESS
  • Trading Tools: VPS, Trading Central, Acuity, Market Sentiment

TMGM offers a diverse range of useful trading tools. The Acuity plugin for MT4/MT5 provides AI-powered news analysis, market sentiment, and trading ideas. The Trading Central package offers Featured Ideas, Analyst Views, Economic Calendar, Market Buzz, and Alpha Generation. I found the Featured Ideas section an excellent way to identify upcoming trading opportunities easily.

In our live fee test, the spread for EUR/USD averaged 0.0 pips on its Edge Account, with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, which is in line with the industry average. Professional traders can also access direct market access stock CFDs from the IRESS trading platform which does have a steep learning curve.

Pros
  • Comprehensive suite of trading tools
  • Useful Market Sentiment tool
  • Free VPS hosting
  • Competitive fees
Cons
  • Limited educational materials

How to choose a broker with fast order execution?

Here is a quick guide on choosing a forex broker with fast execution.

Is the broker well-regulated?

Trading with a regulated broker is essential to receive the fast execution speeds claimed by a broker. This is because a regulated broker is subject to strict rules and laws that govern their transparency, handling of client capital, and execution policy.

Regulated brokers must follow a ‘best execution policy’ to ensure there are no conflicts with the routing of your orders and that they must offer the best possible price. However, not all regulated brokers are equal.

In our broker rating reviews, we categorize regulators into three tiers:

  • Tier 1 regulators include well-known financial authorities like the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, IIROC, etc., operating in established financial jurisdictions.
  • Tier 2 regulators operate in reputable financial regions but may be less widely recognized, such as the DFSA, FMA, FSCA, etc.
  • Tier 3 regulators are often based in offshore countries and include entities like the VFSC, BVI FSC, SCB, etc.

Ideally, it is best to trade with a Tier-1 regulated broker as it offers additional safeguards. For example, the UK FCA, CySEC, and IIROC offer compensation schemes to protect your capital in the event of a broker default. Additionally, Tier-1 regulators enforce the segregation of client funds from company funds and ensure a negative balance protection for retail traders.

Unregulated brokers do not have the same oversight or rules to follow. They could claim fast execution speeds but decide to slow your execution down to benefit themselves. If an unregulated broker acts fraudulently, no legal recourse is available.

Check out our guide on Best regulated forex brokers.

Are the fees transparent and competitive?

Understanding the broker’s fees is crucial for success. After all, having fast execution is all well and good, but if the broker takes most of your profit, it negates the benefit. Here are several fees to keep in mind:

  • Spread: The difference between the buy and sell prices. Discover Best zero spread forex brokers.
  • Commission: A fee charged for buying or selling.
  • Overnight or swap fee: The cost of holding leveraged or margined positions overnight. Find Best low swap fees brokers.
  • Payments: Fees related to depositing or withdrawing funds.
  • Inactivity: A charge if no trading activity has occurred for a certain number of months.

To learn more about a broker’s fee structure, examine the account or fee section on their website or reach out to customer support.

What account type is best suitable for fast execution trading?

For fast execution trading, focusing on the account type primarily, you have two broad categories to consider: commission-based accounts and spread-based accounts. Each has its own advantages for traders prioritizing speed and cost efficiency:

Commission-Based Accounts

  • ECN Accounts: Ideal for traders looking for fast execution speeds. These accounts usually offer raw spreads received from liquidity providers, with the broker charging a fixed commission per trade. This setup is preferred for high-frequency trading (HFT) and scalping since it provides transparency and minimal spread costs, allowing traders to take advantage of small price movements.
  • Direct Market Access (DMA) Accounts: Similar to ECN, DMA accounts offer direct access to the market’s liquidity, allowing for fast execution speeds. They are commission-based, ensuring traders get the best possible spreads directly from the market, with the broker only charging a commission.

Read more about Best STP forex brokers and Best ECN forex brokers.

Spread-Based Accounts

  • Standard Accounts: These accounts do not charge a direct commission but incorporate the broker’s fees into the spread. While this might seem advantageous for simplicity, the spreads can be wider compared to ECN or DMA accounts, potentially impacting fast execution strategies that rely on tight spreads.
  • Fixed Spread Accounts: Offering fixed spreads, these accounts can be beneficial for traders who prefer predictability in trading costs. However, the speed of execution might not be as optimal as with ECN or DMA accounts, and the fixed spreads might be higher than the raw spreads available in the market.

When choosing between these account types for fast execution trading, consider your trading strategy’s specifics. ECN or DMA commission-based accounts are generally better suited for strategies that require fast, efficient execution and benefit from low spreads, such as scalping or high-frequency trading. On the other hand, spread-based accounts might be more suitable for traders who prefer a simpler cost structure and do not rely heavily on fast execution speeds.

Discover Best managed forex accounts and Best high-volume forex accounts.

How much leverage to use for fast execution trading?

Leverage enables the control of a larger position size with a relatively small deposit. For instance, a leverage ratio of 1:30 allows you to initiate a position valued at $30 by using just $1 of your capital, granting control over a position thirty times the size of your deposit.

Leading regulatory bodies like the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, and IIROC have set a cap on retail trading leverage at 1:30 for forex pairs. Nevertheless, certain offshore brokers may provide higher leverage of up to 1:500 or more.

Check out our list of Best high-leverage forex brokers.

It is important to understand that leverage amplifies both profits and losses. Since your profit and loss are calculated on the total trade value, your broker might trigger a margin call if your account lacks the necessary capital to sustain the larger position. In such a scenario, your broker will automatically close your trades, potentially resulting in unforeseen losses.

What trading platforms are available?

The choice of trading platform is critical for fast-execution trading due to the need for speed, reliability, and the availability of advanced trading tools. Here are some of the most suited platforms for this type of trading:

  • MetaTrader 4 offers a reliable platform featuring real-time charts, advanced order tickets, diverse timeframes, integrated technical analysis indicators, and drawing tools. Explore Best MT4 brokers.
  • MetaTrader 5 represents an upgraded version of MT4, providing a broader range of execution styles, order types, timeframes, and indicators. Discover Best MT5 brokers.
  • cTrader, designed for high-frequency trading and scalpers, is a platform tailored specifically for algorithmic traders. Read more about Best cTrader forex brokers.
  • TradingView is a web-based social trading platform equipped with advanced charting and research features spanning global asset classes. Check out our picks of Best TradingView forex brokers.
  • NinjaTrader is a platform designed exclusively for futures trading and offers a fully customizable setup.
  • In-House Proprietary Software: Some brokers create their own custom platforms, incorporating additional features that are different from third-party platforms.

In my 15 years of trading experience, I’ve found brokers offering platforms accessible across various devices to be more favorable. This flexibility allows me to access my trading account via desktop, laptop, or mobile devices as needed.

I also recommend using a demo account before funding real money. It allows users to test the trading platform across devices and find the one that best suits their preferences.

What to avoid when choosing a fast execution forex broker?

When considering a forex broker for fast execution trading, be cautious of the following:

  • Unregulated Brokers: Trading with an unregulated broker carries significant risks. In case of fraudulent activities, there are no safeguards in place to assist in recovering lost or stolen funds.
  • Lack of Transparency: Difficulty understanding and verifying a broker’s regulatory status, trading fees, and terms indicates a lack of transparency. A reputable broker prioritizes transparency, ensuring you understand the safety of trading with them and the competitiveness of their fees.
  • No Physical Presence: Brokers lacking a physical office and staff in reputable regions raise red flags. Trustworthy brokers typically maintain offices in well-known financial regions and employ a substantial workforce to manage operations and support your trading activities.
  • Unrealistic Profit Promises: Brokers making exaggerated and unrealistic promises of significant profits engage in dishonest practices. It’s essential to recognize that all trading involves risks. Any guarantees of profits should be viewed as fraudulent.

How to avoid forex and CFD scams?

Follow these guidelines to avoid falling victim to forex and CFD scams:

  • Only trade with regulated brokers overseen by top-tier financial authorities.
  • Ensure the broker has a physical office in a region governed by a robust regulatory framework.
  • Contact customer support to ensure live, real-time help from knowledgeable and supportive client service agents.
  • Perform a reputation check by exploring online news articles and broker reviews.
  • Only use payment methods you have heard of and trust.
  • Always read the terms and conditions before committing.

Our Methodology

To identify the best forex brokers with fast execution, we evaluated brokers using our proprietary rating system, which analyzes 250 data points across nine core categories:

  • Trustworthiness: We verify the brokers’ authorizations and licenses by the respective country’s regulatory body.
  • Fees: We evaluate trading fees by opening live trading accounts and comparing them to the industry average.
  • Trading platform and tools: We test the trading platforms to examine the range of features and their user-friendliness.
  • Tradable instruments: We identify the number of tradable instruments to ensure a diverse range of asset classes are available.
  • Customer support: We engage with the customer support team to test the ease of access, knowledge, and helpfulness.
  • Payment methods: We examine the available deposit and withdrawal methods and their associated fees and processing times.
  • Account types: We investigate the features and benefits of each account type, including execution method, minimum deposits, and more.
  • Research and education: We assess the quality of the broker’s research and educational materials.

For this guide, we also confirmed that each broker offers fast execution when compared to the industry average, as well as deep liquidity from the interbank market. We also ensured that the broker’s proprietary or third-party platforms cater to short-term, high-frequency trading to facilitate fast trading execution.

Meet Our Writers

The team of forex and CFD writers and editors at FX Empire is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists. Our writers have been published on leading financial websites such as Investopedia and Forbes. In addition, they all have extensive trading experience.

Get to Know Our Authors

Dan BlystoneBroker Analyst

Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licenced futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.

Jitan SolankiBroker Analyst

Jitan Solanki is a professional trader, market analyst, and educator. He day trades major currency and index markets and focuses on swing trading US equities and commodities. A qualified Market Technician, Jitan also works with trader education and brokerage companies on various projects. These include market analysis, live trading events, and broker reviews. As an experienced trader and educator, Jitan brings all his qualities in action when reviewing and recommending brokers.

Plamen StoyanovBroker Analyst

Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.

Vladimir ZernovBroker Analyst

In more than 15 years of trading in the financial markets, Vladimir dealt with a wide range of brokers and financial instruments. His career as a day-trader at a proprietary trading firm goes back to 2007. Later, Vladimir turned to longer time frames and became an independent trader and analyst managing his own portfolio. Using his experience, he helps traders find the best broker in his reviews.

Order execution in forex trading refers to the process by which a trader's buy or sell orders are fulfilled in the market by their broker. It determines the speed and price at which a trade is completed, directly impacting the trader's ability to achieve the desired entry or exit points and overall profitability.
Fast order execution is crucial for forex traders because it reduces the risk of slippage, where the final execution price differs from the initially requested price. This immediacy ensures traders can capitalize on fleeting market opportunities and enter or exit trades at their preferred prices, maximizing their potential for profit in the highly volatile forex market.
Brokers achieve fast order execution by utilizing Direct Market Access (DMA) and Electronic Communication Networks (ECN) to connect traders directly to the interbank forex market, ensuring real-time, efficient trade completions. They also invest in advanced trading platforms and infrastructure, including high-speed data connections and strategically located servers, to minimize latency.
Market execution means that an order is filled at the first available price, even if it is a few pips difference from the requested price. Instant execution means the broker will send a new requoted price if they cannot execute at the price you requested.
Fast order execution can significantly reduce the occurrence of slippage by ensuring that trades are executed at or very close to the requested prices, even in volatile market conditions. The quicker an order is executed, the less time there is for the price to move away from the desired entry or exit point, minimizing the discrepancy between the expected and actual execution prices. This immediacy is crucial for traders looking to capitalize on small price movements and maintain precise control over their trading strategy outcomes.
A trading platform is essential for fast order execution speed as it is the technology that sends instructions from the broker to the interbank market. Therefore, it needs to be fast, secure, and reliable.
Testing the execution speed of the broker is very difficult as orders are executed in milliseconds. However, brokers have the technology to analyze their execution speed, and some share this information publicly. It is wise to trust only the claims of a Tier-1 regulated broker, which are overseen by a reputable financial authority.
ECN stands for Electronic Communications Network. Essentially, an ECN network offers price quotes from different liquidity sources. This helps to achieve fast trade execution as there are more participants competing to fill your order price.
Fast execution does not guarantee better trading results. Ultimately, only the trader’s decisions determine trading results.
One important factor outside of the broker that affects order execution speed is the volatility of the market. In times of high volatility, prices may move so rapidly that no matter how fast your broker technology is, you will not get the exact price you want.
Yes, there can be a difference in execution speed between demo and live accounts, mainly because demo accounts may not fully replicate the latency and slippage that can occur in the live market environment.
Traders can utilize brokers that offer low-latency trade execution capitalizing on small price movements with precision and efficiency. By engaging in strategies that depend on entering and exiting trades quickly, traders minimize the risk of slippage and maximize potential profits. Fast execution is crucial in these trading styles as it ensures orders are filled at the desired prices, allowing traders to execute a higher volume of trades with greater control over their desired outcomes.

About the Author

Jitan SolankiBroker Analyst

Jitan Solanki is a professional trader, market analyst, and educator. He day trades major currency and index markets and focuses on swing trading US equities and commodities. A qualified Market Technician, Jitan also works with trader education and brokerage companies on various projects. These include market analysis, live trading events, and broker reviews. As an experienced trader and educator, Jitan brings all his qualities in action when reviewing and recommending brokers.

Why you can trust FX Empire

At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.

Why you can trust FX Empire

FXEmpire was founded in 2011, making us one of the first forex broker review sites. You can trust FXEmpire because of our thorough and unbiased review process. With over a decade of experience, we have a team of industry experts who conduct rigorous tests to ensure our reviews are accurate and unbiased. Our reviews are designed to bring clarity and confidence to the process of choosing a broker, and are based on objective criteria and measurable data. Our editorial team is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists, who ensure that our reviews are accurate and unbiased. Additionally, our review system is based on 9 core categories and over 250 distinct variables, which ensures that all aspects of a broker are considered before giving a final rating. So, you can trust FXEmpire to provide you with honest and informative reviews that will help you make an informed decision on which broker will best enable you to reach your financial goals.