13 Best Gold Trading Brokers for 2026
Gold reached fresh record highs in January of 2026, catching the eye of traders across the globe. Skeptics call it a barbaric relic. But gold serves as a store of value that can’t be debased and remains a popular hedge against inflation. And in an increasingly unstable world, it’s a safe haven for investors.
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The yellow metal is also wildly popular as a day trading instrument, thanks to its liquidity and volatility. In my experience, gold has the tendency to trend well and respect key technical levels. All this adds to its magnetic appeal. Brokers offer access to the gold market through a variety of instruments. These range from spot gold to gold futures, gold ETFs, and gold mining shares.
Gold bugs naturally want to know which brokers provide the best conditions. We conducted weeks of hands-on testing for each one. Key features like gold spreads and available gold pairs were rigorously scrutinized.
We also looked at broader factors like execution during volatile conditions and available platforms. Above all, we considered safety and trust. We looked closely at the regulatory status of each broker. After careful side-by-side comparisons, we came up with the following list of winners.
Here are our picks for gold traders in 2026.
List of Top Brokers & Platforms to Trade Gold
*80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Compare All Listed Brokers
| Broker | Score | Fees Score | Min Deposit | Max Leverage | Platforms | Visit Broker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exness | 4.6 | 4.6 | $10 | 1:1000 (BVI FSC) 1:2000 (FSCA) · 1:2000 (CMA) · 1:30 (FCA) · 1:2000 (CySEC) · 1:2000 (CBCS) · 1:500 (FSA) | MT5, MT4, Exness Terminal | - |
IC Markets | 4.7 | 4.8 | $200 | 1:30 (ASIC) 1:30 (CySEC) · 1:5000 (FSA) · 1:400 (CMA) · 1:200 (SCB) | MT5, cTrader, MT4, TradingView, Zulutrade | - |
Capital.com | 4.5 | 4.1 | $20 | 1:30 (FCA) 1:30 (ASIC) · 1:30 (CySEC) · 1:200 (SCB) · 1:300 (CMA UAE) | MT4, TradingView, Capital.com Web Trader, Capital.com App | Depending on the company, 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Capital.com Group. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. |
FxPro | 4.3 | 3.0 | $0 | 1:30 (FCA) 1:10000 (FSA) · 1:200 (SCB) · 1:30 (CySEC) | MT5, cTrader, MT4, FxPro Trading Platform, FxPro Mobile App, TradingView | 73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money. (EU, UK) |
Vantage | 4.6 | 4.4 | $50 | 1:1000 (FSCA) 1:1000 (CIMA) · 1:30 (ASIC) · 1:30 (FCA) · 1:2000 (VFSC) · 1:1000 (FSCM) | MT4, MT5, TradingView, Vantage App, Vantage Web Trading | - |
FP Markets | 4.6 | 4.1 | $100 | 1:500 (FSA) 1:500 (FSCM) · 1:500 (Unregulated) · 1:400 (FSCA) · 1:30 (ASIC) · 1:500 (CMA) | MT5, cTrader, IRESS, MT4, Mottai, TradingView | - |
Pepperstone | 4.7 | 4.4 | $0 | 1:30 (FCA) 1:200 (SCB) · 1:30 (BaFin) · 1:30 (ASIC) · 1:30 (DFSA) · 1:400 (CMA) · 1:30 (CySEC) · 1:30 (CMA UAE) · 1:30 (CMA UAE) | MT5, cTrader, MT4, TradingView, Pepperstone WebTrader, Pepperstone Mobile App | 73–89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. |
IronFX | 4.4 | 4.0 | $50 | 1:30 (FCA) 1:500 (FSCA) · 1:2000 (BVI FSC) | MT4 | - |
Tickmill | 4.4 | 4.0 | $100 | 1:1000 (FSCA) 1:30 (CySEC) · 1:30 (FCA) · 1:30 (DFSA) · 1:1000 (FSA) | MT5, MT4, Tickmill Trader | - |
Elev8 | 4.2 | 4.1 | $25 | 1:1000 (MISA) 1:1000 (FSCM) | MT5, MT4, Elev8Trader | - |
IG | 4.7 | 3.8 | $50 | 1:30 (FCA) 1:30 (JFSA) · 1:200 (BMA) · 1:30 (BaFin) · 1:50 (NFA) · 1:30 (ASIC) · 1:30 (FINMA) · 1:20 (MAS) · 1:30 (DFSA) · 1:30 (FSCA) | MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView, IG Online Platform | 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money |
Plus500 | 4.3 | 3.3 | $100 | 1:30 (ASIC) 1:30 (FMA) · 1:30 (FSCA) · 1:300 (FSA) · 1:30 (FCA) · 1:20 (MAS) · 1:30 (EFSA) · 1:30 (CySEC) · 1:30 (DFSA) · 1:200 (SCB) | Plus500 Web Platform, Plus500 Mobile App | - |
FXTM | 4.0 | 2.7 | $30 | 1:2000 (CMA) 1:3000 (FSCM) | MT5, MT4, FXTM Trader App | - |
How Did FXEmpire Choose the Best Brokers and Platforms for Gold Trading?
We approached this the way serious traders do: with hard data, live testing, and no compromises.
- First, trust. Every broker on our list is backed by at least one top-tier regulator. We examined corporate transparency, track record, and overall credibility before anything else.
- Then we focused on costs that matter in gold trading: spreads, swaps, and fee transparency. If pricing wasn’t competitive, it didn’t make the cut.
- We prioritized brokers that offer multiple ways to trade gold, from spot gold to gold options, gold futures, and gold ETFs.
- Next came hands-on platform testing. We evaluated execution speed, order types, charting depth, watchlists, usability, and mobile performance under real market conditions.
- We also stress-tested customer support via phone, live chat, and email, asking detailed questions to assess responsiveness and expertise.
- Finally, we factored in the full trading experience: account opening, deposits and withdrawals, research tools, and educational quality.
- Using our extensive broker database, we ran side-by-side comparisons to determine the standout performer in each category.
Best Overall
- $10Min Deposit
- 293Tradable Instruments
- LowFees
Why We Picked It
Exness is a well-rounded broker. It achieved a high score in every category of our review. The company was founded in 2008 and now boasts a global presence. The polished Exness Terminal, along with MT4/MT5, provides access to hundreds of CFD instruments. I noted consistently tight spreads and low account fees. And perks like free VPS hosting and research from Trading Central underscore its appeal.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:2000
- Average XAU/USD Spread: 16 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD, XAU/GBP, XAU/EUR, XAU/AUD, BTC/XAU
- Trading Platforms: Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5
Precious metals are a highlight at Exness. Traders have the flexibility of working with 5 gold pairs. Among these is gold against Bitcoin, which I rarely see at other brokers. In total, there are 15 metals available. These include exotic pairs like zinc and nickel.
Trading costs are also impressive. My tests showed gold spreads of 16 cents, beating industry averages by a wide margin. Professional accounts (Pro, Zero, Raw Spread) feature even lower costs with raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus commission. And a bonus for swing traders: gold trading is swap-free by default on Standard accounts.
Exness also went the extra mile in the area of research. A steady stream of reports by seasoned analysts is available in text and video formats. These are complemented by third-party research. Gold traders can access analyst views from Trading Central, showing expected percentage moves and target price levels.
Pros and Cons
- Competitive trading costs
- Feature-rich proprietary platform
- Research from FXStreet and Trading Central
- 24/7 customer support
- Unavailable for retail traders in the EU and the UK
Best Trading Tools
- $200Min Deposit
- 2239Tradable Instruments
- LowFees
Why We Picked It
Founded in 2007, IC Markets has blazed a trail to become one of the world’s leading CFD brokers. Clients can access 2,200+ instruments, ultra-competitive spreads, and top-tier platforms including MetaTrader, cTrader, and TradingView. Private insurance of up to $1 million per account gives clients additional peace of mind.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:500
- XAU/USD Spread: 15 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD, XAU/EUR, XAU/AUD, gold futures
- Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
The broker offers an impressive research suite, including first-class commentary from its in-house team and third-party analysis from Trading Central and Autochartist. From the blog section of the website, you can access a range of useful reports, like the daily technical analysis briefing. Autochartist has tools like real-time market scanning for trade setups, and Trading Central keeps you on track with analyst-backed market outlooks.
You can access a wide range of platforms, including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and ZuluTrade. From day trading to social trading to automated trading, you can find a platform that fits your needs. IC Markets also offers VPS hosting for low-latency execution and continuous uptime.
I give Standard account spreads the thumbs up. Across every asset class, IC Markets beat the industry average. Gold spreads as low as 15 cents, and Bitcoin spreads of $12 caught my attention. There are also no fees for deposits/withdrawals or inactivity. The broker strikes me as client-centric and good value.
Pros and Cons
- Rock-bottom spreads
- Free VPS hosting
- Trading Central, Autochartist
- Advances trading platforms
- High swap fees
Best for Day Trading
- $20Min Deposit
- 6313Tradable Instruments
- MediumFees
Why We Picked It
Capital.com was founded in 2016 and is based in Cyprus. The broker grabbed my attention with its innovative web platform. With over 5,000 CFDs, it also steals the show when it comes to tradable instruments. There is only one account type, which features spreads from 0.6 pips and zero commissions.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:200 (with global entity)
- Average XAU/USD Spread: 30 cents
- Available Gold instruments: XAU/USD, Gold futures, Gold Knock-Out options
- Trading Platforms: Capital.com Web Trader, MT4, TradingView
The proprietary web platform has the features that day traders need, like 1-click trading and advanced charting. Traders have access to 107 technical indicators, comfortably beating the industry average. There are also nifty features like a built-in news screener and a market sentiment gauge.
Among over 5,000 CFDs, there are 97 commodities, much higher than the industry norm. And gold traders can choose between spot gold, gold futures, and gold options. The crypto offering of 540 digital assets is the largest I have ever seen. Along with CFDs, there are a total of 2,799 knock-out options.
Day traders can find plenty of inspiration among Capital.com’s educational materials. The YouTube channel features deep dives on technical indicators, debates with industry veterans, and platform tutorials. And the website has a ‘Learn to Trade’ section that is well structured and helpful for both beginners and advanced traders.
Pros and Cons
- 5000+ CFDs
- Strong plarform lineup
- Sentiment data
- No copy trading
- No copy trading
Best Execution Speed
- $0Min Deposit
- 2090Tradable Instruments
- HighFees
Why We Picked It
FxPro is one of the best-known brands in the forex and CFD industry. The London-based broker offers 2,100 CFDs across forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, and crypto. I was especially impressed by the ultra-fast execution speeds and diverse platform selection. The most competitive trading costs are available via the Raw+ and cTrader accounts, which use the raw spreads plus commissions model.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:200
- XAU/USD Spread: 34 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD, XAU/EUR, gold grams, gold futures, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
- Trading Platforms: FxPro Web Platform and mobile app, MT4, MT5, cTrader
Tight spreads are important, but they don’t mean anything if trade execution is slow. Execution speeds of under 12 milliseconds at FxPro may provide a substantial advantage for day traders. VPS hosting can further improve the experience with low latency and 24/7 trading uptime.
The platform lineup is among the largest I have seen at any broker. You can choose between FxPro WebTrader, MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. I found WebTrader the most intuitive and convenient, TradingView provides valuable social elements, and advanced traders may prefer MT4, MT5, or cTrader.
Research materials are well-suited to gold day traders. A steady flow of Elliott Wave analysis and macro commentary is published via the website. FxPro Squawk delivers real-time news alerts from the client portal. Third-party analysis from Trading Central is also available for funded account holders.
Pros and Cons
- Cutting-edge platforms
- Competitive costs
- 2,100+ trading assets
- Online trading courses
- Inactivity fee
Best for Beginners
- $50Min Deposit
- 1056Tradable Instruments
- LowFees
Why We Picked It
Vantage is a multifaceted broker offering an excellent overall trading environment. It’s a great fit for beginners with a $50 minimum deposit and an intuitive web platform. Education resources are excellent, with diverse tools to support new traders. Vantage traces its origins to 2009 and is headquartered in Australia.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:2000
- XAU/USD Spread: 18 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD, XAU/EUR, XAU/AUD, BTC/XAUD, ETH/XAU
- Trading Platforms: Vantage Web Trading and app, MT4, MT5, TradingView
Vantage checks all the boxes when it comes to education. The Vantage Academy has over 350 articles covering topics like technical analysis and commodity trading. There are 4 courses for beginners and a track dedicated specifically to gold traders. There are also weekly webinars led by experienced market professionals.
There are 4 platforms to choose from: the Vantage web platform, MT4, MT5, and TradingView. Among these, the Vantage web platform and TradingView are the most beginner-friendly. Pure demo trading is available. And it’s also possible to trade a live account in micro lots, which helps new traders gain experience while taking minimal risk.
There are over 1,000 tradable instruments, including CFDs on forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, and crypto. I noted that gold traders have an unusually broad range of pairs to work with, including gold against Bitcoin (BTC/XAU) and gold against Ethereum (ETH/XAU).
Pros and Cons
- Strong range of platforms
- Low spreads, including on gold
- Free VPS hosting
- Educational webinars
- Lacks real stocks
Best for Professional Traders
- $100Min Deposit
- 10180Tradable Instruments
- MediumFees
Why We Picked It
FP Markets is a leading Australian CFD broker that launched in 2005. I confirmed that it is licensed and authorized by top-tier regulators like ASIC and CySEC. Thousands of instruments are available via leading retail and professional-grade platforms. You can choose between Standard and Raw spreads accounts, and I rate trading costs as competitive enough for professional traders.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:500
- XAU/USD Spread: 28 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD, XAU/EUR, XAU/AUD, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
- Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, cTrader, Iress, Mottai
Standard account spreads at FP Markets are relatively tight. But for high-volume traders, I would recommend the Raw account, where you can find lower overall costs. The broker keeps fees to a minimum in other areas too. There are no inactivity fees, and deposits/withdrawals are free.
You are spoiled for choice with platforms at FP Markets. Reliable favorites like MT4 and MT5 are on hand, along with the better-designed cTrader. An intuitive interface and strong social features come with the TradingView platform. And the professional-grade Iress platform unlocks access to thousands of CFDs on shares.
Research is also top-notch. You can stay on top of the markets with the analyst views and technical insights commentary available in the Traders Hub. Third-party research from Autochartist identifies classic chart patterns and automatically maps support and resistance levels. Trading Central may also improve your trades with sentiment analysis and AI analytics.
Pros and Cons
- Tight spreads
- Great instrument variety
- Personal account managers
- Reliable chat support
- Lacks proprietary web or desktop platform
Best Research Content
- $0Min Deposit
- 1494Tradable Instruments
- LowFees
Why We Picked It
Headquartered in Melbourne, Pepperstone is a global brokerage powerhouse regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including the FCA and ASIC. It provides access to more than 1,380 CFDs spanning all major asset classes, via multiple industry-leading trading platforms. Competitive pricing and strong research especially stood out to me.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:200
- XAU/USD Spread: 17 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD
- Trading Platforms: Pepperstone web platform and mobile app, MT4, MT5, TradingView
Pepperstone provides regular market commentary from a team of seasoned in-house analysts. Text and video reports cover macro themes, economic data, and major events that could impact the markets. I especially liked the series called “The Trade Off” on the Pepperstone YouTube channel, where Chris Weston and Blake Morrow discuss key market drivers.
Education is another strength at Pepperstone. The Learn to Trade hub features guides on trading basics, market analysis, risk management, and platform tutorials. You can find tutorials on how to trade specific markets like silver. Along with the fundamentals, there are guides on more advanced topics like using Fibonacci or optimizing the performance of Expert Advisors (EAs).
Fees are low at the Aussie brokerage giant. When I tested the Standard account, spreads beat industry averages in almost every asset. The $15 spread in Bitcoin was especially good compared to the industry average of $51. And I recorded gold spreads as low as 14 cents, again much lower than the average of 36 cents. Raw spreads from 0.0 pips are available via the Razor account.
Pros and Cons
- Ultra-fast execution of 30ms
- Excellent research tools.
- Live webinars
- Cash rebates
- Demo account limited to 30 days
Best Range of Accounts
- $50Min Deposit
- 311Tradable Instruments
- MediumFees
Why We Picked It
IronFX was founded in 2010. The Cyprus-based broker offers 300+ popular CFD instruments via the MT4 platform. My review showed that education and research are better than average. And in the area of account types, IronFX provides flexibility with 4 choices designed to accommodate different trader profiles.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:2000
- XAU/USD Spread: 25 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD, XAU/EUR
- Trading Platforms: MT4
IronFX offers 2 Standard accounts (Floating and Fixed) with spreads starting at 1.2 pips. Pro account types offer lower trading costs. The raw spreads account (Raw ECN) features spreads starting from 0.0 pips plus commissions. The commission-free ECN VIP account has spreads from just 0.3 pips. And if you are interested in managing funds for others, Personal Multi-Account Manager (PMAM) accounts are available.
Education is another highlight at IronFX. The IronFX Academy includes structured video courses with quizzes at the end of each module. I liked the trading strategies course, with modules dedicated to news trading and momentum trading. Beyond courses, IronFX offers regular webinars, ebooks, and platform tutorial videos. You can find archived webinars on the IronFX YouTube channel.
The IronFX TradeCopier platform is an interesting resource for beginners and professional traders. If you are a beginner or don’t have time to trade, you can copy the strategies of top-performing traders in real time. Alternatively, if you are a successful trader, you can earn additional money when others follow your strategy.
Pros and Cons
- Several account types for different trader profiles
- Leverage ofup to 1:2000 on gold
- Educational webinars
- Copy trading service
- Only one trading platform
Best Low Spreads
- $100Min Deposit
- 649Tradable Instruments
- MediumFees
Why We Picked It
Tickmill was founded in 2014 and is based in Cyprus. It has emerged as a leading CFD broker with a well-rounded offering. In my tests, I recorded gold spreads of 22 cents, which beats the industry average. Tickmill also performs especially well in the areas of education and account types.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:1000
- XAU/USD Spread: 22 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD, XAU/EUR, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
- Trading Platforms: Tickmill Trader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
While reviewing the Classic account, I noted some excellent spreads like 0.5 pips in the Dax 40, which beat the industry average of 2.4 pips by a wide margin. The Raw account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus round-trip commissions of $6. For active traders, I would recommend using the Raw account for lower costs.
Tickmill went the extra mile with its educational resources. I found useful articles, videos, webinars, ebooks, and even a podcast to support your trading journey. Materials do a good job of going beyond the basics to also cater to experienced traders. I enjoyed watching archived webinars from veteran traders like Charlie Burton.
Platforms and tools are worth a mention. Clients can access the web-based Tickmill Trader platform, along with MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. When using MetaTrader, performance can be enhanced with VPS hosting from BeeksFX. Clients can also use custom MetaTrader add-ons, like additional technical indicators and sentiment gauges.
Pros and Cons
- Raw spreads accounts
- Deep platform lineup
- 20ms average execution
- MetaTrader add-ons
- Support not 24/7
Best for Swap-Free Trading
- $25Min Deposit
- 256Tradable Instruments
- MediumFees
Why We Picked It
Founded in 2022 and headquartered in the Comoros Union, Elev8 is an up-and-coming forex and CFD broker with a unique offering: swap-free trading across all 260 available assets, including gold. This makes Elev8 a very attractive option for gold swing traders who hold their positions open over multiple days.
Key Features
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:400
- XAU/USD Spread: 35 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD
- Trading Platforms: Elev8Trader, MT4, MT5
I performed my tests on a Standard Elev8 account with no commissions and floating spreads from 0.6 pips. I captured an average gold spread of 35 cents, from which I calculated that it would cost you around $35 to trade one full contract (100oz) on the precious metal, which is marginally better than the industry average of $36.56.
I ran tests on the Elev8Trader platform, which features 50+ analytical tools and chart configurations, and supports all basic order types – market, limit, and stop. The greatest perk of the platform is its integration with actionable AI-generated trading signals, helping gold traders spot viable entries as they occur.
I also appreciated the platform’s fluid and easily scalable chart visuals, powered by TradingView. Price action is represented in great detail, and gold traders can zoom in on even the most minute trading opportunities with ease.
Pros and Cons
- Swap-free trading on all assets
- Competitive gold spreads
- Flexible Elev8Trader platform
- AI-generated trading signals
- No raw-spread account
Best Trading Education
- $50Min Deposit
- 19234Tradable Instruments
- MediumFees
Why We Picked It
You will not find an older, more established CFD broker than IG. The broker has more than 50 years of experience and has a major global presence. In my review, it earned a suburb trust rating with oversight by 5 top-tier regulators. It also excelled in the areas of platforms, tradable instruments, research, and education.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:20
- XAU/USD Spread: 30 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
- Trading Platforms: IG Online Trading Platform, MetaTrader 4, TradingView, L2 Dealer, ProRealTime
The IG Academy is one of the best educational resources I have encountered. Courses have multiple modules, each with a summary at the end. At the end of each course, there is a quiz to test your knowledge. Materials use both text and video formats. As a technical trader in the forex market, I liked the in-depth course on breakout trading, covering concepts like breakout strength and risk management.
The broker also has outstanding research materials. You can access a steady flow of technical and fundamental analysis, news from Thomson Reuters, and Autochartist trade signals directly from the IG Online Trading Platform. One of my favorite features within the platform is sentiment data, drawing from the massive IG client base of over 300,000 people. This can give you some powerful clues on the balance of long/short positioning.
The scope of tradable instruments is outstanding. With over 17,000 CFD instruments, very few brokers even come close to competing. In the area of CFDs on shares, it is especially strong, with over 13,000 shares from global exchanges. IG also stands out by offering CFDs across spot, futures, and options markets.
Pros and Cons
- 14ms average execution
- 17,000+ CFDs
- Sentiment data
- Robust and intuitive IG web platform and mobile app
- High spreads on some instruments
Best Gold Trading App
- $100Min Deposit
- 2764Tradable Instruments
- HighFees
Why We Picked It
Plus500 sets itself apart by prioritizing simplicity. It delivers a streamlined, technology-driven experience built for ease of use. As a publicly listed, multi-regulated broker, it scores high on trust. And I was also impressed by its massive breadth of markets, intuitive platforms, and proprietary +Insights tool.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:200
- XAU/USD Spread: 61 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD, XAU/XAG, Gold options, SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
- Trading Platforms: Plus500 WebTrader and mobile app
Plus500’s mobile app (iOS and Android) closely mirrors the WebTrader platform. Traders get robust charting with 13 chart types and 100+ indicators, multiple order types, price alerts, two-factor authentication, demo mode, and an integrated economic calendar.
In-house analysts delivering timely, actionable market commentary. Its proprietary +Insights tool adds an edge, offering real-time data on client positioning and trading flows. These features are fully integrated into the mobile app, giving traders plenty to work with on the go.
Available trading instruments are made up of 2,800 leveraged CFDs across forex, commodities, indices, global stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and options. I noted that some shares, including the popular Magnificent Seven tech names, are available for extended-hours trading, giving investors added flexibility across time zones.
Pros and Cons
- Cutting-edge Plus500 platform
- 2,800+ instruments
- 24/7 support
- Extensive Plus500 Trading Academy
- No phone support.
Best MT4 Broker
- $30Min Deposit
- 602Tradable Instruments
- HighFees
Why We Picked It
Founded in 2011, FXTM now spans the globe and offers over 1,460 CFDs and real stocks. It supports the popular MT4 platform, with spreads only and raw spreads plus commission account options. Traders can take advantage of custom indicators and third-party research.
- Maximum Gold Leverage: 1:3000
- XAU/USD Spread: 38 cents
- Available Gold CFDs: XAU/USD, XAU/JPY, XAU/GBP, XAU/EUR, XAU/CNH, XAU/AUD, FXTM Gold Index
- Trading Platforms: MT4, FXTM mobile app
FXTM offers MetaTrader 4 across desktop, web, and mobile. The platform can be enhanced with custom indicators like the Pivot SR Levels indicator, which can be used as part of a breakout strategy. AI-powered trading ideas and sentiment analysis from Acuity area are also available.
When using Advantage Plus accounts, all costs are reflected in the spread, while the Advantage account offers a raw spreads plus commissions model. The minimum deposit is $30, and you can apply for swap-free service for all accounts.
Education materials include over 250 videos on FXTM’s YouTube channel, including MT4 platform tutorials. The website features a solid range of articles covering the basics of trading. The broker scored well in our deposit/withdrawals category with a wide range of payment options and fast processing times.
Pros and Cons
- Custom MT4 indicators
- Custom MT4 indicators
- CFDs + real stocks
- Proprietary mobile app
- High minimum deposit
What Is the Difference Between Physical Gold Trading and CFD Gold Trading?
Physical gold trading involves buying and selling actual physical gold, such as gold bars or coins, while CFD (Contract for Difference) gold trading involves buying and selling a contract that represents the price movement of gold without actually owning the physical asset.
Here are some key differences between physical gold trading and CFD gold trading:
- Ownership: When you buy physical gold, you own the physical asset, and you can store it yourself or have it stored in a secure vault. With CFD gold trading, you do not own the physical asset; instead, you are trading on the price movements of gold.
- Liquidity: Physical gold can be more difficult to buy and sell quickly, especially if you own large quantities or unusual sizes or types of gold. CFD gold trading, on the other hand, allows traders to easily enter and exit positions quickly, as there are typically more buyers and sellers in the market.
- Leverage: CFD gold trading allows traders to increase their exposure to the market by using leverage. This means that you can trade a larger position with a smaller amount of capital. Physical gold trading does not offer leverage.
- Costs: Physical gold trading may involve costs such as storage fees, transportation fees, and insurance costs. CFD gold trading, on the other hand, typically involves only trading fees such as spreads, commissions, and overnight financing fees.
- Market access: CFD gold trading allows traders to access a wider range of gold markets, including international markets, and to trade on the price movement of gold in real time. Physical gold trading, on the other hand, may be limited to local markets and may not offer real-time price information.
How to Choose a Broker for Trading Gold?
When looking for a gold trading broker, you should pay special attention to the following points.
Can I trust the broker?
Take into account the broker’s regulatory status. CFD brokers regulated by top-tier financial authorities must undergo audits, meet capital requirements, and provide segregated accounts and negative balance protection. A compensation fund is sometimes available in the event of broker insolvency.
Tip: You can search the regulator’s website to confirm the broker’s status and check for any disciplinary action. The broker’s size and operating history are also worth considering. You can usually find these on the company’s LinkedIn page.
Read more about Best regulated forex brokers.
What to look for in the brokers’ gold offering?
Forex and CFD brokers typically offer spot gold (XAU/USD), which reflects the live price – the cash market. Some brokers also provide gold against other currencies, such as XAU/GBP, XAU/EUR, and XAU/AUD. Sometimes, you can trade gold against crypto, for example, Bitcoin against gold (BTC/XAU).
A variety of other gold-related CFDs are sometimes available – these include CFDs on gold futures, gold options, and ETFs related to gold such as the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD). A handful of CFD brokers also offer ‘real’ (non-CFD) gold futures and options trading.
Explore our list of Best CFD brokers.
Is the platform user-friendly?
An intuitive, easy-to-navigate platform will allow you to launch into the trading world with minimal hitches. The most user-friendly platforms are typically browser-based platforms created by the broker. Look for easy-to-implement features such as watchlists, trading from the chart, search, news, and a customizable interface.
The MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms have advanced features like backtesting, automated trading, and a wide range of order types – but are less user-friendly. Also, check on the availability of a good, broker-designed (proprietary) mobile app.
Read more about Best MetaTrader 4 brokers and Best MetaTrader 5 brokers.
Are the fees competitive for gold?
Working with a broker that keeps the spreads to a minimum can make the difference between profit and loss at the end of the day. This is a crucial point for day traders. We rate gold spreads of above 55 pips as high, 36-54 pips as medium, and less than 35 pips as low.
Find out Best forex brokers with lowest spreads.
What is the minimum deposit?
Find out the minimum initial deposit so you won’t be taken by surprise when it’s time to trade live. This can vary from $0 for Exness to $200 for IC Markets. Typically, the minimum deposits at CFD brokers are relatively low.
What is the available leverage?
The available leverage at CFD brokers is a significant benefit when trading a commodity like gold. If you want to invest in gold bullion, leverage is not available. When trading gold ETFs, 1:2 leverage is typical. CFDs on gold offer a much higher degree of leverage, typically between 1:20 and 1:500, depending on which financial authority regulates your broker.
Beware of using excessive leverage, even if it is tempting. It’s an enthralling feeling to control a large position in the market. But when markets are moving fast and you hold a highly leveraged position, there is a high risk of losing money. Accounts can get wiped out in seconds.
Explore Best forex brokers with high leverage.
What to avoid when choosing a gold trading broker?
When choosing a broker for trading gold, you should look for competitive spreads and swap fees. If you want to day trade gold, you should look for a broker that offers 1-click trading. Without 1-click trading, the order entry process is too slow for such a fast-moving market. If you plan to hold positions over days or longer, check the swap fees, which can be very expensive over time.
How to avoid forex and CFD scams?
A common scam in the forex and CFD industry involves vendors offering a trading strategy that guarantees an outlandishly high return in little time. These may involve automated trading using bots or a signal service where trades are shared via chat or social media. Nobody can guarantee returns with certainty, and it is more likely that such strategies will lose money. When assessing strategy or signal providers, you should look for a live track record audited by a third party, but remember that past performance does not guarantee future results.
Traders should also be highly cautious about opening an account with an unregulated offshore broker. Such brokers may offer a straightforward account opening process, bonuses, and high levels of leverage, but client funds are not protected. Meanwhile, brokers regulated by top-tier authorities must undergo regular audits and are held accountable for misconduct. Traders can also benefit from having their funds held in segregated accounts, negative balance protection, and a compensation fund in case of broker insolvency.
All the Brokers We Tested
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About the Authors
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 licensed 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.
Aviva is a Senior Content Editor at FXEmpire. Her substantial contributions include refining over 150 broker reviews and 'Best Brokers Guides,' enhancing our proprietary methodology, and ensuring every fact is meticulously verified.
As a Senior Content Editor at FXEmpire, Ola has revised and fact-checked over 200 broker reviews and guides. Her profound understanding of financial markets has been crucial in developing the proprietary rating system.
- List of Top Brokers & Platforms to Trade Gold
- How Did FXEmpire Choose the Best Brokers and Platforms for Gold Trading?
- Best Overall
- Best Trading Tools
- Best for Day Trading
- Best Execution Speed
- Best for Beginners
- Best for Professional Traders
- Best Research Content
- Best Range of Accounts
- Best Low Spreads
- Best for Swap-Free Trading
- Best Trading Education
- Best Gold Trading App
- Best MT4 Broker
- What Is the Difference Between Physical Gold Trading and CFD Gold Trading?
- How to Choose a Broker for Trading Gold?
- All the Brokers We Tested
- Update history
- Related Guides