Looking for a forex broker with trailing stop-loss orders? Based on our hands-on analysis, we’ve identified 6 best options tailored to various trading needs. Practical tips from our experts are included.
*82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FX Empire’s comprehensive methodology. Here’s how we test.
Now let’s go through the selected brokers.
Founded in 2006, AvaTrade has clients in more than 150 countries. Licensed by eight regulators in the world, including CySEC, ASIC, and the CBI, the broker provides more than 1,250 tradable instruments available from a range of platforms – MT4, MT5, AvaTradeWeb, AvaTradeGo, and AvaOptions.
Broker Features:
AvaTrade offers a trailing stop-loss feature on the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 desktop trading platforms. After opening a live trade, users can right-click on the trade in the Terminal window to select how many pips the market needs to go before moving the stop-loss. It is a useful risk management tool that can help lock in any gains on a trade and minimize any losses when the price turns.
AvaTrade boasts a diverse portfolio of 1,250 tradable instruments, spanning forex, stocks, indices, commodities, ETFs, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, all compatible with trailing stop-loss for risk management. The unique AvaProtect feature guards trades against losses for an upfront premium. Moreover, the AvaTrade Academy provides an extensive range of educational materials, including courses, tutorials, articles, and videos.
After opening a live trading account, I found the spread for EUR/USD averaged 0.9 pips during the most active times in the London and New York trading sessions. This is better than the industry average of 1.0 pips for a zero-commission trading account.
Founded in 2007, IC Markets has been the go-to forex broker for high-frequency and high-volume forex traders. Regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and FSA Seychelles, the broker offers low spreads, zero requotes, ECN pricing trading accounts, and more than 2,250 tradable instruments.
Broker Features:
After opening a Standard Account with IC Markets, I found the spread on EUR/USD during the most active times in the London and New York trading sessions averaged 0.65 pips. This is better than a zero-commission account’s average of 1.0 pips. Traders can access even lower spreads with the Raw ECN account which charges a commission of 3.50 USD per lot on the MT4/MT5 platform.
I found the Raw ECN account on the cTrader platform to be an excellent option. Firstly, the spreads start from 0 pips with a lower commission of 3.00 USD per lot. Secondly, the trailing stop-loss feature in the cTrader desktop, web, and mobile app is server-side which means it will work even if your cTrader platform is not open. The trailing stop-loss feature is client-side on the MT4/MT5 desktop, meaning it only works if your platform is open.
Founded in 2007, eToro has become the leader in copy and social trading with a 30 million-member community. Regulated by the UK FCA, CySEC, ASIC, and others, beginner traders are offered commission-free trading accounts on over 2,200 tradable instruments along with an excellent range of educational materials.
Broker Features:
eToro provides an extensive range of educational materials useful for beginner traders. In the eToro Academy, I found excellent articles and videos covering a wide range of topics, including step-by-step platform tutorials, courses on trading, investing, forex, cryptocurrency, and shares, and guides on using a trailing stop-loss (which can be added on after opening a trade).
Additionally, beginner traders benefit from the platform’s feature allowing them to observe other traders’ performances and seamlessly copy these trades into their accounts, a significant advantage for gaining confidence in trading.
Our live fee analysis revealed that the spread for EUR/USD averaged 0.95 pips during peak trading hours in the London and New York sessions, outperforming the industry standard of 1.0 pips for commission-free accounts.
Established in 2008, Plus500 has a prestigious listing on the London Stock Exchange and holds licenses from eight global regulators, such as the UK FCA, CySEC, and ASIC. The broker offers traders over 2,800 financial CFD instruments through its advanced proprietary web trading platform and mobile app, both of which are known for their comprehensive features.
Broker Features:
Plus500 offers a user-friendly proprietary web trading platform and mobile app, designed for ease of use right from the start. With effortless search functionality for its extensive range of over 2,800 financial CFD instruments, the platform enables users to create personalized watchlists and customize charts with various timeframes, indicators, and risk management tools like trailing stop-loss orders, enhancing the trading experience.
The web and mobile features are generally the same, and both integrate the +Insights Tool. This is a sentiment indicator that shows the number of Plus500 clients long or short in a market. I find sentiment indicators valuable in identifying when a market is overbought or oversold and susceptible to a reversal. The average spread for EUR/USD was 0.8 pips, which is better than the industry average for a commission-free account.
Founded in 1974, IG has been a heavyweight in the retail trading and investing industry since 1974. Licensed by nine regulators worldwide, including the UK FCA, BaFin, and FINMA, IG offers an excellent range of professional trading products, 17,000+ tradable instruments, and DMA trading accounts.
Broker Features:
IG provides the ability to trade on a massive range of financial instruments covering forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptos, ETFs, bonds, IPOs, futures, and options. IG’s proprietary platform offers a trailing stop-loss, which can be easily added to an existing position. Having used the platform for over ten years, I found it fast, reliable, intuitive, user-friendly, and packed with features such as live trading signals from Autochartist and PIA-First.
The broker also provides DMA (Direct Market Access) accounts through its L2 Dealer platform. This enables clients to trade directly with IG’s liquidity providers, including exchanges and investment banks, granting access to the order book and market depth.
Our live fee test showed the spread for EUR/USD during the London and New York trading sessions averaged 0.75 pips. This is better than a commission-free trading account’s average of 1.0 pips.
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in the United States, OANDA US is tightly regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the National Futures Association (NFA). The broker offers 68 currency pairs and 8 crypto assets. It stands out with its versatile proprietary platform that accommodates the execution of advanced technical analysis.
Broker Features:
OANDA’s standard account features commission-free trading and floating spreads from 1.1 pips. I assessed that, broadly, OANDA’s trading costs meet the industry average. After I carried out my tests, I determined that its pricing mechanism is suitable for both short-term and longer-term trading.
The standout feature in OANDA’s offering is its professional-grade platform which boasts more than 70 analytical tools and chart configurations for examining trading setups from different angles.
The platform also has excellent built-in features, such as its market sentiment heatmap, which allows the user to understand how the underlying buying and selling pressures change over time. The broker also incorporates the renowned MetaTrader 4 and seamless TradingView.
Here is a quick guide on choosing the best broker offering a trailing stop-loss order.
Trading with a regulated broker, overseen by a well-known governmental financial authority is essential to ensure your capital is safe. Regulated brokers adhere to strict rules for handling client money and trade execution, with penalties for non-compliance.
Brokers are rated based on regulator tiers:
Read more about Best regulated forex brokers.
The forex brokers listed on this page, all offer a trailing stop-loss order for free. However, there are other trading fees to take into consideration:
While brokers will strive to impose the highest fees possible, opting for a broker with the lowest fees is better. However, you should take into consideration the safety of the broker first and foremost. You can assess a broker’s fees by reviewing their fee page on the website, reaching out to customer support, or opening a demo trading account.
If a broker’s fee information is difficult to identify and understand, it should be considered a red flag. A reputable broker will prioritize transparency and ensure that clients are well-informed about the competitiveness of their trading fees compared to the industry average.
Read more about Best lowest spread forex brokers and Best low swap fees forex brokers.
In my experience, I have seen some brokers offer just one trading account and some offer up to seven. While these accounts may vary in minimum deposits, they are mostly differentiated by fees and can be generally categorized as either commission-free or commission-based.
In a commission-free trading account, there are no charges for buying or selling. Nevertheless, the broker usually increases the spread they receive from the interbank market to compensate. Consequently, commission-free accounts generally feature wider spreads.
Conversely, a commission-based trading account imposes a fee for buying or selling, as the price quotes are directly sourced from the interbank market and the broker’s liquidity providers. Consequently, commission-based accounts typically offer lower spreads.
The choice between these account types depends on the traders’ individual preferences and trading style. Beginner traders might find a commission-free trading account preferable, as most costs are incorporated into the spread, simplifying risk management decisions. However, an advanced trader may gravitate towards a commission-based account with lower spreads, which enables more precise trade execution.
Learn more about Best ECN forex brokers and Best STP forex brokers.
One reason forex and CFD trading is so popular is leverage. By trading on leverage, you can control a large position using a small deposit. It helps to magnify both winning and losing trades.
For instance, if a broker provides 1:30 leverage, you can initiate a forex trade valued at $30 with just a $1 deposit, effectively managing a position worth thirty times your deposit.
When trading on leverage, your profit and loss are calculated on the total trade value, not solely the margin deposited. If your account lacks sufficient capital to control the larger position, the broker may initiate a margin call. In such a scenario, the broker automatically closes your trades, potentially resulting in unforeseen losses.
Tier 1 regulators such as the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, and IIROC have implemented leverage restrictions for currency pairs, setting it at 1:30 for retail traders due to the inherent volatility of these markets. While some offshore brokers may offer higher leverage, caution should be exercised as you may be margin called unexpectedly and lose your entire trading capital.
Explore Best forex brokers with high leverage.
A trading platform serves as your gateway to the global financial markets. It needs to be fast, secure, and offer a wealth of useful trading features and risk management tools. Some of the most common trading platforms include:
MetaTrader 4: The ‘go-to’ forex trading platform which has excellent charting capabilities, technical analysis tools, and automated trading features. Read more about best MT4 brokers.
MetaTrader 5: An updated version of MT4 with more indicators, timeframes, and markets. Read more about best MT5 brokers.
cTrader: A platform specifically designed for high-frequency traders and scalpers. Read more about best cTrader brokers.
TradingView: A browser-based social trading platform with advanced research tools and access to global markets. Read more about best TradingView brokers.
In-House Proprietary Software: Some brokers may invest in having their own proprietary trading software.
I prefer brokers that provide multiple platforms that are accessible across different devices. This approach ensures that if there are any issues with one platform or device, I can seamlessly trade from an alternative, guaranteeing uninterrupted management of my account.
Check out our dedicated guides on Best forex trading platforms.
It’s important to note that MT4/MT5 are the most commonly offered trading platforms by brokers. While the desktop versions of these platforms support trailing stop-loss orders, for most brokers, the platforms need to be open for these orders to function, as the order is client-side rather than server-side. This is why many brokers offer Virtual Private Servers (VPS), allowing your platform to be operational 24/7. However, the web and mobile versions of MT4/MT5 do not offer trailing stop-loss orders.
The cTrader platform might be more suitable for traders using trailing stop-loss orders. This is because, whether you add a trailing stop-loss order via the desktop, web, or mobile app, it is server-side. This means the platform does not need to remain open for the trailing stop-loss to be effective. As cTrader is specifically designed for short-term traders, its features cater to such trading styles.
Regarding brokers’ own proprietary trading platforms, the availability of a trailing stop loss varies. For instance, AvaTrade’s web platform does not support it, whereas the web trading platforms of IG, eToro, and Plus500 offer this feature.
When selecting a forex broker offering the use of a trailing stop-loss order, beware of these red flags:
Unfortunately, the forex and CFD industry is plagued by scams. To steer clear of them, follow these guidelines:
To identify the best forex brokers with a trailing stop-loss order, we evaluated brokers using our proprietary rating system which analyzes 250 data points across nine core categories:
Here you can learn more about our review process.
For this guide, we also confirmed that each broker offers a trailing stop-loss on any of the platforms they offer. We also ensured each broker is licensed and authorized to provide investment services and they offer competitive trading fees and a diverse range of markets to use a trailing stop-loss on.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.