Searching for the top broker for scalping? Based on our hands-on analysis, we’ve identified 7 best options tailored to various trading needs. Practical tips from our experts are included.
Scalping is a popular trading strategy where a trader aims to profit from small price movements in a short period. The goal is to enter and exit trades quickly, taking advantage of small price fluctuations that occur frequently in the market.
Choosing the right broker is critical to be successful in scalping the markets. This is because brokers with high fees and slow execution speeds will quickly eat away at any short-term profits made. The broker’s trading execution model will also play a key part in your success. Fortunately, our team of experts has identified the best forex brokers for scalping this year.
Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FXEmpire’s comprehensive methodology. Here’s how we test.
Now let’s dive into the selected brokers.
Exness was founded in 2008 and is regulated by the FSA of Seychelles and BVI FSC. The broker provides a decent range of standard and professional trading accounts. Scalpers will find the three professional accounts Raw Spread, Zero, and Pro the most suitable.
From our live testing, we found the live spread for EUR/USD during the US session averaged 0.8 pips with zero commission which is slightly better than the industry average. Scalpers may opt for the Zero Account instead which has lower spreads and a low commission relative to the industry average.
Each account can be opened with a minimum deposit of $200. Both the Raw Spread and Zero Accounts offer market execution, with the Zero Account also offering no requotes on price fills which means your orders will always be filled.
All of the accounts offer access to the MT4 and MT5 trading platforms, as well as the Exness mobile trading app and Exness Terminal. The Exness Terminal is a web-based platform that offers 50 drawing tools and 100 indicators. Scalpers may opt for the MT5 platform which provides 21 different timeframes, 38 inbuilt indicators, and 22 analytical tools.
Scalpers can also access level 2 quotes from the MT5 platform. This enables you to see the market depth of orders at different prices. You can also access an inbuilt forex calendar to trade the news and the algo-trading capabilities of MT4 and MT5.
Founded in 1996, Swissquote is a publicly traded Swiss bank that is listed on the SIX Swiss Stock Exchange, providing a high level of safety and transparency. As Swissquote is a bank itself, it provides deep forex liquidity by sourcing from its network of tier 1 banks which is ideal for scalping.
The bank provides the ability to trade from MT4, MT5, and its own Advanced Trader platform which is a web-based trading platform that has 50+ charting tools, 80+ technical indicators, and multiple order types.
In our live testing, we found the average spread for EUR/USD during the London session was 1.5 pips using the Standard Account. This is higher than the industry average. However, when scalping traders may opt for its Prime Account which offers lower spreads.
Scalpers may also be interested to know that the broker’s average execution speed was 9ms last year with a 100% fill ratio which is better than the industry average.
When opening an account you are automatically given a Swiss IBAN account number, with an eBanking portal and up to CHF 100,000 deposit protection.
FP Markets was founded in 2005 and is regulated by ASIC and CySEC and has one entity that is unregulated. The broker provides access to the MetaTrader 5 platform, as well as ECN (Electronic Communications Network) and DMA (Direct Market Access) trading accounts.
This means traders can see prices from multiple liquidity providers (typically large financial institutions) which provides a higher level of price transparency, fast trading execution, and tighter spreads starting from 0.0 pips.
From our live testing on the Standard Account, we found the spread for EUR/USD during the London session to average 1.15 pips which is slightly above the industry average. However, scalpers may opt for the Raw Account which has lower spreads and a commission of USD 3 per lot, per side which is better than the industry average.
The FP Markets ECN execution model also means there is no dealing desk intervention and no requotes. For scalpers, having this ability to enter and exit at the exact price you want is essential when trading in and out of small price movements on a frequent basis.
You can upgrade the MT5 platform with additional trading tools such as Autochartist. This is a plugin that provides automated technical analysis trading ideas from the MT5 platform.
Founded in 2006, FxPro has retail and institutional clients in over 170 countries and is regulated by multiple authorities globally, including the top-tier FCA and CySEC.
FxPro is a no-dealing desk (NDD) broker. This means there is no broker intervention in your trades with most orders being matched internally due to the high volume of its clients. A great feature provided by FxPro for the suitability of scalping with them is the fact they provide transparency regarding their executions.
From our research, most trades with FxPro are filled in under 14 milliseconds with data showing nearly 80% of market orders in 2021 were executed at the requested price with 10% of client orders receiving either a better or worse price.
Furthermore, 98.59% of trades were not requoted. This means that the broker managed to fill 98.59% of trading orders which is very impressive. Some brokers may requote the price you want to trade at as they cannot fill your order which is likely due to poor liquidity from their liquidity providers or slow technology to fill orders instantly.
The broker also provides access to high-performance trading platforms for scalpers such as MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro’s own Edge platform. The MT4 and Edge platforms provide commission-free trading with marked-up floating spreads. The cTrader platform offers reduced spreads with a commission of $35 per $1 million traded.
There is a wide range of trading tools available as well as detailed market research and education resources.
Established in 1974, IG stands as a titan in the retail trading realm. As a company listed on the London Stock Exchange and overseen by international regulators, it champions both security and openness.
IG boasts a diverse portfolio of tradable assets encompassing forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. In a real-time fee evaluation, the EUR/USD spread averaged at 0.75 pips during prime London and New York trading hours, surpassing the standard 1.0 pip for commission-free accounts—making it a boon for scalping aficionados.
For the pros, IG’s Direct Market Access (DMA) account fetches prices straight from the interbank sector, coupled with IG’s liquidity sources. This promises the finest spreads for scalping. Though qualifying as a professional demands a rigorous assessment, all traders benefit from IG’s signal insights via third-party giants like Autochartist and PIA-First.
Scalpers are in for a treat with IG’s array of robust trading platforms. L2 Dealer is tailored for seasoned traders, while popular platforms like MT4 and ProRealTime are also available. Additionally, IG Web Trader, an ideal starter with its user-friendly interface, offers customizable layouts and a swift trading ticket on the graph—key for nimble market navigation.
IC Markets was founded in 2007 and is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, SCB, and FSA of Seychelles. It prides itself on offering services directly aimed at high-frequency and high-volume traders using MT5, MT5, and cTrader platforms.
Each of the account types available is based on an ECN pricing model in which IC Markets sources pricing from unrelated liquidity provides with no dealing desk intervention. This allows the broker to offer ultra-fast execution speeds as their servers are located in the NY4 and LD5 data centers in New York and London. The three main account types offered all provide access to low spreads and low fees.
From our examination of the broker’s offering using a live Standard Account the live spread for EUR/USD during the London session was 0.6 pips with zero fees which is better than the industry average.
We also found the Raw Spread Account has a commission of USD 3.50 per lot, per side with spreads from 0 pips for MT4 and MT5 trading platforms which are around the industry average.
The cTrader Account which is specifically designed for scalpers offers commissions from just USD 3.00 per lot, per side with spreads from 0 pips which is better than the industry average.
The cTrader platform is a forex and algorithmic trading platform that has been designed specifically to support high-frequency, short-term scalping strategies and algorithmic strategies.
tastyfx is a new brand name of IG US and a part of IG Group, which is a publicly traded company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Registered with the CFTC and a member of the NFA, tastyfx offers a high level of safety and transparency.
The broker is regarded as a top choice for scalping strategies as it provides spread rebates for high-volume traders. If you trade more than $100 million in notional value a month, you can access a 5% spread rebate.
On top of this, the margin rates are very competitive, with EUR/USD only requiring 2%, which is better than what is offered to traders outside of the US. This means you only need to put up 2% of the total trade value to open trade, which is fantastic. In our live fee test, I found the spread for EUR/USD averaged 0.8 pips, beating the industry average of 1.0 pips for a zero-commission account.
Of the three trading platforms available, tastyfx Web Platform, MT4, and ProRealTime, I found them all suitable for scalping strategies. The tastyfx Web Platform has built-in trading signals on major currency pairs from third-party providers Autochartist and PIA-First. MT4 and ProRealTime are also excellent and are geared toward high-frequency, algorithmic traders.
Below are some of the key points to consider when choosing the best forex broker to use scalping strategies.
As scalping involves trading very short-term price movements, using a trusted, well-regulated broker is essential. After all, the broker executes your trade in the underlying market (depending on their model) and holds your capital.
Regulated brokers are overseen by a country’s financial body and must adhere to strict execution and investment practices. Those who have a weak regulation or don’t have it at all risk being fined and losing their operating license.
In our reviews, we categorize brokers into three tiers to assess their level of regulation:
Some brokers are not regulated and operate without oversight, posing significant risks to traders as they lack accountability or protection mechanisms. Given that scalping is a precision-focused trading strategy, it’s advisable to choose brokers regulated by Tier 1 authorities for maximum security.
Since the introduction of the MiFID II legal framework, Tier 1 regulated brokers are required to provide negative balance protection to retail clients and segregate client funds from their own. While some Tier 2 and Tier 3 regulators may implement similar measures, many do not, as they are not legally obligated to do so.
Check out Best MiFID-regulated forex brokers.
You can verify a broker’s regulatory status by reviewing their website and client agreement terms. If no regulatory information is provided, consider it a red flag. Additionally, for any claims of regulation, it’s a good practice to cross-check the broker’s status on the regulator’s official register, which is easily accessible online.
Read more about Best regulated forex brokers.
After selecting a secure broker for your trading funds, the next crucial step is reviewing the broker’s fees. High fees can quickly erode profits from small market movements, making it challenging for scalpers to achieve meaningful rewards.
Fees are generally divided into trading fees and non-trading fees:
For scalping, spreads and commissions are the most relevant fees. Low spreads enable precise entry and exit points, while commissions act as a predictable business expense, allowing you to calculate your net return in advance.
In our broker reviews, we test live spreads across various instruments. For EUR/USD, the industry average spread for a commission-free account should be less than 1.0 pip.
Non-trading fees cover account management, such as inactivity fees or charges for deposits and withdrawals. While most brokers don’t charge account maintenance fees, withdrawal and deposit costs vary based on the payment method—bank transfers, cards, or e-wallets. These fees are worth checking to avoid surprises.
Most brokers offer various account types, such as standard, premium, or VIP accounts, with differences in commissions, spreads, and minimum deposits. Typically, accounts with higher minimum deposits provide the best terms, including lower fees, additional tools, and enhanced support.
In recent years, brokers have adapted to advanced trading styles like scalping and algorithmic trading by offering accounts based on specific execution models. These include:
Scalpers typically prefer DMA and ECN accounts due to their transparency, tight spreads, and fast execution speeds. However, any no-dealing desk execution model can be suitable for scalping.
Most brokers offer demo accounts, which allow traders to test execution speeds and spreads in a risk-free, virtual environment. This is an excellent way to evaluate account types and performance before committing to a live account with real funds.
Read more about Best forex demo accounts.
Leverage is a key feature that makes forex trading accessible and appealing. It allows traders to borrow funds to control larger positions with a smaller deposit, amplifying both potential gains and losses. In leveraged (or margin-based) trading, brokers lend the required capital and charge a swap fee for overnight borrowing—similar to paying interest on a loan.
While leverage can boost profitability, it’s a double-edged sword. It magnifies losses as well, making risk management essential. Since the introduction of MiFID II regulations, Tier 1 and some Tier 2 regulators have imposed strict leverage limits for retail clients.
Brokers regulated by Tier 1 authorities like the FCA, CySEC, or ASIC require traders to complete a questionnaire to classify them as retail or professional clients. Retail traders are limited to a maximum leverage of 30:1 for forex trading, meaning a $1,000 deposit can control a $30,000 position.
Check out our guides on Best CySEC-regulated forex brokers and Best FCA-regulated forex brokers.
Some brokers offer extremely high leverage, such as 1000:1. However, these brokers are often unregulated or operate from offshore jurisdictions, offering little protection for retail traders.
Explore Best forex brokers with high leverage for more details.
The most popular platforms for scalping are MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader, each offering features tailored to high-frequency trading.
Explore the Best MetaTrader 4 brokers and Best MetaTrader 5 brokers.
Discover our picks of Best cTrader forex brokers.
Read more about Best forex trading platforms.
To determine the best forex brokers for scalping, our team of analysts conducted comprehensive research on over 80 brokers, evaluating more than 250 data points across nine core categories. Our checklist has evolved over time to incorporate new innovations and regulatory changes, ensuring we stay up-to-date with the latest industry standards.
Our in-depth evaluations provide unique insights into broker offerings, enabling readers to make informed decisions. Data collection involves opening live trading accounts, analyzing live pricing and execution, and interacting with real customer support agents (when available).
The nine categories we assess include trust, fees, platforms and tools, tradable instruments, customer service, deposits and withdrawals, account types, research, and education. Learn more about our detailed review process.
For scalping-specific brokers, we focused on key factors such as whether scalping strategies are permitted, execution speed, the broker’s execution model, low trading fees, and compatibility with scalping platforms like MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
Our findings were further refined into specific categories, highlighting the best brokers for scalping overall, those with the lowest spreads, ECN accounts, no dealing desk execution, MT4 compatibility, trustworthiness, and options for U.S. clients, where broker choices are more restricted.
The team of forex and CFD writers and editors at FXEmpire 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.