Swap fees are easy to overlook, so traders holding positions for days and weeks sometimes get a nasty surprise. Most people are looking out for spreads and commissions, but overnight financing (swap) fees can really add up and impact your returns.
To create this guide, I took a hands-on approach and used the FXEmpire database of over 300 brokers, which were rigorously tested using hundreds of data points. I looked for brokers with competitive swap rates and also took into account features like regulation, trading platforms, trading costs, and swap-free/Islamic accounts.
Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FXEmpire’s comprehensive methodology.
Moneta Markets earned the top spot with its well-rounded offering. Swap rates came in at less than $10 in EUR/USD, and I recorded spreads as low as 0.5 pips during my tests. The platform lineup is strong with the proprietary ProTrader, along with MT4 and MT5. Beyond the core trading features, there is also copy trading and analysis from Trading Central.
Key Features:
As a technical trader, I was impressed by the range of 150+ indicators and charting tools available via the ProTrader platform. I took note of 1-click trading and trading from the chart, which are key features for day traders and scalpers. The range of instruments is diverse, with over 800 CFDs on shares and also ETFs and bonds, which are less common.
Moneta Markets also offers its own market analysis, along with Moneta TV updates, and Trading Central signals. I was not expecting the depth of hundreds of educational videos. Moneta Markets also offers market sentiment data, which can give you insights into potential turning points in market trends.
JustMarkets offers a unique set of advantages for MetaTrader users. Trading costs are highly competitive. For example, I recorded spreads as low as 0.2 pips, the lowest I have ever seen via a Standard account. I took note of strong MetaTrader support, with the full suite of MT4/MT5 platforms.
Key Features:
Both MT4 and MT5 are covered, across desktop, web, and mobile. And if you’re running automated strategies, you can use VPS hosting, which ensures that your EA can run 24/5. What surprised me, though, was the depth of MetaTrader tutorials, which went beyond the basics into coverage of custom indicators and trading signals.
Within the client portal, you can find the JustMarkets copy trading platform, which lets you mirror experienced strategy providers in real time. I browsed the copy trading leaderboard and found some interesting options using filtering parameters like risk score, top gainers, and most popular. Unlike some competitors, I counted a deep range of hundreds of strategies to select from. The most popular was ‘BigKingz,’ who gained 659 followers.
I found that Exness checks all the boxes for beginners. The Exness Terminal platform is slick and easy to navigate. The broker also has a low minimum deposit of $10 and offers the low-risk Standard Cent account. But what stood out to me the most was that many major, minor, and exotic forex pairs, as well as gold, silver, crypto, and indices, can (by default) be traded without overnight swap charges.
Key Features:
I experienced competitive trading costs with spreads as low as 0.9 pips in EUR/USD via the Standard account. The Exness Terminal was what won me over, though. TradingView charts are built-in, 1-click trading keeps you nimble, and price alerts are easy to set up. Trading Central is also integrated.
The education section covers the basics well enough for beginners, but there is also real depth on practical strategies for more experienced traders. Deposits and withdrawals are fast (98% of withdrawals are processed without manual review), which is something most brokers lack.
The forex and CFD analysts and editors at FXEmpire bring together seasoned trading professionals and experienced financial journalists. Many of our experts have been featured in leading publications such as Investopedia and Forbes, and all of them combine strong industry credentials with hands-on 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 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.
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.
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.
At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.