International Broker Comparison Table: 24 Trading Brokers Compared
Compare 24 trading brokers from an international perspective: platform choice, asset markets, typical trading costs, execution styles, research tools and practical trade-offs. Use this master table to identify brokers that suit your trading workflow, then check the dedicated review for detailed regional rules.
Compare forex and CFD specialists alongside multi-asset brokers, investing platforms, social-trading services and proprietary-platform providers. The same brand can offer different products through different entities, so country eligibility should always be checked separately before opening an account.
Disclosure & Risk Notice: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice, investment advice, tax advice or a personal recommendation. Trading CFDs, spread betting, leveraged forex and other leveraged products involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all traders. You may lose some or all of your capital. The FCA prohibits the sale of crypto derivatives, including crypto CFDs, to UK retail consumers. Some GradTraders articles may contain affiliate links or references to partner offers. If you sign up, purchase or open an account through certain links, GradTraders may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Looking for GradTraders partner offers, broker discounts, prop firm promotions and trading platform deals? You can view the current offers and join the update list here: Access GradTraders Partner Offers.
Quick Verdict: Four Different Broker Approaches
No broker in this comparison has achieved a perfect GradTraders score. IC Markets, Plus500, FP Markets and IG illustrate four distinct trading approaches, from advanced third-party execution platforms to proprietary tools and broad market access. They are starting points for worldwide research, not universal account-opening recommendations.
IC Markets — Multi-Platform Active Trading
Why it stands out: Broad selection of MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, with pricing structures of particular interest to forex and CFD traders.
Main weakness: Account eligibility, fees and investor protections vary by contracting entity. Always compare the complete spread-plus-commission cost for the markets you trade.
Commercial position: A GradTraders partner route is described in the full review, but readers should check local entity eligibility, account terms and protection rules before applying.
Plus500 — The Native-Platform Anomaly
Why it stands out: Plus500 sits at the bottom of the master score, but that is partly a consequence of weaker third-party platform integration. If your priority is a strong, user-friendly native platform, it deserves separate consideration.
Main weakness: No MT4, MT5, cTrader or external TradingView execution route is identified in the bank; Plus500 has deliberately focused on its own platform.
Editorial position: Plus500 is a GradTraders commercial partner, but its 8.1/10 master score remains unchanged. 76% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
FP Markets — Flexible Platform Alternative
Why it stands out: Combines MetaTrader, cTrader and region-dependent platform choices with spread-based and commission-based active-trading accounts.
Main weakness: TradingView integration, platform availability and product ranges vary by region and account type. Check the full trading-cost schedule before choosing.
Commercial position: A GradTraders partner route is described in the full review, but readers should check local entity eligibility, account terms and protection rules before applying.
IG — Established Multi-Market All-Rounder
Why it stands out: Broad exposure to indices, forex, shares and other products through an established proprietary platform ecosystem, with platform options varying across markets.
Main weakness: Its pricing, third-party platform integrations, product permissions and account availability differ by region; active traders should compare their all-in costs.
Editorial position: IG is included for its broad practical strength and trust profile, not because of a GradTraders commercial relationship.
24-Broker Comparison Table
Use the table to narrow your shortlist. The most important columns are Best For, Platforms, Markets & Access, Key Caution and GT View. Scores summarise the GradTraders editorial view of the complete broker route rather than promising that a broker will suit every trader.
The GradTraders scores are anchored around practical trading suitability, including platform choice, execution structure, costs, regulation, market access and Matthew Jackson’s own experience as an active trader. They are GradTraders editorial judgements, not country-by-country ratings. They are not a ranking based solely on company size or worldwide availability. An individual broker’s product and platform list describes its broader ecosystem, not an assurance that every service is available to every visitor. Country-specific authorisation, eligibility and client protections are explained in the individual reviews and the regulation data layer. Six deeper levels of research underpin these scores and can be accessed through the links beneath the 24-broker comparison.
| Broker | GT Score | Best For | Platforms | Markets & Access | Key Caution | GT View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC MarketsEU / CySEC CFD risk: 73.46% of retail accounts lose money | 9.2/10 | Low-cost active traders, scalpers, index traders and cTrader/TradingView users. | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | Forex, index, commodity, metals, share and other CFDs; product access varies by group entity. | Check the entity, fee schedule and account permissions; protections vary by region. | A strong platform-flexibility and active-trader pricing proposition to compare internationally. |
| PepperstoneEU / CySEC CFD risk: 74.1% of retail accounts lose money | 9.1/10 | Forex/CFD active traders comparing cTrader, TradingView, MetaTrader and pricing structures. | Pepperstone platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | Forex, indices, commodities, share CFDs and other leveraged products; eligible instruments vary by region. | Costs, leverage, products and protection depend on your actual account jurisdiction. | Broad third-party platform coverage and competitive active-trader execution tools; country-specific features need checking. |
| FP MarketsEU / CySEC CFD risk: 74.51% of retail accounts lose money | 9.0/10 | Algorithmic traders, cTrader users, TradingView users and low-cost active traders. | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | Forex, indices, metals, commodities, share and ETF CFDs; the available product list varies by account. | Verify the local account entity and its available platforms, product set and fee schedule. | Broad platform choice and active-trading pricing, with regional eligibility to confirm. |
| Interactive BrokersUK CFD risk: 57.9% of retail accounts lose money | 8.9/10 | Serious traders, investors, futures/options users and global market access. | Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, mobile, web, APIs | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, FX and funds; CFDs in eligible jurisdictions. | Powerful but complex, with exchange fees, margin structures and product permissions to understand. | Excellent for serious traders and investors, but more complex than mainstream retail CFD brokers. |
| IGEU / IG Europe spread-bet & CFD risk: 74% of retail accounts lose money | 8.8/10 | Forex, index and share-market traders comparing broad product access and established research tools. | IG platform, mobile app, MT4, MT5, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView (product/account availability varies) | Forex, indices, shares, commodities and options; investing and leveraged-product routes vary by location. | Not the first choice for cTrader-focused workflows or those prioritising very low raw-spread trading. | An established multi-market ecosystem, but not always the cheapest choice for high-frequency trading. |
| City IndexLeveraged CFD trading carries significant risk; check your local entity’s disclosure. | 8.8/10 | Forex and index traders comparing proprietary platforms, TradingView and pricing. | City Index platform, TradingView, MT4 | Forex, indices, shares, commodities and other leveraged derivatives; regional product rules apply. | No cTrader; ownership/entity links with StoneX/FOREX.com need explaining in comparisons. | A broad forex and index-trading platform alternative, with regional product access and StoneX account terms to compare. |
| FxProEU / Cyprus site CFD risk: 75% of retail accounts lose money | 8.8/10 | Traders prioritising cTrader, MetaTrader and a choice of trading-cost structures. | FxPro platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, FxPro app; TradingView integration via compatible cTrader account | Forex, indices, metals, shares and commodity CFDs, with additional contract types by entity. | Strong all-rounder, but not necessarily the cheapest raw-spread route versus IC/FP/Tickmill-style brokers. | Wide platform selection including cTrader, with account-specific TradingView integration. |
| CMC MarketsEU / CMC Germany spread-bet & CFD risk: 70% of retail accounts lose money | 8.7/10 | Multi-market traders using advanced native charting and flexible CFD strategies. | CMC platform, mobile app; TradingView for eligible CFD/FX Active accounts; MT4 through a separate account (connections and products vary by region) | Forex, indices, shares, commodities and treasury products; CFDs and spread betting where eligible. | No cTrader; platform/account structure can feel less direct than some active-trader brokers. | A strong proprietary-platform offering with diverse financial markets, plus regional leveraged-product variants. |
| SaxoSaxo Bank A/S (Denmark) CFD risk: 64% of retail accounts lose money | 8.6/10 | Serious traders, investors, options/futures/share traders and multi-asset users. | SaxoTrader, SaxoInvestor, direct TradingView broker integration (selected instruments), APIs/connectivity | Stocks, ETFs, bonds, forex, options, futures and CFDs; local permissions vary. | More premium and complex than many retail CFD accounts; not all Saxo instruments or options are available via TradingView. | Strong for serious multi-asset access, less ideal for low-cost index scalping. |
| AvaTradeLeveraged CFD trading carries significant risk; check your local entity’s disclosure. | 8.6/10 | Traders wanting broad platform choice, MT4/MT5, options-style FX tools and copy/social tools. | WebTrader, AvaTrade app, MT4, MT5, AvaOptions, AvaSocial | Forex, commodities, indices and share CFDs, plus specialised FX-options tools in eligible markets. | No cTrader; account eligibility is restricted in several countries, including the UK, US, India and New Zealand. Verify your country before applying. | Broad platform range, but region exclusions and account-specific trading conditions need checking. |
| FOREX.comUK CFD risk: 74% of retail accounts lose money | 8.5/10 | Forex traders, TradingView users, MT4/MT5 users and traders needing a regulated FX route. | FOREX.com platform, mobile apps, TradingView, MT4, MT5 | Forex plus selected index, commodity and share CFDs by region; US spot-forex access differs. | Strong forex brand, but not as compelling as the best low-cost active-trader specialists. | Worth researching for multi-region forex access and platform choice, especially alongside OANDA. |
| XTBUK CFD risk: 74% of retail accounts lose money | 8.5/10 | Traders and investors seeking xStation, stock/ETF investing and CFDs where offered. | xStation / XTB app | Forex, indices, commodity and share CFDs, plus stocks and ETFs in supported markets. | No cTrader and no current MetaTrader route found in the bank. | A strong mainstream platform broker, especially for users who like xStation. |
| HFM / HotForexLeveraged CFD trading carries significant risk; check your local entity’s disclosure. | 8.5/10 | Global forex/CFD traders, MT4/MT5 users and high-leverage seekers outside restricted routes. | MT4, MT5, HFM WebTrader, HFM App | Forex, metals, indices, energies, shares and other CFDs; products vary by group entity. | Leverage, fees and protections vary sharply between HFM group entities. | Broad forex and CFD reach with familiar MetaTrader tools; account entity and trading conditions matter. |
| OANDAEU / OANDA TMS (Poland) CFD risk: 76% of retail accounts lose money | 8.4/10 | Forex and index traders who value TradingView integrations, research and familiar trading workflows. | OANDA platform, TradingView, MT4 and MT5 on eligible regional accounts; platform and product combinations vary | Forex, indices, commodities and selected CFDs; US forex and non-US CFD offerings differ. | No cTrader; platform connections and permitted products vary across regional entities and account types. | Established forex research and platform ecosystem; product access differs internationally. |
| EightcapEU / CySEC CFD risk: 71.90% of retail accounts lose money | 8.4/10 | TradingView-first active CFD traders, crypto/FX/index CFD traders and platform-led users. | TradingView; MT4/MT5 and TradeLocker depending on entity/region | Forex, indices, commodities and share CFDs; crypto CFDs only where permitted. | Entity and platform availability need careful checking before signup. | A useful TradingView-first proposition, with platform and account availability varying by entity. |
| TickmillEU / CySEC CFD risk: 74% of retail accounts lose money | 8.4/10 | Cost-focused forex/CFD traders, raw-spread users, MT4/MT5 users and strategy testers. | MT4, MT5, Tickmill Trader; direct TradingView trading requires a compatible Tickmill Trader/TradingView Raw account | Forex, metals, indices, commodities and shares CFDs; market/platform lists vary. | Raw-spread costs, leverage and instrument coverage depend on the regional account. | Strong for cost-focused forex/CFD traders and MetaTrader users. |
| VantageUK CFD risk: 72.65% of retail accounts lose money | 8.4/10 | TradingView users, MT4/MT5 users, active CFD traders and copy-trading users. | MT4, MT5, ProTrader, TradingView, Vantage app, copy tools | Forex, indices, commodities, metals and share CFDs; regional restrictions apply. | TradingView, leverage and copy-trading functionality vary across account entities. | Useful to compare for MT4/MT5, TradingView and copy-trading workflows worldwide. |
| Capital.comEU / CySEC CFD risk: 74% of retail accounts lose money | 8.3/10 | Mobile-first CFD traders and TradingView users exploring a proprietary platform. | Capital.com web/mobile platform, TradingView, MT4, MT5 (eligible regional accounts), API | Forex, indices, commodities, shares and other CFDs; some investing products region-dependent. | No cTrader; availability and leverage vary heavily by country. | Modern platform and TradingView connectivity, with instruments varying across regions. |
| Trade NationUK CFD risk: 73.8% of retail accounts lose money | 8.3/10 | Traders seeking a fixed-spread pricing model, flexible web tools and TradingView integration. | TN Trader, TradingView, MT4 | Forex, indices, commodities and other leveraged markets; spread betting where permitted. | Not as broad or institutionally established as IG/CMC; no cTrader. | A distinctive fixed-spread CFD proposition in supported jurisdictions. |
| XMEU / CySEC CFD risk: 75.12% of retail accounts lose money | 8.3/10 | Global forex/CFD traders, MT4/MT5 users and traders wanting low minimum deposit access. | MT4, MT5, XM App, XM Copy Trading | Forex, commodities, metals, indices and other CFDs; available instruments depend on entity. | XM entity acceptance, retail permissions and investor protections vary by residence; check the current local offer. | A globally recognised MetaTrader-oriented broker, with service restrictions by jurisdiction. |
| SpreadexUK CFD risk: 61% of retail accounts lose money | 8.2/10 | Traders exploring financial spread betting and CFDs where permitted, with specialist native tools. | Spreadex web/mobile platform and direct TradingView integration | Financial spread betting and CFDs on forex, indices, shares and commodities; eligibility restricted. | TradingView integration is available, but no cTrader or MetaTrader route is identified; compare its specialist spread-betting setup with broader multi-platform brokers. | A financial spread-betting specialist with limited geographic relevance compared with global CFD brands. |
| eToroUK CFD risk: 51% of retail accounts lose money | 8.2/10 | Social traders, copy traders, beginner investors and multi-asset users. | eToro web/mobile platform, CopyTrader, social investing tools | Stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies and CFDs, with product classification and eligibility varying by region. | Not designed as a high-performance active-trader broker. | Useful for copy trading and beginner investing questions, but not a specialist execution broker. |
| ExnessLeveraged CFD trading carries significant risk; check your local entity’s disclosure. | 8.2/10 | International forex/CFD traders outside restricted jurisdictions who want very high leverage. | MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade app | Forex, metals, indices, commodities, shares and crypto CFDs, subject to jurisdictional rules. | A major international CFD research option, subject to important country exclusions. | An internationally relevant leveraged forex/CFD research option, with substantial country, account and protection differences to examine. |
| Plus50076% of retail CFD accounts lose money | 8.1/10 | Self-directed traders with previous financial-market experience who prefer a user-friendly proprietary platform. | Plus500 proprietary web/mobile platform | FCA CFD route; no UK spread-betting route found. | Limited advanced platform choice; no MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView route in the bank. | User-friendly and recognisable, but weaker for third-party platform integration. Plus500 has deliberately focused on its native platform |
Regional retail-derivatives loss warnings: Figures below broker names are entity-specific loss percentages from broker websites, checked on 10 October 2026. Most concern CFDs; certain official IG and CMC disclosures also include spread betting. Figures shown for EU, UK and other regions are jurisdictional examples, not global broker loss rates or directly comparable outcomes. They can change and the same broker may publish different percentages on different pages. Where no clearly attributable figure was confirmed, a general risk notice appears instead. Always check the current disclosure for your actual contracting entity and product.
Green score labels identify the three 9.0-or-higher active-trader leaders. Amber score labels identify brokers scoring below 8.5; they remain credible research routes but have narrower practical fit within this table.
Broker names with dedicated GradTraders reviews link directly to those reviews where available. On mobile, the comparison is shown as stacked broker cards.
Explore The Broker Data Behind This Table
This public table is intentionally compact. The deeper GradTraders broker data layers explain the research behind the scoring, including platforms, costs, regulation, support, reputation and market coverage across the 24-broker master bank.
1. Platforms, Tools, Demo & Mobile
cTrader, MT5, TradingView, proprietary platforms, demo accounts, mobile app quality and platform-route suitability.
Open Platform Data Layer2. Costs, Spreads, Execution & Leverage
Raw accounts, commissions, spread structure, execution notes, leverage route, margin reality and active-trader cost fit.
Open Cost Data Layer3. Regulation, Jurisdictions & Protection
Country-specific licences, EEA/UK/Australia/US and other routes, investor protections, product restrictions and taxation considerations.
Open Regulation Data Layer4. Support, Funding & Withdrawals
Support languages and time zones, local funding methods, withdrawal routes, currency conversion, identity checks and account reliability.
Open Support Data Layer5. Reputation, Complaints & Suitability
Public review signals, complaint notes, education quality, practical suitability, source confidence and editorial treatment.
Open Reputation Data Layer6. Market Coverage & Specialist Products
Global indices, forex, commodities, stocks, ETFs, futures, options and jurisdiction-dependent leveraged products.
Open Market Data Layer
International broker transparency Regional Retail CFD Loss Disclosures — UK & EU Open on clickClose
Regional Retail CFD Loss Disclosures — UK & EU
Retail CFD loss percentages are calculated for individual regulated providers, not for a broker brand worldwide. They vary by legal entity, country and reporting period. UK and EU figures below link to broker-published regional disclosures; a dash or unverified entry is not a zero-risk finding.
How to read Disclosure Check: No conflict identified means the reviewed regional sources did not contradict each other. Official UK pages disagree means current pages for a single UK entity show different figures and the latest effective rate should be confirmed with that provider. Regional check incomplete means we did not establish a defensible figure in both regions. Distinct percentages from UK and EU legal entities are normal and are not, by themselves, a conflict.
| Broker | UK — relevant entity | EU — relevant entity | Disclosure check |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets | UK retail percentage not verified | 73.46%IC Markets EU / CySEC | Regional check incomplete |
| Pepperstone | 72.9% / 73.6%Pepperstone Limited / FCA — conflicting official pages | 74.1%Pepperstone EU Limited / CySEC | Official UK pages disagree |
| FP Markets | UK retail percentage not verified | 74.51%FP Markets EU / CySEC | Regional check incomplete |
| Interactive Brokers | 57.9%Interactive Brokers UK / FCA | Not independently verified | Regional check incomplete |
| IG | 69% / 70%IG UK / FCA — conflicting official pages | 74%IG Europe GmbH / BaFin | Official UK pages disagree |
| City Index | Not independently verified | Not independently verified | Regional figures not verified |
| FxPro | Not independently verified | 75%FxPro European entity / Cyprus site | Regional check incomplete |
| CMC Markets | 68%CMC Markets UK plc / FCA | 70%CMC Markets Germany / EU | Regional check incomplete |
| Saxo | 59% / 60%Saxo UK / official pages differ | 64%Saxo Bank A/S / Denmark | Official UK pages disagree |
| AvaTrade | No UK retail service confirmed | Not independently verified | Regional figures not verified |
| FOREX.com | 74%FOREX.com UK / FCA | Not independently verified | Regional check incomplete |
| XTB | 74%XTB Limited / FCA | Not independently verified | EU figure not verified; recheck official pages |
| HFM / HotForex | Not independently verified | Not independently verified | Regional figures not verified |
| OANDA | 76.6%OANDA Europe Limited / FCA | 76%OANDA TMS Brokers S.A. / Poland | No conflict identified |
| Eightcap | Not independently verified | 71.90%Eightcap EU Limited / CySEC | Regional check incomplete |
| Tickmill | 68% / 69%Tickmill UK Ltd / FCA — conflicting official pages | 74%Tickmill EU / CySEC | Official UK pages disagree |
| Vantage | 72.65%Vantage UK / FCA | Not independently verified | Regional check incomplete |
| Capital.com | 65%Capital Com (UK) Ltd / FCA | 74%Capital Com SV Investments Limited / CySEC | No conflict identified |
| Trade Nation | 73.7% / 73.8%Trade Nation UK / FCA — conflicting official pages | 75.8%Trade Nation Europe / CMVM (Portugal) | Official UK pages disagree |
| XM | No UK retail figure confirmed | 75.12%XM European entity / CySEC | Regional check incomplete |
| Spreadex | 61%Spreadex Limited / FCA | EU retail CFD figure not verified | Regional check incomplete |
| eToro | 51%eToro UK / FCA | Not independently verified | Regional check incomplete |
| Exness | UK entity: no retail CFD service confirmed | EU entity: no retail CFD service confirmed | No UK/EU retail percentage confirmed |
| Plus500 | 76%Plus500UK Ltd / FCA | 80%Plus500CY Ltd / CySEC | No conflict identified |
Checked 10 October 2026. These figures can change quarterly. Where an official website currently contains inconsistent rates for the same entity, both are recorded instead of selecting one without support. Before opening an account, check the figure and risk notice on the exact regulated entity’s account-registration pages.
Match Broker Routes To Your Trading Needs
The same broker can be a strong choice for one trader and a poor fit for another. Start with your country, product, account structure and platform requirements rather than treating the highest score as a universal answer.
Low-Cost Active Traders
IC Markets, Pepperstone and FP Markets are the strongest starting points, with Tickmill, FxPro and Vantage adding further platform or pricing alternatives.
Open Active-Trader GuideCountry-Specific Account Routes
Traders may use CFDs, spot forex, cash equities, exchange-listed derivatives or jurisdiction-specific spread betting depending on where they live. Compare eligible legal entities, instruments and investor safeguards before considering tax treatment.
Compare Regional Account RoutesSerious Traders And Investors
Interactive Brokers and Saxo are stronger starting points for broader market access, investing, futures, options and professional-style tools.
Compare Saxo And IBKRRegional Forex Access
OANDA and FOREX.com provide useful regional examples: US forex accounts, CFD accounts elsewhere and platform terms are different products rather than interchangeable global offerings.
Compare OANDA And FOREX.comcTrader And TradingView Users
Pepperstone, IC Markets, FP Markets and FxPro are useful cTrader research names, while the wider bank contains several TradingView routes.
Open cTrader GuideNewer Traders
IG, XTB, Capital.com, OANDA and established proprietary-platform brokers may be easier to research, but demo use and risk education should come before live leverage.
Open Beginner Broker GuideThe Broker Brand Is Only One Part Of The Account
A broker can operate through several legal entities, platforms and product routes. The name at the top of the website does not by itself tell you which regulator, leverage limits, client protections, products or funding terms will apply to your account.
Regional retail CFD protections
Retail CFD safeguards differ between jurisdictions. Compare leverage limits, margin close-out rules, client-money protection and permitted products for the precise legal entity offering an account.
Other international routes
Different entities may offer broader products or leverage, but the regulatory framework and client protections can also differ.
US-specific routes
US readers need country-specific research because many CFD, spread-betting and global broker routes are not available on the same terms.
Global multi-asset access
Interactive Brokers and Saxo-style accounts can provide broader access, but they may be more complex than many mainstream retail trading accounts.
How To Use This Comparison
Start with your route
Identify your country, regulator, product and account structure before comparing headline spreads or leverage.
Match the platform
cTrader, TradingView, MetaTrader, proprietary platforms and multi-asset workstations suit different workflows.
Understand the trade-off
Lower costs, higher leverage or broader market access may involve compromises elsewhere in the account.
Verify before funding
Confirm the current entity, fees, margin, leverage, platforms, protections and withdrawal terms directly.
Next Step
Use the 24-broker table to build a shortlist, then open the relevant data layer, full review or head-to-head comparison. The best broker is the one whose real account route fits your country, products, platform needs and risk tolerance—not simply the broker with the highest score.
Using This Broker Comparison In Your Country
Broker entities, local authorisation, account eligibility, products and platforms can differ significantly by country. Select your country first; verify the broker’s actual contracting entity and permitted products with the relevant regulator rather than assuming global brand availability. GradTraders has 20 international gateways with local market context, viewing guidance and country-specific research routes.
Browse all 20 country gateways
Asia: Japan · South Korea · Taiwan · Hong Kong · Singapore · India · Thailand
Americas: United States · Canada · Mexico
Middle East: United Arab Emirates · Saudi Arabia
Europe: Italy · Sweden · Switzerland · Germany · Norway
Oceania: Australia · New Zealand
Africa: South Africa
