Why traders should Compare Forex Brokers?
Choosing the right forex broker is the second most important factor to successful trading, only trading strategies and execution impact an individual’s performance is more important. This is because the broker determines the trading conditions, fees and instruments that can be traded.
1. Broker Fees
The main fee a broker charges is the spread which is the difference between the ask and sell price for any currency pair. Our research found that spreads can be up to 300% higher between the most competitive brokers and expensive ones.
The second fee is the commission which applies to RAW/ECN accounts. In this case, the broker with the lowest fee had half the commission rate of the most expensive provider. The commission rate varies also by the base currency a trader selects when opening an account.
2. Trading Platform
There are a number of mainstream forex platforms most brokers offers. These include MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and TradingView. If you’re used to one of these platforms then you should visit our broker-by-platform pages. Then there are specialist platforms with unique features such as dealCancellation which may suit certain types of trading.
3. Broker Performance
The technology stack of each broker can impact factors such as slippage. Based on this, we tested each broker’s execution speed over two 26-hour periods so traders can understand the performance of each provider’s platform, liquidity and servers.
4. Trading Conditions
Brokers and often their regulators determine what can be traded and under what conditions. This includes leverage for retail traders which can range from 30:1 to 500:1. They also determine what type of trading is available for example in the UK only some brokers offer financial spreads betting accounts.
These trading conditions can often be tested on a demo account first before trading with real money. There is also a large variation in regard to the minimum deposit requirements to start trading on a live account.
5. Range Of Markets
While all providers offer currency trading on major currency pairs including EUR/USD. AUD/USD, EUR/USD and USD/JPY vary when it comes to exotic pairs. There is also variation when it comes to Share CFDs, commodities, EFTs and crypto CFDs.
What is ASIC in Forex?
The Australia Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) regulates Australia’s financial markets, securities and investment industry to ensure fairness and transparency.
Is Forex trading legal in Australia?
Yes, Forex trading is legal for Australian citizens and residents. If you use a broker regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), you can be confident the broker complies with Corporations Act of 2001.
Do you pay taxes when forex trading in Australia?
Yes, you pay taxes when forex trading in Australia. As a trader, you will be liable to Capital gains of 50% of your marginal tax rate. If you trade Forex as a business owner, profits may be considered business income rather than capital. In this case, all profits are taxed at your current rate.
How much do I need to start Forex trading in Australia?
How much you need to start forex trading in Australia depends on your specific trading goals and broker. Some brokers will require that you make a minimum deposit – typically around AUD 100 – before you can open a position. Others won’t ask for a minimum deposit but may charge a small fee to fund the account. You will need enough funds in your account to actually trade however.
If you’re new to trading, we recommend trading with small amounts before opening large positions. Not only will you limit any potential losses, but you’ll also learn to control your emotions and avoid overtrading.
How do you choose a good broker?
To choose a good online broker, consider a number of important factors:
- Trading budget. If you have a small budget, look for tight spreads, low commissions and minimal indirect costs.
- Trading style. Your specific trading style will likely require particular tools or functionality. Scalpers, for example, require fast execution speeds.
- Trading platforms. Different platforms offer functionalities and tools suited to particular styles. Others offer access to specific financial markets and trading products.
- Financial instruments and Asset classes – a good broker would also offer access to various indices, equities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs and derivatives on top of forex trading
- Experience level. Beginner traders will need more risk management and educational resources. Experienced traders will want powerful platforms and specialised trading tools.
The best brokers would also offer copy-trading in their foreign exchange platforms and a variety of trading accounts with different account types and trading fees.
How do you get started trading forex in Australia?
To get started trading forex in Australia, we recommend a measured approach based on research and extensive testing.
1. Choose a forex broker
Take into account your experience level, budget and overall goals for forex trading. Ensure that the broker offers access to currency pairs you want to trade and provides the tools and platforms you need for technical analysis.
2. Refine your trading strategy
If your preferred broker offers a demo account, take this opportunity to test out different platforms to ensure that you’re comfortable with the interface and trading tools available.
We also suggest taking it slow. Backtest your strategies extensively and open small positions while you finetune your ideas. Emotional overtrading will cost you more money than poor market analysis.
3. Set up risk management tools
Once you understand your entry and exit points, take measures to limit your exposure and control your risk. Popular methods include hedging, stop loss and limit orders and, where available, guaranteed stop loss orders.
FAQ
What Is Forex Trading?
Forex trading involves buying one currency with another and profiting from the relative price difference. For example, if you think the US dollar will increase in value against the euro, you might buy dollars with euros. If the dollar appreciates on a relative basis, you can sell your dollars back for more than you spent to buy them.
Which is the best forex trading platform in Australia?
Pepperstone is the best forex trading platform in Australia. This Melbourne-based broker offers excellent customer support for Aussie traders on a 24/5 basis, as well as excellent execution speeds and competitive spreads. This broker also features an extensive selection of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 with Smart Trader Tools for Forex.
What is the highest leverage I can trade Forex in Australia?
ASIC-regulated brokers offer the highest leverage in Australia with the assurance of risk protection. ASIC caps leverage for discretionary traders at 30:1 for major currency pairs and 20:1 for minors and exotics. Sophisticated traders can Forex with leverage of 500:1.
Which Forex broker has the best mobile app?
Plus500 has the best mobile trading app. Like its award-winning trading platform, Plus500 mobile offering combines powerful features with an intuitive interface.
Features of the Plus500 app that will appeal include an unlimited demo account, 0 commissions, real-time alerts via email, SMS and push. One feature we think beginner traders will appreciate is the guaranteed stop-loss and negative balance protection.
Which Forex broker is best for beginners?
OANDA is the best forex broker for beginners. This broker earned a perfect score for ‘Trust’ in our independent rankings and holds the most Tier-1 licenses of any broker we review. We also like this broker for beginners for its straightforward, accessible platform and competitive trading costs.
Which Forex broker has the best spreads?
IC Markets has the best spreads based on our independent testing. Its standard account averages 0.98 pips for the major currency pairs, while the RAW account posted similarly competitive results.