Contracts for Differences (CFDs) are financial instruments that allow you to speculate on the price movements of assets without owning the underlying asset. The following is a list of the 6 best CFD brokers for 2025, it provides a comparative analysis of their features, fees, and regulatory compliance. These are Vantage, IG broker, Tickmill, FP Markets, CMC Markets, and Forex.com.
Choosing the right broker is crucial to succeeding in CFD trading, as terms and services vary worldwide. CFD trading is prohibited in the US due to SEC concerns about leverage and investor protection. Globally, brokers follow authorities like ASIC, CySEC, and FCA for security and trust. Choose a broker with the necessary asset classes and platforms.
Quick insights
What is CFD trading & how do CFD brokers work?
CFDs allow traders to speculate on the price movement of financial instruments such as Currency pairs, Stocks, Indices, and Commodities without actually owning the assets. CFD traders enter into a contract with a broker to exchange the difference in the price of the asset from the time the contract is opened until it is closed.
If you want a detailed overview of what is CFD trading and how it works, check out our guide and gain valuable insights for your better understanding of CFD trading.
How do CFD brokers work?
CFD brokers act as intermediaries between traders and the financial markets, offering platforms to execute trades, access leverage, utilize advanced research tools and risk management tools.
The brokers generate revenue primarily through spreads, trading costs, and overnight charges. It also provides highly leveraged positions, enabling greater exposure with smaller capital but with higher risk. Here’s a breakdown of how they operate:
Providing trading platform
Brokers provide the best CFD trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5 for traders to view live asset price feeds, analyse real-time charts with technical indicators, and execute trades.
Offering leverage
CFD trading leverage allows traders to control larger positions with smaller capital, allowing them to maximize profits and magnify losses, with a 30:1 leverage allowing a $1,000 trader to control $30,000.
Facilitating trade execution
When a trader places a buy or sell order, the broker executes this trade on their platform. Since CFDs are over-the-counter (OTC) products, the broker acts as the counterparty to the trader’s position.
Charging fees and commissions
Brokers may charge commissions, particularly on Stock CFDs, per trade or a percentage of the trade size. Overnight or swap fees, or financing fees, are typically charged for traders holding a leveraged position, essentially the interest for borrowed capital.
Providing risk management tools
Brokers provide traders with risk management tools like stop-loss orders and take-profit orders to limit potential losses and automatically close trades at desired profit levels.
Top 6 best CFD brokers for 2025 – Expert reviews
In 2025, choosing the best CFD brokers are crucial. Our list of 6 top CFD brokers is curated by financial professionals, offering competitive pricing, a user-friendly platform, access to a wide range of markets, and adherence to stringent regulatory standards.
This ensures a secure and efficient trading environment. They offer a comprehensive suite of trading instruments and platforms tailored for both novice and professional traders.
- Vantage
- IG broker
- Tickmill
- FP Markets
- CMC Markets
- Forex.com
Vantage
- Vantage Markets is a globally recognized CFD broker with over 15 years of industry experience.
- Vantage offers over 1,000+ CFD products, including Forex trading, Indices, Commodities, Shares, and ETFs and Bonds, allowing users to trade 40+ Currency pairs, invest in major financial markets, and diversify portfolios.
- Vantage offers low spreads, zero deposit fees, and seamless execution with 24/7 customer support, enhancing cost efficiency for traders.
IG broker
- IG is a globally recognized CFD broker with a long-standing reputation in the industry.
- It offers a wide range of 18,000 markets and CFD products, including Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares, and more.
- The platform offers competitive spreads, fees, and advanced trading platforms with comprehensive charting tools, with share CFDs incurring a commission.
Tickmill
- Tickmill is one of the most reputable CFD and Forex brokers known for its transparent pricing and low trading costs.
- Tickmill offers a variety of 500+ CFD products, including Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, and Bonds.
- The platform provides tight spreads of 0.1 pips on EUR/USD during peak trading hours, low commission rates of $3.00 per lot per trade on raw accounts, and support for MetaTrader 4 and 5.
FP Markets
- FP Markets is a globally recognized CFD broker with over 15 years of industry experience.
- It provides access to over 10,000 CFD products, including Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares, ETFs, and Bonds.
- The platform provides competitive spreads starting at 0.0 pips on raw accounts, commission-based pricing, and supports MetaTrader 4, and MetaTrader 5 platforms.
CMC Markets
- CMC Markets is a globally recognized CFD broker with a strong presence in the industry.
- It offers a comprehensive suite of CFD products with 12,000 tradable instruments including Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares, and more.
- Competitive spreads, fees, and advanced trading platforms with robust charting and analysis tools are available, with some services requiring additional trading fees.
Forex.com
- FOREX.com is a globally recognized CFDs and Forex broker with a long-standing reputation in the industry.
- Offers a wide range of 5500 CFD products, including Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares, and more.
- The platform offers competitive spreads, spread-only and commission-based pricing models, and supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary trading platform.
How to choose the right CFD broker?
Choosing the best CFD brokers depends on your trading goals and experience level. Here are some key features to consider:
Regulation and safety
Always ensure the licensed and regulated CFD brokers by a reputable financial authority such as FCA, ASIC, and CySEC. Regulated CFD brokers must follow strict compliance rules that protect your funds, including segregated client accounts and transparent reporting.
Trading fees and spreads
Trade costs include spreads, commissions, overnight fees, and inactivity fees. Choose brokers with low spreads and competitive fees, especially for frequent or short-term trading strategies.
Available asset classes
The top CFD brokers offer access to a wide range of markets such as Forex, Stocks, Indices, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, and ETFs. More asset classes mean more opportunities to diversify and test different trading strategies in various financial markets.
Leverage and margin options
When choosing CFD trading, be sure to look for high leverage, which allows for large positions with small deposits, and different risk management options for beginners and experienced traders. Always use risk management tools like stop-loss and take-profit orders when trading on margin.
Trading platform and research tools
When choosing the right CFD broker, you want your trading platform to be user-friendly, fast and reliable, equipped with real-time data. Platforms like MetaTrader 4/5, cTrader, or proprietary platforms often come with robust research tools, economic calendars, and even AI-driven insights.
To explore more about top-performing platforms, check out our guide on the best Forex trading apps and essential tools for every trader. It’s packed with expert reviews and tips to help you choose the ideal platform that matches your trading style.
Demo account availability
A demo account lets you trade with virtual funds, mimicking real market conditions without any financial risk. It’s ideal for practicing new trading strategies, learning the platform’s features, and testing market conditions before going live. Every top CFD broker should offer an unlimited or at least time-limited demo account.
Account types and minimum deposit
Choose the right account types for your needs, including standard accounts for everyday traders, Islamic accounts for specific needs, and VIP or Pro accounts with lower fees for professional traders. Also, consider the minimum deposit requirements. Some brokers offer access for as little as $50, while others may require $500 or more.
Customer support and education
Quality customer support is essential, especially when real money is on the line. Look for brokers offering 24/5 or 24/7 support, live chat, phone, and email options, and multilingual service for global traders. Also, educational resources like video tutorials, webinars, and market analysis are valuable for Forex trader and CFD beginner.
Comparing CFD brokers: Fees, spreads, & leverage
Choosing a CFD broker, key factors such as trading fees, spreads, and leverage offerings play a crucial role in determining cost efficiency and trading flexibility. Here’s a comparative overview to help identify which broker aligns best with your trading strategy.
| Brokers | Fees | Spread | Maximum leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vantage | Forex – $3.0 per lot, ETFs – $12.0 per trade, Precious metals – $3.0 per lot, AU share CFDs – 0.08% per lot (min $5 per trade), EU share CFDs – 0.1% per lot, HK share CFDs – 0.25% per lot (min $6 per trade), UK share CFDs – 0.1% per lot. | Standard STP – 1.0 pips, raw ECN – 0.0 pips, and pro ECN – 0.0 pips. | 1000:1 |
| IG Broker | US shares 0 to 50 – commission free, 50+ trades – $5, Other shares Germany – 0.1%, UK – 0.1%, Ireland – 0.1%. | Standard – 0.6 pips | 200:1 |
| Tickmill | It preferring $0 commission trading. | Spread classic account- 1.6 pips, and raw account – 0.0 pips. | 1:1000 |
| FP Markets | Forex- $3.50, Metals -$3.50, Commodities- built into spread, Indices- Built into spread. | Standard – 1.0 pips, and raw – 0.0 pips | 500:1 |
| CMC Markets | CFD trading – US shares from $10, FX active – US shares from $10, Overnight holding costs – 0.0027% | Typical STP – Spread of 1.2 pips, Typical ECN – Spread of 0.2 pips. | 1:500 |
| Forex.com | Commission – Fixed $7 USD per $100k USD traded. | Standard – 1.2 pips, and raw pricing – 0.0 pips | 50:1 |
Conclusion
Choosing the best CFD brokers in 2025 requires understanding your trading goals, risk tolerance, and preferred strategies. This expert-reviewed list offers a diverse range of options tailored to different traders and trading styles.
Instead of relying solely on brand popularity, consider factors like regulation status, platform features, asset offerings, leverage options, and overall trading costs. Making an informed choice ensures a broker that supports growth and enhances your trading experience in today’s fast-paced financial markets.
Pro tip
Test trading strategies on a demo account before entering live markets, focus on consistent strategies, and limit margin trading risk. If you want to invest wisely explore our best Forex broker guide or find your right broker using our broker finder tool for access to more top Forex brokers. Subscribe now and pour your thoughts in a comment section.
