How we rate and rank brokers
Scores
Each broker gets five sub-scores from 1 to 5. The overall score is their weighted average, rounded to one decimal. It is calculated automatically, never set by hand.
| Category | Weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation and safety | 30% | Tier of regulators, which entity serves most clients, stock-exchange listing, investor compensation, regulator actions |
| Trading costs | 25% | EUR/USD and index spreads, commissions, withdrawal, inactivity and conversion fees |
| Platforms and tools | 20% | Platform choice, charting, order types, mobile app, automation |
| Range of markets | 15% | Number and type of instruments, real assets alongside CFDs |
| Ease of use | 10% | Account opening, minimum deposit, learning curve |
Current overall scores: XTB 4.8, XM 4.6, IC Markets 4.6, Interactive Brokers 4.7, Freedom24 4.3, IQ Option 4.1, eToro 4.3.
Ranking order and the featured broker
The order of our rankings is an editorial decision that also reflects our commercial agreements with brokers, so it does not always follow the scores. On each country page, the first broker in that order which accepts residents of the country is shown as the featured top pick. We disclose this on every ranking through the advertiser disclosure.
Country availability
We check each broker's published list of accepted or excluded countries and record the source. Where lists conflict, we exclude the country and say so. A broker's sign-up form is the final word; never misstate your country of residence.
Fees and loss figures
Spreads are typical or average values from the broker's own pages where published, otherwise from an independent review, and each value is dated. We do not use minimum spreads in cost comparisons because they are not what most trades pay. The share of losing retail accounts comes from the risk warning on the broker's website.
News and warnings
We follow regulator registers, broker announcements and industry press. News items are written in our own words and link to their source. Regulator warnings that affect residents of a country also appear on that country's ranking.
Updates
Availability and fees are reviewed at least monthly and after any major announcement. Changes are recorded in the changelog.