cTrader is a leading multi-asset trading platform offering an intuitive user interface and sophisticated backend technology. The platform also features rich charting tools, advanced order types, level II pricing, and fast entry and execution. The team at CompareForexBrokers has come up with a list of the top 5 cTrader forex brokers from around the world.

Our March 2024 cTrader broker comparison for currency trading found determined the following winners

  • IC Markets - Best Choice For Australian Traders
  • FxPro - Top Preference For Traders In the UK
  • Pepperstone - Great Option For UAE Traders
  • GO Markets - Good Selection For Traders In Europe
  • Fondex - Best Choice For Emerging Markets
Broker Our Rating Regulation Standard
EUR/USD Spread
Standard
GBP/USD Spread
Standard
AUD/USD Spread
Raw
EUR/USD Spread
Raw
GBP/USD Spread
Raw
AUD/USD Spread
Commissions
(USD Base)
MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader Execution Speed Minimum Deposit Currency Pairs Crypto CFDs Retail Leverage Prof. Leverage
85 ASIC, FSA-S
CySEC
0.62 0.83 0.77 0.02 0.23 0.17 $3.50 134ms $0 61+ 18+ 30:1 500:1 Visit Site
61 FCA, FSCA
CySEC, SCB, FSCM
1.32 1.7 1.95 0.32 0.37 0.51 $3.50 151ms $0 69+ 30+ 30:1 200:1 Visit Site
98 SCB, ASIC
FCA, CySEC
1.10 1.40 1.20 0.10 0.40 0.20 $3.50 77ms $0 62+ 12+ 30:1 500:1 Visit Site
73 ASIC, CYSEC
FSC, FSA, SCA
1.0 1.3 1 0.2 0.5 0.2 $3.50 144ms $0 49+ 14+ 30:1 500:1 Visit Site
6.5 BMA - - - - cross $100 80+ 11+ 500:1 500:1 Visit Site

1. IC Markets Best Choice For Australian Traders

IC Markets

Forex Panel Score

85

Average Spread

EUR/USD = 0.62
GBP/USD = 0.83
AUD/USD = 0.77

Trading Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader

Minimum Deposit

$200

Why We Recommend IC Markets

We liked IC Markets for its consistently low spreads and highly competitive commissions. When it comes to platform choice, IC Markets offers both cTrader and MetaTrader, making it an excellent fit for traders who like to have options. It also stands out for its diverse asset range, covering many stocks and currency pairs. Features like automatic and copy trading are just the cherry on top, making it our top recommendation for Australian traders.

Pros & Cons

  • Low commissions on cTrader
  • Fast execution speeds
  • No fees for deposits or withdrawals
  • A high minimum deposit of $200
  • Lacks extensive market analysis content
  • Limited educational content

Broker Details

We consider IC Markets the lowest spread broker based on tight spreads with their RAW account with ECN pricing and competitive commissions. There are a number of highlights we’d like to point out with IC Markets:

1) The Tightest RAW cTrader Account Spreads – 0.32 pips on average*

2) Low Commission Rates – $3 USD per side for FX trading

3) Great range of markets – Over 61 Forex Pairs and 1600 stocks available

* Averaged across 6 major currency pairs – AUD/USD. EURUSD. GBP/USD, USD/CAD, USD/CHF. USD/JPY

IC Offers The Tightest Commission-free Spreads On Major Forex Pairs

Based on the research of 20 Forex Brokers using commissions-based trading accounts done by our staff member Ross Collins, IC Markets offers the lowest for RAW or STP style accounts when using cTrader. The tests done by Ross were based on a mixture of NDD (no dealing desk) brokers and market makers who use straight-through processing (STP) and were done using MetaTrader 4 (spreads with cTrader are the same). Ross found IC Markets had an average spread of 0.32 pips across 6 major currency pairs, placing the broker 4th overall and top for cTrader brokers.

In the table below, we compiled the 3 cTrader brokers we tested for each currency pair. IC finished top for 3 pairs, EUR/USD with 0.19 pips, GBPUSD with 0.27 pips, and USDJPY with 0.24 pips.

Overall Average AUDUSD EURUSD GBPUSD USDCAD USDCHF USDJPY
IC Markets 0.32 0.23 0.19 0.27 0.45 0.57 0.24
Pepperstone 0.36 0.19 0.19 0.41 0.61 0.39 0.36
Go Markets 0.46 0.37 0.38 0.59 0.47 0.51 0.45

The IC Markets cTrader server is located in London at the LD5 IBX Equinix Data Centre, which hosts over 600 buy and sell firms such as liquidity providers, and is why the broker can deliver tight spreads when using the cTrader platform.

IC Markets Raw Spread account using cTrader offers low commissions at USD $3 a side for FX trading. We liked the fact that IC Markets has no funding fees or inactivity fees as well as their choice of 15 different funding methods, both traditional and e-wallet methods like credit card and debit cards with Visa and Mastercard, PayPal, NETELLER, Skrill, UnionPay, Bpay, Broker to Broker, Poli, and Klarna. We also thought the choice of 10 types of support-based currencies was impressive – USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, NZD, SGD, JPY, HKD, and CHF.

ic markets account types and products

IC Markets stands out with its product range, which includes a diverse mix of asset classes, including bonds and futures, that not all brokers offer. With 61 forex pairs and over 1600 stocks on offer, we gave IC Markets a score of 84 out of 100 for their product range. Just note that if using cTrader, only currency pairs and 16 major equity indices are available. All other products will require the use of the MetaTrader platforms.

Social Trading and Automation

We like that IC Markets offers cTrader Automate (formerly cAlgo) for automation and cTrader Copy, for copy trading, a feature not all brokers offer. cTrader Copy is a top copy trading platform to mirror the strategies of other traders using the cTrader platform. It is similar in function to MetaTrader Signals for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 which IC Markets also offers.

Our Final Verdict on IC Markets

Our testing proved that when it comes to the tightest spreads for cTrader (and even MetaTrader platforms) IC Markets is one of the first brokers you should consider. In addition to tight spreads, IC Markets also has a great range of currency pairs and stocks and top cTrader platform features like automated trading and copy trading.

2. FxPro Top Preference For Traders In the UK

FxPro

Forex Panel Score

61

Average Spread

EUR/USD = 1.32
GBP/USD = 1.7
AUD/USD = 1.95

Trading Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader
FxPro Trading Platform

Minimum Deposit

$100

Why We Recommend FxPro

We liked FxPro’s swift execution and high-end trading tools; this broker ticks all the right boxes. The account opening process is streamlined, and the platform performs smoothly, offering rapid execution times that can make a big difference in your trading. It’s not just us singing its praises; FxPro clinched the FX Supplier and CFD FX Provider awards from the Online Personal Wealth Awards 2021.

Pros & Cons

  • Top market analysis available
  • Trading Central integrates with cTrader
  • Excellent VPS service to automate on cTrader
  • Limited asset classes
  • Minimum deposit of $100
  • Inactivity fees

Broker Details

FxPro is Compare Forex Brokers’ top-rated UK broker with cTrader for three main reasons: its trading experience, execution speed, and advanced trading tools. We also like FxPro for the following reasons.

1) Easy Account Opening
2) Up to 62 forex pairs available
3) Trading Central integrated with cTrader

FxPro Has an Easy Account Opening Experience

When opening an account with FxPro, we rated the broker a solid 12/15 for ease in the overall opening process. While the ID document upload was only activated when changing our account password, our FxPro account was created very quickly.

You can open 3 types of retail investor accounts with FxPro:

  • MT4/MT5 Instant Account
  • cTrader Account
  • FxPro Platform Account

We found that FxPro’s spreads are slightly above average unless using cTrader, which starts from 0.2 pips $35 a side per million traded (I.E., $3.5 per lot), but commodities and indices are spread only. If you wish for commission-free trading or even fixed spreads, you will need to consider one of the other top platforms like MT4, MT5 and the broker’s own FxPro Platform.

fxpro account types and products

FxPro has a good selection of 62 forex pairs and a smaller range of other asset classes. We’d like to point out that if using cTrader you will only be able to trade with Forex, metals, indices, and energies. You can also spread bet with FxPro but not with cTrader.

FxPro’s Fast Trade Execution Speeds

FxPro reports trade execution speeds as fast as under 13 milliseconds which makes them a good choice for ECN spread trading. This is due to placing trading servers at the same Equinix data centres used by its liquidity providers, which are LD5 in London and AM4 in Amsterdam. This why we particularly recommend FxPro for UK traders It has fast execution speeds due to its proximity to the LD5 data centre in London.

FxPro is also transparent about its execution stats, with the below slippage stats for 2024:

86% of market orders executed at the requested price or better
98.59% of all trade orders received no requotes
11.8% of all trade orders received positive slippage

FxPro has a Good Range of Trading Platforms

Other than cTrader, FxPro offers a good range of trading platforms that, while it isn’t extensive, contains solid platform alternatives for different trading styles.

FxPro has a partnership with the award-winning Trading Central. We like this as it allows you to automate technical and fundamental analysis directly through the cTrader forex trading platform.

Trading Central is one of the premier providers of analysis charts, pattern recognition, and daily industry news on Web TV. These features help you identify real-time profitable trading opportunities.

One thing to note is that FXPro does not provide cTrader Copy, so if you wish to copy trade or social trade, you will need to use Signal with one of the MetaTrader platforms.

Our Final Verdict on FxPro

Overall, FxPro is our preferred cTrader broker for UK traders for execution speeds, account opening, and overall platform experience. FxPro also won both the FX provider and CFD FX provider in 2021 from the Online Personal Wealth Awards, proving its credentials.

3. Pepperstone Great Option For UAE Traders

Pepperstone

Forex Panel Score

98

Average Spread

EUR/USD = 1.10
GBP/USD = 1.40
AUD/USD = 1.20

Trading Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader,
TradingView, Capitalise.ai

Minimum Deposit

$0

Why We Recommend Pepperstone

We liked Pepperstone and firmly believe it’s the top cTrader choice for traders in the UAE. Its fast execution speeds are a real game-changer, giving you the edge you need in the fast-paced world of forex trading. On top of that, Pepperstone offers a wide array of platforms, not just cTrader, providing flexibility for those who like to switch things up. The commissions are also notably low when you’re using the cTrader platform.

Pros & Cons

  • cTrader with no dealing desk
  • Fast execution speeds
  • Good range of products
  • Does not offer guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Outdated educational resources
  • Limited demo account to 30 days

Broker Details

The team at CompareForexBrokers considers Pepperstone the best cTrader broker in the UAE for the following reasons:

1) Easiest Account Opening Experience
We rated them a perfect 10/10

2) Pepperstone Execution Speed
Our 3rd overall fastest broker

3) Top range of platforms
5 top trading platforms available

Pepperstone Is the Fastest cTrader Broker Based on Testing

Based on a number of execution speed tests by our chief of technology research, Ross Collins, Pepperstone came out as our fastest broker that offers cTrader. When measuring against limit and market orders, Pepperstone came in at 3rd overall and 1st of all cTrader brokers we tested. Pepperstone had an average limit order speed of 77 ms and market order speed of 100 ms. It’s important to note, we conducted these speed tests using MetaTrader 4.

When opening an account, we found Pepperstone had the easiest account opening experience of all 20 brokers we reviewed. As such, we awarded Pepperstone full marks, 15/15, for account opening. We particularly liked the dedicated account manager that helped us through the whole process.

Pepperstone offers 2 account types as below: a Standard and Razor account. We’d like to point out, to use cTrader, you must open a Razor account. Commission costs with cTrader work differently with MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and Capitalise.ai. You’ll be charged $6 USD when you open and close your position, which will need to be converted to AUD if in Australia.

pepperstone accounts and products australia 1 pip

Pepperstone has a solid range of markets, which spans a good selection of forex, stocks, cryptos, indices, and commodities. We particularly scored Pepperstone highly based on the forex pairs (62) and stocks (+1000) they offered.

Trading Platforms

Not only do we like Pepperstone’s cTrader platform experience, we think the broker offers one of the more diverse platforms of any broker. These are highlighted below:

Our Final Verdict on Pepperstone

Overall, we have always written highly of Pepperstone. We consider Pepperstone to be one of the best brokers in the UAE, along with Australia and the UK. The reasons for this extend to Pepperstone’s fast execution speeds, a diverse range of platforms, and cheap commissions using cTrader.

4. GO Markets Good Selection For Traders In Europe

GO Markets

Forex Panel Score

73

Average Spread

EUR/USD = 1.0
GBP/USD = 1.3
AUD/USD = 1.0

Trading Platforms

MT4, MT5, TradingView,
cTrader

Minimum Deposit

$200

Why We Recommend Go Markets

We liked GO Markets as a good cTrader option for its standout features in its selection of liquidity providers, which ensures you’re getting low spreads consistently. The commissions are also some of the lowest you’ll find for an ECN-style broker, which makes trading more cost-effective. We appreciate the diverse range of platforms available, giving traders the flexibility to use cTrader, among other options. The add-on tools and features are excellent, rounding off what is already a compelling package for European traders.

Pros & Cons

  • Low commission broker
  • Offers excellent trading tools
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees
  • Limited social trading options
  • Offers less than 50 forex pairs
  • Lacks negative balance protection

Broker Details

GO Markets is our top forex broker for Europe when using cTrader due to having the lowest commissions for an ECN-style broker and one of the best range of liquidity providers, meaning low spreads.

The highlights of Go Markets include:

  • Lowest commissions
  • Great range of stocks
  • Competitive spreads
  • MetaTrader Genesis add-on

We found GO Markets has the Lowest ECN-style Commissions

GO Markets charges the lowest commissions of any cTrader broker we’ve reviewed, at USD $5 per 100K traded, round-turn (that’s $2.50 each way). From extensive analysis, we’ve found that the average commission is USD $6 round-turn for ECN-style accounts when using cTrader.

Go Markets has competitive ECN-style Spreads

GO Markets offers both a commission-free Standard account and a commission-based Go Plus account.

Based on testing, we found GO Markets offers competitive spreads, particularly for the GO Plus account, at an average of 0.14 pips across the 6 major forex pairs. The fact that GO Markets offers competitive commissions on top of this further lowers your trading costs.

While GO Markets’ Standard account spreads aren’t quite as competitive, we were still able to score Go Markets a high 8/10 for trading costs.

go markets account types and products

When looking at trading products, GO Markets offers a unique range of stocks, both CFDs and physical assets. We particularly like GO Markets’ range of ASX stocks and ETFs, which is more than what most brokers offer from our experience.

Great Range of Trading Platforms

GO Markets has a diverse range of platforms in addition to its cTrader platform offering. We have listed these below:

  • MT4 (with Genesis upgrade)
  • MT5 (with Genesis upgrade)
  • cTrader
  • GO Markets Share Trading App
  • GO Webtrader and GO Mobile (optimised for MT4/MT5)
  • Autochartist
  • Myfxbook
  • Trading Central

It would be remiss of us not to mention GO Markets’ MetaTrader offering, which features a Genesis upgrade for more powerful trading tools. These can be integrated with both MT4 and MT5. Genesis has a sophisticated order management system and market sentiment tools, which we liked.

In addition, you can use social trading and algorithmic tools such as Autochartist and Myfxbook, useful charting plugin, Trading Central, and GO Markets’ own optimised MT4 and MT5 web trading and mobile app.

Our Final Verdict on GO Markets

Offering the lowest commissions of any cTrader broker, GO Markets helps you reduce your trading costs. We also like GO Markets for its competitive spreads and its diverse range of platforms, with great add-on tools and features.

5. Fondex Best Choice For Emerging Markets

Fondex

Forex Panel Score

Average Spread

EUR/USD = N/A
GBP/USD = N/A
AUD/USD = N/A

Trading Platforms

cTrader

Minimum Deposit

$0

Why We Recommend Fondex

We liked Fondex’s focus on cTrader. Established in 2017, Fondex has quickly carved out a niche for itself by exclusively offering the cTrader platform. With their cTrader package, you get three distinct options for a tailored trading experience. We were also impressed by the wide range of 80 forex pairs, giving you plenty of market options. Plus, their commission-free account options make it an even more cost-effective choice.

Pros & Cons

  • Spreads from 0.5 pips
  • Auto trading and copy trading tools
  • No minimum deposit
  • Lacks choice of trading platforms
  • Micro lots unavailable to all markets
  • Has a small selection of 600+ products to trade

Broker Details

Founded in 2017, Fondex is a relatively new addition to our cTrader broker list. We like Fondex because it is a true cTrader specialist meaning the broker doesn’t offer any other Forex platforms to trade with. In its cTrader offering, with 3 unique ways of using the platform: trade, copy, and automate. Benefits of choosing Fondex include:

  1. Spreads from 0.5 pips
  2. Top auto trading and copy trading tools
  3. Over 80 forex pairs to trade

Trading Accounts

While Fondex only offers one trading account, it is commission-free, and features spreads as low as 0.5 pips, which is as low as any Standard account we’ve come across.

We also like Fondex’s risk management tools, which include Negative Balance Protection, to protect you against your account slipping into negative territory.

You can trade with high leverage: up to 1:500 for FX trading, even as a retail client, which we don’t often see.

fondex trading accounts andp roducts

Fondex offers a great range of over 600 markets to trade from. This includes over 80 forex pairs, the most of any cTrader broker on this list, as well as 500 shares. You can also trade indices, ETFs, Commodities and Cryptocurrencies.

Good cTrader-Only Broker

Fondex only offers the cTrader trading platform, but it has three unique trading features:

  • Trade
  • Copy
  • Automate

We like this as Fondex splits out three different trade methods: manual, automated, and copy trading, using Fondex’s cTrader platform. Trade lets you trade manually. Copy is (as the name suggests) for copy trading, and Automate is for algorithmic trading. You can use cBots to fully automate your trading or build your own robot using Fondex’s inbuilt code editor.

Our Final Verdict on Fondex

Overall, while Fondex is relatively new to the market, we like its unique cTrader offering, which stands out with its trade, copy, and automate features. We also like its huge range of 80 forex pairs to trade and competitive commission-free account offering.