For Mac users in the forex trading sector, selecting a platform that is compatible and optimised for Mac is paramount. It’s imperative to note that not all platforms cater equally to Mac interfaces. The team at CompareForexBrokers has conducted comprehensive research and compiled a list of brokers that provide superior forex trading platforms tailored for Mac users.

Top 8 Forex Trading Platforms For Mac

These are the best trading platforms you can use on a Mac:

  • Pepperstone - Our Recommended MT4 Broker for Mac
  • IC Markets - Our Recommended MT5 Broker for Mac
  • GO Markets - Top cTrader Broker for Mac Web Users
  • eToro - The Best Social Trading Broker for Mac
  • Plus500 - Our Top Platform for Beginner Mac Users
  • FXCM - Our Recommended Ninja Trader Broker for Mac
  • AvaTrade - Our Pick for the Best iOS Mobile Experience
  • OANDA - The Broker With Best Charting Platform for Mac
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 Read Full Review
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
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
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
43 ASIC, CySEC, MFSA
FCA, FSA, FINRA
GFSC
1.0 2.0 1.0 - - - - 130ms $200 (Australia), $50-$100 (EU) 49+ 46+ 30:1 400:1 Visit Site
57 ASIC, CySEC, MAS
FCA, FMA, DFSA
EFSA, FSA, FSCA
1.70 2.3 1.4 - - - - 140ms $100 71+ 15+ 30:1 300:1 Visit Site
72 ASIC, FSCA
FCA, CIRO
BaFin, ISA, CySEC
1.3 1.4 1.7 0.30 0.90 0.40 $3.00 150ms $300 42+ 7+ 30:1 500:1 Visit Site
64 ASIC, FSCA
CBI, KNF, CIRO
ADGM, FSC-BVI
- - - - - - - 160ms $100 55+ 15+ 30:1 400:1 Visit Site
81 FCA, CIRO, ASIC
MAS, JFSA, FSC-BVI
KNF, NFA/CFTC, MFSA
0.6 0.9 0.7 - - - - - $0 70+ 4+ Visit Site
 

What Are The Best Forex Trading Platforms For Mac?

When trading using a Mac, it’s important to pick a trading platform that’s not only compatible but customised for a Mac. Not all trading platforms are created equal, but the team at CompareForexBrokers has come up with a list of brokers that offer the best forex trading platform for Mac users.

1. Pepperstone Our Recommended MT4 Broker for Mac

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

Minimum Deposit

$0

Why We Recommend Pepperstone

We really liked Pepperstone’s MT4 platform for its comprehensive suite of 28 indicators and Expert Advisors, making it a powerhouse for technical analysis. The platform offers an array of charting tools, including 31 analytical objects, 30 technical indicators, and nine timeframes, which provide traders with a nuanced view of the market. You get solid control over your trades with four types of pending orders and three execution methods.

Pros & Cons

  • Best MT4 for Mac users
  • Tight ECN pricing model
  • Over 60 currency pairs to trade
  • Need MT5 to trade all products
  • Demo account restricted to 30 days
  • DMA access is limited to cTrader and MT5

Broker Details

MetaTrader 4 LogoMetaTrader 4

Founded by MetaQuotes Software in 2005, the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is one of the best forex trading platforms in the industry. Forex traders around the world continue to favour the MT4 trading platform due to its easy-to-use interface. With over 45% market share, the MetaTrader 4 has a monopoly, becoming “the de facto standard in Forex trading.”

Based on the data sourced by Finance Magnates Intelligence Report, Pepperstone and IC Markets are the biggest MT4 forex brokers by daily turnover.

Top 10 MetaTrader 4 Forex Brokers

Pros and Cons of MetaTrader 4

MetaTrader 4 is not only considered a top forex trading platform, but we also consider it the Best Trading Platform For Android. The platform offers many trading tools for charting, auto trading, and social trading. Key features of the platform that we like include:

  • Technical analysis tools (30 built-in indicators + additional 2,000 free custom indicators)
  • Expert Advisors (EAs) for automated trading strategies
  • Multiple trading order types, including the “One-Click Trading” feature
  • Customisable interface (save multiple templates, profiles, chart windows)
  • 9 time-frames

MT4 is not without its disadvantages, though. For a start, the platform doesn’t allow trading on centralised exchanges, meaning some markets, such as shares trading, aren’t available. Secondly, there are platforms with more advanced charting and algorithmic tools, such as MT4’s upgrade: MetaTrader 5.

Mac users also need to be aware to be compatible with Apple’s latest operating system, macOS Ventura, the MT4 trading platform installation package is compiled using CrossOver technology.

With reports of issues installing MT4 for some Mac OS users, you may need to use the free software PlayOnMac. Follow this step-by-step guide for a smooth installation of MetaTrader 4 on Mac OS: How to Install MT4 Terminal on Mac OS.

Pepperstone has Fast Execution Speeds Running On MetaTrader 4

We believe multi-regulated forex broker Pepperstone has the best Mac application of the MT4 platform based on several factors:

  • Fast order execution speeds
  • Easy Account Opening
  • Great MT4 Trading Tools
  • Over 1000 financial instruments

We will expand on each of the above points below.

Fast Execution Speeds Based on Our Testing

Pepperstone has some of the fastest trading execution speeds of brokers we’ve tested using MT4. In 2024, Ross Collins, our chief of technology research, found that Pepperstone was the 3rd overall fastest broker when measuring limit and market orders against 20 top brokers. Pepperstone achieved limit order speeds of 77 ms and market order speeds of 100 ms.

Based on our professional assessment, Pepperstone’s average spread on the major currency pairs is 31% cheaper than IC Markets spreads and 56% cheaper when compared to FP Markets.

Easiest Account Opening for MT4 Accounts

When we opened 20 different accounts of top brokers, Pepperstone had the easiest account opening experience of the lot. This is because, as well as having a simple, 4-step process, Pepperstone had a helpful account manager guiding us the whole way. As such, we scored them a perfect 15 out of 15.

When opening an account, you can either choose a Standard (commission-free) or Razor (commission-based) account. You can use MT4 with both of these accounts, with additional platforms, cTrader and TradingView, only available using Razor.

Pepperstone’s Spreads sit in the mid-range in terms of competitiveness compared to other brokers we’ve reviewed. Commissions using MT4 are also in line with the industry standard of $3.50 per side for FX.

pepperstone accounts and products international

While MT4 is a great platform, we have to point out that to trade all of Pepperstone’s products (including shares), you’ll need to use MetaTrader 5.

Pepperstone has Great MT4 Platform Features

Using Pepperstone’s MT4 platform, you’ll have access to a very reliable and customisable platform. We particularly like Pepperstone’s Smart Trader Tools, which gives you access to 28 indicators and EAs (Expert Advisors).

Pepperstone’s MT4 also gives you access to 85 pre-installed indicators using the desktop app, which gives you greater insight into market trends.

We’d also like to point out that the MT4 plugin Autochartist lets you identify statistically significant market movements for further technical analysis.

Why We Rated Pepperstone The Best MT4 Forex Broker

We tested over 20 MT4 applications on Mac products (iPads and iPhones) and found Pepperstone had the best trading apps. Pepperstone also has the 3rd fastest execution speeds with the easiest account opening we’ve experienced using MT4. Traders with Mac can download MT4, MT5 or Trading View on their Apple devices or use the web-based browse available on all three platforms.

View Pepperstone ReviewVisit Pepperstone

2. IC Markets Our Recommended MT5 Broker for Mac

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 appreciated the versatility of IC Markets, particularly their MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platform, which we can confidently recommend for Mac users. The MT5 platform stands out for its exceptional desktop and mobile trading app options, covering all bases from iPhones and iPads to Android devices. Even better, both demo and live accounts are readily accessible on these platforms.

Pros & Cons

  • Low spreads on MT5
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees
  • Diverse range of trading products
  • High minimum deposit
  • Lacks market analysis resources
  • Limited education resources

Broker Details

MetaTrader 5 Logo

MetaTrader 5

The MetaTrader 5 (MT5) trading platform is the next-generation software developed by MetaQuotes Software Corp. The MT5 platform is upgraded trading software of the MT4 platform designed to allow share CFD trading and become that standard multi-asset FX platform.

Pros and Cons of MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader 5 advanced technology allows traders to access more instruments, implement complex trading strategies, access more advanced tools, and allow faster connectivity to the market. The benefits of the MetaTrader 5 trading platform include:

  • Depth of Market (DOM) displaying the open buy and sell orders
  • 38 Technical indicators, 44 graphical objects, and 21 timeframes
  • Netting system
  • Hedging system allows opening multiple positions on the same financial markets (opposite or same direction)
  • Fundamental calendar inside the platform
  • Negative price capabilities
  • MQL5 programming language for developing customised strategies

The main drawback of MT5 is that the software mimics the same interface as the flagship MT4 platform. While MT5 has seen an increase in usage, market adoption is still moving at a slower pace; however, this will accelerate now that MetaQuotes has ceased the development of MetaTrader 4.

If you want to install the MT5 terminal on Mac OS, you need to use the free software PlayOnMac. Follow this step-by-step guide for a smooth installation of MetaTrader 5 on Mac OS: How to Install MT5 Terminal on Mac OS.

IC Markets Has the Lowest Zero-Commission Spreads

With the lowest Standard Account spreads from our testing, IC Markets stands out as the best MetaTrader 5 forex broker. We also like IC Markets for the following reasons:

  • Lowest average spread at 1.03 pips
  • CFD trading across 7 asset classes
  • Proprietary MT5 terminal designed for Mac OS
  • Optimised iPhone iOS for an enhanced mobile trading experience

Lowest Commission-free Spreads Based on Our Testing

At an average spread of 1.03 pips, IC Markets has the lowest Standard Account spreads of any broker we tested. Ross Collins, our head of research, based this off 20 top market makers and NDD brokers that offer Standard (or no commission) accounts. Keeping spreads low is particularly useful for beginners just starting out, especially when trading IC Markets’ large range of forex pairs and shares.

You can either open a Standard or Raw Spread account with IC Markets, which both offer MetaTrader 5. While spreads using IC Markets’ Standard account were the lowest we’ve seen, we also like IC Markets’ Raw Spread account, with spreads averaging 0.035 pips across the major currency pairs.

Through IC Markets, active traders can speculate on the stock market via CFDs on over 1600 companies listed on the NYSE, NASDAQ, or ASX. Stock CFDs are exclusively offered via IC Markets’ MetaTrader 5 platform. If you trade stock CFDs on IC Markets, you can also earn dividends on the underlying shares.

IC Markets Mobile Apps

IC Markets clients can trade on the go via MetaTrader 5 for iPhone/iPad. You can stay connected to your favourite financial instruments everywhere you go, anytime you like. The minimum system requirement to unlock MT5 on your mobile phone is iPhone iOS 7.0 or later (compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch).

IC Markets MT5 terminal integrates many of the advanced features that come with your iPhone, like the landscape-to-portrait view changer. The MT5 mobile apps are equipped with the same advanced tools as the desktop version (one-click trading, complex trade orders, real-time charts and quotes, integrated indicators, etc.).

Our Verdict on Why IC Markets Is The Best MT5 Broker

Our team of experts hand-picked IC Markets as the best MetaTrader 5 broker for Mac users. The online broker is a leading financial services provider in several areas, including the lowest forex and CFD spreads and a great range of currency pairs and shares.

3. GO Markets Top cTrader Broker for Mac Web Users

GO Markets

Forex Panel Score

73

Average Spread

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

Trading Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader,
TradingView

Minimum Deposit

$200

Why We Recommend GO Markets

We liked the addition of cTrader to GO Markets’ suite, as it stands out as a compelling third-party platform boasting advanced trading features, particularly in order management. Its order entry and execution are swift and seamless, providing an edge in fast-paced trading scenarios. The platform’s depth of market feature, which showcases the full spectrum of executable prices, is a valuable tool for informed trading. Couple that with their leading risk management tools, and you’ve got a platform that truly caters to the needs of discerning traders.

Pros & Cons

  • Low trading commissions on cTrader
  • Top market analysis videos
  • Copy trading on cTrader
  • Lacks a diverse range of trading products
  • 24/5 client support
  • Has a high minimum deposit

Broker Details

cTraderLogo

cTrader Web

When it comes to multi-asset trading platforms perfect for ECN brokers, cTrader by Spotware Systems Ltd. certainly shines. We recall that FxPro was among the first big names to embrace the cTrader platform, introducing it back in 2011. Following that, several reputable ECN brokers like Pepperstone and IC Markets have also integrated cTrader into their offerings.

Features of cTrader

Having experienced cTrader, we can attest that the platform boasts advanced trade management functions and remarkable charting capabilities. It’s evident the developers put in significant effort, ensuring the user interface is intuitive – making the learning journey relatively seamless. Compared to the MT4 and MT5 platforms, cTrader comes packed with trading tools catering to novice and seasoned traders.

cTrader trading tools we like include:

  • 9 different chart types (dots, Renko, range, etc.)
  • 70 pre-installed technical indicators
  • Custom-built indicators and automated trading via cTrader Automate
  • Level 2 pricing (price book and order book)
  • Advanced order protection (multiple TP levels and automated trailing stop loss)
  • Volume Tooltips (information about margin requirements, pip value)

However, it’s crucial to note that while cTrader is a robust and well-constructed platform, it doesn’t come as a native solution for Mac users. For those who use a Macintosh operating system, we’ve found the most seamless experience comes from running cTrader via a web trader. In fact, for Mac users, we’d suggest giving FxPro’s cTrader Web Platform (compatible with both iOS and Android) a go.

GO Markets Offers Great Depth Of Market With Top-Tier Liquidity Providers

With access to top-tier liquidity providers, GO Markets offers low trading costs, making it our top cTrader forex broker. These trading costs are comprised of low commissions and competitive spreads, especially for GO Markets’ GO Plus account. We have summarised GO Markets’ highlights below:

  • Low commissions
  • Top selection of stocks
  • Tight spreads
  • cTrader Features

We found GO Markets has the Lowest ECN-style Commissions

Compared to other ECN-style brokers we’ve reviewed, GO Markets charges the lowest commissions of any cTrader broker, at USD $2.50 each way per 100K traded. This is $1 cheaper, round-turn, than the average commission of USD $6 that most cTrader, ECN-style brokers charge.

Go Markets has tight commission-based spreads

Like most ECN brokers, GO Markets offers a commission-free and commission-based account.

When testing using commission-based accounts, we found that GO Markets offers competitive average spreads of 0.14 pips across the major USD currency pairs. This is in addition to GO Markets’ competitive commissions, which further lower your trading costs, hence why we scored them 8/10 for trading costs.

The only reason GO Markets didn’t score higher is the broker’s slightly wider Standard Account (commission-free) spreads.

go markets account types and products

While GO Markets offers a great range of markets, especially stock CFDs and ASX shares, we must mention you can only trade them using MT5, not cTrader.

cTrader Features with GO Markets

In addition to the aforementioned benefits of cTrader, GO Markets combines these benefits with top-tier liquidity and market access, providing you with a powerful platform experience.

We were particularly impressed with the dedicated account manager provided by GO Markets, which proved invaluable during the cTrader account setup.

Once you open your GO Markets account, you’ll need to log into the Client Portal and add cTrader to your account.

Our Final Verdict on GO Markets

GO Markets, with its low trading costs and impressive liquidity from top-tier providers, coupled with the strong features of the cTrader platform, certainly has our vote of confidence. The combination of low commissions, tight spreads, and the robust cTrader platform makes GO Markets a standout in the competitive world of forex trading.

4. eToro The Best Social Trading Broker for Mac

eToro

Forex Panel Score

43

Average Spread

EUR/USD = 1.0
GBP/USD = 2.0
AUD/USD = 1.0

Trading Platforms

eToro Trading Platform

Minimum Deposit

$50

Why We Recommend eToro

We liked eToro’s standout feature in CFD trading – the capability to seek out and replicate trading. With access spanning over 140 countries and millions of users, the platform presents a wealth of options for social trading. With their intuitive tool, you can easily identify top investors, narrowing down based on factors like location or risk score. For Mac users keen on social trading, eToro holds the mantle as the best broker in this space.

Pros & Cons

  • No trading commissions
  • Filter traders by performance to copy from
  • Good choice of trading instruments
  • Has withdrawal fees
  • No RAW spread account
  • Lacks educational resources

Broker Details

eToro Platforms

When diving into social trading, eToro immediately stands out as a global leader. Through our experience, we’ve navigated their various in-house platforms, including:

  • eToro Platform
  • CopyTrader
  • SmartPortfolios

The eToro platform showcases a broad spectrum of assets (+3000 instruments) and boasts an incredibly user-friendly interface. There’s a range of standout features that we’ve grown fond of, such as:

  • ProCharts (professional grade charting tool)
  • One-Click Trading
  • Stop Loss, Take Profit, and Trailing Stop Loss Orders
  • Offline Trading
  • TipRanks Research Lab
  • $100,000 Virtual Portfolio when you sign up

CopyTrader enables you to copy other traders’ actions in real time, while SmartPortfolios is the portfolio version of this. We think both of these platforms create diversity in eToro’s social trading for individuals and fund managers.

eToro offers the best range of social trading platforms

From our experience and the industry’s consensus, there’s no denying that eToro holds the title of the world’s top social trading broker. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve observed:

  • Commission-free trading
  • +2,000 financial markets spread across 6 asset classes
  • Top Copy Trading Platforms
  • Popular Investor Program

eToro Offers Commission-Free Trading

When trading with eToro, we noticed they exclusively offer a commission-free account, boasting FX spreads starting from 1 pip, sometimes even higher.

While there are tighter spreads out there, we recommend eToro for beginners for ease of managing your trading costs, especially if social trading is your thing.

We particularly like that you receive a virtual portfolio with USD 100,000 once you sign up for a demo account.

Popular Investor Program

eToro’s Popular Investor Program offers a unique opportunity for portfolio managers and professional traders to earn additional income by allowing other traders to copy your trades. Anyone can join the program and be able to earn up to 2% of the assets under management (AUM).

The investor program is designed to award traders based on total assets that follow your strategy rather than based on your performance. For example, if the total assets that follow your strategy is USD 1 million, you can earn up to USD 20,000 a year.

Our Final Verdict on Why eToro Has the Best Social Trading Platforms

Drawing from our experience, eToro unequivocally provides the finest social trading platforms for Mac traders. This includes their flagship eToro platform, complemented by CopyTrader and SmartPortfolios.

5. Plus500 Our Top Platform for Beginner Mac Users

Plus500

Forex Panel Score

57

Average Spread

EUR/USD = 1.7
GBP/USD = 2.3
AUD/USD = 1.4

Trading Platforms

Plus500 Trading Platform

Minimum Deposit

$100

Why We Recommend Plus500

We liked how Plus500 caters exceptionally well to those new to the fx trading world. Its user-friendly platform, low fees, and fixed spreads provide a straightforward entry point for beginner traders on Mac. Adding negative balance protection and a guaranteed stop offering adds an extra layer of security for those still finding their footing. While seasoned CFD traders might lean towards platforms with more advanced features, we firmly believe that for those starting out, Plus500 is our top platform choice for Mac users.

Pros & Cons

  • Excellent proprietary trading platform.
  • Sentiment-based trading with +Insights
  • Has low spreads
  • Inactivity fees
  • Lacks third-party market research tools
  • No automated trading tools

Broker Details

Plus500 Platform

Having spent considerable time on the Plus500 platform, we found it to be a steadfast web-based trading environment, specifically catering to CFD trading. It’s evident that Plus500’s in-house team has invested efforts to craft this proprietary trading platform. For MAC users, the online web trader and the mobile apps for iPhone and iPad provide seamless trading experiences.

Features of the Plus500 Platform

Navigating the Plus500 platform is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly interface within a secure trading realm. In our eyes, the standout feature is undoubtedly the interface, which offers traders an effortless journey across +2,000 financial markets spanning seven diverse asset classes.

Moreover, the platform centralises essentials, from charting to trade management, from instrument navigation to the Watchlist, all without the need to toggle between screens. Other Plus500 platform features include:

  • Instant switch from a live account to a free demo account
  • Trade alerts delivered via email, SMS, or push alerts
  • Dark mode and light mode switch
  • Traders’ Sentiments with the percentage of buy and sell orders
  • Live price statistics
  • Integrated economic news calendar

However, every platform has its limits. With Plus500, traders might find certain aspects less appealing. For instance, the platform isn’t tailored for automated trading, there’s no room for third-party plugins, and it could use some enhancement in the charting analysis tools department.

Plus500 offers the best risk management features

In our evaluation, Plus500 stands out when offering top-tier CFD platform risk management tools, especially their Guaranteed Stop Loss Orders (GSLOs) and the Negative Balance Protection feature. Here’s a summary of what we observed on Plus500’s platform:

  • Advanced order types (incl. GSLOs)
  • Client money protection via Negative Balance Protection
  • Free trading alerts (email and push notifications)
  • Free automated alerts

Plus500’s Platform has Guaranteed Stop Losses and Negative Balance Protection

The Plus500 platform offers guaranteed stop loss (GSL), which can help you guard against adverse price movements due to market volatility.

We’d like to note that Plus500 will charge an extra spread for using guaranteed stop-loss orders.

Plus500 is very transparent and will display the additional spread before you submit the trade. Once the trade is triggered, the GSL spread is non-refundable. However, the main drawback is that the GSL order is only available for a few selected instruments and can’t be attached to open trades.

Plus500 also has Negative Balance Protection, which is an additional measure to protect your account from going into a negative balance.

You can only open one account with Plus500, a Standard account, with all the details listed below. Spreads are more competitive than your average Standard account, starting at 0.6 pips.

Plus500 Account Types and Products

Verdict on Why Plus500 Is The Best Broker for Beginner Mac Traders

Given the solid risk management tools that Plus500 extends, allowing for enhanced trade control, we’d vouch for this broker, particularly for newcomers. Their diverse offerings in the realms of forex and stock markets further cement our positive stance.

6. FXCM Our Recommended Ninja Trader Broker for Mac

FXCM

Forex Panel Score

72

Average Spread

EUR/USD = 1.3
GBP/USD = 1.4
AUD/USD = 1.7

Trading Platforms

MT4, TradingView,
Trading Station, Capitalise.ai

Minimum Deposit

$50

Why We Recommend FXCM

We appreciated FXCM’s offerings, particularly the integration of the NinjaTrader platform, making it our top pick for Mac users. The flexibility in leverage, competitive spreads and the bonus of zero commissions sets it apart. Despite their broad platform options, NinjaTrader’s seamless experience on Mac makes FXCM our recommended NinjaTrader broker.

Pros & Cons

  • Offers NinjaTrader platform
  • Solid choice of free trading tools
  • Competitive spreads
  • Limited trading product choice
  • Large bank transfer withdrawal fee
  • Inactivity fee after 12 months

Broker Details

NinjaTrader Logo

NinjaTrader

In our journey through the world of forex trading, we’ve had the opportunity to engage with NinjaTrader, which boasts a trading software solution and dedicated brokerage services. With their mission centred around furnishing consistent access to the forex realm via high-calibre trading software, it’s clear why NinjaTrader Group, established in 2003, has become the go-to for over 60,000 traders spanning more than 150 countries.

Features of NinjaTrader

Our exploration of NinjaTrader illuminated its strengths with the pro charting package, real-time data feed, access to thousands of technical indicators, myriad apps and add-ons, blazingly fast order execution speed, and sophisticated trade management tools. It’s an ensemble designed with the active trader in mind.

Furthermore, their trading software uniquely facilitates the filtering of instruments via NinjaTrader’s Market Analyser. This means you can curate lists tailored to your trading strategies and criteria. If you’re still finding your feet or just keen to understand the platform better, NinjaTrader provides a risk-free demo account to guide you through its features.

However, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. To tap into NinjaTrader’s premium suite, you’d need to part with some cash. Features like automated trading, backtesting capabilities, advanced order types, and the Order Flow+ package fall under this premium bracket. We found their pricing structures straightforward for the paid version. You can lease the platform using 3 pricing structures:

  • USD 720 annual lease
  • USD 425 semi-annual lease
  • USD 225 quarterly: auto-renewing subscription

Alternatively, if you’re in it for the long haul, a one-time payment of USD 1,099 secures a lifetime NinjaTrader license. If splitting the cost is more your style, they offer a staggered payment structure: 4 monthly instalments of USD 329. A minor hiccup is the restricted number of NinjaTrader-compatible brokers, which, to name a few, include Citi Index, Forex.com, FXCM, Interactive Brokers, Oanda, TD Ameritrade, CQG, and, of course, NinjaTrader Brokerage.

FXCM Has The Best Technical Analysis Tools Using NinjaTrader

We like FXCM due to having the best technical analysis software we’ve seen. A summary of our favourite features of FXCM is listed below:

  • Deep pool of liquidity providers
  • Price engine technology aggregates FX quotes through FastMatch Electronic
  • Communication Network
  • Integrated technical analysis tools with NinjaTrader

For Mac users keen on NinjaTrader 8, a point to note: it’s fundamentally a Windows application. Running NinjaTrader on a MAC necessitates third-party software, Parallels, which enables Windows applications to function on Mac OS.

Plus, FXCM further bolsters its platform with many standalone apps, add-ons, automated strategies, and indicators, each designed to enrich your trading experience.

fxcm account types and products

 

Our Verdict On Why FXCM Has The Best Technical Analysis Trading Platform

Based on our independent review, FXCM has the best technical analysis tools integrated with NinjaTrader 8. The broker offers elite pricing for active traders that can save you, on average, up to 62.4% when trading the major currency pairs.

7. AvaTrade Our Pick for the Best iOS Mobile Experience

AvaTrade

Forex Panel Score

64

Average Spread

EUR/USD = 0.9
GBP/USD = 1.5
AUD/USD = 1.1

Trading Platforms

MT4, MT5,
AvaTradeGo, AvaOptions

Minimum Deposit

$100

Why We Recommend AvaTrade

We liked AvaTrade for a variety of reasons, positioning it as our pick for the best iOS mobile experience. This broker boasts oversight from top-tier regulators across six countries, enhancing its trustworthiness. They offer an extensive range of CFD products, from over 50 forex pairs to a vast array of cryptocurrencies, shares, indices, and ETFs. Added features such as MetaTrader platforms, valuable social trading tools, negative balance protection, and AvaProtect for risk management make trading on their iOS platform a breeze.

Pros & Cons

  • Stable spreads available
  • Top risk management tools on AvaTrade Go
  • Intuitive trading platform for mobile device
  • Lacks choice of trading accounts
  • Slightly higher spreads
  • Limited range of forex products

Broker Details

AvaTradeGO LogoAvaTradeGO

We’ve had the pleasure of delving into AvaTradeGO, a mobile trading application meticulously crafted by the brains behind AvaTrade. This state-of-the-art iOS trading tool perfectly matches iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users demanding just iOS 10.0 or newer versions. We were also impressed by its multilingual support, covering a whopping 20 languages, and its space-efficient design, requiring only 108.9MB.

Features of AvaTrade GO

Rather than just being a bridge to global markets, AvaTrade GO pushes the envelope. We found its functionalities encompassing copy trading, the ability to keep a finger on the pulse of market trends, curating watch lists, charting packages, and a slew of trade management tools.

Navigating through the trading dashboard, we were met with crisp visuals detailing recent price shifts, all at a single glance. And for those new to the iOS trading world, there’s a detailed walkthrough to ensure you harness the full potential of this Apple trading application.

A standout feature we encountered was AvaProtect, unique to their iOS arsenal. This safeguards against the unpredictability of market flux, guarding your investments during tumultuous times. Opting for this protection does come at a nominal premium. Still, it offers peace of mind: any losses you incur will be covered if the market sways adversely during your chosen protection timeframe.

AvaTrade has the best mobile app we’ve seen

The reason we think AvaTrade offers the best iOS mobile trading app is based on:

  • Intuitive and robust interface
  • Free forex academy offers educational material
  • Direct deposit and withdrawal options from inside the mobile app
  • +1,000 tradeable CFDs across 8 asset classes

AvaTrade is a well-established brokerage trading firm with over 14 years in the FX space. AvaTrade clients can start trading on the forex market with a minimum EUR/USD spread of 0.9 pips. By industry standards, these spreads are relatively high. That’s why we don’t recommend AvaTrade for active traders and day traders.

However, the range of tradable instruments offered by AvaTrade is diverse, opening the door for more trading opportunities.

avatrade types and products

Verdict on Why AvaTradeGo Is The Best iOS Trading App

After rigorously testing and comparing, our bespoke scoring matrix crowned AvaTrade’s AvaGo as the undisputed iOS trading app domain leader.

8. OANDA The Broker With Best Charting Platform for Mac

OANDA

Forex Panel Score

81

Average Spread

EUR/USD = 0.6
GBP/USD = 0.9
AUD/USD = 0.7

Trading Platforms

MT4, TradingView,
OANDA Trade (fx Trade)

Minimum Deposit

$0

Why We Recommend OANDA

We liked OANDA for its competitive trading costs, comprehensive risk management tools, rich educational resources, and top-notch customer service. What sets OANDA apart and places it as our top pick for the best charting platform for Mac is its extensive licensing and stringent regulatory compliance. OANDA Corporation ticks all the boxes for those on Mac looking for superior charting capabilities.

Pros & Cons

  • Beginner friendly trading platform
  • Trade using partial lots on OANDA Trade
  • Doesn’t have a minimum deposit
  • Only has 24/5 client support
  • Not an ECN/STP broker
  • Lacks share CFDs

Broker Details

TradingView Logo

TradingView

We’ve delved deep into TradingView, a cloud-based charting platform with a community space dedicated to market analysis and sharing trade insights. This platform offers charting tools across assets like stocks, forex, futures, and beyond. We were pleased to find it compatible with the latest Mac OS and iOS devices.

Features of TradingView

Beyond its robust technical charting, what caught our eye was its distinctive feature of juxtaposing price data feeds from various supported brokerages. TradingView sports a straightforward charting interface, neatly organised to give you all trading essentials in one window.

Our experience with TradingView revealed super-quick web charts, loaded with hundreds of technical instruments, a vast array of over 50 drawing tools, timely price alerts, market overviews, currency scanning capabilities, the latest news headlines, customisable watch lists and a treasure trove of additional tools.

However, we did notice a couple of hitches. For one, accessing the more advanced toolkit demands a subscription. Secondly, it seemed a tad wanting regarding its trade management capabilities.

OANDA offers TradingView, A Top Browser Trading Platform

We think OANDA has the best web-based trading platform integrated with TradingView based on:

  • Over 70 currency pairs
  • Trade performance analytics feature
  • Customisable layouts
  • Market data coverage via FX Select, 4CAST, and OANDA News and Information

With an impressive track record spanning over 23 years in serving retail clients, OANDA takes pride in being a pioneer in the FX trading space. We found their user-friendly web charts to be empowered by TradingView’s charting solution. As OANDA’s client, you’ve got a dual route to tap into TradingView’s charts: straight from OANDA TxTrader or logging into your OANDA account on TradingView.

Forex traders can enjoy an impressive array of trading features that can help them identify new trading opportunities. The platform includes Autochartist, economic overlay, AI technology, a full suite of trading orders, and much more. On the downside, OANDA doesn’t offer protection against negative slippage in case of market volatility.

oanda account types and products

 

Our Verdict on Why OANDA’s TradingView Is The Best Web-Based Platform

After a thorough assessment, we confidently assert that OANDA’s version of TradingView stands out as the premier browser-centric trading platform. Additionally, we’re quite taken by its rich platform functionalities, especially the vast market data access and the opportunity to trade over 70 forex pairs.