There are only three questions you need to ask when you’re looking for a forex broker:
- Are you going to give me excellent execution with low commissions and spreads?
- Are you going to send my money back within 24 hours?
- Are you likely to go bankrupt in the near future?
If a broker ticks those boxes, then picking a broker is really just a commodity. I don’t need market analysis or the latest trendy tool. The only reason I’m trading forex is to make as much money as quickly as possible (and to keep it) .
Too many brokers have gone belly up. I put together this guide to help you make an informed decision about who to trust and who offers the best deals.
Shaun’s broker recommendations
Pepperstone is where I trade my live accounts, which says everything. My money is sitting at this broker right now. I’ve met Owen Kerr, the CEO, in person and have a friend in their Dallas office. I’m very comfortable with their banking relationships. They also offer extremely competitive pricing.
ILQ caters to large retail customers (people that trade 100mm in monthly volume or more) or CTAs and independent money managers. The upper echelon audience means they do those three important things right. ILQ has a solid reputation in the industy, and based on the endorsement of a colleague that trades with them, I’m comfortable recommending them to my readers.
MB Trading is a US firm that offers the only true ECN available to retail traders. When you post a limit order and it’s better than the best bid or offer, your price shows up in the terminal window. They also offer liquidity rebates, which I’m a big fan of. I’ve known Justin LeBlang for several years and held live account with MB Trading for two years. They’re support is best in class and the technology and pricing is excellent.
Are you concerned about broker shenanigans? Learn how to protect yourself against forex broker bankruptcies.