Research Method Disclosure
Our broker reviews are based on desk research and analysis of public filings, including broker websites, regulatory databases, fee schedules, and user-submitted reviews. We do not conduct live trading tests with real funds, and we do not claim to have tested execution speed, slippage, or withdrawal processing times through funded accounts. Our scoring reflects publicly available information and our editorial assessment of that information. We encourage traders to verify all claims independently and to test brokers with a demo account before depositing real money.
Evaluation Criteria
Every broker is evaluated on six criteria. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 100. The overall score is the weighted average of the six sub-scores. The Trust Score is a separate composite metric (see below).
Trading Experience
20%Execution speed, requote frequency, order types, dealing desk model (ECN vs market maker), spread stability during news events, and overall trade quality.
Platforms
15%Range of platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, proprietary). Mobile app quality. EA support. Copy trading features. Platform stability and uptime.
Markets
15%Number and variety of instruments: forex pairs, stock CFDs, indices, commodities, crypto, bonds. Access to multiple asset classes and global exchanges.
Trust
20%Regulatory licenses verified, tier of each regulator (Tier 1: ASIC/FCA/CySEC, Tier 2: FSCA, Tier 3: FSA/IFSC), license status, capital adequacy, client fund protection mandates.
Costs
20%Spreads on EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY. Commission rates. Total round-turn cost comparison. Deposit/withdrawal fees, inactivity fees, overnight swap rates.
Support
10%Availability (24/5 vs 24/7). Language support. Response time via live chat, email, and phone. Quality and accuracy of answers.
Trust Score Calculation
The Trust Score (0-100) is a composite metric that goes beyond the four evaluation criteria. It incorporates regulatory tier, operational history, community feedback, and safety features. The formula is:
Trust Score = (Regulatory Tier × 0.40) + (Years Operating × 0.15) + (User Rating × 0.25) + (Fee Transparency × 0.10) + (Safety Features × 0.10)
Regulatory status and tier
Number of licenses, tier of each regulator, years since first license. Multiple tier-1 licenses score above 90. Unregulated brokers score below 40.
Years in operation
Brokers operating for 10+ years earn maximum points. Newer brokers (under 3 years) receive reduced scores. Established brokers have a track record of stability.
User ratings and review volume
Average user rating from our community reviews, weighted by review count. A broker with 50 reviews averaging 4.2 scores higher than one with 3 reviews averaging 4.5.
Fee transparency
Clear, publicly available fee structures, spreads, and commissions. Brokers that hide fees or use vague pricing score lower.
Safety features
Segregated client funds, negative balance protection, investor compensation scheme membership, SSL encryption, two-factor authentication.
Update Frequency
Annual Full Review
Every broker review is reviewed in full at least once per year. We re-verify regulatory licenses, update fee schedules, and re-score all criteria.
Event-Triggered Updates
Major events trigger immediate updates: loss of a regulatory license, significant fee changes, mergers/acquisitions, or verified reports of withdrawal issues.
Review Process
Data Collection
We gather publicly available data from the broker's website, regulatory databases (ASIC Connect, FCA Register, CySEC CIFSE, FSCA), and user submissions. No data is obtained through paid access or privileged sources.
Verification
We verify every regulatory license directly with the issuing regulator. We cross-reference fee structures, platform features, and safety claims against the broker's own disclosures and regulatory filings.
Scoring
Each broker is scored on six criteria (Trading Experience, Platforms, Markets, Trust, Costs, Support) and the composite Trust Score. Scores are reviewed by our editorial team for consistency across all brokers.
User Reviews
Registered users can submit reviews with a rating (1-5 stars) and written feedback. Reviews contribute to the broker's overall rating and trust score. We moderate reviews for spam and fraudulent submissions.
Ongoing Updates
We update reviews when brokers change fees, platforms, or regulatory status. Major changes (loss of a license, significant fee increases) trigger immediate updates. All reviews are reviewed at least annually.
Data Sources
Our data comes from the following publicly available sources:
Regulatory Databases
ASIC Connect, FCA Financial Services Register, CySEC CIFSE, FSCA, FSA Seychelles
Broker Disclosures
Official websites, fee schedules, account documentation, regulatory filings
User Reviews
Reviews submitted by our registered community, moderated for authenticity
Public Information
Press releases, news articles, enforcement actions, Wikipedia
Commercial Relationship Disclosure
Some brokers featured on InvestingFXWeb may pay for advertising placements or sponsored content. However, no broker can pay to improve their editorial score, trust score, or ranking. Our “Recommended” badge is awarded based solely on our evaluation criteria. Advertising revenue does not influence our editorial content, reviews, or ratings. We clearly label all sponsored content as such. If a broker we recommend also advertises with us, that is a coincidence — our recommendations are based on data, not payments.