When it comes to trading and investing, choosing the best online brokerage service is crucial. There are many options available, so it can be difficult to decide which one to go with. To choose wisely, you need to look at many factors, including the licence, the level of trust in the broker, the security and popularity of the platform, and the features that the service provides. In this FXOpen article, we’ll explain what factors can help you choose a reliable broker.

How to Do the Right Research to Choose a Broker

When choosing a broker, it’s important to do your research and compare different options. Here are some steps you may follow to conduct a thorough comparison:

• Carry out background checks. Check the broker’s regulatory status, track record, and reputation.
• Explore the available assets. If you want to find the best stock broker, choose a platform with multiple corporate stocks available. And if you are interested in forex or crypto*, research which currencies are available.
• Read customer reviews and testimonials. Look for reviews from other traders to get an idea of their experiences with the broker.
• Compare rates and commissions. Learn about the spreads and fees charged by the broker. FXOpen offers spreads from 0 pips and commissions from $1.50 per lot. We are transparent about our fees, with no hidden commissions to watch out for.
• Evaluate the platform’s security. Learn how the platform deals with cyber threats and what methods it uses to protect its clients. FXOpen takes safety seriously, with all transactions encrypted and secured.
• Check the risk management tools available. The broker should offer risk management tools and features, such as stop-loss orders and negative balance protection.
• Start with a demo account. Consider using a trial period or a demo account to better understand whether the platform is convenient. At FXOpen, you’ll find a demo account, which allows you to test our services without risking real money.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Broker

When opening an online broker account, you need to carefully evaluate several factors. They include the licence to operate in your region, the quality of customer service, and the overall reputation of the brokerage company. Let’s explore the most important factors.

Regulation and Licensing

Regulation is perhaps the most critical factor when selecting a broker. A regulated broker is subject to oversight by financial authorities, ensuring that it adheres to certain standards and practices to protect the interests of traders and investors.

FXOpen is a regulated broker that operates in four jurisdictions — the UK, the EU,  Australia, and internationally. The platform for the EU is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). FXOpen UK is licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and FXOpen AU is regulated by ASIC.

For international clients, FXOpen Markets Limited provides services under the registration provided by Nevis and is a member of the Financial Commission. This ensures that the broker operates with transparency and fairness and that clients’ funds are protected.

Reputation and Track Record

Reputation is indicative of reliability and trustworthiness. Brokers should have a solid history of providing fair and transparent services, timely execution of trades, and a commitment to their clients’ interests.

FXOpen has been in the industry for over 16 years, with a proven track record of providing excellent service to its clients. The broker has won multiple awards for its trading platforms and customer support, for example, the “Innovative Broker of 2022” award.

Trading Platforms and Tools

A trading platform is a trader’s primary interface for executing trades, analysing markets, and managing a portfolio. A user-friendly and technologically advanced platform greatly enhances the trading experience.

FXOpen offers a range of trading platforms, including the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TickTrader, and TradingView. They come with advanced charting tools, technical indicators, automated trading capabilities, algo-trading, back-testing, and alerts.

All four platforms support markets such as forex, stocks, indices, and commodities. Check out the platform comparison table to find out which one suits you best.

Account Types: STP and ECN

An ECN (Electronic Communication Network) account is a unique system that connects various participants of the forex market, from banks, centralised exchanges, and brokers to companies and private investors. FXOpen’s advanced price aggregation technology accumulates the liquidity of the largest banks and liquidity providers, offering the best prices, spreads from 0 pips, and seamless order execution.

You trade on raw prices, as there is no dealing desk and no requotes, and your trades are executed at the best possible prices. All trading styles are permitted, and there are no restrictions on trading instruments. The ECN minimum transaction size is 0.01 lot, and the commission starts from $1.50 per standard lot. Before you open an ECN account and get an opportunity to trade different instruments, you can open a demo account.

An STP (Straight Through Processing) account provides you with an opportunity to trade with no additional commissions - the commission is included in the spread. STP spreads are floating and depend on market conditions. The minimum transaction size is only 0.01 lot, and the minimum “step” is a 0.01 lot.

An STP trading account may offer a narrower range of traded financial instruments; however, there are no restrictions on the use of automated trading or expert advisors and strategies, including scalping and hedging. You can open a demo account first to evaluate all of the available options.

Open an FXOpen account to get access to a variety of account types that suit different trading styles and experience levels. Our clients are provided with appealing trading terms, fast and accurate order processing, and the most cutting-edge technological solutions in the industry.

Customer Support and Service

Quality customer support makes a significant difference, especially if you encounter technical issues, make account enquiries, or need urgent assistance. FXOpen provides excellent customer support, with a dedicated team available to assist clients with any issues or questions. To contact us directly, use a Live Chat, email us, or submit a ticket on the customer support portal.

Overall, before you make a final decision on a broker, you need to do thorough research and analysis to ensure that you choose the best broker for investing that matches your goals and preferences.

*At FXOpen UK and FXOpen AU, Cryptocurrency CFDs are only available for trading by those clients categorised as Professional clients under FCA Rules and Professional clients under ASIC Rules, respectively. They are not available for trading by Retail clients.

This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.