The Top 10 Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms Revealed. We have rated and reviewed the Best Forex Brokers who offer CFD Trading.
In this in-depth write-up, you will learn:
- Best CFD Brokers for Beginners
- Who is the largest CFD Brokers in South Africa?
- Pros and Cons of CFD Trading.
- MetaTrader 4 CFD Brokers
- The Cost of Contract for Differences Trading.
- What are CFD Brokers?
- CFD Trading South Africa
- How do CFD Brokers Make Money?
Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms – A Comparison
🔎 Broker | 🚀 Open an Account | 💻 CFD Trading | 📈Leverage | 📉Spread |
🥇 AvaTrade | 👉 Open Account | Yes | 1:400 | 0.2 Pips |
🥈 IG | 👉 Open Account | Yes | 200:1 | 0.8 Pips |
🥉 FXTM | 👉 Open Account | Yes | 1:2000 | 0.0 Pips |
🏅 XTB | 👉 Open Account | Yes | 1:500 | 0.7 Pips |
📌 FP Markets | 👉 Open Account | Yes | 1:500 | 0.0 Pips |
📌 XM | 👉 Open Account | Yes | 1:1000 | 1 Pip |
📌 Pepperstone | 👉 Open Account | Yes | 500:1 | 0.0 Pips |
📌 Exness | 👉 Open Account | Yes | 1:2000 | 1 Pip |
📌 Octa | 👉 Open Account | Yes | 1:500 | 0.6 Pips |
📌 IC Markets | 👉 Open Account | Yes | 1:500 | 0 Pips |
Contract for Differences (CFD) – A Definition
The term contract for differences or CFD refers to an arrangement made in financial derivatives trading. The differences in the settlement between the open and closing trade prices are cash-settled, and there will be no delivery of physical goods or securities. Contracts for differences are an advanced trading strategy and are not allowed in the United States.
10 Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms (2025)
- ☑️AvaTrade – Overall, Best CFD Broker and Trading Platform
- ☑️IG – Low Trading Fee CFD Broker
- ☑️FXTM – Best Online Trading Experience
- ☑️XTB – Low Forex CFD fees
- ☑️FP Markets – Top CFD Broker for Beginners
- ☑️XM – Best CFD Product Selection
- ☑️Pepperstone – Wide selection of instruments
- ☑️Exness – Fast Order Execution
- ☑️Octa – Award-Winning CFD Broker
- ☑️IC Markets – CFD Broker with MetaTrader4
1. AvaTrade
Overall, Avatrade is a safe and trustworthy broker with a user-friendly copy trading platform.
AvaTrade provides access to over 250 trading instruments, encompassing various assets such as over 60 currency pairs, leading stock indices, cryptocurrencies, commodities, bonds, individual shares, and ETFs. The platform maintains a high level of regulation to ensure secure trading.
Featured
🔎 Broker | 🥇 AvaTrade |
📌 Year Founded | 2006 |
👤 Amount of Staff | Over 500 |
👥 Amount of Active Traders | Over 300,000 |
📍 Publicly Traded | Dublin and Australian Stock Exchanges |
🏦 Regulation | CySEC, ASIC, etc. |
🌎 Country of Regulation | Various, including South Africa |
↪️ Account Segregation | Yes |
📈 Negative Balance Protection | Yes |
📉 Investor Protection Schemes | Investor compensation schemes available in certain jurisdictions |
🅰️ Institutional Accounts | Yes |
🅱️ Managed Accounts | Yes |
🪙 Minor Account Currencies | Multiple, including EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, and others |
💴 Minimum Deposit | 100 USD |
💶 ZAR Deposit | 1803 ZAR |
⏰ Average Deposit/Withdrawal Processing Time | 1-3 business days for withdrawals |
💵 Fund Withdrawal Fee | Generally free, but depends on payment method |
⭐ Spreads From | 0.0 pips (Raw Spread account) |
💷 Commissions | Varies based on account type and trading volume |
🔢 Number of Base Currencies Supported | Over 50 |
💳 Swap Fees | Varies by instrument and account type |
📈 Leverage | Up to 1:400 |
📉 Margin Requirements | Depends on the instrument and leverage |
☪️ Islamic Account | Yes |
🆓 Demo Account | Yes |
🖇️ Order Execution Time | Less than 1 second |
⚙️ VPS Hosting | Yes |
📊 CFDs-Total Offered | 1000+ |
💹 CFD Stock Indices | Major global indices available |
🍎 CFD Commodities | Includes commodities like gold, oil, and more |
💱 CFD Shares | Major international companies |
💴 Deposit Options | Credit/debit, bank transfers, e-wallets |
💶 Withdrawal Options | Credit/debit, bank transfers, e-wallets |
🖥️ Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), AvaTradeGO |
💻 OS Compatibility | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
🖱️ Forex Trading Tools | Advanced charting tools, technical indicators, trading signals |
🥰 Live Chat Availability | Yes |
☎️ Customer Support Contact Number | Varies by region |
📎 Social Media Platforms | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram |
💭 Languages Supported on AvaTrade Website | Multiple |
💡 Forex Course | Yes |
✏️ Webinars | Yes |
📔 Educational Resources | Yes |
📚 Affiliate Program | Yes |
📒 Amount of Partners | Numerous global partners |
📑 IB Program | Yes |
✈️ Do They Sponsor Any Notable Events or Teams | Yes |
⭐ Rebate Program | Yes |
🔖 Does AvaTrade Accept South African Traders | Yes |
🏷️ Is AvaTrade Regulated by the FSCA | Yes |
⚙️ Does AvaTrade Offer an Affiliate Program for South African Traders | Yes |
💰 Does AvaTrade Allow Opening Trading Accounts in ZAR | Yes |
🚀Open an Account | 👉 Open Account |
CFD Trading
AvaTrade offers clients a vast selection of Commodities, Stocks, and Indices. Benefits of trading CFDs with AvaTrade include:
- Powerful trading platforms for desktop, mobile, and web.
- US, European & Asian stocks.
- Go long or short.
- Leverage up to 400.1
- Manual and Automated Trading Platforms.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros ❌Cons Wide range of CFDs assets to trade - 1000+ You can’t buy stock or cryptocurrency Worldwide regulated (mention the regulation if necessay) Cryptocurrency deposit is not accepted Award winner Quarterly and annual inactivity fees Multiple platform – MT4, MT5, etc Costumer support is not available 24/7 Negative balance protection No bonus for EU based clients 20% welcome bonus No US clients accepted Education content Spread is higher then others brokers Beginners, friendly platform (webtrade) Imitated crypto assets– only the popular ones are offer
Our Findings
AvaTrade’s rich educational resources make it appealing for beginners, while its robust customer support adds to its credibility.
2. IG
Overall, IG is a trustworthy broker that provides user-friendly trading conditions and quality educational material.
It can be considered a low-risk option that is an excellent fit for pro traders.
Featured
🔎Broker | IG |
Company Information | |
📅Year Founded | 1974 |
🧑🏻💻Amount of staff | Over 1,000 |
👩💻Amount of active traders | Over 239,000 |
🌐Publicly Traded (Listed Company) | Yes, listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) |
Regulation and Security | |
🛡️Regulation | Regulated by multiple financial authorities including FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and others |
🌎Country of regulation | South Africa, United States, UK |
💻Account Segregation | Yes |
🪫Negative balance protection | Yes |
🔋Investor Protection Schemes | Yes (under FCA and ASIC regulations) |
Account Types and Features | |
➕Accounts | Institutional and Retail corporate clients |
💳Institutional Accounts | Yes |
👨💼Managed Accounts | No |
📇Minor account currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, JPY, and others |
💰Minimum Deposit | $0 USD |
Trading Conditions | |
🕞Average deposit/withdrawal processing time | 1-3 business days |
🪙Fund Withdrawal Fee | No |
📊Spreads from | 0.6 pips |
💸Commissions | Variable |
💱Number of base currencies supported | Over 50 |
🚀Swap Fees | Yes (varies by account type) |
📈Leverage | Up to 200:1 |
📏Margin requirements | From 0.5% for forex, 5% for shares and margin factor for indices |
☪️Islamic account (swap-free) | No |
💻Demo Account | Yes |
⌛Order Execution Time | < 1 second |
📆VPS Hosting | No |
Trading Instruments | |
🧾CFDs-Total Offered | 16000+ |
🗠CFD Stock Indices | Yes |
⚖️CFD Commodities | Yes |
📜CFD Shares | Yes |
Deposits and Withdrawals | |
💳Deposit Options | Bank transfer, credit/debit cards, e-wallets |
💵Withdrawal Options | Bank transfer, credit/debit cards, e-wallets |
Trading Platforms and Tools | |
💻Trading Platforms | IG Trading Platform, MetaTrader 4, |
👩💻OS Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Web, Mobile (Android, iOS) |
🖥️Forex trading tools | Trading signals, economic calendar, charting tools |
Customer Support | |
🗣️Live chat availability | Yes |
📱Customer Support email address | [email protected]. |
📞Customer Support Contact Number | 010 500 8624 |
👾Social media Platforms | Facebook, Twitter, |
🗣️Languages supported on Website | English, Spanish, Chinese, and others |
Educational Resources and Support | |
🖺Forex course | Yes |
🧏♀️Webinars | Yes |
📚Educational Resources | Trading Academy, webinars, market analysis |
Partnerships and Programs | |
🪪Affiliate program? | Yes |
👨🏫Amount of partners | Not specified |
📋IB Program | Yes |
🏃♂️➡️Do they sponsor any notable events or teams? | Yes |
🪙Rebate program | No |
👉Open Account | 👉 Open Account |
CFD Trading
CFD trading with IG will allow traders to find opportunities in various financial markets – whether they are moving up or down in price. Benefits of CFD trading with IG include:
- 17,000+ markets
- Free up your capital
- Go short or long
- Free from stamp duty
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Operates under top-tier regulators (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Minimum deposit can be high, especially outside the UK |
Competitive spreads, especially for major pairs | Charges an inactivity fee after two years of no activity |
Offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4), ProRealTime, and its proprietary platform | Spreads can widen during volatile market conditions |
Includes Forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies | Leverage limits are lower in regions like Europe and Australia due to regulations |
Extensive library of webinars, tutorials, and market analysis | Cryptocurrency CFD trading is restricted in certain areas (like the UK) |
No minimum deposit for bank transfers in certain regions | Fees for withdrawals via PayPal and credit cards in some regions |
Provides protection against extreme market volatility | Some fees can be difficult to understand, such as financing rates and spread costs for less commonly traded instruments |
Over 45 years in the market with a solid global reputation | Lacks promotional offers like deposit bonuses or cashbacks |
24/5 customer service and support across multiple languages | Advanced features and tools may feel complex for new traders |
Offers social trading features and trading signals | Doesn't provide built-in copy trading options like some competitors |
Our Findings
IG provides excellent educational resources, making it suitable for traders looking to expand their skills.
3. FXTM
Overall, FXTM can be summarised as a trustworthy broker that provides Contracts for Difference (CFDs) and low spreads on 100+ trading instruments.
FXTM is authorized and regulated in various jurisdictions. OctaFX has a trust score of 92 out of 100.
Featured
🔎Broker | FXTM |
Company Information | |
📅Year Founded | 2011 |
🧑🏻💻Amount of staff | 700+ |
👩💻Amount of active traders | Over 3 million |
🌐Publicly Traded (Listed Company) | No |
Regulation and Security | |
🛡️Regulation | FCA, FSCA, FSC |
🌎Country of regulation | UK, South Africa, Mauritius |
💻Account Segregation | Yes |
🪫Negative balance protection | Yes |
🔋Investor Protection Schemes | ICF (Investor Compensation Fund) |
Account Types and Features | |
💳Institutional Accounts | Yes |
👨💼Managed Accounts | Yes (PAMM accounts) |
📇Minor account currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR |
💰Minimum Deposit | $200 / R3709 |
Trading Conditions | |
🕞Average deposit/withdrawal processing time | 1-2 business days |
🪙Fund Withdrawal Fee | Varies by method |
📊Spreads from | 0.1 pips |
💸Commissions | From $4 per lot (on certain accounts) |
💱Number of base currencies supported | 7 |
🚀Swap Fees | Applicable |
📈Leverage | Up to 1:2000 |
📏Margin requirements | Varies based on leverage and asset |
☪️Islamic account (swap-free) | Yes |
💻Demo Account | Yes |
⌛Order Execution Time | 0.01 seconds |
📆VPS Hosting | Yes |
Trading Instruments | |
🧾CFDs-Total Offered | 250+ |
🗠CFD Stock Indices | 11 |
⚖️CFD Commodities | 6 |
📜CFD Shares | 120+ |
Deposits and Withdrawals | |
💳Deposit Options | Credit/Debit cards, Bank transfers, e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, etc.) |
💵Withdrawal Options | Credit/Debit cards, Bank transfers, e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, etc.) |
Trading Platforms and Tools | |
💻Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, FXTM Trader App |
👩💻OS Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
🖥️Forex trading tools | Trading signals, VPS, economic calendar |
Customer Support | |
🗣️Live chat availability | Yes |
📱Customer Support email address | [email protected] |
📞Customer Support Contact Number | +44 203 734 1071 |
👾Social media Platforms | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
🗣️Languages supported on Website | 15+ |
Educational Resources and Support | |
🖺Forex course | Yes |
🧏♀️Webinars | Yes |
📚Educational Resources | Articles, tutorials, videos, webinars |
Partnerships and Programs | |
🪪Affiliate program? | Yes |
👨🏫Amount of partners | 3,000+ |
📋IB Program | Yes |
🪙Rebate program | Yes |
👉Open Account | 👉 Open Account |
CFD Trading
Trading CFDs with FXTM will give traders access to the biggest names in the Business. Benefits of trading CFDs with FXTM include:
- Traded long or short to suit your trading strategy
- Exposure to a whole economy or sector in a single position
- Great for portfolio diversification
Pros and Cons
✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
Superb customer service | High stock CFD fees |
Great educational tools | Inactivity and withdrawal fees |
Digital and fast account opening | Limited product portfolio |
Low fees for stock index CFDs | High stock CFD fees |
Low EURCHF and EURGBP fees | Most withdrawal options have a fee |
Credit/Debit card available | No two-step (safer) login |
No deposit fee | No price alerts |
Our Findings
FXTM is known for its robust educational resources, which make it ideal for beginners. It also offers multiple account types with flexible leverage.
4. XTB
Overall, XTB is a well-established CFD broker that provides traders access to various financial markets, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
XTB offers a powerful xStation 5 trading platform alongside MetaTrader 4 and AgenaTrader, catering to traders of different preferences.
With regulation by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) and CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission), XTB maintains a solid reputation for transparency and client protection.
Featured
Company Information | |
📅Year Founded | 2002 |
🧑🏻💻Amount of staff | 1,105 |
👩💻Amount of active traders | 1,000,000+ |
🌐Publicly Traded (Listed Company) | Yes |
Regulation and Security | |
🛡️Regulation | FCA, CySEC, KNF, IFSC, FSCA |
🌎Country of regulation | UK |
💻Account Segregation | Yes |
🪫Negative balance protection | No |
🔋Investor Protection Schemes | FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) up to £85,000 per person. |
Account Types and Features | |
➕Accounts | Standard Account (commission-free, floating spreads) |
💳Institutional Accounts | Not offered |
👨💼Managed Accounts | Not offered |
📇Minor account currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
💰Minimum Deposit | $0 USD |
Trading Conditions | |
🕞Average deposit/withdrawal processing time | 1-3 business days |
🪙Fund Withdrawal Fee | Free above 50 USD |
📊Spreads from | 0.5 pips |
💸Commissions | Free for CFDs, 0.2% min. 10 EUR for stocks (over 100,000 EUR monthly turnover) |
💱Number of base currencies supported | 5 |
🚀Swap Fees | Overnight financing fees apply |
📈Leverage | Up to 1:500 (depending on instrument) |
📏Margin requirements | 50% |
☪️Islamic account (swap-free) | Yes |
💻Demo Account | Yes |
⌛Order Execution Time | Typically within milliseconds |
📆VPS Hosting | Yes |
Trading Instruments | |
🧾CFDs-Total Offered | Over 1700+ |
🗠CFD Stock Indices | Yes |
⚖️CFD Commodities | Yes, Popular commodities (e.g., gold, oil, natural gas) |
📜CFD Shares | Yes |
Deposits and Withdrawals | |
💳Deposit Options | Bank Transfer, Debit/Credit card, e- wallets (skrill, Pay safe etc) |
💵Withdrawal Options | Bank Transfer, Debit/Credit card, e- wallets (skrill, Pay safe etc) |
Trading Platforms and Tools | |
💻Trading Platforms | xStation platform, mobile app and MT4 |
👩💻OS Compatibility | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
🖥️Forex trading tools | Yes |
Customer Support | |
🗣️Live chat availability | Yes 24/5 |
📱Customer Support email address | [email protected] |
📞Customer Support Contact Number | +357 257 25356 |
👾Social media Platforms | Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter |
🗣️Languages supported on Website | English, Malay, Portuguese, Swedish, Hungarian, Arabic, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Polish, Spanish |
Educational Resources and Support | |
🖺Forex course | Yes |
🧏♀️Webinars | Yes |
📚Educational Resources | Yes |
Partnerships and Programs | |
🪪Affiliate program? | Yes |
👨🏫Amount of partners | Not publicly known |
📋IB Program | Not offered in UK/EU. Affiliate program is offered instead. |
🏃♂️➡️Do they sponsor any notable events or teams? | Yes |
🪙Rebate program | Yes, commissions are offered through the affiliate program. |
South African Trader Specific Information | |
Does XTB Accept South African Traders? | Yes, XTB accepts South African traders. |
Is XTB regulated by the South African regulatory body (FSCA)? | Yes, They are regulated by the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) [XTB gains regulatory license in South Africa]. |
Does XTB offer an Affiliate Program for South African Traders? | Yes, XTB offers an affiliate program, and South African traders can participate. |
Does XTB allow opening trading accounts in ZAR (South African Rand)? | No |
👉Open Account | Open Account |
CFD Trading
Trading with XTB will give traders access to Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, and Crypto. Benefits of trading with XTB include:
- 2100+ Instruments
- Comprehensive Education
- Innovative Trading Platform
- Qualified Support
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Strong regulation in multiple regions (e.g., FCA, CySEC) | Not available in the US or Canada |
Tight spreads and low commission accounts for certain regions | Fees on stock CFDs can be higher compared to some competitors |
xStation 5 and MetaTrader 4 (MT4) for various trader levels | Fewer account options compared to some brokers |
Offers comprehensive training materials and market analysis | Does not offer MT5 platform, which some traders may prefer |
Reliable and fast order execution with no dealing desk intervention | Lacks promotional bonuses or incentives |
Accessible to beginners as no minimum deposit is required | Charges an inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading activity |
Offers Forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrency CFDs | Market research tools, though solid, are less comprehensive than some competitors |
Provides multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone | Regulated regions have lower leverage limits, particularly in Europe |
Ensures that clients cannot lose more than their account balance | Charges fees on withdrawals below a specific threshold |
Our Findings
XTB offers comprehensive educational resources and market analysis tools, making it suitable for novice and experienced traders.
5. FP Markets
Overall, FP Markets is considered a low-risk and can be summarized as trustworthy and reliable.
FP Markets is fully licensed and regulated by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB). The broker’s IRESS platform provides direct market access (DMA) and advanced trading features, appealing to experienced traders.
Featured
🔎Broker | FP Markets |
Company Information | |
📅Year Founded | 2005 |
🧑🏻💻Amount of staff | 274 |
👩💻Amount of active traders | Over 200,000 |
🌐Publicly Traded (Listed Company) | No |
Regulation and Security | |
🛡️Regulation | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, FSA, FSC, CMA |
🌎Country of regulation | Australia, Cyprus |
💻Account Segregation | Yes |
🪫Negative balance protection | Yes |
🔋Investor Protection Schemes | Yes |
Account Types and Features | |
➕Accounts | Standard, Raw ECN, and VIP accounts available |
💳Institutional Accounts | Yes, tailored solutions for institutional clients |
👨💼Managed Accounts | Yes, offered through third-party managed account services |
📇Minor account currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, and others |
💰Minimum Deposit | $100 / R1806 |
Trading Conditions | |
🕞Average deposit/withdrawal processing time | Deposits are typically processed instantly; withdrawals usually within 1-2 business days |
🪙Fund Withdrawal Fee | Generally no fees for withdrawals; may vary based on method |
📊Spreads from | Spreads start from 0.0 pips on Raw ECN accounts |
💸Commissions | From $3.5 per side per lot on Raw ECN accounts |
💱Number of base currencies supported | Over 10 base currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, and others |
🚀Swap Fees | Swap fees apply; may vary depending on the position and account type |
📈Leverage | Up to 1:500 depending on the account type and instrument |
📏Margin requirements | typically 0.2% - 1% |
☪️Islamic account (swap-free) | Yes |
💻Demo Account | Yes |
⌛Order Execution Time | Typically 40-50 milliseconds on Raw ECN accounts |
📆VPS Hosting | Yes |
Trading Instruments | |
🧾CFDs-Total Offered | Over 1,000 CFDs across various asset classes |
🗠CFD Stock Indices | Yes,Major global indices including S&P 500, NASDAQ, FTSE 100, DAX, and more |
⚖️CFD Commodities | Yes, Includes commodities such as Gold, Silver, Oil, Natural Gas, and more |
📜CFD Shares | Yes, A wide range of global stocks from major markets including US, UK, EU, and Asia |
Deposits and Withdrawals | |
💳Deposit Options | Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and other e-wallets |
💵Withdrawal Options | Bank Transfers, Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and other e-wallets |
Trading Platforms and Tools | |
💻Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), IRESS, cTrader, WebTrader and TradingView |
👩💻OS Compatibility | Windows, Mac (via emulation), Android, iOS |
🖥️Forex trading tools | Yes |
Customer Support | |
🗣️Live chat availability | Yes, available 24/7 |
📱Customer Support email address | [email protected] |
📞Customer Support Contact Number | +61 2 8252 6800 (Australia) or +44 20 8068 0760 (UK) |
👾Social media Platforms | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram |
🗣️Languages supported on Website | English, Chinese, Arabic, and other major languages |
Educational Resources and Support | |
🖺Forex course | Yes |
🧏♀️Webinars | Yes |
📚Educational Resources | Yes |
Partnerships and Programs | |
🪪Affiliate program? | Yes |
👨🏫Amount of partners | Over 100,000 affiliates |
📋IB Program | Yes |
🏃♂️➡️Do they sponsor any notable events or teams? | Yes |
🪙Rebate program | Yes |
South African Trader Specific Information | |
Does FP Markets Accept South African Traders? | Yes |
Is FP Markets regulated by the South African regulatory body (FSCA)? | Yes |
Does FP Markets offer an Affiliate Program for South African Traders? | Yes |
Does FP Markets allow opening trading accounts in ZAR (South African Rand)? | Yes |
👉Open Account | 👉Open Account |
CFD Trading
FP Markets offers an exceptional CFD trading experience across the largest companies found on the global stock exchange. Benefits of trading with FP Markets include:
- Deep Liquidity
- Transparency
- Low Latency
- Tight Raw Spreads
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Forex fees are low | Stock CFD fees are high |
Accounts can be opened fast and easy | Product portfolio are somewhat limited |
Deposit and withdrawal processes are quickly executed | Web and desktop platform is somewhat outdated |
Our Findings
FP Markets provides multiple account types, flexible leverage, and efficient execution speeds.
6. XM
Overall, XM is considered a trustworthy broker with average risk and spreads as low as 0.6 pips.
XM is a notable CFD broker offering various financial instruments, including forex and CFDs on commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
Featured
🔎 Broker | 🥇 XM |
📌 Year Founded | 2009 |
👤 Amount of Staff | Over 500 |
👥 Amount of Active Traders | Over 5 million worldwide |
📍 Publicly Traded | None |
🚩 Regulation | Regulated by multiple authorities including FCA, ASIC, and CySEC |
🌎 Country of Regulation | UK (FCA), Australia (ASIC), Cyprus (CySEC) |
🔃 Account Segregation | Yes |
🚨 Negative Balance Protection | Yes |
⚙️ Investor Protection Schemes | FSCS in the UK, Investor Compensation Fund in Cyprus, ASIC's financial compensation scheme |
🅰️ Institutional Accounts | Yes |
🅱️ Managed Accounts | Yes |
💴 Minimum Deposit | 5 USD/90 ZAR |
⏰ Average Deposit/Withdrawal Processing Time | Varies |
💶 Fund Withdrawal Fee | Generally no fee for withdrawals |
📈 Spreads From | 0 pips (for XM Zero accounts) |
💵 Commissions | Depends on account type; Zero commission on Standard accounts |
🔢 Number of Base Currencies Supported | Over 60 |
💷 Swap Fees | Yes, applicable based on the account type and positions |
↪️ Leverage | Up to 1:888 |
📈 Margin Requirements | Varies by account type and trading instrument |
☪️ Islamic Account | Yes |
🆓 Demo Account | Yes |
📉 Order Execution Time | Instant execution available |
📊 VPS Hosting | Available for accounts with a minimum deposit |
💹 CFDs-Total Offered | Over 1,000 |
💱 CFD Stock Indices | Yes |
🍎 CFD Commodities | Yes |
⚙️ CFD Shares | Yes |
💴 Deposit Options | Credit/debit cards, bank transfer, e-wallets |
💶 Withdrawal Options | Credit/debit cards, bank transfer, e-wallets |
🖥️ Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
💻 OS Compatibility | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android |
🖱️ Forex Trading Tools | Advanced charting tools, economic calendar, trading signals |
🥰 Live Chat Availability | Yes |
☎️ Customer Support Contact Number | +44 203 150 3000 |
⭐ Social Media Platforms | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn |
💭 Languages Supported on Website | Multiple, including English, Afrikaans, and others |
✏️ Forex Course | Free educational resources and trading courses available |
📔 Webinars | Regularly hosted |
📚 Educational Resources | Articles, video tutorials, webinars, and trading guides |
📒 Affiliate Program | Yes |
📑 IB Program | Yes |
🗃️ Do They Sponsor Any Notable Events or Teams | Yes, various financial and sports events |
🗄️ Rebate Program | Yes |
📇 Does XM Accept South African Traders | Yes |
📌 Is XM Regulated by the FSCA | Yes |
📍 Do XM Offer an Affiliate Program for South African Traders | Yes |
⚙️ Do XM Allow Opening Trading Accounts in ZAR | Yes |
🚀Open an Account | 👉 Open Account |
CFD Trading
XM offers traders Cost-effective and direct access to the global equity markets. Benefits of Trading CFDs with XM include:
- Instant access to global economies
- Speculation on market uptrends/ downtrends
- Going short/long according to market moves
- Suits both short and long-term trading strategies
- No extra fees
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Access to a wide range of flexible funding methods | US clients are not accepted |
Supports several trading strategies and styles with innovative technical indicators that can be used | Fixed spreads are not offered |
Negative balance protection is provided | Inactivity fees are charged |
Our Findings
XM ensures client safety with negative balance protection. Its wide range of educational resources, including webinars and tutorials
7. Pepperstone
Overall, Pepperstone can be summarised as a credible and trustworthy broker.
Pepperstone is a prominent CFD broker known for its diverse range of trading instruments, which encompass forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and more.
The broker offers a selection of popular trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, catering to traders’ preferences.
Featured
CFD Trading
Pepperstone allows traders to trade on the movement of major stock market indices worldwide. Options include Index CFDs, ETF CFDs, Share CFDs, and Currency Index CFDs. Benefits of trading CFDs with Pepperstone include:
- Top Tier Liquidity
- 24-hour pricing on Major Indices
- High Regulation
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Account opening is fast and fully digital | Only Forex, CFDs, and crypto |
Majority clients belong to a top-tier authority | High bank withdrawal fee outside EU/Australia |
Low Forex and equity index CFD fees | High financing rate for CFDs |
Low non-trading fees | Basic news flow, no fundamental data |
Our Findings
Pepperstone offers flexible leverage and multiple account types, catering to both retail and institutional traders.
8. Exness
Overall, Exness can be summarised as a trustworthy and worthwhile broker that is very competitive regarding its trading fees (against major currency pairs).
The spread is also very low and offers a sign-up bonus for 1st-time traders.
Featured
🔎 Broker | 🥇 Exness |
📌 Year Founded | 2008 |
👤 Amount of Staff | Over 2,000 |
👥 Amount of Active Traders | Over 150,000 |
📍 Publicly Traded | None |
🚩 Regulation | Regulated by several authorities, including FCA, CySEC, and FSCA |
🌎 Country of Regulation | Various, including the UK, Cyprus, and South Africa (FSCA) |
↪️ Account Segregation | Yes |
🚨 Negative Balance Protection | Yes |
🛡️ Investor Protection Schemes | Yes |
🅰️ Institutional Accounts | Yes |
🅱️ Managed Accounts | Yes |
🪙 Minor Account Currencies | Multiple, including EUR, GBP, USD, ZAR |
💰 Minimum Deposit | None |
⏰ Average Deposit/Withdrawal Processing Time | 1-2 business days |
💴 Fund Withdrawal Fee | Typically free |
📈 Spreads From | 0.0 pips |
💶 Commissions | Varies |
🔢 Number of Base Currencies Supported | Over 100 |
🔃 Swap Fees | Varies |
📉 Leverage | Up to 1:2000 |
📊 Margin Requirements | Varies |
☪️ Islamic Account | Yes |
🆓 Demo Account | Yes |
💹 Order Execution Time | Less than 1 second |
🖱️ VPS Hosting | Yes |
🔖 CFDs-Total Offered | 1000+ |
🏷️ CFD Stock Indices | Major global indices |
🍎 CFD Commodities | Includes commodities like gold, oil, and more |
🌐 CFD Shares | Major international companies |
💴 Deposit Options | Credit/debit, bank transfers, e-wallets |
💶 Withdrawal Options | Credit/debit, bank transfers, e-wallets |
🖥️ Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), Exness Trader |
💻 OS Compatibility | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
📐 Forex Trading Tools | Advanced charting tools, technical indicators, trading signals |
🥰 Live Chat Availability | Yes |
☎️ Customer Support Contact Number | Varies by region |
⭐ Social Media Platforms | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram |
📎 Languages Supported | Multiple |
✏️ Forex Course | Yes |
📔 Webinars | Yes |
📚 Educational Resources | Yes |
📒 Affiliate Program | Yes |
📑 Amount of Partners | Numerous global partners |
🗃️ IB Program | Yes |
🗄️ Do They Sponsor Any Notable Events or Teams | Yes |
📇 Rebate Program | Available, details depend on account type and trading volume |
🎖 Does Exness Accept South African Traders | Yes |
📌 Is Exness Regulated by the FSCA | Yes |
📍 Does Exness Offer an Affiliate Program for South African Traders | Yes |
📈 Does Exness Allow Opening Trading Accounts in ZAR | Yes |
🚀Open an Account | 👉 Open Account |
CFD Trading
With Exness, traders can choose from a wide range of the world’s most popular indices to trade CFDs on, including the FTSE 100, S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and many more.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Regulated by both CySEC and FCA | No Multi-currency account available |
Customer support in many languages | Inactivity and withdrawal fees |
Commission free trading | High CFD fees |
Access to Forex ECN trading | Not available in the US |
Instant withdrawal of funds | |
Offshore regulation |
Our Findings
Exness offers a well-rounded trading experience with ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips and a broad selection of assets, including forex, cryptocurrencies, and metals.
9. Octa
Octa, a respected CFD broker, grants traders entry to the forex market and an assortment of CFDs across various assets, spanning indices and commodities.
Renowned for its trader-friendly platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, the broker furnishes traders with adaptable avenues for executing trades.
Featured
🏛️Broker | 🥇OctaFX |
Company Information | |
📅Year Founded | 2011 |
🧑🏻💻Amount of staff | 694 |
👩💻Amount of active traders | Over 1,000,000 |
🌐Publicly Traded (Listed Company) | No |
Regulation and Security | |
🛡️Regulation | CySEC, MWALI, FSCA |
🌎Country of regulation | Cyprus, Union of the Comoros, South Africa |
💻Account Segregation | Yes |
🪫Negative balance protection | Yes |
🔋Investor Protection Schemes | Yes |
Account Types and Features | |
➕Accounts | Standard, Micro |
💳Institutional Accounts | No |
👨💼Managed Accounts | No |
📇Minor account currencies | USD, EUR |
💰Minimum Deposit | $25 (Recommended: $100) |
Trading Conditions | |
🕞Average deposit/withdrawal processing time | 1-3 business days |
🪙Fund Withdrawal Fee | No |
📊Spreads from | 0.6 pips |
💸Commissions | None |
💱Number of base currencies supported | 2 (USD, EUR) |
🚀Swap Fees | Yes |
📈Leverage | Up to 1:500 |
📏Margin requirements | margin requirement of 50% |
☪️Islamic account (swap-free) | Yes |
💻Demo Account | Yes |
⌛Order Execution Time | In seconds |
📆VPS Hosting | Yes |
Trading Instruments | |
🧾CFDs-Total Offered | Over 230 |
🗠CFD Stock Indices | Yes |
⚖️CFD Commodities | Yes |
📜CFD Shares | Yes |
Deposits and Withdrawals | |
💳Deposit Options | credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets (like Skrill, Neteller), and cryptocurrency |
💵Withdrawal Options | The same as deposit options |
Trading Platforms and Tools | |
💻Trading Platforms | OctaTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
👩💻OS Compatibility | Web, Mobile (iOS and Android) |
🖥️Forex trading tools | Yes |
Customer Support | |
🗣️Live chat availability | Yes, available 24/7 |
📱Customer Support email address | [email protected] |
📞Customer Support Contact Number | N/A |
👾Social media Platforms | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram |
🗣️Languages supported on Website | English, Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Malay, Thai, and Vietnamese |
Educational Resources and Support | |
🖺Forex course | Yes |
🧏♀️Webinars | Yes |
📚Educational Resources | Yes |
Partnerships and Programs | |
🪪Affiliate program? | Yes |
👨🏫Amount of partners | Over 4,600 |
📋IB Program | Yes |
🏃♂️➡️Do they sponsor any notable events or teams? | Yes |
🪙Rebate program | Yes |
👉Open Account | Open Account |
CFD Trading
With Octa offering CFDs alongside other instruments, traders can profit from the 10 most popular indices, including Dow Jones, NASDAQ, Nikkei, and Eurostoxx 50. Benefits of trading CFDs with Octa Include:
- MT4/MT5 Platform
- Up to 1:200
- Low spreads
- No swaps and no commissions
- Bigger investment, bigger profit
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Regulated by SVGFSA | Limited assets |
Unlimited demo account | Low Crypto coverage |
Advanced technology | No VPS |
Forex and CFDs offered | No education tools on Forex |
More than 80 pairs to trade | No clients from USA, Canada, Belgium, or others outside EU |
Our Findings
Octa provides various educational resources, making it appealing for newer traders. The broker offers competitive spreads, multiple account types, and attractive promotions, including bonuses.
10. IC Markets
Overall, IC Markets is considered a low-risk and can be summarised as trustworthy and reliable.
The top-tier ASIC regulates IC Markets and is very competitive regarding its trading fees (against major currency pairs), with very low spreads.
Featured
🔎Broker | IC Markets |
Company Information | |
📅Year Founded | 2007 |
🧑🏻💻Amount of staff | Over 200 |
👩💻Amount of active traders | Over 180,000 |
🌐Publicly Traded (Listed Company) | No |
Regulation and Security | |
🛡️Regulation | ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FSA (Seychelles) |
🌎Country of regulation | Australia, Cyprus, Seychelles |
💻Account Segregation | Yes |
🪫Negative balance protection | Yes |
🔋Investor Protection Schemes | Yes, through regulatory bodies |
Account Types and Features | |
💳Institutional Accounts | Yes |
👨💼Managed Accounts | No |
📇Minor account currencies | EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD |
💰Minimum Deposit | $200 / 3607 ZAR |
Trading Conditions | |
🕞Average deposit/withdrawal processing time | 1-2 business days |
🪙Fund Withdrawal Fee | None for most methods |
📊Spreads from | 0.0 pips on Raw Spread accounts |
💸Commissions | $3.50 per lot per side on Raw Spread accounts |
💱Number of base currencies supported | 10 |
🚀Swap Fees | Applicable |
📈Leverage | Up to 500:1 |
📏Margin requirements | Variable based on asset and leverage |
☪️Islamic account (swap-free) | Yes |
💻Demo Account | Yes |
⌛Order Execution Time | Average 40 milliseconds |
📆VPS Hosting | Yes |
Trading Instruments | |
🧾CFDs-Total Offered | Over 2300 |
🗠CFD Stock Indices | Yes |
⚖️CFD Commodities | Yes |
📜CFD Shares | Yes |
Deposits and Withdrawals | |
💳Deposit Options | Bank Transfer, Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, UnionPay, others |
💵Withdrawal Options | Bank Transfer, Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, UnionPay, others |
Trading Platforms and Tools | |
💻Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, IC Markets WebTrader |
👩💻OS Compatibility | Web-based (All major browsers), Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
🖥️Forex trading tools | Autochartist, Trading Central, ZuluTrade, Myfxbook, Advanced charting tools |
Customer Support | |
🗣️Live chat availability | Yes |
📱Customer Support email address | [email protected] |
📞Customer Support Contact Number | +61 2 8014 4280 |
👾Social media Platforms | Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube |
🗣️Languages supported on Website | English, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, French, more |
Educational Resources and Support | |
🖺Forex course | Yes |
🧏♀️Webinars | Yes |
📚Educational Resources | Video tutorials, Articles, Webinars, Market analysis |
Partnerships and Programs | |
🪪Affiliate program? | Yes |
👨🏫Amount of partners | Not publicly disclosed |
📋IB Program | Yes |
🏃♂️➡️Do they sponsor any notable events or teams? | No |
🪙Rebate program | Yes |
👉Open Account | 👉 Open Account |
CFD Trading
IC Markets offers its clients flexible trading conditions across various CFDs covering Indices, Energies, Metals, Commodities, and more.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Low fees on Forex | No investor protection |
Account opening is fast and hassle free | No protection on negative balance |
Deposit and withdrawals are free of charge | Lack of research tools |
Our Findings
IC Markets is a highly reputable broker ideal for traders who value low costs and efficient execution.
Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 10 Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms in South Africa are AvaTrade, IG, FXTM, XTB, FP Markets, XM, Pepperstone, Exness, Octa, and IC Markets. They all offer CFD Trading to traders.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the largest CFD Brokers in South Africa?
The largest CFD Brokers in South Africa are AvaTrade, IG, FXTM, XTB, FP Markets, XM, Pepperstone, Exness, Octa, IC Markets.
What is the Cost of a Contract for Differences Trading?
The cost of Contract for Difference (CFD) trading can vary depending on several factors, including the broker you choose, the specific markets you’re trading, the trading platform you use, and your trading strategy.
What are CFD Brokers?
CFD brokers are financial firms that allow traders to trade Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on various underlying assets, such as stocks, commodities, indices, currencies, and more.
What CFD Trading Platforms and software are available in South Africa?
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5, cTrader, Plus500, IG Trading Platform, EasyEquities, SaxoTrader, AvaTradeGO, FP Markets IRESS
How do CFD Brokers Make Money?
CFD brokers make money through several revenue streams associated with their services and the nature of CFD trading. Here are the primary ways CFD brokers generate revenue: Spreads, Commissions, Overnight Financing Costs, Leverage Interest, Inactivity Fees, Market Data Fees, Currency Conversion Fees, Premium Services, Spread Markups, Technology and Data Sales
What should I consider when choosing CFD trading brokers?
Factors to consider when choosing CFD trading brokers include Regulation and Reputation, Security and Safety, Trading instruments and Asset selection, Functionality and stability, Fees and Commissions, Customer support, Educational resources, Research tools, the option of Demo accounts, What account types are available and the Minimum deposit offering.
Can I trade CFDs on multiple markets and asset classes with the same CFD broker?
Many CFD trading brokers and platforms allow traders to trade CFDs across multiple markets and asset classes using one trading account. This gives access to a diverse array of financial instruments in one account – depending on which broker and platform it’s offered by, these may include but are likely Stocks, Indices (such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100, or DAX) Commodities, Forex, and Cryptocurrencies.
Are there any regulations or licensing requirements for CFD trading platforms?
Yes, CFD trading platforms and brokers in several jurisdictions must comply with regulations and licensing requirements for trading platforms and brokers offering CFD products and services, while specific requirements can differ by country; some of the Regulatory frameworks include Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Financial Conduct Authority (CySEC), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), International Financial Services Commission (IFSC).
What risk management tools are offered by CFD trading platforms?
CFD trading platforms typically provide traders with risk management tools to mitigate potential losses and oversee their trading activity. Here are a few commonly available risk mitigation tools: Stop-Loss Orders, Take-Profit Orders, Trailing Stop Orders, Guaranteed Stop-Loss Orders, Margin Requirements and Margin Calls, Account Protection, Risk Warnings, and Education.
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