The 10 Biggest and Top Forex Brokers in the World revealed. We have listed, rated, and reviewed the 10 Biggest Forex Brokers in the World.
We showcase which notable brokers are at the top in the Forex Markets.
This is a complete listing of The 10 Biggest Forex Brokers in the World. In this in-depth write-up you will learn:
- Top 10 Forex Brokers in the World.
- Top Forex Trading Platforms in South Africa.
- Best Regulated Forex Brokers
- The Best Forex Broker for Beginners
- The Best Forex Broker in South Africa
- A Top 10 Trusted Forex Brokers List
10 Best Forex Brokers in South Africa for 2025
Rank
Broker
Review
Regulators
Min Deposit
Official Site
Biggest and Top 10 Forex Brokers in the World in 2025 – A Comparison
🔎 Broker | 🚀 Open an Account | 💰 Minimum Deposit | 📍 Trusted | 📌 Regulated |
AvaTrade | 👉 Open Account | $100 USD / 1846 ZAR | Highly Trusted | ✅ Yes |
Exness | 👉 Open Account | $10 USD / 184 ZAR | Highly Trusted | ☑️ Yes |
XM | 👉 Open Account | $5 USD / 92 ZAR | Highly Trusted | ✅ Yes |
Forex.com | 👉 Open Account | $100 USD / 1846 ZAR | Highly Trusted | ☑️ Yes |
Pepperstone | 👉 Open Account | $0 USD / 0 ZAR | Highly Trusted | ✅ Yes |
FP Markets | 👉 Open Account | $100 USD / 1846 ZAR | Highly Trusted | ☑️ Yes |
CMC Markets | 👉 Open Account | $0 USD / 0 ZAR | Highly Trusted | ✅ Yes |
IG | 👉 Open Account | $0 USD / 0 ZAR | Highly Trusted | ☑️ Yes |
Interactive Brokers | 👉 Open Account | $0 USD / 0 ZAR | Highly Trusted | ✅ Yes |
FXTM | 👉 Open Account | $200 USD / 3693 ZAR | Highly Trusted | ☑️ Yes |
What is a Forex Broker? – Explained
A Forex Broker is a financial services provider that offers traders access to a platform or platforms for buying and selling foreign currencies. A Forex Broker may also be referred to as a retail forex broker or a currency trading broker.
10 Biggest Forex Brokers in the World (2025)
- AvaTrade – Overall, Best Broker on the top 10 list in the World
- Exness – Best Broker for Professional Traders
- XM – Excellent all-round offering
- Forex.com – Great Research and Education
- Pepperstone – Leading Broker in South Africa
- FP Markets – Ease of Use
- CMC Markets – Best Web-Based Trading Platform
- IG – Best Broker accepting US Traders
- Interactive Brokers – Best Broker for Beginners
- FXTM – Best Broker with Low Costs
1. AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a market-leading Forex Broker that is regulated in multiple tier-1 jurisdictions which puts it at the top of the Biggest Forex Brokers List.
AvaTrade has strong core values of integrity and innovation with its focus placed on its customers. AvaTrade is a winner of 100+ financial and technological rewards including:
- Best Mobile Trading Platform UAE 2025
- Most Innovative CFD Broker UAS 2025
- Most Trusted Trading Platform Europe 2025
Min Deposit
USD 100
Regulators
ASIC, FSA, CBI, BVI, FSCA, FRSA, CySEC, ISA, JFSA
Trading Platform
MT4, MT5, Ava Social, Ava Protect, Trading Central
Crypto
Yes
The range of markets made available by AvaTrade includes Forex, CFD Equities, ETFs, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Indices, and FX Options.
AvaTrade has a wide variety of trading platforms on offer including WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, Duplitrade, and ZuluTrade.
AvaTrade offers its services to over 400,000 registered traders across the globe.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Easy Account opening | Limited product portfolio |
No withdrawal fee | Administration fee |
Low trading fees | Inactivity fee |
Negative balance protection | Not listed on stock exchange |
2. Exness
Exness is a forex and CFD broker that offers its clients access to trading in currencies, crypto, stocks, indices, metals, and commodities.
Exness is regulated in tier-1 and tier-2 jurisdictions making it a highly trusted broker choice.
Min Deposit
USD 10
Regulators
CBCS, CySEC, FCA, FSA, FSC, FSCA, CMA
Trading Platform
MT4, MT5, WebTerminal, Exness Terminal
Crypto
Yes
Exness offers access to a wide range of instruments including Forex, Metals, Cryptocurrencies, Energies, Stocks, and Indices.
Exness offers its services to over 370’000 traders across the globe.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Exness is well-regulated and keeps all client funds in segregated accounts with top-tier institutions | There is a limited portfolio of financial instruments offered |
Traders can choose between several retail investor accounts | Exness offers a limited number of payment methods that can be used for deposits and withdrawals |
3. XM
XM is one of the largest, most well-established international investment firms in the industry. Features that make XM one of the biggest brokers in the world include:
- Over 5,000,000 clients
- Traders from over 190 countries
- 25+ secure payment methods
- 10+ full-feature trading platforms
- 30+ languages supported
- 24/7 customer support
Min Deposit
USD 5
Regulators
FSC, CySEC, ASIC,
Trading Platform
MT4, MT5
XM is a multi-award-winning broker that has received hundreds of accolades.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Fast digital account opening | Account types vary according to jurisdiction |
4. Forex.com
Forex.com is a trusted global market leader with over 22 years of experience in the industry.
Forex.com is known for offering Quality execution on every trade and Transparent, competitive pricing.
Other regulators of our affiliates include:
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK
- Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Japan
- Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
- The National Futures Association (NFA) in the US
- Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC)
- Australian Services and Investments Commission (ASIC)
Min Deposit
USD 100
Regulators
CIMA
Trading Platform
MT4, MT5, Proprietary Platform
Crypto
No
Total Pairs
91
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
Forex.com offers trusted support on a wide variety of levels.
Forex.com is Regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority under the Securities Investment Business Law of the Cayman Islands.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Low Forex Fees | Limited to Forex and CFDs |
Variety of Currency Pairs | High Stock CFD fees |
Diverse technical tools | Not user friendly |
5. Pepperstone
Pepperstone is one of the largest forex brokers in the world and combines fast execution speeds with raw spreads and low commissions.
Min Deposit
USD 0
Regulators
ASIC, BaFin, CMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, SCB
Trading Platform
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
62
Islamic Account
Yes
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
Pepperstone is an ASIC, FCA, and CMA-regulated broker which makes it highly trusted. Pepperstone has won numerous prestigious awards including:
- Best Overall Broker 2025
- Global Forex Broker of the Year 2025
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Fast Account Opening | Mostly CFDs Offered |
Excellent Customer Support | Basic MetaTrader Platform |
Negative Balance Protection | No Managed Accounts |
6. FP Markets
FP Markets is a highly trusted Forex service provider that offers access to trade 10’000 tradable CFDs across Forex, Shares, Indices, Commodities, and Cryptocurrencies on several trading platforms. FP Markets trading platforms include:
- MetaTrader 4
- MetaTrader 5
- WebTrader
- Mobile Trader
- Social Trading
Min Deposit
USD 100
Regulators
ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, CMA
Trading Platform
MT4, MT5, Iress Trader, cTrader
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
70+
Islamic Account
Yes
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
FP Markets is a trusted global CFD and forex broker that is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) while in Europe, our operations are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).
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 |
7. CMC Markets
CMC Markets is one of the world’s largest Forex Service providers that aims to provide tight spreads regardless of market volatility.
CMC Markets delivers competitive and reliable pricing.
Min Deposit
USD 0
Regulators
FCA, IIROC, ASIC, FMA, MAS
Trading Platform
MT4
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
158
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
CMC Markets offers access to trade thousands of spread betting and CFD instruments across forex, indices, cryptocurrencies, commodities, shares, ETFs, and treasuries.
CMC Markets is regulated by BaFin and the FCA.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Well-regulated by strict entities | US clients not accepted |
Client funds kept in segregated accounts | Spreads are marked-up |
FSCS member | Fixed spreads not provided |
MetaTrader 4 Nextgen supported | No social trading |
8. IG
IG is a world-leading online trading provider that gives traders access to opportunities across thousands of financial markets through our intuitive platforms and apps.
IG is authorized and regulated by the FCA (UK) and the FSCA (SA).
Min Deposit
USD 0
Regulators
FCA, BaFin, FINMA, DFSA, MAS, ASIC, FSCA
Trading Platform
MT4
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
80
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
IG offers access to International Accounts, Institutional / Retail Corporate accounts, and, Premium Services.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Great Web Platform | Few Products Offered |
Vast Educational Tools | Phone Support is sub-par |
9. Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is a financial services provider that offers its services in over 200 countries across the globe, making it one of the biggest brokers in the world. Interactive Brokers has won multiple awards including:
- Best Online Broker 2025
- Best Stock Broker 2025
- Best Broker for Day Trading 2025
- Best Broker for Investing 2025
Min Deposit
USD 0
Regulators
CFTC, NFA, IIROC, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, MNB, CSSF
Trading Platform
Proprietary Platforms
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
91
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
Interactive Brokers allow traders to fund their accounts and trade assets in 26 currencies.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Wide range of products | Extremely complex desktop trading platform |
Many great research tools | Complicated account opening process |
Regulated by several authorities | High inactivity fee |
10. FXTM
FXTM is a trusted Forex service provider with over 4 million clients in over 150 countries across the globe.
Min Deposit
USD 200
Regulators
FCA, FSC, FSCA
Trading Platform
MT4, MT5, FXTM Trader
Crypto
No
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
Yes
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
FXTM offers access to low spreads, popular trading platforms, and a wealth of free educational resources.
FXTM has won multiple awards for education, technology, service, and trust, securing its position as one of the biggest Forex Brokers in the world.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Fast execution speeds | Bonus programs might be restricted in some regions. |
High leverage (up to 1:2000) | High leverage can increase risk, especially for beginners. |
Tight spreads on ECN accounts | Lower leverage options for EU/UK clients due to regulations (1:30 for retail traders). |
Access to MetaTrader 4 & 5 | High inactivity fees if the account is dormant. |
Good educational resources | Customer support can sometimes be slow during peak times. |
Regulated by several authorities (FCA, CySEC, FSCA) | Limited product offering outside Forex (fewer stocks and indices). |
Types of forex accounts
Navigating the vast world of forex trading starts with choosing the right account type. Here’s a brief rundown:
- Standard accounts: The classic choice, offering flexibility in instruments and leverage, but requiring larger investment amounts.
- Micro and Mini accounts: Perfect for beginners, these accounts allow trading with smaller lots, minimizing financial exposure while building experience.
- ECN accounts: For the discerning trader, ECNs provide direct market access for tighter spreads and higher transparency, but often come with higher trading fees.
- Islamic accounts: Complying with Sharia law, these accounts avoid interest charges by using swap-free mechanisms, ideal for Muslim traders.
Risks of forex trading
While forex offers exciting potential, understanding the risks is crucial:
- Leverage: A double-edged sword, amplifying both profits and losses, demands cautious use and awareness of potential margin calls.
- Volatility: The market’s dynamic nature can lead to sudden price swings, requiring swift adaptation and risk management strategies.
- Liquidity: Less popular currency pairs may experience lower liquidity, making buying or selling at desired prices challenging.
- Counterparty risk: Choosing a reputable broker minimizes this risk, ensuring transparency and secure transactions.
Common Forex trading strategies
Mastering various strategies empowers your trading journey:
- Trend trading: Capitalize on existing market trends by buying in uptrends and selling in downtrends, requiring trend identification skills.
- Range trading: Profit from price fluctuations within a defined range, utilizing technical analysis to identify entry and exit points.
- Carry trade: Exploit interest rate differentials between currencies, borrowing with low rates, and investing with high rates, but remember market movements can impact gains.
- Arbitrage: Identify and capitalize on price discrepancies between markets for the same currency pair, demanding quick execution and market awareness.
How to get started with forex trading
Taking the first step requires careful preparation:
- Open a Forex account: Choose a reputable broker offering features and account types aligned with your goals and risk tolerance.
- Fund your account: Start with a comfortable investment amount, considering potential losses and learning experiences.
- Education and research: Equip yourself with knowledge about the market, trading instruments, and risk management strategies before venturing in.
- Start small and practice: Utilize demo accounts or smaller trades initially to gain confidence and refine your approach before scaling up.
Choosing a Forex Broker
Beyond showcasing various brokers, the article neglects crucial guidance on selecting the right one.
Each trader has unique needs, risk tolerance, and budget, demanding individual broker selection criteria.
Understanding factors like spreads, commissions, platform usability, available instruments, and customer support is crucial.
Traders should prioritize regulation and licensing to ensure secure funds and transparent practices.
Furthermore, researching the broker’s reputation, educational resources, and community support can prove invaluable in navigating the complex forex market.
By carefully comparing brokers based on their specific needs and trading approach, individuals can ensure a suitable and reliable partner for their forex journey.
Specific Trading Strategies
While offering a general introduction, the article fails to delve into the vast realm of forex trading strategies.
A successful trader requires a defined approach to analyze market movements and capitalize on opportunities.
Popular strategies include fundamental analysis, focusing on economic data and central bank decisions, and technical analysis, utilizing chart patterns and indicators to forecast price movements.
Additionally, risk management strategies like stop-loss orders and position sizing are crucial for mitigating losses.
Each strategy has its strengths and weaknesses, and traders must carefully select and adapt them to their risk tolerance and market understanding.
The article’s omission of this crucial aspect leaves aspiring traders lacking the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the forex market with confidence.
Regulation and Compliance
While mentioning the significance of regulated brokers, the article fails to address the intricate regulatory landscape of forex trading.
Different jurisdictions enforce diverse regulations, impacting everything from licensing requirements to leverage restrictions.
Traders must navigate this complex terrain to ensure they comply with relevant regulations and avoid legal repercussions.
Understanding key regulatory bodies like the FCA in the UK or the CFTC in the US is crucial.
Additionally, traders should be aware of potential compliance issues like anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations, ensuring their activities adhere to financial crime prevention protocols.
Choosing a regulated broker is just the first step delving into the applicable regulations and ensuring compliance is essential for responsible and secure forex trading.
Taxing Profits
The article’s silence on the tax implications of forex trading leaves aspiring traders in the dark.
Forex profits, like any source of income, are subject to taxation in most jurisdictions.
The specific tax treatment, however, varies significantly depending on location, individual circumstances, and trading volume.
Traders must understand their local tax regime and determine whether forex profits are classified as income, capital gains, or even gambling winnings, each with unique tax implications.
Furthermore, reporting requirements and potential double taxation complexities in cross-border trading present additional challenges.
Consulting a tax advisor familiar with forex trading intricacies is crucial to ensure compliance and avoid future tax headaches.
By demystifying the tax landscape, traders can engage in forex with transparency and financial awareness.
Conclusion
Now it is your turn to participate:
Which of the Leading Forex Brokers from this list do you intend to test out?
What was the determining factor in your decision to engage with a certain broker?
Was it because of the Multiple Awards Won or the Pros and Cons?
Regardless, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
You might also like: AvaTrade Review
You might also like: Exness Review
You might also like: XM Review
You might also like: Forex.com Review
You might also like: Pepperstone Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Biggest Forex Brokers in the World?
The Biggest Forex Brokers in the world include AvaTrade, Exness, and, XM amongst others.
What are the benefits of trading with a big forex broker?
Trading with a big forex broker can provide benefits such as access to a wide range of markets and assets, advanced trading platforms and tools, and higher levels of customer support and security. Big forex brokers may also have more resources for research and analysis and may offer better trading conditions such as lower spreads and higher leverage.
How do I choose the best big forex broker for my needs?
When choosing a big forex broker, it is important to consider factors such as regulation, fees, trading platform features, customer support, and the broker’s reputation. Comparing the offerings of several big brokers can help you find the one that best fits your specific needs and goals.
Are big forex brokers more trustworthy and reliable than smaller ones?
The reliability and trustworthiness of a forex broker are not necessarily tied to its size. It is important to research and compare the regulations, financial stability, and reputation of each broker, regardless of its size, to ensure that your funds and trades are secure.
Can I trade with a big forex broker from anywhere in the world?
Many big forex brokers have a global presence and offer online trading services to clients from various countries. However, regulations and restrictions may vary by country, so it is important to check the availability and conditions of trading with a big forex broker in your specific location.
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