Risk Warning: Your capital is at risk. Statistically, only 11-25% of traders gain profit when trading Forex and CFDs. The remaining 74-89% of customers lose their investment. Invest in capital that is willing to expose such risks.

Best MT4 Forex brokers

MT4 Forex BrokersMetaTrader 4 Forex Brokers is the standard of brokerage business in the world. Most Forex brokers use it as their primary software. It is also a favorite among tens of million traders. Such widespread popularity is due to its intuitive interface that provides easy navigation. It is suitable for both newbies and experts. MetaTrader 4 offers advanced technical analysis features, algorithmic trading, Experts Advisors, and a customizable trading system.

The trading platform has three integral parts: market, trading signals and mobile trading app. The Market option provides several technical indicators and robots (EAs) that traders purchase to improve their trading experience. The trading signals allow traders to copy what others are doing.

It is currently the most readily available in the Forex industry. There are versions for PC operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux. Mobile apps are also available for iOS and Android devices. Unfortunately, it does not have a web-based platform for understandable reasons, security being one of them. You can easily find a list of some of the top MT4 Forex brokers who support MetaTrader4 platforms in the table below.

  • Key information
  • Trading
  • Payment systems
  • Trading platforms
  • Trading instruments
  • Support
  • Trading accounts
  • Account settings
  • Spreads
  • Promotion
Filter
Company#LogoForex brokerFoundedRegulatedReviewsPayment systemsBroker type(?)Min. DepositMax.
leverage
Live spread
Interval:
Live
spread
EUR/USD
Live spread
Interval:
Live
spread
GBP/USD
Live spread
Interval:
Live
spread
USD/CHF
Live spread
Interval:
Live
spread
USD/CAD
Live spread
Interval:
Live
spread
USD/JPY
Live spread
Interval:
Live
spread
AUD/USD
Live spread
Interval:
Live
spread
NZD/USD
Live spread
Interval:
Live
spread
EUR/AUD
Live spread
Interval:
Live
spread
EUR/CAD
Live spread
Interval:
Live
spread
EUR/CHF
Accepting US traders?Account
1RoboForexbest broker2009
IFSC
22

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
  • MM
0 $1:2000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
2XM.COM2009
ASIC, IFSC

Regulated

79

Payment systems

MM
5 $1:30N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
3EXNESS2008
FCA, CySEC
95

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
  • MM
0 $1:2000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
4FxPro2006
FCA, CySEC

Regulated

182

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
5MultiBank Group2005
ASIC
2

Payment systems

ECN
0 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
6IC Markets2007
ASIC
30

Payment systems

NDD, ECN
0 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
7Forex.com2001
FCA, CFTC

Regulated

47

Payment systems

ECN, MM
100 $1:50N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A1
8Just2Trade2006
CySEC
57

Payment systems

ECN, STP
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
9AMarkets2007
FSA
83

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
100 $1:3000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
10LiteFinance2005-43

Payment systems

ECN
50 $1:1000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
11FXPRIMUS2009
CySEC, VFSC
11

Payment systems

STP
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
12Vantage FX2009
ASIC
18

Payment systems

ECN
200 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
13XTB.com2002
FCA, CNMV
5

Payment systems

NDD, STP
250 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
14EasyMarkets2001
ASIC, CySEC
13

Payment systems

MM
100 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
15RoboMarkets2012
CySEC
46

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
  • MM
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
16Admiral Markets2001
FCA, CNMV
25

Payment systems

NDD, ECN
0 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
17FXOpen2005
ASIC, FCA
108

Payment systems

ECN, STP

Broker type

  • ECN
  • STP
  • MM
1 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
18AXITrader2007
ASIC, FCA
12

Payment systems

NDD
0 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
19Instaforex2007
RAUFR
97

Payment systems

NDD, ECN
1 $1:1000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
20Yadix.com2010
FSC
65

Payment systems

ECN, STP
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
21NordFX2008
SEBI, VFSC
102

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
0 $1:1000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
22Hantec Markets2009
FCA
15

Payment systems

NDD
1000 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
23Forex4you2007
FSC
33

Payment systems

NDD, STP
20 $1:1000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
24IFC Markets2006
FSC, CySEC
40

Payment systems

STP
0 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
25AVATrade2006
ASIC, CBI
64

Payment systems

NDD
100 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
26LMFX2015-25

Payment systems

NDD
50 $1:1000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
27FxGrow2008
CySEC
5

Payment systems

ECN, STP
100 $1:300N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
28HYCM1977
FCA
182

Payment systems

MM
100 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
29FxGlory2012-18

Payment systems

NDD, MM
1 $1:3000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
30Fort Financial Service2010
IFSC
3

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
5 $1:1000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
31Tickmill2014
FCA, SIBA
10

Payment systems

NDD
25 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
32HotForex2010
CySEC, FSC
91

Payment systems

NDD
5 $1:1000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
33FXCM1999
ASIC, FCA
20

Payment systems

NDD
0 $1:100N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
34FIBO Group1998
FSC, CNMV
37

Payment systems

NDD, MM
0 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
35OANDA1996
ASIC, FCA
21
-0 $1:50N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A1
36FP Markets2005
ASIC, CySEC
19

Payment systems

DMA
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
37Swissquote1996
FINMA
36

Payment systems

STP
1000 $1:100N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
38FXDD2002
MFSA
8

Payment systems

NDD, ECN
250 $1:50N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
39DeltaStock1998
BNB
21

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
  • MM
100 $-N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
40Markets.com2006
CySEC
13

Payment systems

NDD
100 $1:300N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
41ActivTrades2001
FCA, CNMV
132

Payment systems

NDD
100 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
42Fortrade2013
FCA, FSCS

Regulated

23

Payment systems

-100 $1:30N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
43AAFX Trading2014
ASIC, FSA
231

Payment systems

NDD, ECN
100 $1:2000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
44GrandCapital2006-16

Payment systems

STP
10 $1:2000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
45BCS Forex2006
FSA
16

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
  • MM
1 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
46FreshForex2004
KROUFR
83

Payment systems

NDD, MM
0 $1:1000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
47IG1974
ASIC, FCA
15

Payment systems

DMA, MM
0 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A1
48Orbex2010
CySEC
30

Payment systems

ECN
500 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
49FBS2009
IFSC, NAFD
101

Payment systems

ECN, STP
1 $-N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
50Swiss Markets2012
CySEC
3

Payment systems

STP
200 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
51BMFN1988
ASIC, FCA
12

Payment systems

NDD, DMA
0 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
52ForexMart2015
CySEC
24

Payment systems

ECN
1 $1:5000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
53ForexChief2014
VFSC
124

Payment systems

ECN, STP
1 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
54Octa FX2011
FCA, FSA
29

Payment systems

ECN
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
55ICM Capital2009
FCA
4

Payment systems

-200 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
56PhillipCapital UK1975
ASIC, FCA
7
NDD
200 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
57Finam Forex1994
CBR, NAFD

Regulated

4

Payment systems

NDD, DMA
0 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
58Core Spreads2014
FCA
18

Payment systems

NDD
1 $1:240N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
59FxGiants2015
FCA
41

Payment systems

ECN, STP

Broker type

  • ECN
  • STP
  • MM
50 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
60GO Markets2006
ASIC
14

Payment systems

NDD
200 $1:300N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
61Forex.ee2004
FSA
8

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
10 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
62City Index2001
ASIC, FCA
15

Payment systems

NDD, ECN
250 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
63ICE FX2015-8

Payment systems

STP
30 $1:300N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
64TrioMarkets2014
CySEC
9

Payment systems

ECN, STP
500 $1:300N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
65UOB Kay Hian2000
MAS
7
NDD
0 $1:50N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
66City Index Singapore2006
MAS
3
MM
100 $1:50N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
67Haitong2010
MAS
9
NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
0 $1:50N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
68FXCitizen2010
VFSC
11

Payment systems

NDD, ECN
10 $1:1000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
69Land FX2013
FCA, FSCS

Regulated

11

Payment systems

NDD, ECN
300 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
70Pepperstone2010
ASIC
13

Payment systems

ECN
200 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
71InvestAZ2010
FSP, SPK
8
ECN
100 $1:1000N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
72Abshire-Smith2011
FCA, FSCS
10

Payment systems

STP, DMA
500 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
73ArgusFX2000
CySEC
10

Payment systems

STP
0 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
74Bacera2009
ASIC
11

Payment systems

MM
0 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
75Capital Index2014
FCA, CySEC

Regulated

3

Payment systems

NDD, STP
100 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
76Core Liquidity Markets2012
ASIC, FSA
10

Payment systems

NDD
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
77Darwinex2012
FCA
10

Payment systems

STP, DMA
500 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
78CMG2015
ASIC
19

Payment systems

-250 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
79Colmex Pro2010
CySEC
14
NDD, ECN
2000 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
80eTrader2014
CySEC
11
NDD
100 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
81Flatex1999
BaFin
9
NDD, MM
0 $1:100N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
82Fullerton Markets2015
FSP
16

Payment systems

ECN, STP
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
83FX882016
CySEC
2

Payment systems

ECN
100 $1:50N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
84FXCC-
FCA, CySEC
163

Payment systems

NDD, ECN

Broker type

  • NDD
  • ECN
  • STP
100 $1:300N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
85FX Choice2010
IFSC
6

Payment systems

NDD
100 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
86GMG Markets2015
FCA
2
NDD, STP
200 $1:100N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
87Infinox Capital2009
FCA
10

Payment systems

ECN, STP
100 $1:30N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
88iTrader2012
IFSC
4

Payment systems

NDD
250 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
89Mex Exchange2012
ASIC
3

Payment systems

NDD, ECN
200 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
90FXPCM2007
FSC, DFSA

Regulated

2

Payment systems

NDD, ECN
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
91RietumuFX1992
FCMC
9
NDD
1000 $1:300N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
92TFI Markets1999
CySEC
3
NDD
50 $1:30N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
93Tradealot2010
FCA
8

Payment systems

STP
2000 $1:30N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
94AMP Global2018
CySEC, CFTC

Regulated

7

Payment systems

STP
100 $1:30N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
95Ingot Brokers2004
ASIC
8
ECN
100 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
96Alvexo2014
CySEC, SIBA
10

Payment systems

ECN
0 $1:300N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
97AETOS2007
ASIC
6

Payment systems

NDD
250 $1:200N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
98ATFX2015
FCA
17

Payment systems

NDD
0 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
99Key to Markets2010
FCA, FSP

Regulated

6

Payment systems

ECN
100 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
100BDSwiss2012
CySEC, FSC
10

Payment systems

ECN
0 $1:400N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
101ATC Brokers2005-3
ECN
2000 $1:100N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0
102Milton Prime2015
CySEC, SIBA
1

Payment systems

NDD
0 $1:500N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A0


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5 (4)

Features To Consider When Choosing a Forex Broker Trading Platform

Meta Trader 4 Forex Brokers

Your trading experience directly depends on the platform you are using. Most Forex brokers offer multiple platform choices to their traders. However, just because a reputable broker uses a specific platform is not a guarantee that it is suitable for your trading needs. Below are some of the factors worth considering.

· Availability

Are you planning to use a mobile device or PC? What is the operating system of the device you are using? A suitable trading platform is one that allows you to use what you have without incurring extra cost. Most of them are downloadable software that you install on your PC or apps for mobile devices. If you have neither, then you should consider a platform that is available over the web. A stable high-speed internet connection is necessary for internet-based platforms, and most of them are.

· The accuracy of Forex quotes

The last thing you will want during your trading period is not being able to monitor changes in the market in a real-time. You need to see the changes as soon as they happen. Such possibility will save you from costly re-quotes. It also enables you to observe your investment as a keenly as an eagle watches over its nest.

· Management of orders

An excellent platform will make it possible for you to enter all the type of orders that you wish to make, including take profits and stop loses among others. Another important feature to consider in this section is the “One Cancels the Other,” OCO feature. It helps in avoiding executing two orders for the same trade.

· Freedom to manage your accounts

An ideal trading platform in the Forex allows you to keep track and control some of the critical features of your trading. It has functions that help you keep track of your account balance and monitor the changes in your portfolio on a real-time basis.

· Charting and indicators

The two are some of the most common tools for technical analysis that you will find handy when trading with Forex brokers. The levels of sophistication of these tools vary from one platform to another depending on the level of experience of the targeted niche of users. The charts should be able to update in real time irrespective of the users level of skills. Some platforms also provide support features that allow traders to trade directly using the information on the charts.

· Fundamental analysis

The functionality provides access to live news feed from trusted financial news sources such as Associated Press, Reuters, among others. Traders on platforms have these tools can know when the next significant economic news is due and plan for it.

· Security of personal information

The heightened levels of cybercrime call for caution when using a platform that operates on the internet. You should have an assurance of the safety of sensitive information such as financial information, login data, and other personal details. A suitable platform uses secure internet encryption protocols. A backup is also essential in case a hacker takes over the system and data are lost.

· Trading strategy options

The latest trading trend is the automated trading strategy. It enables traders to program their trading plans such that it triggers automatic transaction execution. It is advisable to go for a platform that allows this feature, even if you are a beginner. You will undoubtedly need in the future.

· Downtime records

Downtime is an annoying period when you can perform no transaction on the platform. It becomes a problem when it occurs during the trading hours. You can check a platforms’ downtime by checking its uptime records. It should be as close to 100% as possible. Using a Virtual Private Server, VPS also helps during downtimes on your side of the system.

After pointing out the feature that matters when selecting a trading platform, we turn to the reasons why MT4 is the most popular choice among Forex brokers.

The Benefits of Using an MT4 Forex Broker Trading PlatformBenefites of mt4

Readily available: the platform is available for both PC and mobile device users. It is compatible with the Windows, Linux and Mac a well as iOS and Android operating systems. The MT4 platform is also available is several native languages.

 

Easy to use: MetaTrader 4 has an intuitive interface that is easy to use by all traders irrespective of their experience. The mobile trading option allows you trade while on the move.

 

Excellent charting tools: MT4 platform offers advanced charting tools the enables traders to conduct a technical analysis of the market and conduct trades simultaneously. Additionally, the charts are customizable hence, easy to use and read. You can as well remove what you do not need from the chart, create templates, change colors and styles.

 

Automated Trading strategy: This time-saving feature is one of the reasons for the popularity and success of this platform. The platform provides EAs that you can use to automate your trading activities to meet your needs.

 

Profile management: It is possible for you to view your profile details on the same interface. Some of the available information includes account details, trading history, and passwords. You can create a profile for each market and arrange the charts and windows according to your personal preference.

 

High information security: Security is another reason that makes MT4 stand out in the industry despite the fact that there are other sophisticated more platforms than it. It uses a 129-bit key to encrypt user information. It salon secures the IP address of the trader. It, therefore, guarantees the security of sensitive information such as the user’s details and location.

 

Real-time communication: MT4 Forex brokers can communicate directly with their traders on the platform through messages. It eliminates the need for long emails, which you might not see in time and are often complicated.

 

Low PC performance requirement: MetaTrader 4 is not one of those performance intensive programs that take your PC’s memory. Its low computer resource requirement enables faster response to a trading request and real-time market analysis.

 

Vast choice of trading instruments: MT 4 trading platform supports a wide variety of trading instruments such as equities, securities, and commodities. It also allows trading in nearly all types of currencies.

Trader customizations: You can fully customize your MT t4 account to suit your needs as well as taste and preferences. If you have some skills in MQL4 programming, then you can develop your own EA and technical indicators. It also enjoys sizeable online community forums where you can find open source codes and help with programming issues.

How to Select the Right MT4 Forex Broker

Meta Trader 4 Features

The above benefits of the MT4 trading platform have made it a favorite among Forex trade brokers. Nearly all the Forex brokers have MT4 as one of the trading platforms. So how do you select the best broker in such a sea of options? Below are some of the essential factor s consider when hunting for a broker that uses an MT4 platform.

Type of broker

The first place to start your search is by narrowing down to a specific kind of broker. The common type is the market making brokers. They function as counter-parties to every transaction. They buy orders from traders who are selling, hold it and until they find a buyer willing to pay for the prices they have set. They are also known as dealing desk brokers.

You will not be able to access the actual market prices with these brokers, and there is always a conflict of interest. They are a good option if you plan to trade in small amounts. They also come in handy during volatile market scenarios.

The other broker types are the Non-dealing desk ones. They provide a trader with direct access to the liquidity provider and other traders. Straight Through Processing (STP) and Electronic Communication Network, ECN, is the type of brokers in this category. They may have overlapping features, but they are different in principle. A significant difference is that STPs do not have a Depth of the Market Functionality. MT4 ECN is available for ECN Forex brokers.

Compliance with relevant regulatory requirements

MT4 Forex brokers are subject to regulation. The name of these regulatory bodies and their needs vary from country to country. In the US for example, two agencies regulate the operations of Forex brokers namely: the National Futures Association, NFA, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. A legitimate Forex dealer will have CFTC registration and be a member of the NFA.

Dealing with duly regulated MT4 Forex brokers ensures security for your deposit. If the broker collapses, you stand to be compensated by the regulating economy. In some countries such as the UK, the government protects the amount a trader invests with any of the licensed brokers.

Account requirements

Account on MT4

The above two factors will eliminate most of the MT4 Forex brokers leaving you with legitimate ones only. You can now focus on the intricacies that make them different one from the other. The first place to look is the different account offerings and requirements. They include:

Minimum account size: Some MT4 Forex brokers require deposits as low as $50. STP and ECN brokers, however, are for high rollers and experts. The minimum deposit for this brokers ranges between $10,000 and $50,000 even if they operate on the ECN MT4 platform.

Leverage: It is an attractive feature because it enhances your chances of winning big and increases your purchasing power.  Leverage of 100:1, for example,  gives a trader with $1000 investment the purchasing power of $100,000. However, it is essential to use these cautiously as the same factor also multiplies the losses.

The mode of compensation: MT4 Forex brokers get their cut in two ways, charging commission or widening the spread. ECN brokers charge commission on each transaction since they are not participants but only facilitators. Market makers, on the other hand, make money on the spreads. None of the options is outrightly better than the other. The commission-based brokers charge highly while market makers always price the spread to protect their bottom-line, not that of the traders.

Commodity and currency

Even though MT4 platform allows for several choices of trading instruments as well as currencies, the interest of traders vary. One may choose to deal with a specific pair of commodities while another prefers currencies. In the end, the broker you settle for should be offering your instruments of interest.

Customer service

Though the last on this list, it is the most important. You need to be sure that you can get help promptly when you need it. A worthy MT4 Forex broker will employ real people to handle its customers. You can get a glimpse into the dealer’s customer service by calling them and asking questions on features such as the account requirement details and trade volume.

Conclusion

You can start your Forex trading by using the most widely used platform, the MetaTrader 4. IT has sufficient information and community support than most of the new platforms. You will join a community of tens of million traders. Only ensure you choose a licensed, reliable, and reputable MT4 Forex broker that suits your trading needs.