With many years of meticulous FOREX broker testing, Arincen stands out as a voice of authority. Our analyses, shaped by exhaustive data collection, are trusted by many. Each year, we gather 120 data points from more than 100 brokers. Our team of more than 20 people collaborate extensively to produce high-quality broker reviews like this one. For a detailed explanation of how we test brokers, navigate to the bottom of this article.
Company Name | Regulations | Minimum Deposit | Main Branch | Open Account |
---|---|---|---|---|
ICM Capital |
$500 | United Arab Emirates | ||
Tradeview |
$250 | USA | ||
XTB |
$500 | UK | ||
IG |
$500 | UK |
Company Name | ICM Capital |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $500 |
Main Branch | United Arab Emirates |
Company Name | Tradeview |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $250 |
Main Branch | USA |
Company Name | XTB |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $500 |
Main Branch | UK |
Company Name | IG |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $500 |
Main Branch | UK |
With so many options available, it's hard to select the best trading platform in Germany. In this case, we've done the work for you. Here is a summary of each of the top seven brokers according to specific criteria, along with their pros and cons:
ICM - Capital 91.10: Best Deposit and Withdrawal Broker
Tradeview - 90.00: Trusted broker that offers very low trading costs as well as comprehensive financial literacy materials for its clients.
XTB - 85.55: Best Customer Service Broker
IG - 85.45: Best Regulations Broker plus Convenient Platform
Saxo Bank - 80.09: Excellent Private Trading Platform
CMC Markets - 80.07: More than 9,000 Assets
ThinkMarkets - 80.05: Aimed at the Audience of Traders
ICM Capital is considered the industry leader in deposits and withdrawals, whereby each withdrawal does not take more than five business days. Moreover, the company offers its customers a handy credit card to withdraw their profits, in addition to enabling customers to use various deposit methods. The company, which is licensed by the UK's FCA, has several branches around the world. Among other things, it has a rich portfolio of assets, especially stocks, offers a low spread, as well as the ability to use MT4.
Broker Evaluation | 8.11 |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $500 |
Islamic Account | Yes |
Payment Methods | Bank transfer, credit card, electronic payment providers, crypto |
Main Branch | United Kingdom |
Customer Service | 24/5 |
Demo Account | Yes |
Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, Web Platform |
Tradeview Forex, interchangeably known as Tradeview Markets, was established in 2004 and is headquartered in the Cayman Islands, setting itself up as a significant player in the online FOREX and CFD trading world. Regulated by the Cayman Island Monetary Authority (CIMA) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), Tradeview Forex is a reliable platform in a competitive market. The broker’s commitment to offering a broad and accessible trading environment shines through with its low deposit requirement and how it provides various advanced trading platforms to clientele.
Broker Evaluation | 7 |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $450 |
Islamic Account | Yes |
Payment Methods | Bank transfer, credit card, electronic payment providers, crypto |
Main Branch | Cayman Islands |
Customer Service | 24/5 |
Demo Account | Yes |
Trading Platforms | Proprietary Platform, MT4, MT5, Web Platform |
What distinguishes XTB from other brokers is the fact that it offers the best customer experience among all the companies we have surveyed. Indeed, it boasts the fastest response rate from all the companies under investigation. This is especially relevant since the market is always on-the-go, and so you need to act fast. XTB offers lots of asset classes, as well as the ability to use the MT4 trading platform. Finally, it maintains a relatively low spread, which is suitable for quick deals.
Broker Evaluation | 8.55 |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $500 |
Islamic Account | Yes |
Payment Methods | Bank transfer, credit card, electronic payment providers |
Main Branch | United Kingdom |
Customer Service | 24/5 |
Demo Account | Yes |
Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Web Platform |
Broker Evaluation | 7.54 |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $250 |
Islamic Account | Yes |
Payment Methods | Bank transfer, credit card, electronic payment providers |
Main Branch | United Kingdom |
Customer Service | 24/5 |
Demo Account | Yes |
Trading Platforms | Proprietary Platform, MT4, Web Platform |
Saxo Bank is considered one of the best investment banks in financial markets and currencies, as it offers the very best trading platform and tools from all the companies we have reviewed. Meanwhile, its spreads are very low and, as such, suitable for short-term deals; and it offers a large number of asset classes, including currencies, commodities, indices etc. Finally, its customer service is excellent and very responsive to traders' needs.
Broker Evaluation | 6.09 |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $5000 |
Islamic Account | No |
Payment Methods | Bank transfer, credit card |
Main Branch | Copenhagen, Denmark |
Customer Service | 24/5 |
Demo Account | Yes |
Trading Platforms | SaxoTrader |
CMC Markets is a well-regarded broker offering some 9,000 asset classes that encompass currencies, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, bonds, and stocks. The company offers relatively low spreads, access to MT4, and fast customer service. It is most suited for traders looking for diversity in asset classes.
Broker Evaluation | 7.07 |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $0 |
Islamic Account | No |
Payment Methods | Bank transfer, credit card, electronic payment providers |
Main Branch | United Kingdom |
Customer Service | 24/5 |
Demo Account | Yes |
Trading Platforms | Proprietary Platform, MT4, Web Platform |
Originally founded in New Zealand in 2010, and moving to Australia within the space of their first two years, ThinkMarkets is a global online brokerage focusing on FOREX and CFD trading. In addition to a range of major and minor currency pairs. ThinkMarkets has an array of CFDs on offer. This includes indices, as well as hard and soft commodities.
Broker Evaluation | 8.05 |
Regulations | |
Minimum Deposit | $0 |
Islamic Account | Yes |
Payment Methods | Bank transfer, credit card, electronic payment providers, crypto |
Main Branch | Australia |
Customer Service | 24/7 |
Demo Account | Yes |
Trading Platforms | Proprietary Platform, Web Platform, MT4, MT5 |
There is a high degree of risk involved in trading securities like FOREX, or CFDs, which are highly complex instruments. As a trader, you could be exposed to excessive leverage, questionable broker tactics, market volatility, and limited regulatory protection. Despite your best trading techniques and risk management strategies, your efforts may not be profitable, and you could suffer losses.
It is common knowledge to established traders that the FOREX market is the largest financial market in the world at some six trillion dollars daily, followed by the credit market. The FOREX market operates 24 hours a day and five days a week (Monday through Friday), except for international holidays. The foreign exchange market is a decentralized marketplace where global currencies are bought and sold. Currency trading is conducted electronically over the counter (OTC). This means that all transactions occur via computer networks between traders all over the world rather than on one centralized exchange. The best FOREX brokers in Germany play a key role in this regard by enabling clients to buy and sell through a trading platform.
FOREX brokers in Germany must be regulated by BaFin. This respected regulator oversees not only FOREX trading companies, but also financial organizations from the broader industry, such as banks, pensions funds and insurance companies.
Germany is a powerhouse economy and one of the main contributors to the European Economic Area (EEA). As per EEA financial sector agreements, all brokers regulated under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) can provide their services in Germany without establishing operations in the country.
This means that brokers regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) are free to enlist German nationals as customers. BaFin’s regulatory guidelines work hand-in-glove with MiFID, as do those of the FCA and the CySEC, meaning there is a common set of best practices observed within each regulator.
Germany sets a high bar in terms of minimum operating capital for FOREX brokers. This is a deterrent to all but the most serious players. BaFin requires brokers to keep anywhere from €750,000 to €5,000,000 in capital, depending on the size of their operation. It is for this reason that if a FOREX broker already has CySEC regulation, they are happier to observe its less onerous capital requirements while still being able to win German clients.
Germany is also thought to have a high tax structure, which makes it less attractive when compared to a low-tax jurisdiction like Cyprus, which can still offer strong regulation. Although BaFin calls the shots in Germany, there are other major regulators around the world. If you want to read more about some of the best-regarded regulators, read our article on regulation here.
Choosing a well-regulated broker isn't merely a matter of preference—it's a protective measure. When a broker is under the watch of a regulator, it undergoes stringent assessments to ensure transparency, fair trading practices and your financial security. Opting for an unregulated broker brings with it significant risks.
To ensure that your broker is legit, you can follow these steps:
Ask if the broker is licensed to sell you FOREX
Check if the broker is registered with BaFin or another regulator
Ask if your broker is part of a compensation scheme
Check your statements regularly to ensure that everything is above board.
Remember that it's important to comply with all applicable requirements, including any self-regulatory organizations to which brokers belong, and not just those mentioned here.
Be Careful of Non-Regulated Brokers
Your broker should be regulated by a reputable authority who has a history of strong oversight. Your broker does not have to be regulated by an overseas watchdog, you can also go with a regulator in your jurisdiction. To check if your broker is registered with a regulator, navigate to the regulator’s official website.
Leverage refers to the use of borrowed money to increase the potential return on an investment. It allows traders or investors to control larger positions in a market than their own capital would permit. However, while leverage can magnify profits, it also increases the potential for higher losses. on the regulator under which your broker works, you will encounter different policies relative to leverage. Key regulators have implemented specific rules to limit the leverage offered to retail traders as a means of consumer protection.
Here are selected leverage rules according to some key regulators:
The BaFin, Germany, and also FCA, UK
30:1 for major currency pairs
20:1 for non-major currency pairs, gold and major indices
10:1 for commodities other than gold and non-major equity indices
5:1 for individual equities and other reference values
2:1 for cryptocurrencies
Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), Switzerland:
FINMA has not set specific leverage limits. However, Swiss brokers must adhere to rigorous capital and risk management requirements, ensuring they don't offer excessively high leverage that could endanger their solvency or their clients' funds.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), USA:
The CFTC enforces a 50:1 leverage limit on major currency pairs and a 20:1 limit on non-major currency pairs for retail FOREX traders. The U.S. has a distinct regulatory environment, with retail FOREX trading regulated separately from other forms of derivatives trading.
It's worth noting that these rules generally apply to retail clients. Professional or institutional clients might have access to different levels of leverage, depending on the regulatory environment and the broker's policies. As we can see, responsible regulators closely monitor leverage levels. Leverage is a double-edged sword because you can make a lot of money, but you can just as easily suffer heavy losses.
Leverage, while offering handsome profits, significantly increases potential losses. Engaging in high leverage trading without a robust risk management strategy is like navigating treacherous financial waters without a safety net. Approach leverage with caution, employ sound trading strategies, and always try to develop a comprehensive understanding of market behaviors and how they affect your portfolio when you trade on leverage.
Spread | Commission | Swap | Islamic Account | |
Currencies | Starting from 1.3 Pips | 0$ | No | Available |
Stocks | Starting from 18 Pips | 0$ | Yes | Unavailable |
Commodities | Starting from 2.3 Pips | 0$ | No | Available |
Indices | Starting from 4 Pips | 0$ | Yes | Unavailable |
Spread | Commission | Swap | Islamic Account | |
Currencies | Starting from 0.14 Pips | $0 | No | Available |
Stocks | Starting from 0 Pips | $0 | No | Available |
Commodities | Starting from 2 cent | $0 | No | Available |
Indices | Starting from 0.2 Pips | $0 | No | Available |
Spread | Commission | Swap | Islamic Account | |
Currencies | Starting from 0.2 Pips | 0$ | No | Available |
Stocks | Not Mentioned | 0$ | Yes | Unavailable |
Commodities | Starting from 8 Pips | 0$ | No | Available |
Indices | Starting from 4 Pips | 0$ | Yes | Unavailable |
Spread | Commission | Swap | Islamic Account | |
Currencies | Starting from 0.6 Pips | 0$ | Yes | Unavailable |
Stocks | Starting from 2.4 Pips | 0$ | Yes | Unavailable |
Commodities | Starting from 0.1 Pips | 0$ | Yes | Unavailable |
Indices | Starting from 0.2 Pips | 0$ | Yes | Unavailable |
Spread | Commission | Swap | Islamic Account | |
Currencies | Starting from 0.9 Pips | $0 | Yes | Unavailable |
Stocks | Starting from $0.02 | $6 | Yes | Unavailable |
Commodities | Starting from $0.6 | $6 | Yes | Unavailable |
Indices | Starting from $0.7 | $6 | Yes | Unavailable |
Spread | Commission | Swap | Islamic Account | |
Currencies | Starting from 0.5 Pips | $0 | Yes | Unavailable |
Stocks | Starting from $0.2 | $10 | Yes | Unavailable |
Commodities | Starting from 0.2 Pips | $0 | Yes | Unavailable |
Indices | Starting from 0.5 Pips | $0 | Yes | Unavailable |
Spread | Commission | Swap | Islamic Account | |
Currencies | Starting from 0.4 Pips | $0 | Yes | Unavailable |
Stocks | Starting from 0.1% | $0 | Yes | Unavailable |
Commodities | Starting from $0.19 | $0 | Yes | Unavailable |
Indices | Starting from 0.4 Pips | $0 | Yes | Unavailable |
Brokers | Currency pairs | Stocks | Indices | Commodities | Crypto | ETFs |
ICM Capital | 67 Pairs | 89 Shares | 17 Indices | 12 Commodity | 6 Coins | Unavailable |
Tradview | 80 Pairs | 5000 Shares | 10 Indices | 10 Commodity | 30 Coins | Unavailable |
XTB | 57 Pairs | 1848 Shares | 36 Indices | 22 Commodity | 22 Coins | 135 ETFs |
IG | 81 Pairs | 21714 Shares | 49 Indices | 39 Commodity | 11 Coins | 12858 ETFs |
Saxo Bank | 320 Pairs | 22000 Shares | 49 Indices | 39 Commodity | 9 Coins | 6700 ETFs |
CMC Markets | 330 Pairs | 8000 Shares | 80 Indices | 100 Commodity | 18 Coins | 200 ETFs |
Think Markets | 46 Pairs | 3750 Shares | 15 Indices | 11 Commodity | 21 Coins | 350 ETFs |
Method | Credit Card | Wire Transfer | Skrill | Neteller | Cryptocurrency | PayPal |
Deposit fee | 0$ | $0 + Bank commission | 1.9% | 2.5% | Unavailable | 3.75% |
Withdrawal fee | 0$ | $15 | 1% | $0 | Unavailable | 2% |
Method | Credit Card | Wire Transfer | Skrill | Neteller | Cryptocurrency | PayPal |
Deposit fee | 0$ | 0$ | 1.9% | 2.5% | $0 | 3.75% |
Withdrawal fee | 0$ | 0$ | 1% | $0 | $0 | 2% |
Method | Credit Card | Wire Transfer | Skrill | Neteller | Cryptocurrency | PayPal |
Deposit fee | 0$ | $0 + Bank commission | 1% | 1% | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Withdrawal fee | 1.5% | 30$ | 1% | 1% | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Method | Credit Card | Wire Transfer | Skrill | Neteller | Cryptocurrency | PayPal |
Deposit fee | 0$ | $0 + Bank commission | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | 3.4% + fixed fee |
Withdrawal fee | 0$ | $0 + Bank commission | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | 3.4% + fixed fee |
Method | Credit Card | Wire Transfer | Skrill | Neteller | Cryptocurrency | PayPal |
Deposit fee | 0$ | $0 + Bank commission | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Withdrawal fee | 0$ | $0 + Bank commission | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Method | Credit Card | Wire Transfer | Skrill | Neteller | Cryptocurrency | PayPal |
Deposit fee | 0$ | $0 + Bank commission | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Withdrawal fee | 0$ | $0 + Bank commission | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Method | Credit Card | Wire Transfer | Skrill | Neteller | Cryptocurrency | PayPal |
Deposit fee | 0$ | $0 + Bank commission | 0$ | 2.5% | Not mentioned | Unavailable |
Withdrawal fee | 0$ | $0 + Bank commission | 5.50$ | 0-7.5% | Not mentioned | Unavailable |
Live Chat | Phone | |||
Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
Quick response | Very Fast | Very Fast | Very Fast | Very Fast |
Live Chat | Phone | |||
Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
Quick response | Quick response | Fast | Fast | Fast |
Live Chat | Phone | |||
Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Available |
Quick response | Very Fast | Moderate | Moderate | Not Available |
Live Chat | Phone | |||
Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Available |
Quick response | Very Fast | Very Fast | Moderate | Not Available |
Live Chat | Phone | |||
Available | Available | Not Available | Available | Not Available |
Quick response | Slow | Not Available | Moderate | Not Available |
Live Chat | Phone | |||
Available | Available | Not Available | Available | Not Available |
Quick response | Moderate | Not Available | Moderate | Not Available |
Live Chat | Phone | |||
Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Available |
Quick response | Moderate | Fast | Moderate | Not Available |
Tip for those who have no experience
We believe that a solid foundation in education and research is essential for every successful trader. That’s why we’ve created a set of resources specifically for you. Our comprehensive articles provide an understanding of the basics, while our videos offer insights from industry insiders. Stay updated with the latest developments in the market through our newsfeed, signals, and detailed analytics.
A regulated broker adheres to a stringent set of guidelines and operational standards, designed to ensure transparency, security, and integrity in all transactions. Electing to trade with an unregulated broker amplifies the risk of financial loss, fraud, and exposure to unethical practices. For a list of the best regulators, read our article here.
Our findings reveal that ICM’s ECN account offers unsurpassed low fees for entry level and experienced traders alike.
The team at Arincen collected more than 120 pieces of data covering more than 100 licensed FOREX companies. Data collection was done in three ways:
Companies’ Websites.
Other Websites that have ranked FOREX companies.
A survey questionnaire (referred to here as Survey “1”) we had sent to the companies invited to participate in the exercise. We have identified 13 criteria for our assessment, each containing several aspects and carrying its own relative weight. These include licensing, deposits and withdrawals, number of assets, etc.
Afterwards, we validated the data by:
Registering with FOREX companies as a secret shopper and/or as Arincen.
Survey number “2,” in which we asked these companies’ customers for important feedback and experience.
The next step saw us evaluate and rank each company, relying on the hard work of 15 Arincen employees. We were very careful in ensuring the most accurate assessment possible, including considering different languages, as well as the various mobile-app operating systems, e.g., Apple, Samsung, etc.
To add credibility to our research project, we sent a final and third survey (referred to here as Survey “3”) to enable participating FOREX companies to evaluate our research and whether it accurately reflects the realities on the ground. We were fortunate enough to receive a mark of 9.9 out of 10! We have kept to a minimum the margin of error, which stood at a measly 1%. To learn more about how we came up with the evaluation, please click here.
Forex Risk Disclaimer
Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade foreign exchange you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with foreign exchange trading, and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts.
Yes, trading FOREX trading is legal in Germany. As a highly developed free market economy, it has no restrictions on this activity.
The FOREX market is a place where worldwide currencies are bought and sold. It is a large and dynamic marketplace that requires technologically superior tools if you are to participate as a retail trader. The market operates 24 hours a day and five days a week (Monday through Friday), except international holidays.
FOREX trading involves buying and selling different global currencies for a profit. Retail traders select a currency pair and, in anticipation of market-driven changes in value, wait for an opportune moment to make a sale for a profit.
FOREX brokers charge any combination of commissions, spreads, and financing fees. Brokers can either charge a spread (the difference between the buy and sell price of a currency pair) and include their facility fee in the spread, or they can charge only a market rate spread and levy a commission per trade outside the spread. Financing fees come into play if you hold your position overnight. You must pay a financing cost for the benefit of keeping your positions open for an extended time.
As high market availability is key to FOREX trading, you must pick a brokerage firm that is able to provide good customer support around the clock. Company representatives must be easy to reach, well-trained, and knowledgeable enough to be of use in times of difficulty.
Yes, FOREX trading is taxable in Germany. Traders must prepare an annual reconciliation of their winning trades, minus their losing trades, and declare any profits for tax purposes. As always, you should contact a tax professional to understand your full tax liability.