Best STP Brokers 2025
We’ve tested and selected the best Straight-Through Processing (STP) brokers based on their transparency, competitive spreads, and reliable order execution, ensuring efficient trading.
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1Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a top brokerage firm offering access to 150 markets in 33 countries and a range of investment services. With 40 years in the field, this company listed on Nasdaq strictly follows the rules set by authorities such as the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC. It's recognized as one of the most reliable brokers for global trading.
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2Established in 1999, FOREX.com is part of StoneX, a global financial services company that serves over a million customers. It's regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia, and other countries. The broker offers a wide range of markets beyond forex and provides competitive pricing on advanced platforms.
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3Capitalcore is a foreign trading broker located in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, founded in 2019. It offers four account types (Classic, Silver, Gold, VIP), which provide decreasing spreads and increasing bonuses as traders upgrade. The broker's standout features are its high leverage up to 1:2000 and no swap fees. However, these benefits do not make up for its insufficient monitoring from the IFSA and lackluster educational and research resources.
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4Plexytrade, founded in 2024 and based in Saint Lucia, is an ECN/STP broker. It caters to active traders and offers four account choices. It also allows crypto transactions and a notably high leverage of up to 1:2000, due to its unregulated status.
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5Founded in 2006, AvaTrade is a top forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Regulated in 9 regions, it handles more than 2 million trades monthly. AvaTrade offers platforms like MT4, MT5, and WebTrader, with over 1,250 instruments. Traders of all levels can explore CFDs, AvaOptions, and AvaFutures for short-term trading. AvaTrade provides excellent education and 24/5 multilingual customer support for a complete trading experience.
Compare The Best STP Brokers Across Key Features
We thoroughly tested and the top STP brokers - here’s how they compare on the features that matter most:
| Broker |  |
USD Account |
Demo Account |
Minimum Deposit |
Minimum Trade |
Leverage |
Copy Trading |
Regulator |
Instruments |
Platforms |
Account Currencies |
Automated Trading |
AI |
Guaranteed Stop Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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✓ | ✓ | $0 | $100 | 1:50 | ✗ | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF | Capitalise.ai & TWS API | ✓ | ✗ | |
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✓ | ✓ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | 1:50 | ✗ | NFA, CFTC | Forex, Stock CFDs, Futures, Futures OptionsForex, CFDs, Stock CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto | WebTrader, Mobile, MT4, MT5, TradingView | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✓ | ✗ | |
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✓ | ✓ | $10 | 0.01 Lots | 1:2000 | ✗ | IFSA | Forex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures Indices, Binary Options | WebTrader, Pro | USD | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | |
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✓ | ✓ | $50 | 0.01 | 1:2000 | ✗ | ✗ | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Crypto | MT4, MT5 | USD, EUR | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✗ | ✗ | |
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✓ | ✓ | $300$100 | 0.01 Lots | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) | ✓ | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✗ | ✗ | |
| Broker | |
USD Account |
Demo Account |
Minimum Deposit |
Minimum Trade |
Leverage |
Copy Trading |
Regulator |
Instruments |
Platforms |
Account Currencies |
Automated Trading |
AI |
Guaranteed Stop Loss |
How Secure Are The Top STP Brokers?
Regulation, fund protection, and transparency are key. Here’s how the best STP brokers ensure your money is secure:
| Broker | Trust Rating |
Guaranteed Stop Loss |
Negative Balance Protection |
Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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✗ | ✓ | ✓ | |
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✗ | ✓ | ✗ | |
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✗ | ✓ | ✓ | |
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✗ | ✓ | ✓ | |
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✗ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Broker | Trust Rating |
Guaranteed Stop Loss |
Negative Balance Protection |
Segregated Accounts |
Mobile Apps From The Best STP Brokers
Want to trade with STP execution on the go? Here’s how the leading STP brokers performed in our mobile tests:
| Broker | Mobile Apps |
iOS Rating |
Android Rating |
Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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iOS & Android | ✓ | ||
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iOS & Android | ✗ | ||
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Android, Webtrader | ✗ | ||
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iOS & Android | ✗ | ||
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iOS & Android | ✗ | ||
| Broker | Mobile Apps |
iOS Rating |
Android Rating |
Smart Watch App |
Are The Top STP Brokers Good For Beginners?
New to STP trading? Here's how these brokers offer user-friendly platforms with STP execution, ideal for getting started:
| Broker | Demo Account |
Minimum Deposit |
Minimum Trade |
Education Rating |
Support Rating |
Fractional Shares |
Demo Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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✓ | $0 | $100 | ✓ | ✗ | ||
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✓ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ✗ | ✗ | ||
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✓ | $10 | 0.01 Lots | ✗ | ✗ | ||
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✓ | $50 | 0.01 | ✗ | ✗ | ||
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✓ | $300$100 | 0.01 Lots | ✗ | ✗ | ||
| Broker | Demo Account |
Minimum Deposit |
Minimum Trade |
Education Rating |
Support Rating |
Fractional Shares |
Demo Competitions |
Are The Top STP Brokers Suitable For Advanced Traders?
For experienced traders who demand fast execution and no dealing desk interference, here’s how the top STP brokers can support you:
| Broker | Automated Trading |
VPS |
API |
AI |
Pro Account |
Leverage |
Low Latency |
Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Capitalise.ai & TWS API | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 1:50 | ✓ | ✓ |
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Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 1:50 | ✓ | ✗ |
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✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | 1:2000 | ✗ | ✗ |
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Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | 1:2000 | ✓ | ✗ |
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Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Broker | Automated Trading |
VPS |
API |
AI |
Pro Account |
Leverage |
Low Latency |
Extended Hours |
Accounts Comparison
Compare the trading accounts offered by Best STP Brokers 2025.
| Broker | Demo Account |
Interest on Cash |
Islamic Account |
Joint Account |
Managed Account |
PAMM |
MAM |
LAMM |
Pro Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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✓ | USD: 4.8%, GBP: 4.7% | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
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✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
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✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
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✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
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✓ | USD: 2.7% | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Broker | Demo Account |
Interest on Cash |
Islamic Account |
Joint Account |
Managed Account |
PAMM |
MAM |
LAMM |
Pro Account |
Detailed Ratings: Best STP Account Brokers
See how each STP broker scored in our data-backed ratings system:
| Broker | Trust |
Platforms |
Assets |
Mobile |
Fees |
Accounts |
Research |
Education |
Support |
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| Broker | Trust |
Platforms |
Assets |
Mobile |
Fees |
Accounts |
Research |
Education |
Support |
Fees & Trading Costs Comparison
We compared spreads and execution costs to highlight which of the top STP brokers offer the most competitive pricing:
| Broker | Cost Rating |
Fixed Spreads |
Inactivity Fee |
CFD Stocks Spread |
EUR/USD Spread |
Crypto Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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✗ | $0 | 0.003 | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | 0.12%-0.18% | |
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✗ | $15 | 0.14 | 1.2 | BTC 1.4%, ETH 2% | |
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✗ | $0 | 1.5 (Apple) | 0.4 | $45 | |
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✗ | ✗ | 5 | 0.7 | 1.1 | |
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✓ | $50 | 0.13 | 0.9 | BTC <1%, ETH 2% | |
| Broker | Cost Rating |
Fixed Spreads |
Inactivity Fee |
CFD Stocks Spread |
EUR/USD Spread |
Crypto Spread |
Which Top STP Brokers Are Most Popular?
Curious where active traders are going? These STP brokers are attracting the highest sign-ups:
| Broker | Popularity |
|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers |
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| FOREX.com |
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| AvaTrade |
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Why Trade With Interactive Brokers?
Interactive Brokers is ideal for seasoned traders due to its robust charting platforms, updated data, and adaptability, especially with the IBKR Desktop application. Its exceptional pricing and advanced order features appeal to traders, and its variety of stocks remains unmatched in the market.
Pros
- The new IBKR Desktop platform combines the advantages of TWS and adds unique tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to make trading accessible and impressive for traders of all levels.
- IBKR provides a cost-effective platform for traders by offering low fees, narrow spreads, and clear pricing.
- There's a large selection of free or paid research subscriptions available to all traders. If you subscribe to Toggle AI, you will also receive commission refunds from IBKR.
Cons
- Only one active session per account is allowed, which means you can't run the desktop version and mobile app at the same time. This can sometimes lead to a frustrating trading experience.
- IBKR offers many research tools. However, the tools are not uniformly distributed across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page, causing confusion for the users.
- TWS's platform may be difficult for beginners to grasp because of its complexity. Plus500's web platform, on the other hand, is more appropriate for those new to trading.
Why Trade With FOREX.com?
FOREX.com is a top-tier brokerage suitable for forex traders of all skill levels. It offers more than 80 currency pairs, has small spreads starting from 0.0 pips, and features low fees. The platform provides powerful charting tools that include over 100 technical indicators and multiple research aids.
Pros
- Numerous educational materials such as tutorials, webinars, and a comprehensive YouTube channel are available to assist you in learning about the financial markets.
- FOREX.com has over 20 years of experience with strong regulatory oversight, and has received multiple awards, including second place in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards. As such, FOREX.com is globally reputed as a reliable trading brokerage.
- The Web Trader remains one of the top platforms for budding traders, boasting a sleek design and more than 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
Cons
- Demo accounts have a limited time duration of 90 days, which may not be sufficient for thoroughly testing trading strategies.
- US clients do not have negative balance protection, so you can potentially owe more than your original account deposit.
- FOREX.com has expanded their trading offerings, but these remain limited to forex and CFDs. Unfortunately, they don't provide options to invest in actual stocks, ETFs, or cryptocurrencies.
Why Trade With Capitalcore?
Capitalcore offers up to 1:2000 leverage options and does not charge commission or swap fees. However, it lacks strong IFSA regulatory oversight and does not provide educational resources, making it less competitive than leading brokers.
Pros
- As a relatively new player in binary options, its transparent, accessible service earned second place in DayTrading.com's 2025 'Best Binary Broker' award.
- Capitalcore, unlike many brokers, provides a quick and limitless demo account for trading.
- The support team is available around the clock and provided immediate, useful responses during our test.
Cons
- The platform only supports its own software and does not integrate with popular trading tools like MetaTrader or cTrader. These tools offer economic news and automatic trading features.
- Capitalcore is not overseen by key financial bodies and lacks a proven track record, which questions the security of client investments.
- Capitalcore's limited education and research offerings are inferior to top tier firms such as IG, making it less ideal for new traders.
Why Trade With Plexytrade?
Plexytrade is a new trading platform offering attractive features such as a 1:2000 leverage, zero spreads on certain instruments, and quick execution speeds of less than 46 milliseconds. However, the company is not regulated which is a substantial issue, and the lack of research and educational tools puts it behind other leading platforms.
Pros
- Plexytrade is a unique offshore broker that accepts US residents as clients. This makes it one of the few offshore brokers that serve US-based traders.
- Plexytrade supports various trading tactics such as quick buying and selling, risk management, and computer-based trading.
- Plexytrade provides up to 1:2000 leverage, one of the highest rates available. It's designed for experienced traders who opt to bypass regulatory safeguards.
Cons
- The platform lacks research and education tools, unlike IG. Also, only clients with at least $500 can view the economic calendar.
- Plexytrade only accepts deposits and withdrawals through cryptocurrencies. It does not support bank cards, wire transfers, or e-wallets.
- Plexytrade, offering about 100 instruments, limits the options for traders interested in a variety of assets. This is particularly noticeable when compared to Blackbull, which has 26,000 securities.
Why Trade With AvaTrade?
AvaTrade provides traders with essential tools: an intuitive WebTrader, strong AvaProtect risk management, a quick 5-minute sign-up, and reliable support for fast-paced markets.
Pros
- AvaTrade introduced AvaFutures to provide low-margin access to global markets. In 2025, it expanded by adding CME's Micro Grain Futures, which are financially settled contracts at 1/10th the size of standard contracts for key commodities such as corn, wheat, and soybeans.
- AvaTrade's support team did well in tests, responding within 3 minutes and providing local support in major regions like the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
- Years later, AvaTrade is still among the few brokers with a custom risk management tool, AvaProtect, which insures losses up to $1M for a fee and is simple to use on the platform.
Cons
- Signing up is easy, but AvaTrade doesn't offer an ECN account like Pepperstone or IC Markets, which provides raw spreads and fast execution that many traders want.
- While the deposit process is smooth, AvaTrade doesn't support crypto payments, unlike TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
- AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but it needs more customization as widgets like market watch and watchlists can't be hidden, moved, or resized.
Filters
How BrokerListings.com Chose The Top STP Brokers
We ranked the best STP brokers using a combination of overall ratings and deep-dive testing across 200+ data points – from execution quality and platform performance to pricing transparency and regulatory standing.
As part of our methodology, we specifically record whether each broker offers Straight Through Processing (STP), verifying claims through documentation and, when necessary, directly contacting broker support teams.
This ensures our STP rankings reflect real execution models rather than just marketing language, helping traders avoid dealing desk interference and access genuine market pricing.
What To Look For In an STP Broker
When we talk about Straight Through Processing, we’re talking about a type of forex account that’s all about clean, direct order flow. Many of the best trading accounts that we’ve tested offer the STP model.
With an STP model, there’s no dealing desk interference. Your trades get passed straight through to the liquidity providers, meaning no re-quotes, fewer delays, and — in theory — better pricing and execution.
So, what should you look for in a true STP account?
True STP Execution: No Dealing Desk, No Nonsense
First off, transparency. A genuine STP broker won’t hedge against your trades or take the other side of them. That means no conflict of interest — they’re not betting on you to lose.
Next, depth of liquidity is crucial. More liquidity providers typically result in tighter spreads and faster fills. Add to that reliable execution speed, and you’re looking at an account that can keep up with fast-moving markets.
Finally, no re-quotes or slippage games. In a true STP model, your order should execute at the best available price, without any mystery or manipulation.
Top Pick for True STP Execution: In our tests, we found Pepperstone consistently delivers the kind of STP performance we expect when we’re trading real money in real market conditions.
Pepperstone operates with no dealing desk intervention, and their execution speed is impressive; we’re talking as low as 30 milliseconds on average, even during volatile sessions. That’s fast enough to make a difference when markets are moving, and we’ve seen it hold up during key economic releases.
What stood out to us was the depth of liquidity. Pepperstone aggregates prices from over 20 tier-one banks and financial institutions, which gives them a serious edge in both pricing and execution reliability.
Pepperstone cTrader Spotware platform SPX500
Fast and Reliable Trade Execution: Because Every Millisecond Counts
In online trading, speed isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Brokers with fast and reliable trade execution can be the difference between a profitable entry and a missed opportunity. Especially when you’re trading around news events or volatile market sessions, a fraction of a second can move the price just enough to sting.
What exactly should we be looking for when it comes to execution quality?
First, low latency — that’s the time it takes between clicking “buy” and your order hitting the market. The lower, the better. We’re looking for brokers who utilize advanced server infrastructure, co-located near major financial hubs such as London and New York.
Second, minimal slippage. Slippage happens when your order fills at a different price than expected. It’s not always avoidable, especially in fast markets, but good STP brokers reduce it to the bare minimum with smart routing and high-speed connections.
And finally, consistency. It’s not enough for a broker to be fast once in a while. We want to see reliable execution across all trading hours, not just when things are quiet.
Top Pick for Fast and Reliable Trade Execution: After running side-by-side tests across multiple platforms, FxPro stood out to us for how consistently fast and stable their trade execution is.
FxPro offers ultra-low latency execution with most orders processed in under 13 milliseconds. They use Equinix data centres in London and Amsterdam, which are among the best in the industry for cutting down order routing times.
What impressed us most wasn’t just the speed — it was the stability under pressure. We threw high-frequency trades at their servers during overlapping London/New York sessions, and FxPro handled it with zero slippage on the majority of our market orders. That’s rare, especially when spreads are moving quickly.
FxPro also uses a no-dealing-desk execution model on their cTrader platform, which we personally tested. We found order fills to be not only fast but also highly accurate, with no funny business on re-quotes.
Tight Spreads and Transparent Commission: Keep More of What You Earn
When you’re trading frequently or dealing in large volumes, spreads and commissions aren’t just minor details – they directly eat into your bottom line. That’s why we always pay close attention to how tight the spreads are and whether the commission structure is clearly explained upfront.
First, low raw spreads. We want STP brokers that offer interbank-level pricing — the kind that sits close to zero on major currency pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD. When spreads are low, especially during peak market hours, you’re starting from a better position on every single trade.
Second, we need commission clarity. No hidden fees, no complicated formulas. Just a clear, per-lot commission that lets you know exactly what you’re paying. We always appreciate when brokers show the all-in cost (spread + commission) right on the platform — no mental math required.
This combination of tight spreads and transparent commissions is what truly sets apart STP brokers that cater to serious traders from those that merely claim to do so.
Top Pick for Spreads and Commissions: In our experience, FXCC excels when it comes to low-cost trading. During our testing, we consistently saw raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips on majors — and yes, that’s even during active market hours, not just in the quiet Asian session.
What we appreciated most was their clear-cut commission structure. On their ECN XL account, which is where we did most of our trading, there are no commissions at all, which is rare for a raw spread account. That’s because FXCC factors the cost into their spreads, which still came out tighter than most commission-based models we compared.
To make things even easier, FXCC displays real-time bid/ask pricing from multiple liquidity providers right on their MT4 platform. We liked seeing exactly what we were getting — no smoke, no mirrors. When we tallied up the total cost per trade, FXCC regularly came out ahead of more expensive brokers with “standard” accounts.
FXCC MT4 platform EUR/USD chart
Platform and Tools: Trade Your Way, Without Limitations
Your trading platform is your command centre. If it’s clunky, limited, or missing the tools you rely on, your strategy is going to suffer. That’s why we always look beyond just execution and pricing. We want platforms that give us options, both in terms of technology and features.
The basics? Sure, we expect support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) — they’re industry standards for a reason. But more and more traders (ourselves included) are also looking for modern alternatives like cTrader or advanced proprietary platforms that bring something fresh to the table.
On the feature side, here’s what we consider must-haves:
- Depth of Market (DOM): A clear look at liquidity and order flow for smarter entries and exits.
- One-click trading: Speed counts, especially when you’re scalping or trading during volatile news events.
- Trading APIs: For coders and algo traders, this one’s big. We want direct access to market data and execution via a clean, well-documented API.
We’ve tested all of this across several STP brokers, and one in particular stood out for its platform variety and serious toolset.
Top Pick for Platform and Tools: When it comes to versatility and trading technology, XTB deserves some serious credit. While they do support MetaTrader 4, their real star is the xStation 5 platform — a proprietary system that we’ve spent a lot of time with, and frankly, we’re impressed.
xStation 5 is clean, fast, and packed with features we use, like built-in Depth of Market (DOM), real-time performance analytics, and a surprisingly robust economic calendar baked right into the interface. One-click trading is standard, and the platform handles large order sizes efficiently, without freezing or delay, even under high-frequency testing conditions.
For advanced users, XTB also offers trading API access, which lets you build and test automated strategies directly with live data. We ran a custom script through their API, and the response times and stability were top-tier.
XTB xStation platform chart of EUR/USD spot trade
Trading Conditions: Flexibility Without the Fine Print
Good trading conditions don’t just make life easier — they can determine whether a strategy even works in the first place. Whether you’re just starting with a small deposit or running an advanced system with automated execution, the conditions your STP broker offers need to match your goals.
Here’s what we look for:
- Minimum deposit: Not everyone wants to drop $1,000 on day one — and you shouldn’t have to. A reasonable minimum deposit makes it easier to test the waters or scale up gradually.
- Maximum leverage: This one’s a balancing act. Some traders want more room to manoeuvre with leverage, while others prioritize tighter risk control. Either way, we expect brokers to offer options that suit both conservative and aggressive styles, depending on your region’s regulations.
- Scalping and Expert Advisors (EAs): If you’re using a true STP account, you should be free to scalp, run automated bots, and test out algorithmic strategies — no restrictions, no red tape.
Top Pick for Trading Conditions: If you’re looking for a broker that offers flexible, trader-friendly conditions without unnecessary hurdles, FOREX.com ticks all the boxes.
Let’s start with the minimum deposit — it’s just $100, which is great whether you’re just getting started or running multiple small accounts as part of your strategy testing. We ran several trial accounts ourselves to test setup speed, funding options, and execution, smooth across the board.
Forex.com also offers maximum leverage up to 1:200, depending on your jurisdiction. While regulators in regions like the UK or EU may cap leverage lower (usually around 1:20), FOREX.com tailors its leverage based on where you’re located, and makes that info very clear from the start.
Most importantly for STP traders, scalping and Expert Advisors (EAs) are fully supported. We ran several Expert Advisors on their MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms without a hitch — no platform slowdowns, no execution blocks, and no weird rule restrictions. That’s precisely what we expect from a broker that claims to offer real STP conditions.
Client Support, Reputation and Regulation: Trust Isn’t Optional
When you’re trading with real money — whether it’s $100 or $100,000 — you want to know your broker is actually on your side. That means reliable customer support, strong regulatory oversight, and a reputation that withstands scrutiny.
Here’s what we check every time we evaluate a STP broker:
- Client support hours and responsiveness: 24/5 support is the industry standard, but some go the extra mile with 24/7 help. We test live chat, email, and phone channels ourselves — because scripted replies and hour-long wait times aren’t acceptable.
- Regulation and licensing: This one’s non-negotiable. We primarily recommend brokers regulated by top-tier authorities like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the US.
Bonus points go to brokers that invest in education and analysis tools. Whether you’re new to the game or sharpening a long-term edge, good learning resources can make a big difference.
Top Pick for Support and Regulation: We’ve already praised Pepperstone for its execution, but where it excels is in trust and client service. This is a broker that checks every box when it comes to regulation, reputation, and trader support.
Let’s start with trust. Pepperstone is regulated by multiple tier-one authorities, including the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and DFSA (Dubai). That gives you broad protection, depending on your region, and signals that Pepperstone is playing in the big leagues when it comes to compliance and oversight.
Their 24/5 customer support is solid. We tested their live chat across different times of day, and responses were fast, human, and helpful — not just generic copy-paste replies. We also had email queries answered within a couple of hours, and the support team clearly understood both platform and technical questions.
Global Access and Funding Options: Easy In, Easy Out
Even the best trading conditions don’t mean much if you can’t fund your account smoothly or access your money when you need it. That’s why global reach and flexible payment options are a big part of how we evaluate brokers.
Here’s what we look for when it comes to account funding and access:
- Multiple deposit and withdrawal methods: Credit/debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller — the more, the better. Local options are a bonus for international traders.
- Multi-currency accounts: If you’re trading in more than one currency or trying to avoid unnecessary conversion fees, having a broker that supports multiple base currencies can save you real money.
- Fast processing times: No one wants to wait days for a withdrawal to go through. We test both deposits and withdrawals ourselves to see what’s real and what’s marketing fluff.
Top Pick for Global Access & Funding: When it comes to making your money move quickly and easily, XTB delivers one of the smoothest experiences we’ve had, especially for traders outside the usual hubs like the US or UK.
XTB supports a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers, Visa/Mastercard, and popular e-wallets such as PayPal, in select regions. What we liked is how they lay out fees (most methods are free), and how seamless the process is within the xStation 5 dashboard. We funded our test account in under five minutes and saw our withdrawal hit our bank in less than 24 hours — no drama.
For traders managing multiple currencies, XTB also offers multi-currency accounts. You can choose from several base currencies when you open your account — including USD, EUR, and GBP — which is excellent for reducing conversion costs if you’re working with international capital.