Best CFD Brokers In 2026
Discover our list of the best CFD brokers with great CFD trading platforms. Every CFD provider we recommend has been tested by our research team, earning a high overall rating and the trust of our experts.
Top 6 CFD Brokers
In May 2026 we have reviewed 141 brokers and our hands-on tests show that these are the 6 best CFD brokers in the Netherlands:
-
1
XTB75% of accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. -
2
Eightcap75% of retail traders lose money when trading CFDs -
3
XM -
4
AvaTrade -
5
Trade Nation -
6
Pepperstone75-95% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs
Why Are These Brokers the Best for CFD Trading?
Here is a short summary of why we think these are the best CFD brokers:
- XTB is the best CFD broker in the Netherlands in 2026 - XTB offers a huge selection of CFDs spanning forex, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and cryptos (location-dependent). Leverage up to 1:30 is available in the EU and UK, while global clients and pro traders can access up to 1:500. XTB stands out for its CFD trading resources and tutorials to assist traders in developing short-term trading strategies.
- Eightcap - Eightcap offers a wide range of trading options with 800+ CFDs across stocks, indices, bonds, commodities, and cryptocurrencies (depending on location), with leverage up to 1:30/1:500. It excels in its tools, notably the AI-enabled economic calendar covering 25+ countries with impact filters (high, medium, low). However, its commodities offering, particularly in softs like cotton and wheat, as well as the limited precious metal and energy assets, is its weakest area.
- XM - XM delivers for CFD traders with flexible leverage and a huge range of markets, including bespoke thematic indices for exposure to popular sectors like artificial intelligence. The MT4/MT5 platforms are also fast and dependable while a free VPS is available to qualifying XM traders running algo trading strategies.
- AvaTrade - AvaTrade's 1250+ leveraged CFD products span a wide range of asset classes including stocks, indices, commodities, bonds, crypto, and ETFs. What we love is that you can speculate on rising and falling prices in the broker’s feature-rich web and mobile platforms with market-leading research tools to help you discover short-term trading opportunities.
- Trade Nation - Trade leveraged CFDs on over 1000 assets with low-cost spreads. You can also take advantage of the broker's integrated signals to help you determine when to enter and exit positions.
- Pepperstone - Pepperstone maintains its position as one of the fastest and most dependable CFD brokers during our latest round of testing. With execution speeds averaging around 30ms and an outstanding fill rate of 99.90%, the broker ensures a seamless trading experience without requotes or dealing desk interference. It also provides ample trading opportunities across over 1,300 assets.
Compare the Best CFD Brokers on Key Attributes
Find the best CFD broker for you based on our comparison of key features important to CFD traders:
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Leverage | Platforms | Regulators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | $0 | 1:30 | xStation | FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC |
| Eightcap | $100 | 1:30 | MT4, MT5, TradingView | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSC, SCB, FSA |
| XM | $5 | 1:30 | MT4, MT5, TradingCentral | CySEC, DFSA, CMA, FSCA, SCA, FSA, FSC Belize, FSC Mauritius |
| AvaTrade | $100 | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, JFSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM |
| Trade Nation | $0 | 1:30 | TN Trader, MT4, TradingView | FCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA |
| Pepperstone | $0 | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | Pepperstone Trading Platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, SCA, CMA, SCB |
How Safe Are These CFD Brokers?
How dependable are the top CFD brokers and do they have features that help safeguard your funds?
| Broker | Trust Rating | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Negative Balance Protection | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Eightcap | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| XM | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| AvaTrade | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Trade Nation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Pepperstone | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Compare Mobile CFD Trading
Are these brokers good for mobile CFD Trading?
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| Eightcap | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| XM | iOS, Android & Windows | ✘ | ||
| AvaTrade | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Trade Nation | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Pepperstone | iOS & Android | ✘ |
Are the Top CFD Brokers Good for Beginners?
CFD trading beginners should use brokers that allow trading with virtual money (a demo account) and have other features that new traders need:
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Education Rating | Support Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Eightcap | ✔ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| XM | ✔ | $5 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| AvaTrade | ✔ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Trade Nation | ✔ | $0 | 0.1 Lots | ||
| Pepperstone | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots |
Are the Top CFD Brokers Good for Advanced Traders?
Experienced CFD traders should look for sophisticated tools to enhance the trading experience:
| Broker | Automated Trading | VPS | AI | Pro Account | Leverage | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | - | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ |
| Eightcap | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ |
| XM | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ |
| AvaTrade | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ |
| Trade Nation | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ |
| Pepperstone | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ |
Compare the Ratings of Top CFD Brokers
See how the top CFD brokers compare in all key areas according to our hands-on tests:
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Assets | Mobile | Fees | Accounts | Research | Education | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | |||||||||
| Eightcap | |||||||||
| XM | |||||||||
| AvaTrade | |||||||||
| Trade Nation | |||||||||
| Pepperstone |
Compare CFD Trading Fees
The cost of trading with a CFD broker will make a big difference over time. Here's how the top CFD providers stack up on costs:
| Broker | Cost Rating | Fixed Spreads | Inactivity Fee | CFD FTSE Spread | CFD GBP/USD Spread | CFD Oil Spread | CFD Stocks Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XTB | ✘ | €10 per 365 days | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.03 | 0.2% | |
| Eightcap | ✘ | $0 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.03 | 0.03 (Apple Inc) | |
| XM | ✘ | $5 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.03 | 0.002 | |
| AvaTrade | ✔ | $50 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.02 | 0.13 | |
| Trade Nation | ✔ | $0 | From 0.4 | From 0.6 | From 3.0 | Variable | |
| Pepperstone | ✔ | $0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 0.02 |
How Popular Are These CFD Brokers?
Many traders prefer the most popular CFD brokers, i.e those with the most signed up clients:
| Broker | Popularity |
|---|---|
| XM | |
| XTB | |
| Pepperstone | |
| AvaTrade | |
| Eightcap |
Why Trade CFDs with XTB?
"XTB stands out as a top choice for new day traders with the terrific xStation platform, low trading costs, no minimum deposit, and excellent educational tools, many of which are seamlessly integrated into the platform. "
Christian Harris, Reviewer
XTB Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 1.8 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 1.4 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.2% |
| Leverage | 1:30 |
| Regulator | FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC |
| Platforms | xStation |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- With an excellent range of educational materials, including training videos and articles integrated into the platform, XTB supports traders at all levels.
- XTB offers fast withdrawals with payment within 3 business days, depending on the method and amount.
- Opening an XTB account is a hassle-free, entirely online process that takes just a few minutes, making the entry into day trading smooth for new traders.
Cons
- The demo account expires after just four weeks, a serious limitation for traders who wish to thoroughly test the xStation platform and practice short-term strategies before committing real funds.
- The research tools at XTB are good but could be great if they went beyond in-house features with access to leading third-party tools such as Autochartist, Trading Central and TipRanks.
- Trading fees are competitive with average spreads of around 1 pip on the EUR/USD but still trail the cheapest brokers like IC Markets, plus there's an inactivity fee after 12 months.
Why Trade CFDs with Eightcap?
"Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms, education via Labs, and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 120+ crypto CFDs, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row."
Eightcap Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 1.2 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.1 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.03 (Apple Inc) |
| Leverage | 1:30 |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSC, SCB, FSA |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD |
Pros
- After bolstering its roster in 2021, Eightcap offers one of the most extensive selections of cryptocurrency CFDs in the market, with crypto/fiat pairs, crypto/crypto pairs, plus crypto indices for broader exposure to the market.
- Having excelled across all key areas for day traders, Eightcap outperformed every competitor to win our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024, also securing our 'Best Crypto Broker' title for 2025 and 'Best TradingView Broker' for 2025.
- Eightcap added TradeLocker in 2026 for certain regions, marking it out as the best regulated TradeLocker broker, while still delivering Eightcap's ultra-fast execution and low fees for active traders on the charting software.
Cons
- Eightcap needs to continue bolstering its suite of 800+ instruments to match category leaders like Blackbull Markets with its 26,000+ assets, featuring a particularly weak selection of commodities.
- The demo account expires after 30 days and can only be extended upon request - a notable inconvenience compared to the likes of XM with its unlimited demo mode.
- Despite a useful library of educational guides and e-books in Labs, Eightcap still trails IG’s comprehensive toolkit for aspiring traders with its dedicated IG Academy app and 18 course categories.
Why Trade CFDs with XM?
"With a low $5 minimum deposit, advanced charting platforms in MT4 and MT5, expanding range of markets, and a Zero account offering spreads from 0.0, XM provides all the essentials for active traders, even earning our ‘Best MT4/MT5 Broker’ award in recent years."
XM Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 1.4 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.8 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.002 |
| Leverage | 1:30 |
| Regulator | CySEC, DFSA, CMA, FSCA, SCA, FSA, FSC Belize, FSC Mauritius |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY |
Pros
- XM’s Zero account is ideal for day trading with spreads from 0.0 pips, 99.35% of orders executed in <1 second, and no requotes or rejections.
- XM’s growing roster of 1,400+ instruments provides diverse short-term trading opportunities, with unique turbo stocks, fractional shares, and more recently thematic indices.
- XM stands out for its commitment to trader education, with a wealth of well-presented resources, including webinars, tutorials, and even real-time trading sessions through XM Live.
Cons
- XM relies solely on the MetaTrader platforms for desktop trading, so there’s no in-house downloadable or web-accessible solution for a more beginner-friendly user experience with unique features.
- Although trusted and generally well-regulated, the XM global entity is registered with weak regulators like FSC Belize and UK clients are no longer accepted, reducing its market reach.
- XM is falling behind the curve by not offering cTrader and TradingView which are increasingly being favored over MetaTrader for their smoother user experience and superior charting packages.
Why Trade CFDs with AvaTrade?
"AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
AvaTrade Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 0.5 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 1.5 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.13 |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) |
| Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, JFSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM |
| Platforms | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD |
Pros
- The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
- Years on, AvaTrade remains one of the few brokers offering a bespoke risk management tool, AvaProtect, that insures losses up to $1M for a fee and is easy to activate on the platform.
- Support at AvaTrade performed excellently during testing, with response times of 3 minutes and localized support in major trading jurisdictions, including the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
Cons
- Although the deposit process itself is smooth, AvaTrade still doesn’t facilitate crypto payments, a feature increasingly offered by brokers like TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
- AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but work is still needed in terms of customizability – frustratingly widgets like market watch and watchlists can’t be hidden, moved, or resized.
- The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.
Why Trade CFDs with Trade Nation?
"Trade Nation is a good choice for newer traders looking for a wide range of financial markets on a user-friendly platform. There is no minimum deposit, free funding options and strong education."
Trade Nation Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | From 0.4 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | From 0.6 |
| Stocks Spread | Variable |
| Leverage | 1:30 |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA |
| Platforms | TN Trader, MT4, TradingView |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK |
Pros
- Multiple account currencies are accepted for global traders
- Trade Nation accounts can now be linked with TradingView, providing advanced multi-charts and the ability to execute trades directly
- The trading firm offers tight spreads and a transparent pricing schedule
Cons
- Fewer legal protections with offshore entity
Why Trade CFDs with Pepperstone?
"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/5 support (18h a day on weekends)."
Pepperstone Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 1.0 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.4 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.02 |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, SCA, CMA, SCB |
| Platforms | Pepperstone Trading Platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- Pepperstone has greatly improved the deposit and withdrawal experience in recent years, adding Apple Pay and Google Pay in 2025, as well as PIX and SPEI for clients in Brazil and Mexico in 2024.
- There’s support for a range of industry-leading charting platforms including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader, catering to various short-term trading styles, including algo trading.
- Award-winning customer support is available via telephone, email or live chat with response times of <5 minutes during testing and friendly agents knowledgeable about its products and trading tools.
Cons
- Execution may not feel as reliable in fast markets as headline speeds suggest. In our own testing, execution was fast at desired prices, but some community complaints focus on slippage, stop-loss fills and spread-sensitive order triggers during volatile conditions.
- Overnight holding fees are higher than that found with some Market Maker brokers (usually Benchmark + 2.5%). This makes pepperstone an ideal broker for day traders and forex scalpers but less suitable for swing traders who often keep position open overnight.
- Offers limited internal market research. They partner with third-party providers like Autochartist to fill this gap. This is a minor issue as there are plenty of other sources that can provide in-depth market analysis.
How To Choose A Top CFD Broker
Contracts for difference (CFDs) are a high-risk product available from hundreds of online brokers, however not all firms can be trusted and trading conditions vary. That’s why we, and you, should look at several factors to find the right CFD provider for your needs:
Trust
The most important consideration is choosing a trusted CFD broker.
You risk losing money in scams or from business failure if you sign up with an unreliable broker. This was demonstrated in 2023 when a seemingly credible CFD broker, EverFX, was found to be operating a scam where account managers encouraged traders to move capital to high-risk, unregulated entities, leaving clients with little to no regulatory protection.
The best sign that a CFD broker can be trusted is oversight from a top-rate regulator like the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), or Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (CySEC).
That’s why we review each CFD broker’s licensing details to ensure they have the regulatory authorizations they advertise.
We also test each broker carefully to check for unethical practices and only recommend providers that earn the confidence of our in-house experts, who have reviewed hundreds of brokers over many years.
- Plus500 maintains a very high trust score of 4.9/5 thanks to its oversight from the likes of the FCA, ASIC and CySEC, listing on the London Stock Exchange, 15+ years of industry experience, transparent trading conditions, and excellent reputation.
Markets
Selecting a CFD broker that offers access to the financial markets you want to speculate on is key.
CFDs are a versatile trading vehicle that can be used to trade a wide range of asset classes, including stocks, forex, commodities and cryptocurrencies, and we look for brokers that provide enough variety for traders to build a diverse portfolio.
- CMC Markets continues to excel for its above-average selection of 12,000+ CFDs, including 300+ currency pairs – more than every other CFD provider we have tested to date.
Fees
Picking a CFD broker with competitive fees is an important consideration, especially for active day traders for whom frequent costs can cut into profits.
Most CFD platforms make money through spreads. This is the difference between the quoted buy and sell prices, and real market prices. It’s essentially a markup for the broker’s services.
Fees also come in the form of commissions which take a percentage of each trade. The good news is that to stay competitive, many of the best CFD brokers are waiving commission fees.
CFD brokers also make money through financing. When you trade using margin or leverage, you essentially borrow funds from the brokerage to increase your position size. Most firms factor in a fee for these financing services.
We monitor the trading fees of our top CFD brokers each year to ensure they maintain their edge by continuing to offer tight spreads with low or no commission fees.
We also weigh the trading and non-trading fees (deposit/withdrawal charges and inactivity penalties) against the total package available, including market access and trading tools, on the basis that value for money is more important than simply having the lowest fees.
- IC Markets consistently ranks as one of our cheapest CFD brokers. The Standard account is great for beginners with commission-free CFDs and spreads from 0.8 pips, while the Raw account will serve intermediate and advanced traders with spreads from 0.0, a low commission of $3.50 per lot, per side, plus rebates for high-volume traders.
Leverage
Given the risk of high losses with derivatives like CFDs, choosing a broker with transparent leverage and margin requirements is key.
Leverage allows you to greatly increase the potential profitability of trades with a relatively small amount of capital. Leverage is often written as a ratio, for example 1:10. Here, a $100 outlay would give you $1,000 in buying power ($100 x 10).
Importantly, the amount of leverage available can vary greatly among CFD providers. If your broker is regulated by a top-tier body like the FCA, ASIC or CySEC, then it is likely to be restricted to a maximum of 1:30 for forex and lower amounts for more volatile instruments like crypto.
These regulators also require CFD brokers to provide negative balance protection, ensuring you cannot lose more than your account balance.
Still, many traders choose to sign up with offshore CFD brokers who can offer higher amounts of leverage, sometimes reaching 1:3000.
I do not recommend beginners trade CFDs with high leverage given the risk of substantial losses. And if you do, make use of risk management tools in your broker’s platform like stop-loss orders. These can limit potential losses.
- Pepperstone is a good example of a reliable CFD broker that offers transparent leverage and margin terms in line with regulatory requirements where it’s authorized.
Platforms and Apps
Choosing a broker with a user-friendly CFD trading platform and the features you need to analyze the markets is essential.
Based on our extensive experience, the top CFD providers offer popular third-party software like MetaTrader 4, which is great for advanced traders interested in technical analysis and algo trading, alongside user-friendly proprietary platforms and mobile apps that deliver an intuitive user experience for beginners.
- AvaTrade stands out for its excellent platform line-up, from MT4 and MT5 to the in-house WebTrader that performed well during testing with an intelligent design, smooth user experience and a strong charting package comprising 60+ indicators, 14 drawing tools and 10 timeframes.
Value-Add Features
With many CFD brokers offering competitive packages today, considering the additional features available can be a great way to find a firm that best caters to your experience level and strategy.
We’ve seen that the best CFD providers offer a variety of extra tools to give traders the best chance at success. This can include engaging educational materials and social investing platforms to support new traders, market research tools like Trading Central to help you discover opportunities and virtual private server (VPS) hosting to give advanced day traders the fastest execution speeds with low latency.
- Pepperstone excels for its large suite of extra tools that elevate the CFD trading experience, from daily market news, code-free automation tools like Capitalise.ai, and top-rate education with guides to CFDs for beginners.
Regulators Are Stepping Up Oversight Of CFD Brokers
While more could always be done, regulators in multiple major jurisdictions have been tightening their grip over CFD brokers in recent years:
- Australia (ASIC): In January 2026, ASIC announced it secured nearly A$40 million in refunds for more than 38,000 retail investors after finding widespread breaches among CFD brokers, including unlawful “margin discount” practices.
• UK (FCA): In October 2025, the FCA warned some firms were pressuring retail CFD clients to opt up to elective professional status, which can mean losing important retail protections like 1:30 leverage caps and negative balance protection. In March 2026, the FCA also finalized new operational incident and material third-party reporting rules. - Cyprus / EU (CySEC): CySEC tightened CFD leverage requirements in 2025, applying a 10% initial margin requirement – effectively 1:10 leverage – to certain commodity CFDs and non-major indices.
Bottom Line
The best CFD platforms provide a secure environment where you can speculate on global financial markets with user-friendly tools and low fees. Choose from our list of top CFD brokers to find the right platform for your needs.
Find out more about how we test CFD brokers.
FAQ
What Is A CFD Broker?
A CFD broker is a financial intermediary that enables you to speculate on price movements in various financial markets without owning the underlying assets.
They facilitate the trading process through an online platform. You sign up for an account, deposit funds, trade CFD products and then withdraw any profits.
Are All CFD Brokers Regulated?
CFDs are legal financial instruments that are tightly regulated in many jurisdictions. That said, brokers are banned from offering CFDs in some countries, including the United States.
For Specific Countries
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