Top 7 Best ECN Forex Brokers 2025

Trade your favourite markets with our top-rated broker, eToro.

eToro 4.6/5

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

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eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

An ECN (Electronic Communication Network) forex broker is like having a direct line to the global currency markets, without the usual middlemen marking up prices.

The best ECN forex brokers connect you directly with other traders, institutions, and liquidity providers, resulting in a transparent and competitive trading experience.  

Our team of forex broker experts have put our expertise to the test by evaluating and reviewing the top ECN forex brokers available today. We’ve rigorously tested these platforms to help you find the edge you need. 

Whether it’s the best market access, low fees, or high speed execution, this guide will provide you with the right resources for finding the best ECN forex brokers in 2025.

Best ECN forex brokers overall for 2025

What are the best ECN forex brokers?

The best ECN forex brokers are regulated, have low fees and commission, and easy to use platforms. The table below shows the best ECN forex brokers. Simply click on any of the inks to get started in minutes.

4.6

eToro

Min. Deposit $100

Fees 1%

No. assets 3600+

Demo account Yes

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eToro review

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

4.5

Plus500

Min. Deposit $100

Fees From 2%

No. assets 2800+

Demo account Yes

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Plus500 review

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

Best ECN forex brokers

Min. Deposit n/a

Fees -

No. assets n/a

Demo account -

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Top 7 ECN forex brokers, reviewed

1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account

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4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

0% commission

Fees

3,600

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love eToro because it’s an easy place to trade the currency markets. Forex can be intimidating, but eToro strips back the complexity to give you a platform where you can trade 50+ currencies at competitive prices and with up to 30x leverage*.

*CFDs trading is restricted for US users.

As well as being a broker that offers lots of investor protection, eToro offers a very social trading experience. You can easily see how all the major and minor forex pairs are performing every day, track how investors feel about every one of those currencies, and copy other people’s trade suggestions from your desktop or the eToro app.

The fees: eToro charges a fee on currency trades through the spread. Spreads are variable depending on the currency and start from 1 pip for EUR/USD trades, 1.5 pips for EUR/GBP, and 2 pips for GBP/USD. Overnight and weekend fees apply.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	3600+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs, NFTs, Crypto
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	ASIC, FCA, CySEC, FinCEN

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes, on certain assets
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes, on CFDs
Withdrawal fees	Yes
Spreads	Yes, on certain assets
Conversion fees	Yes, for non-USD currencies

Pros & Cons

Great for beginners, simple to set up and get started Competitive, industry-leading commissions Popular ‘Copy Portfolios’ function lets you follow top traders Excellent customer service, with live chat support provided

Comparatively high fees for withdrawals and account inactivity Does not integrate with the MetaTrader platform High spreads on some assets

Read review Visit eToro

51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

2. Plus500. Best for international trading*

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4.5

Ratings

£100

Min. deposit

From 0.8%

Fees

2,800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to forex futures for over 10 symbols. 

Plus500 has something for all types of forex traders, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements (starting at $40) and different contracts make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting. 

For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.

The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website. 

*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	2800+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, ASIC, FMA, FCA, CySEC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	No
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Free demo account for every user Secure broker, licensed by top-tier regulators Wide variety of CFDs to trade Several good risk management tools

No support on trading information and education Website isn’t brilliantly designed to help users find answers to their questions No MetaTrader trading platform compatibility

Read review Visit Plus500

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

What is an ECN forex broker?

It’s a company that allows you to trade the forex market and directly connects buy and sell orders via a network. The best ECN brokers offer a range of different features including, technical tools, easy to use platforms, and advanced charting software. ECN brokers are generally favoured over other types of brokers due to their low spreads. 

How do ECN FX brokers work?

ECN brokers operate using a no dealing desk model which means buy and sell orders are connected directly without being routed through a dealing desk. Orders are matched via an electronic communication network (ECN). These types of forex brokers are able to offer lower spreads, faster execution, and better prices. However, they usually charge a fee. 

• ECN brokers match buy and sell orders via an electronic communication network
• Low spreads, faster execution when placing trades, and more favourable prices are offered by ECN brokers. 
• When using an ECN broker, trades are not passed through a dealing desk and broker manipulation is unlikely to occur. 

The best ECN forex brokers for beginners and experienced traders.

ECN forex brokers have become increasingly popular in recent years and there is a broad range to choose from. Some are aimed towards beginners, while others cater for more experienced traders. Below we have selected the top ECN broker for each. 

The top ECN broker for beginners

An easy to use forex platform for beginners is a must, along with low fees, and educational material. Click the link below to sign up with our top ECN broker for beginners.

The top platform for experienced traders

Traders with a little more experience will have a longer list of requirements. Advanced technical tools, leveraged trading, and access to other financial instruments. Check out the link below to register with our best rated platform for experienced traders.

What should I look for in an ECN trading platform?

There are a few key factors you should consider when choosing an ECN trading platform and below we’ve highlighted some of the most important ones. 

Low fees

One of the main reasons traders flock to ECN platforms is the ability to take advantage of low spreads. However, ECN brokers charge fees and commissions. When choosing an ECN broker, you’ll want to ensure that fees are low, otherwise your profits can be eaten into quite quickly. Checking a broker’s fee schedule is the easiest way to find out their charges. 

Here are the fees for the best 3 ECN forex brokers in 2025:

Reliable platform

Reliability is key when it comes to trading forex. A lot of traders who use an ECN broker tend to be day traders or scalpers. These types of traders actively participate in the market multiple times a day. A reliable platform that suffers little downtime or crashes is a top priority when choosing an ECN broker. 

Access to other markets

As the world of online retail trading continues to grow, lots of brokers offer other markets to trade. The best platforms make it easy to trade other financial instruments like stocks, indices, and commodities. Many brokers have now also started offering popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

Technical tools

When selecting a broker it’s helpful to find one that offers a broad range of technical tools. Lots of traders use technical analysis when trading and having a selection of the best tools can make the process easier. Lots of brokers offer platforms like MT4 which already have many technical indicators built in. 

Quick answers to key questions

Do I have to download software?

No, not always. However, to get the most out of your platform’s functionality, it’s a good idea to download a trading platform. The most common platforms around are Metatrader and Trading view. If you decide to not download anything, you will still be able to use your broker’s webtrader platform, although it’s likely this will be limited in what it offers. 

Can I trade from my mobile device?

Yes, almost all brokers offer mobile apps which you can download to your mobile or tablet and use to place trades. Trading apps have advanced in recent times meaning its possible to conduct analysis right from the palm of your hand. Using apps is also a great way to keep up to date with your trades while you’re away from your computer. 

Will I pay fees with an ECN broker?

Yes, you probably will. As ECN brokers are able to offer such low spreads by matching buy and sell orders, they usually charge fees or commissions to make a profit for themselves. Every ECN broker will have a different fee schedule so it’s worth checking before joining one. Unusually you will pay a commission on each trade you make. 

Here are the types of fees you may encounter when using a forex ECN broker:

Can I get a bonus when joining an ECN broker?

You may be able to, but it will depend on the broker and if they are running any promotions at the time your register. It’s always a good idea to check the terms and conditions of any bonus you receive prior to accepting it.

Most bonuses will come with certain criteria that need to be met before you can withdraw, like having to trade a specified number of times. Learn more about forex brokers with bonuses here.

What’s the difference between an ECN and a standard account?

The main difference between an ECN and a standard brokerage account is how trades are executed. As previously mentioned, an ECN broker connects trades directly to a network of liquidity providers which allows for real time price matching. 

A standard forex brokerage account on the other hand operates through a broker’s dealing desk. This means the broker acts as the counterparty or takes the other side of your trade. Typically this results in wider spreads but no commissions. 

Is ECN or STP better for trading forex?

The answer to this question depends on your goals as a trader. ECN brokers usually offer the tightest spreads available but at the cost of paying a commission on trades. This model is best suited for high-frequency traders, day traders, and scalpers. 

STP (straight through processing) forex brokers route orders to liquidity providers without a dealing desk, but mark up the spread instead of charging commissions. This means you won’t pay additional charges for trading, but will have higher spreads. 

If you’re someone who prioritizes execution speed and lower spreads, especially in volatile market conditions, an ECN broker might be the best fit. However, if you prefer a simpler trading experience with fewer fees upfront and are comfortable with slightly wider spreads, STP brokers offer a better solution.

How do ECN brokers make money?

ECN forex brokers make money by charging a commission for each trade placed on their platform. ECN FX trading platforms do not profit from the spread between buying and selling prices. This means that ECN platforms are not incentivized by a trader’s loss. 

Besides commissions, some ECN brokerage firms may charge additional fees like overnight finance charges or fees for accessing premium features.

Should I use an ECN broker to trade forex?

Yes, using an ECN broker is often the best way to trade the forex market. For anyone using day trading or scalping strategies, using an ECN broker would be a good idea. Trading requires some experience and knowledge and there’s a lot to learn before you get started. Here, we’ve rated the top forex trading courses for beginners.

Still undecided?

If you’re still not sure about joining an ECN forex broker, then we’ve provided a few pros and cons below to help you make up your mind.

Should I trade forex now?

Yes, if you feel that you have the knowledge required then starting now could be a good idea. Although, there is a lot to learn before you do start and it can be difficult to find the right information.

Methodology: How we choose the best ECN brokers

Helping people make better financial decisions is at the heart of our mission at Invezz. 

We periodically test more than 63 forex trading platforms to provide our users with clear, accessible guidance on the investing options available. All testing is carried out by our panel of forex experts, analysts, and active traders who sign up to each broker, conduct research, and score each service.

Our tests are designed to find foreign exchange platforms that offer a beginner-friendly, secure trading experience at a fair price. To supplement our practical testing and experience, we research each service to gather any further relevant information. We read online customer reviews, app reviews on the Play Store and App Store, and conduct user surveys to get feedback from real people about what works, and what doesn’t.

Each forex broker is awarded a final score based on 130+ data points across 8 ranking categories: cost, reliability, user experience, deposit & withdrawals, investing options, range of products/markets, research & analysis tools, and the availability of educational & learning resources.

We work closely with individual brokers to ensure all factual information displayed here is accurate. All data is then fact-checked by an independent reviewer. You can learn more about our expert panel and how we test, rate, and review platforms in our review process.

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