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Compare 4 best international CFD brokers in 2025
In this guide
- 1. Compare 4 best international CFD brokers in 2025
- 2. Best CFD brokers international
- 3. Our top 4 best international CFD trading platforms, reviewed & compared
- 4. Is CFD trading legal internationally?
- 5. How to find a reliable international CFD broker
- 6. How to start trading CFDs internationally
- 7. To summarise
- 8. FAQs
This detailed guide is the result of our extensive research. We’ve picked out the top CFD trading platforms that offer the best service to help you start CFD trading internationally.
To identify the best services, we created a checklist of key criteria that an international CFD broker must meet in order to earn a high ranking. The features it must offer include:
- Regulatory approval from an international financial regulator, such as the ESMA or CySEC
- A low-cost way to trade CFDs internationally
- A free demo account for beginners
- A significant number of available trading instruments, including stocks, forex, commodities, and crypto CFDs where available
The results are clear: Our panel recommends eToro as the best CFD broker internationally for 2025.
Best CFD brokers international
Copy link to sectionAlongside eToro , a number of other international CFD brokers impressed the experts. We rank these platforms highly, as international CFD trading platforms that offer a secure, simple, and low cost trading experience.
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
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.
Our top 4 best international CFD trading platforms, reviewed & compared
Copy link to sectionWe found 4 online brokers for users based in
1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account
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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
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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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 futures for the two biggest cryptos, Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Plus500 has something for all types of crypto trader, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements of $20 for Ether and $100 for Bitcoin 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
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.
3. Public. Best for AI analysis
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Overview
We love Public because it makes use of cutting-edge AI technology to enhance your trading and investing experience. Public’s AI-powered feature, Public Alpha offers personalized insights and recommendations through its natural language interface in real time.
Public’s AI technology helps you make more informed decisions by analyzing massive amounts of data and providing actionable insights. These AI-driven insights are easily accessible and give users access to the latest advancements in crypto analysis and trading.
Not only do can you use AI to help your crypto investments, Public is one of the lowest cost brokerage firms out there. You can invest in a selection of cryptocurrencies without breaking the bank or having to invest large sums. Public charges 1.25% of your order amount, which is considerably cheaper when compared to similar platforms.
The fees: There are no fees for investing in stocks during regular trading hours in the US – 9.30am-4pm EST. There is a $2.99 fee for trades outside of regular hours. Alternative investments, including cryptocurrency, are charged a 1.25% fee per transaction.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 9,000 + |
| Min. Deposit | $20 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | No |
| Supported assets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, , , |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | SEC, FINRA, SIPC |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | Yes |
| Inactivity fees | Yes |
| Rollover/overnight fees | No |
| Withdrawal fees | No |
| Spreads | Yes |
| Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
Is CFD trading legal internationally?
Copy link to sectionYes, you can legally trade CFDs internationally, but it depends on where you live. Certain aspects of CFD trading are regulated by various financial regulators across the world, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the Securities and Exchange Commision (SEC). The restrictions generally work in your favour, as they are designed to protect traders from large, unexpected losses.
Primarily this means there are limitations on the amount of leverage that international CFD brokers can offer, along with a limit on the maximum losses any retail customer account can experience. In addition, they must clearly warn traders of the risks involved so you can make informed trading decisions.
How to find a reliable international CFD broker
Copy link to sectionThe key features that separate the best global CFD broker from the rest are security, cost, the range of markets available. Keep those in mind and you won’t run into too many problems.
If you need more help making up your mind, use this short Q&A to find the best international CFD trading platform.
Are international CFD brokers regulated?
Copy link to sectionYes, CFD trading platforms are licensed and regulated internationally by global financial regulators. The regulator sets the rules on international CFD trading, such as how much leverage is available when you trade a contract for difference (CFD), along with which assets and markets are available.
How else do international CFD trading platforms protect me?
Copy link to sectionThe top international CFD brokers offer negative balance protection, which is a form of insurance that protects you from losing more money than you have in your account. This is particularly useful if you use leverage or short CFDs, as it’s possible to lose significantly more than the initial value of your trade.
CFD brokers internationally should also protect you by providing Two Factor Authentication (2FA) to secure your account and with a customer service line that’s always open and available to help.
What types of international CFD brokers are there?
Copy link to sectionMost of the time, you’re going to be dealing with market makers. A market maker is an international CFD broker that effectively creates a market for any asset at all times, so you can always buy or sell.
Other forms of international CFD brokers include direct market access (DMA) brokers or STP/ECN brokers. These offer faster trade execution or allow you to buy and sell from other traders directly, rather than through an intermediary. Though the truth is that these services are geared towards professional or high volume traders, rather than casual users.
How much do international CFD brokers cost?
Copy link to sectionMost CFD brokers offer no-commission trading, so you don’t have to pay each time you make a trade. However, the costs come elsewhere, usually in the form of the spread.
The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of a contract for difference (CFD). The best international CFD trading platforms make money by taking a cut of that difference, so you can compare the costs of using different platforms by comparing the spreads. The lower the difference between the buy and sell price, the more cost-effective a platform is.
Which assets can I trade through an international CFD broker?
Copy link to sectionAny global CFD broker will offer currency and commodity markets. CFDs are the most common way to trade forex and commodities like gold and oil.
Then the rules can change depending on the whims of the regulator. Generally, you can trade stock CFDs, though the available companies may vary. In addition, you may be able to trade:
- Crypto CFDs
- ETF CFDs
- Indices CFDs
Though the regulation for crypto CFDs, in particular, can change rapidly.
To buy and sell the underlying assets, rather than using CFDs, consider using the best international trading platforms, the best international forex brokers, or the best international crypto exchanges.
Can I use leverage to trade CFDs globally?
Copy link to sectionYes, it’s common and legal to trade CFDs with leverage across the world, though it is limited in some countries. The maximum permitted leverage is set by the regulator in each country, and all international CFD brokers must abide by those rules to offer leveraged trading in that country.
In reality, each international CFD broker also offers differing leverage on different assets. Currency pairs offer the most leverage, as it’s a vital part of successful forex trading, while stock and crypto CFDs generally offer the lowest.
Are there any other ways to trade?
Copy link to sectionYes, one of the most appealing aspects of CFD trading for beginners is the fact you can use CFDs to trade for and against the market. Shorting is when you place a trade on an asset or market to fall in value, and is a very popular way to trade.
Because of that, you can also use CFDs to hedge other trades that you have open. This is where you place a trade on the opposite position to one you made previously. It’s used as a risk management strategy to minimise losses or lock in profit in case something changes.
Do international CFD platforms offer professional trading accounts?
Copy link to sectionYes, generally they do, although the qualifications can be steep. Most of the best trading platforms internationally offer a retail account to all users, then provide faster execution speeds or lower spreads to high volume users who must meet certain capital requirements.
These accounts are only accessible to a small number of people, who have both significant starting funds and a high annual turnover. Unless you can supply the equivalent of at least $500,000 as a qualifying deposit, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to sign up to a professional account with any international CFD provider.
How to start trading CFDs internationally
Copy link to sectionFollow this guide to learn how to use an international CFD trading platform and to place your first CFD trade.
Step 1. Create an account
Copy link to sectionChoose the best global CFD broker and sign up with your email and contact details. You may be asked to supply some photo ID to meet financial regulations.
Step 2. Deposit some money
Copy link to sectionFund your account with your favoured payment method. Most CFD brokers internationally accept bank transfers, card payments, and some e-wallets like PayPal.
Step 3. Choose what to trade
Copy link to sectionSearch for the asset you want to trade. Stock CFDs can be found by searching for the correct ticker symbol, and the same is true for currency pairs, commodities, and crypto CFDs as well.
Step 4. Decide whether to go long or short, and set your position size
Copy link to sectionChoose whether to buy (go long) or sell (short) the asset. Then enter how much you want to trade (this is known as the ‘margin’) and how much leverage you want to use.
Step 5. Finalise the trade
Copy link to sectionCheck the details and execute the trade once you’re happy with it. After that, keep monitoring the position regularly until you’re ready to close it out. Consider setting stop-loss limits to protect you from unexpected swings in the market.
To summarise
Copy link to sectionCFD trading is a popular and accessible way to trade for all international users, but there are a few risks as well. International CFD providers give you access to global markets and a greater range of trading options, so you can back markets to go both up and down.
However, using leverage can lead to significant losses and, with CFDs, you don’t own the underlying assets themselves, so you have less investor protection than – for example – company shareholders.
This guide picks out the 4 best CFD brokers internationally, based on their cost, accessibility, and the range of products available. Once you fully understand the pros and cons, choose any of the top CFD trading platforms above to get started with. It only takes a few minutes to start trading CFDs internationally.
