First introduced in 2011, the cTrader platform now rivals other platforms like MT4 and MT5 thanks to its modern design, advanced order protection, depth of market indicator, advanced charting, and built-in copy-trading.
More experienced traders will like cTrader’s server-side trailing stop and advanced charting, while beginners will like its clear layout and the cTrader Copy feature. All traders will breathe easier knowing that cTrader is maintained by Spotware and cannot be altered by fraudulent brokers. Whatever the reason for your interest in cTrader, these are the best cTrader brokers in the world. They have been selected for their low trading costs, range of instruments, and quality of educational content.
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When comparing the best cTrader brokers in the UK, we:
Confirmed that the brokers accepted British traders and were regulated by the FCA or other top-tier authorities to ensure trader protection.
Ensured that the broker offered trading through the cTrader platform.
Assessed the brokers’ trading fees for UK residents by opening a cTrader account and comparing the spreads on each instrument to other brokers.
Checked the number of tradable instruments available through the cTrader platform for traders in the UK.
Tested the platform’s stability and execution speed for each broker.
Checked and tested available tools and features, such as copy trading or Autochartist
Reviewed the broker’s educational material, including cTrader platform tutorials, and range of sources (such as e-books, webinars, glossary etc), to make sure they cater to all levels of traders, especially beginners.
Examined deposit and withdrawal options, costs and times for UK residents, e.g. if it’s possible to use instant banking and UK credit cards and what, if any, fees are involved.
Contacted customer support through the various channels offered by brokers, checking response time, service quality and whether or not they have a dedicated UK support team and phone number.
Our Broker Score and Trust Rating
FxScouts’ Broker Score and Trust Rating constantly evolve to reflect the forex market’s dynamics. We ensure transparency by incorporating regulator data and user insights. Our in-depth reviews consider over 200 metrics across seven key categories:
Trust Rating: Assessment of broker reliability and reputation
Trading Costs: Spreads and fees for clear comparisons
Platforms: User-friendliness and features
Asset Selection: Forex, stocks, and other available instruments
Transactions: Simple and straightforward deposits & withdrawals
Education: Support for beginners and developing traders
Customer Support: Accessibility, responsiveness, and expertise
cTrader is an institutional-grade trading platform offered by a few Forex brokers. Launched in 2011, cTrader is more beginner-friendly than the competing MetaTrader platforms (MT4 and MT5) and offers high-speed execution with a cleaner user interface. cTrader has many advantages over other trading platforms, and although only a few brokers support it, there is still a good selection of reputable brokers to choose from. When comparing cTrader brokers, consider the following:
Trading costs: Since cTrader only operates with direct market access brokers (ECNs), trading costs will almost always be a combination of the spread cost and the commission per lot. We estimate the trading cost by calculating the cost of trading 1 lot of EURUSD with the smallest account available, including both spread and commission. This figure will give a trader insight into the costs charged.
Trade execution speed: cTrader can open and close positions very quickly, but the broker’s technological infrastructure will also play a big role. If a trader is interested in scalping, where trades are opened and closed very quickly in highly volatile markets, then trade execution speed needs to be as fast as possible.
Regulation: Regulation ensures the security of your funds. While some cTrader brokers are well-known industry brands – like FxPro, IC Markets and Pepperstone – others are either unregulated or offer very weak regulation that does not provide adequate trader protection. Always check that your broker is regulated sufficiently as a part of the comparison process.
Pepperstone is a good choice for traders seeking low trading costs on the cTrader platform. It offers two simple accounts with ECN execution and most orders are executed in less than 30 milliseconds, which is ideal for scalpers and clients who run expert advisors.
Why do we like it?
We especially like Pepperstone’s cTrader Razor account, which has an average spread on the EUR/USD of 0.10 pips – about as close as traders can get to true market prices, with a commission of 7 USD.
Drawbacks
The main drawback is the Razor account’s complicated commission structure, which might confuse some traders. Additionally, the market analysis frequency is less than some competitors, and the educational offerings, while good, do not match the depth provided by other large brokers.
Summary
Pepperstone provides ECN execution with fast order execution times, which benefits scalpers and those using expert advisors. Features include no minimum deposit requirement, and notably low spreads on the cTrader Razor account, averaging at 0.10 pips. Additionally, Pepperstone offers all clients free access to the popular technical analysis tool Autochartist. However, its complex commission structure and less frequent market analysis may detract some users, and its educational resources, while solid, are not as extensive as those offered by other large brokers.
Accepts UK Clients. Average spread EUR/USD 1.00 pips with 0.0 USD commission round turn on the trading account with lowest minimum deposit. Max leverage 30:1. Islamic account available. MT4, MT5 & cTrader platforms supported. Pepperstone is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, SCB, CMA, BaFin and the DFSA. 75.6% of traders lose money with this provider.
IC Markets is an excellent choice for beginners seeking a low-cost and welcoming educational environment on the cTrader platform.
Why do we like it?
We appreciate IC Markets’ cTrader Raw Spread Account, known for exceptionally low spreads, notably 0.1 pips on EUR/USD, making it one of the best in the Forex market. Its cTrader server boasts under 1ms latency for major VPS providers, perfect for high-frequency trading and scalping.
Drawbacks
The primary drawback of IC Markets is the slightly higher minimum deposit required for opening an account and international bank transfer fees, which are relatively expensive.
Summary
IC Markets offers a low-cost trading environment complemented by extensive educational resources, including in-depth structured course material, detailed independent market analysis, expert-led webinars and around-the-clock technical support. The cTrader Raw Spread Account stands out for its exceptionally low spreads, averaging at 0.1 pips on EUR/USD, along with under 1ms latency connections to major VPS providers, catering well to high-frequency traders and scalpers. However, the slightly higher minimum deposit and costly international bank transfer fees may deter some traders.
Accepts UK Clients. Average spread EUR/USD 0.10 pips with 7 USD commission round turn on the trading account with lowest minimum deposit. Max leverage 30:1. Islamic account available. MT4, MT5 & cTrader platforms supported. IC Markets is regulated by CySEC and ASIC.
FP Markets is great for traders looking for a broker with an ECN pricing mode, fast execution speeds, convenient trading tools and a low minimum deposit of 100 GBP.
Why do we like it?
We especially like the FP Markets Raw Account, which has a spread that starts at 0 pips in exchange for a commission of 6 USD – some of the lowest trading costs in the industry. It also offers an impressive suite of trading tools, including Autochartist, Trading Central and Technical Views.
Drawbacks
Although regulated by top-tier regulators like ASIC and CySEC, FP Markets does not currently hold a licence from the UK’s FCA, which might be off-putting to some traders.
Summary
FP Markets offers a ECN pricing model, fast execution speeds, and a large selection of useful trading tools such as Autochartist, Trading Central, and Technical Views, all complemented by a reasonable minimum deposit of 100 GBP. The Raw Account is particularly appealing due to its ultra-low spreads starting from 0 pips and a commission of 6 USD, making it one of the lowest cost options in the industry. However, while FP Markets is regulated by top-tier authorities such as ASIC and CySEC, its lack of an FCA license could deter some UK traders.
Pros
Trusted since 2005 with top-tier regulation
100 USD minimum deposit amount
Supports MT4 MT5 cTrader and TradingView
Spreads start at 1.0 pip and narrow to 0 pips with higher trading volumes
Welcoming South African traders with specific regulatory compliance
Cons
Notably higher withdrawal fees than competitors
Stock CFDs are Limited on MT4/MT5 and primarily available through IRESS
Accepts UK Clients. Average spread EUR/USD 0.10 pips with 6 USD commission round turn on the trading account with lowest minimum deposit. Max leverage 30:1. Islamic account available. MT4, MT5, and cTrader trading platforms available. FP Markets is regulated by CySEC and ASIC.
FxPro is a good choice for traders seeking a broker with market execution. Most trades are executed in less than 10 milliseconds, and only 9% of market orders receive negative slippage, which is perfect for scalpers and traders who like to take advantage of volatile markets.
Why we like it
We like that the cTrader account at FxPro offers no requotes and will allow partial fills for orders that lack liquidity. Its spreads generally outperform the industry average, especially during peak hours. FxPro also provides a range of technical analysis indicators from Trading Central and a free VPS service.
Drawbacks
The main drawbacks of FxPro include higher than average trading costs compared to other brokers and limited educational and market analysis materials. While FxPro offers a range of educational resources, they may not be as comprehensive as those provided by other brokers, potentially leaving beginners seeking more guidance elsewhere.
Summary
FxPro caters to traders who prefer market execution and fast trade speeds, with most trades executed in less than 10 milliseconds, particularly suited for scalpers and those targeting volatile markets. The cTrader account at FxPro is notable for its no requotes policy and capability for partial fills on orders with limited liquidity, offering variable spreads that average about 0.30 pips on the EUR/USD. FxPro is also transparent about its slippage, requotes, and execution speeds and regularly publishes all statistics on its website. However, it falls short with higher trading costs and less extensive educational content compared to competitors, which might not fully meet the needs of beginner traders.
Accepts UK Clients. Average spread EUR/USD 1.40 pips on trading account with lowest minimum deposit. Max leverage 30:1. Islamic account available. MT4, MT5, cTrader and FxPro proprietary trading platform supported. FxPro Group is regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSCA, and the SCB. 71.58% of traders lose money with this provider.
Fusion Markets is a good fit for traders looking for a broker with low-cost accounts and no minimum deposit requirement on the cTrader platform.
Why we like it
We especially like Fusion Markets’ Raw account, which offers spreads starting at 0 pips in exchange for a commission of 4.5 USD, some of the lowest trading costs in the industry. Fusion Markets also offers useful trading tools, including free VPS services and copy trading.
Drawbacks
Fusion Markets’ main drawback is its lack of educational materials, making it a poor choice for beginner traders.
Summary
Fusion Markets offers two low-cost accounts with no minimum deposit requirements on the cTrader platform, where the Raw account impresses with spreads from 0 pips and a low commission of 4.5 USD. Additionally, Fusion Markets enhances trading experiences with complimentary VPS services and copy trading options through Myfxbook Autotrade and DupliTrade. However, its main drawback is its limited educational resources, making it less suitable for beginners.
Accepts British Clients. Average spread EUR/USD 0 pips with 0 USD commission round turn on the trading account with lowest minimum deposit. Max leverage 500:1. Islamic account available. MT4 & MT5 platforms supported. Fusion Markets is regulated by ASIC, FSA (Seychelles), & VFSC.
What is cTrader?
cTrader is an institutional-grade trading platform offered by a few Forex brokers. Launched in 2011, cTrader is more beginner-friendly than the competing MetaTrader platforms (MT4 and MT5) and offers high-speed execution with a cleaner user interface.
A little-known fact: 35% more cTrader users are profitable compared to the industry average. This surprising statistic comes from Spotware’s internal calculations and highlights why cTrader has become MetaTrader’s main competitor. But what is it about cTrader that makes traders more profitable?
No price manipulation: Unlike MetaTrader and most other broker-owned platforms, cTrader does not allow any broker manipulation of the price feed. This means that it will only connect traders directly to the global Forex market and won’t allow for any dealing desk intervention.
No broker intervention: Spotware manages all the infrastructure behind cTrader, and the interface you download from your broker is just that — an interface. The broker can alter commission and spreads, but the price feed and market data cannot be modified.
Single Login: Because Spotware manages cTrader’s infrastructure, the cTrader ID you receive when you first log in to the application will never change. This is especially useful as you won’t have to remember new passwords or account numbers, even if you switch brokers.
Spotware is invested in your success: cTrader is also offered to brokers on a platform-as-a-service basis, and brokers pay Spotware based on volume traded, meaning that the more traders succeed with cTrader, the more Spotware profits. The result is that Spotware has a real incentive to provide traders with the best chance to trade profitably.
These differences are all enshrined in Spotware’s founding motto: Trader’s First. This guiding mindset has led Spotware not only to ensure that cTrader is an intervention-free platform but also forced them to make transparency and community focus an integral part of cTrader’s business model.
It’s important to note that because most cTrader brokers provide raw spreads, users may have to pay a commission on their trades.
cTrader Platforms
cTrader offers three versions of its trading platform, and while the same indicators, objects, layouts and themes are present across all three versions, there are minor changes to functionality:
cTrader Download: The desktop version is the most feature-complete version of cTrader, download the application for any Windows PC or laptop. Unfortunately, for Mac users, there is no native application, and you will have to rely on cTrader Web or create a system partition to run Windows applications. It’s important to note that cTrader Copy will only run in the Web version,
cTrader Web: The cTrader Web version is almost as feature-complete as the desktop version except for a few changes. Charts are locked, so they cannot move up and down, and cTrader Automate is unavailable.
cTrader Mobile: Available on iOS and Android, the cTrader mobile app is perfect for traders on the go and has 26 timeframes and over 50 indicators available. Charts have been redesigned for mobile with features such as pinch-to-zoom, fling to scroll forward or backwards, and double-tap to re-centre.
This means that it connected traders directly to the global Forex market and didn’t allow for any dealing desk intervention, whether automated or not. While cTrader can now be used by market makers, all the infrastructure behind cTrader is still managed by Spotware themselves, and the interface you download from your broker is just that, an interface. The broker can alter commission and spreads, but the price feed and market data cannot be modified or manipulated. Because of cTrader’s history as an ECN-only platform, most cTrader brokers do not have an opportunity to charge a fee in the spread and will charge a commission instead for their service.
Because cTrader’s infrastructure is managed by Spotware, the cTrader ID you receive when you first log in to the application will never change. This is especially useful as you won’t have to remember new passwords or account numbers, even if you change brokers.
cTrader is also offered to brokers on a platform-as-a-service basis, and brokers pay Spotware based on volume traded, meaning that the more traders succeed with cTrader, the more Spotware profits. The result is that Spotware has a real incentive to provide traders with the best chance to trade profitably.
These differences are all enshrined in Spotware’s founding motto: Trader’s First. This guiding mindset has led Spotware not only to ensure that cTrader is an intervention-free platform but also forced them to make transparency and community focus an integral part of cTrader’s business model.
cTrader Forum
The cTrader forum is a place for all cTrader users to post suggestions to the developers for new features for the platform, get support from the community and stay on top of any product announcements and other news. Spotware continuously improves cTrader with enhancements stemming mostly from community feedback; this regular interaction with traders results in several platform updates and upgrades a year.
cTrader ID Site
The cTrader ID Site is a personalised toolbox for anyone holding a cTrader ID. It provides traders with several tools to control their accounts and connect to other traders, apps, and resources.
Standout features include:
Credential management: traders can view a list of demo and live trading accounts they own with each broker under the same cTrader ID.
Push Notifications: Traders can alter email and mobile push notifications regarding changes and events on their trading accounts.
Security: Allows traders to view and revoke active sessions and control which devices are authorised to use cTrader.
cTrader vs MT4
Advocates of cTrader will tell you that it is more beginner-friendly than MT4 and offers high-speed execution with a cleaner user interface. Those who have used both platforms will probably agree with this statement, but in the interest of balance, here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages
What are the advantages of using cTrader?
Your platform needn’t be open and connected to your broker to keep a trailing stop loss functioning like with MT4.
The ‘Depth of Market’ function is easier to use (colour-coded and different profiles available) than MT4’s.
cTrader has several features that make the platform more user-friendly than MT4. For example, on the right side, the chart there is a distance scale in pips (e.g. 50 pips). This is useful for beginners because it gives them an idea of what 50 pips looks like without having to use the crosshair tool to take measurements.
cTrader’s data sets (for backtesting trading robots) are more complete than MT4’s and support real tick data backtesting. MT4 often doesn’t have real tick data available.
cTrader’s crosshair tool measures pips while MT4 measures points. This makes it easier to make measurements, especially for a beginner. If you measure 50 pips with cTrader, you see 50. If you measure with MT4, you see 500.
cTrader has a built-in copy trading feature.
cTrader has a FIX API, and its coding language is more versatile than MQL4. The FIX API allows for total portfolio management with a trading bot. For example, a trader could perform cross-instrument trading with a statistical arbitrage robot. This type of trading is not possible with MT4 because each EA only performs calculations on one chart window at a time.
cTrader Disadvantages vs MT4
The minimum lot sizing on some stock index CFDs (e.g. GER30) are inconsistent with forex pairs and some other stock indices.
Frequent updates can cause delays when you open the platform; this can be a problem if you need to manage a position urgently from your desktop.
The MT4 community is much larger than that of cTrader. On the MT4 platform, you can access thousands of EAs, and online forums have much more information.
Which is the best cTrader Broker?
Pepperstone is the best cTrader broker. Pepperstone has no minimum deposit requirements and low trading costs on a huge range of financial instruments. Pepperstone offers a range of technical analysis indicators from TradingView for cTrader as well as the pre-existing cTrader Automate.
All cTrader Brokers
Here is our curated list of all of the regulated cTrader brokers we have reviewed, ordered by overall score. The broker with the highest score will appear at the top of the list.
cTrader is a welcome alternative for traders who want a cross-broker trading platform with a reputation for transparency, rapid product development and high-speed trade execution.
With clear improvements in trade management and visual aesthetics in comparison to MetaTrader 4, traders who trade with cTrader tend to stick with the choice.
Because cTrader is controlled so tightly by its creators, it will never be an industry standard, but for those willing to pay commission on trades, it is a great platform choice.
Forex Risk Disclaimer
Trading Forex and CFDs is not suitable for all investors as it carries a high degree of risk to your capital: 75-90% of retail investors lose money trading these products. Forex and CFD transactions involve high risk due to the following factors: Leverage, market volatility, slippage arising from a lack of liquidity, inadequate trading knowledge or experience, and a lack of regulatory protection. Traders should not deposit any money that is not considered disposable income. Regardless of how much research you have done or how confident you are in your trade, there is always a substantial risk of loss. (Learn more about these risks from the UK’s regulator, the FCA, or the Australian regulator, ASIC).
Our Rating & Review Methodology
Our overall Forex Rankings report and Directory of CFD Brokers to Avoid are the result of extensive research on over 180 Forex brokers. These resources help traders find the best Forex brokers – and steer them away from the worst ones. These resources have been compiled using over 200 data points on each broker and over 3000 hours of research. Our team conducts all research independently: Testing brokers, gathering information from broker representatives and sifting through legal documents. Learn more about how we rank brokers.
Editorial Team
Chris Cammack Head of Content
Chris joined the company in 2019 after ten years experience in research, editorial and design for political and financial publications. His background has given him a deep knowledge of international financial markets and the geopolitics that affects them. Chris has a keen eye for editing and a voracious appetite for financial and political current affairs. He ensures that our content across all sites meets the standards of quality and transparency that our readers expect.
Alison Heyerdahl Senior Financial Writer
Alison joined the team as a writer in 2021. She has a medical degree with a focus on physiotherapy and a bachelor’s in psychology. However, her interest in forex trading and her love for writing led her to switch careers, and she now has over eight years experience in research and content development. She has tested and reviewed 100+ brokers and has a great understanding of the Forex trading world.
Ida Hermansen Financial Writer
Ida joined our team as a financial writer in 2023. She has a degree in Digital Marketing and a background in content writing and SEO. In addition to her marketing and writing skills, Ida also has an interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain networks. Her interest in crypto trading led to a wider fascination with Forex technical analysis and price movement. She continues to develop her skills and knowledge in Forex trading and keeps a close eye on which Forex brokers offer the best trading environments for new traders.
4.61
Accepts UK Clients. Average spread EUR/USD 1.00 pips with 0.0 USD commission round turn on the trading account with lowest minimum deposit. Max leverage 30:1. Islamic account available. MT4, MT5 & cTrader platforms supported. Pepperstone is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, SCB, CMA, BaFin and the DFSA. 75.6% of traders lose money with this provider.
