Our Broker Rating Methodology (2025 Edition)
Trader.Forum uses a transparent, data-driven model to evaluate forex brokers. Unlike opaque ratings elsewhere, we publicly disclose our categories, weights, and scoring criteria. Every score is backed by verifiable evidence: regulatory filings, fee documents, live trading tests, and support interactions. Our mission is to help traders make decisions with facts—not marketing claims.
Scoring Categories & Weights
Total score is 100. Each category is scored 0–10, then multiplied by its weight. We also publish sub-scores so you can see strengths and trade-offs per broker.
| Category | Weight | What We Check | Scoring (0–10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety & Regulation | 30% | Regulator tier, segregated funds, insurance, legal transparency, sanctions (last 24 months) | Tier A = 8–10, Tier B = 5–7, Offshore = 0–4. Penalties lower score. |
| Fees & Spreads | 20% | Avg spread (EURUSD, XAUUSD), commissions/lot, swaps, withdrawal & inactivity fees | Top decile cost = 10, higher cost brackets scale down to 0 |
| Execution & Reliability | 15% | Slippage (+/−), requotes, latency, uptime / status-page evidence | Live trade tests; better distribution & stability = higher score |
| Platforms & Tools | 10% | MT4/MT5/cTrader/Web, API & copy-trading, reliability on mobile/web | Broader, stable toolset = higher score |
| Funding & KYC UX | 10% | Deposit/withdrawal options, median WD time, KYC speed, CS SLA | Fast WD + diverse local methods + clear SLA = higher |
| Product Range | 5% | Forex majors/minors, metals, indices, (crypto where permitted), futures/CFD variety | Wider regulated range = higher |
| Education & Research | 5% | Learning hub, daily analysis, webinars, risk disclosures | Consistent & actionable content = higher |
| Reputation & Complaints | 5% | Verified complaints (12–24m), responses, regulator/arbiter outcomes | Fewer verified issues + responsive remediation = higher |
🔎 See live rankings on our Broker Comparison page.
Score Calculation Formula
Each category is scored from 0 to 10 and multiplied by its weight. The overall score is the weighted sum:
Overall = (Safety×0.30) + (Fees×0.20) + (Execution×0.15) + (Platforms×0.10) +
(Funding×0.10) + (Range×0.05) + (Education×0.05) + (Reputation×0.05)
We publish both the overall score and the sub-scores so you can understand trade-offs for your specific needs (e.g., scalping vs. long-term swing).
Detailed Criteria (0–10)
Safety & Regulation
- Tiering: Tier A (e.g., FCA, ASIC, NFA, BaFin, IIROC, DFSA, MAS) = 8–10; Tier B (e.g., CySEC, FSCA, etc.) = 5–7; pure offshore = 0–4.
- Entity mapping: We verify the legal entity that serves your region and which regulator oversees it.
- Safeguards: Segregated funds, compensation schemes/insurance, external audits.
- Sanctions: Any enforcement action in the last 24 months reduces the score.
Fees & Spreads
- 30-day median spreads for EURUSD and XAUUSD, plus commissions/lot → converted to all-in trading cost.
- Swap rates, inactivity fees, deposit/withdrawal fees considered.
- Costs bucketed into deciles → mapped to 0–10.
Execution & Reliability
- Live test with micro positions across sessions: distribution of slippage (±), % positive price improvement.
- Median latency (ms), % requotes, and platform uptime (status-page/API if available).
Platforms & Tools
- Availability and stability of MT4/MT5/cTrader/Web terminals.
- API/FIX, copy trading, analytics add-ons, and mobile quality.
Funding & KYC UX
- Coverage of local methods (card, wire, e-wallets) and regional options.
- Median withdrawal time from our tests; CS response SLAs.
Product Range
- Diversity across FX, metals, indices, (crypto where permitted), and other CFDs/futures.
Education & Research
- Structured learning paths, daily/weekly analysis, webinars, and transparent risk education.
Reputation & Complaints
- Verified complaints (12–24 months), broker response rate/time, outcomes in regulator/arbiter channels.
Data Sources & Verification
- Regulatory registers: FCA, ASIC, NFA, CySEC, BaFin, IIROC, DFSA, MAS, Bappebti, and others.
- Official broker documents: fees pages, T&Cs, platform lists, product disclosures.
- Live trading tests: small funded accounts for execution, slippage, KYC & withdrawals.
- Complaint & case reviews: verified reports and regulator/arbiter outcomes.
- Uptime evidence: status pages or public API metrics when available.
Each data point includes a timestamp and evidence link on the broker’s review page. We update monthly for fees and continuously for major regulatory events.
Update Frequency & Change Log
- Fees & spreads: monthly rolling median refresh.
- Execution metrics: quarterly test cycles, plus ad-hoc re-tests if we detect anomalies.
- Regulatory events: immediate updates upon verified announcements.
- Complaints: monthly review of verified cases and broker responses.
Last reviewed:
Sponsored Brokers Disclosure
Some brokers may sponsor placements on our site. Sponsored status is clearly labeled as “Sponsored” and does not affect scores or rankings. Our scoring model and evidence are independent and transparent.
Methodology FAQ
Do sponsored brokers receive higher scores?
No. Sponsorship does not influence scoring. Sponsored brokers may receive labeled placements, but scoring and ranking remain objective.
How do you measure spreads and execution?
We compute 30-day median spreads on key instruments (EURUSD, XAUUSD) and run micro-trade tests across sessions to measure slippage, latency, and requotes.
What happens after a regulatory action?
We update the broker’s Safety & Regulation sub-score immediately with links to the official announcement and a change note on the broker page.
Can I request a re-review?
Yes. Brokers and users can submit evidence for re-review via our contact page. We will evaluate and document any scoring changes.