**Forex** **How to choose a forex broker**\\ \\ Finding the right forex broker before starting your trading journey is the first crucial decision you will have to make.\\ \\ Read more →

[](https://my.axi-solaris.com/login)[](https://clientportal.axi-solaris.com/) [Home](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu) / [Blog](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog) / [Education](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education) / [Forex](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex) / How to Choose a Forex Broker # How to choose a forex broker ###### Forex / ###### [Milan Cutkovic](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/authors/milan-cutkovic) - [How](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/search-results?stype=blogtags&search=How) - [Choose](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/search-results?stype=blogtags&search=Choose) - [Forex](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/search-results?stype=blogtags&search=Forex) - [Broker](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/search-results?stype=blogtags&search=Broker) Being confident in a forex broker allows traders to devote all their time and attention to perfecting their strategies and becoming successful forex traders. ## Key points: - Choosing a forex broker is the first and most important step for new traders entering the market. - There are several features to consider when finding a broker, most notably selecting a broker with low spreads, a variety of markets to trade, a demo account, and resources to help improve trader knowledge. - When conducting research on forex brokers, make sure to find a reputable and regulated broker in the jurisdiction where the trading will take place. While there’s no one right way to start forex trading, there are common paths that many traders follow. It starts with [learning the ins and outs of the forex market](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex). Traders will typically then use their new knowledge to develop a strategy and a defined [trading plan](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/trading-plan), which they test until they’re happy with the results. That’s usually when they feel ready to take on the markets. However, there’s one very important part that happens before any of this: finding the right broker! In this article, we’ll explore what forex brokers are, what they do, and how to find the best one for every trader's specific needs. ## What is a forex broker? To understand what a broker is and what they do, we need to briefly describe the market in which they operate. The [currency market is decentralised](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/forex-market-participants), meaning there’s no single exchange that all transactions go through – unlike, for example, the New York Stock Exchange or London Stock Exchange. Instead, the forex market is built on an interbank system – a global network where financial institutions trade currencies directly between themselves. For everyday retail traders to access this network, they need to use a broker. Brokers enable traders to buy and sell currency pairs and offer services like [leveraged trading](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/leverage-trading). In turn, brokers make money from the spread – the difference between the buy and sell price – and other fees such as commission charges. ## How to choose a forex broker Choosing a forex broker to trade with isn’t as difficult as a trader might think – even if they are brand new to trading. Start by reading the below list of factors that are important to traders, then use the information to help compare and choose a broker. 01. [Spreads, costs, and commission](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#spreads-costs-commission) 02. [Variety of markets to trade](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#variety-of-markets-to-trade) 03. [Types of brokers](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#types-of-brokers) 04. [Execution speed and slippage](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#execution-speed-slippage) 05. [Trading platform and tools](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#trading-platforms-tools) 06. [Regulation](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#regulation) 07. [Customer support](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#customer-support) 08. [Leverage and margin](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#leverage-margin) 09. [Risk management options](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#risk-management) 10. [Trading education](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#trading-education) 11. [Options for managing funds](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#options-for-managing-funds) 12. [Trading account options and features](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#trading-accounts) 13. [Reputation](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/how-to-choose-a-forex-broker#reputation) ### 1\. Spreads, costs, and commission The **spread** is the difference between the bid (buy) and the ask (sell) price. In general, the lower the spread, the better it is for the trader. That’s why it is common to see brokers promoting "low spreads”. Check out our [live forex spreads](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/trade/live-spreads) in real time. For example, if EUR/USD is priced at 1.1610/11, a trader could buy the currency pair at 1.1611 and sell it at 1.1610. The difference (1 [pip](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/pips-pipettes)) is what the trader pays as a cost of the transaction. Remember: most brokers earn their income primarily from spreads. **The commission** is another charge to consider. Many brokers offer different account types that suit different styles of trading and come with different fee structures. For example, one account might charge no commission on trades but have slightly higher spreads, while another account might offer lower spreads but have a separate commission charge. That structure is designed so the trader can choose the account type that’s going to work best for their [trading strategy](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/forex-trading-strategies) and cost them less. **Swaps** are another important consideration for traders who open and hold currency positions overnight. These types of trades incur fees, known as a swap rate, and these can be positive or negative, depending on which currency pair is being traded and whether they are long or short.  ### 2\. Variety of markets to trade A strong broker should have a variety of trading products available to trade. Even if a trader is primarily focused on currencies, it’s good to know there are other options available. For example, traders might spot a trading opportunity in oil, cryptocurrencies, or the stock market that they want to take advantage of, and it would be frustrating if they couldn’t take it simply because the broker didn’t offer that product. Aside from [currencies](https://www.axi-solaris.com/eu/blog/education/forex/strongest-currencies-in-the-world), look for a broker that offers access to commodities, indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies. ### 3\. Types of brokers One of the most important things to know about a broker is how they operate within the foreign exchange market. Discover some of the types of forex brokers below: - **Market Makers** don't hedge their client's positions with liquidity providers, but instead, take the risk themselves. This means a client's loss would be the broker's profit, and vice-versa. - **STP (Straight-Through-Processing)** means there is no manual intervention from the broker when orders