In our guide, we will go over the best brokers for scalping. Not all forex brokers allow scalping, so it is important to choose a forex broker that allows it.
We base our research on various factors such as fees, security, regulation, minimum deposits, ease of use, trading platform, trading tools, maximum leverage, execution speeds, and more.
Best Scalping Trading Platforms 2023
Only certain forex brokers allow scalping, so you must choose the right broker for this trading strategy. Here are our best brokers for scalping:
- Pepperstone – Best Scalping Forex Broker 2023 Overall
- FP Markets – Best High Leverage Scalping Broker
- IC Markets – Great Scalping Broker for Trading Tools
- Admiral Markets – Competitive Spreads Scalping Broker
- HotForex – Tight Spread Scalping Broker
- Grand Capital – Good MetaTrader Scalping Forex Broker
- LCG – Good ECN Forex Scalping Broker
- VantageFX – Fast Execution Scalping Broker
Our Top 3 Picks
Runner up
PFI Rating 4.9
Best Overall
PFI Rating 4.9
Third Place
PFI Rating 4.8
PFI Rating: 4.9/5
Pepperstone – Best Broker for Scalping Overall
Pepperstone is our top pick as the best broker for forex scalping. Pepperstone was founded in 2010 and offers CFDs on Forex, Crypto, Shares, Indices, and Cryptocurrencies.
The minimum deposit is $0, and Pepperstone offers a wide variety of deposit methods. Pepperstone is a safe and reliable forex broker regulated by top-tier authorities.
Forex trading fees are low from 0.0 pips. Pepperstone offers two account types: Razor and Standard.
- Regulated by Top Authorities
- Low Spreads
- No Minimum Deposit
76.6% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider
PFI Rating: 4.9/5
FP Markets – Best ECN Scalping Broker
FP Markets comes in close second as the best scalping ECN forex broker. FP Markets was founded in 2005 and is regulated by top-tier regulators such as CySEC and ASIC.
The minimum deposit is $100, and FP Markets offers trading on 10,000+ assets.
Forex trading fees are low from 0.0 pips. FP Markets offers two account types: Raw and Standard. The maximum leverage available is 1:500 on the FP Markets Pro Account.
On FP Markets Official Website
PFI Rating: 4.8/5
IC Markets
IC Markets was founded in 2007 and is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, FSAS, and SCB.
Compared to Pepperstone and FP Markets, they have a higher minimum deposit amount. The minimum deposit is $200. Trading tools are better at IC Markets, while Pepperstone offers better market research tools.
IC Markets offers three account types: Raw Spread (cTrader), Raw Spread (MetaTrader), and Standard. Trading fees are low with spreads as low as 0.0 – 0.6 pips and $0.0 – $3.5 commission per lot.
The maximum leverage is 1:200.
On IC Markets Official Website
PFI Rating: 4.7/5
Admiral Markets
Admiral Markets was founded in 2001 and is regulated by CySEC, FCA, ASIC, JSC, and FSCA.
Admiral Markets offers four different account types with various fees, spreads, and commissions.
Average trading fees are medium compared to other brokers on this list.
They offer trading through MT4 and MT5 with versatile tools available. There are some particularly good volatility tools available for skilled traders, as well as comprehensive educational content.
On Admiral Markets Official Website
HotForex
HotForex is a brokerage offering an MT4 and MT5 trading platform. This versatile broker is appealing thanks to its low trading fees and easy account opening. Forex traders can enjoy a wide range of currency pairs available.
HotForex also offers social trading and a demo account on their platform. HotForex is a great option for active day traders, offering flexible leverage up to 1000:1.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| A high-quality trading platform | Spreads are higher than many other brokers |
| Plenty of helpful research tools | |
| Low forex trading fees | |
| Plenty of currency pairs are available |
Grand Capital
Grand Capital is an MT4, MT5, and Web Trader broker that offers online trading of forex, CFDs, and cryptocurrency. This brokerage offers various accounts, with the ECN account (suitable for experienced traders) being the best option for scalping.
The Grand Capital trading platform offers multiple trading order types and great analytical tools and technical indicators. This brokerage offers over 330 trading instruments over various markets.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Great analytics and research tools | Wide spreads on basically all accounts |
| Offers wide-ranging trading instruments and market access | Not as highly regulated as other brokers |
| A high-quality trading platform | |
| Good leverage options for forex trading | |
| Various bonuses available |
LCG
London Capital Group (LCG) is a great broker for scalping. This web-based trading platform can handle a wide range of assets and offers access to over 7000 instruments over various asset classes.
LCG is regulated by the FCA, CIMA, and CySEC. There is a $0 account minimum, as well as a demo account for practicing trading. LCG offers a fairly high minimum spread compared to other brokers. This brokerage offers the MT4 trading platform.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| $0 minimum deposit | No VPS available |
| A well-regulated brokerage | Fees and spreads could be better |
| Offers many investment opportunities | |
| Client funds are segregated | |
| Great mobile trading app |
Vantage FX
Vantage FX is one of the top choices, offering large amounts of leverage to suit all kinds of trading strategies. Vantage FX is regulated by ASIC and offers scalping.
Vantage FX offers MT4 and MT5 trading platforms and low fees for forex traders. Opening an account is fast and easy, and there is plenty of quality research and trading tools.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Low trading fees | Offers a limited investment portfolio |
| Easy account opening process | |
| Great educational content | |
| Versatile trading tools |
Titan FX
Titan FX is a New Zealand-based broker regulated by FMA. This global online financial trading platform with over 227 tradable assets. This platform offers forex trading, spread betting, social trading, and share dealing. Scalping is available for forex traders.
Titan FX offers a very user-friendly MetaTrader platform. There are various useful trading tools available, and the platform supports all trading strategies. Titan FX offers a particularly fast and up-to-date trading platform, and traders can access 500:1 leverage.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| A very user-friendly trading platform | $200 account minimum |
| Great currency pairs available | |
| Caters to all trading strategies |
RoboForex
Roboforex is an online forex and CFD broker, offering trading opportunities in global markets. This broker is a great choice for scalping, which can be done effectively through the online trading platform. Roboforex uses MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
Roboforex offers tight spreads and very fast order executions. There are five account currencies available, 40currency pairs, as well as 100 instruments. Roboforex offers leverage of up to 1:2000.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| No deposit or inactivity fees | There are no fixed spread accounts |
| A good range of currency pairs available | |
| Great trading platform with good tools | |
| Quality mobile trading app available |
How Does Scalping Work?
Forex scalping is a specific method of trading on the foreign exchange market. This is when traders buy or sell a certain currency pair, and they hold that currency for some time in an attempt to create a profit.
Forex scalpers need to be fast and efficient. Scalping is a technique that takes advantage of small gains with each trade to make many smaller profits.
Forex scalpers will go through many trades in a single day and will not hold trades for more than a few minutes.
Risks of Scalping
Forex trading always holds risks due to constantly changing markets. Forex scalping offers unique risks to trading, as prices are constantly moving. If a forex scalper holds the position for too long, the price may move out of the profitable range before they close the trade.
Scalping traders need to be incredibly fast and decisive. Positions can lose their profitability in a matter of seconds. If you are trading with this technique, then you will need to pay extremely careful attention to your every move.
Regulation of Scalping
Generally, brokers want traders to buy currency at the offer and sell this at the bid instead of using a scalping method. Most trading platforms do not allow scalping on their platform, but certain brokers do allow it.
These brokers are all regulated by top-tier authorities, such as the FCA or ASIC. So, scalping is legal and regulated, but not all brokers cater to it.
Brokers' Policies on Scalping
Many brokers do not encourage scalping, but all brokers will allow it occasionally and to a certain extent. This is because quickly adjusting and changing positions on a trade is a normal thing for traders to do. The brokers we have listed above all offer the top platforms that cater best to scalping.
ECN Brokers and Scalping
ECN brokers are typically the most common type of brokers to offer scalping. These are brokers that do not directly pass on orders to market makers. Rather, ECN brokers do an electronic matching of participants, which are then passed over to liquidity providers.
Swing Trading vs Scalping
Swing trading is based on making fewer trades in a day, with more time to monitor the trades. This is monitored less frequently.
Scalpers focus on a much higher number of trades each day. These trades need much more careful attention paid to them, with faster changes and a tighter timeframe.
Leverage in Scalping
Leverage plays an important role in scalping. Scalpers usually use leverage to ensure that positions are high enough to earn a decent profit. In scalping, you need larger position sizes for better results. This is why scalping brokers usually offer higher leverage amounts.
How to Pick a Broker That Allows Scalping
There are a few factors to keep in mind when picking a broker. Here is what you should consider…
Regulation
Forex scalping needs to be done through brokers that are properly regulated. Make sure that the broker has top-tier regulators that comply with the regulation standards in your country of trading.
Fees & Commissions
Different brokers offer unique spreads, fees, and commission structures. This can make a major difference to your returns, so understand the fees before you start trading. We also have a guide where we compare the lowest cost Forex Brokers offering tight spreads.
Is it an ECN broker?
There are various types of brokers, falling under dealing desk or non-dealing desk brokers. ECN brokers are typically the best choice for scalpers.
Customer Support
The type of customer support available can make a huge impact on your trading experience. Research whether your forex broker offers responsive 24/7 support.
What Can You Trade?
Besides forex, different brokers offer different trading portfolios. This can include things like stocks, crypto, CFDs, and so on. This can also be spread over various global markets.
Education Available
The best trading platforms should offer extensive educational content for more informed trading.
Trading Tools
Platforms offer various tools to help traders make better moves and stay protected. Consider the trading tools that your broker offers.
Account Minimums
The minimum amount of capital to open an account varies between brokers. Make sure that the capital available matches your broker’s requirements.
Deposit Methods
Different brokers offer different deposit and withdrawal methods for their accounts. Make sure that this matches your method of banking.
Research Available
Brokers that offer higher levels of research allow traders to make more informed decisions. Different platforms have unique research tools available.
Trading Platform
Brokers offer unique trading platforms for different trading experiences. This can include desktop and mobile applications with unique tools available.
