Website Reviews
Mobile Apps
Trading Robots
Top Rated Forex Sites
#1 - Pocket Option: Best Overall
Editors Summary
Pocket Option offers many excellent features to new and existing traders. When you check-out the various account types, you will see that they work with traders of any level – newbie, beginner, experienced, master etc. This site is so easy to use, and while CySEC does not license them, they have good feedback online and tick all of the boxes of a trusted broker. We love the ease of use and no-frills approach which is replicated with a great user experience.
#2 - IQcent: Best Free Demo
Editors Summary
It is clear to see that IQcent mean business and that their all-around offering to traders is making them a serious competitor in the digital options market place. From their easy to use trading platform to the fact that they offer such good withdrawal terms, you can't help but feel that this broker is going to capture the market, quickly. With a base in London, reputable licensing, an acceptance of US customers they tick all the boxes when it comes what traders want.
#3 - Raceoption: Best Mobile App
Editors Summary
Raceoption, while a relatively new broker, tick all of the boxes when it comes to trading. They are competitive and offer all of the things that you would expect. Benefits include an excellent mobile trading platform, welcome and deposit bonuses and a good support system. There are phone numbers available in many languages, alternatively, you can send a message with your details, and someone will get back to you.
Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.
Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.
Forex Sites in USA
With Forex trading in the USA being strictly regulated you will find less international brokers then you would typically find. This isn't because trading is prohibited, but because of the criteria required to be able to obtain a license. This has limited the number of brokers offering their services to US residents. Despite this there is still a good choice of regulated brokers. Here's what you should look for:
Local Licensing
Because of the demands that the NFA and CFTC place on brokers that want to offer Forex trading service in America, you need to ensure that you choose a licensed one. Some will ignore the regulations and try to trade under the radar. To ensure that you are trading with a broker that is operating within the licensing requirements look for the NFA/CFTC symbols and check out our recommendations and reviews.
Bonuses And Deals
Often used to encourage you to open an account, welcome bonuses take one of two forms. There is a non-deposit bonus or the deposit bonus. As the name suggests the non-deposit bonus doesn't require you to spend any of your own money. The bonus will generally cover the first few trades. A deposit bonus is often worth more but requires you to make a deposit first.
Currency Pairs
As one of the leading global currencies, the USD features in many of the "main" Forex pairs available to trade in. In addition to the main pairs, you have the "minors" and "exotics". These pairs tend to be less easy to predict, but the spreads are often greater. If you want to have the choice of pairs then you need to find a broker that offers more than the main ones.
Customer Support
As a new trader, or new to the broker, then you want to ensure that you can get hold of someone if the need arises. If you have a question or query, how do you get hold of customer support? There are often many ways to get in touch with someone. Make sure the broker that you choose is visible and can be contacted.
Broker Fees And Tax
The tax payable on Forex trading profits is subject to tax, but this can be applied in one of two ways, and this is where it can get complicated. There are two IRS contracts; 988 and 1256. 988 is the tax payable on spot trades which are settled within two days. These are subject to income tax.
Then there is the 1256 contract which applies to future contracts. These are subject to capital gains tax. If you are confused as to which applies to you, and if you do a mixture of short term and long-term trades, then it is advisable to seek the advice of a tax professional.
When it comes to fees, there are a few to consider:
- Commission fees - The amount you pay on a successful trade, deducted at source
- Withdrawal fees - A small fee that is charged by some brokers every time you make a withdrawal from your account
- Transaction fees - This may be charged by your credit or debit card or your electronic payment provider
- Currency conversion fee - Often most brokers accept deposits and payout in USD, so currency conversion may not apply to US residents
Before you select your broker, it is worth taking a look at the fees that they charge so that you know the actual cost of trading. Consider how you can reduce the expenses by making fewer withdrawals and payment transactions.
American Licencing
There is quite a lot to know about the legalities and regulation of Forex trading in the USA. It is one of the more challenging trading markets in the world. In most European countries, you need to apply for a license and meet specific criteria to obtain one. In the USA however it is much more stringent.
The main issue for brokers is that they are required to have a large amount of capital to be granted a licensed by the NFA/CFTC. This requirement prohibits many brokers from applying for a license to trade, and you will notice that most of the massive global brokers don't accept US traders.
Because of this, you can be reassured that the brokers who do have a license are serious about protecting their client's investments. When you choose a broker that is licensed by the NFA/CFTC you are picking a reliable and trustworthy one. That's not to say that many of the global ones aren't, just that the capital required is too restrictive. Be careful though; there are those brokers who will claim to have a license that don't so make sure you check it out.
Our team are experienced, many of them have been traders for a number of years.
How we Recommend Brokers
Our job is to make your trading experience better. To do this we offer a selection of the best US Forex brokers. Each broker is tested on several criteria to ensure that the service that they offer is of the best quality.
We test several elements of trading to ensure that they not only offer good welcome bonuses or an excellent mobile trading experience but that they offer a holistic experience. We look at their customer service, their payouts, the number of assets they offer, welcome bonuses, whether they provide a demo account and much more.
Our team of experts are experienced in Forex trading; many of them have been professional traders for several years themselves. They know exactly what to look for and will place several trades to make sure they can establish the suitability of the platform. We then take these findings and score the broker on each of the applicable trading features.
These findings are presented to you in the form of comprehensive and detailed reviews, designed to help you make an informed decision. All you need to do is find the brokers that best suit your requirements and decide who to open an account with.
Our Review Rating System (More Info)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Forex trading in the USA legal and safe?
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It is legal to trade in Forex in the USA despite the lack of international brokers that accept US traders. The reason for the low number is regulatory requirements.
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Do I need to pay fees and taxes on my profits?
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Yes, you will need to pay tax on your Forex trading profits. The question is which type of tax you will need to pay. It is best to seek advice from an accountant before you submit your tax returns.
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Can I test brokers before trading with real money?
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You can either use a demo platform, or you can use a no deposit bonus. The demo platform is a virtual trading environment with virtual funds and a simulated version of live trading.
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Is it easy to make deposits and withdrawals?
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Most brokers accept major credit and debit cards and electronic forms of payments. To withdraw funds, you request your withdrawal, and the money is returned.
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Can I trade using my mobile or tablet device?
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The answer to this all depends on whether the broker offers a mobile-friendly solution. Do they offer an app? Many brokers do. If not, they provide a mobile responsive website.
Top Rated Forex Site
#1 - Pocket Option: Best Overall
Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.
Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.
Jessica has written for us for 5 years and offers a unique perspective due to her having worked in the financial industry internationally. In fact, Jessica has worked in a staggering 8 countries including Germany, China and the USA.
