Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

CrazyTrader58

Favorite FX Broker

Recommended Posts

Hello!

 

I've been reading this forum for a couple of days now and I have to admit, this is the best forum about trading i've seen so far! Everybody are willingly sharing their knowledge and it give great ressult!

 

So I have a question for you FX guys: After some research it appear to me that we can find and equal amount of pros and cons for every broker. I've seen some of you are using EFX...how does it perform? Do you like it? FXCM? And what about Gain Capital...I've seen that this was the worst broker...but that's the one John Carter is using so i suppose it can't be that bad. So i'm wondering which one are you using?

 

Cheer like walterw would say!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think the best answer is to test drive them all when the free fake accounts. But be aware that the test accounts won't be exactly as the real accounts, there are miles apart from the two. But two things I check for, the quotes, and the speed of the execution (especially when it's AT THE MARKET, for what the current last price was and what you got and how long it took to be executed). If the spread is wider than another, put it as a con. If it executes longer than expected (even at Market), double con. If it executes at prices way out last prices (exception is at the news announcement, all bets are off), triple con. If they all hold up, then you have a decent platform on your hand.

 

So I've done this and had experienced with real accounts with a few out there. I'm currently using MBTrading, which uses the same platform as EFX. No complains from me so far. Been using for more than 1 year. I won't mention names, but the bigger and popular the brokers, then you know you're not dealing with highly personal customer rep service or decent platform (slaughterhouse). These are the ones the amateurs and uninformed first go when they see an ad all over the place. Do due diligence and see through the smoke and mirrors and judge for yourself.

 

Hope that helps.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

I'm currently using MBTrading.

 

Been using for more than 1 year.

 

These are the new? naked, multi-stream (bank), tell it like it is spot operators in town aren’t they? I guess 12 months is a reasonably decent guage/trial period.

 

How do they cope with layered size torero? You shoving much size through there at varying times during the London & New York shifts?

 

We're informed they got one or two foot soldiers out there on the retail forums banging their drum, not sure if that's good or bad :)

 

It’s difficult to obtain a true reading on these guy’s. Ross & Steve Demarest sure have (positive) history out there, but it would be interesting to hear how this engine holds up against all the chatter & jawboning.

 

I only know one semi-serious player running tickets through them, but he's a whack job (& no, it’s not milliard – though he’s certainly a whack job lol), so I disregarded the conversation.

 

They appear? to offer an alternative to the dirty laundry masquerading as legit spot brokers out there, just wondering if their walk matches their talk.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is from my experience after using various brokers, and from what I see so far, they are better (I never said they are the ultimate retail broker). I'm not a big gunslinging size trader compared to the institute so I can't say if they can handle size. So trading a few standard size contracts don't pose a problem for me during rush hour. The contracts execute fairly quick.

 

I'm aware that EFX has a guy out there on the forums educating or jawboning like you say to differentiate themselves from the no-commission brokers. I'd rather take the comms to the spread they offer. There's a level II on MBT where you can see the size a few levels on each side, so it look like the real market to me, I place an order, and I can my order on the Level II right away. FXCM and others only offer the spread quotes the last time I dropped them. They have more than others for me at the moment. If there are others out there that can offer more, let me know, I'm always looking out for new improved platform.

 

I don't promote or condemn any brokers, just my personal observation and opinion and I mentioned earlier, just try them all and see for yourself and don't take my word as the truth because the truth is only what each person sees it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Guys,

 

I'm at the moment with MB Trading FX which is a nice broker. I'd like to get a better broker though because commissions aren't exactly cheap at 10USD per 100k lot per round trip compared to what is being offered on futures. Someone I knew got them down to 8, and there are some people out there who claim to be able to get you a 25% refund, but in a way that I don't like. Other than that I am very happy with MB FX.

 

The only alternative of non dealing desk brokers seem to be Hotspot FX(6USD) and Dukascopy(max 4USD). Of course spreads, slippage and execution platform are also vital, unfortunately I have no idea how they compare in that respect.

 

OANDA seems to be ok too, they're not on top of my list though.

 

It would be great if someone could share their experience.

 

Cheers

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not wishing to ignore your above post there Sparrow, but unfortunately I can't add much of any use to your request for sharing re; Brokers.

 

Same goes for Anna-Maria & Krantzy too. I doubt you'll get a comment from them now anyway, they packed their toys away end Nov & aren't active again till end Jan 08.

 

We trunk thru Prime Broker ops... therefore don't utilize retail supply at all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey torero,

 

Yeah I drew the short straw! :roll eyes:

 

I fly home with a couple other stragglers Thursday. I'll be sure pass on your best wishes when I catch em for a few beers at the the other end next w/end.

 

You winding things up your end? You fella's generally run your orders right into Xmas week?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah, we all just wishing to squeeze a few more $$ to get a few more presents before it all ends. (Either that or a few less presents! Yikes!).

 

Good luck and happy new year!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
(Either that or a few less presents! Yikes!).

 

Good luck and happy new year!

 

:o Oh for sure. Take care to wear adequate footware, it'll start getting awful slippy after this week as the volumes dissipate.

 

Our reps are more interested in chasing the skirt round the offices with bunches of mistletoe than work the orders. Waste of time trying to dodge the snipers when the lack of cover (liquidity) gets whacked.

 

Same to you, enjoy the holidays, & don't get crushed in the last minute shopping madness ;)

 

Catch y'all in Jan hopefully!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did a bit of research, read a couple of reviews at forexpeacearmy

and currencysecrets.

 

I suppose both hotspot and dukascopy are good brokers with pros and cons respectively but would have to find out myself by trying their demo accounts to get the complete picture.

 

I am just exploring my options here, I'll stay with MB FX for some time for sure until I've got enough experience paper trading.

 

For scalping though commissions, spreads and slippage can make or break a system.

 

Hope you're all enjoy your vacation, see you next year.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
How original! Another "Favorite FX Broker" thread! :crap:

 

Interactive Brokers seem to offer the best spreads and cheapest commissions and they're a STP/ECN broker.

 

If you can post a good link I'd be very glad.

Thanks for reminding me of IB, i forgot to mention them, but dunno how they compare to the others.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
How original! Another "Favorite FX Broker" thread! :crap:

 

Interactive Brokers seem to offer the best spreads and cheapest commissions and they're a STP/ECN broker.

 

 

Hey, nice to see you back at the forum!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

IB hasn't got cheaper comissions than MB FX as far as I can tell.

They charge normal retail traders 1 basis point * trade value in comissions ( e.g. 100k USD * 0.0001 = 10USD ).

 

If you trade a lot you can get it down to a tenth of that, but that'd require a bunch of money. Besides their reviews are worse than the others, mostly because of their support.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have used many Forex Brokers over the years. I no longer daytrade Forex in a "scalping" manner, but still occasionally enter intraday swings or even longer positions. The only broker I still use for Forex is EFXGroup. They are the Forex only side of MBTrading. The people that work there are very helpful and I have never had an issue with them. If you trade the big pairs during peak hours the spread is practically non-existent and in my opinion cancels the fact that you pay a commission. Their speed is top notch and the spreads are very fair around news events.

 

I would like to point out, however, that I do not think scalping and news trading is a good idea with Forex. Currency futures is a better choice in my opinion. If you do have a valid and robust strategy for trading Forex, you should take a look at EFXGroup or MBTrading.

 

Forex Brokers I have had experience with:

  • EFXGroup
  • Forex.com
  • FXCM
  • FXDD
  • InteractiveBrokers
  • Oanda
  • Velocity4X

Note: EFXGroup is the only one I have dealt with lately (within the last five months). Like with every broker…uptime, speed, customer support, etc, can change from time to time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Hlm,

 

thanks for the info, sadly there aren't many real alternatives to EFX/MB FX.

You're right about the scalping, setups really need to be very good otherwise there's no way to make a profit in FX.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree with the scalping. Forex tend to trend much better than other products so why scalp when you can trend and make more money. I have 2 accounts at MBT, one for swing and the other to use for short term counter-trend trades (not scalping though). As I mentioned in other threads, I never had problems with them so why fix it if it ain't broke?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
IB hasn't got cheaper comissions than MB FX as far as I can tell.

They charge normal retail traders 1 basis point * trade value in comissions ( e.g. 100k USD * 0.0001 = 10USD ).

 

If you trade a lot you can get it down to a tenth of that, but that'd require a bunch of money. Besides their reviews are worse than the others, mostly because of their support.

 

IB are much cheaper than MB. I don't know where you're getting your figures from.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Hey, nice to see you back at the forum!

 

Thanks. I've been focussing on forex trading with some nice set-ups on the 5 minute charts and a few fundamental trades here and there (long EUR/JPY since yesterday in anticipation of the Fed cut) so haven't posted here in a while. I came back to check if there's been much discussion on the rainbow indicator because I find that useful for getting into established trends. I post over at forexfactory more regularly.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You're right, thanks for clearing things up. That'd put em in the same league as dukascopy commissions wise with half of the minimum initial balance requirement.

 

Looks like another option.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • NFLX Netflix stock, watch for a top of range breakout at https://stockconsultant.com/?NFLX
    • SMCI Super Micro Computer stock watch, attempting to move higher off the 34.06 support area at https://stockconsultant.com/?SMCI        
    • UPST Upstart stock watch, pull back to 68.15 gap support area at https://stockconsultant.com/?UPST  
    • Why not to simply connect you account to myfxbook which will collect all this data automatically for you? The process you described looks tedious and a bit obsolete but may work for you though.
    • The big breakthrough with AI right now is “natural language computing.”   Meaning, you can speak in natural language to a computer and it can go through huge data sets, make sense out of them, and speak back to you in natural language.   That alone is a huge breakthrough.   The next leg? AI agents. Where they don’t just speak back to you.   They take action. Here’s the definition I like best: an AI agent is an autonomous system that uses tools, memory, and context to accomplish goals that require multiple steps.   Everything from simple tasks (analyzing web traffic) to more complex goals (building executive briefings or optimizing websites).   They can:   > Reason across multiple steps.   >Use tools like a real assistant (Excel spreadsheets, budgeting apps, search engines, etc.)   > Remember things.   And AI agents are not islands. They talk to other agents.   They can collaborate. Specialized agents that excel at narrow tasks can communicate and amplify one another’s strengths—whether it’s reasoning, data processing, or real-time monitoring.   What it Looks Like You wake up one morning, drink your coffee, and tell your AI agent, “I need to save $500 a month.”   It gets to work.   First, it finds all your recurring subscriptions. Turns out you’re paying $8.99 for a streaming service you forgot you had.   It cancels it. Then it calls your internet provider, negotiates a lower bill, and saves you another $40. Finally, it finds you car insurance that’s $200 cheaper per year.   What used to take you hours—digging through statements, talking to customer service reps on hold for an hour, comparing plans—is done while you’re scrolling Twitter.   Another example: one agent tracks your home maintenance needs and gets information from a local weather-monitoring agent. Result: "Rain forecast next week - should we schedule gutter cleaning now?"   Another: an AI agent will plan your vacations (“Book me a week in Italy for under $2,000”), find the cheapest flights, and sort out hotels with a view.   It’ll remind you to pay bills, schedule doctor’s appointments, and track expenses so you’re not wondering where your paycheck went every month.   The old world gave you tools—Excel spreadsheets, search engines, budgeting apps. The new world gives you agents who do the work for you.   Don’t Get Too Scared (or Excited) Yet William Gibson famously said: "The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed."   AI agents will distribute it. For decades, the tools that billionaires and corporations used to get ahead—personal assistants, financial advisors, lawyers—were out of reach for regular people.   AI agents could change that.   BUT, remember…   We’re in inning one.   AI agents have a ways to go.   They’re imperfect. They mess up. They need more defenses to get ready for prime time.   To be sure, AI is powerful, but it’s not a miracle worker. It’s great at helping humans solve problems, but it’s not going to replace all jobs overnight.   Instead of fearing AI, think of it as a tool to A.] save you time on boring stuff and B.] amplify what you’re already good at. Right now is the BEST time to start experimenting. It’s also the best time to find investments that will “make AI work for you”. Author: Chris Campbell (AltucherConfidential)   Profits from free accurate cryptos signals: https://www.predictmag.com/     
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.