Forex brokers spread comparison

I've had valid comment and question from PRD trader about brokers on last post. I answered that Oanda can't be beat in spread for small trader. Then I realized that it was true before but is it now? So I look around and found nice web aplication by FX Intelligence for live spread comparison for various forex brokers.



On first view Oanda looks totally uncompetitive. But you need to get little deeper to see is that so. For example MB trading that is known broker (at least for me) have spread plus two way routing fee. It's great for someone that uses limit orders, preferably on in and out of position because you get paid back on limit orders and you lower your cost. I do not, so Oanda is still better. Then I decided to check FXOpen that had very competitive spread in comparison table. But on their site they state that spread is fixed to 2 pips on eur/usd. And guess what I read something there that induced me to write this post. It states: "Scalping With limitations. (1) Stop Loss, Take Profit and Pending Orders 10 pips or more away from the current price; 2) Most of the trades must be open for more than 1 minute".

No comment needed.



In comparison with big forex brokers like FXCM and Forex.com Oanda have best spread. In last 12 days average for normal hours 1.3 vs. 2.2 or 2.8.



At the end of my investigation I found out that you can chose to show data with commission included on that site. Then Oanda is around the top of the list even if spread now in Europe morning is 1.4 pips. Some other brokers have spread higher then 4, 5 or 6 pips. Go figure.

While I wrote this post spread came to 1.1 pips and Oanda is at the top if we exclude Alpari Direct with Currenex, that is certainly not broker for me.



So conclusion is that I'm pleased with Oanda from the first day and that I'm grateful that there is broker like that. I can scalp, spread is tight, I like their charts, they are fair and transparent.