Best High-Frequency Trading Brokers In 2025
The best brokers for high-frequency trading (HFT) provide low latency to minimize delays, superior pricing to enhance margins, and extensive automation capabilities. The result: high-volume algorithmic trading at a price point that allows for profits on tiny market movements.
Explore our selection of the top high-frequency trading platforms. We’ve personally tested every broker listed, pinpointing trusted firms with low latency execution, excellent fees, and terrific tools for high-frequency trading.
Top 6 HFT Brokers In 2025
Based on our latest tests, these 6 brokers are a cut above the rest for high-frequency traders:
Why Are These The Best HFT Brokers?
Here is a fast overview of why we think these are the top brokers for high-frequency trading:
- Interactive Brokers is the best broker for high-frequency trading in 2025 - When we tested Interactive Brokers, execution speed was strong - sub-10ms via their Gateway API, with deep multi-asset liquidity and precise order routing. Spreads vary by venue but were as low as 0.1 pips on EUR/USD, with $2–$3.50 per lot equivalent. FIX API, co-location, and smart order routing support high-frequency trading at institutional scale.
- Dukascopy - In our HFT testing, Dukascopy's JForex and FIX API access offered sub-20ms execution with transparent order book depth. Spreads on EUR/USD averaged 0.1–0.3 pips, with commission from $5–$10 per lot depending on volume. Co-located servers in Geneva, raw liquidity, and precise slippage control make it a strong HFT contender.
- Focus Markets - In our recent tests, Focus Markets showed competitive execution speeds averaging 30–50ms with tight spreads from 0.1 pips on major FX pairs and a $6 round-turn commission. Offering raw ECN liquidity, FIX API access, and VPS support, it delivers reliable low-latency trading suitable for algorithmic and HFT strategies at a growing scale.
- FOREX.com - When we tested FOREX.com, execution latency averaged 60–80ms, suitable for fast trading but not as ideal for ultra-HFT as the firms higher in our toplist. Spreads on EUR/USD were around 0.2–0.4 pips with $5–$6 per lot commission on RAW accounts. While it lacks FIX API and true ECN routing, it performs reliably for semi-automated, short-term trading strategies.
- IC Markets - During our HFT tests, IC Markets consistently delivered execution below 20ms on cTrader and MetaTrader with negligible slippage. Spreads on EUR/USD averaged 0.1 pips, with a $7 round-turn commission per lot. True ECN connectivity, FIX API access, deep liquidity, and proximity hosting via Equinix NY4 and LD5 make it ideal for HFT.
- Global Prime - During our last tests for high-frequency traders specifically, Global Prime showed lightning-fast execution under 30ms with minimal slippage. Spreads start from 0.0 pips, paired with $6 round-turn commission. FIX API and deep multi-bank liquidity pools provide institutional-grade access, making it ideal for latency-sensitive HFT strategies.
Compare The Top HFT Brokers Across Key Elements
Find the right broker for your needs with our comparison of key features important to HFT traders:
| Broker | Fast Execution | VPS | API | ECN | Minimum Deposit | Algo Trading Tools | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | $0 | Capitalise.ai & TWS API | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM |
| Dukascopy | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | $100 | Yes (EAs & FIX APIs) | FINMA, JFSA, FCMC |
| Focus Markets | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | $100 | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ASIC, SVGFSA |
| FOREX.com | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $100 | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | NFA, CFTC |
| IC Markets | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | $200 | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA |
| Global Prime | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | A$200 | ✔ | ASIC, VFSC, FSA |
How Safe Are These HFT Brokers?
See how dependable the top brokers for HFT are and how they safeguard your funds:
| Broker | Trust Rating | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Negative Balance Protection | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dukascopy | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Focus Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| FOREX.com | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | |
| IC Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Global Prime | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
Compare Mobile High-Frequency Trading
Are these brokers good for high-speed mobile trading?
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| Dukascopy | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Focus Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| FOREX.com | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Global Prime | iOS & Android | ✘ |
Compare The Ratings Of The Best Brokers For HFT Strategies
Uncover how the top HFT brokers scored in every critical area after our hands-on tests:
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Assets | Mobile | Fees | Accounts | Research | Education | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | |||||||||
| Dukascopy | |||||||||
| Focus Markets | |||||||||
| FOREX.com | |||||||||
| IC Markets | |||||||||
| Global Prime |
Compare Trading Fees
The cost of high-frequency trading can be huge, so choosing a low-cost broker is key. Here's how the top HFT providers measure up on pricing:
| Broker | Cost Rating | Fixed Spreads | Inactivity Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | ✘ | $0 | |
| Dukascopy | ✘ | CHF 100 | |
| Focus Markets | ✘ | $0 | |
| FOREX.com | ✘ | $15 | |
| IC Markets | ✘ | $0 | |
| Global Prime | ✘ | - |
How Popular Are The Top HFT Brokers?
With so much on the line with this fast-paced strategy, many traders prefer the most popular HFT brokers (those with the most clients):
| Broker | Popularity |
|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | |
| FOREX.com | |
| Dukascopy | |
| IC Markets |
Why Use Interactive Brokers For High-Frequency Trading?
"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Interactive Brokers Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies |
| Regulator | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | $100 |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF |
Pros
- There's a vast library of free or paid third-party research subscriptions catering to all types of traders, plus you can enjoy commission reimbursements from IBKR if you subscribe to Toggle AI.
- The TWS platform has clearly been built for intermediate and advanced traders and comes with over 100 order types and a reliable real-time market data feed that rarely goes offline.
- Interactive Brokers has launched ForecastTrader, a unique, zero-commission product where users can trade yes/no Forecast Contracts on political, economic, and climate events, with fixed $1 payouts per contract, 24/6 market access, and 3.83% APY on held positions.
Cons
- IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
- TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.
- You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
Why Use Dukascopy For High-Frequency Trading?
"If you’re an experienced trader, Dukascopy provides the tools you need: JForex for algorithmic strategies, competitive spreads from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200, and the peace of mind of using a Swiss-regulated bank and broker."
Dukascopy Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 10% Equity Bonus |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Bonds, Binary Options |
| Regulator | FINMA, JFSA, FCMC |
| Platforms | JForex, MT4, MT5 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:200 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, CZK, AED, SAR, HUF, MXN |
Pros
- Dukascopy is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) as both a broker and a bank, ensuring top-tier financial security and adherence to strict standards.
- Dukascopy features some of the best research we’ve seen, even a professional TV studio in Geneva covering financial news, market analysis, and daily insights from professionals.
- Dukascopy offers tight spreads starting from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200 (depending on the jurisdiction), and volume-based commissions that reward high-frequency traders.
Cons
- While JForex is feature-rich, it has a steep learning curve, making it less suitable for beginner traders who might prefer simpler platforms.
- While Dukascopy provides some educational resources and 24/7 support, the complexity of its platforms and tools required extensive testing and may overwhelm newer traders.
- Dukascopy's withdrawal fees are higher than most competitors we’ve tested, particularly for bank wire transfers, which may deter traders who require frequent access to their funds.
Why Use Focus Markets For High-Frequency Trading?
"Focus Markets is perfect for experienced traders familiar with MetaTrader 5, offering flexible crypto transactions (USDT and BTC) and access to over 90 cryptocurrencies for seamless speculation, deposits, and withdrawals."
Focus Markets Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Regulator | ASIC, SVGFSA |
| Platforms | MT5 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, SGD |
Pros
- Focus Markets’ MT5 platform delivered fast, seamless trade execution during testing with advanced charting, multiple timeframes, and useful tools like Depth of Market (DOM). Its clean interface made navigation easy, while clear risk/reward ratios ensures precise trading.
- Focus Markets excelled in the deposit and withdrawal category during testing, offering more base currencies than most competitors, including USD, CAD and EUR - and a range of traditional and popular crypto payment options, including BTC and USDT.
- Focus Markets is regulated by ASIC – one of the most respected regulatory bodies in the financial industry with robust safeguards like negative balance protection, ensuring you can’t lose more than your balance in volatile markets.
Cons
- Regulatory protection is a location lottery at Focus Markets – Australian traders benefit from strong ASIC oversight, but those using the SVGFSA-registered entity face limited recourse options in disputes.
- Focus Markets’ 24/5 support lacks direct phone help and unresponsive live chat, while email replies took a full business day during our latest tests. This slow support is a major drawback for active traders who need quick resolutions.
- A significant drawback of Focus Markets is the lack of platform variety. It only support MT5, excluding popular platforms like MT4, cTrader, and TradingView, plus it hasn't developed its own software that could better meet the needs of beginners.
Why Use FOREX.com For High-Frequency Trading?
"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."
FOREX.com Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | VIP status with up to 10k+ in rebates - T&Cs apply. |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | Forex, Stock CFDs, Futures, Futures Options |
| Regulator | NFA, CFTC |
| Platforms | WebTrader, Mobile, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN |
Pros
- With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.
- FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
- The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
Cons
- Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
- Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
- There’s no negative balance protection for US clients, so you may find yourself owing more money than your initial deposit into your account.
Why Use IC Markets For High-Frequency Trading?
"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."
IC Markets Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- IC Markets secured DayTrading.com's 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' in 2025 for its seamless, industry-leading MetaTrader integration, refined over years to maximize the platform experience.
- You have access to over 2,250 CFDs across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing for diversified trading strategies.
- IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
Cons
- Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
- There are fees for certain withdrawal methods, including a $20 wire charge, which can eat into profits, especially for frequent withdrawals.
- Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
Why Use Global Prime For High-Frequency Trading?
"Global Prime is suitable for both beginners and seasoned traders with excellent market access, low fees and a range of tools including copy trading."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer
Global Prime Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, bonds |
| Regulator | ASIC, VFSC, FSA |
| Platforms | MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist |
| Minimum Deposit | A$200 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:200 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, SGD |
Pros
- VPS
- Segregated client funds
- $0 minimum deposit
Cons
- Narrow range of account options
- No MetaTrader 5 integration
- Clients from US and Canada are not accepted
How Did DayTrading.com Choose The Best HFT Brokers?
To list the best brokers for high-frequency trading, we spent hours specifically evaluating the HFT offering at 25+ brokerages:
- We assigned brokers suitable for high-frequency trading a rating from 1 to 100 (higher being better). We ran detailed hands-on tests, documenting how they performed in the areas that matter most to high-frequency traders, including execution speed, trading fees, ECN and API access, plus tools for developing trading algorithms.
- We ranked the shortlisted brokers by this specific HFT rating, combining our data points with the first-hand observations of our experienced testers, revealing the very best 6 platforms for high-frequency trading.
How To Choose A Broker For High-Frequency Trading
Whilst most high-frequency trading (HFT) firms use institutional brokers, some platforms accept retail traders. These are the most important features to consider when choosing an online broker for high-frequency trading:
Latency And Speed
Since high-frequency trading strategies typically rely on extremely fast trade execution to gain an edge, look for a broker with execution speeds measured in milliseconds (ms) or even microseconds (µs).
We consider any broker with speeds averaging 100ms or lower ‘fast’, but for high-frequency trading, you should be looking to shave away every millisecond to capitalize on tiny price discrepancies that can vanish in seconds.
- IC Markets remains one of the fastest brokers we used during our HFT tests, with speeds averaging below 20ms. It also boasts terrific pricing with raw spreads averaging 0.1 pips on EUR/USD, plus a stacked suite of HFT tools, including MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
Liquidity
With high-frequency trading normally involving placing a very high volume of orders, look for brokers with connections to multiple liquidity providers, as these tend to offer superior access to deep liquidity pools, which is crucial for filling orders with minimal price slippage.
Retail traders interested in HFT also need to find the right opportunities where they have a chance of success with this strategy, and primarily focus on highly liquid markets where price discrepancies can be capitalized on rapidly. For example, you may be interested in a broker with forex, stocks, commodities or cryptos.
- BlackBull stood out in our HFT evaluations here, boasting raw ECN liquidity and excellent slippage control that make this broker ideal for configuring high-frequency setups. Its three ECN accounts (Standard, Prime, and Institutional), also make BlackBull accessible to traders at every level.
Software
More than most strategies, the success of HFT is heavily reliant on the speed and stability of the software you use. So, look for a broker with sophisticated platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and APIs that can handle high-volume algorithmic trading.
- TopFX excelled in our HFT broker testing when it came to software and tools. In particular, we were impressed with it cTrader integration, which sported sub 30ms execution speeds with reliably low slippage. It also provides access to MT4, Autochartist and Trading Central, plus Quantower – a powerful analytical software not available at over 95% of brokers from our evaluations.
Pricing
High-frequency trading, more than many types of trading styles, can rack up fees since it involves executing a high volume of trades, so look for a broker with tight spreads and a favorable commission structure.
Over years of trading and reviewing brokers, we’ve found that the spread is usually the most important factor in strategies like high-frequency trading that aim to profit on slight price movements.
That’s why many of our recommended brokers offer spreads from or near 0.0 pips. You may need to pay a commission per lot to access this pricing, though this can be <$3.50 per side per lot, with some firms also running rebate schemes that cut costs for high-volume traders.
- IC Markets’ pricing model is a key reason it remains one of our experts’ favorite brokers for high-frequency trading, with industry-leading spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw account and rebates through its Raw Trader Plus programme of $1.50 to $2.50 per lot.
Regulation
Since high-frequency traders typically deal in large amounts, it’s essential to sign up with a trusted broker who will safeguard your funds.
I recommend choosing a trading platform authorized by a ‘green-tier’ body in DayTrading.com’s Regulation & Trust Rating, such as the FCA in the UK and the SEC in the US.These bodies enforce various rules, such as requiring brokers to offer the best possible trade execution for clients (key for HFT) and access to investor compensation in the event of brokerage insolvency.
It can also be an advantage to sign up with an established broker with a large presence, since these often work with a greater number of liquidity providers and have the most sophisticated technical setup, meaning potentially less chance of downtime or liquidity issues disrupting HFT setups.
- FOREX.com has long stood near the top of our rankings, achieving a near-perfect 4.9/5 Trust score with a stellar record since 2001. Its authorization from nine top regulators in the US, UK, Europe, Asia and Australia covers high-frequency traders all over the world, and its parent company, StoneX, is NASDAQ-listed.
Risk Management
High-frequency trading often involves a large volume of trades and relies on high leverage, so unexpected volatility can lead to large downsides. As such, look for brokers that offer sophisticated risk management features to help control potential losses in fast-moving markets.
Standard risk management tools like stop loss orders can help prevent large losses, but some of our top HFT brokers provide additional tools such as trade protection.
- FP Markets‘ guaranteed stop-loss tool is still one of the most useful risk management features we found during our HFT deep-dive tests. It’s affordable, integrated seamlessly into the platform, and ensures that your trade will stop out at the limit you define regardless of slippage.
What Are The Fastest Execution Speeds Among Top HFT Brokers?
Some of the fastest execution speeds in our HFT tests came from Interactive Brokers (sub-10ms via Gateway API), IC Markets (under 20ms on cTrader/MT4), and Dukascopy (sub-20ms with FIX and JForex).
Pepperstone and TopFX also deserve a nod for consistently delivering execution below 30ms, making them ideal for latency-sensitive strategies.
Are All Low-Spread Brokers Good For HFT?
Not necessarily. While many brokers advertise raw spreads (e.g. 0.0 – 0.2 pips), true suitability for HFT depends on execution latency, slippage control, and infrastructure.
For example, Plus500 and AvaTrade had higher latency and lacked FIX API or ECN access during our tests, making them less suitable for high-frequency trading than the brokers that made our top rankings, despite tight spreads.
What’s The Typical Cost Structure At A HFT Broker?
Most HFT brokers we’ve examined charge a $6 – $7 round-turn commission per lot on true ECN accounts, with spreads on EUR/USD averaging around 0.0 – 0.3 pips.
Notable exceptions include Interactive Brokers, which offers venue-based pricing as low as $2 – $3.50 per lot equivalent, and Dukascopy, which adjusts commissions based on volume.
High-frequency trading is incredibly difficult, requiring advanced technology, significant trading capital, and real skill. Only risk what you can afford to lose.