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Best CFD Trading Platforms and Brokers in Germany 2024

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Written By
James Barra
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Written By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. He has worked as a management consultant, where he delivered large-scale operational transformational programmes at some of Europe's biggest banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
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Fact Checked By
Jemma Grist
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Fact Checked By
Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
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Updated
Jul 2, 2024

CFDs were introduced to the German market in 2005 and surged in popularity following the implementation of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) in 2007, which paved the way for online brokers to expand their CFD operations in Germany.

We’ve identified the best CFD trading platforms and brokers in Germany. Every CFD broker recommended is trusted and accepts German traders.

Top 10 CFD Trading Platforms in Germany

Following our comprehensive testing of nearly 500 brokers, these 10 platforms continue to stand out as the best for CFD traders in Germany:

Click a broker for details
  1. 1
    Eightcap
    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:30
    ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB, CNMV
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
    MT4, MT5, TradingView
    Neteller, Skrill, Visa, UnionPay, Credit Card, Debit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, BPAY, PayPal, Dragonpay, PIX Payment
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD
    Go To Eightcap
  2. 2
    AvaTrade
    79% of retail accounts lose money with this provider.
    Ratings
    4.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
    ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures
    WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
    Skrill, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Swift, MoneyGram, Credit Card, WebMoney, JCB Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Boleto
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
    Go To AvaTrade
  3. 3
    Deriv.com
    Ratings
    3.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    4.2 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    $5
    0.01 Lots
    1:1000
    MFSA, LFSA, VFSC, BFSC
    CFDs, Multipliers, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities
    Deriv Trader, MT5
    Neteller, Visa, Skrill, WebMoney, FasaPay, Perfect Money, Diners Club, Banxa, Paytrust, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, JCB Card, Sticpay, Trustly, Volet, Paysafecard, AstroPay, Maestro, Airtm, Boleto, JetonCash
    USD, EUR, GBP, AUD
    Go To Deriv.com
  4. 4
    Pepperstone
    CFDs and FX are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.
    Ratings
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
    FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB
    CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting
    MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade
    Visa, Mastercard, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer, POLi, UnionPay, BPAY, Neteller, Skrill
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To Pepperstone
  5. 5
    XM
    75.33% of retail accounts lose money.
    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.7 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    $5
    0.01 Lots
    1:30
    ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA, CNMV, AMF
    Forex, Stock CFDs, Turbo Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Precious Metals, Energies, Shares, Crypto, Futures
    MT4, MT5
    Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Perfect Money, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, TransferWise, Visa, M-Pesa
    USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, ZAR, CHF, SGD, PLN, HUF
    Go To XM
  6. 6
    LiteForex Europe
    Ratings
    4 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.4 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    $50
    0.01 Lots
    1:30
    CySEC
    CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities
    MT4, MT5
    Neteller, Skrill, Visa, QIWI, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Western Union, Credit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CHF
    Go To LiteForex Europe
  7. 7
    DNA Markets
    Ratings
    3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    1.8 / 5
    1.6 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:500
    ASIC
    CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto
    MT4, MT5
    Credit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, BPAY, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin Payments, Bitwallet, AstroPay, Mastercard
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD
    Go To DNA Markets
  8. 8
    FOREX.com
    20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000
    77% of retail accounts lose money with this provider.
    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:30
    NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA
    Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto
    MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN
    Go To FOREX.com
  9. 9
    IC Trading
    Ratings
    2.8 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    3 / 5
    2.2 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    $200
    0.01 Lots
    1:500
    FSC
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Cryptos, Futures
    MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    PayPal, Neteller, Mastercard, Visa, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To IC Trading
  10. 10
    eToro
    51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading with this provider. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
    Ratings
    4.8 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4 / 5
    $100
    $10
    1:30
    FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs
    eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
    Visa, Skrill, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Swift, Debit Card, iDeal, Klarna, Sofort, Trustly, Przelewy24
    USD
    Go To eToro

Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers:

  1. Eightcap - Eightcap offers a wide range of trading options with 800+ CFDs across stocks, indices, bonds, commodities, and cryptocurrencies (depending on location), with leverage up to 1:30/1:500. It excels in its tools, notably the AI-enabled economic calendar covering 25+ countries with impact filters (high, medium, low). However, its commodities offering, particularly in softs like cotton and wheat, as well as the limited precious metal and energy assets, is its weakest area.
  2. AvaTrade - AvaTrade's 1250+ leveraged CFD products span a wide range of asset classes including stocks, indices, commodities, bonds, crypto, and ETFs. You can speculate on underlying assets in the broker’s feature-rich web and mobile platforms with market-leading research tools to help discover opportunities.
  3. Deriv.com - You can trade CFDs on popular markets, including the broker's exclusive synthetic indices which are available 24/7. There are plenty of charting tools available for technical traders, including over 20 indicators in the Deriv Trader platform. New users can also open an account and start trading CFDs instantly.
  4. Pepperstone - Pepperstone maintains its position as one of the fastest and most dependable CFD brokers during our latest round of testing. With execution speeds averaging around 30ms and an outstanding fill rate of 99.90%, the broker ensures a seamless trading experience without requotes or dealing desk interference. It also provides ample trading opportunities across over 1,300 assets.
  5. XM - Day traders can speculate on leveraged CFDs with zero commissions, spanning popular markets including currencies, equities and commodities. Additionally, the MetaTrader platforms collectively offer dozens of advanced technical indicators built for short-term strategies.
  6. LiteForex Europe - LiteForex offers leveraged CFDs on popular asset classes, including currencies, commodities and indices. Traders can choose between the ECN and Classic account depending on their strategy alongside an accessible starting deposit and leading trading software from MetaTrader.
  7. DNA Markets - DNA Markets offers a recently enhanced suite of 800+ CFDs covering stocks, indices, forex, commodities and cryptos, providing opportunities to speculate on rising and falling prices. There are no restrictions on strategies with leverage up to 1:30 (Australia) or 1:500 (rest of world).
  8. FOREX.com - With the ability to take both long and short positions on 5,500+ CFDs across forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, FOREX.com excels. Its exclusive Web Trader platform offers an excellent trading experience, equipped with over 80 technical indicators and average execution speeds of just 20 milliseconds, ensuring an optimal environment for serious day traders.
  9. IC Trading - IC Trading specializes in CFD trading with over 2,250 tradable assets spanning sought-after markets including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and bonds. Utilizing deep liquidity and cutting-edge bridge technology, the broker provides excellent trading conditions for short-term traders looking for leveraged derivatives.
  10. eToro - You can trade CFDs on over 3,000 assets and access rich market data through the integrated TradingView charts. There are also comprehensive free learning tools available for beginners via the eToro Academy, including dedicated CFD trading courses and guides.

Best CFD Trading Platforms and Brokers in Germany 2024 Comparison

Best CFD Trading Platforms and Brokers in Germany 2024 Comparison
Broker CFD Trading EUR Account Minimum Deposit Markets Platforms Leverage
Eightcap logo
✔ ✔ $100 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto MT4, MT5, TradingView 1:30
AvaTrade logo
✔ ✔ $100 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
Deriv.com logo
✔ ✔ $5 CFDs, Multipliers, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities Deriv Trader, MT5 1:1000
Pepperstone logo
✔ ✔ $0 CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
XM logo
✔ ✔ $5 Forex, Stock CFDs, Turbo Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Precious Metals, Energies, Shares, Crypto, Futures MT4, MT5 1:30
LiteForex Europe logo
✔ ✔ $50 CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities MT4, MT5 1:30
DNA Markets logo
✔ ✔ $100 CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto MT4, MT5 1:500
FOREX.com logo
✔ ✔ $100 Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral 1:30
IC Trading logo
✔ ✔ $200 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Cryptos, Futures MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral 1:500
eToro logo
✔ - $100 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral 1:30

Eightcap

"Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 250+ crypto CFDs and the Crypto Crusher market scanner, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Eightcap Quick Facts

FTSE Spread1.2
GBPUSD Spread0.1
Stocks Spread0.03 (Apple Inc)
Leverage1:30
RegulatorASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB, CNMV
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD

Pros

  • Having excelled across all key areas for day traders, Eightcap outperformed more than 490 competitors to win our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024, also securing our 'Best Crypto Broker' title.
  • Eightcap stands out with a selection of powerful trading tools, including MT4 and MT5, the innovative algorithmic trading platform Capitalise.ai, and more recently the 50-million strong social trading network TradingView.
  • After bolstering its roster in 2021, Eightcap offers one of the most extensive selections of cryptocurrency CFDs in the market, with crypto/fiat pairs, crypto/crypto pairs, plus crypto indices for broader exposure to the market.

Cons

  • The demo account expires after 30 days and can only be extended upon request - a notable inconvenience compared to the likes of XM with its unlimited demo mode.
  • Despite a useful library of educational guides and e-books, Eightcap still trails IG’s comprehensive toolkit for aspiring traders with its dedicated IG Academy app and 18 course categories.
  • In spite of an increasing variety of tools, Eightcap doesn't offer industry favorites like Autochartist or Trading Central, which offer cutting-edge charting analytics, live news, and market insights for short-term traders.
Visit Eightcap
Eightcap Review

AvaTrade

"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

AvaTrade Quick Facts

FTSE Spread0.5
GBPUSD Spread1.5
Stocks Spread0.13
Leverage1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM
PlatformsWebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD

Pros

  • The broker’s unique risk management tool, AvaProtect, protects against losses up to $1 million and is easy to activate in the platform
  • There's a great range of fee-free deposit methods, including bank wire, credit cards and popular e-wallets like Skrill
  • Day traders can access stable spreads and zero commissions with no hidden fees

Cons

  • There is no ECN account with raw spreads
  • A high $2000 minimum investment is required to use DupliTrade, which will be out of reach for many beginners
  • Traders from the US are not accepted
Visit AvaTrade
AvaTrade Review

Deriv.com

"Deriv.com will suit day traders looking to make fast-paced trades using CFDs and multipliers with high leverage up to 1:1000. The broker is also the industry leader in synthetic indices, which simulate real market movements and are available around the clock. "

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

Deriv.com Quick Facts

FTSE Spread0.5
GBPUSD Spread0.5
Stocks Spread0.07
Leverage1:1000
RegulatorMFSA, LFSA, VFSC, BFSC
PlatformsDeriv Trader, MT5
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD

Pros

  • The low $5 minimum initial deposit suits those on a lower budget
  • Deriv bolstered its short-term trading opportunities in 2024 with accumulator options on simulated indices featuring up to 5% growth rates
  • The free demo account is ideal for practicing short-term trading strategies and no registration is required

Cons

  • The range of 100+ assets trails some competitors such as Quotex which offers 400+
  • There's no loyalty program or rebate scheme for high volume traders
  • There are limited copy trading tools and analysis features compared to alternatives like IQ Cent
Visit Deriv.com
Deriv.com Review

Pepperstone

"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Pepperstone Quick Facts

FTSE Spread1.0
GBPUSD Spread0.4
Stocks Spread0.02
Leverage1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
RegulatorFCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB
PlatformsMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • Pepperstone boasts impressive execution speeds, averaging around 30ms, facilitating fast order processing and execution that’s ideal for day trading.
  • Now offering spread betting through TradingView, Pepperstone provides a seamless, tax-efficient trading experience with advanced analysis tools.
  • There’s support for a range of industry-leading charting platforms including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader, catering to various short-term trading styles, including algo trading.

Cons

  • Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets.
  • Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.
  • Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.
Visit Pepperstone
Pepperstone Review

XM

"XM is one of the best forex and CFD brokers we have tested. The flexible account types will suit a variety of short-term trading styles while the $5 minimum deposit and smooth sign-up process make it easy to start trading."

William Berg, Reviewer

XM Quick Facts

FTSE Spread1.5 pts
GBPUSD Spread1.9
Stocks Spread0.002
Leverage1:30
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA, CNMV, AMF
PlatformsMT4, MT5
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, ZAR, CHF, SGD, PLN, HUF

Pros

  • Transparent and low fees with spreads from 0.0 pips that will help protect day trading profit margins
  • 1000+ instruments are available, including recently added thematic indices, providing exposure to emerging industries
  • The broker offers premium research including market sentiment, fundamental insights and strategy builders

Cons

  • There's $5 inactivity fee after only 3 months, though this won't affect active traders
  • There is weak regulatory oversight through the global entity
  • PayPal deposits are not supported
Visit XM
XM Review

LiteForex Europe

"LiteForex is a good option for active day traders with variable spreads from 0.0 pips, daily analysis and high-quality training guides. The forex copy system also lets you duplicate the positions of experienced traders."

William Berg, Reviewer

LiteForex Europe Quick Facts

FTSE Spread0.7
GBPUSD Spread0.3
Stocks SpreadN/A
Leverage1:30
RegulatorCySEC
PlatformsMT4, MT5
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CHF

Pros

  • The broker offers a VPS server for experience day traders looking to run their auto strategies continuously
  • LiteForex offers a client-oriented approach, with personal manager assigned to each trader and 24/5 multilingual customer support
  • Low $50 minimum deposit makes LiteForex accessible for beginners

Cons

  • Cryptocurrency trading is not offered
  • There is no swap-free trading account for Muslim day traders
  • Fees are fairly high, with spreads starting from 2.0 pips in the Classic account and $10 forex commissions in the ECN account
Visit LiteForex Europe
LiteForex Europe Review

DNA Markets

"DNA Markets is an excellent choice for short-term traders familiar with the MetaTrader platforms. The smooth sign-up process also makes it easy to get started while the $100 minimum deposit is accessible. That said, DNA Markets trails the top brokers in education, research and mobile trading. "

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

DNA Markets Quick Facts

FTSE Spread1.7
GBPUSD Spread1.0
Stocks Spread1.0 cent + $0.02 per share, per side (Apple)
Leverage1:500
RegulatorASIC
PlatformsMT4, MT5
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD

Pros

  • Convenient account funding is available with 7 base currencies, a $100 deposit and a wide range of payment methods
  • Short-term trading strategies are permitted including scalping and automated trading using Expert Advisors (EAs)
  • You can access low trading fees with spreads from 0.0 pips in the Raw account and zero non-trading fees

Cons

  • Unlike many alternatives, there are limited educational and research tools for traders seeking an all-in-one solution
  • Although it continues to strengthen its client base and reputation, DNA Markets lacks the track record of top brokers like Vantage
  • Despite access to MT4 and MT5, there is no proprietary trading app for seamless account management whilst on the go
Visit DNA Markets
DNA Markets Review

FOREX.com

"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."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000
FTSE Spread1.0
GBPUSD Spread1.3
Stocks Spread0.14
Leverage1:30
RegulatorNFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

  • Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
  • FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
  • 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.

Cons

  • Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
  • FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
  • There’s no negative balance protection for US clients, so you may find yourself owing more money than your initial deposit into your account.
Visit FOREX.com
FOREX.com Review

IC Trading

"With superior execution speeds averaging 40 milliseconds, deep liquidity, and powerful charting software, IC Trading delivers an optimal trading environment tailored for scalpers, day traders, and algorithmic traders. "

Christian Harris, Reviewer

IC Trading Quick Facts

FTSE Spread2.133
GBPUSD Spread0.23
Stocks SpreadVariable
Leverage1:500
RegulatorFSC
PlatformsMT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • Trading Central and Autochartist are valuable tools for in-depth technical summaries and actionable trading ideas and are accessible from within the account area or the cTrader platform.
  • IC Trading provides industry-leading spreads, including 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, making it ideal for day traders.
  • The simplified and digital account opening process saves time and effort, allowing traders to start trading sooner without extensive paperwork, taking just minutes during testing.

Cons

  • Unlike IC Markets, IC Trading does not support social trading through the group’s IC Social app or the third-party copy trading platform ZuluTrade.
  • The educational resources are greatly in need of improvement, unless you navigate to the IC Markets website, posing a limitation for beginners in search of a comprehensive learning journey, especially compared to category leaders like eToro.
  • Customer support performed woefully during testing with multiple attempts to connect via live chat and no one available to assist, plus unanswered emails, raising concerns about its ability to address urgent trading concerns.
Visit IC Trading
IC Trading Review

eToro

"eToro's social trading platform leads the pack with a terrific user experience and active community chat that can help beginners find opportunities. There are also competitive fees on thousands of CFDs and real stocks, plus excellent rewards for experienced strategy providers."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

eToro Quick Facts

FTSE Spread1.5
GBPUSD Spread1.9
Stocks Spread0.57 (Apple)
Leverage1:30
RegulatorFCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF
PlatformseToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • The web platform and mobile app perform better in user reviews and app rankings than top competitors, including AvaTrade
  • Charts are powered by TradingView and offer strong technical analysis features, including 9 chart types and over 100 indicators
  • The copy trading app facilitates a best-in-class social environment, with an engaging social feed and community chat

Cons

  • There are limited contact methods aside from the in-platform live chat
  • There are no guaranteed stop loss orders which would be a useful risk management feature for beginners
  • There is a $30 minimum withdrawal amount and a $5 fee, which will affect novices with low capital
Visit eToro
eToro Review

How We Chose The Best CFD Trading Platforms In Germany

To identify the best CFD trading platforms in Germany, we took all the brokers in our almost 500-strong database, pinpointed those that accept traders from Germany, and then sorted them using their overarching rating, which considers key components for CFD traders:

Trust

Only CFD trading platforms we trust, after verifying their regulatory credentials, track record, and the observations of our hands-on testers made our top list.

For German investors, choosing a CFD broker regulated by the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) will often provide the best safeguards.

That said, CFD brokers not directly overseen by the BaFin are still permitted to accept German traders via the EU passporting scheme, allowing them to operate with authorization from their domestic regulator.

IG Germany CFD trading platform BaFin license details
IG – BaFin License

The BaFin is a ‘Green-Tier’ regulator that’s stepped up its oversight of CFD providers in recent years. Its General Administrative Act of 2019 introduced restrictions that mandated CFD brokers in Germany must satisfy 5 requirements:

  1. Leverage limits, varying depending on the underlying asset.
  2. Negative balance protection so you can’t lose more than your deposit.
  3. CFD positions closed out when the initial margin is 50% of the original margin.
  4. Clear risk warnings that articulate the potential for loss.
  5. A ban on providing trading bonuses.
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Check if a CFD broker is regulated by the BaFin by entering their name or license number in its Database of Companies.
  • IG is a BaFin-regulated CFD broker, deemed our ‘safest’, with 50+ years experience, 13 regulatory licenses, and a clean record based on our experts’ real-money trading experiences over years.

Leverage Trading

Only CFD brokers with transparent leverage and margin requirements made our shortlist.

Leverage is a critical component of CFD trading, allowing you to multiply your buying power and trading results in return for an outlay, known as ‘margin’.

Let’s say I believe the share price of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW: FRA) is going to rise in the short term as the sale of its electric vehicles surpasses industry forecasts. A CFD broker offering me 1:5 leverage would allow me to multiply my €1,000 outlay by 5, giving me €5,000 in trading power.

CFD trading conditions on German BMW shares at AvaTrade
AvaTrade – BMW CFD Conditions

The BaFin, in line with other regulators in Europe, requires authorized CFD brokers to provide leverage up to a maximum of:

  • AvaTrade is one of the best CFD brokers with leverage up to 1:30 for German traders. It also stands out for its bespoke risk management tool, AvaProtect, which insures against large losses.

Trading Markets

Only CFD brokers that provide access to popular markets made our list of recommended firms.

After years of using CFD trading platforms that accept German traders, we’ve observed that the top providers facilitate access to stocks, indices, forex, commodities and cryptocurrencies.

This provides short-term traders, including day traders, with ample opportunities to speculate on rising and falling prices across various regions, economies and sectors.

Infographic showing popular CFD day trading markets in Germany
Popular CFD Trading Markets In Germany
  • Pepperstone shines with its excellent selection of CFDs spanning German markets, including the EUR/USD, German equities, the DAX index, plus funds like the iShares MSCI Germany ETF.

CFD Trading Fees

Only providers with competitive CFD trading fees, an assessment we make by regularly logging and analyzing charges on key markets, made our pick.

Low fees, notably spreads and /or commissions, are critical for day traders using CFDs, as a large volume of transaction costs can cut into profits.

That said, our years in the CFD trading industry have shown it’s important to balance pricing with tools, order executions, and research features.

For example, it may be worth paying more for CFD brokers that provide analyst insights into events that will affect equities listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange or economic calendars that track major announcements from Germany’s central bank, the Deutsche Bundesbank.

German CFD broker Eightcap's economic trading calendar
Eightcap Economic Calendar – German Filters
  • Eightcap excels for its low CFD trading fees with spreads from 0.0, plus its AI economic calendar that lets you filter by German events and helpfully assigns a low, medium and high impact rating.

Charting Platforms

Only firms with user-friendly and powerful CFD trading platforms, following our extensive testing, made our recommendations.

The MetaTrader suite, MT4 and MT5, are still the most widely available charting platforms at CFD brokers in Germany. Yet, with their clunky design and increasing competition from alternatives like cTrader and TradingView, users have more choices than ever.

These third-party platforms excel for their charting packages, featuring dozens of indicators and various timeframes for experienced short-term traders.

However, newer CFD traders may benefit from more modern, web-accessible CFD platforms designed in-house. After testing a long row of platforms, we’re finding these can sport a more intuitive design and user-friendly workspace for beginners.

  • AvaTrade consistently delivers in the platform department. It offers the MetaTrader package, as well as proprietary software with a genuinely intuitive look and feel, plus integrated pattern recognition tools and real-time sentiment data.

Account Funding

Only CFD brokers with secure, affordable and accessible payment methods made our selection.

We know from first-hand experience using CFD trading platforms that convenient funding can make for a smooth experience, while withdrawal issues and high charges can be extremely frustrating.

Analysis from Rapyd shows that e-wallets are increasingly favored by Germans, while bank cards are experiencing a decline. PayPal is the most popular e-wallet, though Sofort and Giropay also make the list of the 10 most used online payment methods.

  • eToro accepts CFD traders in Germany with a low $10 minimum deposit and supports popular payment methods, including PayPal, Sofort and debit cards. Our experts have also personally traded on the eToro platform for years with no withdrawal issues.

FAQ

Who Regulates CFD Trading Platforms And Brokers In Germany?

The Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin), also known as the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, regulates CFD trading platforms and brokers operating in Germany.

The BaFin is a trusted regulator that requires authorized CFD brokers to provide various safeguards to retail investors, notably negative balance protection, leverage limits and clear risk warnings.

However, CFD trading platforms without direct BaFin authorization can also provide services to German traders through the EU passporting scheme, which enables operations throughout the EU with their home regulator’s endorsement.

How Much Money Do I Need To Open A CFD Trading Account In Germany?

After evaluating nearly 500 brokers, we’ve found you usually need between €0 and €250 to start trading CFDs in Germany.

Having said that, Pepperstone stands out with its €0 minimum deposit, making it an excellent option for German CFD traders with less starting capital.

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