True electronic communication network (ECN) brokers use advanced technology to connect traders directly to liquidity providers, enabling faster executions, tighter spreads, and greater transparency – ideal for short-term trading strategies that thrive on speed and efficiency.
Dig into our selection of the best ECN brokers – we put each and every one through their paces, running tests, assigning ratings, and compiling a final ranking.
Top 6 ECN Brokers 2026
We have personally tested 143 brokers and these are the 6 best ECN brokers in Slovakia:
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- Demo account
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities
- Regulator: CySEC, AFM
-
- Demo account
- Regulator: FCA, CySEC, FSA, DFSA, FSCA
- Platforms: Tickmill Webtrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
-
- Demo account
- Regulator: ASIC, FSCA, FSA, FSC, CMA-UAE
- Min. deposit: $20
-
- Demo account
- Regulator: FSC
- Platforms: WebTrader, MT5
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- Demo account
- Instruments: CFDs on Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities
- Regulator: FSCA, FSC
-
- Demo account
- Regulator: BVI FSC
- Platforms: NetTradeX, MT4, MT5
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Why Are These Brokers the Best for ECN Trading?
Here's a snapshot of why these are the top pure ECN providers:
- LiteForex Europe is the best ECN broker in Slovakia in 2026 3.7/5 When we tested LiteForex’s ECN account, execution time hovered around 60ms, with moderate slippage on fast price movements. Spreads on EUR/USD averaged 0.2 pips, plus a $10 round-turn commission per lot. While liquidity was decent, it occasionally thinned during off-hours, best suited for day traders who avoid high-impact news periods.
- Tickmill 4.0/5 Tickmill is a global broker authorized by trusted regulators including the CySEC and the FCA. Hundreds of thousands of traders have opened an account with the firm with more than 530 million trades executed. Advanced trading tools, educational content and low fees make this broker stand out from competitors.
- PU Prime 4.5/5 PU Prime is a forex and CFD broker offering direct market access on forex, commodities, stocks, bonds, indices, and ETFs. With four account types (Cent, Standard, Prime, ECN) and multiple platforms, from MetaTrader to its own PU Prime app, it’s built for active traders at every level.
- TabTrade 3.0/5 Established in 2026, TabTrade is a CFD broker based in Saint Lucia. It offers a choice of three accounts (Standard, Edge, VIP) with spread-only and spread plus commission pricing, access to over 1,000 tradeable assets, and leverage up to 1:1000.
- LHFX 3.5/5 Established in 2020 and formerly known as LonghornFX, LHFX is a forex and CFD broker offering over 170+ instruments. It stands out for accepting fast crypto transactions and its ECN account for active traders featuring spreads from 0.0 pips with a competitive $6 per lot commission.
- IFC Markets 2.9/5 Established in 2006, IFC Markets is an STP/ECN broker that stands out with unique synthetic indices, a choice of fixed and floating spread accounts, and a smooth sign-up process that took minutes during testing.
Compare the Best ECN Brokers Across Key Areas
Zero in on the right true ECN broker for you with our comparison of key features important to active traders:
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Platforms | Regulators |
|---|---|---|---|
| LiteForex Europe | $50 | MT4, MT5 | CySEC, AFM |
| Tickmill | $100 | Tickmill Webtrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView | FCA, CySEC, FSA, DFSA, FSCA |
| PU Prime | $20 | PU Prime App, PU Web Trader, PU Social, MT4, MT5, AutoChartist | ASIC, FSCA, FSA, FSC, CMA-UAE |
| TabTrade | $0 | WebTrader, MT5 | FSC |
| LHFX | $10 | MT5 | FSCA, FSC |
| IFC Markets | $1 | NetTradeX, MT4, MT5 | BVI FSC |
How Safe Are These ECN Trading Providers?
Here's how our top ECN brokers protect your funds:
| Broker | Trust Rating | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Negative Balance Protection | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiteForex Europe | ✘No | ✘No | ✘No | |
| Tickmill | ✘No | ✘No | ✔Yes | |
| PU Prime | ✘No | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | |
| TabTrade | ✘No | ✘No | ✔Yes | |
| LHFX | ✘No | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | |
| IFC Markets | ✘No | ✔Yes | ✔Yes |
Compare Mobile ECN Trading
Here's how these brokers measure up if you want ECN trading capabilities on your mobile:
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiteForex Europe | iOS & Android | ✘No | ||
| Tickmill | ✔Yes | ✘No | ||
| PU Prime | iOS & Android | ✘No | ||
| TabTrade | iOS & Android (MT5) | ✘No | ||
| LHFX | iOS & Android | ✘No | ||
| IFC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘No |
Are the Top ECN Brokers Good for Beginners?
Beginners should use ECN brokers that allow trading with virtual money (a demo account) and have other features that new traders require:
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Education Rating | Support Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiteForex Europe | ✔Yes | $50 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Tickmill | ✔Yes | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| PU Prime | ✔Yes | $20 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| TabTrade | ✔Yes | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| LHFX | ✔Yes | $10 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IFC Markets | ✔Yes | $1 | 0.01 Lots |
Are the Top ECN Brokers Good for Advanced Traders?
Seasoned traders need sophisticated features to elevate the ECN trading environment:
| Broker | Automated Trading | VPS | AI | Pro Account | Leverage | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiteForex Europe | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘No | ✘No | ✘No | 1:30 | ✔Yes | ✘No |
| Tickmill | ✔Yes | ✘No | ✘No | ✘No | 1:1000 | ✘No | ✘No |
| PU Prime | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔Yes | ✘No | ✘No | 1:1000 | ✔Yes | ✘No |
| TabTrade | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, FIX API | ✔Yes | ✘No | ✘No | 1:1000 | ✔Yes | ✘No |
| LHFX | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘No | ✘No | ✘No | 1:500 | ✘No | ✘No |
| IFC Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, API Access | ✔Yes | ✘No | ✘No | 1:400 | ✘No | ✘No |
Compare the Ratings of Our Top ECN Brokers
See how the top ECN brokers rate side-by-side in every critical area from our hands-on tests:
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Assets | Mobile | Fees | Accounts | Research | Education | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiteForex Europe | |||||||||
| Tickmill | |||||||||
| PU Prime | |||||||||
| TabTrade | |||||||||
| LHFX | |||||||||
| IFC Markets |
Compare Trading Fees
Discover the most cost-efficient ECN brokers in the market:
| Broker | Cost Rating | Fixed Spreads | Inactivity Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| LiteForex Europe | ✘No | $10 | |
| Tickmill | ✘No | $0 | |
| PU Prime | ✘No | $0 | |
| TabTrade | ✘No | $0 | |
| LHFX | ✘No | $10 | |
| IFC Markets | ✔Yes | $0 |
Community Sentiment
See how users rate these brokers based on the average customer ratings submitted on DayTrading.com, plus ratings from Trustpilot, the Apple App Store and Google Play.
| Broker | Our Users' Rating | Trustpilot Score | Trustpilot Reviews | iOS App Rating | Android App Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiteForex Europe | 683 | ||||
| Tickmill | 1192 | ||||
| PU Prime | 1870 | ||||
| TabTrade | - | 31 | |||
| LHFX | 128 | ||||
| IFC Markets | - | 566 |
How Popular Are These ECN Account Brokers?
Lots of traders prefer the most popular brokers with ECN accounts (those with the most users):
Why Open An ECN Account With 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
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities
- Regulator
- CySEC, AFM
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5
- Minimum Deposit
- $50
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CHF
Pros
- LiteForex offers a client-oriented approach, with personal manager assigned to each trader and 24/5 multilingual customer support
- A proprietary copy trading system is available which allows you to copy other trading patterns
- There's a comprehensive analytics portal by Claws&Horns, which offers video reviews, expert insights and short-term trading signals
Cons
- There are limited funding methods compared to other top day trading brokers
- Fees are fairly high, with spreads starting from 2.0 pips in the Classic account and $10 forex commissions in the ECN account
Why Open An ECN Account With Tickmill?
Tickmill is a stellar choice for day traders, especially if you opt for the Raw account which delivers near-zero pip spreads and impressively fast order execution during testing.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Tickmill quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- Forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, futures, options, bonds
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, FSA, DFSA, FSCA
- Platforms
- Tickmill Webtrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, ZAR
Pros
- Based on our actual trading experience, Tickmill consistently processes orders quickly - averaging ~59 milliseconds - with very few instances of slippage or requotes. For a day trader, that means you can trust your entry and exit prices without worrying about delays that might cost you money in fast markets.
- When using the Raw Spread account, you’ll notice how tight the spreads are - sometimes even zero pips - paired with a transparent per-trade commission. This setup helps keep your overall trading costs low, which is a significant advantage when you’re making frequent trades and want to avoid hidden fees that cut into your profits.
- Tickmill’s multiple licenses with authorities like the FCA and CySEC aren’t just paperwork - they translate to real-world benefits. Your money is kept separate in secure accounts, and the broker offers negative balance protection. In practice, this means you won’t be on the hook for more than you deposit, providing peace of mind when markets get volatile.
Cons
- Tickmill primarily focuses on forex pairs, select stock CFDs, indices, and a few commodities. If you like switching between many different asset classes, like crypto or a broader range of stocks, you’ll find the choices limited compared to brokers with thousands of instruments.
- If you’re used to cTrader’s modern layout and sophisticated order types, you’ll miss that here. Tickmill sticks with MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as TradingView and its own proprietary platform, so there’s no cTrader option. This might slow down traders who rely on cTrader’s workflow or specific tools, such as cTrader Copy.
Why Open An ECN Account With PU Prime?
PU Prime is a great fit for experienced, high-volume traders with its ECN account offering tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions from $1/side. The addition of an easy-to-use copy trading app, alongside the stacked Trading Academy with progression levels, also makes PU Prime a strong option for aspiring traders.
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer
PU Prime quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Metals, Crypto, Bonds, ETFs, Pre-IPOs, Synthetic Indices (region-dependent)
- Regulator
- ASIC, FSCA, FSA, FSC, CMA-UAE
- Platforms
- PU Prime App, PU Web Trader, PU Social, MT4, MT5, AutoChartist
- Minimum Deposit
- $20
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, HKD, SGD
Pros
- Prime and ECN pricing can be very competitive for active traders, and in our tests spreads tightened notably in liquid sessions to hit ~0.0 pips.
- There’s a great suite of tools for short-term traders, from practical margin and position sizing calculators to economic calendars and strong technical insights via Autochartist.
- The platform lineup is strong, with the PU Prime Web Trader and app especially smooth to use with a modern design, easy-to-configure order tickets and responsive charts for fast entries and exits.
Cons
- The ECN account’s $10,000 minimum deposit puts the best pricing out of reach for some active retail traders who may end up paying more for spreads and commissions on Prime, Standard or Cent accounts.
- Getting through to customer support can be fiddly and slow to reach a human – in our latest checks we had to navigate multiple chatbot menus and questions then enter contact details before getting to an agent.
- The in-house market updates are useful for a quick read, but they’re generally high-level and don’t go deep enough for serious strategy building or advanced analysis.
Why Open An ECN Account With TabTrade?
TabTrade is best suited to retail traders who are comfortable using MT5, want broad CFD access with high leverage up to 1:1000, and can deposit at least $250 for the Edge account to get the raw-spread pricing that makes the broker attractive for frequent, short-term trading.
James Barra, Reviewer
TabTrade quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs on Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Metals, Crypto, ETFs
- Regulator
- FSC
- Platforms
- WebTrader, MT5
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, CHF, SGD
Pros
- The MT5 platform, available on desktop, web and mobile, gives experienced traders the tools they actually need - one-click dealing, custom indicators, EAs and execution as low as 20ms on some accounts. cTrader and TradingView are also coming soon (not available when we checked the platform area in July and again in September 2026).
- TabTrade's support team, especially live chat, performed excellently during our second round of tests with 100% of queries answered sufficiently and in under 60 seconds.
- What impressed us for a new broker was the presence of infrastructure aimed at serious traders, with VPS hosting, FIX API access and Equinix-linked execution, helping active traders deploy fast-paced setups across global markets.
Cons
- Research and education resources need work, with more of a focus on onboarding and account setup than on the kind of market analysis, sentiment data, or strategy development many active traders want.
- Some of the broker’s strongest selling points are gated behind higher tiers, with the VIP account requiring a punchy $25,000 deposit and priority support locked behind the TabTrade+ monthly subscription plan.
- Although it secured an FSC license in 2026, TabTrade is still based offshore where mandated regulatory safeguards are weaker than in tightly regulated regions, meaning clients don't receive protections like access to an investor compensation scheme.
Why Open An ECN Account With LHFX?
LHFX is a top choice for short-term crypto traders seeking an MT5 broker with ECN execution. After expanding its range of digital tokens in 2024 and enhancing the payment solutions in 2026, it now enables multiple crypto deposits and withdrawals in just 30 minutes - putting it among the fastest for providing access to funds.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
LHFX quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs on Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities
- Regulator
- FSCA, FSC
- Platforms
- MT5
- Minimum Deposit
- $10
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP
Pros
- In December 2025 LHFX integrated MT5 on desktop, web and mobile, providing advanced charting and trading tools, including 38+ indicators, 21 timeframes, and algo trading capabilities.
- LHFX improved its research offering in 2026, bringing in market research releases Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as a wider choice or crypto payment options, plus card-to-crypto via Apple Pay and Google Pay, providing more funding flexibility.
- LHFX’s top-performing area in testing was its low fees, featuring 0.0-pip spreads and a competitive $6 commission per lot. Its ECN model ensures direct market access, tight spreads, and fast execution - ideal for scalpers and day traders.
Cons
- LHFX still lacks key research tools like an economic calendar and currency converters, while we encountered error messages accessing its market analysis.
- LHFX only supports MT5 with no add-ons available at firms like Admirals. And with no alternative software like cTrader or a proprietary app, the limited selection could prove restrictive for many traders.
- LHFX operates primarily with crypto-based deposit and withdrawal systems, meaning that deposits made in USD, EUR, or GBP are automatically converted to cryptos. This lack of direct fiat banking options can be a hassle for traders who prefer the simplicity of traditional solutions.
Why Open An ECN Account With IFC Markets?
IFC Markets is best suited to active traders who want flexibility, with a choice of micro and standard accounts, minimum deposits from just $1, plus the ability to blend multiple assets into a single synthetic instrument on the user-friendly NetTradeX platform – a feature we’ve not seen elsewhere.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IFC Markets quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, ETFs, Synthetics
- Regulator
- BVI FSC
- Platforms
- NetTradeX, MT4, MT5
- Minimum Deposit
- $1
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, JPY
Pros
- MT4, MT5, and NetTradeX are all available on desktop, web and mobile, each with live and demo access, full functionality, and no platform restrictions even on micro accounts.
- With leverage up to 1:400 and $1 account minimums, IFC Markets offers easy entry for beginners and high-leverage traders. Unlike brokers under stricter ESMA or ASIC rules, its offshore regulation allows more flexible margin and account options.
- The NetTradeX platform’s PCI feature lets you build your own synthetic instruments – a truly standout feature enabling you to trade complex macro views or hedged positions as a single chartable asset.
Cons
- While ECN spreads on MT5 were tight in our tests, fixed spreads on MT4 are wide (1.8 pips on EUR/USD), and crypto spreads are very high (500+ pips on ETH/USD).
- Support hours are regional and weekday-only. During late trades, don’t expect to get help via chat or phone – a big miss for day traders operating in global markets.
- We found the NetTradeX app clunky and visually dated, despite offering advanced features. It lacks the usability of the best day trading apps, such as AvaTrade.
How DayTrading.com Chose The Best ECN Trading Brokers
To find the top brokers with ECN trading, we ran in-depth tests on 25+ platforms, focusing specifically on their ECN accounts.
Each broker was rated from 1 to 100 (higher being better) based on their performance in key areas during our evaluations: execution speed, slippage, spreads, commissions, and liquidity. We analyzed how each ECN setup handled fast-paced strategies used by day traders.
Our final rankings reflect both hard data and hands-on experience, pinpointing the brokers with the most reliable, low-latency ECN environments for active traders.
How To Choose A Broker For ECN Trading
Based on our tests, these are the key factors to consider when choosing a reliable ECN broker, complete with standout performers in each area:
- Execution Speed & Slippage: Look for brokers with sub-40ms execution and minimal slippage during volatile sessions. Top pick: IC Markets averaged 25–30ms execution with near-zero slippage during our tests, even during major news events.
- Trading Fees & Commission: Prioritize brokers offering raw spreads near 0.0 pips and low commissions per lot. Top pick: Fusion Markets delivered spreads from 0.0 pips and a $4.50 round-turn commission, the lowest we recorded.
- Liquidity Depth: Deep liquidity supports stable fills, even under pressure from scalping or algorithmic trading. Top pick: Dukascopy offered exceptional liquidity and consistent execution, with a tiered commission model for high-volume traders.
- Regulation: Ensure the broker is licensed by a trusted financial authority such as the SEC (US), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), or CySEC (Cyprus). Top pick: Pepperstone is fully regulated by both the FCA and ASIC, with a transparent ECN model via its Razor account.
- Accessibility: Some brokers cannot serve specific countries due to regulatory restrictions. Top pick for US traders: FOREX.com is one of the few leading ECN-style brokers regulated and available in the United States.
- Platform Availability: Choose a broker that supports platforms you’re comfortable with (we enjoy using MT4, MT5, or cTrader). Top pick: Eightcap supports both MT4 and MT5 with full ECN access through its Raw account.
- Deposit & Withdrawal Speed: Fast and reliable funding methods are important for active traders. Top pick: GO Markets delivered smooth funding and prompt withdrawals during our time using the broker.
- Customer Support: Responsive support is key, especially when dealing with live markets and fast execution. Top pick: Vantage offered fast and helpful support with detailed guidance on ECN setup and usage.
- Demo Account Access: A demo trading account lets you test ECN conditions and pricing risk-free before committing funds. Top pick: Exness provides full-featured demos with accurate ECN-style pricing and order execution.
What Is An ECN Broker?
An ECN (Electronic Communication Network) broker connects traders directly to a pool of liquidity providers, including banks, hedge funds, and other traders, and all without using a dealing desk.
This means that your trades are matched electronically with real market participants, not internalized or routed through a market maker taking the opposite side.
We’ve seen that ECN brokers are particularly popular with short-term traders, such as scalpers and day traders, due to their tight spreads, fast execution speeds, and increased transparency.
They are also among the fastest growing brokerage models globally based on our research, and are often sought out by forex traders.
How ECN Trading Works: A Day Trading Example
I’m using an ECN broker and place a 1 lot EUR/USD buy order at 1.08500 during a volatile London session:
- My broker scans its liquidity network (which may include 15+ providers) for the best available price.
- A matching sell order is found at 1.08500 from a liquidity provider (e.g. a bank).
- My trade is filled in ~30 milliseconds with 0.0 pip spread, and I’m charged a $6 commission.
- Minutes later, I closes the trade at 1.08540.
- My net profit is 40 pips minus $6 commission, with no further broker markups or interference.
ECN Brokers Vs STP Brokers
ECN and STP (Straight Through Processing) brokers both operate without a dealing desk, but there are key distinctions:
- STP brokers route orders to a select group of liquidity providers, often including their own in-house sources. The broker may add a small markup to the spread.
- ECN brokers act as a neutral hub, connecting traders to a wider, decentralized network of institutions and participants, typically offering raw spreads plus a fixed commission.
Another difference is trade size. ECN brokers generally require a minimum lot size of 0.1 due to institutional liquidity constraints, making them better suited to more experienced or higher-volume traders.
Both models offer fast execution, but we’ve found true ECN accounts generally provide deeper liquidity, tighter raw spreads, and a more direct connection to the market.
Pros Of ECN Brokers
- Execution speed: ECN brokers such as IC Markets or Fusion Markets delivered 25–35ms execution speeds in our tests (among the fastest in the industry).
- Transparency: Trades are matched on real-time market pricing. ECN brokers don’t take the opposite side of your trade, reducing conflict of interest.
- Low spreads: ECN brokers offer raw interbank spreads, often from 0.0 pips, which is ideal for scalping and other short-term strategies.
- After-hours access: Some ECN brokers allow trading during extended market hours, useful for reacting to after-hours news or economic data.
- Scalping compatible: Because of fast order matching and raw pricing, ECN brokers are really suited to forex scalping, although not all brokers allow this so check before opening an account.
- Oversight: Many top ECN brokers are regulated by ‘green tier’ agencies in our Regulation & Trust Rating (including SEC, FCA, ASIC, CySEC), helping to safeguard your funds. See our list of top ECN brokers for licensed platforms.
Cons Of ECN Brokers
Downsides to trading with an ECN broker include:
- Commissions: Our research shows ECN brokers typically charge a fixed commission, often ranging from $4.50 to $7.00 per round-turn lot. For lower-volume or micro-account traders, this may make costs proportionally higher.
- Variable spreads during volatility: While base spreads are tight, ECN pricing is dynamic. During major market events, spreads may spike temporarily based on actual market liquidity – a key consideration for short-term traders.
- Higher minimum deposits: Some ECN brokers require larger deposits, such as $200 at IC Markets, to open an account, especially when offering raw spreads and institutional-grade access. In contrast, elsewhere we’re seeing a growing number of no deposit brokers.
FAQ
How Do ECN Brokers Make Money?
ECN brokers typically make money from commissions charged to the customer on each trade. This is in contrast to market maker models that generally take their cut from the spread.
What Is The Difference Between A Market Maker And ECN Broker?
Market makers help ensure there’s enough liquidity so trades can be executed seamlessly. Market maker brokers typically take the opposing side of a trade. In contrast, ECN brokers connect buyers and sellers, drawing on various liquidity providers.
ECN brokers usually offer tighter spreads, faster order execution and increased transparency.