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Best Forex Trading Platforms In Sri Lanka 2024

Written By

Michael MacKenzie

Written By

Michael MacKenzie

Michael is a writer and editor with over a decade in journalism and publishing. His niche lies in editing and fact-checking content in the financial services sector, with a focus on online brokers and trading platforms. Michael previously reported on politics and economics in the Middle East and edits books for established publishers.

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Edited By

James Barra

Edited 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

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.

» Jemma Grist Profile Page

Updated

Apr 25, 2024

Forex trading is becoming popular in Sri Lanka, with investors interested in speculating on Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) and global currencies. Although the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) oversees the market, there aren’t many local brokers, so Sri Lankans often turn to overseas trading platforms.

Explore the best forex brokers in Sri Lanka, chosen for their reliability, value for money, selection of currency pairs and smooth account funding in Sri Lankan Rupees.

5 Top Forex Brokers In Sri Lanka

Our hands-on testing, analysis and comparisons show these are the 5 best forex trading platforms for investors in Sri Lanka:

1. Vantage - Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.
2. IC Markets - IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
3. AvaTrade - AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.
4. FOREX.com - FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.
5. Pepperstone - Pepperstone offers ultra-competitive forex spreads averaging 0.12 pips on EUR/USD in the Razor account, accompanied by a diverse portfolio comprising 100+ currency pairs - an extensive selection surpassing most competitors. Additionally, Pepperstone distinguishes itself by offering three currency indices (USDX, EURX, JPYX), not commonly found among alternative platforms. Pepperstone has now won our annual 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.

Best Forex Trading Platforms In Sri Lanka 2024 Comparison

Best Forex Trading Platforms In Sri Lanka 2024 Comparison

Broker	Forex Assets	EUR/USD Spread	Forex App Rating	Minimum Deposit	Regulator	Visit
	55+	0.0	4 / 5	$50	FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC	Visit
	75	0.02	4.8 / 5	$200	ASIC, CySEC, FSA	Visit
	50+	0.9	4.3 / 5	$100	ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM	Visit
	80+	1.2	4.9 / 5	$100	NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA	Visit
	100+	0.1	4.7 / 5	$0	FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB	Visit
	55+	1.6	4.7 / 5	$5	ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA	Visit
	50+	0.0	3.6 / 5	$100	ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB	Visit
	45+	Variable	3 / 5	$0	-	Visit
	60+	14 pips	4.5 / 5	$10	-	Visit
	80+	0.8	4.9 / 5	$0	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA	Visit
	70+	1.58 pips (Ave)	2.5 / 5	$100	FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSC	Visit
	70+	0.2	3.4 / 5	$0	CySEC	Visit
	70+	1.0	4.8 / 5	$0	FCA, CySEC, KNF, CNMV, DFSA, FSC	Visit
	60+	0.6	5 / 5	$100	FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, FMA, EFSA	Visit
	67	0.70 pips (var)	3.9 / 5	$100	FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, FSC	Visit

#1 - Vantage

Visit

Review

Why We Chose Vantage

Vantage offers 55+ currency pairs - above the industry average, so experienced traders can explore plenty of opportunities. Vantage's deep liquidity pool provides forex spreads from 0.0 pips in the ECN account, lower than many alternatives. There are also no commissions, deposit fees or hidden charges.

"Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly."

- DayTrading Review Team

• GBPUSD Spread: 0.5
• EURUSD Spread: 0.0
• EURGBP Spread: 0.5
• Total Assets: 55+
• Leverage: 1:500
• Platforms: ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade

About Vantage

Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.

Pros

• Vantage maintains its high trust score thanks to its strong reputation and top-tier regulation from the FCA and ASIC
• Vantage caters to hands-off investors with beginner-friendly social trading via ZuluTrade & Myfxbook
• It’s quick and easy to open a live account – taking less than 2 minutes

Cons

• It's a shame that some clients will need to register with the offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection
• A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side
• Unfortunately, cryptos are only available for Australian clients

Visit Vantage

#2 - IC Markets

Visit

Review

Why We Chose IC Markets

IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.

"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."

- DayTrading Review Team

• GBPUSD Spread: 0.23
• EURUSD Spread: 0.02
• EURGBP Spread: 0.27
• Total Assets: 75
• Leverage: 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
• Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About IC Markets

IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.

Pros

• IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
• 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 among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.

Cons

• The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.
• While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
• Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.

Visit IC Markets

#3 - AvaTrade

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Review

Why We Chose AvaTrade

AvaTrade offers 50+ currency pairs with competitive spreads from 0.9 pips and zero commissions. You can trade majors, minors and exotics around the clock on industry-leading platforms, including MT4 and MT5. Traders can also access beginner-friendly trading tools and comprehensive forex education.

"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."

- DayTrading Review Team

• GBPUSD Spread: 1.5
• EURUSD Spread: 0.9
• EURGBP Spread: 1.5
• Total Assets: 50+
• Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
• Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade

About AvaTrade

AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.

Pros

• The broker’s unique risk management tool, AvaProtect, protects against losses up to $1 million and is easy to activate in the platform
• Automated trading is supported through MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs), as well as the AvaSocial and DupliTrade tools
• Day traders can access stable spreads and zero commissions with no hidden fees

Cons

• It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here
• There is no ECN account with raw spreads
• Traders from the US are not accepted

Visit AvaTrade

#4 - FOREX.com

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Review

Why We Chose FOREX.com

FOREX.com continues to uphold its stature as a premier FX broker, offering over 80 currency pairs and boasting some of the most competitive fees in the industry. With EUR/USD spreads dipping as low as 0.0 and $5 commission per $100k, it stands out. Moreover, its SMART Signals help to identify price behaviors across numerous major currency markets.

"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."

- DayTrading Review Team

• GBPUSD Spread: 1.3
• EURUSD Spread: 1.2
• EURGBP Spread: 1.4
• Total Assets: 80+
• Leverage: 1:200 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
• Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

About FOREX.com

Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.

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.
• 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.

Cons

• There’s no negative balance protection for US clients, so you may find yourself owing more money than your initial deposit into your account.
• FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
• Despite increasing its range of instruments, FOREX.com's product portfolio is still limited to forex and CFDs, so there are no options to invest in real stocks, real ETFs or real cryptocurrencies.

Visit FOREX.com

#5 - Pepperstone

Visit

Review

Why We Chose Pepperstone

Pepperstone offers ultra-competitive forex spreads averaging 0.12 pips on EUR/USD in the Razor account, accompanied by a diverse portfolio comprising 100+ currency pairs - an extensive selection surpassing most competitors. Additionally, Pepperstone distinguishes itself by offering three currency indices (USDX, EURX, JPYX), not commonly found among alternative platforms. Pepperstone has now won our annual 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.

"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."

- DayTrading Review Team

• GBPUSD Spread: 0.4
• EURUSD Spread: 0.1
• EURGBP Spread: 0.4
• Total Assets: 100+
• Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
• Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade

About Pepperstone

Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for day traders at all levels.

Pros

• Pepperstone boasts impressive execution speeds, averaging around 30ms, facilitating fast order processing and execution that’s ideal for day trading.
• Award-winning customer support is available via telephone, email or live chat with response times of <5 minutes during testing.
• Now offering spread betting through TradingView, Pepperstone provides a seamless, tax-efficient trading experience with advanced analysis tools.

Cons

• There’s no simplified proprietary trading platform, nor are there any social trading features, which could be a disadvantage if you are new to day trading.
• 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.
• Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets.

Visit Pepperstone

How We Rate Forex Brokers In Sri Lanka

These are the primary areas we evaluate forex trading platforms in, and recommend you do also:

Trust

Choose a trustworthy broker to guard against forex trading scams.

This is especially important since the Sri Lankan Central Bank has warned against sophisticated financial scams, whereby fraudsters claim they have large amounts of blocked local or foreign currency and will “pay handsome amounts” to Sri Lankans who can help in accessing it.

Our recommendation is to choose an established forex broker that’s authorized by a ‘green-tier’ regulator, such as the FCA in the UK, the ASIC in Australia, or the CySEC in Europe.

Given that there is a limited number of forex brokers registered in Sri Lanka, this may mean opening an account with an overseas trading platform.

Currency Pairs

Pick a forex broker that facilitates short-term trading on the currencies you’re interested in.

For investors in Sri Lanka, this may mean the USD/LKR, EUR/LKR and GBP/LKR, however these are not widely available on most online trading platforms.

Instead, consider platforms with a wide range of currency pairs, providing access to majors and minors, plus volatile exotics that can provide skilled day traders with an opportunity to profit.

You’re also more likely to find currencies that are relevant to Sri Lanka with a larger list, for instance, regional currencies like the Indian rupee (INR), which is commonly traded in the USD/INR pair.

Pricing

Low-cost platforms that don’t sacrifice quality provide an optimal environment for active Sri Lankan forex traders.

That’s why we evaluate fees on the most popular currency pairs; EUR/USD, EUR/GBP and GBP/USD, alongside investigating additional fees such as conversion costs if transferring Sri Lankan Rupees to an account based in another currency.

We then weigh the price against the forex broker’s tools, such as economic calendars that provide insights into regional influences like releases from India’s central banks, plus Sri Lankan economic data from sectors like agriculture and mining which play a significant role in the LKR’s performance.

Forex Platforms

Find a platform that’s user-friendly and equipped with the features you need to place short-term forex trades.

In our experience, web-accessible proprietary platforms best suit beginners with intuitive designs, essential charting tools and helpful guides, while advanced day traders often prefer established third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 or cTrader.

TradingView is an increasingly popular forex platform, with a clean design that I love, and a huge range of integrated features, notably economic data on Sri Lankan Central Bank decisions as well as actionable trading ideas from its 50-million strong user base.

Accounts

Choose a forex broker with an affordable minimum deposit and convenient funding options.

Payment methods are a particularly important concern for Sri Lankan forex traders because you may need to find convenient international solutions if banking restrictions make depositing funds difficult. Digital solutions are also on the rise in Sri Lanka, according to Statista.

Methodology

We compiled a list of the best forex trading platforms in Sri Lanka by filtering our database of nearly 500 brokers for firms that accept traders from Sri Lanka and ranking them by their overall rating which considers key areas, notably:

FAQ

Is Forex Trading Legal In Sri Lanka?

Trading forex is legal in Sri Lanka if residents abide by the rules laid down by its financial regulators.

Who Regulates Forex Trading In Sri Lanka?

The Sri Lankan Central Bank oversees forex trading in Sri Lanka. It also implements rules that impact how much foreign currency locals can buy.

Trading currencies with an unregulated brokerage may not be allowed and you may not receive legal protections. Also keep in mind you could lose all your funds.

How Much Does It Cost To Start Trading Forex In Sri Lanka?

Our evaluations of around 500 brokers show you’ll need up to 250 USD, around 75,000, to open a forex trading account.

That said, top-rated platforms like Pepperstone don’t require any investment to register, giving traders in Sri Lanka an affordable way to access foreign exchange markets.