Best STP Brokers
The STP broker businesses model has several benefits for retail forex traders vs ECN and dealing desk brokers. In this review, we’ll discuss the meaning of STP and its pros and cons. We also list the best STP brokers for forex and CFD trading.
Top 6 STP Brokers
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- Interactive Brokers - Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
- UnitedPips - Operating since 2016 and based in Saint Lucia, UnitedPips is a non-dealing desk broker serving clients in over 137 countries. It specializes in CFD trading across around 80+ assets with high leverage up to 1:1000.
- Plexytrade - Established in 2024 and headquartered in Saint Lucia, Plexytrade is an ECN/STP broker. Geared towards active traders, it supports four account options, crypto deposits and withdrawals, plus very high leverage up to 1:2000 made possible by its unregulated status.
- 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.
- Capitalcore - Capitalcore is an offshore broker, based in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and established in 2019. Traders can choose from multiple accounts with lower spreads and larger bonuses as you move through the tiers. Where Capitalcore distinguishes itself is its high leverage up to 1:2000 and zero swap fees on CFDs, though these don’t compensate for the weak oversight and paltry education and research.
- xChief - xChief is a foreign exchange and CFD broker, established in 2014. The company is based offshore and registered with the VFSC and FMA. Users can choose between a wide selection of accounts and base currencies, making ForexChief accessible to global traders. The brand also stands out for its no deposit bonus and fee rebates for high-volume traders.
Interactive Brokers
"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
- IBKR continues to deliver unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands of equities available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries, most recently the Saudi Stock Exchange.
- While primarily geared towards experienced traders, IBKR has made moves to broaden its appeal in recent years, reducing its minimum deposit from $10,000 to $0.
- IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.
Cons
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
UnitedPips
"UnitedPips is ideal for traders seeking leveraged trading opportunities, the security of fixed spreads, and the flexibility to deposit, withdraw, and trade cryptocurrencies - all in one sleek TradingView-powered platform."
UnitedPips Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Precious Metals, Crypto |
| Regulator | IFSA |
| Platforms | UniTrader |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- UnitedPips’ platform performs well, with an intuitive design that will appeal to beginners, while the TradingView integration delivers powerful charting tools without overwhelming users, making it straightforward to execute trades efficiently.
- Although being handed off mid-chat due to shift changes during testing was frustrating, customer support is generally good with quick, helpful responses, and 24/7 support via phone and email for regional teams is a definite advantage.
- UnitedPips offers impressive leverage up to 1:1000 with zero swap fees or commissions, which can enhance potential returns for day traders and swing traders looking to control prominent positions with less capital.
Cons
- UnitedPips lacks comprehensive research, while the educational content for beginner traders is woeful. Compared to brokers like eToro, which offers tutorials, webinars, and advanced courses, UnitedPips offers minimal resources to help new traders understand key concepts.
- UnitedPips' selection of tradable instruments is still minimal, comprising a bare minimum selection of forex, metals and crypto. There are no equities, indices or ETFs, which may be a drawback for experienced traders looking for diverse opportunities.
- Unlike brokers such as IG, UnitedPips is an offshore broker not regulated by any 'green tier' financial authorities, raising concerns for traders seeking assurance and protection under well-established regulatory frameworks.
Plexytrade
"Plexytrade is a newcomer in the brokerage scene with attention-grabbing features like 1:2000 leverage, zero spreads on select instruments and fast execution speeds of less than 46 milliseconds. However, the absence of regulation is a significant concern, while the non-existent research and educational tools place it far behind industry frontrunners."
Plexytrade Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Crypto |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 |
| Leverage | 1:2000 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- There are various VPS packages starting from $50 per month, but they become complimentary once specific deposit thresholds are reached.
- Plexytrade offers among the highest leverage we’ve seen, up to 1:2000, catering to advanced traders willing to forego regulatory protections.
- Plexytrade accommodates a range of trading methods and short-term strategies, including scalping, hedging, and automated trading.
Cons
- There are no research and educational materials, falling short of alternatives like IG, while access to the economic calendar is restricted to clients with balances of $500.
- With around 100 instruments, Plexytrade restricts the flexibility of investors who prefer to trade across various assets, especially compared to Blackbull with its 26,000 securities.
- Plexytrade lacks regulation in major jurisdictions, significantly increasing the risks of opening an account and depositing funds.
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."
FOREX.com Quick Facts
| 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
- FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
- There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
- 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.
- 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.
- FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
Capitalcore
"Capitalcore runs one of the most advanced binary options platforms we’ve tested, making it a stellar option if you need serious charting power, with TradingView integration offering over 5 chart types and 90 indicators. Its 'double up' and 'rollover' capabilities to replicate or extend short-term trades with a click, are also excellent for strategy development."
Capitalcore Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Forex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures Indices, Binary Options |
| Platforms | WebTrader, Pro |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots (CFD/Forex), $1 (Binaries) |
| Leverage | 1:2000 |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- Unlike most brokers, Capitalcore offers an unlimited demo account that takes under 5 minutes to open.
- The support team are available 24/7 and responded within minutes during testing with helpful responses.
- Capitalcore is one of the only brokers to charge zero swap fees, which may appeal to Islamic traders looking to comply with Islamic Finance.
Cons
- Capitalcore is not regulated by major financial authorities and has an unproven reputation, raising concerns about the safety of client funds.
- Capitalcore’s threadbare education and research seriously trail category leaders like IG, making it less suitable for aspiring traders.
- Platform support is limited to proprietary software, so there's no integration with the market-leading MetaTrader or cTrader, which offer built-in economic news and support automated trading.
xChief
"xChief continues to prove popular with investors looking to trade highly leveraged CFDs on the popular MetaTrader platforms. The broker's rebate scheme and investment accounts will particularly appeal to seasoned traders. However, the lack of top-tier regulatory oversight is a major drawback."
xChief Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Metals, Commodities, Stocks, Indices |
| Regulator | ASIC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF |
Pros
- Traders can access a copy trading solution via the MetaQuotes Signals service
- xChief offers STP/ECN execution with low spreads from 0.0 pips and low commission rates starting from $2.50 per side
- The low minimum deposit of $10 will appeal to beginners, as well as the beginners’ guides in the Library
Cons
- The Classic+ and Cent accounts provide access to fewer instruments than the other account types, at 50+ and 35+, respectively
- The broker trails competitors when it comes to research tools and educational resources
- xChief is an offshore broker with weak regulatory oversight from the VFSC, so traders will receive limited safeguards
What Is An STP Broker?
STP stands for Straight Through Processing and is a type of technology used by brokers to electronically pass trades directly to the market. STP forex brokers execute trades on behalf of clients by sending them straight to liquidity providers, such as banks or interbank exchange houses. Trades do not pass through a dealing desk, instead, they go directly to the market.
No Dealing Deck Vs Dealing Desk
STP brokers are a type of No Dealing Desk (NDD) broker, meaning they do not use a dealing desk to complete a trade. Dealing desk brokers, known as market makers, fill the opposite end of a client’s trade. They do this either by finding another client to take the opposite side or by taking the trade themselves.
Since market makers do not connect directly to the wider market, there is a limited number of clients that can take the opposite side of your trade. Therefore, often the broker will buy the stock you’re selling, for example, making the market themselves.
Regulated STP forex brokers have slightly different licenses to market makers. They are known as A-book brokers, where market makers are known as B-book.
STP Vs ECN
Another type of NDD provider is an ECN (Electronic Communication Network) broker. These are similar to STP brokers in that they both send trades directly to the market. However, ECN brokers act as a liquidity hub, bringing together banks and financial institutions that compete to take the opposing side of your trade.
Pros Of STP Brokers
STP brokers are often favoured by retail traders. Their business model comes with several benefits:
- Processing speed – The STP technology used by these brokers means that trade execution occurs electronically and at high speed. Some market maker brokers also use software to process trades, but many complete them manually via a dealing desk. This can be a slow process and can result in requotes if the market is volatile.
- Quotes reflect the market – STP brokers trade directly with the market. Therefore, their quotes accurately reflect prices. Market makers may offer artificial quotes to improve their margins.
- No conflict – Market maker brokers profit when their clients lose since they’ve often taken the other side of the trade. This can cause some brokers to operate in ways that may conflict with their client’s ability to win. For example, they might offer artificial quotes or pick and choose which orders they fill. STP brokers are linked directly to the market and so have no profit motive behind client losses. In fact, if clients profit, they’ll often invest more with the broker whose revenue will grow.
- Lot sizes – ECN brokers typically restrict trades to a minimum lot size of 0.1 – the equivalent of 10,000 units of the base currency. This is because banks and other financial institutions operate on this minimum trade size. This can be prohibitive to retail traders, who may want to trade smaller values. STP brokers can often offer lower minimum lots. Admiral Markets and XTB, for example, have a minimum lot size of 0.01 while Interactive brokers has no minimum order size – you can place a trade for as little as 1 unit of the base currency.
Cons Of STP Brokers
Since STP brokers operate with most of the benefits of both ECN and market-markers, drawbacks are limited:
- Spreads – STP brokers tend to offer wider spreads vs dealing desk brokers. This is because dealing desk brokers make money from their clients’ losses. Therefore, they do not need to make as much revenue through spreads. With STP brokers, their revenue is coming solely through the spreads and commission they offer.
- Hybrid models – Some dealing desk brokers take a hybrid approach. They may pass some trades onto the market and take the other side of the trade on others. It can be difficult to know which brokers operate in this way. Seeking clarity from the broker’s customer support team via a contact number may help.
Identifying STP, ECN & Market Maker Brokers
It can be difficult to determine if a broker is a true ECN broker, STP or market maker. Some brokers do not make their business model clear to clients. However, some clues will help you work it out for yourself:
- Minimum lot size – If your broker is offering a minimum lot size below 0.1, they are probably not an ECN broker. The lowest minimum lot sizes are usually offered by market makers and STP brokers.
- Spreads – Brokers claiming to have the tightest spreads and be the cheapest around could be market makers. They often make money from client losses and so do not need to create as much revenue through spreads. Also, ECN brokers typically offer tight spreads but charge commissions to generate profit.
- Scalping rules – Scalping is a trading strategy that utilises inefficiencies in market quotes to make a profit. Traders can make healthy returns using scalping strategies, which can hurt a market maker’s bottom line. But most importantly, market makers will find it difficult to fill orders at the speed required for scalping strategies. Therefore, forex scalping is often not permitted at market makers and is instead more common at ECN and STP brokers in most countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, South Africa and more.
Final Word O
STP brokers are those with the technology to execute forex trades directly with the market. They offer quick processing times and accurate quotes whilst allowing small lot sizes which makes them a good choice for retail traders. However, it’s not always easy to know if your broker follows an STP model. If you start to experience slippage, quotes you feel are not in line with the market or requotes that you’re not happy with, you may want to switch to one of the STP brokers in our list above.
FAQ
What Is An STP Broker?
An STP broker routes trades directly to the market using Straight Through Processing technology. They follow a No Dealing Desk model (NDD). STP brokers are usually the preferred choice for retail traders due to accurate market quotes and fast processing.
How Can I Tell If My Broker Is A Market Maker?
Brokers may make it tricky to unpick their business model as no dealing desk brokers are often preferred by retail traders. With that said, there are some clues that you can look for. For example, stringent rules on trading behaviours, extra tight spreads and regular requotes indicate they could be a market maker.
Are NDD Brokers And STP Brokers The Same?
Yes, an STP broker is a type of no dealing desk (NDD) broker. They send your trades directly to the market rather than through a dealing desk. ECN brokers are another type of NDD broker. Dealing desk brokers are sometimes called market makers.