Forex conditions for algorithmic trading: a broker comparison
What matters to an Expert Advisor is not an advertised "spread from 0.0" but the full cost of a trade, the execution rules and the level at which positions are force-closed. We put what the brokers publish themselves into one table and name no "best" broker — every trader has their own jurisdiction and requirements.
Method
- Source: the brokers' official pages only, checked on 25 Oct 2026 (links in the broker reviews).
- We compare commission (raw-spread) accounts because their cost is more transparent.
- Where a broker does not publish a figure we write "not specified" — that is information too.
- An advertised minimum spread ("from 0.0") is not the average spread, so it is not in the table.
Conditions table
| Broker (legal entity) | Regulator | Commission account | FX commission per side | Min. deposit | MT4 / MT5 | Stop Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpari (Parlance Trading Ltd) | MISA (Comoros) | Pro ECN | $2.5 per lot (side not specified) | $/€ 500 | yes / yes | 50% |
| RoboForex (RoboForex Ltd) | FSC Belize | ECN | not specified | 10 USD | yes / yes | not specified |
| FXOpen INT (FXOpen Markets Ltd) | not specified | ECN Basic | $3.50 | $100 | yes / yes | 50% |
| Pepperstone (ASIC / FCA / SCB entities) | ASIC, FCA, SCB | Razor | from $3.50 | $0 (UK £10) | yes / yes | not specified |
| IC Markets Global (Raw Trading Ltd) | FSA Seychelles | Raw Spread | $3.50 | $0 | MetaTrader | 50% |
| Tickmill (entity not specified) | FCA, CySEC, FSCA — by entity | Raw | $3 | 100 | yes / yes | not specified |
| Fusion Markets (ASIC / VFSC / FSA entities) | ASIC, VFSC, Seychelles FSA | Zero | $2.25 | not specified | yes / yes | not specified |
How to read the table
- A commission "per side" is charged on opening and on closing: round turn = ×2. $3.50 per side = $7 per lot round turn ≈ 0.7 pips on EUR/USD.
- The regulator belongs to a specific legal entity. Conditions for a client in the EU, the UK or Australia may differ from the global website.
- Stop Out is the margin level at which the broker starts closing positions. For grid strategies it is a key risk parameter.
- High maximum leverage is not an advantage in itself: it lets you open more volume on the same deposit and speeds up losses.
What else to check before running an Expert Advisor
- Whether EAs, scalping and hedging are allowed in your entity's agreement.
- Where the trading server is located (for choosing a VPS).
- Swap rates on your instruments and the triple-swap day.
- Minimum volume step and minimum stop distance.
- How the broker behaves around news: spread widening, slippage.
This material is not a recommendation to choose any particular broker.
Sources
- Alpari — About
- Alpari — Available trading account types
- Alpari — Deposit & withdrawal methods
- RoboForex — About the company
- RoboForex — ECN account
- RoboForex — ProCent account
- FXOpen — group entities
- FXOpen — trading accounts (INT)
- FXOpen UK — why us
- Pepperstone — trading accounts (global)
- Pepperstone — trading accounts (Australia)
- Pepperstone — trading accounts (UK)
- Pepperstone — licensing
- IC Markets Global — account overview
- Tickmill — accounts overview
- Tickmill — Raw account
- Fusion Markets — why Fusion
- Fusion Markets — Zero account
The materials are for information only and are not investment advice. Leveraged trading carries a high risk of losing money.
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