The Best CFD Brokers for 2025

CFDs are financial instruments that let you bet on the prices of assets in real time without owning them. Whether you’re looking to trade stocks, forex, commodities, or cryptocurrencies, CFDs offer leverage to increase your firepower and the ability to long or short. 

This guide reveals the best CFD brokers for 2025. We rank the leading CFD trading platforms for low fees, supported markets, leverage limits, safety, customer support, and much more. See our top picks below:

The best online CFD brokers reviewed

We’re reviewing each of these top-ranked platforms for CFD trading in full to help you choose the most suitable CFD broker for your trading needs, trading style and level of expertise.

1. eToro: Overall, the best CFD broker for beginners 

We selected eToro as the overall best platform for trading CFDs in 2025 for beginners, as it has a number of features that cater to novice traders.

First and foremost, the company’s emphasis on social trading and copy trading makes it easy for new investors to emulate the trades of experienced traders and learn the basics that way.

Secondly, even before depositing funds, you can try eToro’s trading conditions and functionality in a risk-free way on its demo account, which is loaded with $100,000 in virtual funds.

It also offers a wide selection of educational resources, including videos, webinars, news and analysis and eToro Academy articles that help new traders improve their skills.

The broker has a wide range of instruments to trade as CFDs, including currencies, commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies on a beginner-friendly, intuitive interface. It also features real (non-CFD) assets as well, for traders who want to branch out into direct investing.

There are some downsides, too. It charges a $10 a month inactivity fee if your account hasn’t had a log-in for 12 or more months, and its spreads are higher than those of some competitors. It also forces investors to use its in-house WebTrader platform, meaning third-party platforms such as MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 are not available.

Find out more about this CFD broker from our detailed review.

Range of CFDs	7,000+ CFDs on markets spanning stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, and forex
Pricing System	Dynamic market spreads
Account Types	Standard, Raw & Islamic
Supported Platforms	Webtrader and an iOS/Android app
Account Minimum	First deposit is typically $50 ($50 thereafter in most countries, however, it’s $1 in the US and $10 in the UK
Max. Leverage	varies by instrument from 30:1 for major forex pairs and 2:1 for cryptocurrencies; higher leverage may be available in certain regions
Standout Feature	social trading and copy trading, community of traders
Our Rating	5/5

_{46% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with eToro. Your capital is at risk.}

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2. XTB: Multi-regulated CFD broker with an innovative trading platform

Poland-based XTB, which is overseen by several major global regulatory bodies and trades on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, features a competitive trading environment and an innovative native trading platform.

It offers more than 5,500 global CFD instruments, including thousands of stocks from 16 international exchanges, such as the US, the UK, and Germany, in a CFD form, while also carrying actual stocks and ETFs. XTB also offers CFDs on ETFs, indices, and commodities, including gold, silver, oil, and the top cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ripple, and Ethereum.

When it comes to fees, forex spreads start from 0.1 pips, and cryptocurrencies trade for 0.22% per side. There is no minimum deposit requirement at XTB, however, beginners might consider opening a demo account, loaded with a $100,000 virtual balance, before committing their capital.

XTB is also one of the best CFD brokers for leverage. Eligible clients can amplify their CFD positions by up to 500:1. However, clients in the UK, Europe, Australia, and several other countries will be capped at 30:1, due to regulatatory requirements.

XTB’s native platform, the feature-rich xStation 5, is available online, as desktop software, or via the mobile app. It supports custom pricing charts, technical indicators, and other analysis tools.

Range of CFDs	5,500+ stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, and forex.
Pricing System	Dynamic market spreads
Account Types	Standard and swap-free accounts.
Supported Platforms	Proprietary trading platform via browsers, desktop software, and an iOS/Android app. Also supports MT4.
Account Minimum	None
Max. Leverage	500:1
Standout Feature	Share CFD as well as direct share trading; leverage of 500:1 on some CFDs for eligible clients
Our Rating	4.8/5

_{75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.}

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3. AvaTrade: Established CFD broker with support for multiple trading platforms 

Launched in 2006, AvaTrade is a regulated CFD broker that holds licenses in nine countries, ensuring a safe trading experience.

AvaTrade has a minimum deposit requirement of $100, which is higher than at most other CFD brokers. That said, you can start with a free demo account without needing to make a deposit. 

AvaTrade supports many trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and DupliTrade. It also has a proprietary platform, accessible online or via the AvaTrade app.

In terms of CFD markets, AvaTrade offers stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, forex, and commodities. It’s also one of the best CFD brokers for trading options. Spreads start from just 0.9 pips when trading forex. AvaTrade offers leverage of up to 400:1 to eligible clients.

We also like AvaTrade for its educational tools. This includes a fully-fledged trading academy with courses and tutorials. AvaTrade offers standard, Islamic, and professional accounts. 

Range of CFDs	1,000+ stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, forex, and options
Pricing System	Dynamic market spreads
Account Types	Standard, Islamic, and professional accounts
Supported Platforms	Proprietary trading platform via browsers and an iOS/Android app Also supports MT4, MT5, and DupliTrade
Account Minimum	$100
Max. Leverage	400:1
Standout Feature	Huge leverage limits of up to 400:1 for eligible clients
Our Rating	4.5/5

_{63% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.}

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4. PrimeXBT: A fast-growing broker with low fees and plenty of CFD instruments

While PrimeXBT started out in 2018 as a cryptocurrency broker that also offered copy trading right off the bat, it expanded into other markets and now provides access to more than 100 other CFD instruments, forex, indices, and commodities via both the PrimeXBT app and the PrimeXBT WebTrader.

In addition to crypto CFDs, PrimeXBT also offers actual cryptocurrencies, but there is no share or ETF investing on the platform.

It offers a copy trading function on all of its instruments at no extra charge. Opening an account is free and can be completed in under two minutes. There are no charges for account maintenance or demo accounts, allowing users to test strategies risk-free.

Although PrimeXBT is a relatively new platform, it has attracted over a million users so far, across more than 150 countries. This rapid expansion can be attributed to its narrow spreads starting from 0.1 and 24/7 support accessible via email or live chat. In terms of fees, crypto trades incur a 0.05% trading fee, while overnight fees, starting from 0.0017%, apply to all products.

However, PrimeXBT’s tools are somewhat limited to price charts and economic calendars. We have also found its educational offering underwhelming compared to its competitors.

To find out more about this broker, see our PrimeXBT review.

Range of CFDs	100+ stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices and forex pairs
Pricing System	Dynamic market spreads
Account Types	Standard
Supported Platforms	Proprietary trading platform via browsers and an iOS/Android app
Account Minimum	None
Max. Leverage	1,000:1 on certain instruments
Standout Feature	High leverage on crypto CFDs
Our Rating	4.3/5

_{CFDs are high-risk, leveraged products that may not be suitable for all investors, as they can lead to significant losses.}

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5. Skilling: CFD broker for professional traders with European regulatory oversight

Cyprus-based Skilling serves both casual and professional traders, offering CFDs. While Skilling is popular with forex traders, it also supports other trading instruments. This includes CFDs on cryptocurrencies, stocks, commodities, and indices.

In terms of safety, Skilling is authorized and regulated by CySEC, meaning it follows guidelines of the European Securities and Market Authority (ESMA.) Specifically, CySEC adopted ESMA’s strict rules for CFD and forex brokers, including leverage restrictions. Furthermore, all account holders are provided with insurance of €1 million in the unlikely event of the broker’s collapse.

Its standard accounts come with forex spreads from as low as 0.7 pips, while the professional account further reduces the minimum spread to 0.1 pip for major forex pairs, such as the EUR/USD.

This premium account, aimed at professional traders, requires a minimum deposit of €5,000 and offers some of the lowest spreads in the industry. This comes, though, with a commission of $35 for every $1 million traded. What’s more, premium account holders are eligible for leverage of up to 200:1.

On the other hand, Skilling is also popular among casual traders. It has a standard account that comes with a lower minimum deposit of €100. This account offers spreads starting from 0.7 pips. However, due to European regulations, leverage is reduced to 30:1 or, more often, less on CFD instruments for retail clients.

Range of CFDs	1,200 CFD instruments across forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
Pricing System	Dynamic market spreads
Account Types	Standard
Supported Platforms	Native iOS/Android app Skilling Trader, Metatrader 4, TradingView, cTrader
Account Minimum	Standard, Professional
Max. Leverage	1000:1 on certain instruments
Standout Feature	High leverage on crypto CFDs
Our Rating	4.1/5

_{56% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.}

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6. Libertex – Small minimum trade requirements and leverage of up to 999:1 

Libertex has been offering CFD trading services for over 25 years. With over 3 million clients, Libertex is one of the most popular CFD brokers in the market, supporting over 300 CFD markets, including stocks, forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

Although Libertex has a $100 minimum deposit, CFDs can be traded from just $20. What’s more, Libertex offers huge leverage limits of up to 999:1. This means $20 deposited on a trade can be amplified to almost $20,000.

Libertex has a native trading platform that will appeal to beginners, which is available online or via the iOS/Android app. Libertex also supports MT4 and MT5. In terms of fees, Libertex charges a small trading commission, which varies depending on the asset. 

For instance, indices and forex can be traded from 0.003% and 0.007% respectively. We found that most CFD instruments come with competitive spreads. For example, EUR/USD comes with an average spread of just 0.4 pips.

Libertex offers a free demo account with $50,000 in virtual funds. Alternatively, you can deposit funds with a debit/credit card, e-wallet, or bank wire. 

Range of CFDs	300+ stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, forex, and bonds
Pricing System	Variable commissions starting from 0.003% per side.
Account Types	CFD, Portfolio (real stocks), and professional accounts.
Supported Platforms	Proprietary trading platform via browsers and an iOS/Android app. Also supports MT4 and MT5.
Account Minimum	$100
Max. Leverage	999:1
Standout Feature	Minimum trade size of $20 on all supported markets
Our Rating	4/5

_{85% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.}

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Comparing these top-ranked CFD brokers

The table below summarizes the key specifications of the best CFD brokers to consider in 2025. 

CFD Broker	Range of CFDs	CFD Spreads (standard accounts)	Account Minimum
eToro	7,000+ CFDs on markets spanning stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, and forex	EUR/USD 1.0 pip Gold 0.025%	First deposit is typically $50 ($50 thereafter in most countries, however, it’s $1 the US and $10 in the UK
XTB	5,500+ stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, and forex.	EUR/USD 0.9 pips Gold 0.35	None
AvaTrade	1,000+ stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, forex, and options	EUR/USD 0.8 pips Gold 0.27	$100
PrimeXBT	100+ stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices and forex pairs	EUR/USD 0.7 pips Gold 0.25	None
Skilling	1,200+ stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, and forex	EUR/USD 0.7 pips Gold 0.37	€25
Libertex	300+ stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, forex, and bonds	EUR/USD 0.1 pips Gold 0.29	$100
IG	17,000+ stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, forex, options, and futures	EUR/USD 1.04 pips Gold 0.30	$50 (debit/credit cards), $0 (bank wires)

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What are CFDs?

Contracts for difference, or CFDs, are a type of financial instrument. They enable traders to go long or short without owning the respective asset. CFDs also invite leverage, meaning profits and losses are amplified. 

In simple terms, CFDs track the value of real-world assets, such as gold, oil, stocks, forex, and cryptocurrencies. This means that traders can buy and sell CFDs without owning the underlying asset. In turn, CFDs are considerably cheaper to trade when compared to traditional markets. 

CFDs are created in-house, so the operational costs are minimal. CFDs are also beneficial for trading with high levels of leverage. For instance, some brokers offer leverage rates of up to 500:1. That means that a $100 account balance can be amplified to $50,000. 

CFDs also enable traders to speculate on rising and falling markets. They allow you to go long or short without complicated terms. Simply place a buy or sell order based on your prediction. As CFDs do not provide asset ownership, many brokers offer fractional trading.

All that being said, CFDs also come with their drawbacks. For a start, CFDs are leveraged instruments, so overnight financing fees apply. This means you’ll be charged swap fees every day the CFD position remains open. Although some CFD brokers offer swap-free accounts, these come with higher spreads. 

Another drawback is that CFD positions can be liquidated. This means the position will be closed by the broker if it declines by a certain percentage. The more leverage applied, the more likely liquidation becomes. 

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How to pick the right CFD trading platform

The metrics discussed below should be considered when choosing the best CFD broker in 2025:

• Regulation and Safety: CFD brokers must be regulated in the markets they operate. Some of the most trusted regulatory bodies to look for include the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and CySEC (Cyprus). These bodies ensure that client funds are segregated in tier-one bank accounts. The regulatory body you fall under will depend on your country of residence. 
• Range of CFDs: The best CFD brokers support thousands of markets, ranging from stocks, ETFs, and commodities to cryptocurrencies, indices, and forex. Within each asset class, explore what specific markets are available.
• Fees: Your most significant cost item is the spread, which varies depending on the asset type and market conditions. What’s more, CFDs are leveraged financial products, meaning overnight and weekend swap fees apply. Some CFD brokers offer swap-free accounts, although these usually come with higher spreads. You should also consider deposit and withdrawal fees. 
• Tools and Analysis: Many CFD brokers offer proprietary trading platforms that come with analysis tools. This should include technical indicators, drawing tools, and risk management orders (e.g.: stop-losses). If supported, you might also consider third-party platforms like MT4 or TradingView.
• Minimum Deposit: The typical minimum deposit amount required by CFD brokers is $100. This might be too high for beginners, so look for platforms with smaller or no minimums. Don’t forget to check the minimum trade size, as this can also vary widely between CFD brokers.  
• Demo Account: The best CFD brokers offer a free demo account. This enables you to test the trading platform before making a deposit. Demo accounts are also ideal for crafting and testing new trading strategies.

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The difference between CFDs and futures

Traders often get confused between these two financial instruments, so we will cover the main differences to that tell them apart. While CFDs and futures are both derivatives, there are more differences than similarities between the two.

We have already covered that CFDs are financial instruments that let traders speculate on the price of an underlying asset without taking ownership of it.

Futures are contracts to buy and sell an asset, such as a commodity or a security at a predetermined price at a specified date in the future. If held beyond expiry, the buyer will take ownership of the underlying asset and has an obligation to accept a delivery of the asset when the contract expires. The seller has an obligation to deliver the asset to the buyer on expiry.

3 key differences explained:

Leverage:

• Futures: Leverage is rarely used for futures contracts.
• CFDs are nearly always traded with leverage, that is a loan from a broker that allows traders to open positions that are worth many times their initial deposit.

Physical delivery:

• Futures: Buyers who hold on to a futures contract beyond the date of expiry are obligated to take delivery of the asset, for instance, 1,000 barrels of oil, or 100 troy ounces of gold, weighing slightly more than 3 kilograms, which are typical futures contract sizes.
• CFDs on the other hand, are purely hypothetical, with only the difference between the opening price and the closing price exchanged when the position is closed out.

Expiry:

• Futures have a standardized schedule of expiry, typically a month or a quarter.
• CFDs are typically shorter-term instruments and can even be held for less than a day. They can also be held for a long period of time, for speculative purposes, if the trader is willing to pay the overnight financing fees to a broker.

Fortunately, CFD traders can have the best of both worlds. The most popular futures (e.g.: gold, natural gas, crude oil and stock index futures) are available as CFD instruments on most CFD trading platforms.

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The legalities of CFDs

We should also mention that CFDs aren’t legal in all countries. In particular, CFDs are banned in the US. As the SEC explains, this is because CFDs do not trade through regulated exchanges (like the NYSE).

Although CFDs are legal in the UK and the European Union (EU), restrictions apply. For instance, the UK’s FCA has banned crypto derivatives, including CFDs. While ESMA, which governs EU financial markets, limits retail clients to CFD leverage to 30:1.  

Global regulators also require CFD trading brokers to be transparent on risk. This is why the best CFD brokers display a risk warning, showing the percentage of retail clients that lose money on their platforms. 

New CFDs leverage restrictions introduced by CySEC

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which licenses many CFD brokers in the EU, amended the CFD leverage requirements for retail traders in September 2025.

The leverage for non-major commodities and indexes will be capped at 10:1. There will also be stricter compliance checks and reduced aggressive marketing strategies with greater transparency. This only affects EU clients who trade via CFD brokers that CySEC licenses.

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Our methodology for testing CFD brokers

We developed an in-house methodology to rank the best CFD trading platforms for 2025. Our research methods are transparent and impartial, allowing readers to make informed decisions when choosing a broker. We focused on CFD brokers with strong regulatory frameworks, meaning licenses from major watchdogs like the FCA and ASIC. 

Strict licensing not only keeps your capital safe, but it also ensures you’re trading in fair market conditions. We also examined CFD trading fees when researching brokers, such as commissions, spreads, and overnight financing.

In addition to regulation and fees, we also considered what CFD markets were available to trade. We gave priority to brokers with thousands of markets across many asset classes, including forex, commodities, stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. Within each market, we assess the minimum trade size and the maximum leverage limit.

We also tested the proprietary trading platforms offered by each CFD broker. Core metrics included user-friendliness, trading tools, and ease of access. Another important factor was customer service; we prefer brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 support via live chat. Ultimately, these research methods enabled us to create fair and reliable CFD brokers ratings.

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Conclusion

We reviewed the best CFD brokers for 2025. eToro is our top pick; the broker offers over 7,000 CFD markets at relatively tight spreads. 

eToro is very strong on its social aspects, offering a trading community with a social network feel and a well-developed copy-trading feature. XTB also offers a free demo account, allowing you to test the platform before committing.

Its a strong choice for beginner CFD traders, due to the overall trading experience, customer service and community support.

75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

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