π¬ EA Broker & Tools Testing Lab
Complete transparency: 50+ brokers tested, only this ones made the cut
β οΈ Full Transparency: Some links are affiliate, some are not.
I show exactly which ones pay me and which ones I reject.
Commissions fund ongoing tests and free EA updates.
Scoring is 100% objective based on data, not commissions.
β
TIER 1: VERIFIED EXCELLENT
Score 8.5+/10 β’ Tested extensively β’ Community approved
IC Markets
AFFILIATE β
9.2/10
π Raw account / commission-based pricing.
Avg Spread
0.0 pips*
Ping
12ms
Tested Since
Jan 2024
Issues
2 minor
Raw spreads from 0.0 pips
Suitable for cost-sensitive EAs
No dealing desk intervention
Commission adds up for high volume
Fusion Markets
AFFILIATE β
8.8/10
π Low-Cost Broker - Best Value
Avg Spread
0.2 pips
Ping
18ms
Tested Since
Feb 2024
Issues
0
Among the lowest commissions
No minimum deposit
Perfect for small accounts
Zero issues in the last 90 days
ForexVPS
AFFILIATE β
8.8/10
π VPS Hosting for MT4/MT5/EAs
Trustpilot Rating
β4.9/5 (5 stars)
Trustpilot Reviews
5,000+
Ping Examples
1β3ms to major FX brokers (on-net peering, indicative)
Uptime Sla
99.9% (provider-claimed)
Tested Since
Jan 2024
Purpose-built for trading (low latency to MT4/MT5 brokers)
One-click MT4/MT5 setup; EA-friendly 24/7 runtime
Strong social proof on Trustpilot
Actual latency depends on your brokerβs server and chosen VPS location
π TIER 2: GOOD WITH CAVEATS
Score 7-8.5/10 β’ Solid options β’ Some limitations
Pepperstone
AFFILIATE β
8.2/10
π Global Broker - Reliable
Avg Spread
0.3 pips
Ping
25ms
Tested Since
Mar 2024
Issues
5 minor
Rock-solid regulation
Good for most EA strategies
Spreads widen during news
Some reports of brief disconnections
β οΈ Community Reports:
Spread widening during NFP
Brief platform disconnections
FTMO
AFFILIATE β
8/10
π Prop Firm - Funded Trading
Max Funding
$400k (scalable with growth plan)
Profit Split
Up to 90%
Pass Rate
~9% (no official figure)
Issues
3 minor
EA trading allowed
Free retake available
Strict DD limits
Scaling plan may allow larger
RoboMarkets
AFFILIATE β
7.6/10
π Prime/ECN β’ MT4/MT5 β’ R StocksTrader
Avg Spread
floating from 0.0 pips (Prime/ECN) + commission
Ping
25ms
Tested Since
Jan 2024
Issues
2 minor
Prime & ECN accounts with very tight (from 0.0) spreads + commission
MT4/MT5 supported; proprietary R StocksTrader platform
VPS available (monthly fee; equity requirement)
EU availability changed: check your region/entity before opening
Total cost depends on commission schedule and account type
Exness
NO AFFILIATE
7.9/10
π Raw/Zero accounts β’ MT4/MT5
Avg Spread
from 0.0 pips (Raw/Zero) + commission
Ping
15ms
Tested Since
Jan 2024
Issues
0-3 minor
Very low raw/zero spreads (indicative)
MT4/MT5; EAs allowed
Commission per side on Raw/Zero (cost impact)
Entity matters: Exness (UK) & (Cy) do not serve retail; retail via other entities (e.g., SC/BV) depending on region
β οΈ Why No Affiliate:
Exness does not offer services to retail clients and individual investors
β οΈ TIER 3: LIMITED USE CASES
Score 5-7/10 β’ Specific situations only β’ Not for everyone
XM Group
NO AFFILIATE
6.5/10
π Market Maker - Beginners Only
Avg Spread
1.6 pips (Standard)
Ping
45ms
Tested Since
Apr 2024
Spreads
Typically higher on Standard accounts
$5 minimum deposit
Good education resources
High spreads kill EA profits
Better for swing/manual use than cost-sensitive EAs
β οΈ Why No Affiliate:
Spreads too high for profitable EA trading. Better for manual swing/learning.
eToro
NO AFFILIATE
5.8/10
π Social Trading - No MT4/MT5
Avg Spread
2.0 pips
Platform
Proprietary
Ea Support
None
Issues
N/A
Strong copy-trading features
No MT4/MT5 support
Cannot run EAs
Higher FX costs than raw accounts
β οΈ Why No Affiliate:
Frequently asked, but it doesn't support EAs. For social/copy trading only.
Admirals (Admiral Markets)
NO AFFILIATE
7/10
π Zero/Trade accounts β’ MT4/MT5
Avg Spread
from 0.0 (Zero) β’ β₯0.5 pips (Trade)
Ping
30ms
Tested Since
Mar 2024
Issues
0-3 minor
Multi-jurisdiction regulation (incl. FCA/CySEC/EEA)
MT4/MT5; automation allowed
Zero: per-side commission; Trade: wider spreads (watch total cost)
Spreads widen around news; check server/session
β TIER 4: NOT RECOMMENDED
Score <5/10 β’ Serious issues β’ Avoid for EA trading
FXCM
REJECTED
3.8/10
π Historical regulatory action (US ban 2017)
Avg Spread
Variable by region
Ping
β
Tested
Historic doc review
Issues
CFTC/NFA actions (2017)
CFTC $7M fine & US exit in 2017
Misrepresentation of βno dealing deskβ (per CFTC order)
π¨ Community Reports:
Regulatory enforcement (CFTC/NFA 2017)
π Transparent Scoring System
Every broker is scored objectively based on data, not commissions. Some pay us, some don't. The score remains the same.
How We Calculate Scores:
8.5-10: Tier 1
Excellent for EA trading
Excellent for EA trading
7-8.5: Tier 2
Good with some caveats
Good with some caveats
5-7: Tier 3
Limited use cases only
Limited use cases only
0-5: Tier 4
Not recommended
Not recommended
π‘ Why Some Have No Affiliate Links
- Score too low to recommend (<7/10)
- They rejected our partnership application
- Incompatible with EA trading (like eToro)
- We rejected THEM due to user complaints
We'd rather lose commissions than lose your trust.
Risk Warning
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.
Between 70-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.
You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Affiliate Disclosure:
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may receive compensation if you sign up through these links. This does not impact our reviews or rankings, which are based on objective testing and community feedback. We only recommend services we have personally tested.
π Seek Independent Advice: If you are unsure about the suitability of any investment, you should seek advice from an independent financial advisor.