What are CFDs?
CFDs are tradeable instruments that track the price of underlying securities or assets.
A CFD trade occurs when a trader enters into a contract with their broker to buy or sell a particular underlying asset or security at a specific price. In doing so, the trader aims to speculate on price fluctuations that may occur in the window of time between when the contract is agreed upon and entered into force, and when it expires (or when the trade is closed).
request_quoteOwnership of underlying assets
When you purchase an asset like company stock, you become the owner of those actual shares. When purchasing a CFD, however, you never own the underlying asset.
As the price of the underlying asset fluctuates, the CFD trader will experience either an unrealized profit or an unrealized loss (or neither, if the price remains flat). Profits are only realized if the trade is closed while the position is still profitable (losses work under the same principle – if the trade is unprofitable when closed, the loss becomes realized).
For example, if a trader buys a CFD on the EUR/USD pair and the contract price moves higher than the initial purchase price, the unrealized profit will be the difference between those two prices (minus any applicable trading costs).
A quick note about losses: It’s important to remember that realized losses can worsen in the event of a margin call, or a gap in a stop-loss order. This added risk exists because CFDs are traded from within a margin account, which has the potential to incur a negative balance due to the use of leverage.
How are CFDs different from stocks?
When purchasing a stock through your broker's trading platform, your broker holds the shares (or, share certificates) on your behalf. As the shareholder of record, you gain certain rights and privileges – such as voting and taking part in proxy meetings. You also become eligible to receive potential dividends.
CFD traders do not enjoy any such ownership rights. When you use a trading platform to purchase a CFD, you do not own (or take delivery of) the actual underlying asset. CFDs are tradeable derivative instruments that reflect the price of an underlying asset – such as stocks.
sticky_note_2Note:
Some CFD brokers may offer you the ability to receive dividends in an attempt to mimic the trading of real (underlying) stocks.
Leverage: Though some traders can use a certain degree of leverage when trading shares (pattern day traders in the U.S., for example, can access up to 4:1 leverage), in most cases leverage is not available when trading cash equities (stocks). CFDs operate differently. CFD traders in the EU, for example, can access up to 5:1 leverage (reminder: CFDs are not available for trading in the U.S. or for U.S. residents). Check out my guide to the best high leverage brokers.
Risk: Though it’s unlikely to see your portfolio plummet to zero when trading or investing in traditional underlying stocks, this is not true with share CFDs. CFDs are tradeable instruments that carry extreme risk; most retail CFD traders lose money. Leverage introduces additional risk that isn’t present when trading underlying stocks. When trading CFDs, it’s possible to lose your entire balance (or even go into the negative, in some cases).
How do I choose the best CFD platform?
There's a wide variety of CFD platforms on the market, and choosing one to suit your individual trading needs can be a daunting task. It's an important decision, so I've put together a list of the most important factors to consider when choosing a CFD trading platform:
- Regulation: You should always make sure that your forex broker is licensed and regulated by reputable regulatory jurisdictions. Dealing with unlicensed brokers increases your risk of falling victim to forex scams. Read my educational series to learn more about how to avoid forex scams.
- Markets: It's important to verify the range of markets and tradeable instruments offered by your broker for CFD trading. Individual trading needs and strategies will vary, but ideally you want a broker that provides access to a wide range of assets and asset classes, such as forex, stocks, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.
- Fees: It's a good idea to do some research into the commissions and fees that are charged by CFD brokers. These may include spreads, commissions, overnight fees, swap rates, inactivity fees and withdrawal fees. I recommend looking for a broker that offers competitive and transparent pricing. Check out my guide to the best zero spread brokers to see some of my top picks for lower cost forex and CFD brokers.
- Platform: I always recommend using a demo account (also known as virtual or paper trading accounts) to evaluate the quality and usability of the broker's trading platform without risking your trading funds. This way, you can test if the broker's CFD trading platform is user-friendly, reliable, and secure. You'll also want to look for the availability of advanced features such as indicators, reliable news feeds, risk management options, and charting tools (check out my guide to forex charts to learn more).
- Educational resources: The best way to start out as a CFD trader is to find a broker that offers a bunch of beginner-friendly educational resources. Most brokers provide some level of trader education, but the best forex and CFD brokers produce high-quality video content, articles, and webinars by an in-house production team. Check out my guide to the best free forex trading courses.
How are CFDs different from forex?
The main difference between CFDs and forex (foreign exchange) is that CFDs are a type of instrument, whereas forex is an asset class. CFD traders speculate on price movements for a range of asset classes, but they never take ownership of the underlying assets. Forex traders, on the other hand, can – in some instances – take delivery of actual assets (in this case, currencies).
As a derivative instrument that tracks the price of an underlying asset or security, CFDs are non-deliverable. This means that CFDs are always cash-settled, with no possibility for delivery of any underlying asset.
With certain types of spot forex trading, traders can take delivery of the asset (currency). For example, a trader that buys the EUR/USD with the ability to take delivery of the asset will pay for the transaction in U.S. dollars – and will, in turn, receive euros in their account. By contrast, a CFD trader that buys the EUR/USD cannot take delivery of any currency, and can only close the position by selling an equivalent amount of EUR/USD to exit the trade.
All this being said, CFDs and forex behave similarly in many cases. Most retail forex trades operate much like CFD trades in that they are cash-settled; generally, retail forex traders do not take delivery of any assets or actual currency. Note: Both non-deliverable forex and forex CFDs carry risk, and regulatory protections will vary depending on your jurisdiction and/or country of residence.
Pros & Cons of CFD Trading
Pros
- A wide range of markets is available to CFD traders – including instruments that might not normally be available in your country of residence.
- When trading CFDs, you can go long or short; it’s fairly easy to open a short (sell) position.
- Most CFD trades are executed instantly, which means that there can be less risk of slippage (depending on your trading account and order type).
- Typically, CFD trading platforms have low trading fees and low commissions (relatively speaking).
Cons
- Trading with leverage from a margin account is risky; it’s possible to lose your entire balance while trading CFDs.
- CFD traders incur overnight fees when holding a position overnight (also known as carry charges).
- CFD traders own a contract – there’s no ownership of the asset itself. This means that CFD traders are also ineligible for benefits such a dividends and shareholder rights.
- CFD trades are subject to capital gains tax.
Are CFDs legal in the U.S.?
No, CFDs are not legal in the U.S., and CFD trading is not permitted for U.S. residents. CFDs are considered a derivative in the U.S. and are therefore subject to the licensing requirements of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Non-U.S. residents can trade CFDs using most forex brokers' trading platforms – as long as the broker accepts clients from your country of residence.
The CFTC also regulates the spot forex cash market. This means that U.S. residents who want to trade forex are required to do so with a U.S-regulated forex broker (you can find a U.S.-regulated forex broker with our guide to the Best U.S. Forex Brokers).
U.S. residents may not be allowed to trade CFDs, but there are other exchange-traded products offered by U.S. brokers – such as forex, futures, options, and securities – that can provide similar exposure to underlying assets. For example, several U.S. forex brokers offer micro-futures contracts from the CME, which allow traders to speculate on indices, metals, commodities, and forex futures contracts.
Can CFD trading be profitable?
Yes, it’s possible for CFD trading to be profitable. That being said, it’s important to recognize that the overwhelming majority of CFD traders lose money each year. Dozens of CFD brokers publicly share their own statistics that confirm this point; many of the top CFD brokers warn that upwards of 70% of retail CFD accounts lose money each year (in some cases, that number climbs above 80%).
Successful CFD traders are able to show a profit over a large volume of trades, over long stretches of time. They do so by incorporating trading styles that minimize risk and strategies that aim to keep their average losses low relative to their average profits (though this is easier said than done).
CFD traders need to have a clear and consistent CFD trading strategy and a solid risk management plan. It's also wise to choose the best CFD platform for your individual trading strategy – preferably one that offers a wide variety of tools and features.
Is CFD trading a good idea for beginners?
CFDs might not be the best choice for beginners, due to the extra risk that comes with trading with leverage from a margin account. Trading from a margin account – whether you are trading CFDs, forex, or other instruments or derivative products – is riskier than traditional investing. Trading with leverage can increase the risk/reward potential for your investment capital, and can even result in a negative balance (in rare cases).
If you already have experience with traditional investments like stocks or ETFs and you want to learn how to trade from a margin account, a demo account can be a good place to start. Demo accounts allow traders to experiment and familiarize themselves with trading software without risking any investment capital. The software is largely the same, but the demo account uses virtual funds; a “live” account is one where you fund the account with real money.
schoolCFD trading for beginners
There's a wide range of CFD platforms out there, but not all of them are suited for beginner CFD traders. If you are just getting started out and you're looking for a CFD trading platform, check out my beginners guide for trading forex and CFDs.
What are the best CFD trading platforms?
Saxo’s flagship suite of platforms for trading CFDs is our top pick for 2024. Including SaxoTraderGO for web and mobile and SaxoTraderPRO for desktop, Saxo’s popular platform suite is loaded with trading tools, powerful charting, and cutting-edge research.
In my review of Saxo, I describe its suite of platforms as having a “near-perfect balance of ease of use and advanced features.” Whether you use web or mobile with GO or you decide to stick to desktop with PRO, Saxo provides an altogether excellent CFD trading experience.
Check out a gallery of screenshots from Saxo's mobile trading app, taken by our research team during our product testing:
We also tested Saxo's SaxoTraderGO web platform and SaxoTraderPRO desktop platform:
We’ve reviewed over 60 of the best brokers in the industry and tested dozens of CFD trading platforms. In addition to Saxo, check out our top picks for CFD trading platforms in 2024:
Which brokers offer the most CFDs?
#1 - Saxo
Earned our 2024 Annual Award for #1 Platforms & Tools
Saxo offers the most CFDs, with nearly 60,000 available symbols across a wide range of asset classes. Cash equities, options, and exchange-traded securities are among the other instruments available to traders at Saxo, and traders can choose CFDs for a given asset from within the trade ticket window. Saxo’s award-winning platform suite includes SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO, alongside third-party platforms such as TradingView (check out our popular TradingView guide). Learn more by reading our review of Saxo.
Browse a gallery of screenshots from Saxo's trading platforms, taken by our research team during our product testing.
#2 - IG
Most trusted broker in 2024, Best Overall Broker in 2024
IG is another top forex broker with an impressive offering of CFDs and tradeable instruments. Boasting nearly as many CFDs as Saxo, IG offers an impressive range of instruments and multiple asset classes. Traders who use forex signals will appreciate that PIA First and Autochartist are directly integrated within IG’s web platform. This integration allows traders to copy a forex signal directly into a trade ticket. Learn more by reading our guide to the best forex trading signal providers, and check out our review of IG.
Check out a gallery of screenshots from IG's trading platforms, taken by our research team during our product testing.
#3 - Interactive Brokers
Won multiple awards in our 2024 Annual Awards, including #1 Offering of Investments
Interactive Brokers is a highly rated forex broker that offers a massive number of trading venues and exchanges, as well as nearly 10,000 CFD markets. Professional traders will enjoy IBKR’s sophisticated order type configurations and access to advanced third-party trading tools such as Trading Central and TradingView. Interactive Brokers is publicly traded (NASDAQ: IBKR) and regulated in six tier-1 jurisdictions. Learn more by checking out our review of Interactive Brokers.
Here are some screenshots of Interactive Brokers' trading platforms, taken by our research team during our product testing.
What is the best broker for trading CFDs in the UK?
IG holds the crown as the best broker for trading CFDs in the U.K. IG ranks at the top of nearly every category, with multiple trading platforms, powerful research tools, comprehensive financial markets education, and a substantial range of CFD markets and spread betting products. IG is highly trusted across the globe, and holds numerous regulatory licenses – including in the U.K. where it is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
What CFD brokers charge the lowest fees?
The CFD brokers that charge the lowest fees are typically those that feature the lowest effective spreads. Effective spreads are determined by calculating the broker’s average spreads, and then factoring in any per-trade commissions. In 2024, Tickmill reigns supreme in this category, with the lowest effective spreads out of our list of the best brokers in the industry.
Here are the top 7 brokers for low-cost CFD trading in 2024:
currency_poundLooking for low-cost forex and CFD brokers?
Check out my guide to the best zero spread brokers to learn about commissions, fees, spreads, and to see my picks for the best low-cost brokers for trading forex and CFDs.
ForexBrokers.com 2024 Overall Rankings
Now that you've read our guide to CFDs and seen our picks for the top seven CFD brokers, check out the ForexBrokers.com Overall Rankings. We've evaluated over 60 forex brokers, using a testing methodology that's based on 100+ data-driven variables and thousands of data points. Check out our full-length, in-depth forex broker reviews.
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Methodology
At ForexBrokers.com, our reviews of online forex brokers and their products and services are based on our collected data as well as the observations and qualified opinions of our expert researchers. Each year we publish tens of thousands of words of research on the top forex brokers and monitor dozens of international regulator agencies (read more about how we calculate Trust Score here).
Our research team, led by Steven Hatazkis, conducts thorough testing on a wide range of features, products, and services. We test all available trading platforms for each broker – whether they are proprietary or come from third-party providers – and evaluate them based on a host of data-driven variables. Our research team collects and validates thousands of data points each year.
We also take an in-depth look at each broker’s commissions and fees, such as bid/ask spreads – including the average spread data for some of the most popular forex currency pairs. We research other trading costs, such as inactivity or custody fees, minimum deposit requirements, VIP rebates and/or discounts, and a range of other important fee-based data points.
Some of the other important research categories that are factored into our testing include mobile trading accessibility and capability, availability of market research and educational content, and each broker’s regulatory status and number of held regulatory licenses.
All websites and web-based platforms are tested using the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. Our Desktop PCs run Windows 11, and we use MacBook Pro laptops running the latest version of macOS to test trading on the go.
We also test on mobile devices; for Apple, we test using the iPhone XS running iOS 16, and for Android we use the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra devices running Android OS 13.
All content on ForexBrokers.com is handwritten by a writer, fact-checked by a member of our research team, and edited and published by an editor. Generative AI tools are not a part of our content creation or product testing processes. Our ratings, rankings, and opinions are entirely our own, and the result of our extensive research and decades of collective experience covering the forex industry. Read our Generative AI policy to learn more.
Read our full explanation and accounting of our research and testing process to learn more about how we test.
Forex Risk Disclaimer
There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities. With respect to margin-based foreign exchange trading, off-exchange derivatives, and cryptocurrencies, there is considerable exposure to risk, including but not limited to, leverage, creditworthiness, limited regulatory protection and market volatility that may substantially affect the price, or liquidity of a currency or related instrument. It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable, or that they will not result in losses. Read more on forex trading risks.
About the Editorial Team
Steven Hatzakis
Steven Hatzakis is the Global Director of Research for ForexBrokers.com. Steven previously served as an Editor for Finance Magnates, where he authored over 1,000 published articles about the online finance industry. A forex industry expert and an active fintech and crypto researcher, Steven advises blockchain companies at the board level and holds a Series III license in the U.S. as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA).
John Bringans
John Bringans is the Senior Editor of ForexBrokers.com. An experienced media professional, John has close to a decade of editorial experience with a background that includes key leadership roles at global newsroom outlets. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from San Francisco State University, and conducts research on forex and the financial services industry while assisting in the production of content.
Joey Shadeck
Joey Shadeck is the Content Strategist and Research Analyst for ForexBrokers.com. He holds dual degrees in Finance and Marketing from Oakland University, and has been an active trader and investor for close to ten years. An industry veteran, Joey obtains and verifies data, conducts research, and analyzes and validates our content.
Blain Reinkensmeyer
Blain Reinkensmeyer has 20 years of trading experience with over 2,500 trades placed during that time. He heads research for all U.S.-based brokerages on StockBrokers.com and is respected by executives as the leading expert covering the online broker industry. Blain’s insights have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Chicago Tribune, among other media outlets.
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