Regulatory and Safety Checks
Points 1-5 cover safety fundamentals: verify active regulatory license on the regulator's official website, confirm client fund segregation in separate bank accounts, check participation in compensation schemes (up to 20,000 EUR under CySEC ICF), review the broker's operating history (minimum 3 years preferred), and investigate any regulatory actions or sanctions.
Trading Conditions
Points 6-10 evaluate trading quality: compare real spreads during active market hours, test execution speed and slippage rates, review available instruments and account types, check leverage options and margin requirements, and verify there are no hidden restrictions on trading strategies like scalping or hedging.
Service and Support
Points 11-15 assess the overall experience: test customer support responsiveness across channels, evaluate the quality and speed of the deposit/withdrawal process, review educational resources and market analysis, check mobile platform functionality, and verify transparent fee disclosure including swap rates, inactivity fees, and withdrawal charges.
