How We Test Forex Brokers
Every broker review on calc.forex follows a 7-step evaluation process. No broker pays for a higher rating. The methodology is the same whether the broker is an affiliate partner or not.
Last updated: March 2026 · Methodology version: 2.0 · Brokers currently reviewed: 5
Regulatory Verification
We verify every broker's license directly with the regulator's public database. A CySEC claim gets checked on cysec.gov.cy. An FCA claim gets checked on the FCA register. We don't take the broker's word for it.
Account Opening & Verification
We open a real account with each broker. This tests the onboarding flow, KYC process, verification speed, and initial deposit experience. We time every step.
Spread & Fee Analysis
We monitor live spreads across multiple sessions: London open, New York overlap, Asian session, and during major news releases. Published spreads often differ from real conditions.
Execution Quality Testing
We place real trades and measure execution speed, slippage, and fill rates. A broker can advertise 0.0 spreads but slip every order by 2 pips — we test for this.
Platform & Mobile Evaluation
Every platform and mobile app is used for actual trading over a minimum period. We test chart functionality, order management, and stability during volatility.
Withdrawal Testing
The real test of any broker: getting your money out. We request withdrawals via multiple methods and document processing times against advertised claims.
Scoring & Review Writing
Each broker receives a score across 6 categories. The final rating is weighted by category importance. Reviews are written based on documented findings, not opinions.
Scoring System
| Category | Weight | What We Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation & Safety | 25% | License tier, fund segregation, compensation schemes, track record |
| Trading Costs | 20% | Live spreads across sessions, commissions, swap rates, hidden fees |
| Execution Quality | 20% | Fill speed, slippage, requotes, execution during volatility |
| Platform & Tools | 15% | Charting, order types, mobile app, stability, available platforms |
| Deposits & Withdrawals | 10% | Methods, processing speed, fees, reliability |
| Customer Support | 10% | Response time, quality of answers, available channels |
Affiliate Disclosure
Some brokers on this site are affiliate partners. If you open an account through our links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
This does not affect our ratings. Every broker goes through the same 7-step evaluation. We have rejected affiliate partnerships with brokers that scored below our minimum threshold. Our revenue model is transparent: we make money when you find a broker that works for you.
If a broker is an affiliate partner, this is clearly disclosed on their review page.
Review Update Policy
Broker reviews are re-evaluated quarterly. If a broker changes their fee structure, loses a regulatory license, or makes significant platform changes, we update the review within 7 days.
Each review page shows a "Last tested" date. If that date is older than 6 months, treat the review as potentially outdated and verify critical information directly with the broker.