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    By Volodymyr Kravchenko Updated

    Regulation · Platforms · Costs

    Broker Reviews

    Independent broker reviews and comparisons — verified facts, no advertising fluff.

    Marlin reviews forex and CFD brokers and stock-investing platforms: regulation, platforms, markets and who each may suit. Facts come from the broker's own pages and are dated, and spreads are not quoted because they change. Some links are affiliate links, disclosed on the page.

    Start with the question you have. Which broker is regulated where you live? Most brokers run several companies, and the one that serves you decides your protections. Which broker can I use from TradingView charts? Only some connect, each through a specific account type. The two guides below answer these for gold, oil and forex traders; the reviews go deeper on each broker.

    Our process How we review brokers → Eight steps: the regulator register, official terms, protections, the risk warning and conflicts of interest. Choose Best gold brokers: seven checks → A checklist for XAUUSD, not a ranking. Compare CFD brokers by regulator and platform → Capital.com, FxPro, IG and Pepperstone — plus what changes in the UK, EU and UAE. Compare Brokers that connect to TradingView → Which account each broker needs, and how to check availability in your country.

    Broker reviews

    FxPro Review → Multi-regulated CFD & spread-betting broker (FCA, CySEC, SCB). Freedom24 Review → European stocks, ETF and IPO investing platform (CySEC). Bybit TradFi Review → Crypto exchange offering gold, oil and FX CFDs on MT5 via an offshore entity (Mauritius FSC). Not for UK/US residents.

    Five checks before you open an account

    The same checks apply to every broker on this page. They are about understanding the product and the company, not about picking a winner.

    1. 1. Which company opens your account

      Large brokers run several companies under one brand. The entity named in your client agreement, not the logo, decides which regulator you fall under and what protections apply. Look it up on the regulator's own register, such as the FCA register for UK firms or the CySEC register for Cypriot firms.

    2. 2. What the product is

      A CFD or spread bet is a leveraged contract on a price; you do not own the asset. Buying a share or ETF through a stock-investing platform is a different product with different risks. Regulated CFD providers must show the share of retail accounts that lose money: find that figure before anything else.

    3. 3. How client money is held

      Check whether client funds are segregated from the firm's own money and whether negative balance protection is part of the agreement. In the UK and EU it is required for retail clients by regulation; offshore entities can differ, so read the terms of the entity that serves you.

    4. 4. Costs that change

      Spreads, commissions and overnight swaps move with the market and the account type. We do not publish figures for them because they go out of date: use the broker's own current fee page and test on a demo account.

    5. 5. Whether it connects to your tools

      If you chart on TradingView or run MetaTrader, confirm which account type supports it in your country before you fund anything.

    What we checked, and when

    • FxPro : Regulation and platform facts last checked 20 September 2026 against the broker's own licences and about pages.
    • Freedom24 : Review last updated 13 September 2026; regulation shown as stated by the operator (CySEC licence 275/15).
    • Bybit TradFi : Product and entity checked 26 September 2026; offshore entity, not offered to UK or US residents.

    Terms change. Verify current conditions on the official site before you act. Our editorial policy explains how facts are sourced, and the affiliate disclosure explains how the site earns.

    Looking at funded accounts instead?

    A prop firm is not a broker. If you are comparing evaluations rather than accounts of your own, start with the news trading rules of FTMO and FundingPips and the FTMO guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    Are your broker reviews independent?

    We write them from the broker's own regulatory and product pages and date every check. Some links on this site are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you open an account, at no extra cost to you. That is disclosed on every page that carries one and does not change what we write. See the affiliate disclosure and editorial policy.

    Why do you not publish spreads and fees?

    They change with the market, the account type and the entity, so a figure here would be stale quickly. We link to what a broker states and tell you what to check.

    Is a regulated broker safe?

    Regulation sets rules for how a firm operates and how client money is handled. It does not protect you from trading losses, and the protections depend on which entity holds your account.

    What is the difference between a broker and a prop firm?

    A broker holds your own money and executes your trades. A prop firm sells an evaluation: if you pass, you trade a funded account under its rules. They are different products with different risks. See our prop firm guides.

    Can I use these brokers from any country?

    No. Availability depends on your country of residence and the entity that accepts you. Check the broker's restricted-countries page before applying.

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