Fixed Time Trading

Author - Jemma Grist
Author
Jemma Grist
Jemma is an investment writer located in the UK. She covers forex, stocks, and cryptocurrency markets, providing detailed research and in-depth analysis on different brokers and investment trends in the UK and further afield.
Editor - James Barra
Editor
James Barra
James is a UK-based writer and investor with consultancy experience at some of Britain's largest financial organisations. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a row of investing websites.

Fixed time trading (FTT) involves speculating whether the price of an asset will rise or fall over a period. You get a payout if your prediction is correct and lose your stake if you’re wrong.

It’s a straightforward short-term trading product, allowing you to trade a range of asset classes, from stocks and forex to commodities and cryptocurrencies without owning the underlying asset.

Note fixed time trading share similarities with binary options and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have expressed “concerns about the inherent risks of these products.”

Best Fixed Time Trading Brokers

These 7 trading platforms came out on top following tests by our British experts:
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    Pocket Option provides extremely short-term binary options starting at 3 seconds on an easy-to-use web platform ideal for novices. With payouts exceeding 90%, the 'Double Up' and 'Rollover' tools offer additional chances for profit.

    Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times
    $5 92% 3 seconds - 1 month
    Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets
    100% Deposit Bonus Yes Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities
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    IQCent provides binary options featuring exceptional payouts up to 98%. The platform, albeit with basic analysis tools, accommodates various timeframes ranging from 1 minute to 1 month, supporting both short and long-term trading strategies. However, it is worth noting that stock binaries are unavailable.

    Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times
    $250 98% 5 seconds - 1 month
    Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets
    Monthly Giveaways (e.g. iPhones & Apple Watches) No CFD, Forex, Crypto, Commodities
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    Capitalcore has broadened its range of trading products by adding binary options for forex, metals, and cryptocurrencies, offering returns of up to 95%. Designed for short-term traders, contract durations vary from 1 minute to 1 hour. The user-friendly web platform makes trading simple; just click 'Call' if you predict a price increase or 'Put' for a decrease.

    Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times
    $10 95% 1 minute - 1 hour
    Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets
    - No CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities
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    CloseOption provides binary options trading on over 30 fiat and digital currencies via a user-friendly online platform. With 15 contract durations ranging from 30 seconds to 1 month, it caters to both short-term and long-term traders. New users receive a welcome bonus.

    Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times
    $5 95% 30 seconds - 1 month
    Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets
    - No Forex, Crypto
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    Videforex provides binary options with competitive returns, offering 20% payouts on cryptocurrencies and up to 98% on more stable assets. This outperforms many rivals. Traders can choose contracts ranging from 5 seconds to 1 month. Additionally, new users benefit from a welcome deposit bonus.

    Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times
    $250 98% 5 seconds - 1 month
    Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets
    100% Deposit Bonus No CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities
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    Engage in trading high-low binary options on currencies, metals, and cryptocurrencies, offering significant returns. Binary options provide a clear wager on the short-term movement of an asset.

    Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times
    $10 86% 1 minute - 48 hours
    Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets
    - Yes CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities
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    RaceOption provides over 100 binary options with competitive returns up to 95% and rapid expiry times starting at 5 seconds. A minimum deposit of $200 grants clients free transactions, speedy withdrawals, and various trading bonuses.

    Min Deposit Payout % Expiry Times
    $200 95% 5 seconds - 30 days
    Bonus MetaTrader 4 Markets
    100% Deposit Bonus No CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Commodities

Safety Comparison

Compare how safe the Fixed Time Trading are and what features they offer to protect traders.

Safety Comparison
Broker Trust Rating FCA Regulated Negative Balance Protection Guaranteed Stop Loss Segregated Accounts
Pocket Option 2
IQCent 2.5
Capitalcore 2.5
CloseOption 2.8
Videforex 2.5
Grand Capital 2.8
Raceoption 2.5

Payments Comparison

Compare which popular payment methods the Fixed Time Trading support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).

Payments Comparison
Broker GBP Account Debit Card Credit Card Neteller Skrill Apple Pay
Pocket Option
IQCent
Capitalcore
CloseOption
Videforex
Grand Capital
Raceoption

Mobile Trading Comparison

How good are the Fixed Time Trading at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.

Mobile Trading Comparison
Broker Mobile Apps iOS Rating Android Rating Smart Watch App
Pocket Option iOS & Android 4 4.2
IQCent iOS & Android 4.3 4.1
Capitalcore Android, Webtrader 3 3
CloseOption - 3.7 3.5
Videforex Android 4.1 4.4
Grand Capital 4.8 4.6
Raceoption iOS & Android 4 3.8

Beginners Comparison

Are the Fixed Time Trading good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?

Beginners Comparison
Broker Demo Account Minimum Deposit Minimum Trade Support Rating Education Rating
Pocket Option $5 $1 3.3 3.5
IQCent $250 $0.01 2.5 2
Capitalcore $10 0.01 Lots (CFD/Forex), $1 (Binaries) 3.5 3.5
CloseOption $5 $1 3 2.5
Videforex $250 $0.01 4.2 1.8
Grand Capital $10 0.01 Lots 3.5 3.5
Raceoption $200 $0.01 4 0.8

Advanced Trading Comparison

Do the Fixed Time Trading offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?

Advanced Trading Comparison
Broker Automated Trading Pro Account Leverage VPS AI Low Latency Extended Hours
Pocket Option -
IQCent 1:500
Capitalcore - 1:2000
CloseOption - -
Videforex 1:2000
Grand Capital 1:500
Raceoption - 1:500

Detailed Rating Comparison

Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Fixed Time Trading.

Detailed Rating Comparison
Broker Trust Platforms Mobile Assets Fees Accounts Support Research Education
Pocket Option 2 3.3 4.1 2.5 3.5 3.5 3.3 3 3.5
IQCent 2.5 3.8 4.2 2.6 4.3 3.3 2.5 3 2
Capitalcore 2.5 3.8 3 3.8 3 3.8 3.5 2.5 3.5
CloseOption 2.8 3 3.6 2.5 3 2.5 3 1.3 2.5
Videforex 2.5 3.5 4.3 3.6 3.3 3 4.2 1.3 1.8
Grand Capital 2.8 3.8 4.7 3.9 2.5 3.9 3.5 3.5 3.5
Raceoption 2.5 3 3.9 3 2.8 3.3 4 0.8 0.8

Our Take On Pocket Option

"Pocket Option is a top choice for active traders due to its extensive binary assets and regular platform enhancements, such as 'AI Trading' and expanded expiry options from 3 seconds to 1 month."

Pros

  • The web platform excels in its simple design and ease of use, attracting novice traders interested in speculating on leading markets with minimal effort.
  • Over the years, Pocket Option has won several annual awards from DayTrading.com, including the notable 'Best Binary Broker 2025' after enhancing its trading tools.
  • The MetaTrader platforms provide robust analysis and technical summaries tailored for short-term traders.

Cons

  • To gain access to over 250 assets, a deposit of $1000 is required. Without this deposit, traders will only have access to a selection of 130 assets.
  • Pocket Option presents a streamlined version of MT4 and MT5, lacking the comprehensive charting tools that experienced traders seek.
  • Although binary brokers such as IQCent provide returns reaching 98% based on evaluations, others typically offer competitive payouts up to 92%.

Our Take On IQCent

"IQCent caters to traders seeking customised binary assets, offering over 150 products, such as ‘Hype Pool’ contracts for trending events. It features short-term expiries starting at 5 seconds and payouts reaching 95%, with a potential 3% boost. The TradingView charting package, complete with over 100 indicators, suits serious, quick-paced traders."

Pros

  • IQCent has expanded its offerings by adding over 60 new assets. This includes popular cryptocurrencies like TON and SHIB, high-ranking stock CFDs such as TSLA and NVDA, and unique FX pairs like THB and HUF.
  • The proprietary terminal features TradingView charts, providing numerous technical indicators and analyses for traders.
  • New traders with a modest budget can start trading with a minimal stake of just $0.01.

Cons

  • IQCent imposes a £10 monthly inactivity fee if a trader does not execute at least one trade each month.
  • The market analysis provides only fundamental details, offering limited technical summaries and insights from analysts.
  • IQCent lags behind binary brokers such as Quotex due to its limited investment range of approximately 175 assets, including few stocks.

Our Take On Capitalcore

"Capitalcore operates a leading binary options platform, ideal for those requiring sophisticated charting capabilities. Integration with TradingView provides over five chart types and 90 indicators. The 'double up' and 'rollover' features, allowing quick trade replication or extension, are superb for strategy enhancement."
Christian Harris
Christian Harris
Reviewer

Pros

  • Capitalcore now offers trading on over 30 currency pairs, metals, and cryptocurrencies. With one-click functionality, traders can enjoy payouts of up to 95%.
  • Unlike the majority of brokers, Capitalcore provides a limitless demo account, which can be set up in less than five minutes.
  • Capitalcore stands out as a broker offering zero swap fees, appealing to traders adhering to Islamic Finance principles.

Cons

  • During testing, the web platform proved unreliable due to sporadic technical issues, causing the trading platform to fail loading at times.
  • Capitalcore lacks regulation from major financial authorities, casting doubt on its reputation and raising concerns over the safety of client funds.
  • Capitalcore's limited education and research offerings fall significantly behind industry leaders like IG, rendering it less ideal for aspiring traders.

Our Take On CloseOption

"CloseOption ranks as the most accessible binary broker for novice traders. Registration is under five minutes, with a minimum deposit of $5 and a minimum stake of $1. It also caters to competitive traders with weekly tournaments offering cash prizes up to $1,300."

Pros

  • The intuitive platform works seamlessly with nearly all web browsers.
  • CloseOption hosts weekly trading competitions, awarding cash prizes to traders.
  • Free practice account

Cons

  • Binary options are exclusively offered for both traditional currencies and cryptocurrencies.
  • Clients must deposit over $50,000 to be eligible for the highest returns.
  • CloseOption lacks regulation by a reputable financial authority.

Our Take On Videforex

"Videforex offers an intuitive platform for traders speculating on market trends with binary options, focusing on cryptocurrencies and stocks, with numerous assets available. TradingView charts support technical analysis. However, the absence of regulation poses significant risk."
Tobias Robinson
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • Videforex has expanded its offerings, allowing traders to access popular cryptocurrencies like TON, ARB, PEPE, and SHIB, leading tech stocks such as Tesla, Meta, Nvidia, and Amazon, and a more varied FX portfolio including THB, ZAR, and MXN.
  • Videforex is among the select brokers offering round-the-clock multilingual video support, ensuring thorough assistance for active traders.
  • Videforex frequently holds trading contests, providing both novice and seasoned traders with practice opportunities and cash prizes. Traders can participate with position sizes starting as low as 1 cent.

Cons

  • Videforex is not licensed by a reputable regulator, leaving traders with minimal or no protection, such as segregated client accounts.
  • The lack of educational resources is a significant disadvantage for novice traders. In contrast, leading firms offer blogs, videos, and live trading sessions.
  • Based on recent tests, the client terminal requires enhancements, as its widgets occasionally become slow and unresponsive, which could affect traders' experience.

Our Take On Grand Capital

"Grand Capital is a solid choice for traders adept with MetaTrader and passive investors seeking copy trading and LAMM options. However, its regulatory standing falls short compared to rivals."

Pros

  • Trading competitions offering cash prizes
  • Swift and straightforward account setup
  • GC Invest platform for copy trading

Cons

  • Minimal regulatory supervision.
  • Elevated spreads on certain assets
  • Basic education and market research

Our Take On Raceoption

"RaceOption ranks highly among binary firms, offering diverse assets, including US tech stocks and unique cryptocurrencies. It caters well to intraday traders with 5-second turbo contracts and tick charts via TradingView charts. Frequent contests enhance the binary trading experience."

Pros

  • Returns on well-known assets such as EUR/USD can go up to 95%, outperforming many other options based on our analysis and boosting potential gains. Additionally, the initial three trades incur no risk in Silver and Gold accounts.
  • RaceOption simplifies account funding with no-fee, near-instant deposits through bank cards and cryptocurrencies. Withdrawals are processed within one hour, guaranteed.
  • RaceOption is among the select few brokers providing 24/7 multilingual video chat. However, our interactions suggest that their agents require better understanding of trading and regulatory matters.

Cons

  • Though still accessible for numerous retail investors, the $200 minimum deposit heightens the entry barrier. This is particularly notable when compared to Deriv and World Forex, which cater to budget-conscious traders.
  • RaceOption operates as an unregulated broker, offering high-risk trading with no investor compensation or legal remedies if trading or withdrawal problems arise.
  • RaceOption, lacking both a demo account and educational resources, is not ideal for novice traders.

Methodology

To find the best trading platforms, we:

  • Took our directory of 300 online brokers that accept UK investors
  • Pinpointed those with fixed time trading products on their platforms
  • Sorted them by their overall rating, combining key data points with our own observations

Choosing A Broker

There are several factors to consider when choosing a broker:

  • Trust – Given that you will struggle to find a UK-regulated broker with fixed time trading, it’s essential to consider the firm’s reputation and years in the industry. A trustworthy broker can help protect you from scams, which are unfortunately prevalent in the industry.
  • Payouts – Payouts can vary depending on the broker, with up to 98% offered at brands like IQ Cent and Videforex. That said, payouts can vary depending on market conditions and asset class. Cryptos, for example, are highly volatile and typically have lower payouts. It’s also worth checking the minimum deposit since these can vary significantly, from just £5 at Pocket Option to £250 at IQCent.
  • Expiry Times – Consider whether you want to place trades over a short or longer horizon. Many brokers, such as CloseOption and Pocket Option offer ultra-short time frames, starting from just 5 to 30 seconds.
  • Platform – Look for a user-friendly, reliable platform with a range of tools for technical analysis. A demo account is the best way to test out the platform and practice strategies. Pocket Option, for example, offers an easily accessible demo mode with full access to the platform’s charting package.
Fixed time trading web platform at Pocket Option, showing GBP/USD chart and tools

Pocket Option – Web Platform

What Is Fixed Time Trading?

Fixed time trades are similar to binary options in that they allow you to predict whether an asset’s price will go up or down within a predetermined period.

Alongside the timeframe, potential profits and losses are also agreed upfront, based on two possible outcomes:

  • If your prediction is correct, you will win your stake back plus a payout.
  • If your prediction is incorrect, you will lose your stake.
You can see a fixed time trade in action below where I predicted the price of GBP/USD would decline over 5 minutes.

With a $100 stake, my trading platform offered me a 73% return for a correct prediction, which would give me $173 in total ($100 stake + $73 profit).

On this occasion, I was right and my balance was credited with my returns. If I had been incorrect, I would have lost $100.

author image
Jemma Grist
Author

Fixed time trade on GBP/USD on Pocket Option platform

Consider what news announcements or events may happen which could cause volatility. For example, you may want to consider fiscal updates from the Bank of England if you are speculating on GBP/USD.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) restricted the sale of binary options in 2019 due to the risks of trading such products and the ‘poor conduct of the firms selling them’.

While the FCA has not called out fixed time trading as part of the ban, given they share similar characteristics, the FCA may take a similar stance on these products.

British traders can still access FTT through overseas, weakly regulated firms, but this may mean forfeiting important safeguards.

Notably, you won’t have access to up to £85,000 protection through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) should your brokerage become insolvent.

Tutorial

To open a fixed time trade, there are three steps to follow:

  1. Choose an asset – Available markets vary by broker but typically include forex like GBP/USD, commodities like oil, stocks like British American Tobacco and indices like the FTSE 100.
  2. Set your parameters – Set your expiry time, typically between 5 seconds and several weeks. You will also need to decide how much to invest, bearing in mind that you can lose the whole value if your prediction is wrong.
  3. Make your prediction – Decide whether you think the price will go up or down when the trade expires and confirm your trade. At expiry, you will be notified of your potential profit or loss.

Bottom Line

Fixed time trading is a straightforward way to speculate on the financial markets. With fixed parameters, it’s a popular short-term trading strategy.

However, it’s not without risks. The FCA takes a dim view on these types of trading products and you could lose all the money you invest.

To get started, sign up with a top-rated fixed time trading broker.

FAQ

Which Is The Best Fixed Time Trading Broker?

Pocket Option is the highest-rated UK broker with fixed time trading.

It offers an intuitive and feature-rich trading platform with a free demo account, payouts up to 92%, and up to 250 financial assets spanning currencies, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptos.

Is Fixed Time Trading Safe?

Like all forms of online investing, fixed time trading is not safe. You can lose your investment if the trade doesn’t go your way.

It also shares similarities with binary options trading, which the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have clamped down on in recent years.

Article Sources

FCA Bans Binary Options 2019 – Financial Conduct Authority