STP Brokers
STP brokers offer some excellent benefits in comparison to other ECN and NDD brokers in the UK. We’ll explore the differences in this article, along with some of the best STP forex brokers and a list of key considerations to take into account when choosing between providers.
STP Brokers
-
Founded in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a highly regarded broker specialising in forex and CFDs. Serving more than 400,000 clients globally, it provides access to over 1,300 financial instruments through popular platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Its fee structure is both low and transparent. With regulation by reputable bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, Pepperstone guarantees a safe trading environment for traders at every level.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Established in Poland in 2002, XTB caters to over a million clients worldwide. This forex and CFD broker offers a robust regulatory framework, a diverse range of assets, and prioritises trader satisfaction. It provides an intuitive proprietary platform equipped with excellent tools to support aspiring traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti xStation Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
FXCC, a well-established brokerage since 2010, offers cost-effective online trading. Registered in Nevis and regulated by CySEC, it is distinguished by its ECN conditions and absence of a minimum deposit requirement. The account opening process is efficient, taking under five minutes.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto CySEC MT4, MT5 Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:500 -
Founded in 2006, FxPro has built a reputation as a reliable non-dealing desk (NDD) broker, providing trading access across more than 2,100 markets to over 2 million clients globally. It has received over 100 industry awards, reflecting its favourable conditions for active traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Spread Betting FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSA FxPro Edge, MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $100 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Established in 1999, FOREX.com is now integrated into StoneX, a prominent financial services entity catering to more than one million clients globally. The broker is regulated in numerous jurisdictions, including the US, UK, EU, and Australia. It offers a vast array of markets beyond forex, delivering competitive pricing on state-of-the-art trading platforms.
Instruments Regulator Platforms Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $100 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
eToro is a leading multi-asset platform, providing trading services in a vast array of CFDs, equities, and cryptocurrencies. Since its establishment in 2007, eToro has attracted millions of traders worldwide and holds licences from top regulators like the FCA and CySEC. Its social trading platform is especially favoured. Investing in cryptoassets is highly volatile and unregulated in the UK and certain EU nations, with no consumer protection. Tax obligations on profits may apply. 51% of retail CFD accounts incur losses.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $50 $10 1:30 -
Trade Nation is a leading FX and CFD broker regulated in the UK and Australia, among other places. The company provides competitively priced fixed and variable spreads on over 1,000 assets. Traders benefit from advanced platforms and comprehensive training materials. Additionally, the Signal Centre offers valuable trade ideas.
Instruments Regulator Platforms Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Spread Betting, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only) FCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA MT4 Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.1 Lots 1:500 (entity dependent) -
Established in 2009, Vantage provides trading on more than 1,000 short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. Forex CFDs are available from 0.0 pips on the RAW account via TradingView, MT4, or MT5. Regulated by ASIC, Vantage ensures that client funds are kept in separate accounts. Traders looking to copy strategies will benefit from a wide array of social trading tools.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Spread betting FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $50 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
Established in 2016 and headquartered in Saint Lucia, UnitedPips operates as a non-dealing desk broker. Catering to clients in more than 137 countries, the firm excels in CFD trading. Offering a portfolio of over 80 assets, it provides high leverage up to 1:1000.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Precious Metals, Crypto IFSA UniTrader Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $10 0.01 Lots 1:1000 -
Established in 2020 in Cyprus, RedMars provides attractive spreads on over 300 instruments and offers leverage up to 1:500. It has three types of accounts—Standard, Pro, and VIP—to cater to different budgetary needs and experience levels. The account opening process is swift and entirely digital.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos CySEC, AFM MT5 Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage €250 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
What Are STP Brokers?
STP (straight-through processing) refers to the automated process of electronic transfers, where there is no manual intervention. The term is both used in payment processing as well as trading. In trading, STP is essentially the process of settling trades that are passed through a brokerage.
An STP broker uses a non-dealing desk (NDD) model, whereby all trade orders are routed to the market. Liquidity providers (banks, hedge funds and large investors) act as the counter-party to the trader, whilst the broker connects the two.
STP Brokers Vs ECN Brokers
There are some similarities to note with another common execution model: electronic communication networks (ECNs). ECN brokers also use an NDD model, though the key difference is how trades are routed.
ECN brokers use a digital system that matches buy and sell orders automatically, without needing any middlemen. This allows the ECN to act as a hub of liquidity whilst also ensuring anonymity for traders.
Now that we’ve covered the key features of STP processing, let’s take a look at the main pros and cons and what to look for in a good STP broker.
Pros Of STP Brokers
There are some considerable benefits of trading with STP forex brokers:
- Comparatively short processing times – Non-dealing desk and automatic processing eliminates delays or the need to issue requotes.
- Direct Market Access (DMA) – Some brokers also offer a DMA/STP model, whereby orders are passed directly to the liquidity pool. True STP forex brokers will ensure that trade orders are filled at the most competitive prices.
- Market transparency – There’s a high level of anonymity as traders are connected directly to the broker’s list of top liquidity providers. This is particularly good for scalpers who don’t have the risk of slippage.
- No conflict of interest – There’s no manual intervention and brokers don’t hedge against traders, so they don’t profit from customer losses. Revenue is only generated from the small commission (mark-up) on each trade.
Cons Of STP Brokers
It’s worth noting the following drawbacks before choosing an STP broker:
- Orders can be requoted or rejected – Requotes are possible. For example, if a large order needs to be routed through the market but the price changes in that time, the order can be rejected.
- Spreads are less consistent – Spreads with STP brokers can vary dramatically during periods of high volatility.
- No micro-lots – Micro-lots are unavailable, so traders will need more trading capital and effective risk management.
Choosing an STP Broker
You may need to spend some time comparing a few options to find the right STP broker for you, as ultimately the decision will ride on several factors. These will vary depending on each trader’s experience level and trading style.
Regulation
Trading with a fully licensed STP broker will give you peace of mind and ensure you are receiving a high level of protection. Look for brokers that are regulated ideally by multiple tier-1 bodies, including the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.
Security
Regulated forex brokers are also typically covered by robust insurance and use segregated client accounts. This ensures that, should the company go bankrupt, your trading funds will be kept safe and returned back to you. In the UK, for example, regulated brokers are backed by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers claims up to £85,000.
Fees
The best STP brokers offer competitive fees and ideally no commissions on deposits and withdrawals. A reputable broker should also be transparent with this information before you sign up, so make sure to look out for any red flags. Note that a small mark-up is usually charged on each trade and this will vary between brokers.
Some of the cheapest STP brokers out there include eToro and FXTM, who offer extremely competitive pricing, with zero commissions and tight spreads.
Customer Support
Any trader can benefit from a good range of customer service options that can provide help around the clock. Top STP brokers usually offer a 24/7 live chat service or even a help centre. Admiral Markets, for example, offers support via a contact number, email, live chat, Facebook Messenger and Telegram.
Payment Methods
You can also expect a range of payment methods at good brokers, such as bank transfer, credit card and e-wallets. You might even find electronic payment methods such as Klarna and PayPal at some brokers, including FXCM. This can vary and you may need to look out for any deposit or withdrawal fees if applicable at your broker.
Education & Tools
Whether you’re a novice or expert trader, a variety of tools and educational resources on your STP broker’s website can be a huge benefit. This could include trading news and analysis, interactive training content, webinars or e-books. IG, for example, is suitable for all experience levels and offers top-quality education on their platform. For beginners, eToro is also an excellent choice if you’re looking for a range of learning resources.
Final Word On STP Brokers
Before deciding on an STP broker, the benefits and limitations discussed in this article should help you determine whether they’re a good option for your circumstances. Whilst STP forex brokers give you direct and transparent access to the market with competitive pricing, there are some downsides. Spreads are inconsistent due to the nature of volatility and beginners may struggle with the larger trading capital required.
For those who have decided to opt for an STP broker, make sure to consider the key factors above, including strong licensing, competitive fees and good educational tools.
FAQs
What Is An STP Broker?
An STP broker uses a non-dealing desk (NDD) model where trade orders are passed directly through to the market. Providers compete for the best bid/ask spreads and act as the trader’s counter-party.
What Are The Best STP Brokers?
Can Beginners Trade With STP Brokers?
Yes, beginners can trade with STP brokers. However, micro-lots are not available, which means larger trading capital might be needed. Make sure to choose a broker that suits your budget and can offer you good support and education.
What Is The Difference Between STP Brokers Vs ECN Brokers?
The main difference between STP and ECN brokers is the way that orders are routed. STP orders are routed directly to the market, where the broker selects the most competitive spreads. An ECN system acts as a central hub of liquidity, where buy and sell orders are automatically matched.
What Is The Difference Between STP Brokers Vs Market Makers?
Market makers (dealing desk brokers) will take the opposite side of the trader’s deals. Dealing desk brokers make money through the spreads and by providing liquidity in the market. This differs from STP brokers who simply connect the trader to the interbank market, meaning there is no intervention.