Trading EUR/USD
The EUR/USD is the most traded currency pair by volume. For UK investors, the major forex pairing offers significant profit potential. Here we discuss how to start trading the EUR/USD, taking into account historical rates, long-term forecasts and market news. We also explain how to read FX live charts for technical analysis so you can implement an effective trading strategy.
EUR/USD Trading Brokers
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Pepperstone provides forex spreads on the EUR/USD averaging just 0.12 pips with their Razor account. This is highly competitive. Their extensive portfolio includes over 100 currency pairs, which exceeds what most rivals offer. Furthermore, Pepperstone stands out by offering three unique currency indices: USDX, EURX, and JPYX, which are rare on other platforms. They have been recognised with our 'Best Forex Broker' award twice.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.4 0.1 0.4 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 100+ Yes MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower -
XTB offers access to over 70 currency pairs, with competitive spreads averaging about 1 pip for major pairs. Its xStation platform is user-friendly, providing traders with top-tier charting tools, over 30 indicators, and diverse order types to support different strategies and risk management needs.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 1.4 1.0 1.4 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 70+ Yes xStation -
FXCC champions its competitive forex trading environment. ECN spreads can drop to an impressive 0.0 pips during busy trading periods. Offering more variety than many competitors, it supports over 70 currency pairs. Furthermore, traders benefit from MT4, renowned for its exceptional charting capabilities, specifically designed for forex trading.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 1.0 0.2 0.5 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 70+ No MT4, MT5 -
Vantage provides over 55 currency pairs, exceeding the industry norm, giving traders ample opportunities. With a robust liquidity pool, forex spreads start at 0.0 pips on the ECN account, often beating other options. Additionally, there are no commissions, deposit fees, or hidden charges.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.5 0.0 0.5 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 55+ Yes ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade -
IC Markets remains dedicated to offering tight 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs like EUR/USD, ensuring outstanding execution with an average speed of 35 milliseconds. Ideal for traders seeking high performance, those dealing in large volumes can also enjoy rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.23 0.02 0.27 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 75 No MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower -
FxPro provides over 70 currency pairs, though minors are excluded, and is renowned for its rapid execution and tight spreads, averaging 0.45 pips on EUR/USD. Traders can design, evaluate, and implement short-term strategies using the top-tier MT4 platform with expert advisors for algorithmic trading.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.6 0.45 0.73 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 70+ Yes FxPro Edge, MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower -
IG provides an extensive selection of over 80 currency pairs through its own web platform, mobile app, or MetaTrader 4. For advanced charting and forex analysis, the ProRealTime software is available. Testing shows forex spreads are competitive, beginning at 0.1 pips on major pairs such as EUR/USD.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.9 0.8 0.9 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 80+ Yes Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime
Pepperstone
XTB
FXCC
Vantage FX
IC Markets
FXPro
IG IndexSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the Trading EUR/USD are and what features they offer to protect traders.
| Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| FXCC | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IC Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| FXPro | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IG Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the Trading EUR/USD support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).
| Broker | GBP Account | Debit Card | Credit Card | Neteller | Skrill | Apple Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXCC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IC Markets | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXPro | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the Trading EUR/USD at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| XTB | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| FXCC | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Vantage FX | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| FXPro | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IG Index | iOS & Android | ✔ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the Trading EUR/USD good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Support Rating | Education Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| XTB | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FXCC | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Vantage FX | ✔ | $50 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IC Markets | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FXPro | ✔ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IG Index | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the Trading EUR/USD offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?
| Broker | Automated Trading | Pro Account | Leverage | VPS | AI | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| XTB | Open API | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXCC | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Vantage FX | Myfxbook AutoTrade, Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| IC Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade | ✘ | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXPro | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG Index | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Trading EUR/USD.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | |||||||||
| XTB | |||||||||
| FXCC | |||||||||
| Vantage FX | |||||||||
| IC Markets | |||||||||
| FXPro | |||||||||
| IG Index |
Our Take On Pepperstone
"Pepperstone is a premier trading platform, providing tight spreads, swift execution, and sophisticated charting tools for seasoned traders. Beginners benefit from no minimum deposit, comprehensive learning materials, and outstanding 24/7 support."
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- Over the years, Pepperstone has consistently garnered recognition from DayTrading.com’s annual awards. Recently, it was honoured as the 'Best Overall Broker' in 2025 and was the 'Best Forex Broker' runner-up the same year.
- The award-winning customer support can be accessed through phone, email, or live chat. During tests, response times have consistently been under 5 minutes.
- Pepperstone now offers spread betting via TradingView, delivering a streamlined and tax-efficient trading experience with sophisticated analytical tools.
Cons
- Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
- Pepperstone doesn't offer cTrader Copy, a favoured feature for copying trades found in the cTrader platform, which is available on other platforms such as IC Markets. However, Pepperstone has launched its own user-friendly copy trading app.
- Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.
Our Take On XTB
"XTB emerges as an ideal option for novice traders, offering the impressive xStation platform, zero commission pricing, no required minimum deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are conveniently integrated into the platform."
Pros
- Top-notch customer support, available 24/5, includes a welcoming live chat with response times under two minutes during tests.
- XTB ensures swift access to funds, providing fast withdrawals with same-day payments for requests made before 1 pm.
- XTB has raised its interest rate on uninvested funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs for UK clients, offering access to 3,000 stocks and 700 ETFs for diverse investment opportunities.
Cons
- Trading fees are competitive, with average EUR/USD spreads of about 1 pip. However, they are not as low as the most affordable brokers, such as IC Markets. Additionally, an inactivity fee applies after a year.
- XTB has stopped supporting MT4, restricting traders to its own platform, xStation. This decision may discourage experienced traders accustomed to using the MetaTrader suite.
- The demo account lasts only four weeks, posing a challenge for traders wanting to fully explore the xStation platform and refine short-term strategies before investing actual money.
Our Take On FXCC
"FXCC remains a top choice for forex traders, offering over 70 currency pairs, very tight spreads from 0.0 pips in tests, and high leverage up to 1:500 with the ECN XL account."
Pros
- There are no deposit fees other than standard cryptocurrency mining charges, which benefits active traders.
- FXCC is a trusted and licensed broker under the regulation of CySEC, a leading European authority ensuring excellent safeguarding standards.
- FXCC offers competitive and transparent ECN spreads starting from 0.0 pips, with no commissions. This makes it one of the most cost-effective forex brokers available.
Cons
- While the MetaTrader suite excels in technical analysis, its outdated design detracts from the overall trading experience, particularly when contrasted with contemporary platforms such as TradingView.
- Unaware traders might face steep withdrawal fees, such as a notable $45 for bank transfers.
- The range of research tools, such as Trading Central and Autochartist, is quite limited. Leading platforms in this category, like IG, offer more advanced features.
Our Take On Vantage FX
"Vantage is an ideal choice for CFD traders looking for a well-regulated broker with access to the dependable MetaTrader platforms. With a swift sign-up process and a minimum deposit of $50, starting trading is simple and fast."
Pros
- The broker recently expanded its range of CFDs, offering more trading opportunities.
- ECN accounts offer competitive terms, featuring spreads starting at 0.0 pips and a commission of $1.50 per trade side.
- Vantage upholds a high trust score through its solid reputation, backed by premier regulation from the FCA and ASIC.
Cons
- Based on tests, average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower compared to other options.
- To access optimal trading conditions, a substantial deposit of $10,000 is required. This includes a commission of $1.50 per transaction per side.
- It's unfortunate that some clients must register with the offshore firm, which provides reduced regulatory safeguards.
Our Take On IC Markets
"IC Markets provides excellent pricing, swift execution, and easy deposits. With cutting-edge charting tools like TradingView and the Raw Trader Plus account, it continues to be a preferred option for intermediate and advanced traders."
Pros
- Access over 2,250 CFDs across diverse markets like forex, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This variety enables traders to employ diversified strategies.
- As a well-regulated and reputable broker, IC Markets focuses on client safety and transparency to provide a dependable global trading experience.
- IC Markets provides some of the industry's narrowest spreads, offering 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs. This makes it an extremely cost-effective choice for traders.
Cons
- Interest is not paid on idle cash, a feature gaining popularity with alternatives such as Interactive Brokers.
- Certain withdrawal methods incur fees, including a $20 charge for wire transfers. These costs can reduce profits, particularly with frequent withdrawals.
- IC Markets provides metals and cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, though the selection is narrower compared to brokers such as eToro. This limits opportunities for traders focused on these asset classes.
Our Take On FXPro
"FxPro is an excellent choice for traders, offering swift execution speeds under 12ms, reduced fees since 2022, and outstanding charting platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro Edge."
Pros
- FxPro's Wallet is a notable feature enabling traders to securely manage their funds. It ensures additional protection and ease by separating unused funds from active trading accounts.
- FxPro uses a 'No Dealing Desk' (NDD) model for swift and transparent order execution, usually within 12 milliseconds, making it well-suited for short-term trading strategies.
- FxPro provides four dependable charting platforms, including the user-friendly FxPro Edge. It features more than 50 indicators, 7 types of charts, and 15 different timeframes.
Cons
- FxPro, with its $10M funded demo account and expanding Knowledge Hub, mainly caters to experienced traders. Beginners might find its account and fee structure challenging to understand.
- There are no passive investment options such as copy trading or interest on cash. While traders might not find these essential, competitors like eToro, which accommodate both active and passive investors, offer more extensive services.
- FxPro offers customer support five days a week around the clock, accessible via various platforms, and the service quality is reliable based on tests. However, the absence of weekend support can be a drawback for traders requiring help beyond standard market times.
Our Take On IG Index
"IG offers a complete package with an intuitive online platform, top-tier beginner education, advanced charting tools through its TradingView integration, real-time data, and swift execution for seasoned traders."
Pros
- IG provides a wide range of professional and engaging educational materials, such as webinars, articles, and analyses, tailored for traders.
- The web-based platform supports traders at every level, offering advanced charting tools and real-time market data vital for trading. Additionally, IG now includes TradingView integration.
- The IG app provides an excellent mobile trading experience with an intuitive design, earning it the Runner Up position in our 'Best Trading App' award.
Cons
- In the UK and EU, negative balance protection is available. However, US clients lack account protection and guaranteed stop losses.
- Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
- Beginners may find IG's fees complicated, as they vary depending on the trades or services. This could cause confusion and unexpected costs.
The EUR/USD Explained
The Euro (EUR) is the authorised currency of respective European nations, used by over 400 million people each day. The US Dollar (USD) is the currency of the United States of America. The strength and value of both currencies are determined by geopolitical events, along with stability policies implemented by the European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve.
The exchange rate forecast of the pair is simply the buy or sell price of the EUR vs USD, for example, a rate of 1.2176 means that 1 Euro would buy you 1.2176 US Dollars.
History Of The EUR/USD
The EUR/USD currency pair is a relatively new concept. The Euro came into existence in 1999 and was established by the European Community members and the European Currency Unit (ECU). Exchange rate history shows that the original EUR/USD live rate was 1.1686 in 1999.
Many economic events have impacted the EUR/USD price over the years, including Brexit and US presidential elections. Historical data graphs show the turbulent outlook of the FX pair, with monetary policies such as Quantitive Easing (QE) brought in by central banks in an effort to protect the strength of the currencies.
Despite a time when it looked as if the Euro may overtake the US Dollar as the world’s leading currency, the USD remains supreme. In fact, many smaller countries still peg the value of their local currency to that of the USD. The Euro is the world’s second largest currency.
Price Movement
To start trading the EUR/USD pair, you need a strategy that can help predict live and future price movements. Two leading techniques are fundamental analysis and technical analysis.
Fundamental Analysis
Fundamental analysis involves analysing related economic data, including GDP growth, unemployment levels, industry sentiment, and interest rates. This information can help you understand whether the Euro is likely to strengthen or weaken against the US Dollar. Many top forex brokers today offer integrated economic calendars with the latest news bulletins to support fundamental analysis.
Technical Analysis
Technical analysis involves inspecting price data to identify patterns. These graphical patterns can be used to inform investment decisions. Online volume charts and a host of technical indicators, including pivot points, can help you understand EURUSD market sentiment.
Essentially, historical price data can be used to identify entry and exit points along with resistance and support levels. Candlestick charts, for example, can point to bullish price patterns using a sequences of bars while the Elliott Wave theory and analysis can be used to show recurrent price movements and trend patterns in the financial markets.
EUR/USD Trading Strategies
There are many strategy and indicator options to outline how to enter and exit trades:
- Timing – While different strategies will focus on particular opportunities, you may want to focus on when the market is most active. Volume charts show that for the EUR/USD currency pair, that’s between 13:00 and 16:00 GMT when both London and New York are open.
- Breakout & Breakdown – If you analyse live price charts, you will see the EURUSD swings back and forth within clear ranges for much of the trading day. This can indicate trends towards new highs and lows. This can help you spot when support and resistance levels may break, which can lead to a rally or a sell-off. Always remember that it’s important to use tight stops and limits to protect your position in case the forex market moves against you.
Other useful indicators worth exploring when trading the EURUSD include Bollinger Bands, relative strength index indicators, Keltner channel volatility indicators and moving averages. All can can be implemented on the majority of live price charts and can be used to build an effective strategy.
It’s also worth considering the type of EUR/USD investing that you’re interested in:
- Intraday trading – This will require time, careful analysis and an excellent broker with powerful realtime price charts.
- Swing trading – Suitable for trading over a day or several days, swing trading lets you profit from notable price trends
- Scalping – Another popular short-term strategy, traders open and close a large number of positions, often on short 1-minute or 5-minute trading charts.
- Longer-term investing – Rather than active day trading, perhaps you want to take a monthly or yearly view on the direction of the Euro or US Dollar. In which case, you may want to buy and hold a large amount of one currency for an extended period.
Trading Hours
Trading the EUR/USD is possible 24/5 Monday through to Friday. However, as noted above, certain times see the most trading volume. And it’s often during this heightened period of activity that you’ll see the greatest pip value movement along with the tightest spreads and volatility leading to greater profits and reduced commissions. Between 1 pm and 4 pm GMT is when both London and New York are open and most trading on the EUR/USD currency pair takes place.
EUR USD forex trading
EUR/USD Investing Tips
Evaluate premarket conditions to understand the expected strength and direction of the EUR/USD before you start trading. Many brokers now offer weekly, monthly, or the latest FX rate forecasts, along with interactive charts, forums, and predictions for the currency pair today.
Other useful tools include a pip value calculator, leverage and margin calculators and risk management alerts. You can also download historical exchange rate data to excel, covering 5-minute and 30-minute graphs to 20-year or all time price charts. All of these tools can supplement trading.
Pros Of Trading The EUR/USD
There are several reasons to start investing in the EUR/USD:
- Most actively traded FX pair
- Competitive pricing quotes and tight spreads
- Multiple investment vehicles, from CFDs to binary options
- Extensive tools with live outlook projections and expectations of forward rates
Cons Of Trading The EUR/USD
- Leveraged investing can lead to large losses
- Fees, such as overnight interest and swap points
- Intraday forecasts and correlations don’t always follow expected patterns
- Traders are up against institutional investors with advanced automated investing algorithms
Final Word On Trading EUR/USD
The EUR/USD is the most actively traded currency pair. Each currency follow some of the world’s leading economic powers, bringing with it ample investing opportunities. With the right trading window and an effective strategy, the major FX pair offers high volatility along with serious profit potential. There’s also an excellent range of tools available online to help you understand central bank decisions, political news events, and market sentiment. Most brokers also offer a suite of tools, historical data downloads and real-time analysis tools to help you start investing.
Find out more about forex trading.
FAQ
What Is The EUR/USD Pair?
The EUR/USD is the abbreviated way to describe the Euro and US Dollar forex major. The currency pair shows how many US Dollars (quote currency) are needed to buy one Euro (base currency). The pair reflects the two largest and most powerful global currencies and can be used by investors to speculate on the relative strength of each currency. Forex trading on the EUR/USD pair usually takes place via a networks of banks through the decentralised OTC market.
Which Is The Base Currency In The EUR/USD Pair?
In this case, the Euro would be the base currency and the US Dollar the quote currency. The base currency signifies how much of the quote currency is needed for one unit of the base currency. EUR/USD bid and ask price reflects how much of the quoted currency can be bought or sold for one unit of the base currency.
When Is Best To Buy Or Sell The EUR/USD?
Many factors impact when to buy or sell currency pairs such as the EUR/USD. Market opening times, your investment strategy, historical data, price signals for today, and next week’s forecast may all influence expected buy and sell opportunities. Crucially, the right time to buy or sell is when you are most confident the market is going to spike or drop so you can implement a strategy that capitalises on the trend.
What Are EUR/USD Futures?
Forex futures are exchange rate traded contracts to buy or sell a specific currency, such as the EUR/USD, at a set price in the future. Forward contracts are available at multiple online brokers and offer an alternative investment vehicle to short-term day trading. You can also trade mini futures at a fraction of the corresponding futures contract. As with short-term forex investing, forward curves can be projected on broker charts and quotes are available through trading platforms.
When Is The Best Time To Trade EUR/USD Binary Options?
The best time to trade EUR/USD is arguably between 1 pm and 4 pm GMT. This is the crossover period when both London and New York markets are open and spreads are normally tightest. With that said, different strategies will lend themselves to different market windows.