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 -
IBKR offers a vast range of over 100 forex pairs, including major, minor, and exotic currencies, outstripping most competitors except CMC Markets. Trading is available across multiple platforms with institutional-grade spreads beginning at 0.1 pips. There are also 20 sophisticated order types, such as brackets, scale, and one-cancels-all (OCA) orders, enhancing trading strategies.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 100+ Yes Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower -
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 -
FOREX.com remains a leading FX broker, providing 80 currency pairs with highly competitive fees. EUR/USD spreads can reach as low as 0.0, with a $7 commission per $100k, making it a standout choice.
GBPUSD Spread EURUSD Spread GBPEUR Spread 1.3 1.2 1.4 Total Assets FCA Regulated Platforms 84 Yes WebTrader, Mobile, MT4, MT5, TradingView
Pepperstone
XTB
FXCC
Interactive Brokers
Vantage FX
IC Markets
Forex.comSafety 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 | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IC Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Forex.com | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
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 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IC Markets | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Forex.com | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
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 | ✘ | ||
| Interactive Brokers | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| Vantage FX | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Forex.com | 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 | ||
| Interactive Brokers | ✔ | $0 | $100 | ||
| Vantage FX | ✔ | $50 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IC Markets | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Forex.com | ✔ | $100 | 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 | - | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXCC | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Interactive Brokers | Capitalise.ai, TWS API | ✘ | 1:50 | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 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) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Forex.com | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
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 | |||||||||
| Interactive Brokers | |||||||||
| Vantage FX | |||||||||
| IC Markets | |||||||||
| Forex.com |
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
- Pepperstone now offers spread betting via TradingView, delivering a streamlined and tax-efficient trading experience with sophisticated analytical tools.
- Pepperstone presents itself as an economical choice for traders, offering spreads as low as 0.0 in its Razor account. The Active Trader programme provides rebates up to 30% on indices and commodities, plus $3 per lot on forex.
- Support for top-tier charting platforms such as MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. These tools accommodate different short-term trading methods, including algorithmic trading.
Cons
- 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.
- Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
Our Take On XTB
"XTB excels for novice traders with its superb xStation platform, minimal trading costs, no required deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are fully integrated into the platform."
Pros
- XTB offers a superb array of educational resources, such as training videos and articles, embedded within the platform to assist traders of all experience levels.
- Top-notch customer support, available 24/5, includes a welcoming live chat with response times under two minutes during tests.
- XTB has increased interest rates on idle funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs for UK clients, offering a wide variety of markets.
Cons
- XTB lacks a raw spread account, a feature increasingly offered by competitors such as Pepperstone. This omission might not satisfy traders seeking the most competitive spreads.
- It is frustrating that XTB products do not allow traders to modify the default leverage level. Manually adjusting leverage can greatly reduce risk in forex and CFD trading.
- 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
- FXCC is a trusted and licensed broker under the regulation of CySEC, a leading European authority ensuring excellent safeguarding standards.
- The complimentary education section, featuring the 'Traders Corner' blog, provides a wide array of resources suitable for traders of all experience levels.
- FXCC has introduced MT5, which in our evaluations, mirrored the trading conditions of MT4 by offering swift execution, improved charting, and market depth tools.
Cons
- 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.
- Unaware traders might face steep withdrawal fees, such as a notable $45 for bank transfers.
- The variety of currency pairs surpasses most options, but the choice of other assets is limited. Notably, stocks are absent.
Our Take On Interactive Brokers
"Interactive Brokers ranks highly for seasoned traders due to its robust charting platforms, live data, and bespoke layouts via the new IBKR Desktop app. Its competitive pricing and sophisticated order choices appeal to traders, and its wide equity options are industry-leading."
Pros
- While initially targeting seasoned traders, IBKR has recently widened its appeal by eliminating its $10,000 minimum deposit requirement.
- Interactive Brokers has been awarded Best US Broker for 2025 by DayTrading.com. This accolade highlights its dedication to traders in the US, offering exceptionally low margin rates and access to global markets at minimal expense.
- IBKR is a highly respected brokerage, regulated by top-tier authorities, ensuring the integrity and security of your trading account.
Cons
- You are limited to a single active session per account, meaning you cannot use both your desktop programme and mobile app at the same time. This restriction can occasionally lead to a frustrating experience for traders.
- The learning curve for TWS is quite steep, making it tough for novice traders to navigate and grasp all its features. In contrast, Plus500's web platform is far more accessible for those new to trading.
- IBKR offers a variety of research tools, but their inconsistent placement across trading platforms and the 'Account Management' webpage creates a confusing experience for users.
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
- Vantage addresses the needs of passive investors through user-friendly social trading on ZuluTrade and Myfxbook.
- With a minimal deposit requirement of just $50 and no funding fees, this broker stands out as an excellent option for novice traders.
- Vantage has enhanced its trading tools for experienced traders, introducing AutoFibo EA to pinpoint potential market reversals.
Cons
- To access optimal trading conditions, a substantial deposit of $10,000 is required. This includes a commission of $1.50 per transaction per side.
- Based on tests, average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower compared to other options.
- 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
- IC Markets provides reliable 24/5 support, especially for account and funding queries, drawing from direct experience.
- As a well-regulated and reputable broker, IC Markets focuses on client safety and transparency to provide a dependable global trading experience.
- In 2025, IC Markets earned DayTrading.com's accolade for 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' due to its top-tier MetaTrader integration. This achievement highlights the broker's continuous refinement over the years to enhance the platform experience.
Cons
- 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.
- The tutorials, webinars, and educational resources require enhancement, lagging behind competitors such as CMC Markets, which diminishes their appeal to novice traders.
- Although there are four top-tier third-party platforms available, the absence of in-house software or a trading app tailored for novice traders is notable.
Our Take On Forex.com
"FOREX.com excels in serving traders of all levels, offering more than 80 currency pairs, spreads starting at 0.0 pips, and competitive commissions. Its robust charting platforms provide over 100 technical indicators and comprehensive research tools."
Pros
- The in-house Web Trader remains a standout platform, excellently crafted for budding traders. It features a sleek design and offers more than 80 technical indicators for thorough market analysis.
- An abundance of educational resources is available, such as tutorials, webinars, and an extensive YouTube channel, designed to enhance your understanding of financial markets.
- With more than two decades of expertise, strong regulatory governance, and numerous accolades, including a second-place finish in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com is globally renowned as a reliable trading platform.
Cons
- Demo accounts are typically limited to 90 days, hindering effective strategy testing.
- Funding choices are restricted when compared to top options such as IC Markets. Many popular e-wallets, including UnionPay and POLi, are noticeably absent.
- FOREX.com's MT4 platform provides around 600 instruments, a notable reduction compared to the more than 5,500 options on its other platforms.
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.