Gold is the world's oldest currency and used as a proxy for money.
Several gold trading brokers specialize in this precious metal, but every online broker has added gold CFDs to their asset list. See below our top-rated Gold brokers.
- FXTM, Best all-around broker with high floating leverage and fast execution.
- FP Markets, ECN trading with leverage up to 1:500.
- AvaTrade, Highly regulated, choice of fixed or floating spreads.
- Eightcap, Competitive pricing + excellent daily videos.
- XM, Exception range of assets + negative balance protection.
Best Gold Brokers and App Comparison
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Regulators | CMA, FCA, FSC Mauritius, FSCA | ASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA | ASIC, BVI, Central Bank of Ireland, FFAJ, FSCA, KNF, MiFID | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, SCB | ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC Belize |
Year Established | 2011 | 2005 | 2006 | 2009 | 2009 |
Execution Type(s) | ECN/STP, Market Maker | ECN/STP | Market Maker | ECN/STP, Market Maker | Market Maker |
Minimum Deposit | |||||
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 0.1 pips | 1.2 pips | 0.9 pips | 1.0 pips | 0.1 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 0.2 pips | 1.4 pips | 1.5 pips | 1.2 pips | 0.2 pips |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $0.18 | $0.16 | $0.29 | $0.12 | $0.19 |
Trading Platform(s) | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, Proprietary platform, Web-based | Other, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform, Web-based+ | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Trading View | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform |
Islamic Account | |||||
Negative Balance Protection | N/A | N/A | |||
| Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website |
FXTM
In Summary Best all-around broker with high floating leverage and fast executionGold traders at FXTM have three assets, as this multi-asset broker provides clients with the XAU/USD, the XAU/EUR, and the XAU/GBP. It is an excellent selection for Forex traders who use gold as part of their diversification strategy. It is also outstanding for pure gold traders who seek cross-currency trading opportunities. While the minimum spread in the commission-based ECN account commences from 5.0 pips, FXTM lists the average at 33.0 pips. The FXTM ECN MT5 account shows them at 9.0 pips and 15.0 pips, respectively. Traders at FXTM may choose between the MT4 and MT5, upgraded with six add-ons.
Pros & Cons
- Excellent commission-based Forex pricing environment and transparency
- Upgraded MT4/MT5 trading platforms plus proprietary mobile trading app
- Quality market research and educational content for beginner traders
- A highly regulated broker with a tier-1 license
- Limited choice of commodities
FP Markets
In Summary ECN trading with leverage up to 1:500The commission-free account structure at FP Markets offers gold traders a minimum spread of 16.0 pips and an average one of 29.0 pips on the XAU/USD. Traders may also transact in the XAU/AUD, where the mark-ups are 56.0 pips and 88.0 pips, respectively. Traders in the commission-based alternative have a better offer with raw spreads of 0.0 pips and an average of 13.0 pips. They increase to 46.0 pips and 78.0 pips for the XAU/AUD. The commission is a very competitive $6.00 per round lot with a no dealing desk (NDD) execution model. FP Markets has no restrictions on trading strategies. With an execution speed below 40 milliseconds, gold traders who wish to scalp will enjoy an edge.
Pros & Cons
- Choice of trading platforms and auxiliary trading tools
- Very competitive cost structure and excellent asset selection
- Low minimum deposit requirement and leverage of up to 1:500
- Well-regulated and trustworthy
- Availability of Iress geographically restricted
AvaTrade
In Summary Highly regulated, choice of fixed or floating spreadsAvaTrade offers gold traders CFDs, options, and ETFs, allowing traders to deploy complex gold trading strategies with a multi-tier approach. It also features a gold trading introduction, placing it among the best gold brokers. The spun-out Ava Academy provides an industry-leading educational platform for all trading-related matters, while the platform choices at AvaTrade grant every strategy with a custom-tailored solution from one of the best-regulated brokers.
Trading Central services upgrade WebTrader and AvaTradeGO, while option traders get Ava Options. AvaTrade upgrades MT4/MT5 with the Guardian Angel plugin, and the fee-based Ava Protect insurance policy protects against losing trades.
Pros & Cons
- High quality educational offering via AvaAcademy
- Excellent choice of trading platforms catering to various trading needs
- Broad asset selection and cross-asset diversification opportunities
- Well-regulated and trusted broker with oversight from a central bank
- Trading costs competitive but nothing special
Eightcap
In Summary Competitive pricing + excellent daily videosA leading gold trading platform must offer low fees, excellent order execution, high leverage, and negative balance protection. Eightcap delivers across the board with minimum costs of $ 0.01 and average ones of $0.12, making it one of the cheapest options for gold traders. Trading hours are Monday through Friday from 01:01 to 23:59, and gold traders can choose between the MT4 and MT5 trading platforms. Alternatively, Eightcap connects to TradingView, where 30M+ traders share and discuss their strategies.
The excellent Eightcap trading infrastructure makes it ideal for algorithmic gold traders, who benefit from deep liquidity and free VPS hosting.
Pros & Cons
- Low minimum deposit and high leverage of up to 1:500
- Competitive cost structure
- Excellent technology infrastructure and seasoned management team
- Daily research and quality educational content
- Limited leverage in some areas
XM
In Summary Exception range of assets + negative balance protectionXM belongs to the best gold brokers as it provides ultra-competitive gold spreads in its Ultra Low Standard Account, where traders also benefit from swap-free trading. Traders using the MT5 trading platform also get the XAU/EUR pair, complementing the XAU/USD asset available in MT4/MT5. XM offers gold trading without re-quotes and supports algorithmic gold trading with VPS hosting for low-latency trading.
Traders can start gold trading at XM with a $5 minimum deposit, boosted by deposit bonuses. Active traders can earn more via the four-tier loyalty program. XM also upgrades MT4/MT5 with six exclusive technical indicators.
Pros & Cons
- Outstanding trading tools and loyalty program
- Low minimum deposit, high leverage*, and competitive trading cost
- Excellent research and education
- Trustworthy and transparent with generous bonuses and incentives
- Inactivity fee
How to Choose a Gold Broker
Choosing the right gold broker will ensure that traders earn more money per trade, have a competitive product and services portfolio, and manage their accounts with a secure, reliable, and trustworthy broker. We have laid the groundwork and created our list of the best gold brokers. Traders who wish to conduct their research should pay attention to the below criteria to ensure that their choice will provide them with a beneficial trading environment.
Gold Trading Regulation
I recommend this as the first step in narrowing the long list of gold broker choices. Regulators demand that brokers segregate client deposits from corporate funds. Therefore, the broker cannot use them for any internal activities. It ensures the security of your hard earn capital and the swift withdrawal of your profits. The regulatory landscape is changing, and traders can find a business-friendly and trustworthy broker in many jurisdictions. In the current environment, EU brokers became the least competitive ones, while Australia, South Africa, and a host of offshore regulators provide the best trading environments. The UK could rejoin the group if it implements changes following Brexit.
Gold Trading Platform
Most retail traders will trade gold from the MT4 trading platform, available at most online brokers, and the most versatile option. MT4 fully supports automated trading and has a built-in copy trading feature. Regrettably, the out-of-the-box version as offered by most brokers is below average and requires upgrades. I recommend focusing on gold brokers that provide them, which transforms MT4 into a competitive trading terminal. It also shows the commitment of the broker to clients, which many advertise but few deliver.
Technology & Trading Tools
Superior technology ensures improved pricing and order execution. It will limit slippage and requotes, and the best gold brokers can deliver improved pricing to clients compared to the levels indicated in the order ticket. Gold traders who wish to deploy automated trading solutions must ensure the gold broker offers VPS hosting, free of charge once traders satisfy acceptable conditions. Manual traders should seek competitive trading tools, third-party analytics, plugins for the trading platform, in-house developed add-ons, and quality research and market commentary. Any gold broker that invests in its technology and trading tools commits to the success of its clients. I recommend avoiding brokers that deliver the bare minimum to remain operational. In today's financial markets, a technological edge will result in increased profit potential for traders.
Commissions & Fees
Commissions and fees are direct trading costs and will impact the profitability of any trading strategy. I recommend trading with a gold broker that offers tight spreads in gold and other assets, which results in higher profits per trade. Traders must understand the complete cost structure at a broker to avoid confusion and surprises. Reading the terms and conditions at a transparent broker will discuss them with examples for new traders to understand. Some brokers charge higher fees to compensate for services, and traders should ensure they offer a competitive edge before paying for something not beneficial to their trading strategy.
Funding & Withdrawal Methods
All brokers offer bank wires and credit/debit cards, but I recommend that traders consider alternative methods. Online payment processors and cryptocurrencies provide the lowest costs and fastest transaction speeds. It is also beneficial to keep regular day-to-day banking activities and investment or trading ones separate. Clients will have more oversight of financial transactions, which is also convenient for filing taxes each year.
Customer Support
The best gold brokers explain their product and services portfolio on their website and manage a seamless operation. Most traders never require customer support, but brokers must ensure swift assistance for emergencies or unexpected difficulties. All brokers provide it during regular business hours, many offer 24/5 support, and a few have it 24/7.
Offered Services
Traders may choose between a full-service broker, an online broker, or a discount broker. Most will have the best cost-services benefit at online brokers. I also recommend ensuring a low minimum deposit, which will assist traders in their portfolio building strategy, and high maximum leverage for gold trading. It remains one of the most beneficial trading tools if used with risk management. Traders should approach bonuses with caution, ensure they understand the terms and conditions, and evaluate if a bonus will benefit their strategy. They can offer a significant boost for long-term traders at well-established brokers. Active traders should consider a gold broker with a volume-based rebate program.
Gold Trading Accounts
Trading gold from the right trading account type is as important as the trading strategies and the choice of broker. Many new traders with smaller deposits rush into trading in standard accounts, sometimes labeled as gold accounts, where many brokers provide better trading conditions. If operated with insufficient capital, the trading outcome in most cases results in losses. It is one reason why between 70% and 85% of retail traders fail to generate profits. I urge new traders with less than $1,000 to consider a mini account and earn their way into higher tiers.
Micro Account
A micro account is ideal for new traders with less than $1,000 in deposits. It is also excellent for learning how to trade Forex. Traders with automated trading solutions often test them in a micro account following intensive testing for bugs in a demo account. The lost size is equal to only 1,000 units, offering traders exposure to live market conditions suitable to their portfolio size. The minimum transaction size is usually 0.01 lots or just ten units of the asset.
Gold Account
A gold account is usually the standard one at most brokers. I recommend a minimum deposit of $10,000 for it. A suitable alternative for all traders with a portfolio above $1,000 but below $10,000 is the mini account. One lot in the gold account equals 100,000 units unless specified otherwise, versus 10,000 in the mini version. Some brokers decrease the maximum leverage and offer more trading features in a gold account.
VIP/Platinum Account
A VIP or platinum account is available at some brokers. It often requires a minimum deposit of $25,000 or higher and provides the lowest leverage available at the broker. It comes with non-trading perks like invites to events, tickets to in-demand venues, and other benefits for high-value clients. A growing number of brokers move away from multi-account tiers and offer identical trading conditions to all clients.
Gold Investment Options
Gold offers several investment options, including direct and indirect exposure and passive investments. The right choice depends on the individual objective, and not all gold brokers provide each asset. The below selections are for gold investors, while gold traders rely more on options and CFD trading.
Physical Bars & Coins
Buying physical bars and coins is the best approach for long-term investors. It grants ownership of gold, stored in secure vaults. Investors will have to pay storage and security fees, which are usually acceptable. I highly discourage gold storage at home.
ETFs
ETFs are ideal for investors who desire a passive investment approach. ETFs must store physical gold in verified vaults, but ETF investors seek exposure to the price movement of gold or its hedging capacities. Investors have no ownership of the gold, and ETF trading occurs during regular equity exchange operating hours.
Gold Mining Shares
Investing in gold mining shares is an indirect investment in gold and the riskiest one. While the profit potential may increase, there is no guarantee that miners discover new gold deposits or increase their operating profitability at existing mines. Investing in gold mining companies is more complicated than looking at the price of gold. It is not suitable for most retail traders.
How to Trade Gold in Forex
All Forex brokers offer gold, usually quotes as XAU/USD on their trading platforms. The trading mechanics are identical to trading currency pairs. The spread on the XAU/USD is higher than for most Forex pairs, and brokers lower the overall leverage. Another fact traders must consider the high volatility of trading gold. While most currency pairs move in ranges not exceeding 100 to 200 pips per day, gold can gyrate above 10,000 pips in extreme cases and easily surpass 2,500 per day. Gold is the primary hedge for advanced Forex traders and professionals. Traders must consider the inverse relationship to the US dollar to avoid overexposure to a single currency.
Gold Trading Brokers in the USA
The overall choice of brokers remains limited across the US, with just a handful of online brokers. All offer gold trading via futures and options contracts. Since US-based traders have fewer choices, the importance of trading costs and services fulfills the most significant role. The MT4 trading platform is not as available as at international counterparts, depriving US gold traders of thousands of automated trading solutions. Gold trading brokers in the USA rely more on manual trade execution, but some platforms support automated trading. The leverage is often well below that of international gold brokers, placing US traders at another competitive disadvantage. US traders are not allowed to trade with non-US brokers.
Gold Trading Brokers in Dubai
One of the primary locations for gold traders is in Dubai. The financial center of the Middle East is where gold trading forms part of the region's history. Today, Dubai accounts for 25% of global gold trade from within a free trade zone. A growing number of domestic and international brokers take advantage of the business-friendly environment and acquire operating licenses in Dubai. Most are compliant with Sharia Law for Muslim traders. There are several gold trading brokers in Dubai specializing in physical gold trading and storage. Online brokers provide gold traders a competitive trading environment, with full support for automated and copy trading. The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) presents unrivaled access to the gold trading scene, including the only international standard for 1kg gold bars and gold hedge funds.
