1. Start with regulation, not marketing
Before comparing spreads or bonuses, answer one question: who regulates this broker, and does that licence cover you? A tier-1 regulator (the UK's FCA, Australia's ASIC, Cyprus' CySEC, the US CFTC/NFA) enforces client-fund segregation, capital requirements, and dispute processes. An offshore-only registration (Seychelles, Vanuatu, St. Vincent, Marshall Islands) offers far weaker protection if something goes wrong.
Verify the licence yourself on the regulator's public register — don't trust a logo on the broker's homepage. And check which entity accepts clients from your country; many global brokers route retail clients to an offshore arm even when they advertise a tier-1 licence.
2. Understand the true cost of trading
“Zero commission” rarely means free — the cost usually moves into a wider spread. Look at four layers together: the spread, any separate commission, overnight/swap fees (only relevant if you hold positions overnight), and non-trading fees like withdrawal, currency conversion, and inactivity charges.
Compare the same instrument and account type across brokers. A raw-spread account with a small commission is often cheaper than a “no-commission” account with a wider spread, especially for active traders.
3. Platform, execution, and support
Make sure the broker offers a platform you'll actually use — MetaTrader 4/5, cTrader, TradingView, or a solid proprietary app. Open a demo and test order execution, charting, and the mobile experience.
Check support availability and channels, and read how the broker handles verification (KYC). Slow or evasive support is a warning sign you'll feel most when you try to withdraw.
4. Test withdrawals before you scale up
The single best real-world test of a broker is a withdrawal. Deposit a small amount, place a few trades, then withdraw. A legitimate, regulated broker processes reasonable withdrawals smoothly. Persistent withdrawal problems are the clearest red flag there is.
Use our broker reviews and side-by-side comparisons to shortlist candidates, then run this test yourself before committing serious capital.