OANDA	Basic Information
Registered Country/Region	Australia
Founded in	1996
Regulation	CFTC, FCA, ASIC, IIROC, MAS, NFA, FSA
Min. Deposit	No minimum deposit
Max. Leverage	1:50 (US), 1:30 (EU), 1:200 (other regions)
Min. Spreads	From 0.6 pips (EUR/USD pair)
Trading Instruments	Forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, bonds
Trading Platforms	OANDA Trade, MetaTrader 4, API Trading
Payment Methods	Bank transfer, credit/debit cards, PayPal
Customer Support	7/24 phone, email, live chat

Overview of OANDA

OANDA is a well-known online forex broker that has been operating for over two decades. With a reputation for transparency and reliability, OANDA offers a wide range of trading products and services, including forex, CFDs, commodities, and indices.

Founded in 1996, OANDA is headquartered in New York City and is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan. This ensures that OANDA operates within strict regulatory frameworks and offers a high level of security and protection to its clients.

OANDA offers a range of trading platforms, including its proprietary platform, as well as the popular MT4 platform. The broker also provides a range of educational resources and tools to help traders improve their trading skills and stay up-to-date with market developments. In terms of customer support, OANDA has a 24/7 customer service team that can be reached via phone, email, or live chat.

Pros & Cons

OANDA is a well-established forex and CFD broker with a range of features and services that may appeal to traders of all levels. As with any broker, there are both pros and cons to consider before deciding whether to open an account. Some of the key advantages of OANDA include its regulatory status, extensive range of instruments, competitive spreads, and variety of trading platforms. However, it is important to note that OANDA also has some potential drawbacks, such as limited deposit and withdrawal options, high non-trading fees, and a lack of negative balance protection. Understanding both the positives and negatives of trading with OANDA can help traders make informed decisions about whether this broker is the right fit for their needs.

Pros	Cons
Regulated by top-tier authorities	Limited product portfolio
Competitive spreads and low trading fees	High inactivity fees
No minimum deposit requirement	Limited research tools
Variety of trading platforms	Negative reviews and complaints on customer support
Educational resources and tools	Limited payment options
Strong financial background	No professional account offered

Is OANDA legit or a scam？

OANDA is a legitimate forex broker that has been in operation for more than 20 years and is regulated by reputable financial authorities, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the US, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). OANDA has also won numerous awards for its trading services and technology, including being named the “Best Forex Broker” by the Financial Times and Investors Chronicle for three consecutive years. However, as with any financial service, it is important for traders to conduct their own research and due diligence before deciding to trade with OANDA or any other broker.

Market Instruments

OANDA offers a wide range of trading instruments to its clients, allowing them to diversify their investment portfolio and take advantage of various market opportunities. The market instruments offered by OANDA include:

• Forex: OANDA provides access to a wide range of currency pairs, including major, minor, and exotic pairs. The forex market is the largest and most liquid market in the world, offering traders the potential for high returns.

• Indices: OANDA offers trading in a variety of global indices, such as the US 500, UK 100, and Germany 30. These indices represent the performance of a basket of stocks and provide traders with exposure to a broader market.

• Commodities: OANDA offers trading in commodities such as precious metals, energy, and agricultural products. These markets can be highly volatile, but they offer the potential for significant returns.

• Bonds: OANDA offers trading in government bonds from a variety of countries, providing traders with exposure to the fixed-income market.

• Cryptocurrencies: OANDA offers trading in popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile and can offer traders significant opportunities.

• Bonds: OANDA also offers a range of bond CFDs to trade, including US Treasury Bonds, UK Gilts, and Euro Bunds. With bond trading, traders can access a wide range of bond markets and potentially benefit from price movements in global interest rates.

Account Types

OANDA offers two live account types to cater to different trading needs and experience levels of traders. Here are the account types offered by OANDA:

• Standard Account: This account type is suitable for new traders who are just starting in the forex market. The minimum deposit requirement for this account is $0, and it offers access to the core features of OANDA's trading platform, including over 70 currency pairs, commodities, and indices.

• Premium Account: This account is designed for more experienced traders who require additional features and services. The minimum deposit requirement for this account is $20,000, and it offers tighter spreads, lower trading costs, and a dedicated relationship manager.

Apart from two live trading accounts, OANDA also offers a free demo account, which allows traders to practice trading with virtual funds in a risk-free environment. The demo account provides access to all the features and tools of the OANDA platform, allowing traders to test their strategies and trading skills without risking real money.

Pros	Cons
No minimum deposit requirement	Limited leverage offered
Multiple account types to choose	No professional accounts available
Wide range of trading instruments	Inactivity fee charged after 12 months of inactivity
Commission-free trading
Negative balance protection
Free demo account available

How to open an account？

1. Visit the official OANDA website and click on the “Open an Account” button.

1. Choose the type of account you want to open.

2. Fill in your personal information, including your name, address, date of birth, and employment status.

1. Provide some additional information, such as your trading experience, investment goals, and financial status.

2. Agree to the terms and conditions of the account and submit your application.

3. Once your application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to fund your account.

4. Follow the instructions to deposit funds into your account and start trading.

Leverage

OANDA offers leverage up to 50:1 for major currency pairs and up to 20:1 for minor currency pairs, commodities, and indices. However, leverage may vary based on the regulatory requirements of the country where the trader is located. It is important to note that high leverage can increase both profits and losses, and traders should carefully consider their risk tolerance before using leverage.

Spreads & Commissions (Trading Fees)

OANDA charges variable spreads that start from as low as 0.1 pips on major currency pairs. OANDA's spreads can vary depending on market volatility and liquidity, but they tend to be lower than the industry average.

In terms of commissions, OANDA does not charge any commissions on trades. Instead, the broker earns revenue from the spreads on trades. This can be a plus for traders who prefer to avoid paying commissions.

It's worth noting that OANDA also offers a range of order types, including limit, stop-loss, and take-profit orders, which can help traders manage their risk and maximize their profits.

Here is the combined data for EUR/USD, gold, and UK100 spreads from three brokers:

Broker	EUR/USD	Gold	UK100
OANDA	0.9 pips	25 cents	1.4 pips
FP Markets	0.0 pips	35 cents	1.0 pips
Exness	0.3 pips	35 cents	0.5 pips

Non-Trading Fees

OANDA also charges certain non-trading fees, which include:

• Inactivity fee: OANDA charges an inactivity fee of 10 units of the account's base currency per month if there has been no trading activity for a period of 12 months or more. This fee can be avoided by simply placing a trade during this period.

• Financing/rollover fees: If a position is held overnight, OANDA charges a financing/rollover fee. This fee is based on the interest rate differential between the two currencies involved in the trade and is calculated using the following formula: (trade size x interest rate differential x 1/365).

• Deposit/withdrawal fees: OANDA does not charge deposit fees, but some withdrawal methods may incur a fee. For example, bank wire withdrawals within the US incur a $20 fee, while international wire withdrawals incur a $35 fee.

• Conversion fees: If you are depositing or withdrawing funds in a currency other than your account's base currency, OANDA charges a conversion fee. This fee varies depending on the currency and the amount being converted.

Trading Platform

OANDA offers multiple choices of trading platforms, namely MetaTrader 4 (MT4), OANDA Web Trading Platform, and OANDA Trade.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4): This is a widely used trading platform in the forex industry, popular for its advanced charting tools and automated trading capabilities. OANDA offers MT4 to its clients as a downloadable desktop application and mobile app.

OANDA offers a proprietary trading platform called OANDA Trade, which is available in both web-based and mobile versions. The platform is highly customizable and offers a wide range of charting tools, technical indicators, and order types.

OANDA Web Trading Platform: This is a web-based platform accessible from any device with internet connectivity. It offers a user-friendly interface and customizable features for traders to analyze the market and execute trades.

Here is a comparison table of the trading platforms offered by OANDA, Avatrade, and IC Markets:

Broker	Trading Platform	Desktop	Web	Mobile
OANDA	OANDA Platform	✔	✔	✔
	MetaTrader 4	✔	✔	✔
	MetaTrader 5	✔	✔	✔
Avatrade	AvatradeGO	✖	✔	✔
	MT4	✔	✔	✔
	MT5	✔	✔	✔
IC Markets	cTrader	✔	✔	✔
	MetaTrader 4	✔	✔	✔
	MetaTrader 5	✔	✔	✔
	WebTrader	✖	✔	✔

Trading Tools

OANDA provides several trading tools to its clients, including:

Advanced Charting: OANDA's advanced charting tools offer technical analysis and indicators to help traders make informed decisions.

Economic Calendar: OANDA's economic calendar provides real-time updates on important economic events and news releases that can affect the markets.

Partners & VPS: OANDA partners with TradingView, a leading charting platform, to provide its clients with advanced charting and analysis tools. OANDA also partners with MotiveWave, a professional trading platform, to offer advanced technical analysis tools and trading strategies. In addition, OANDA offers a virtual private server (VPS) service to traders who require uninterrupted trading connectivity.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Deposit

OANDA offers several deposit methods, including:

• PayNow/QR Pay: This payment method is available for Singapore residents only. It allows for instant deposits into your trading account. Deposits from the following banks in Singapore: DBS/POSB, Bank of China, Citi, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC, Standard Chartered and UOB, are accepted.

• DBS Bill Pay (SGD only): Another payment method available only for Singapore residents, DBS Bill Pay allows you to make SGD-denominated deposits into your trading account.

• PayPal: PayPal is a popular online payment system that is accepted by OANDA. It allows you to make instant deposits and withdrawals from your trading account.

• FAST: FAST (Fast and Secure Transfers) is a real-time interbank payment and settlement system in Singapore. It allows for instant SGD-denominated deposits into your trading account.

• Bank wire transfer: You can also fund your trading account via bank wire transfer. This method typically takes 1-2 business days to process.

• Cheques: Cheques are accepted for deposits only, and they must be in SGD currency.

Withdrawal

While withdrawals that can be done are limited to three channels: PayPal, Bank Wire Transfer, and Cheque.

• Paypal: This is an online payment system that allows you to send and receive money electronically. To use this method for withdrawal, you will need to have a verified Paypal account that is linked to your OANDA trading account. Withdrawals are typically processed within 1-2 business days.

• Bank Transfer: This method involves transferring funds from your OANDA trading account directly to your bank account. The time it takes to receive your funds will depend on your bank's processing time. OANDA does not charge any fees for bank transfers, but your bank may have its own fees.

• Cheque: You can request to receive your funds via cheque, which will be sent to your registered address. It typically takes around 7-10 business days to receive your cheque. However, there may be additional fees for this method, depending on your location.

Pros	Cons
Multiple deposit methods offered	Limited withdrawal methods
No fees charged on deposits	Withdrawals may take longer to process
Fast processing time for most deposit methods	Minimum withdrawal amount may vary by method
Deposit amounts in multiple currencies	No option to withdraw to credit/debit cards

Customer Support

OANDA offers customer support services through various channels, including email, live chat, phone, and social media. The support team is available 24/7 to assist traders with any issues they may encounter during their trading journey.

One notable feature of OANDA's customer support is its multilingual support, which is available in several languages, including English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.

In addition to its customer support services, OANDA provides a comprehensive FAQ section on its website, which covers various topics, including account management, trading platforms, technical analysis, and more. The FAQ section is a valuable resource for traders who may have common questions and want quick answers without contacting customer support.

Educational Resources

OANDA offers a wealth of educational resources to its clients, enabling them to develop their trading skills and stay up-to-date with the latest market trends. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader, OANDA's educational resources cater to your needs.

One of OANDA's important educational resources is the OANDA Academy, which offers a range of educational materials, including videos, tutorials, webinars, and articles, covering a wide range of trading topics, from the basics of forex trading to advanced trading strategies.

Additionally, OANDA provides clients with a variety of market analysis tools and resources, including market news, economic indicators, and trading signals, enabling traders to stay informed about the latest market trends and make informed trading decisions.

Conclusion

OANDA is a well-established online broker that offers a variety of trading instruments, account types, and platforms to its clients. The broker is regulated by multiple reputable authorities and has been operating for more than two decades, which gives it credibility and reliability. Additionally, OANDA provides several trading tools, educational resources.

However, it is important to note that OANDA has received a significant number of complaints regarding its customer support, trading platforms, and pricing policies. While the broker has taken steps to address these issues, they still raise concerns about the overall quality of its services.

Overall, OANDA is a legitimate and reputable broker that offers a range of benefits to its clients. However, potential traders should be aware of the complaints and consider them before making a decision to open an account with OANDA. As with any investment, it is important to conduct thorough research and due diligence to ensure that the broker aligns with your trading needs and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: Is OANDA regulated？

A: Yes, OANDA is regulated by multiple financial regulatory authorities around the world, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the US, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

• Q: What is the minimum deposit required to open an account with OANDA？

A: The minimum deposit required to open an account with OANDA varies depending on the account type and the regulatory jurisdiction. In general, it ranges from $0 to $20,000.

• Q: What trading instruments are available on OANDA's platform？

A: OANDA offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, CFDs, commodities, bonds, and stock indices.

• Q: Does OANDA charge commissions on trades？

A: OANDA does not charge commissions on trades. Instead, they make money from the spread, which is the difference between the bid and ask price.

What is GO Markets？

GO Markets is an Australia-based Forex and CFDs broker founded in 2006. The broker provides 1000+ tradable CFD instruments including forex, shares, commodities, indices, metals, and treasuries. GO Markets is regulated by the ASIC in Australia, the CySEC in Cyprus, the FSC in Mauritius, and the FSA (Seychelles).

GO Markets is one of the first Australian MetaTrader 4 brokers, later on, it added MetaTrader 5, WebTrader, cTrader and mobile apps to its suite of services. The broker is well known for its strict compliance and competitive spreads.

Broker Name	GO Markets
Registered in	Australia. Cyprus. Mauritius. Seychelles
Regulation status	ASIC, CYSEC, FSA
Year(s) of incorporation	15-20 years
Market instruments	Forex CFDs, Share CFDs, Index CFDs, Metals CFDs, Cryptocurrency CFDs, Commodity CFDs and Treasury CFDs.
Minimum initial deposit	USD $0
Demo accounts	Available
Social trading	Yes
Maximum leverage	1:500
Minimum spread	From 0.0 pips
Tading platform	MT4, MT5, WebTrader,Mobile Trading
Customer Service	Email, Phone, Live chat, 24/5
Fraud complaints	NO

Pros and cons of GO Markets

GO Markets has multiple regulations from recognized organizations in the industry, which gives greater credibility and security to its clients.

It offers a wide variety of financial instruments, including more than 1000 instruments, including Forex CFDs, Share CFDs, Index CFDs, Metals CFDs, Cryptocurrency CFDs, Commodity CFDs and Treasury CFDs. It has a market-leading trading platform, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which has numerous technical analysis tools and customizable charts.

It offers excellent customer service, available in multiple languages and through multiple communication channels.

Deposits and withdrawals are processed quickly, with a one business day lead time for withdrawals.

It has an educational section on its website that offers materials for beginners and advanced traders.

As for the cons, we found that the main point is that the conditions are different in each entity. Another point is that the brokers support is not available 24/7.

General Information and Regulation of GO Markets

GO MARKETS is an online forex brokerage company that offers clients access to a wide variety of financial instruments, including Forex CFDs, Share CFDs, Index CFDs, Metals CFDs, Cryptocurrency CFDs, Commodity CFDs and Treasury CFDs. The company is regulated by multiple regulatory bodies including ASIC, CYSEC, FSC and FSA.

• GO Markets Pty Ltd - authorized by ASIC (Australia) registration AFSL: 254963 ABN: 85 081 864 039

• GO Markets Ltd - authorized by CySEC (Cyprus) registration no. 322/17

• GO Markets International Ltd - authorized by the FSA (Seychelles) license no. SD043

  

Market Instruments

With Go Markets, clients can easily trade with over 1,000 products, covering Fore, Shares CFDs, Indices, Metals, Commodities, and Treasury.

GO Markets Leverage

GO Markets Leverage depends on the entity you have an account with since leverage falls under certain regulations. International Traders can access high-leverage ratios. For forex trading, GO Markets Pty Ltd, Mauritius (FSC regulated) offers generous leverage up to 1:500.

GO Markets Account Types

The broker offers two account types Standard and GO Plus Accounts with the flexibility to manage the trading way and choose the best fit. So there is an option between a Standard trading proposal based on spread charges and access to a true ECN environment via GO Plus+ specifically designed through light-fast technology. The Standard account caters to traders seeking accessibility, requiring a minimum deposit of $200 and offering leverage up to 500:1 across forex, metals, commodities, and indices markets. Conversely, the Pro account is geared towards more experienced traders, demanding a higher minimum deposit of $300 while providing the same leverage and instrument range as the Standard account. Notably, the account can be only opened USD.

Notably, The GO Plus+ account supports 9 different base currencies including AUD, GBP, EUR, NZD, USD, SGD, CHF, CAD, HKD.

GO Markets Fees and Spreads

Apart from offering one of the best spreads for the products suite, GO Markets is also the most competitive in terms of holding costs or overnight swaps. GO Markets offers Swap-Free Accounts to traders available on the Standard and GO Plus+ accounts on Meta trader platforms. GO Markets Swap-Free account is available to legitimate holders who are Muslim and cannot use “swaps” due to their religious belief.

Further, the GO Plus Account is already a choice for advanced traders or those whose strategy requires it as spreads from 0.0 pips and trading costs inbuilt in the commission as low as 2.50$ per side.

GO Markets spreads are aggregated from 22+ Tier 1 and 2 liquidity providers making them go as low as 0.0 pips. The GO Markets average spreads for Standard and GO Plus+ accounts are listed on their page. However, the data is provided for general information only and is taken over a one-month period. Prices shown may vary. For instance, see below a comparison of the Standard spread offering, as well as your comparing fees to another popular broker.

Besides, always consider overnight fee as a cost, also known as Rollover rate or interest for holding positions open overnight.

GO Markets Trading Platforms

In terms of trading platform suppored, GO Markets offers a robust suite, which makes it stands tall among most brokers. MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms provide advanced charting tools, expert advisors, and VPS options. The user-friendly cTrader platform enables advanced customization and order capabilities. Copy trading solutions like MetaTrader Copy Trader and cTrader Copy Trading allow following successful traders' strategies. Mobile trading apps for Android and iOS ensure access on-the-go. The GO WebTrader offers a web-based MT4 and MT5 experience without downloads.

Platforms	GO Markets
MetaTrader 4	Yes
MetaTrader 5	Yes
Mobile Trading Platforms	Yes
WebTrader	Yes
cTrader	No
cTrader Copy Trading	No

Trading Tools

Additionally, GO Markets offers the following trading tools to enhance trading experience:

1. VPS (Virtual Private Server): A VPS provides continuous access and optimal speed for MT4 and MT5 platforms, ensuring vital speed and uninterrupted trading.

2. Autochartist: Autochartist specializes in real-time price action alerts, volatility analysis, and event impact assessments, allowing traders to easily apply charts and stay informed about market movements.

3. Trading Central: Trading Central offers a collection of programs that provide actionable investment support with 24-hour multi-asset coverage and analysis, empowering traders with comprehensive market insights.

4. MetaTrader Genesis: MetaTrader Genesis is a comprehensive suite of Expert Advisors (EAs) designed to enhance the capabilities of the standard MetaTrader platform, enabling advanced trading automation and strategy implementation.

GO Markets Deposits and Withdrawals

GO Markets offers fee-free deposits through various payment methods, including Mastercard, Visa, Skrill, Neteller, and bank/wire transfers. These options support multiple currencies like AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, and others, serving traders across different regions.

Generally, GO Markets enables fee-free internal withdrawals. However, withdrawals to non-Mauritian banking institutions may incur fees from intermediary banks and the recipient's bank. Withdrawal requests received before 7 AM MUT are processed the same day, while later requests are handled the next business day. All withdrawals are processed back to the original funding source for security. While GO Markets ensures a seamless withdrawal process, external fees from third-party banks may apply in certain cases.

GO Markets Customer Support

GO Markets Customer Service was rated #1, in addition to its great Awards received in other aspects. Successful brokers recognized the need for quality service, but of course, not everyone can have one.

with 14+ language coverage, GO Markets stands ahead in that point too, so you can count on relevant and fast answers from the Customer Support GO Markets. The brokers team is available around the clock and supports international languages accessible via Live Chat, email, and phone lines in Australia, the UK and internationally as well. And although the broker does not provide 24/7 client support, it has highly acclaimed 24/5 client support.

GO Markets Education

And of course, since novice traders always pass through great challenges while exploring trading opportunities, GO Markets provide the educational materials and research resources necessary to perform seamless trading. Eventually, GO Markets educational programs and its GO Markets Academy are numerously award-winning materials that are defined by all levels of traders and available for Free use.

So in GO Markets Academy and Education Centre, you will find Forex trading learning courses, Video Tutorials, also Tutorials and regularly held Seminars and Webinars in various languages. Also, Demo Account is offered for free use with no limits where beginners can place their strategy at the test or see GO Markets environment.

As for the Research tools, besides very comprehensive research inbuilt into Metatrader 4 platform, GO Markets also cooperates with Autochartist and Trading Central providers so you can use its free trading signals and ideas for your benefit. Besides, thousands of MetaTrader 4 & 5 Add-ons remain at your suite which is defined by the instrument and specified criteria, where also you may use the great tool MT4 Genesis.

FAQs

GO Markets knows that knowing where to find the information that you need and having the confidence that you can find the answers to your trading questions could be very helpful with your day-to-day trading.

Use these comprehensive Forex Trading FAQs to learn all the basics as well as the more advanced topics in forex trading. GO Markets has covered the lot from how to open a forex trading account to how to use the MetaTrader trading platform, Forex trading system, and more. Whether you're new to trading FX or you have several years of experience trading currencies, you will find a lot of useful information in these FAQs.

Q: What is the minimum deposit required to open an account with Go Markets？

A: The minimum deposit required varies depending on the account type you choose. The Standard account requires a minimum deposit of $200, while the Pro account requires a minimum deposit of $300.

Q: Does Go Markets offer Islamic (Swap-Free) accounts？

A: Yes, Go Markets offers Islamic accounts, also known as Swap-Free accounts, which comply with Islamic financial principles by avoiding interest charges or swap fees.

Q: What is Go Markets' leverage policy？

A: Go Markets offers leverage up to 500:1 for both Standard and Pro accounts.

Risk Warning

Trading online carries inherent risks, including the potential loss of invested capital. It may not be suitable for all traders or investors. It's essential to understand and acknowledge these risks before engaging in online trading. Additionally, please note that the information provided in this review is subject to change as the company updates its services and policies. The date of this review's generation is also crucial, as information may have evolved since then. Therefore, readers are encouraged to verify updated information directly with the company before making any decisions or taking action. The reader assumes full responsibility for the use of the information provided in this review.