
Forex scalping strategies involve making dozens of very short-term trades (seconds to minutes) to capture small price movements. Scalpers rely on ultra-tight spreads, lightning-fast order execution, and deep liquidity to make tiny profits on each trade. As FX News Group journalist Gerald Segal observes, “In scalping, every millisecond counts… [making] a reliable trading platform with fast execution speeds a must”. Effective day trading scalping strategies require brokers that support high-frequency trading (HFT) – for example, by offering ECN/STP accounts, advanced charting platforms, and colocated servers. It’s important to note that trading forex and CFDs carries risk; most retail accounts lose money due to leverage and costs (often 51–80% as brokers disclose). This article focuses on forex scalping strategies – crypto scalping strategies and scalping futures markets have different volatility and liquidity profiles and typically use other platforms – and identifies five globally available forex brokers that excel for scalpers.
The best forex scalping brokers share key features. Scalpers look for tight spreads (often near 0.0 pips on raw accounts), fast execution (low latency and minimal slippage), and reliable ECN/STP execution to avoid re-quotes. They favor brokers regulated by top authorities (FCA, ASIC, NFA, etc.) to ensure order integrity and fund safety. Advanced traders also value features like partial fills, one-click trading, and VPS hosting. As one analyst notes, “tight spreads are equally important” since wide bid-ask gaps “can eat into potential profits”, and “low latency and high execution speeds… are vital” during fast moves.
Overview of 5 Brokers With Top Scalping Strategies
Broker | Spreads & Costs | Execution & Speed | Platforms | Regulation & Access |
---|---|---|---|---|
IG (tastyfx) |
~0.98 pips Standard account |
~30ms fills NDD/DMA & Market-Making |
MetaTrader 4/5 xStation 5 L2 Dealer |
FCA (UK)
CFTC/NFA (US)
ASIC
100+ countries
|
Pepperstone |
0.0+ pips Razor ECN + $7 commission |
~30ms ultra-fast ECN/STP execution |
MetaTrader 4/5 cTrader Multiple account types |
FCA (UK)
ASIC
CySEC
No US
|
IC Markets |
0.0+ pips Raw Spread + $7 commission |
~40ms fast ECN/STP model |
MetaTrader 4/5 cTrader Raw & Standard accounts |
ASIC
CySEC
FSA (Seychelles)
No US
|
FOREX.com |
0.0+ pips Raw Pricing for active traders |
~30ms active ECN/NDD execution |
MetaTrader 4/5 FOREX.com platform Raw & Standard |
NFA/CFTC (US)
FCA (UK)
ASIC
MAS (Singapore)
|
Saxo Bank |
~1.1 pips Classic account |
Tier-1 liquidity Market-maker model |
SaxoTraderGO SaxoTraderPRO Multi-asset accounts |
FSA (Denmark)
FCA (UK)
MAS (Singapore)
No US
|
Essential Scalping Requirements
Risk Warning: 51-80% of retail accounts lose money trading forex and CFDs. Always use demo accounts first and employ strict risk management with scalping strategies.
Key Features for Forex Scalping Strategies
- Spreads & Fees: Scalpers need razor-thin spreads. Top brokers offer raw (ECN) accounts with spreads often from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD plus a small commission. For example, Pepperstone’s Razor account offers 0.0-pip spreads with a $7 round-turn commission, and IC Markets’ Raw Spread account similarly starts at 0.0 pips (with a $7 per-lot commission). By contrast, a 1–2 pip spread on EUR/USD (as seen on some standard accounts) can wipe out scalping profits. (Remember: all trading involves costs – Pepperstone notes “CFDs are complex… 81.8% of retail investor accounts lose money”.)
- Execution & Latency: Every millisecond matters for a scalper. Brokers with high-speed execution engines and servers near major hubs (London/New York) minimize slippage. Industry sources emphasize that a delay of even a few milliseconds can turn a winning scalp into a loss. Our top brokers report ultra-fast fills: Pepperstone (~30 ms), IC Markets (~40 ms), and FOREX.com (~30 ms) are in the sub-100ms range.
- Execution Model: Non-dealing-desk (NDD) or ECN brokers are generally preferred. These aggregate multiple liquidity providers, giving scalpers depth of market and competitive bid/ask prices. All five brokers below offer ECN/DMA/STP account types for scalping. Even market-maker models like Saxo’s can work if they publish execution reports, but scalpers should verify no-hedging restrictions or minimum stop/limits.
- Account Types & Platforms: Brokers should explicitly permit scalping on their ECN/DMA accounts. Look for platforms suited for rapid trading – MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader are common, often with hotkeys and one-click trading. All the brokers here support MT4/5, and some (Pepperstone, IC Markets) also offer cTrader. Advanced tools like real-time news feeds, level II quotes, and built-in economic calendars can help identify scalp opportunities.
- Regulation & Global Access: Each recommended broker is well-regulated and widely available. They hold licenses such as the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), NFA/CFTC (US), CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), etc. This ensures client funds are segregated and trading is transparent. Critically, our picks have broad international coverage: for example, IG (and its US arm tastyfx) and FOREX.com accept US clients, while Pepperstone, IC Markets, and Saxo serve Europe, Asia, and other regions. (Always verify if your country is supported.)
Top Forex Brokers Supporting Scalping Strategies

The table below compares five leading forex brokers geared for scalpers. Each excels in low spreads, fast execution, and reliable regulation.
Broker | EUR/USD Spread (typ.) | Execution Model/Speed | Accounts & Platforms | Regulation / Availability |
IG (tastyfx) | ~0.98 pips (standard) | NDD (raw/agency & market-maker); ∼30ms fills | Forex Direct (ECN) & DMA accounts; MetaTrader 4/5, IG’s xStation 5 | FCA (UK), CFTC/NFA (US, via tastyfx), ASIC, FSA (Japan) – global access including US |
Pepperstone | 0.0+ pips (Razor raw) | ECN/STP; ~30ms | MT4, MT5, cTrader (Razor & Standard accounts) | FCA (UK), ASIC, CySEC, DFSA (UAE) – no US clients |
IC Markets | 0.0+ pips (Raw Spread) | ECN/STP; ~40ms | MT4, MT5, cTrader (Raw, Standard) | ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Seychelles) – no US clients |
FOREX.com | 0.0+ pips (Raw Pricing) | ECN/NDD; ~30ms (Active Trader) | MT4, MT5, FOREX.com platform (Raw & Standard accounts) | NFA/CFTC (US), FCA (UK), ASIC, IIROC (Canada), MAS (Singapore) – global including US |
Saxo Bank | ~1.10 pips (Classic) | Market-maker; Tier-1 Liquidity | SaxoTraderGO & PRO (Multi-asset accounts) | FSA (Denmark), FCA (UK), MAS (Singapore), FINMA (Switzerland) – no US clients |
Each of these brokers supports scalping-friendly features. For example, IG’s multiple account types include an agency (ECN) option and a market-maker option, plus advanced order-handling. analyst Steven Hatzakis explains that “IG is a top choice for scalpers because of its ability to handle large trade sizes along with its robust execution policies”. In fact, for U.S. traders IG’s sister brand tastyfx is recommended: calls “tastyfx the best forex broker for scalping strategies in the US” thanks to its dual execution methods and wide range of order types. Similarly, FOREX.com offers raw spreads and discounts for active traders, and is well-regulated across major jurisdictions.
Pepperstone and IC Markets are popular among international scalpers. Both offer ECN/STP accounts with raw spreads from 0.0 pips and commission-based pricing. They support automated EAs, high leverage (up to 1:500), and multiple platforms (MT4/5, cTrader). Saxo Bank rounds out the list as a veteran multi-asset broker: it has wider spreads (about 1.1 pips on EUR/USD) but provides award-winning platforms and strong execution for large volumes. (All five brokers enforce standard risk controls – you must check their terms to ensure your scalping methods are permitted. Notably, “no, not all brokers permit scalping,” so always review the fine print.)
Broker Comparison: Scalping Feature-by-Feature
Feature | IG (tastyfx) | Pepperstone | IC Markets | FOREX.com | Saxo Bank |
Spreads (EUR/USD) | ~0.98 pips (Standard) | From 0.0 pips (Razor ECN) | From 0.0 pips (Raw Spread) | From 0.0 pips (Raw Pricing) | ~1.1 pips (Classic) |
Execution/Model | NDD/DMA & Market-Making; auto-fill; low requotes | ECN/STP; ultra-fast (~30ms) | ECN/STP; fast (~40ms) | ECN/NDD; fast (~30ms for active traders) | Market-making; tier-1 liquidity; published execution reports |
ECN/STP Accounts | Yes – Forex Direct (agency), DMA (market-making) | Yes – Razor (0.0 pip) and Standard | Yes – Raw Spread and Standard | Yes – Raw Pricing (active trader) | No – Market-maker model |
Platforms | xStation 5, MT4/MT5, L2 Dealer | MT4, MT5, cTrader | MT4, MT5, cTrader | MT4, MT5, FOREX.com proprietary | SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO |
Regulation | FCA (UK), CFTC/NFA (US), ASIC, FSA (JP) | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA | ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Seychelles) | NFA/CFTC (US), FCA, ASIC, IIROC, MAS | FSA (DK), FCA (UK), MAS (SG), FINMA (CH) |
Global Availability | Widely global (IG operates in 100+ countries) | Global (except US) | Global (except US) | Global (including US) | Global (except US) |
These comparisons highlight why each broker is suited to scalp trading. All offer industry-leading platforms and allow the rapid entry/exit that scalpers need. For instance, Pepperstone advertises “ultra-low latency servers” to “execute trades lightning-fast” – ideal for high-frequency traders. And IC Markets notes its “tight spreads from 0.0 pips” alongside one of the lowest commission rates. As one trading guide advises, scalpers should favor brokers “with commission-based pricing…[and] ECN accounts… offering tighter spreads” to make fine-margin strategies viable.
Conclusion
In short, experienced scalpers should prioritize brokers that combine speed, transparency, and trust. The five brokers above deliver on these fronts: they are highly regulated, provide ECN/STP accounts for minimal spreads, and support fast execution via advanced platforms. As one reviewer put it, these qualities make a broker “a top choice for scalpers”. Ultimately, the best scalping strategies still depend on the trader – but the right broker lets you focus on strategy rather than slippage. Always test your scalp trading approach on a demo account and use strict risk controls (tight stops, sensible position sizes), as even small delays or costs can erode scalp profits. By combining disciplined day trading scalping strategies with these capable brokers, traders can exploit short-term opportunities in the forex market while relying on robust infrastructure.
FAQ
What factors make a broker good for scalping strategies?
Scalpers should look for minimal spreads (ideally near 0.0 pips on raw/ECN accounts), ultra-fast execution (low latency servers), and ECN/STP execution to avoid re-quotes. Powerful platforms (MT4/5, cTrader) with hotkeys and VPS support are also key. Strong regulation (FCA, ASIC, NFA, etc.) ensures order integrity. In sum, tight pricing plus high execution quality are the hallmarks of a scalping-friendly broker.
Do all forex brokers allow scalping strategies?
No – broker policies vary. Traders should check terms, as some firms restrict arbitrage or very high-frequency trades. As one guide warns, “No, not all brokers permit scalping”. Generally, most well-known ECN/STP brokers do allow scalping, but always confirm before trading.
How do forex scalping strategies differ from crypto or futures scalping strategies?
Our focus here is on forex scalping (currency CFDs). Crypto scalping strategies operate on digital-asset platforms (with 24/7 markets and higher volatility) – some forex brokers offer crypto CFDs, but crypto pairs can be more erratic. Scalping futures involves commodity or index futures contracts, requiring a futures broker (e.g. CME-regulated). While the general idea (fast small trades) is similar, the choice of broker and market conditions differ significantly across forex, crypto, and futures.
What should U.S. traders know about scalping?
For U.S. residents, regulatory rules are stricter, and not all international brokers accept U.S. accounts. In practice, IG’s U.S. arm (tastyfx) and FOREX.com are among the few top scalping brokers available in the U.S. market. Pepperstone, IC Markets, and Saxo do not take U.S. clients; U.S. traders often rely on well-regulated domestic brokers for scalping strategies.
Are tight spreads always better for scalping?
Generally, yes – tight spreads reduce trading costs on each scalp. Scalpers often prefer commission-based models (raw spreads) so that a 0.0-pip spread plus a known fee is predictable. However, traders should balance spreads against execution quality. A slightly wider spread with guaranteed fill might be preferable to a zero-spread quote that frequently requotes or suffers slippage. Ultimately, the combination of low spreads, fast fills, and stable execution determines a scalping strategy’s success.
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