Best cTrader Brokers

Can I trade on the cTrader platform without a broker?

No, you can’t trade live on the cTrader platform without first opening a live account with a supporting broker. There are different brokers that support the cTrader platform that you can open a trading account with. Choose one and open an account. The broker would provide a download button for the cTrader desktop platform on its website or give you access to the cTrader web platform. You can download the mobile app by going to the relevant app store or via a link on the broker’s website.

How does cTrader compare to MT4/MT5?

Both cTrader and MT4/MT5 are third-party trading platforms and require you to have an account with a broker to be able to use them for trading. However, cTrader is more user-friendly than the MetaTrader suite; a new user will find it much easier to become familiar with cTrader than with MT4 or MT5.

While cTrader may not have as many features as the other more popular platforms, it is certainly easier to use. Moreover, many of the extra features in the other platforms aren’t really that necessary. cTrader has just enough tools to meet the needs of no-dealing-desk brokers, and finding your way around is child’s play. The workspace is clean and well organized, with everything laid out in an intuitive way.

What do I need to do to set up on cTrader?

The first thing is to find a trusted forex broker that supports the cTrader platform, which we have provided in this guide. Simply select the broker of choice and open and fund a brokerage account. Next, you download the cTrader software directly from the broker’s website and log in to your account to start trading different forex and CFD products.

If you want, and it is often very necessary if you are a beginner, you can open a demo account and practice your strategy while also familiarizing yourself with the platform before you go live. Most brokers offer demo accounts that allow you to practice trading with virtual funds.

Do I need to pay to get the cTrader platform?

Your broker provides you with the cTrader platform if it supports it. You don’t need to pay to get the platform on your own, as your broker will provide it for you at no extra cost. If your broker supports the cTrader platform, once you register and fund your trading account, you can access the platform from your broker without paying a cent.

However, you will still bear the usual cost of trading like the spreads and trading commissions that your broker charges for executing your trades on your behalf. You may also incur swap charges on your trades unless your account is an Islamic account, which does not incur swap charges.

Will I be paying a commission when using cTrader?

No, Spotware — the company that developed cTrader — does not deal with the individual traders who use the platform. It offers a license to brokers which allows them to offer the platform to their clients. So, Spotware will never charge you commissions for using cTrader. However, your broker will charge you for your trading transactions, which can be in the form of marked-up spreads, trading commissions, or a combination of both. The point is that the platform is free, but you pay for your trading transactions.

How is the cTrader trading interface?  

The cTrader platform has an intuitive interface that allows you to easily navigate from one section to another. It comes with charts, and you have the option of using Market Watch or TradeWatch to trade directly. This is made possible by cTrader’s Quick Trade interface. You can also trade directly through order screens, direct from the charts, or with the help of chart context menus.

The platform can cater to the requirements of a wide range of traders, both in style and needs. Many traders, especially beginners, find it neater, easier to navigate, and smoother-running than the competition. With the platform, beginners don’t need to spend days understanding how it all works because it’s instinctive. The platform ensures fast execution of trades, as it uses the latest cloud technology and has data links with liquidity providers to offer some of the fastest execution in the industry.

Does cTrader come with analysis tools?

The cTrader platform comes with a good selection of charting tools that are easy to use. The chart is highly customizable to suit the trader’s needs. On the workspace, you can find three different chart modes: free-chart, single-chart, and multi-chart. You can have all open charts on top of each other, expand one chart to fill the screen, or arrange the charts in the sizes and locations of your choice.

The charts come in various timeframes and types — line chart, bar chart, candlestick chart, and more. There are over 50 indicators, including the RSI, stochastic, moving averages, Bollinger, and many more, as well as many drawing tools like trendlines, horizontal lines, and Fibonacci lines. What’s more? The platform also provides a Level II market window where you can see the limit orders that are coming into the market.

Does cTrader support automated trading with expert advisors?

cTrader Automate is a powerful and intuitive solution, that traders can use to develop algorithmic trading robots to automate their trading strategies. Traders who are looking for automated trading options can use cTrader’s modern C# API to write code inside the integrated development environment and can also test and optimize them.

Does cTrader support copy trading?

cTrader comes with the cTrader Copy tool, which enables you to copy other traders or provide signals for others to copy. With cTrader Copy, anyone can become a Strategy Provider and be able to broadcast their trading strategy for a commission or fee. Other traders can search and copy the strategies available, and they can use their own risk management settings.

Can traders create their own custom indicators and EAs on cTrader?

cTrader gives the option to create your own indicators with the C# programming language. You can build your own applications using cTrader’s Open API, which is a free, secure, and publicly accessible API that anyone can use. If you are skilled in coding, you can leverage cTrader’s established technologies to build your own web, mobile, or desktop systems that can connect to, and trade with any cTrader account. If you don’t have the skills, you can get someone to do it for you.

Does cTrader have a strategy tester for backtesting?

Yes, you can backtest your strategy on the cTrader platform using different timeframes and methods. The platform has an integrated development environment where you can develop and backtest a strategy or load an already-created strategy and backtest. The process is fast and easy.

Is cTrader good for scalping?

Yes, cTrader is fast enough to support scalping strategies. The platform supports advanced scalping tools, such as the cTrader Smart Scalping Tool — an on-screen panel that allows you to quickly submit, close, and manage orders with lightning speed. cTrader is perfect for scalping forex, indices, stocks, and cryptos.

Which instruments can be traded with the cTrader platform?

You can trade any financial instrument provided by your broker on the cTrader platform. All CFD products, including currency pairs, stocks, exchange-traded funds, indices, cryptocurrencies, and commodities like oil and precious metals can be traded on cTrader, but what is available to you depends on what your broker offers.

Comparing cTrader brokers

Which cTrader broker offers the widest range of instruments?

Among the brokers we reviewed, Roboforex offers the widest range of tradable instruments on the cTrader platform. The broker offers currency pairs, indexes, stocks, metals, energies, commodities, bonds, ETFs, and digital currencies. You can trade over 12,000 instruments with the broker.

Which is the best cTrader broker?

IC Markets is the winner of the best cTrader broker. The broker is regulated in multiple jurisdictions by several tier-1 regulators, including the ASIC and CySEC, which confer a high level of trust. Apart from that, it provides traders with optimal trading conditions to suit their trading styles.