Quick answer: The best CFD broker depends on what you want to trade beyond currency pairs — IG and CMC Markets lead on sheer instrument range, Capital.com and Plus500 stand out for crypto CFD depth, FP Markets offers genuine DMA share CFDs, and eToro applies copy trading across the full CFD universe.
Below we compare 12 CFD brokers side by side on instrument breadth (indices, commodities, share CFDs, crypto CFDs), leverage by asset class, and platform range. If you’re specifically comparing currency-pair pricing and raw forex spreads, see our dedicated forex broker comparison instead — this page is about what else you can trade with the same account.
Last updated: July 2026 · By Samson Ononeme, Financial Content Strategist & Prop Trading Researcher · See our methodology · Affiliate disclosure
Best CFD Broker for Every Type of Trader
Category |
Our Pick |
Why |
|---|---|---|
Widest instrument range |
IG |
17,000+ tradeable markets, the broadest of any broker compared here |
Crypto CFD depth |
Capital.com |
450+ crypto CFDs, among the largest crypto CFD libraries in the industry |
Direct market access (DMA) shares |
FP Markets |
IRESS platform gives genuine DMA share CFD execution, not just synthetic pricing |
Copy trading across asset classes |
eToro |
Social/copy trading works across CFD stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto together |
Lowest minimum deposit |
XM ($5) / Capital.com ($20) |
Full CFD access across multiple asset classes without a large upfront deposit |
TradingView-native execution |
Vantage |
Genuine native TradingView integration for charting and execution, rare among brokers |
Professional/global market access |
Saxo Bank |
9,000+ CFDs across global exchanges with bank-grade platform infrastructure |
Full CFD Broker Comparison Table (2026)
All 12 brokers below offer CFD trading on indices, commodities, and share CFDs beyond just currency pairs. Figures reflect standard retail terms as of July 2026 — leverage caps vary significantly by your country of residence and the specific asset class.
Broker |
Key Regulators |
Min. Deposit |
CFD Instrument Range |
Max Retail Leverage |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SCB, UAE CMA |
$20 |
5,500+ (450+ crypto CFDs, 4,000+ share CFDs) |
1:30 (EU/UK) |
Broadest range + crypto CFD depth |
|
FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS, CIRO |
$100 |
2,800+ (forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, options) |
1:30 |
Simplicity + guaranteed stop-loss across asset classes |
|
FCA, ASIC, MAS |
$0 (UK/AU) |
17,000+ markets — widest of any broker here |
1:30 |
Widest possible instrument range from one account |
|
FCA, ASIC, BaFin |
$0 |
10,000+ CFDs |
1:30 |
Deep index & commodity CFD range |
|
FINMA, MAS, SFC, JFSA, ASIC |
$0 (Classic) |
9,000+ CFDs across global exchanges |
1:30 |
Professional/global market access |
|
FCA, CySEC, KNF |
$0 |
2,100+ CFDs (indices, commodities, stock CFDs, forex) |
1:30 (EU) |
CFDs alongside real stock investing in one account |
|
CBI, ASIC, FSCA, ADGM |
$100 |
1,250+ CFDs + AvaOptions |
1:30 |
Fixed spreads + options CFDs |
|
FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FinCEN |
$50–$100 |
3,000+ CFDs (stocks, indices, commodities, crypto, forex) |
1:30 |
Copy trading applied across CFD asset classes |
|
FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA |
$0 |
1,200+ CFDs (indices, commodities, share CFDs) |
1:30 |
cTrader/algo trading across CFD classes |
|
ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, FSA |
$100 |
CFDs + DMA share access via IRESS (10,000+ global shares) |
1:30 |
DMA share CFDs + direct market access |
|
FCA, ASIC, CIMA, FSCA |
$50 |
1,000+ CFDs (indices, commodities, share CFDs, crypto CFDs) |
1:30 |
Native TradingView CFD execution |
|
CySEC, ASIC, FSC, DFSA |
$5 |
1,000+ CFDs (indices, commodities, stock CFDs, forex) |
1:30 (Tier-1) / higher offshore |
Broad CFD range + beginner education |
Leverage Varies by Asset Class, Not Just by Broker
Retail leverage caps aren’t a single number per broker — they’re set per asset class by regulators like ESMA (EU), the FCA (UK), and ASIC (Australia), and they drop sharply as risk increases:
Asset Class |
Typical Tier-1 Retail Cap |
|---|---|
Major forex pairs |
1:30 |
Minor forex pairs, gold, major indices |
1:20 |
Commodities (excl. gold), minor indices |
1:10 |
Individual share CFDs |
1:5 |
Cryptocurrency CFDs |
1:2 (where offered to retail at all — many Tier-1 jurisdictions restrict crypto CFDs entirely) |
Offshore entities often advertise much higher leverage — sometimes 1:500 or more — but this typically comes with weaker regulatory protection and no compensation scheme coverage. A broker’s headline leverage number means little without knowing which entity and asset class it actually applies to.
Remember: CFDs mean you never own the underlying asset. Every broker on this page lets you speculate on price movement through a contract, not buy the actual share, commodity, or index constituent. If you specifically want to own real shares, see our stock broker comparison instead — some brokers here (XTB, IG, CMC Markets, Saxo Bank) offer both CFD and real-share accounts, but under separate account types.
Head-to-Head CFD Broker Comparisons
Want a direct side-by-side instead of the full table? These in-depth comparisons cover instrument range, platforms, and fees in detail:
Our Methodology
This comparison focuses on CFD instrument breadth and multi-asset access rather than forex-specific pricing, which we cover separately in our forex broker comparison. We weight brokers across five pillars: total instrument range and depth by asset class, leverage structure per asset class, regulatory standing, platform range, and account/deposit accessibility. Figures are pulled from each broker’s official instrument lists and regulatory disclosures and re-verified on a rolling basis.
Before You Choose a CFD Broker: Verification Checklist
- Confirm the specific instrument categories you want (crypto CFDs, share CFDs, commodities) are actually available to retail clients in your country — several are restricted or banned for retail in Tier-1 jurisdictions.
- Check leverage by asset class, not just the broker’s headline number — share and crypto CFDs carry much lower caps than forex.
- Understand that CFDs never grant ownership of the underlying asset — if you want real shares, use a dedicated stock broker instead.
- Check for overnight/swap financing fees on leveraged positions held past market close — these compound differently across asset classes.
- Confirm negative balance protection applies to your specific regulated entity, not just the group as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CFD broker has the widest instrument range?
IG offers over 17,000 tradeable markets, the broadest range among the brokers compared here, followed by CMC Markets with 10,000+ CFDs and Saxo Bank with 9,000+.
What’s the difference between a CFD broker and a stock broker?
A CFD broker lets you speculate on price movement through a contract without ever owning the underlying asset, using leverage. A stock broker executes trades that give you actual ownership of shares. Some brokers, like XTB, IG, and CMC Markets, offer both under separate account types.
Why is crypto CFD leverage so much lower than forex leverage?
Regulators classify cryptocurrency as significantly more volatile than major currency pairs, so retail leverage caps for crypto CFDs are set far lower — often 1:2 — compared to 1:30 for major forex pairs under the same regulatory framework, where offered to retail clients at all.
Which broker offers genuine DMA (direct market access) for share CFDs?
FP Markets is the standout here, offering direct market access to over 10,000 global shares via its IRESS platform integration, rather than purely synthetic CFD pricing.
Can I lose more money than I deposit trading CFDs?
Under negative balance protection, which applies to retail clients at all brokers regulated by Tier-1 authorities like the FCA and ASIC, you cannot lose more than your account balance. This protection may not apply under offshore-regulated entities offering higher leverage.
Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 71% and 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with the providers featured on this page. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.