What is cTrader?
cTrader is an institutional-grade trading platform used by a select set of leading Forex brokers. Launched in 2011 exclusively by FxPro, this beginner friendly software offers high-speed execution with a cleaner user interface than competing Metatrader software.
A little-known fact: 35% more cTrader users are profitable compared to the industry average. This surprising statistic comes from Spotware’s internal calculations and highlights why cTrader has become MetaTrader’s main competitor. But what is it about cTrader that makes traders more profitable?
- ECN Only: Unlike MetaTrader and most other broker-owned platforms, cTrader only functions as an ECN (Electronic Communication Network) platform. This means that it will only connect traders direct to the global Forex market and won’t allow for any dealing desk intervention, whether automated or not.
- No broker intervention: cTrader is ECN only because Spotware themselves manages all the infrastructure behind cTrader and the interface you download from your broker, is just that, an interface. The broker can alter commission and spreads, but the price feed and market data cannot be modified.
- Single Login: Because Spotware manages cTrader’s infrastructure, the cTrader ID you receive when you first log in to the application will never change. This is especially useful as you won’t have to remember new passwords or account numbers, even if you switch brokers.
- Spotware is invested in your success: cTrader is also offered to brokers on a platform-as-a-service basis, and brokers pay Spotware based on volume traded, meaning that the more traders succeed with cTrader, the more Spotware profits. The result is that Spotware has a real incentive to provide traders with the best chance to trade profitably.
These differences are all enshrined in Spotware’s founding motto: Trader’s First. This guiding mindset has led Spotware not only to ensure that cTrader is an intervention-free platform but also forced them to make transparency and community focus an integral part of cTrader’s business model.
It’s important to note that because cTrader is an ECN only platform, users will have to pay a commission on their trades. Because cTrader posts trades to market, brokers do not have an opportunity to charge a fee in the spread and will always charge a commission instead for their service.
cTrader Platforms
cTrader offers three versions of its trading platform, and while the same indicators, objects, layouts and themes are present across all three versions, there are minor changes to functionality:
cTrader Download: The desktop version is the most feature-complete version of cTrader, download the application for any Windows PC or laptop. Unfortunately, for Mac users, there is no native application, and you will have to rely on cTrader Web or create a system partition to run Windows applications. It’s important to note that cTrader Copy will only run in the Web version,
cTrader Web: The cTrader Web version is almost as feature-complete as the desktop version except for a few changes. Charts are locked, so they cannot move up and down, and cTrader Automate is unavailable.
cTrader Mobile: Available on iOS and Android, the cTrader mobile app is perfect for traders on the go and has 26 timeframes and over 50 indicators available. Charts have been redesigned for mobile with features such as pinch-to-zoom, fling to scroll forward or backwards, and double-tap to re-centre.
cTrader Forum
The cTrader forum is a place for all cTrader users to post suggestions to the developers for new features for the platform, get support from the community and stay on top of any product announcements and other news. Spotware continuously improves cTrader with enhancements stemming mostly from community feedback; this regular interaction with traders results in several platform updates and upgrades a year.
cTrader ID Site
The cTrader ID Site is a personalised toolbox for anyone holding a cTrader ID. It provides traders with several tools to control their accounts and connect to other traders, apps, and resources.
Standout features include:
- Credential management: traders can view a list of demo and live trading accounts they own with each broker under the same cTrader ID.
- Push Notifications: Traders can alter email and mobile push notifications regarding changes and events on their trading accounts.
- Security: Allows traders to view and revoke active sessions and control which devices are authorised to use cTrader.
cTrader vs MT4
Advocates of cTrader will tell you that it is more beginner-friendly than MT4 and offers high-speed execution with a cleaner user interface. Those who have used both platforms will probably agree with this statement, but in the interest of balance, here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages
cTrader Advantages vs MT4
- Your platform needn’t be open and connected to your broker to keep a trailing stop loss functioning like with MT4.
- The ‘Depth of Market’ function is easier to use (colour-coded and different profiles available) than MT4’s.
- cTrader has several features that make the platform more user-friendly than MT4. For example, on the right side, the chart there is a distance scale in pips (e.g. 50 pips). This is useful for beginners because it gives them an idea of what 50 pips looks like without having to use the crosshair tool to take measurements.
- cTrader’s data sets (for backtesting trading robots) are more complete than MT4’s and support real tick data backtesting. MT4 often doesn’t have real tick data available.
- cTrader’s crosshair tool measures pips while MT4 measures points. This makes it easier to make measurements, especially for a beginner. If you measure 50 pips with cTrader, you see 50. If you measure with MT4, you see 500.
- cTrader has a built-in copy trading feature.
- cTrader has a FIX API, and its coding language is more versatile than MQL4. The FIX API allows for total portfolio management with a trading bot. For example, a trader could perform cross-instrument trading with a statistical arbitrage robot. This type of trading is not possible with MT4 because each EA only performs calculations on one chart window at a time.
cTrader Disadvantages vs MT4
- The minimum lot sizing on some stock index CFDs (e.g. GER30) are inconsistent with forex pairs and some other stock indices.
- Frequent updates can cause delays when you open the platform; this can be a problem if you need to manage a position urgently from your desktop.
- The MT4 community is much larger than that of cTrader. On the MT4 platform, you can access thousands of EAs, and online forums have much more information
All cTrader Brokers
Here is our curated list of all of the regulated cTrader brokers we have reviewed, ordered by overall score. The broker with the highest score is at the top of the list.
Should I choose cTrader?
cTrader is a welcome alternative for traders who want a cross-broker trading platform with a reputation for transparency, rapid product development and high-speed trade execution.
With clear improvements in trade management and visual aesthetics in comparison to MetaTrader 4, traders who trade with cTrader tend to stick with the choice.
Because cTrader does not support market maker brokers, it will never be an industry standard, but for those willing to pay commission on trades, it is a great platform choice.
Forex Risk Disclaimer
Trading Forex and CFDs is not suitable for all investors as it carries a high degree of risk to your capital: 75-90% of retail investors lose money trading these products.
Forex and CFD transactions involve high risk due to the following factors: Over-leveraging, unpredictable market volatility, slippage arising from a lack of liquidity, inadequate trading knowledge or experience, and a lack of regulatory protection for clients.
Traders should not deposit any money that is not disposable. Regardless of how much research you have done, or how confident you are in your trade, there is always a substantial risk of loss. (Learn more from the FCA or from ASIC)
Our Methodology
Our State of the Market Report and Broker Directory are the result of extensive research on over 180 Forex brokers. The explicit goal of these resources is to help traders find the best Forex brokers – and steer them away from the worst ones – with the benefit of accurate and up-to-date information.
With over 200 data points on each broker and over 3000 hours of research and review writing, we believe we have succeeded in our goal.
In a world where trading conditions and customer support can vary based on where you live, our broker reviews focus on the local trader and give you information about these brokers from your perspective.
All research has been conducted by our in-house team of researchers and writers, gathering information from various company representatives, websites and by sifting through the fine print. Learn more about how we rank brokers.
4.61
Accepts Australian Clients. Average spread EUR/USD 0.60 pips with 0.0 USD commission round turn on the trading account with lowest minimum deposit. Max leverage 30:1. Islamic account available. MT4, MT5 & cTrader platforms supported. Pepperstone is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and the DFSA.
