What is forex? The basics to understand before you start
A practical introduction to currency pairs, trading hours, and why both profits and losses occur.
- How forex trading works
- Why profit and loss occur
- What to check before opening an account
BEGINNER GUIDES
Forex and CFD guides
Start with the mechanics, then compare account conditions, trading costs and risk before you register or deposit funds.
START HERE
Find the question you need answered
Use the guides as a checklist. They are not personal investment advice or a reason to rush into a trade.
Forex & CFD basics
Forex & CFD basics
Understand the mechanics, leverage, margin, trading platforms and automated trading before using a live account.
What is stop-out in forex? Margin, leverage and liquidation risk
Understand margin level, leverage, position size and why a broker may close positions when account equity falls.
- How stop-out works
- How margin level is calculated
- What to check before choosing position size
MT4 vs MT5: which platform should beginners choose?
Compare MT4 and MT5 by timeframes, order functions, EAs and the platform supported by the account you intend to use.
- Differences between MT4 and MT5
- How to choose a platform
- What to check before opening an account
Forex risks to understand before you start
A short guide to leverage, position size, available funds and the conditions that can affect losses.
- Leverage
- Funds at risk
- Account conditions
What to check before using an EA or automated strategy
Understand how EAs work, why monitoring is still required and what to review before using automated trading software.
- How EAs work
- Loss risk
- Provider conditions
Learning scalping independently or in a trading community
Compare access to questions, feedback, rules and ongoing conditions rather than choosing by promises of results.
- Independent study
- What to check in a community
- Choosing a suitable format
Broker comparison
Broker comparison
Compare the entity, account conditions, platforms and trading costs shown for your country of residence.
How to compare forex brokers: the key checks
Compare the legal entity, account conditions, funding methods and support instead of choosing only by a headline offer.
- Legal entity and terms
- Trading conditions and costs
- Funding and support
Forex spreads and commissions: how to compare trading costs
Learn why the lowest advertised spread is not the entire cost and what to compare across account types.
- Variable spreads
- Round-turn commissions
- Fit with trading frequency
Bonuses and campaigns
Bonuses and campaigns
Review eligible accounts, trading-volume conditions, expiry and withdrawal rules before opting in.
What to check before accepting a forex bonus
Review eligible accounts, withdrawal rules, trading-volume requirements and expiry conditions before choosing a bonus.
- How bonuses work
- Withdrawal conditions
- What to check before opting in
NEXT STEP
Compare the account conditions available to you.
Entity, account availability, platforms, funding methods and promotions may differ by country of residence.