However, there are some key differences between the two. While both types of brokers connect traders directly to liquidity providers, ECN brokers offer the added benefit of allowing traders to see the depth of the market, which means they can view the current bids and offers at different price levels. This makes it easier for traders to make informed decisions about their trades.
STP brokers, on the other hand, simply pass orders on to liquidity providers without showing traders the current market depth. This means that traders may not be getting the best possible price for their trades.
The Pros and Cons of ECN Brokers
Like any type of broker, ECN brokers have their advantages and disadvantages. Some of the benefits of using an ECN broker include faster execution speeds, tighter spreads, and greater transparency. However, ECN brokers also tend to have higher trading costs and may not be suitable for all traders.
Overall, if you are looking for a broker that offers fast execution speeds, low spreads, and a high level of transparency, then an ECN broker may be the right choice for you. Just be sure to do your research and choose a reputable broker with a solid track record.
STP brokers also have no dealing desk. Listed trades are routed to the broker’s group of liquidity providers, such as hedge funds, big banks, and investors. These providers act as counter-parties for each trade and compete for the best bid/ask spreads. The broker effectively acts as a silent facilitator, connecting the trader with its internal liquidity pool and taking its fee from a mark-up in the spread.
The primary difference with ECN vs STP brokers is routing. Whereas the STP broker provides access to different providers in their liquidity pool, the ECN plays the role of a hub. The hub essentially acts as the primary liquidity source, formed of different hedge funds, banks, and market players. The other notable difference is position size. ECN brokers typically cap minimum position sizes at 0.1 lots. This is a result of few liquidity providers being able to cater to smaller position sizes, which can prove challenging for beginners.
Both ECN and STP models offer fast executions and tight spreads which lend them to a range of strategies, including scalping trading. In fact, many ECN, STP or hybrid brokers offer zero-pip forex spreads, though they may charge a fixed commission per lot.
Benefits Of ECN Brokers:
There are several advantages to trading with an ECN broker:
- Execution speed – Pure ECN forex brokers such as Pepperstone connect you directly to liquidity providers ensuring direct market access and faster fills.
- Transparency – ECN brokers prevent price manipulation as everyone uses the same feed and trades at a defined price.
- No investor enjoys a built-in advantage over other traders on the ECN.
- Trading hours – ECN providers generally let you trade beyond traditional trading hours, allowing investors to react to after-market news announcements, for example.
- Leverage – Top ECN brokers typically offer leveraged forex trading. Ratios vary depending on your jurisdiction, but it’s not uncommon to find 1:100 leverage levels.
- Scalping – Rapid order executions and tight spreads lend ECN brokers to high volume scalping forex strategies. With that said, it’s worth checking the broker’s guidelines around scalping before you deposit funds.
- Regulation – ECN providers are heavily regulated. This is particularly important in light of the increasing number of online forex scams. The best ECN brokers are regulated and meet compliance measures. See our list of the best ECN brokers above for trustworthy providers.
Drawbacks Of ECN Brokers
Downsides to trading with ECN brokers include:
- Commission – Forex commissions charged by most ECN brokers usually range between $2.50 to $5.00 per lot. Fees tend to be higher compared to trading CFDs, stocks, binary options, or other non-ECN trading brokers. This may mean ECN is less favourable for low-volume retail traders or those with micro-accounts.
- Volatility – Forex markets are vulnerable to sudden upsurges in variable spreads, especially during high market volatility.
- It’s therefore important traders use appropriate risk management tools.
- Deposits – The best ECN brokers generally come with higher opening deposits than standard trading accounts. This is because ECN providers often shift the responsibility of meeting market liquidity requirements on the trader. This is the opposite of a market maker broker who can intervene to provide liquidity on the trader’s behalf, and therefore offer lower minimum deposits.
How To Identify The Best ECN Brokers
The top true ECN brokers are regulated by reputable financial agencies. For example, if you’re trading forex in the UK, check the provider is regulated by the FCA. For traders in Europe, check for CySEC regulation. Reliable regulators will cap leverage limits to protect a trader’s risk exposure.
Logistically, location is significant as the best ECN brokers can only accept accounts for traders in the countries they work within. For example, RoboForex cannot accept traders in the USA, Japan, Canada and Australia, despite being a top ECN broker. This means clients from the US will need to look to another broker, such as Forex.com, another top ECN brokerage. Similarly, the best ECN brokers in Kenya, Dubai, Malaysia, Cyprus or the Philippines might differ from the top providers in Nigeria, South Africa, India, Australia and Singapore.
You should also check the trading fees and commissions and whether you are allowed to start with a demo account.
This will give you time to practice and get familiar with the platform, whether you are using MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, or another platform. Brokers offer different platforms, so it’s important to use one you feel comfortable with.
Other considerations to take into account on your broker checklist comparison should include:
- Fast deposit and withdrawal processing times
- Providers with a history of at least two years
- Brokers with no deposit bonuses
- A decent customer support team
- Forex trading rankings
- Good online reviews
Final Word On ECN Brokers
ECN brokers bring significant benefits for forex traders in the US, UK, and beyond. High levels of market transparency mean price manipulation is not possible. With that said, it’s still worth looking for regulated ECN brokers. Leverage levels, commissions, plus trading tools are also important to consider when opening a live account with an ECN broker.
FAQ
What Does An ECN Broker Mean?
An ECN broker is a technology hub, or bridge, that enables traders to place competing bids against each other or liquidity providers.
How Do ECN Brokers Make Money?
ECN brokers typically make money from fixed commissions charged to the customer on each trade.
This is in contrast to market maker models that generally take their cut from the spread.
What Is The Difference Between A Market Maker And ECN Broker?
Market makers help ensure there is enough liquidity so trades can be executed seamlessly. Market makers typically take the opposing side of a trade. In contrast, ECN brokers connect buyers and sellers, drawing on various liquidity providers. ECN brokers usually offer tighter spreads, faster order execution and increased transparency.
Who Are The Top ECN Brokers In The UK And Europe?
Among the top European ECN are Pepperstone, Axi, IG, Swissquote and FXCM. See our list of the best ECN brokers.
Is XM An ECN Broker Or STP?
XM is regulated by the FCA and offers both ECN and Straight Through Processing (STP) options.