Short answer: Beyond spreads and commission, check five things before you deposit: inactivity fees, withdrawal fees, currency conversion charges, overnight swaps, and fees for extras like guaranteed stops or market data. They’re all in the broker’s fee schedule, not the homepage.
The usual suspects
| Fee | What it is | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Inactivity | A monthly charge after 3–12 months without trading | Fee schedule, terms |
| Withdrawal | A flat fee per withdrawal, or on certain methods | Funding page |
| Currency conversion | A markup when your deposit or trades are in a different currency | Fee schedule |
| Swaps | Overnight financing on held positions | Platform contract specs |
| Guaranteed stop premium | An extra charge if a guaranteed stop is triggered | Product page |
| Market data | Monthly fees for some share CFDs or exchanges | Platform or fee schedule |
The cheapest fix: match your currencies
Open the account in the currency you deposit in. Converting euros to dollars on every deposit and withdrawal can quietly cost 0.5% or more each way.
A 30-second check
- Search the broker’s site for “fee schedule” or “charges”
- Find the inactivity rule and set a reminder if you might go quiet
- Check the withdrawal method you’ll actually use
Our broker profiles list minimum deposits, payout times and costs side by side.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
