The 30-second verdict
Orbex delivers competitive raw-spread pricing on its higher-tier MetaTrader accounts, but retail traders must weigh offshore execution against an EU regulatory licence currently marked under examination for voluntary renunciation.
Pros
- Raw-spread pricing from 0.00 pips with competitive fixed commissions on higher-tier accounts.
- Support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with automated trading via Expert Advisors.
- Zero-fee deposits and withdrawals across cards, electronic wallets, and bank transfers.
Cons
- The Cyprus entity licence is under examination for voluntary renunciation by CySEC.
- A steep $25,000 initial balance is required to secure the lowest commission tier of $5 per round lot.
- Inactivity fees apply after 180 consecutive days without trading or funding activity.
Our main findings on Orbex
Orbex differentiates its offering primarily by scaling execution costs across deposit thresholds rather than separating platform features or trading assets.
| Minimum deposit | $100 |
| Regulation | CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
| Trading costs | EUR/USD round trip per 100k EUR — Premium: $8.00; Starter: $15.00; Ultimate: $5.00 |
| Withdrawals | Mastercard, Visa, Skrill, Wire Transfer |
| Retail eligibility | Yes (2026 individual live account opening and KYC process) |
What stands out
- Raw-spread pricing drops to 0.00 pips for traders maintaining higher account balances.
- Unrestricted algorithmic execution across desktop MetaTrader with Expert Advisor and VPS compatibility.
- Zero transaction surcharges applied by the broker across deposits and withdrawals.
What needs scrutiny
- Verify whether your account falls under CySEC or an offshore entity in Seychelles or Mauritius.
- Assess whether your strategy can tolerate wide stop-order slippage during volatile news releases.
- Factor in the $20 monthly inactivity fee before leaving trading capital idle for six months.
Is Orbex safe, legit and regulated?
Regulatory safeguards depend entirely on which operating company holds the customer agreement, as legal jurisdiction governs fund segregation, leverage rules, and dispute recourse.
Which legal entity serves the customer?
| Legal entity | Regulator | License / register | Client regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbex Ltd | CySEC | 124/10 (under examination for voluntary renunciation) | EU/EEA — CySEC authorisation is under examination for voluntary renunciation |
What protection actually applies?
Clients trading with the Cyprus-registered entity, Orbex Ltd, retain access to investor compensation capped at the lower of 90% of a covered claim and €20,000 under the Investor Compensation Fund. However, CySEC has marked licence 124/10 as under examination for voluntary renunciation, a status that alters long-term regulatory continuity. Accounts contracted under the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles or the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius operate outside statutory European investor compensation funds, offering negative balance protection and segregated client accounts without external statutory insurance.
Orbex fees, spreads and real trading costs
Orbex applies three distinct pricing schedules, where trading costs for EUR/USD fall from an all-in spread of 1.50 pips on the Starter account to 0.80 pips ($8.00 total cost per standard lot) on Premium and 0.50 pips ($5.00 total cost) on Ultimate.
| Instrument & account | Observed spread | Commission | Round-trip total |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD · Premium | 0 pips | $8 | 0.80 pips; $8.00 |
| EUR/USD · Starter | 1.50 pips | $0 | 1.50 pips; $15.00 |
| EUR/USD · Ultimate | 0 pips | $5 | 0.50 pips; $5.00 |
Trading commissions and account-level pricing
The Starter account incorporates broker remuneration entirely within variable floating spreads, starting from 1.50 pips on EUR/USD with zero commission. In contrast, the Premium account charges an $8 round-turn commission per 100,000 currency units alongside raw floating spreads from 0.00 pips, while the Ultimate tier reduces that round-turn commission charge to $5 per standard lot in exchange for a substantial capital commitment.
Overnight financing and non-trading fees
Overnight financing swap fees apply to leveraged spot foreign exchange and derivative positions kept open past daily rollover cut-offs. Non-trading costs remain modest, with zero fees charged on deposit and withdrawal transactions, though an inactivity fee of $20 per month is levied on accounts that show no funding or trading transactions for 180 consecutive days.
Deposits and withdrawals: what really happens?
Orbex offers deposit and withdrawal transactions through credit cards, electronic wallets, and bank transfers without levying internal transactional processing charges.
| Payment method | Funding minimum | Fee | Time / restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cards | # | Deposit: Free; Withdrawal: 0% | Deposit: Instant; Withdrawal: 3–5 business days |
| E-wallets | # | Deposit: Free; Withdrawal: 0% | Deposit: Instant; Withdrawal: Up to 24 hours |
| Bank transfer | # | Deposit: Free; Withdrawal: 0% | Deposit: 2–5 business days; Withdrawal: 3–5 business days |
How to request a withdrawal
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Withdrawal problems reported online
Public customer feedback on forums such as Forex Peace Army and Trustpilot includes individual reports regarding profit cancellations, disputes over price execution, and processing delays during fund withdrawals. While these public grievances reflect individual customer experiences rather than systemic broker failure, they highlight the necessity of completing identity verification before trading.
Deposit Methods
Withdrawal Methods
Account types, leverage and trading conditions
The entry barrier ranges from $100 for the Starter account to $500 for Premium and $25,000 for Ultimate, each accessing identical maximum leverage of up to 1:500 under eligible global corporate entities.
| Account | Minimum | Pricing | Platform | Leverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | $500 | Raw FX spreads + $8 commission per standard lot | MT4; MT5 | Up to 1:500 on eligible global offering |
| Starter | $100 | Variable FX spreads, no FX lot commission | MT4; MT5 | Up to 1:500 on eligible global offering |
| Ultimate | $25,000 | Raw FX spreads + $5 commission per standard lot | MT4; MT5 | Up to 1:500 on eligible global offering |
Demo account and free practice tools
Traders can open a free demo account on MetaTrader to test order placement, automated Expert Advisors, and chart navigation under simulated market conditions without committing capital.
Leverage, stop-out levels and risk
A margin call alert triggers when equity falls to 100% of required margin across open trades. If account margin deteriorates further to the 20% stop-out threshold, MetaTrader automatically liquidates open positions to protect against extended deficit balances, supplemented by broker negative balance protection.
Trading platforms, MT4/MT5 and mobile apps
Orbex operates third-party MetaTrader infrastructure, deploying MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 across desktop, web browser, and mobile applications, alongside a dedicated proprietary mobile application reserved strictly for account management.
| Platform | Available devices | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | Web, Desktop, Mobile | Full MQL4/EAs/custom-script functionality is desktop/VPS-centric; the browser/mobile clients do not provide the full desktop automation environment. |
| MetaTrader 5 | Web, Desktop, Mobile | Full EA/custom-code development and testing are desktop/VPS-centric; browser/mobile versions are primarily for trading and monitoring. |
What the trading interface looks like
The MetaTrader interface delivers customisable charting windows, multiple timeframes, depth of market displays on MT5, and standard one-click order execution panels directly within the charting workspace.
Automation, APIs and copy trading
Algorithmic trading is fully supported on the desktop and virtual private server environments using MQL4 on MT4 and MQL5 on MT5. Orbex permits hedging, scalping, and news trading, while mobile and web platforms remain restricted to manual order management and position tracking rather than automated code development.
Which markets can you trade or invest in?
Orbex offers derivative trading across 70 foreign exchange currency pairs, 15 index contracts, 12 commodity contracts, 300 stock share contracts, and 11 cryptocurrency contracts, all structured as contracts for difference. Traders hold derivative price exposure rather than acquiring underlying company shares or holding digital tokens in a personal cryptocurrency wallet, with crypto derivatives excluded for UK retail residents.
| Market | Underlying asset or derivative? | Supported instruments | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex | Leveraged FX (CFD / rolling spot) | 70 | Forex trading involves leveraged positions. Positions held overnight may incur swap or financing charges. |
| Indices | Index CFDs | 15 | Index CFDs provide exposure to index price movements without giving traders ownership of the underlying shares. Cash and futures contracts can have different trading hours, terms and financing costs. Eligible clients may have access to leverage of up to 1:100. |
| Commodities | Commodity CFDs | 12 | Commodity CFDs provide exposure to price movements without requiring physical delivery. Some contracts have expiry dates or require rollover, and financing charges may apply. Eligible clients may have access to leverage of up to 1:100. |
| Stocks | Stock CFDs | 300 | Stock CFDs track share prices without giving traders ownership or voting rights. Positions held overnight may incur financing charges. |
| Crypto | Crypto CFDs | 11 | Crypto-linked contracts provide price exposure rather than ownership of coins or holdings in a personal wallet. Access depends on the region and account type. Crypto derivatives are not available to UK retail clients. |
Order execution, slippage and performance
Execution functions on a No Dealing Desk basis, routing trades through external liquidity channels to minimise conflict of interest during routine market conditions.
Report measured outcomes
Orbex reports an average internal execution speed of 30 milliseconds across its trading infrastructure.
Disclose limitations
Low advertised processing speeds do not guarantee that trade orders execute without price adjustments. Slippage frequently occurs during fast-moving economic news announcements or illiquid market openings, meaning stop-loss orders can execute at prices worse than the requested level when price gaps arise.
Customer support, research and education
Orbex maintains direct customer service channels alongside technical market analysis and structured instructional materials.
Customer Support
Client support operates 24/5 via live web chat, direct telephone assistance, and email support in English and Arabic.
Market Research and Education
Research resources feature daily technical analysis articles, market buzz summaries, trading ideas, and an interactive economic calendar. Educational content includes structured live webinars, video masterclasses, downloadable eBooks, and a financial glossary designed for evolving skill levels.
Customer reviews, complaints and reputation
Public feedback across trader communities reflects approval for round-the-clock support availability, competitive raw spreads, and straightforward deposit processing. Conversely, negative themes on Trustpilot and Forex Peace Army centre on disputes regarding trade execution, withdrawal verification hold-ups, and profit adjustments under specific volatility events.
| Source | Profile and dates | Positive themes | Negative themes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | Profile: Orbex Dates: Profile URL audited 18 Oct 2026. | Trade Execution; Spreads; Account Features | Profit Adjustment Disputes; Fees; Withdrawal Issues |
| Forex Peace Army | FPA profile available | Checked: 18 Oct 2026 | Review dates cited: 2023-03-21 | Deposits, Withdrawals, Support | Profits cancelled, Withdrawal processing fees, Price and execution disputes |
| Profiles: r/Forex Dates: 2022-01-28 Context: unverified Reddit user discussion | Convenient support hours | None reported |
Who should use Orbex, and who should avoid it?
Orbex caters to distinct trader profiles depending on capital size, analytical preferences, and regulatory expectations.
New traders
Beginners benefit from accessible $100 initial deposit accounts, extensive educational webinars, and zero-commission pricing structures that avoid separate transaction calculations.
Active forex traders
High-volume currency traders requiring tight raw spreads can utilise the Premium and Ultimate tiers on MetaTrader 4 and 5 with full Expert Advisor automation.
Long-term investors
Investors seeking multi-year asset accumulation will find cash dividends and direct share ownership absent, as all equity and commodity markets trade as leveraged contracts with recurring overnight financing costs.
Regulation-first customers
Traders demanding traditional top-tier European protection should note that Orbex Ltd's CySEC authorisation is under examination for voluntary renunciation, with retail onboarding largely handled by offshore regulatory entities.
Orbex alternatives worth considering
Traders evaluating alternatives to Orbex may consider HYCM and Tickmill as established brokerages with alternative account and pricing models. HYCM allows traders to select between Fixed, Classic, and Raw spread account types depending on whether they prefer fixed trading costs or commission-based execution across multiple platforms. Tickmill presents a focused Classic and Raw structure tailored towards active algorithmic traders seeking low commission rates and tight spreads under diverse international regulatory authorisations.
| Broker | Best for | When it is better | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbex | Starter, Premium and higher-tier accounts | Orbex offers several forex account levels, including Starter and Premium. It may suit traders who want to choose a service tier based on the features and qualification rules that apply to them. | Not all tiers have the same conditions or requirements. Check platform access and the agreement issued by your local Orbex entity. |
| HYCM | Choosing Raw, Fixed or Classic | For Orbex users, this shifts the choice from service tiers to the type of forex dealing arrangement. HYCM offers Raw, Fixed and Classic accounts, giving forex traders several ways to structure their trading service. | The formats come with different terms and may not all be offered in your region. Review the actual entity and product agreement. |
| Tickmill | Examining a Raw forex account | Tickmill has Raw and Classic forex accounts with different trading conditions. It is more directly relevant if your goal is to examine a Raw account rather than choose between Orbex tier names. | Raw and Classic are different formats, and higher tiers can have eligibility requirements. Confirm current order rules and the local contracting entity. |
Can you open an account in your country?
Retail traders opening an individual live trading account must satisfy regional identity verification requirements to trade foreign exchange and contracts for difference.
How the signup process works
- #
Final verdict: should you trade with Orbex?
Choose Orbex if you require competitive raw spreads on MetaTrader with algorithmic flexibility on account balances of $500 or more; hesitate if you require tier-one regulatory supervision or direct share ownership without overnight financing friction.
How we researched this review
This assessment examines trading commission schedules, real execution infrastructure, verified entity licences, and customer feedback across international trading forums.
| Review area | Research focus |
|---|---|
| Legal entity and licence | Identify the contracting firms, regulators, licence references and regional protections. |
| Fees and account terms | Compare trading costs, account conditions and additional charges by account type. |
| Withdrawals | Examine payment methods, stated processing times and applicable charges. |
| Customer feedback | Compare recurring themes across dated customer reviews and discussions. |
Frequently asked questions
8 questionsIs Orbex legit or a scam?
Orbex is an established brokerage operating since 2011 with regulatory authorisations across multiple jurisdictions, though its primary operational coverage for global retail clients relies on offshore entities in Seychelles and Mauritius.
Is Orbex regulated in my country?
Clients are onboarded under regional entities, including the FSA in Seychelles, the FSC in Mauritius, or Orbex Ltd in Cyprus where the licence is currently under examination for voluntary renunciation, meaning local regulatory protections vary considerably by territory.
What is Orbex's minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $100 for the Starter account, rising to $500 for the Premium account and $25,000 for the Ultimate account.
How long do Orbex withdrawals take?
Withdrawals to electronic wallets typically take up to 24 hours, whereas card and bank wire transfers generally process within three to five business days.
Does Orbex charge withdrawal fees?
Orbex charges no internal withdrawal fees across supported payment channels, though bank transfers require a minimum payout of USD 200.
Does Orbex support MT4, MT5 or TradingView?
Orbex supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 on desktop, web, and mobile, but it does not connect directly to TradingView.
Is Orbex good for beginners?
Beginners can access structured video courses and market commentary alongside a zero-commission Starter account, though raw-spread benefits remain reserved for larger account deposits.
Who owns Orbex, and where is it based?
Orbex maintains operational headquarters at 82nd Street, No.6, Ground Floor, 4153 Kato Polemidia, Limassol, Cyprus.
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