The Orbex Decision Map
| Decision Question | FxFind Finding |
|---|---|
| Main reason to consider it | Three account tiers offer a choice between $0 commission and raw spreads with per-lot commissions; MT4 and MT5 are available. |
| Main limitation | Legal-entity protections differ, and the $200 minimum for each listed deposit method exceeds Starter’s $100 minimum. |
| Most natural fit | Traders at beginner through advanced levels who value education and research resources and can choose an account tier that suits their costs. |
| Relevant account/platform setup | Starter, Premium or Ultimate on MT4 or MT5, with account minimums from $100 to $25,000. |
| FxFind Rating | 7.95/10 |
View the FxFind rating breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Trust and Safety | 7.8 |
| Fees and Commissions | 8.3 |
| Deposits and Withdrawals | 8.2 |
| Tradable Instruments | 7.2 |
| Setup | 8.0 |
| Account Opening | 8.5 |
| Customer Support | 8.0 |
| Trading Conditions | 8.3 |
| Market Research and Education | 7.5 |
Trading frequency and spread preferences can help determine which tier’s cost structure is appropriate. The practical entry point also depends on the payment minimum and the entity providing the account.
Pros
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Three account tiers combine different minimum deposits, spreads and commissions.
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MT4 and MT5 support desktop, web and mobile trading, with desktop automation available.
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Educational resources include articles, videos, ebooks, quizzes, webinars and a glossary.
Cons
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The $200 minimum on each listed deposit method exceeds Starter’s $100 minimum.
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Investor-compensation coverage differs by entity; the FSA Seychelles and FSC Mauritius entities have no statutory fund coverage.
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A $20 monthly inactivity fee applies after 180 consecutive days without trading or funding transactions.
Orbex by Client Region and Legal Entity
Legal Entities by Client Region
| Client Location / Group | Contracting Entity | Regulator | Licence | What Changes for the Client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA — CySEC authorisation is under examination for voluntary renunciation | Orbex Ltd | CySEC | 124/10 (under examination for voluntary renunciation) | CySEC marks the licence as under examination for voluntary renunciation, a status relevant to the regulatory framework for EU/EEA clients. |
Protection by Entity
EU residents are covered for up to $22,000 under the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund (ICF). The FSA Seychelles and FSC Mauritius entities have $0 statutory fund coverage. Orbex also states that client funds are segregated and negative balance protection is available.
Orbex identifies Mauritius and Saint Lucia as regulator jurisdictions; its stated regulatory information also names FSC Mauritius. The entity named in the client agreement determines which protections apply.
Trading Costs by Account and Instrument
Account Pricing Structure
| Account | Minimum Deposit | Spread | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $100 | From 1.5 pips | $0 |
| Premium | $500 | From 0.0 pips | $8/lot round-turn |
| Ultimate | $25,000 | From 0.0 pips | $5/lot round-turn |
Representative Trading Costs
| Instrument | Spread Basis | Commission | Important Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD | Broker-reported average: 1.5 pips | Starter: $0; Premium: $8/lot round-turn; Ultimate: $5/lot round-turn | Spread and commission structures differ by account tier. |
| GBPUSD | Broker-reported average: 1.8 pips | Starter: $0; Premium: $8/lot round-turn; Ultimate: $5/lot round-turn | Spread and commission structures differ by account tier. |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | Broker-reported average: 0.38 points | Starter: $0; Premium: $8/lot round-turn; Ultimate: $5/lot round-turn | Spread and commission structures differ by account tier. |
| S&P 500 CFD | Broker-reported average: 1.7 points | Starter: $0; Premium: $8/lot round-turn; Ultimate: $5/lot round-turn | Spread and commission structures differ by account tier. |
Costs Outside the Trade
| Trader Behavior | Possible Cost | Broker Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving positions open overnight | Swap fees | Overnight swap fees apply. |
| Leaving the account inactive | $20 (or currency equivalent) per month | Charged after 180 consecutive days without trading or funding transactions. |
| Depositing or withdrawing | Third-party or local-gateway fees may apply | Orbex charges no deposit or withdrawal fee; payment providers or banks may charge separately. |
| Holding funds in a currency different from the transaction currency | Currency conversion fee | No broker currency conversion fee. |
Beyond spread and commission, trading frequency and time out of the market affect costs. Starter has no commission, while the raw-spread tiers carry a round-turn charge. Inactive clients also face a recurring fee after six months.
Key Trade-Offs to Consider
Raw spreads require a larger deposit and a per-lot charge
Premium and Ultimate advertise spreads from 0.0 pips, with round-turn commissions of $8/lot and $5/lot respectively. Their minimum deposits are $500 and $25,000. The lower-commission Ultimate tier therefore requires substantially more starting capital. Compare the combined spread and commission with Starter’s spread-only structure; the raw spread is not the full trading cost.
The account minimum is not the payment-channel minimum
Starter has a $100 minimum deposit, but each listed card, Skrill and wire-transfer route has a $200 minimum. Opening the lowest-deposit account through these methods may therefore require funding above the account threshold.
Protection depends on the entity
Client protections differ: EU residents have Cyprus ICF coverage of up to $22,000, while the FSA Seychelles and FSC Mauritius entities have no statutory fund coverage. This distinction matters when weighing compensation arrangements alongside trading costs and platform choice.
Build a Trading Setup
Account and Platform Compatibility
| Account | Compatible Platforms | Pricing Model | Automation | Important Constraint | Natural Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | MT4 / MT5 | Spread from 1.5 pips; $0 commission | MT4 Expert Advisors and MT5 Expert Advisors are supported on desktop/VPS environments. | $100 minimum deposit; listed payment methods start at $200. | Traders who prefer a spread-only account structure. |
| Premium | MT4 / MT5 | Spread from 0.0 pips; $8/lot round-turn commission | MT4 Expert Advisors and MT5 Expert Advisors are supported on desktop/VPS environments. | $500 minimum deposit. | Traders comparing raw spreads with a per-lot commission. |
| Ultimate | MT4 / MT5 | Spread from 0.0 pips; $5/lot round-turn commission | MT4 Expert Advisors and MT5 Expert Advisors are supported on desktop/VPS environments. | $25,000 minimum deposit. | Traders who meet the higher entry threshold and prefer the lower stated commission. |
Platform-Specific Differences
Orbex offers MT4 and MT5 on desktop, web and iOS/Android. MT4 automation uses Expert Advisors (MQL4), while MT5 supports Expert Advisors (MQL5), Strategy Tester and MQL5 automation. Full EA functionality, custom-code development and testing are desktop/VPS-centric; browser and mobile versions are primarily for trading and monitoring.
The Orbex Mobile App is for account management; mobile trading is through MT4 or MT5. Orbex also supports API trading, copy trading and social trading. A free VPS is available to accounts maintaining a $500 or higher balance and trading at least 3 standard lots per month.
Practical Setup Assessment
Manual traders can use either MetaTrader platform on desktop, web or mobile. Strategy automation requires a desktop or VPS environment for full EA functionality. Copy and social trading are supported, and the free VPS has both balance and monthly trading-volume conditions.
Trading Conditions and Position Management
Entering the Market
Orbex operates as an ECN/STP broker and offers trading through MT4 and MT5. Slippage may occur in high-volatility markets and on stop orders. The minimum lot size is 0.01.
Leverage
Orbex advertises fixed leverage up to 1:500 on Forex pairs through its FSA Seychelles and FSC Mauritius entities. The asset-level leverage information gives no verified single current maximum for Forex, stocks or cryptocurrencies, so the exact symbol and entity matter. Indices and commodities have stated retail maximums of 1:100, which can fall at larger position sizes, during volatility or news, or under another entity.
| Market | Maximum Retail Leverage | Professional / Other Eligible Leverage | What Determines It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex | N/A | - | Not applicable for the stated market/status. |
| Indices | 1:100 | - | Maximum can fall at larger position sizes, during volatility/news, or under another legal entity. No separate professional/eligible-client leverage tier is publicly stated for this offering. |
| Commodities | 1:100 | - | Leverage is instrument/entity-specific and may reduce at larger exposure levels or under different legal entities. No separate professional/eligible-client leverage tier is publicly stated for this offering. |
| Stocks | N/A | - | Not applicable for the stated market/status. |
| Bonds | - | - | - |
| Cryptocurrencies | N/A | - | Not applicable for the stated market/status. |
| Other | - | - | - |
Margin Calls and Stop-Outs
A margin alert is triggered when equity falls to 100% of required margin. On MT4 and MT5 accounts, automatic position liquidation starts at a 20% margin level. Orbex also provides negative balance protection.
Trading Restrictions
| Trading Activity | Status | Important Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Hedging | Allowed | Subject to the broker’s current instrument, account and legal-entity trading rules. |
| Scalping | Allowed | Subject to the broker’s current instrument, account and legal-entity trading rules. |
| News trading | Allowed | Slippage may occur in high-volatility markets and on stop orders. |
| Expert Advisors | Supported | MT4 and MT5 automation is desktop/VPS-centric; browser and mobile clients do not provide the full desktop automation environment. |
| API trading | Yes | Subject to the broker’s current instrument, account and legal-entity trading rules. |
Tradable Markets: Range and Restrictions
| Asset Class | Approx. Instruments | What Is Notable | Main Restriction / Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex | 70 | Margin FX trading; swaps may apply | Instrument availability, leverage and contract terms can vary by account, legal entity and jurisdiction; check the current product specification. |
| Indices | 15 | Cash- and futures-referenced index derivatives | Maximum can fall at larger position sizes, during volatility/news, or under another legal entity. No separate professional/eligible-client leverage tier is publicly stated for this offering. |
| Commodities | 12 | Spot- and futures-referenced commodity derivatives | Leverage is instrument/entity-specific and may reduce at larger exposure levels or under different legal entities. No separate professional/eligible-client leverage tier is publicly stated for this offering. |
| Stocks | 300 | Share CFDs; no ownership or voting rights | Instrument availability, leverage and contract terms can vary by account, legal entity and jurisdiction; check the current product specification. |
| Bonds | Not Offered | - | - |
| Cryptocurrencies | 11 | Crypto access varies by entity and jurisdiction | Instrument availability, leverage and contract terms can vary by account, legal entity and jurisdiction; check the current product specification. |
| Other | Not Offered | - | - |
Opening, Funding, and Withdrawing From an Account
Account Opening and Verification
Orbex requires KYC verification and offers demo and Islamic accounts. Base currencies are USD, EUR, GBP and PLN. Residents of the United States, Iran, North Korea, Indonesia, Mauritius and Romania are restricted.
Minimum deposits are $100 for Starter, $500 for Premium and $25,000 for Ultimate. Each listed payment method has a $200 minimum, above Starter’s account minimum.
Deposit Methods
| Method | Deposit Minimum | Broker Fee | Expected Arrival | Important Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard | $200 | No broker deposit fee for online payments, gateway/bank fees may apply | Instant | The card must support online payments and be accepted by the broker. Issuer, country, currency and authentication limits may apply. |
| Skrill | $200 | No broker deposit fee for online payments, gateway/bank fees may apply | Instant | An eligible Skrill account is required. Country availability, account verification and transaction limits may apply. |
| Visa | $200 | No broker deposit fee for online payments, gateway/bank fees may apply | Instant | The card must support online payments and be accepted by the broker. Issuer, country, currency and authentication limits may apply. |
| Wire Transfer | $200 | No broker deposit fee for online payments, gateway/bank fees may apply | 2–5 business days | Use the beneficiary, bank details and payment reference provided. Intermediary bank fees, currency conversion and processing delays may apply. |
Withdrawal Methods
| Method | Withdrawal Minimum | Broker Fee | Expected Arrival | Important Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard | $50 | 0% on most standard methods, third-party/local-gateway fees may apply | About 3–5 business days | Available only through supported card-payout or refund routes; issuer and regional restrictions apply. |
| Skrill | $50 | 0% on most standard methods, third-party/local-gateway fees may apply | Up to 24 hours | An eligible Skrill account is required; verification, country and wallet limits apply. |
| Visa | $50 | 0% on most standard methods, third-party/local-gateway fees may apply | About 3–5 business days | Available only through supported card-payout or refund routes; issuer and regional restrictions apply. |
| Wire Transfer | $200 for bank-wire profit withdrawals | 0% on most standard methods, third-party/local-gateway fees may apply | About 3–5 business days | Enter bank, recipient and SWIFT/BIC details exactly; fees and processing delays may apply. |
Cards and Skrill are listed as instant deposit methods; wire transfers take 2–5 business days. Withdrawal times vary by route, and external provider or bank charges may apply despite Orbex’s stated fee policy.
Customer Support
| Route | Access | Hours | Human / Automated | Languages / Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Live chat | 24/5, Monday–Friday | Human / agent-assisted | English, Arabic |
| [email protected] | Messages accepted 24/7; staffed 24 hours Monday–Friday | Human / agent-assisted | English, Arabic; Turkish 06:00–15:00 GMT | |
| Phone | +230 467 2000 | 24 hours Monday–Friday | Human / callback support where offered | English, Arabic; Turkish 06:00–15:00 GMT |
Customer feedback is mixed. Some users describe quick, practical help; others report problems with deposit or funding support and unclear communication. Concerns tend to focus on follow-through with funding issues rather than access to contact channels.
Research, Trading Tools, and Education
| User Need | Available Resources | Provider | Access Requirement | Depth / Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market context and trading ideas | Market Research; Trading Ideas | Trading Central / Orbex; Trading Ideas by Trading Central | Live Orbex account; Trading Central is offered to active/live clients, with Trading Ideas available via MyOrbex or platform integration. | Research breadth, update frequency and instrument coverage vary. Ideas may include setups with levels or scenarios where supported, but coverage is limited and outcomes are not guaranteed. |
| Scheduled events | Economic Calendar | Trading Central – Economic Insight | Live-account Trading Central suite; separate public calendar content may also exist. | Includes scheduled macro events with actual, forecast and previous data; it cannot capture unscheduled news or every market-moving event. |
| News and market attention | Market Buzz | Trading Central – Market Buzz | Live Orbex account / Trading Central suite | AI/NLP aggregation of news and social attention highlights activity, not necessarily market direction. |
| Chart-based analysis | Technical Analysis | Trading Central – Technical Views | Live Orbex account / Trading Central suite | Price- and indicator-based analysis can produce false signals because it relies on backward-looking inputs and model assumptions. |
Separate educational resources include articles, videos, ebooks, quizzes, webinars and a glossary. These materials complement the live-account Trading Central tools but do not replace independent assessment of trade risk.
Who Orbex Fits
| Trader Profile | Why It May Suit Them | Main Reservation |
|---|---|---|
| Traders building market knowledge | Orbex serves beginner through advanced traders and offers articles, videos, ebooks, quizzes, webinars and a glossary. | Some research tools, including the Trading Central suite, require a live account. |
| Traders comparing spread-only and raw-spread pricing | Starter has $0 commission, while Premium and Ultimate pair spreads from 0.0 pips with per-lot commissions. | The raw-spread accounts require $500 or $25,000, and each listed deposit method has a $200 minimum. |
| MetaTrader users who automate strategies | MT4 and MT5 support desktop Expert Advisors; MT5 also includes Strategy Tester and MQL5 automation. | Full EA and custom-code functionality is desktop/VPS-centric; free VPS eligibility requires a $500 balance and 3 standard lots traded monthly. |
| Clients prioritizing investor-compensation coverage | EU residents have up to $22,000 coverage under the Cyprus ICF. | The FSA Seychelles and FSC Mauritius entities have $0 statutory fund coverage, and the CySEC licence is under examination for voluntary renunciation. |
Before you deposit
Key Conditions to Verify Before Funding
Entity and compensation protection Tap to read the check Tap to collapse
Check the entity named in your account agreement: EU residents have up to $22,000 Cyprus ICF coverage, while the FSA Seychelles and FSC Mauritius entities have $0 statutory fund coverage.
Deposit method minimum Tap to read the check Tap to collapse
Starter’s account minimum is $100, but each listed deposit method has a $200 minimum.
Inactivity fee Tap to read the check Tap to collapse
A $20 monthly fee, or currency equivalent, applies after 180 consecutive days without trading or funding transactions.
Withdrawal timing and third-party charges Tap to read the check Tap to collapse
Card and wire withdrawals take about 3–5 business days, while Skrill withdrawals can take up to 24 hours; third-party or local-gateway fees may apply.
FxFind's Assessment on Orbex
Orbex offers a familiar MetaTrader setup with a choice between a spread-only Starter account and two raw-spread tiers with different round-turn commissions. MT4 and MT5 also support desktop automation. The account thresholds need to match the trader’s capital and activity: Starter begins at $100, but listed deposit routes start at $200, while Premium and Ultimate require substantially larger balances.
The main trade-off concerns the regulatory structure rather than the platforms. Investor-compensation coverage depends on the client’s entity, and the CySEC licence for Orbex Ltd is under examination for voluntary renunciation. Orbex may suit traders who value its research and education resources and can choose an account while accepting the applicable entity protections. Clients who require statutory fund coverage under the FSA Seychelles or FSC Mauritius entities may find that structure unsuitable.
Review method: This assessment draws on broker product and trading terms, regulatory information, customer feedback, market and platform details, and FxFind category scores. See the FxFind Broker Review Methodology for scoring criteria and weightings.
Questions Readers Usually Have About Orbex
What is Orbex’s minimum deposit?
The minimum is $100 for Starter, $500 for Premium and $25,000 for Ultimate. Each listed deposit method has a $200 minimum, above Starter’s account minimum.
How do Orbex’s account commissions work?
Starter charges $0 commission and has spreads from 1.5 pips. Premium and Ultimate offer spreads from 0.0 pips, with round-turn commissions of $8/lot and $5/lot respectively.
What investor-compensation protection does Orbex provide?
EU residents have up to $22,000 coverage under the Cyprus ICF. The FSA Seychelles and FSC Mauritius entities have $0 statutory fund coverage. The CySEC licence for Orbex Ltd is under examination for voluntary renunciation.
Which platforms can Orbex clients use?
Orbex offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 on desktop, web and iOS/Android. The Orbex Mobile App is for account management; mobile trading is through MT4 or MT5. Full EA and custom-code functionality is desktop/VPS-centric.
Does Orbex charge an inactivity fee?
Yes. Orbex charges $20 per month, or currency equivalent, after 180 consecutive days without trading or funding transactions.
How long do Orbex deposits and withdrawals take?
Card and Skrill deposits are listed as instant, while wire deposits take 2–5 business days. Skrill withdrawals can take up to 24 hours; card and wire withdrawals take about 3–5 business days.
Can Orbex clients use Expert Advisors or a VPS?
MT4 and MT5 support Expert Advisors in desktop/VPS environments. Orbex offers a free VPS to accounts maintaining a balance of at least $500 and trading a minimum of 3 standard lots per month.