Editorial policy
We write about brokers from their published terms, regulators' registers and reputable broker directories, and every fact keeps its source. Each broker has an Broker Atlas score (out of 5) calculated from those published conditions with the same rules for everyone (apart from the featured broker’s labelled editorial rating). Lists show one featured broker first, labelled "Featured"; every other broker follows in order of score. Calculated scores and facts cannot be bought.
Independence from affiliate income
Broker Atlas earns money mainly through affiliate commissions from brokers (see our advertising disclosure). To keep that from shaping what you read:
- Every fact keeps its source. Figures come from the broker’s own pages, regulators’ registers and government sites, and where those can’t be read, from reputable broker directories and broker media, with the value most sources agree on. A broker cannot change a figure by asking; only a newer source can. The methodology page explains how each fact is recorded.
- Calculated scores can’t be bought. The Broker Atlas score is calculated from the recorded conditions with fixed rules, the same for every broker except the featured broker’s labelled editorial rating. A commission does not change a score, a description or a weakness we list.
- The featured slot is labelled. Lists show one featured broker first, chosen by us and marked “Featured”. The featured broker’s overall rating is set by our editors and labelled “Editorial rating”; its part scores are calculated like everyone else’s.
- Weaknesses stay in. Offshore licences, withdrawal rules and other drawbacks are described plainly in every review, whether or not we have an affiliate relationship with that broker. The pros and cons in each review’s verdict box come straight from the data.
- Not advice. We compare published conditions. We do not tell individual readers what to trade or how much to deposit.
How brokers are ordered
- The ranking page and other broker lists show the featured broker first, then every other broker in order of Broker Atlas score, highest first. When two brokers have the same score, our editorial order breaks the tie.
- Comparison pages sort by the figure they compare where that is meaningful: for example lowest minimum deposit sorts by minimum deposit, high leverage by maximum leverage and spread comparisons by the spread. Other comparisons follow the ranking order. A chart above each table shows the key figure at a glance.
- You can re-sort any numeric or yes/no column by clicking its header, and the best value in numeric columns is highlighted.
The Broker Atlas score
Every broker gets a score out of 5 in each language edition, calculated from five parts of its published conditions: costs (30%), trading conditions (25%), safety (25%), bonuses (10%) and platforms and tools (10%). A part with no published data counts as 2 out of 5, so withholding a figure never helps. The rules are set out in full on the methodology page, and the score updates whenever the underlying conditions change.
Visitor reviews
Reviews written by traders are published separately from our own text, after a check for spam and promotion. We do not edit their wording to favour a broker, and we cannot verify what they describe. Approved reviews do not change our facts, scores or the order of brokers. How review data is handled is set out in our privacy policy.
Updates and corrections
Each page shows when it was last updated. If you see something wrong, use the contact page; we check the source and correct the page if a newer source shows a different value.
Frequently asked questions
Can brokers pay for a better score or position?
Brokers cannot buy a calculated score, a better description or the removal of a fact: scores are calculated from published conditions with fixed rules. The one exception to score order is the featured broker shown first in lists, which we choose and label "Featured". We may earn affiliate commissions, explained on our disclosure page.
How is the Broker Atlas score calculated?
From five parts of a broker's published conditions: costs 30%, trading conditions 25%, safety 25%, bonuses 10%, and platforms and tools 10%. The exact rules are on the methodology page.
How is the order on the ranking page decided?
The featured broker comes first with a "Featured" label. All other brokers follow in order of Broker Atlas score, highest first.
Can I re-sort a comparison table?
Yes. You can click the header of any numeric or yes/no column, including the score, to sort by it.