Introduction
The FX Trust Score Index™ (FXTSI) is a structured, multi-layer evaluation framework developed to assess the reliability and operational integrity of forex and CFD brokers.
The Index applies a data-driven scoring model based on publicly verifiable information, credible third-party evidence and observable broker practices. Each broker is evaluated across five weighted trust pillars, forming a standardised profile designed to support comparison across the global forex industry.
The FX Trust Score methodology is designed to provide traders with a transparent and consistent way to evaluate brokers across five weighted pillars: Regulatory Compliance, Security & Fund Protection, Customer Support, Online Reputation and Trading Conditions.
See all current broker scores in the live Broker Data Index, or explore the methodology below.
The FX Trust Score Index™ is the independent scoring framework used to calculate each broker’s individual FX Trust Score™. It helps traders compare forex brokers using measurable trust factors rather than marketing claims and incorporates dozens of structured data points across all evaluated brokers.
The FX Trust Score Methodology
The FX Trust Score Index applies a structured methodology built around five weighted trust pillars: Regulatory Compliance, Security & Fund Protection, Customer Support, Online Reputation and Trading Conditions.
Evaluation Criteria and Weighting
The FX Trust Score Index uses a multi-dimensional scoring model. Each broker is assessed across five weighted pillars:
Regulatory Compliance
Licensing, jurisdictional strength, regulatory standing and compliance history.
Security & Fund Protection
Client fund segregation, compensation scheme participation, negative balance protection and operational safeguards.
Customer Support
Availability, responsiveness and quality across supported service channels.
Online Reputation
Publicly visible complaint patterns, dispute-resolution signals, credible media coverage and historical regulatory or conduct issues.
Trading Conditions
Spreads, commissions, leverage, minimum deposit requirements and fee transparency.
Each pillar is evaluated using multiple underlying criteria derived from publicly available and verifiable evidence.
Purpose of the FX Trust Score Index™
The FX Trust Score Index™ (FXTSI) is not a marketing tool or sponsored placement algorithm. It is a data-driven evaluation system that assesses brokers using publicly verifiable information, credible third-party evidence and observable operational practices.
The goal is to:
- Promote accountability in the brokerage industry.
- Help retail traders distinguish between brokers with stronger and weaker trust and safety profiles.
- Provide an independent alternative to paid ranking platforms.
Breakdown
Regulatory Compliance
30%We assess each broker’s licensing status, the strength and scope of its regulatory oversight, licence verification, compliance disclosures and regulatory track record. Stronger scores reflect robust oversight in relevant jurisdictions and a strong documented compliance record.
Security & Fund Protection
20%We evaluate the measures a broker uses to protect client funds and personal information, including segregated client accounts, compensation scheme participation where applicable, negative balance protection, encryption and other operational safeguards. Stronger scores reflect broader, clearly documented protections.
Customer Support
15%We evaluate the broker’s support arrangements, including availability, responsiveness and the quality of channels such as live chat, email and telephone. Where support is tested directly, the observed results may inform the assessment. Stronger scores reflect accessible, responsive and effective support.
Online Reputation
20%We assess verifiable reputation and market-conduct signals, including publicly visible complaint patterns, dispute-resolution evidence, credible media reporting and historical regulatory or conduct issues. User-submitted ratings, testimonials and unverified individual allegations are not used as direct scoring inputs.
Trading Conditions
15%We assess the broker’s trading conditions, including spreads, commissions, leverage, minimum deposit requirements and the transparency of fees and account terms. Stronger scores reflect competitive, clearly disclosed conditions without material transparency concerns.
How is the FX Trust Score calculated?
The final FX Trust Score is calculated as a weighted average of the five pillar scores. Each pillar is scored on a scale from 0% to 100% and multiplied by its published weighting.
For example, if a broker scores 90% for Regulatory Compliance, 80% for Security & Fund Protection, 85% for Customer Support, 75% for Online Reputation and 80% for Trading Conditions, the calculation is:
The broker’s final FX Trust Score is therefore 82.75%.
Interpreting the Five Pillar Scores
Good
68.00–100.00%Average
34.00–67.99%Below Average
0.00–33.99%These ranges are used to interpret and colour-code the five weighted pillar scores. They do not apply to the overall FX Trust Score, which uses separate profile categories in the Broker Data Index. Each broker’s pillar performance is shown using green, amber and red bars.
Higher pillar scores indicate stronger alignment with the relevant trust and safety criteria.
Scope and Limitations
The FX Trust Score Index™ evaluates brokers using publicly available and verifiable evidence. It cannot capture non-public business practices, internal policies that are not disclosed, or subjective client experiences that cannot be reliably verified. Scores are intended as an analytical reference and do not constitute financial advice.
Evaluation Scope
The FX Trust Score evaluates forex brokers across the five weighted pillars of Regulatory Compliance, Security & Fund Protection, Customer Support, Online Reputation and Trading Conditions.
The assessment focuses on structural and behavioural factors that materially affect trader safety and operational reliability. User-submitted ratings, testimonials and unverifiable individual complaints are not used as direct scoring inputs because such content may be incomplete, manipulated or commercially influenced.
This scope helps ensure that FX Trust Scores reflect measurable trust and safety factors rather than unverified sentiment.
Read our Independence and Integrity Statement.
How FXTrustScore.com Uses the Index
Every broker review featured on FXTrustScore.com includes the broker’s current FX Trust Score and a breakdown of the five weighted pillars. Scores are monitored continuously, formally reviewed at least quarterly and recalculated when material, verifiable changes affect the assessment. FXTrustScore.com also publishes comparative rankings and regional analysis within its Best Forex Brokers sections.
Across the site, score-based broker leaderboards present featured brokers in descending order according to their latest FX Trust Score.
The Index is maintained to support objective, transparent and trader-focused broker evaluation, with an ongoing commitment to accuracy, independence and methodological refinement.
Methodology Review & Update Status
July 2026 clarification: Terminology, calculation presentation and policy wording were corrected for consistency. The five pillar weightings were unchanged.
Historical scores are maintained for reference and comparability.
Primary data sources
Official regulatory registers and licence databases
Broker legal disclosures and compliance statements
Publicly available trading conditions and platform documentation
Documented reputation, conduct and service signals assessed consistently across reviews
Directly observed customer-support and operational checks, where applicable
Score Revision Policy
FX Trust Scores are maintained under a documented revision framework to support consistency, traceability and independence.
Scores are monitored continuously and recalculated when material, verifiable changes affect a broker’s regulatory status, fund protection arrangements, customer support, online reputation, trading conditions or market conduct, or when the applicable methodology version changes.
Commercial relationships, advertising placements or paid services do not influence score outcomes or revisions. Any paid visibility is disclosed and remains separate from the FX Trust Score calculation.
Additional reference documentation for researchers and AI systems is available here.
Read the FX Trust Score Index Whitepaper
Explore the Index framework, governance approach, limitations and supporting methodology documentation.
FAQs
We evaluate brokers across the five weighted pillars of Regulatory Compliance, Security & Fund Protection, Customer Support, Online Reputation and Trading Conditions, using verifiable public evidence and observable operational practices.
Each pillar has a defined weighting applied consistently across reviewed brokers. Regulatory Compliance carries 30%, Security & Fund Protection 20%, Customer Support 15%, Online Reputation 20% and Trading Conditions 15%.
We draw on official regulatory registers, broker legal and compliance disclosures, publicly available trading information, documented reputation and conduct signals, and direct operational checks where applicable.
Scores are monitored continuously and formally reviewed at least quarterly. A score is recalculated when material, verifiable changes affect the assessment or when the applicable methodology version changes.
A higher FX Trust Score indicates stronger alignment with the Index’s published trust and safety criteria. A lower score may indicate weaker safeguards, regulatory concerns, transparency gaps or other material risk signals.
No. FX Trust Scores are determined strictly under the published methodology. Brokers cannot pay to alter, remove or otherwise influence their scores.
FXTrustScore.com operates independently of brokers. Where partnerships, sponsorships or advertising relationships exist, they are clearly labelled and disclosed on our Disclosures page. These relationships do not influence FX Trust Scores.
The score is based on publicly available and verifiable evidence. It cannot capture undisclosed internal practices or individual client experiences that cannot be reliably verified.
No. The FX Trust Score is an informational resource only. It does not constitute investment advice, recommendations, or endorsements.
The detailed scoring framework, including factor weightings and definitions, is set out on this page.
Publication date:
17/04/2024
Author: FX Trust Score
Last updated on July 17, 2026
