OANDA is a true global broker which since 2015 introduced spread betting for UK clients. We compared their platform offering to the leading UK spread bet brokers and found they were the best option for beginners new to trading.
OANDA Summary
I enjoyed using OANDA to spread during my tests. I found its trading conditions excellent, with near-instant order filling and no requotes.
In addition, it has some of the lowest spreads from my testing, achieving 1.0 pips on average for EUR/USD, which helps reduce costs. It’s also one of a handful of brokers that support third-party platforms like MT4 and TradingView for spread betting, making it a strong contender for best-spread betting brokers.
76.6% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
While using my spread betting account, I found OANDA had tight spreads for popular currency pairs like the EUR/USD in its spread betting accounts. I compared the spreads with ten different FCA-regulated brokers and found OANDA’s spreads among the lowest in the industry.
|
Spread Bet Spreads
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1.00 | 1.10 | 1.50 | 1.20 | 1.50 |
|
0.80 | 1.10 | 1.40 | 1.00 | 1.40 |
|
0.90 | 1.20 | 1.40 | 1.10 | 1.80 |
|
0.85 | 1.40 | 1.40 | 0.82 | 1.77 |
|
1.10 | 1.30 | 1.60 | 1.20 | 1.60 |
|
1.20 | 1.30 | 1.30 | 1.20 | 1.70 |
|
1.00 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 1.80 |
|
1.00 | 1.30 | 1.60 | 1.30 | 1.50 |
|
1.30 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 |
|
0.90 | 1.40 | 1.40 | 1.30 | 2.20 |
|
0.90 | 1.20 | 1.60 | 1.50 | 1.80 |
|
1.10 | 1.50 | 1.40 | 1.40 | 1.70 |
|
1.20 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.40 | 1.80 |
|
1.90 | 1.20 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 1.70 |
|
1.40 | 1.70 | 1.60 | 1.40 | 1.80 |
|
1.40 | 1.40 | 1.70 | 1.90 | 1.70 |
Avg. spreads are taken from each broker's website and updated monthly. Last update on 20/09/2024
During my testing, I found the broker’s average spread on EUR/USD was just 1.0 pips, while the EUR/GBP spread averaged 1.1 pips. You can see how OANDA compares with the rest of the industry in the table below:
| OANDA Spread | Average Industry Spread | |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 1.0 | 1.12 |
| AUD/USD | 1.2 | 1.26 |
| EUR/GBP | 1.1 | 1.35 |
| GBP/USD | 1.5 | 1.53 |
| USD/JPY | 1.0 | 1.26 |
| AUD/JPY | 1.8 | 1.86 |
| EUR/JPY | 1.8 | 1.85 |
| USD/CAD | 1.5 | 1.69 |
| USD/SGD | 3.0 | 2.81 |
To help calculate how spreads impact trading fees, use the fee calculator I created to compare OANDA with their main competitors.
Calculate Your Cost To Spread Bet
Total Cost of Spread Bet
Total Cost of Spread Bet
Total Cost of Spread Bet
Total Cost of Spread Bet
To put this in perspective, I found OANDA’s spreads were nearly 30% lower than the industry average from the other brokers I analysed. I appreciate these ultra-competitive spreads, as tighter spreads mean lower trading costs and more potential profits, especially if you are an active trader.
In addition to the major pairs, I’ve found OANDA’s spreads quite competitive on other markets, such as gold, with spreads from 0.40 cents. In fact, I think OANDA offers the most transparency when sharing its spreads, as you can view the historical spreads, giving you a better idea of how much you’ll be charged.
OANDA provides a wide range of trading options beyond forex spread betting. I decided to compare it with the next popular instrument for trading, which is shares. Below are the fees for each market, with OANDA surpassing the industry average in four markets, except for the UK.
| Share Category | OANDA Spread | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| UK Shares | 8pt | 5.19pt |
| US Shares | 0.15% | 0.16% |
| Geman Shares | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Hong Kong Shares | 0.15% | 0.20% |
| Australian Shares | 0.15% | 0.17% |
While not always the absolute lowest, OANDA’s spreads are consistently among the best available from any broker I’ve tested. Allowing you to trade a variety of instruments while keeping your costs down.
Verdict on OANDA’s Spreads
I believe OANDA offers some of the best spreads and lowest trading costs in the spread betting industry, especially for foreign exchange markets. With spreads averaging under one pip on EUR/USD and 0.40c on gold during my tests, OANDA is an excellent choice with favourable spreads for the most popular financial markets
76.6% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
OANDA offers an impressive selection of trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4), TradingView, and its proprietary OANDA Trade web platform. This gives you the flexibility to choose the platform that best suits your needs and preferences, which is rare as most spread betting firms only provide one platform.
I like that OANDA lets you spread bet on the MT4 platform, one of the most popular third-party trading platforms available. The platform comes with 30 built-in indicators and 24 drawing tools, providing a solid foundation for technical analysis while offering five order types that offer precise market entries.
I found that the MetaTrader 4 platform is the only option to automate your spread bets on OANDA, as the other platforms don’t support algorithmic trading.
MT4 Premium Upgrade
OANDA offers a free upgrade to MT4, including a package of 28+ custom indicators and expert advisors (EAs). I’ve found several of these quite useful as they improved on some of the features the MT4 platform lacks.
For example, one tool tried was the Trade Terminal EA for managing multiple open positions. It displays all your trades in a single window and lets you modify stops and targets in bulk. I was able to set 10 new stop loss orders at once to lock in profits, which is a huge time saver compared to adjusting each trade individually.
I’m a big fan of OANDA’s offering TradingView integration with its spread betting account. TradingView is a web-based platform so that you can access it on any device. It also has advanced charting tools and a vast library of 100+ indicators, the largest selection I’ve seen in the industry.
While using the platform, I liked how my charts and analysis automatically sync across all my devices, something MT4 lacks. Another unique aspect is the social trading features, which are rare to find with spread betting brokers. You can share trade ideas, follow and talk to other successful traders, and gain valuable market insights from the TradingView community, especially if you are new to spread betting.
OANDA’s proprietary web platform impressed me with its charting tools and unique features that help with risk management. It incorporates TradingView’s best-in-class charting tools, including 80+ indicators, 32 drawing tools and nine timeframes, giving you the best features from TradingView and plenty of options to analyse the markets.
The platform also offers guaranteed stop loss orders that protect you from market volatility, ensuring your bets are closed at the price you define. You may suffer from slippage without a guaranteed stop loss, which can cost you more money.
Additionally, I found that you can spread bet from 1p per point on the platform, the lowest value I’ve seen made available. This small bet size makes it an option if you are new to trading and don’t want to place a 50p per point bet, which is the typical minimum bet size for the industry.
As far as mobile trading apps go, you can use your OADNA spread betting account on all of the mobile app versions of MT4, TradingView, and OANDA Trade. All mobile apps can be found on iOS and Android app stores for free, making them easily accessible. I think having access to your trading account on the go is crucial in today’s turbulent markets allowing you to take advantage of an opportunity or emergency that may arise.
The MT4 mobile app has the same features and charting capabilities as the desktop version. However, you can’t customise your indicators or manage your expert advisors remotely, which is a drawback. Despite this, the app is useful for basic market analysis and trade management.
In contrast, the TradingView and OANDA Trade mobile apps are identical to their web-based counterparts. This is great because you have full functionality in the palm of your hand. I found that the charts sync across your devices, so you can analyse the markets on the go and continue on your desktop. I especially like setting price alerts and accessing in-depth research and analysis tools from my phone.
Free Trading Tools
Autochartist
Autochartist is an automated technical analysis tool that scans the markets for trading opportunities, giving you a conveyor belt of new trading ideas throughout the day. It uses chart patterns, trends, and support/resistance levels to identify new opportunities across multiple markets, such as forex and gold.
I appreciate that Autochartist integrates directly with OANDA’s MT4 platform via a plugin, allowing you to view trade ideas and receive alerts without leaving the platform. Most brokers I’ve used with Autochartist require a separate web interface, which is less convenient.
While I wouldn’t rely on it exclusively, I’ve found Autochartist to supplement your analysis and draw attention to new opportunities during a slow trading day.
Verdict On OANDA Trading Platforms
Compared to other brokers, OANDA offers one of the best variety of spread betting platforms, which instantly makes it an appealing option if you prefer to use MT4 or TradingView.
I found that OANDA caters to a wide range of trading styles and experience levels, from the beginner-friendly web platform to the advanced capabilities of MT4 and TradingView. The free tools and platform-specific enhancements set OANDA apart from the competition.
Yes, OANDA is safe. It is a highly reputable and well-regulated spread betting broker by several top tier-1 regulators worldwide, including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Financial Regulation
OANDA is fully authorised and regulated by the FCA, which is essential for any spread betting broker operating in the UK. I only look for brokers regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as these offer the best protection for UK traders.
The FCA is widely regarded as one of the strictest financial regulators globally. It requires brokers to maintain segregated client funds, submit regular financial reports, and follow stringent client protection measures. This oversight gives you peace of mind that your funds are safe with OANDA.
I’m impressed that OANDA is regulated by seven tier-1 regulators around the world, including:
Being multi-regulated is a strong signal of trustworthiness in my book and shows that OANDA adheres to the highest standards of financial regulation globally and has the financial stability to operate in multiple jurisdictions.
Reputation
I also like to see what other traders say about their experience with a broker, so I look at reviews from third-party websites like TrustPilot to help validate my experience with the broker.
Based on the reviews, OANDA scores well here with an impressive 4.1 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot based on nearly 800 reviews from UK traders.
One of the best indicators for safety and reputation is understanding how much trading volume a broker has. In this case, I found that OANDA produces $10.7 billion daily trading volume for its clients, indicating that many spread bettors trust OANDA to handle their bets.
I like to review this as I think a high volume is often a good proxy for a broker’s credibility and financial stability.
Verdict on OANDA’s Trustworthiness
Based on OANDA’s strong regulatory track record, positive reputation among traders, and substantial trading volumes, I believe they are a safe and trustworthy choice for forex trading. Their oversight from top-tier regulators like the FCA gives me confidence that my funds are secure and that OANDA follows strict client protection protocols.
| OANDA US Safety | Regulator |
|---|---|
| Tier-1 | NFA/CFTC MAS CIRO FCA ASIC |
| Tier-2 | JFSA KNF MFSA |
| Tier-3 | FSC-BVI |
OANDA offers an impressive selection of markets to spread bet on, covering the most popular markets from forex to bond markets.
Forex
I found that OANDA has an extensive forex offering, with 68 currency pairs available to spread bet with, which aligns with the other brokers I’ve tested. If you like to trade forex, the pairs cover major, minor and exotic currencies, allowing you to switch between currencies throughout the day.
For example, you can trade popular majors like EUR/USD, GBP/USD and USD/JPY, and more niche pairs like USD/MXN, USD/ZAR and EUR/TRY. This range of pairs is great as it allows you to take advantage of emerging economies while benefiting from OANDA’s tight spreads.
Commodities
OANDA offers commodities in the key sectors of energy, metals, and agricultural products. There are three energy markets (crude oil, natural gas, heating oil), an extensive 22 metal markets, and four soft commodities (cocoa, coffee, sugar, cotton).
I like that this range allows you to trade the commodities cycle, gain exposure to industrial and consumer-driven commodities, and benefit from spread betting’s tax exemptions.
One unique aspect is that OANDA offers multiple gold and silver cross-currency pairs, which few brokerages provide, such as silver/HKD, gold/ZAR, and even a gold/silver pair. These crosses allow you to speculate on the performance of precious metals versus currencies, which tend to be more volatile while still tracking gold/silver pricing and offering unique opportunities.
Stock Indices
OANDA provides access to 16 major stock indices worldwide, including the FTSE 100, S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, and Germany 40. While they don’t offer individual stock trading, I believe the index selection still allows you to gain broad exposure to equity markets in a straightforward way. Indices are often more liquid and involve less company-specific risk than single stocks.
Bonds
I was pleasantly surprised to see that OANDA offers a selection of government bond markets, as many brokers neglect this asset class. The markets include the US 10-Year T-Note, UK 10-Year Gilt, and Euro Bund, so you’ll be able to get exposure to the most popular trading instruments.
Verdict On OANDA Trading Products
In my view, OANDA’s range of markets provides a strong foundation for implementing your trading strategies across the major asset classes if you’re an active trader. The forex selection is comprehensive, the commodities offering covers all the key areas, and the ability to trade stock indices and bonds enhances the product lineup further.
While some traders may wish for individual stocks or ETFs selection, I think OANDA covers the core markets that are most important for most traders.
OANDA makes it easy to fund your trading account and start placing trades by providing fast and easy payment and withdrawal methods.
When I opened my OANDA account, I was pleased to see that there was no minimum deposit requirement. This is great because you aren’t forced to deposit more than you are comfortable with when getting started.
Some brokers set minimums to ensure you are adequately funded, but it’s nice to have flexibility, especially if you want to start small while you learn the ropes. With no minimum deposit, you can fund your account with whatever amount fits your trading style and risk tolerance.
To fund your OANDA account, you have multiple options:
I used the debit card method and found it quick and convenient. Debit card deposits are processed immediately, so you can start trading immediately. Bank transfers usually take 1-2 business days, although my deposits have sometimes shown up within an hour. Either way, you will be notified once the funds are available to trade.
OANDA doesn’t charge deposit fees, regardless of the method you choose. I like that OANDA keeps deposit methods simple, but I feel that if it offered electronic wallets like PayPal as an option, it would give you more options to get started.
Withdrawing funds from OANDA is just as straightforward. Withdrawals are returned to your original funding source, so the money goes back to your debit card or bank account you used. Like deposits, OANDA does not charge any withdrawal fees, which is another cost advantage.
In terms of timing, OANDA says withdrawals can take up to 3 business days to process, which is pretty standard across the industry. In my experience, I’ve found they are often quicker than that, with the money hitting my bank account in 1-2 days on average, but it does depend on what time and day you make your withdrawal request.
The broker charges an inactivity fee if you do not place a bet within 12 months. In this instance, however, this window of inactivity is so large that it is negligible unless you forget you have an account with OANDA. That being said, if you get charged an inactivity fee but resume trading, you can get a rebate for the inactivity fee charged.
One thing I like about OANDA is how smooth the account opening process is. It’s fully digital, and you provide your personal information, proof of ID, and proof of address, all through their secure online portal. These are standard requirements for any regulated broker, and with OANDA, they eliminate any bloat during the process some brokers make you go through.
What sets OANDA apart is that you go from signing up to having a ready-to-trade live account in one process. At many brokers, you have to wait for a separate account approval after finishing the application.
But with OANDA, you’re done once you complete the digital sign-up, pending a quick compliance review. I was able to fund my account and start trading immediately after approval.
Verdict On OANDA Funding
Regarding testing, OANDA’s funding and trading costs are minimal. The no-minimum deposit and zero deposit and withdrawal fees are welcome perks, making it an affordable and accessible option for spread bettors with different budgets.
OANDA’s execution speeds and trading conditions are some of the most reliable I’ve experienced. I think it’s important to choose a broker with solid trading conditions to ensure your bets avoid slippage or price rejections due to poor execution speeds.
Execution Type
OANDA is a market maker broker, but don’t let that scare you off. In my experience testing the platform, I found that OANDA offers a no-dealing desk execution model that aims to remove any potential conflict of interest.
As a market maker, OANDA is taking the other side of your trade. However, the broker’s policy is to immediately hedge your position with one of OANDA’s liquidity providers, allowing them to offer fast execution without the drawbacks sometimes associated with market maker brokers. For example, these drawbacks can include price rejections or requotes, which can impact your profits if your trades aren’t filled at the prices you execute.
During my time using OANDA’s account, I never encountered any requotes or trade rejections. All of my orders, including stop losses and take profits, were filled swiftly at the requested prices, which is a positive signal for the broker’s trading conditions.
One thing I like is OANDA’s transparency around its order execution. They publish a quarterly execution scorecard that shows it’s fill ratios and slippage data, which is helpful to review. In the most recent report from OANDA, over 98% of trades were executed in less than 50 milliseconds, virtually near-instant executions.
Verdict on OANDA’s Trading Conditions
Overall, I give high marks to OANDA’s trading conditions. The no-dealing desk model, combined with the broker’s fast and reliable execution, makes for a very positive trading experience, which I think is more important than having the tightest spreads.
OANDA provides multiple channels for customer support, including an online help centre, live chat, email, and phone support, which are available 24/7.
The OANDA website offers a help centre on OANDA.com called the OANDA Hub, which contains a fairly comprehensive set of FAQs and how-to articles covering account types questions, platform tutorials, and trading basics.
I found it easy to navigate and search for answers to common queries. They provide a search toolbar that does a good job of picking up the context of my questions. This self-service option is available 24/7 and can tackle 90% of the questions you may need answers for.
For more personalised assistance, OANDA offers live chat on its website, which offers 24-hour support during the trading week. I found that going through my account was the best way to get live chat support, as you could connect with an agent immediately compared to waiting for minutes when you are logged out.
If you prefer email support and your problems are not urgent, I found the responses helpful and received answers within 48 hours (often much faster).
The phone support hours are reasonably broad, from 9 p.m. Sunday to 11 p.m. Friday, so they are available during the market trading hours. However, 24/7 phone support is not offered, which is a drawback compared to other major brokers.
Verdict On OANDA Customer Service
I found that OANDA’s customer service provides multiple channels to ensure you get a resolution to your issues fast, thanks to its online Hub and Live Chat service running 24/5. While 24/7 phone support would be ideal, OANDA’s service surpasses many competitors.
OANDA offers a solid selection of research and educational resources to help improve your skills and stay informed about the markets.
Weekly Webinars
OANDA’s weekly webinars are a great resource if you want to quickly stay on top of market developments and learn new strategies. Every Tuesday, you can tune into the live market review webinar hosted by one of OANDA’s analysts, who breaks down the upcoming week’s data so you can plan your trades. I find these sessions helpful for getting a quick overview of what to expect in the week ahead while also gaining another perspective on the markets.
If you have a live account, you also gain access to premium webinars that cover a range of more advanced topics, such as:
These webinars are well put together and easy to follow, especially for beginners. In my experience, OANDA’s webinars are among the best in the industry when it comes to educational value and practical insights.
Educational Resources
OANDA’s online educational section covers four main topics:
While the range of resources may not be the most extensive compared to other brokers, I believe it’s certainly on par with industry standards. The content is well-organised and easy to navigate, making it a valuable resource for new traders.
Verdict On OANDA Research and Education
The quality and depth of OANDA’s research and educational offerings are impressive. The weekly webinars are a standout feature, providing timely market insights and expert analysis that can directly benefit your trading decisions while also helping keep you in the loop.
While the educational resources may not be as comprehensive as some competitors, they still cover all the essential topics and offer valuable guidance for traders at different skill levels.
After thoroughly testing OANDA through my spread betting account, I believe they are one of the top choices for UK traders. With competitive spreads from 0.80 pips, reliable execution, and a strong regulatory track record, OANDA ticks all the key boxes I look for in a trusted broker. The decent range of markets, advanced platforms, and helpful research tools provide great value to your trading workflow. While the educational resources and phone support hours could be expanded, I highly recommend OANDA for spread betting overall.
76.6% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Disclaimers:
Leveraged trading in foreign currency contracts or other off-exchange products on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for everyone. We advise you to carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for you in light of your personal circumstances. You may lose more than you invest. Information on this website is general in nature. We recommend that you seek independent financial advice and ensure you fully understand the risks involved before trading. Trading through an online platform carries additional risks.
Compareforexbrokers receives a commission from OANDA when users sign up and fund an account through the link on this page.
Yes, OANDA offers spread betting through a dedicated sub-account. This account allows UK traders to take tax-free positions on over 100 instruments, including forex pairs, indices, commodities, and bonds. Spread betting is available alongside OANDA’s CFD trading offerings, giving clients flexibility in how they approach the markets. However, spread betting is only available for UK traders and is unavailable in other European countries.
OANDA provides a free spread betting demo account that mirrors live trading conditions, providing you access to the broker’s range of derivative markets. This demo account gives new traders a risk-free environment to test strategies, explore the platform, and get comfortable with OANDA’s offerings. It’s an excellent way for beginners to gain experience before committing to real capital.
OANDA does not require a minimum deposit to open a standard trading account. This low barrier to entry makes it accessible for traders of all levels. However, you’ll need sufficient funds to meet margin requirements for any positions you wish to open.
OANDA is good for beginners thanks to having tight spreads and the lowest bet sizes available from 1p per pip. The broker also offers educational resources, user-friendly spread betting platforms, and no minimum deposit requirement.
For retail clients in the UK, OANDA offers maximum spread betting leverage of 30:1 on major forex pairs, with lower ratios for other instruments that go as low as 2:1. This is in line with FCA regulations regarding trading derivatives like spread betting or CFDs. Professional clients may access higher leverage. Remember, while leverage can amplify profits, it also increases potential losses.
OANDA generally offers competitive spreads across its range of instruments. For example, EUR/USD spreads start from 1 pip for spread betting accounts. However, spreads can widen during volatile market conditions or around major economic events, so it’s important to monitor spreads, especially for short-term traders.
No, you can’t spread bet cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin; they are unregulated financial activities. The British regulator (FCA) prevents even the best brokers from offering crypto financial services to retail traders as they deem it to be high risk. However, if you are an elective professional and waive the protection the FCA offers, you can access cryptocurrencies.
The spread betting comparison of spread bet platforms was made by experienced individuals who have worked with financial services companies. They understand how hard it is to compare spread bet brokers and have developed criteria from spreads to leverage traders to find the best spread betting platform for them.
If you see any issues with any of our spread betting comparison tables or this OANDA review, please contact the owners using the contact form and changes will be made promptly to ensure all forex trading elements are correct.
Learn more about our review methodology.
Ask an Expert
How competitive are Oanda’s spreads compared to other platforms?
Oanda’s spreads are competitive, especially on major markets like forex. They are transparent about their pricing.