Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore is a premier financial hub, and its forex traders demand brokers that combine low costs, robust regulation, and local payment convenience. Oanda (rating 3.6/5) and Forex.com (rating 3.4/5) are two globally recognized brokers that cater to sophisticated investors in this competitive market. Both offer SGD-denominated accounts and accept popular local payment methods like PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, making deposits seamless for Singapore residents. Oanda is known for its transparent pricing and advanced trading tools, while Forex.com excels with comprehensive research and a wide asset range. This comparison breaks down spreads, regulation by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), platform features, and local support to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in 2025.
| Instrument | Oanda | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Forex.com |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Forex.com |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Forex.com |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Forex.com |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 | Oanda |
For Singapore traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for high-volume strategies. Oanda offers tighter spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD (0.9 pips) and USD/JPY (1.0 pips) compared to Forex.com's standard account (1.2 pips and 1.4 pips respectively). Oanda's variable spreads can widen during volatile news events, but its no-commission model keeps costs predictable. Forex.com's RAW pricing account can match Oanda's spreads but adds a $7 commission per lot. For traders executing over 50 lots monthly, Oanda's lower spreads save approximately 15-20% in total costs. Additionally, Oanda's tiered pricing for high-volume traders in Singapore offers further discounts, making it the cost-effective choice.
| Account Type | Oanda | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Oanda | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:50 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:100 | 1:50 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | Oanda | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Oanda |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Oanda |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Oanda |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Oanda | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer industry-leading platforms tailored for Singapore's sophisticated traders. Oanda provides its proprietary platform with advanced charting tools, 100+ technical indicators, and one-click trading – ideal for fast-paced execution. It also supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and TradingView integration, popular among local traders. Forex.com offers the proprietary Trading Station platform, known for its customizable layout and risk management features like guaranteed stop-loss orders. It also supports MT4 and MT5, giving Singapore traders flexibility. Oanda's platform is slightly more intuitive for beginners, while Forex.com's advanced order types suit experienced professionals. Both platforms are available on desktop, web, and mobile for iOS and Android.
| Factor | Oanda | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Forex.com |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Oanda |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Execution quality is vital for Singapore traders in a fast-moving market. Oanda uses a no-dealing-desk (NDD) model with straight-through processing (STP), offering average execution speeds of 40-50 milliseconds. Forex.com also uses NDD execution with speeds around 50-60 milliseconds. Oanda has a slight edge with fewer requotes and slippage, especially during major news events. Both brokers offer negative balance protection, ensuring traders don't lose more than their deposits. For scalpers and day traders, Oanda's faster execution and tighter spreads provide a clear advantage.
| Safety Factor | Oanda | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
While Oanda and Forex.com are not directly regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), they operate under strong international oversight that protects Singapore traders. Oanda is regulated by top-tier bodies like the US CFTC, UK FCA, and Australian ASIC, ensuring strict client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Forex.com is regulated by the UK FCA, US CFTC, and Japan FSA, offering similar safeguards. For Singapore traders, this means deposits held in segregated accounts and compensation schemes in case of insolvency. Neither broker is a MAS-regulated entity, but their global licenses provide a high level of security. Traders should verify the specific entity handling their account to ensure compliance with local laws.
| Payment Method | Oanda | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
Singapore traders benefit from multiple local payment methods at both Oanda and Forex.com. PayNow is the fastest option, with instant deposits and no fees – ideal for quick funding. Bank transfers are reliable for larger deposits but typically take 1-2 business days. Credit card deposits are accepted but may incur a 1-2% processing fee. Oanda supports all three methods with a minimum deposit of $50 SGD, while Forex.com requires $100 SGD minimum. Withdrawals are processed via the same methods: PayNow is the quickest (same day), bank transfers take 1-3 days, and credit card withdrawals return to the original card. Oanda has a slight edge with faster withdrawal processing times, often within 24 hours for PayNow. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but bank transfers may have intermediary bank charges.
| Islamic Account Feature | Oanda | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both Oanda and Forex.com cater to Singapore's Muslim traders by offering Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law. These accounts eliminate interest charges (swap fees) on overnight positions, making them suitable for long-term traders. Oanda provides Islamic accounts upon request after account verification, with no additional fees. Forex.com offers swap-free accounts automatically for eligible clients, but traders must confirm eligibility with customer support. Both brokers require that Islamic accounts are used for genuine trading purposes and not for arbitrage. For Singapore Muslim traders, both options are viable, but Forex.com's automatic provision is slightly more convenient. However, Oanda's transparent policy and no hidden costs make it a strong choice.
| Support Feature | Oanda | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Oanda |
Customer support is crucial for Singapore traders, especially during Asian trading hours. Oanda offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated teams for Singapore clients. Forex.com provides 24/5 support in English and Chinese, with phone lines available during local hours. Oanda's response times are faster, typically under 2 minutes for live chat. Forex.com's support is knowledgeable but may have longer wait times during peak hours. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources tailored to Singapore traders.
| Mobile Feature | Oanda | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Oanda |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Oanda |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | Oanda |
| Resource | Oanda | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Oanda |
Choose Oanda if you...
Choose Forex.com if you...
For Singapore traders in 2025, Oanda (3.6/5) is the better choice over Forex.com (3.4/5) due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and superior local payment support via PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. While both brokers are not MAS-regulated, their strong international licenses provide adequate security. Oanda's cost advantage is particularly beneficial for high-volume traders in a financial hub like Singapore, where every pip counts. However, Forex.com remains a strong contender for traders who value extensive research tools and a wider asset selection. Ultimately, Oanda's overall value proposition, combined with its seamless local payment integration, makes it the recommended broker for sophisticated Singapore traders.