Nadex versus Forex.com
Nadex is a US-based options exchange founded in 2004, part of Singapore-based Crypto.com since 2022 following its acquisitions from IG Markets. Forex.com is primarily a Forex broker established in 2001 and part of US-based publicly listed StoneX. Nadex offers traders its proprietary trading platform, also available as a mobile app. It established itself as the dominant options, call spreads and knock-outs broker in the US.
Forex.com is the largest MT4 broker based on active servers as of April 2019. It presents traders with its high-quality proprietary trading platform alongside MT4/MT5, charting and community services by TradingView, and SMART Signals. Active traders will benefit from a competitive pricing environment.
I have conducted an in-depth review of Nadex and Forex.com to determine which one presents the better overall choice and which traders will benefit the most at either broker.
- Features and Platforms
- Available Markets
- Typical Spreads and Fees
- Security and Trust
- Nadex versus Forex.com - Verdict
Features and Platforms
| Features & Platforms | Nadex (visit site) | Forex.com (visit site) |
 |  | |
| Headquarter: | US | US |
Established : | 2004 | 2001 |
Retail Loss Rate: | Undisclosed | 73.00% |
Regulation: | ||
Minimum Deposit: | $250 | $100 |
Demo Account: | ||
Managed Account: | ||
Islamic Account: | ||
Inactivity Fee | $10 monthly after 12 months | $15 monthly after 12 months |
Deposit Fee: | Third-Party | Third-Party |
Withdrawal Fee | Yes + Third-Party | Third-Party |
Funding Methods: | 2 | 2 |
MT4: | ||
MT5: | ||
cTrader: | ||
Proprietary Platform: | ||
Automated Trading: | ||
Social / Copy Trading: | ||
MT4/MT5 Add-ons: | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss: | ||
Negative Balance Protection: | ||
Bonuses and Promotions: | ||
Unique Feature One: | User-friendly mobile app | Cutting-edge trading platforms |
Unique Feature Two: | Fixed trading costs | Low trading costs |
Broker Offers: |
Noteworthy:
Nadex remains a primary choice for options, catering well to beginners with a preference for mobile trading. Forex.com supports algorithmic trading and is better suited to spot Forex traders.
Available Markets
| Available Markets | Nadex | Forex.com |
| Currency Pairs: | ||
Cryptocurrency Pairs: | ||
Commodities and Metals: | ||
Indices: | ||
Equities: | ||
Bonds: | ||
ETFs: | ||
Options, Futures, and Synthetics: | ||
Maximum Retail Leverage: | 1:1 | 1:50 |
Maximum Pro Leverage: | 1:1 | 1:50 |
The asset selection at both brokers remains limited, but Nadex offers beginner traders and those with a focused strategy requiring few assets a straightforward and competitive trading environment. Forex.com offers a broad-based choice of currency pairs for US-based traders, gold, silver, and a handful of futures contracts. Neither broker offers in-depth diversification opportunities.
Typical Spreads and Fees
| Typical Spreads & Fees | Nadex | Forex.com |
Minimum Raw Spreads: | Not applicable | 0.2 pips |
Minimum Standard Spreads: | Undisclosed | 0.6 pips |
Minimum Commission for Forex: | $1 per contract | $5.00 per round lot |
Commission for Equities: | Not applicable | Not applicablee |
Commission Rebates: | No | Yes |
Execution Type: | Market Maker | Market Maker / STP |
Nadex does not list spreads but minimum tick values, which commence at $0.25 per spot Forex contract, $1.00 for knock-out options, and $1.00 for call spread contracts, plus $1.00 per contract. Forex.com features a competitively priced commission-based cost structure with a volume-based rebate program for high-frequency traders.
Security and Trust
Nadex
| Country of the Regulator | Name of the Regulator | License Number |
US | Commodity Futures Trading Commission & National Futures Association | NFA Number 0340344 |
Forex.com
| Country of the Regulator | Name of the Regulator | License Number |
US | Commodity Futures Trading Commission & National Futures Association | NFA Number 0339826 |
Nadex and Forex.com segregate all client deposits from corporate funds, and Forex.com also offers negative balance protection. Nadex has a clean NFA regulatory record, but Forex.com shows 28 CFTC reparation cases, six NFA arbitration decisions, and three NFA actions. The corporate ownership of both brokers reflects a similar pattern. Crypto.com, the owner of Nadex, maintains a clean operational history, while StoneX, owner of Forex.com, has a history of malpractice and fines, despite being a publicly listed company.
Nadex vs Forex.com – Verdict
Nadex
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly mobile app | Limited deposit and withdrawal options |
| Educational content for beginner traders | Limited choice of trading instruments |
| Trustworthy reputation now under the corporate ownership of Crypto.com | Algorithmic trading unavailable |
| Low trading costs for an options broker |
Forex.com
| Pros | Cons |
| 80+ currency pairs and overall quality asset selection | Limited funding options |
| High-quality proprietary web-based and desktop trading platform plus MT4/MT5 | 28 CFTC reparation cases, six NFA arbitration decisions, and three NFA actions |
| Competitive trading costs for active traders | StoneX ownership casts a shadow |
| Research, education, and quality trading tools |
Nadex offers US binary options traders an industry-leading product with few assets but dozens of contract expirations per instrument. It also maintains a low pricing environment and remains slightly ahead of Forex.com for its niche offering. Forex.com is a competitive Forex broker that fully supports algorithmic trading and features quality trading tools.
FAQs
Is Nadex better than Forex.com?
It depends on individual requirements and preferences. Nadex caters well to options traders, while Forex.com features a highly competitive Forex trading environment. Both brokers serve their core market extraordinarily well.
Does Nadex do Forex trading?
Nadex offers options, knock-out options, and call spread contracts on Forex.
Is trading with Nadex worth it?
Nadex offers the infrastructure and tools, but the outcome depends on traders and their strategies.