F
Forex.com
4.4 / 5Score: 3 / 5
Global regulatory strength meets commission-free, multi-asset trading flexibility.
- Min deposit
- $100
- Max leverage
- 1:200
- Spread from
- 0.8 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, CFTC, ASIC, MAS
Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/10/2026
Forex.com vs CIMB Securities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Forex.com and CIMB Securities appeal to very different types of traders — one built for global regulatory strength, the other for ultra-low-cost local access. Our proprietary research puts Forex.com ahead overall, but CIMB Securities still has a strong case for cost-conscious beginners.
CS
CIMB Securities
3.3 / 5Score: 2 / 5
Zero minimum deposit and razor-thin spreads built for cost-conscious regional traders.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SC, MAS
Overall Winner
Forex.com
Best for Beginners
CIMB Securities
Lowest Fees
CIMB Securities
Top Regulation
Forex.com
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | F Forex.com | CS CIMB Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 1999 | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Bedminster, USA | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Regulation | FCA, CFTC, ASIC, MAS | SC, MAS |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0.8 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | $0.1/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:5 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, iTrade |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Stocks, Etf, Indices, Forex |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Forex.com
$100
CIMB Securities
$0
Spreads From
Forex.com
0.8 pips
CIMB Securities
0 pips
Commission
Forex.com
None
CIMB Securities
$0.1/lot
Deposit Fees
Forex.com
None
CIMB Securities
None
Withdrawal Fees
Forex.com
None
CIMB Securities
None
Pros & cons
F
Forex.com
Pros
- Backed by four respected regulators for stronger trader protection
- No per-trade commission keeps cost structures simple
- Higher available leverage than many regional competitors
- Wide platform choice including industry-standard MetaTrader software
- Diverse market access spanning six asset classes
- Long-established broker with a track record dating to 1999
Cons
- Higher minimum deposit than CIMB Securities at $100
- Spreads from 0.8 pips are wider than CIMB Securities's headline rate
- Higher leverage可 increases risk exposure for inexperienced traders
- No dedicated ETF trading offered
CS
CIMB Securities
Pros
- No minimum deposit makes it highly accessible for new traders
- Tight headline spreads starting from 0 pips
- Decades of operating history since 1978 builds trust
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Simple proprietary platforms suited to less technical traders
Cons
- Narrower regulatory footprint with only two licences (SC, MAS)
- Maximum leverage capped at just 1:5, limiting flexibility
- Charges a $0.1 per lot commission unlike some commission-free rivals
- No support for MetaTrader or third-party algorithmic trading tools
- Limited market range excludes commodities and crypto
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Forex.com
Lowest fees CIMB Securities
Best regulation Forex.com
Better for beginners CIMB Securities
Forex.com is our top pick in this matchup, earning a 4.4/5 on our rating scale compared to CIMB Securities's 3.3/5. Forex.com's four-tier regulatory coverage (FCA, CFTC, ASIC, MAS), wider platform choice, and broader market access make it the stronger all-around broker for most traders. CIMB Securities remains a compelling alternative for cost-sensitive beginners thanks to its $0 minimum deposit and tighter headline spreads, but its narrower regulatory footprint and limited leverage hold it back from the top spot.
Regulation & Safety
Regulatory oversight is one of the sharpest differentiators in this comparison. Forex.com is licensed by four separate regulators — the FCA, CFTC, ASIC, and MAS — giving it coverage across the UK, US, Australia, and Singapore. This multi-jurisdictional footprint means Forex.com clients benefit from strict capital adequacy rules, segregated client funds, and access to established compensation schemes.
CIMB Securities, by contrast, is regulated by the SC (Securities Commission Malaysia) and MAS. While these are respected regional regulators, the overall coverage is narrower and more geographically concentrated, which may matter to traders who want globally recognized tier-1 oversight.
For traders who prioritize regulatory depth above all else, Forex.com is the clear winner here. CIMB Securities is still a legitimate, licensed option, particularly for traders based in Malaysia or Southeast Asia who value local regulatory familiarity.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
On raw pricing, CIMB Securities technically undercuts Forex.com with spreads advertised from 0 pips, versus Forex.com's spreads from 0.8 pips. However, CIMB Securities charges a commission of $0.1 per lot, whereas Forex.com charges no per-trade commission at all.
This means the real-world cost comparison isn't as simple as headline spread numbers suggest. Active traders placing high lot volumes on CIMB Securities could see commission costs add up, while Forex.com's commission-free structure keeps costs more predictable for frequent traders.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome point of parity. Overall, CIMB Securities holds a slight edge for pure spread-focused scalpers, but Forex.com's zero-commission model may work out cheaper for many trading styles once total costs are factored in.
Account Accessibility & Minimum Deposit
CIMB Securities is significantly more accessible for traders with limited starting capital, requiring a $0 minimum deposit. This makes it an attractive entry point for beginners who want to test the platform without committing meaningful funds upfront.
Forex.com requires a $100 minimum deposit, which is still relatively modest by industry standards but represents a real barrier compared to CIMB Securities's zero-deposit model.
Budget-conscious beginners or those wanting to dip a toe into trading before scaling up will likely appreciate CIMB Securities's lower barrier to entry, even if the broker trails in other areas like regulation and platform variety.
Trading Platforms & Tools
Forex.com supports MT4, MT5, a proprietary web platform, and a proprietary mobile app — giving traders access to the industry-standard MetaTrader ecosystem alongside its own in-house tools. This is a major advantage for traders who rely on custom indicators, expert advisors, or automated strategies built for MetaTrader.
CIMB Securities offers a proprietary web platform, a proprietary mobile app, and its own iTrade platform. While functional and suitable for straightforward stock and forex trading, it lacks the third-party ecosystem and algorithmic trading support that MetaTrader users expect.
For traders who value flexibility, automation, and a platform with wide community support, Forex.com is the stronger choice. CIMB Securities is more suited to traders who prefer simplified, broker-native interfaces without the added complexity of MetaTrader.
Leverage & Market Access
Forex.com offers leverage up to 1:200, considerably higher than CIMB Securities's maximum of 1:5. This gives Forex.com traders significantly more flexibility to control larger positions with smaller capital outlays, though this also comes with proportionally higher risk.
In terms of markets, Forex.com covers forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto — a genuinely diverse offering for multi-asset traders. CIMB Securities covers stocks, ETFs, indices, and forex, which is solid for equity-focused investors but lacks commodities and crypto exposure.
Traders looking for broad multi-asset diversification and higher leverage flexibility will find Forex.com the more capable platform, while CIMB Securities suits those focused primarily on regional equities and ETFs.
Our Verdict
Forex.com is our recommended pick in this comparison, scoring 4.40/5 versus CIMB Securities's 3.29/5 on our proprietary rating system. Its stronger regulatory backing, commission-free pricing, wider platform selection, and higher leverage make it the more well-rounded choice for the majority of traders.
That said, CIMB Securities is not without merit — its $0 minimum deposit, tighter headline spreads, and long operating history since 1978 make it a sensible option for beginners or cost-conscious traders focused on regional markets.
Ultimately, your decision should hinge on your priorities: choose Forex.com for regulatory strength, platform flexibility, and multi-asset access, or CIMB Securities if a low-cost entry point and tight spreads matter most to your strategy.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Forex.com wins overall
Forex.com edges out CIMB Securities overall based on our expert rating score.
F
Highest Rated
Forex.com
4.4 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (4.4/5).
Forex.comBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
CIMB SecuritiesLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
CIMB SecuritiesStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Forex.com
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent proprietary rating system, Forex.com scores higher overall at 4.4/5 compared to CIMB Securities's 3.3/5. Forex.com's edge comes primarily from its stronger regulatory coverage, commission-free pricing, and wider platform selection. That said, the right choice still depends on your individual priorities, such as budget or preferred markets.
CIMB Securities advertises spreads from 0 pips, tighter than Forex.com's spreads from 0.8 pips, but it also charges a $0.1 per lot commission. Forex.com charges no commission at all. Depending on your trading volume and style, actual total costs could favor either broker, so it's worth calculating based on your typical lot sizes.
Forex.com requires a minimum deposit of $100, while CIMB Securities has no minimum deposit requirement at all. This makes CIMB Securities notably more accessible for beginners or those wanting to start with minimal capital.
Forex.com holds licences from the FCA, CFTC, ASIC, and MAS, spanning four major jurisdictions. CIMB Securities is regulated by the SC and MAS, covering fewer regions. Forex.com's broader regulatory spread generally translates to stronger investor protections across more markets.
Forex.com supports MT4, MT5, and its own proprietary web and mobile platforms, giving traders access to industry-standard MetaTrader tools. CIMB Securities offers a proprietary web platform, a proprietary mobile app, and its own iTrade platform, but does not support MetaTrader.
Forex.com offers significantly higher leverage of up to 1:200, compared to CIMB Securities's maximum of 1:5. Traders wanting greater capital efficiency may prefer Forex.com, though higher leverage also carries increased risk.
Yes, there's nothing stopping you from opening accounts with both brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across multiple platforms to take advantage of different market access, fee structures, and regulatory protections.
CIMB Securities is generally considered more beginner-friendly due to its $0 minimum deposit requirement, making it easy to start trading with minimal upfront capital. Forex.com, while requiring a $100 deposit, offers more educational tools and a broader asset range that can benefit growing traders over time.
Forex.com covers forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto, offering a broader multi-asset selection. CIMB Securities focuses on stocks, ETFs, indices, and forex, making it more suited to traders focused on regional equity markets.
CIMB Securities has the longer operating history, founded in 1978, compared to Forex.com's founding in 1999. While longevity can indicate stability, it's worth weighing this alongside regulatory coverage and platform capabilities when choosing a broker.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.