How We Rate Brokers & Prop Firms
Transparent, data-driven, and independent. Here's exactly how our scores work.
Our Core Principles
Data-Driven
Every score is based on measurable data points — not opinions or sponsorships.
Independent
Affiliate partnerships never influence our ratings. Editorial and commercial are strictly separated.
Regularly Updated
We re-verify data quarterly. Brokers can improve or lose their scores over time.
Broker Scoring System (0–10)
Each broker receives a score from 0 to 10 across 5 categories. The overall score is a weighted average based on what matters most to retail traders.
Spreads & Fees
25% weightWe compare typical spreads on major pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY) across standard and raw accounts. We factor in commissions, swap rates, inactivity fees, and deposit/withdrawal charges. Lower all-in trading costs = higher score.
Regulation & Trust
25% weightRegulatory status is the most critical trust signal. We verify each broker's licenses directly with regulators. Tier-1 regulators (FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin) score highest. We also check segregated funds, negative balance protection, and company history.
Trading Platforms
20% weightWe test the available trading platforms hands-on. MT4/MT5 support is standard — we also evaluate proprietary platforms, mobile apps, and web traders. Execution speed, order types, and charting tools all factor in.
Instruments & Markets
15% weightMore tradable instruments means more opportunities. We count available forex pairs, CFDs on indices, commodities, stocks, crypto, and bonds. We also check market access hours and any trading restrictions.
Customer Support
15% weightWe contact each broker's support via live chat, email, and phone during business hours. We measure response time, language availability, and helpfulness. 24/7 support in multiple languages scores highest.
What the Scores Mean
| Score | Rating | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 – 10.0 | Exceptional | Industry-leading in this category. Among the very best globally. |
| 8.0 – 8.9 | Excellent | Well above average. Minor areas for improvement. |
| 7.0 – 7.9 | Good | Solid offering that meets most trader needs. |
| 6.0 – 6.9 | Average | Acceptable but with notable weaknesses. |
| 5.0 – 5.9 | Below Average | Significant shortcomings. Proceed with caution. |
| Below 5.0 | Poor | Major issues. We recommend looking elsewhere. |
How We Evaluate Prop Firms
Prop trading firms are evaluated on a different set of criteria focused on funded account programs:
⚠️ Our Independence Guarantee
Affiliate relationships do not influence our scores. Some broker and prop firm links on our site are affiliate links — meaning we may earn a commission if you sign up. However:
- Scores are assigned before any commercial relationship is considered
- We review brokers we have no affiliate partnership with
- A broker paying us more will never result in a higher score
- Our editorial team and commercial team operate independently
If you believe any of our reviews contain inaccurate information, please contact us at contact@thetradingmentor.net and we will investigate promptly.
Our Data Sources
Our review data comes from multiple verified sources:
- Official broker websites — Account types, spreads, fees, and platform details
- Regulatory databases — FCA Register, ASIC Connect, CySEC Registry, etc.
- Live account testing — Real trades to verify execution and spread accuracy
- User community feedback — Aggregated from forums, review sites, and our own ratings
- Financial reports — Where available (publicly traded brokers)