Traders Union has analyzed financial markets for over 14 years, evaluating brokers based on 250+ transparent criteria, including security, regulation, and trading conditions. Our expert team of over 50 professionals regularly updates a Watch List of 500+ brokers to provide users with data-driven insights. While our research is based on objective data, we recommend that users perform independent due diligence and consult official regulatory sources before making any financial decisions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial policies.
SmartFX Pros & Cons
- Regulated by an international financial commission.
- Wide selection of trading assets of various classes.
- Spreads at the same level as competitors and not only for majors.
- The broker does not charge non-trading fees for deposit and withdrawal of funds.
- Universal MT5 trading platform (desktop and mobile versions).
- Possibility of trading with leverage.
- Access to passive income options available on MetaTrader: copy trading, script trading and EAs.
- The minimum deposit amount is too high for a novice trader.
- No referral program for retail traders.
- No bonuses, cent accounts and quality education.
SmartFX is an STP broker that was established in 2018. The company holds the brokerage license of the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC). The broker offers a single Standard account for trading currency pairs, stock indices, precious metals and energies. Smart FX allows all trading strategies, including hedging, algorithmic trading, Expert Advisors and copy trading.
TU Expert Verdict
SmartFX demonstrates moderate stability and can suit certain traders. Its conditions are acceptable, and feedback is mixed but reasonable. In my own tests, it performed adequately, though it lacks the consistency of higher-rated companies.
Top-5 Brokers Traders Prefer
SmartFX User Reviews
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5-star
29%
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4-star
14%
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3-star
14%
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2-star
14%
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1-star
29%
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Commissions and Fees
Score:We evaluate brokers' fees and spreads by assessing the costs associated with Standard and ECN/Raw spread accounts, including commissions and spreads. Additionally, our evaluation considers extra fees such as deposit/withdrawal charges and inactivity fees. Learn the assessment criteria5 /10The trading and non-trading commissions of SmartFX have been analyzed and rated as having Medium fees, with a fees score of 5/10. Additionally, these commissions were compared with those of the top two competitors, OANDA and FOREX.com, to provide the most comprehensive information.
- No inactivity fee
- No deposit fee
- Above-average Forex trading fees
- No ECN/Raw Spread account
Trading Fees and Spread
Below, we evaluated and compared the trading commissions of SmartFX with those of two competitors. We focused on the spreads and other transaction fees directly associated with executing trades (e.g commission per lot on an ECN account). This comparison aimed to provide a clear understanding of the cost efficiency of each broker.
Standard Account Spread
For Standard accounts, SmartFX’s commissions are part of the floating spread, which varies with market conditions. Typical values are provided, but during high volatility, the spread may exceed these.
SmartFX Standard spreads SmartFX OANDA FOREX.com EUR/USD min, pips 0.5 0.1 0.7 EUR/USD max, pips 0.9 0.5 1.2 GPB/USD min, pips 0.6 0.1 0.9 GPB/USD max, pips 1.5 0.5 1.4 Does SmartFX support RAW/ECN accounts?
As we discovered, SmartFX does not offer RAW/ECN accounts, which might be a drawback for transparency and liquidity. However, this doesn't make the broker uncompetitive. Consider factors like spread levels, execution speed, regulation, support quality, and trading tools when choosing a reliable broker.
Non-Trading Fees
We conducted a detailed analysis of the non-trading fees associated with SmartFX. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the additional costs that may impact traders beyond regular trading activities.
SmartFX Non-Trading Fees SmartFX OANDA FOREX.com Deposit fee, % The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0 0 Withdrawal fee, % The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0.2 0 0 Withdrawal fee, USD The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0-15 0 Inactivity fee ($, per month) 0 0 15 -
Is SmartFX Safe?
Score:We evaluate brokers' safety based on several key criteria. The highest value is placed on regulation, especially Tier 1 regulation, which ensures adherence to stringent standards set by top financial authorities like the FCA in the UK, CFTC in the US, CySEc and BaFin (EU) or ASIC (Australia). High scores are also given for participation in investor protection funds, which safeguard clients' funds in case of broker insolvency. Learn the assessment criteria9.2 /10SmartFX has a safety score of 9.2/10, which corresponds to a High security level. The safest brokers are those with Tier-1 regulation, a long history (over 10 years in the market), and participation in investor compensation schemes.
- Tier-1 regulated
- Track record over 22 years
- No negative balance protection
SmartFX Regulators and Investor Protection Abbreviation Full Name Country of regulation Investor Protection Fund Regulation Level
VFSC Full Name Vanuatu Financial Services Commission Country of regulation Vanuatu Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-3 CySec
Full Name Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission Country of regulation Cyprus Investor Protection Fund Up to €20,000 Regulation Level Tier-1 SmartFX Security Factors Foundation date 2004 Negative balance protection NoVerification (KYC) Yes -
Account Types
Score:We evaluate a broker’s account offering by analyzing the range and suitability of available account types and how effectively they cater to different trader profiles and strategies. Our assessment covers the diversity of account options — including Standard, ECN/Raw, Cent, Swap-Free (Islamic), and VIP accounts — as well as the flexibility of trading conditions provided. Learn the assessment criteria.3.8 /10SmartFX offers the following account options: Demo, Standard.
SmartFX covers the core account types, making it convenient for traders with different preferences and strategies.
- Standard account with balanced trading conditions
- Low minimum deposit
- Demo account
- No VIP account option
- Micro lots are not available
SmartFX account types vs top competitors SmartFX Plus500 Trading.com Standard YesYesYesECN/Raw spread NoNoNoDemo YesYesYesCent NoNoNoMicro NoNoNoSwap Free NoNoNoVIP NoNoNoManaged NoNoNoSmartFX accounts trading conditions
SmartFX offers only one type of real account. However, a client can open up to 3 trading accounts in different currencies.
Account type:
Account Type Description Standard Smart is a standard account for retail trading in Forex pairs and CFDs. The minimum deposit is USD 500. The maximum number of open and pending orders is unlimited. You can open a demo account on MT5. A demo account with a virtual deposit of USD 100,000 does not have an expiry date.
SmartFX is an STP broker offering classic accounts with floating spreads and zero commission per lot.
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Deposit and Withdrawal
Score:This section assesses the efficiency, speed, and affordability of brokers’ transaction processes, focusing on available methods, currencies, and fees. For further details, please refer to our data-focused methodology6.5 /10SmartFX received a Medium score for the efficiency and convenience of its deposit and withdrawal processes.
SmartFX provides a reasonable range of deposit and withdrawal options with moderate fees, in line with industry standards.
- Bank wire transfers available
- Minimum deposit below industry average
- No deposit fee
- Bank card deposits and withdrawals
- BTC not available as a base account currency
- PayPal not supported
- Only major base currencies available
What are SmartFX deposit and withdrawal options?
SmartFX provides a basic range of deposit and withdrawal options, covering essential methods in line with industry standards. This set of options is sufficient for most traders, with available methods Bank Card, Bank Wire, Skrill, Neteller.
SmartFX Deposit and Withdrawal Methods vs Competitors SmartFX Plus500 Trading.com Bank Wire YesYesYesBank card YesYesYesPayPal NoYesNoWise NoNoNoBTC NoNoNoWhat are SmartFX base account currencies?
A wide range of base account currencies minimizes the need for currency conversion, potentially reducing transaction costs. SmartFX supports the following base account currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, RUB.
What are SmartFX's minimum deposit and withdrawal amounts?
The minimum deposit on SmartFX is $500, while the minimum withdrawal amount is $100. These minimums may vary depending on the chosen account type and payment method. For specific details, please contact SmartFX’s support team.
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Markets and Tradable Assets
Score:The evaluation in this section is based on the TU methodology and reflects the total number and variety of tradable assets offered by the broker, including Forex currency pairs. It also considers the availability of passive income tools such as PAMM accounts, copy trading, and similar services. All information is obtained from publicly available sources and may change. Learn the assessment criteria8.5 /10SmartFX offers a wider selection of trading assets than the market average, with over 2000 tradable assets available, including 130 currency pairs.
- Indices trading
- 130 supported currency pairs
- Copy trading platform
- Crypto trading not available
- Bonds not available
Supported markets vs top competitors
We have compared the range of assets and markets supported by SmartFX with its competitors, making it easier for you to find the perfect fit.
SmartFX Plus500 Trading.com Currency pairs 130 60 69 Total tradable assets The total tradable assets listed include all available instruments, including CFDs. Due to regional restrictions, certain CFDs may not be offered in some countries. For example, cryptocurrency CFDs are banned in the UK, and the U.S. has restrictions on CFDs. 2000 2800 69 Stocks YesYesNoCommodity futures YesYesNoCrypto Cryptocurrency CFDs are restricted or prohibited in certain regions due to regulatory limitations. These include the United Kingdom, China, Egypt, the United States and Canada. NoYesNoStock indices YesYesNoOptions NoYesNoInvestment options
We also explored the trading assets and products SmartFX offers for beginner traders and investors who prefer not to engage in active trading.
SmartFX Plus500 Trading.com Bonds NoNoNoETFs NoYesNoCopy trading YesNoNoPAMM investing NoNoNoManaged accounts NoNoNo -
Trading Account Opening
Score:We evaluated Trading Account Opening at SmartFX by testing the registration process under real conditions, including opening an account and funding it with the minimum required deposit (but no less than $100). Our assessment considered whether onboarding was fully online, the average registration time, the speed of KYC verification, and how quickly traders could activate their accounts. Learn the assessment criteria.6 /10We successfully registered an account with SmartFX in 20 minutes. The KYC verification was completed within 2 business days. The minimum deposit amount at SmartFX is $500. The onboarding procedure works as expected, although there is room for improvement in speed and simplicity.
- Fully online account opening process
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Registration process may take longer than expected
- Account approval may require extra time depending on the documentation.
SmartFX account opening SmartFX Plus500 Trading.com Online Registration YesYesYesMinimum deposit $500 $100 $50 Mandatory KYC YesYesYesRegistration time (min) 20 20 KYC time (days) 2 3 2 Is SmartFX available in my country?
If you are a citizen of United States, the broker accepts clients from your country.
Please note that availability may vary due to regulatory requirements, so we recommend confirming directly with the broker for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Account opening details
You need a Personal Account for opening a trading account, passing verification and managing funds. In order to create a personal account on SmartFX, you need to register. Take the following steps:
Click on one of the buttons on the screenshot below if you are on the homepage of SmartFX website. You can use the Open Live Account button, which is available on every page of the website.
Once you start registration, a form will open. You need to choose an Individual account – it is for retail traders. Then, fill out your First Name and Last Name (as specified in your ID), Phone and Country of Residence. Click Send Code. A six-digit code will be sent to your phone. Enter it in the Code box to confirm your phone number. Come up with a reliable password that you will use to log into your Personal Account.
Next, check your email. Find a letter from SmartFX with the email confirmation link. The letter may be in your Spam folder.
Now, you can log into your Persona Account. Just enter your email and password.
The following features are available in your SmartFX Personal Account:
- Opening a new trading account.
- Depositing money to your trading account.
In the Personal Account, the traders can also:
- Pass verification;
- Download the desktop version of MT5;
- Submit a withdrawal request;
- Transfer money between accounts;
- Register a ticket for customer support;
- Set up their personal account and link their personal bank account.
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Customer Support
Score:We evaluated Customer Support at SmartFX by opening a real account funded with the minimum required deposit (no less than $100) and contacting support to measure response time under real conditions. Our assessment considered contact channels, response speed, multilingual support, and availability hours. Learn the assessment criteria3.6 /10The broker’s customer support shows noticeable weaknesses in responsiveness or communication quality. Delays in replies are common, and resolution may require repeated contact.
In TU testing, response speed was below expectations, and assistance was limited in depth. Traders who rely heavily on support may experience inconvenience.
InformationCustomer support is available 24/5.
- High response speed of live chat operators
- Support is available in English
- On Saturdays and Sundays, chat operators are not available
- Responses by email come within 24-48 hours
There are several ways to contact customer support:
- Live Chat;
- Phone;
- Email;
- Facebook and WhatsApp instant messengers.
The company has two physical offices: in Dubai (UAE) and Port Vila (Vanuatu). They are open for clients from Monday to Saturday (inclusive) from 10am to 7pm local time.
Contacts Foundation date 2004 Registration address Smart Securities and Commodities Limited, 1st Floor Govant Building, Kumul Highway, Port Vila, Vanuatu Regulation VFSC, CySec Official site https://smartfx.com/ Contacts support@smartfx.com +97144319003
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FAQs
How safe is trading with SmartFX in terms of regulation and investor protection?
SmartFX has a safety score of 9.2/10, described as a high security level, and is regulated by CySEC (Tier-1) in Cyprus with an investor compensation fund of up to €20,000, as well as by the VFSC (Tier-3) in Vanuatu without a specific fund. The broker was founded in 2004 and requires KYC verification, but it does not provide negative balance protection, which is noted as a disadvantage in the review.
What do reviews say about SmartFX spreads, commissions, and other trading fees?
The review rates SmartFX’s overall fee level as medium, with a commissions and fees score of 5/10, highlighting above-average Forex trading fees and the absence of ECN/Raw Spread accounts. Standard account spreads are built into floating spreads, with typical ranges such as 0.5–0.9 pips for EUR/USD and 0.6–1.5 pips for GBP/USD, and non-trading fees include no deposit or inactivity fee but a 0.2% withdrawal fee.
What account types and trading conditions are available at SmartFX according to expert feedback?
SmartFX offers a single real Standard account and a demo account, with no Cent, Micro, ECN/Raw spread, swap-free, VIP, or managed accounts listed in the review. The Standard account has a minimum deposit of USD 500, allows an unlimited number of open and pending orders, and is described as an STP account with floating spreads and zero commission per lot; micro lots are not available.
How do SmartFX deposit and withdrawal methods and fees compare in recent reviews?
According to the review, SmartFX supports deposits and withdrawals via bank cards, bank wire, Skrill, and Neteller, with no deposit fee but a withdrawal fee and no support for USDT or BTC as a base currency. The minimum deposit is $500 and the minimum withdrawal is $100, and the broker offers several base account currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, and RUB.
What do comments and feedback say about the SmartFX account opening process?
The review notes that SmartFX offers a fully online account opening process with a minimum deposit of $500, and the test registration took about 20 minutes with KYC verification completed in 2 business days. Comments in the section indicate that while the onboarding works as expected, account approval and registration may take longer depending on documentation and could be streamlined further.
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