How the Experience sub-scores work
Six 0-10 scores, each built only from facts published on the profile. Every point is listed, and missing facts are never counted as zero.
Calculation version 1.0 · Last updated 1 November 2026
The four measures, in plain language
BrokerBazaar shows four different measures. Each answers a different question and none is folded into another.
| Measure | Scale | What it tells you | Where it comes from | How we use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Editorial rating | 0-10 | Our analysts' assessment of the trading product across five weighted pillars. | Human review against a fixed checklist. | A second opinion. Always labelled, never the headline number. |
| BrokerBazaar Score (evidence score) | 0-100 | How much about the broker we can independently verify. | Deterministic rules: regulator registers, disclosures, domain history, public reviews, web data. | The headline number on profiles, cards and rankings. |
| User reviews | 1-5 stars | What traders report about their own experience. | Moderated reviews submitted on BrokerBazaar. | Shown with the count and distribution. Never mixed into either score. |
| Preference match (quiz) | Match % | How well a broker fits the answers you gave in the broker quiz. | Your own answers compared with published broker facts. | Personal to you. It does not change any public score. |
The six Experience sub-scores explain the profile section by section. They are a display layer and do not change the BrokerBazaar Score.
How a sub-score is calculated
1. Points per fact
Each sub-score checks up to five published facts. Each fact is worth a fixed number of points, and the points add up to 10.
2. Missing is not zero
A fact the broker has not published is marked Not measured and taken out of the total available. It neither adds nor removes points.
3. Scale to 10
Score = points earned / points measurable x 10, to one decimal. With fewer than 5 measurable points the score shows N/A.
Worked example
Costs: spreads from 0.1 pips (+4 of 4), a commission-free account (+3 of 3), and no published inactivity fee (Not measured, 3 points removed). 7 of 7 measurable points = 10.0 / 10. If the broker later publishes an inactivity fee, that line scores 0 of 3 and the result becomes 7 of 10 = 7.0 / 10.
Safety
Safety is not a separate formula. It is the BrokerBazaar Score Regulation signal (0-100) divided by 10, so the two numbers can never disagree.
- At least one regulator listed+3.5
- Two or more regulators listed+1
- Each licence checkable on a public register (max 2)+1.5 each
- Each regulated entity documented (max 2)+0.5 each
- BrokerBazaar verification status recorded+0.5
- Entity or licence confirmed on the register by BrokerBazaar+1
- Each official regulator warning (max 2)−3 each
Capped between 0 and 10. With no regulator recorded at all, Safety shows N/A. Shown in the Safety & Regulation section.
Costs
Shown in the Costs section of every forex broker profile.
| Fact checked | Points | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest published spread (pips) | 0.2 or less: 4 · 0.6 or less: 3 · 1.0 or less: 2 · 1.5 or less: 1 · above: 0 | 4 / 10 |
| Commission | Commission-free account or $3.50 or less per lot per side: 3 · $5 or less: 2 · higher: 0 | 3 / 10 |
| Inactivity fee (entity fee schedule) | None charged: 3 · a fee is charged: 0 | 3 / 10 |
Funding (deposits and withdrawals)
Shown in the Accounts & Funding section of every forex broker profile.
| Fact checked | Points | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit methods listed | 5 or more: 3 · 3-4: 2 · 1-2: 1 | 3 / 10 |
| Withdrawal methods listed | 5 or more: 3 · 3-4: 2 · 1-2: 1 | 3 / 10 |
| Deposit fee charged by the broker | None: 2 · a fee is charged: 0 | 2 / 10 |
| Withdrawal fee charged by the broker | None: 2 · a fee is charged: 0 | 2 / 10 |
Platforms & Tools
Shown in the Platforms & Tools section of every forex broker profile.
| Fact checked | Points | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Trading platforms offered | 4 or more: 4 · 3: 3 · 2: 2 · 1: 1 | 4 / 10 |
| MetaTrader 4 or 5 available | Yes: 2 · no: 0 | 2 / 10 |
| cTrader or TradingView available | Yes: 2 · no: 0 | 2 / 10 |
| Instrument groups listed | 5 or more: 2 · 3-4: 1 · fewer: 0 | 2 / 10 |
Accounts
Shown in the Accounts & Funding section of every forex broker profile.
| Fact checked | Points | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest minimum deposit | None or $100 or less: 3 · $250 or less: 2 · $1,000 or less: 1 · higher: 0 | 3 / 10 |
| Account types offered | 3 or more: 2 · 2: 1 · 1: 0 | 2 / 10 |
| Swap-free (Islamic) account | Available: 2 · not offered: 0 | 2 / 10 |
| Negative balance protection | Yes: 3 · no: 0 | 3 / 10 |
Support
Shown in the Platforms & Tools section of every forex broker profile.
| Fact checked | Points | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Support phone line listed | Listed: 2 · not listed: 0 | 2 / 10 |
| Support email listed | Listed: 2 · not listed: 0 | 2 / 10 |
| Live chat or complaints portal link | Listed: 2 · not listed: 0 | 2 / 10 |
| Published complaints route | Email, phone or procedure listed: 2 · none: 0 | 2 / 10 |
| Support hours published | Support details published: 1 · 24/5 or 24/7 stated: +1 | 2 / 10 |
Regulator tiers and investor protection
How regulators are grouped on BrokerBazaar, with each one's investor compensation scheme. Tiers describe the rules of the regime, not the conduct of any broker.
Tier 1: strict oversight
Tight leverage caps, segregated client money and, in most cases, a statutory compensation scheme.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Investor compensation |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | United Kingdom | FSCS — up to £85,000 per client |
| ASIC | Australia | No central scheme; AFCA handles disputes |
| CySEC | Cyprus (EU) | ICF — up to €20,000 per client |
| DFSA | Dubai (DIFC), UAE | No retail compensation scheme |
| FSRA | Abu Dhabi (ADGM), UAE | No retail compensation scheme |
| NFA | United States | No forex compensation scheme (SIPC covers securities only) |
| CFTC | United States | No retail forex compensation scheme |
Tier 2: moderate oversight
Licensing and capital rules with fewer retail protections or smaller schemes.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Investor compensation |
|---|---|---|
| FSCA | South Africa | No central compensation scheme |
| CMA | United Arab Emirates (onshore) | No central compensation scheme |
| FSC Mauritius | Mauritius | No central compensation scheme |
| CIMA | Cayman Islands | No central compensation scheme |
Tier 3: lighter oversight
Licensed, but usually higher leverage and no compensation scheme. Not a judgement on any single broker.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Investor compensation |
|---|---|---|
| FSA Seychelles | Seychelles | No central compensation scheme |
| VFSC | Vanuatu | No central compensation scheme |
Compensation limits are set by each scheme, apply per client and per firm, and can change. Always check the scheme's own website.
Score bands
Experience sub-scores (0-10)
- Very strong8.5-10.0
- Strong7.0-8.4
- Fair5.5-6.9
- Limited4.0-5.4
- Weak on published facts0.0-3.9
- Not enough published dataN/A
BrokerBazaar Score (0-100)
- Excellent Verification90-100
- Strong80-89
- Good70-79
- Moderate60-69
- Elevated Attention50-59
- High Attention35-49
- Serious Risk Indicators0-34
Version and changes
Current calculation: version 1.0, in use since 2026-11-01. When a rule or weight changes, the version number goes up and this page is updated on the same day. Paid membership, claiming a profile or advertising never changes a sub-score. Brokers move a sub-score only by publishing the facts listed above, and we read them from the profile.
Questions
What are BrokerBazaar's Experience sub-scores?
Six 0-10 scores on each forex broker profile: Safety, Costs, Funding, Platforms & Tools, Accounts and Support. Each is calculated by fixed rules from facts published on the profile, and every point is listed under "Why this score".
Do the sub-scores change the BrokerBazaar Score?
No. They are a separate display layer. The Safety sub-score is the BrokerBazaar Score Regulation signal divided by 10, so the two always agree, but no sub-score feeds back into the 0-100 score.
What happens when a broker has not published a fact?
The fact is marked Not measured and its points are removed from the total available, so missing data never counts as zero. If fewer than 5 of the 10 points can be measured, the sub-score shows N/A.