Best High-Frequency Trading Platforms for 2025

High-frequency trading ( HFT ) relies on ultra-fast execution speed, low-latency infrastructure, and advanced algorithmic strategies to take advantage of micro-price changes. Whether you are a professional trader or an institution, choosing the right HFT trading platform is the key to success.

Top HFT Trading Platforms and Brokers

Best Overall: FP Markets

Why do we choose it

FP Markets was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Australia. The company has multiple top licenses such as CySEC and ASIC, and maintains excellent execution standards, which I believe is critical for high-frequency trading. With an average execution speed of less than 50 milliseconds and a guaranteed ' best execution policy ', FP Markets customers can rely on fast order execution.

High-frequency trading characteristics :

- The most suitable entity for high-frequency trading : First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd ( ASIC, 1 : 30 )

Trading platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, iRESS, Mottai

- Supporting tools: VPS, Autochartist, MT4 advanced transaction auxiliary application

- Average execution speed: less than 50 milliseconds

-HFT Account: Original Account

I opened a Raw account, which is more suitable for high-frequency trading in terms of cost. It provides the original spread starting from 0.0 points and a round-trip commission of $ 6 per trader ( 100,000 units ). I executed a full EURUSD transaction with a transaction value of USD 10 ( 0.4 point spread x USD 10 point value + USD 6 commission ), which I think is lower than the industry average.

Best for Scalping: FxPro

Why do we choose it

FxPro is a financial derivatives broker, whose general products fully meet the needs of scalpers. FxPro was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in London. The average execution speed is about 11 milliseconds, which can achieve lightning execution speed. The broker also has deep liquidity, enabling it to complete 84 % of customer orders at the requested price or even more favorable prices.

High-frequency trading characteristics :

- The most suitable entity for HFT : FxPro UK Limited ( FCA, 1 : 30 )

Trading platform : MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, FxPro platform

- Support tool : VPS, Trading Central, LiveSquawk News

- Average execution speed: less than 11 milliseconds

-HFT Account: Original Account

FxPro integrates cTrader, which can be said to be the most customizable trading platform in the industry. Among its many advantages, I found two are particularly beneficial to scalpers. First, the 1-second chart and the ability to set the time range in units of scale can help scalpers trade within a very narrow range of price fluctuations.

Secondly, cTrader can automate transactions, and even has an advanced coding environment where scalpers can automate their strategies and adjust their parameters until the smallest details. In addition, the platform also has more than 150 additional analysis tools, including a variety of technical indicators and drawing tools.

⚡ Fastest Execution: Swissquote

Why do we choose it

Swissquote has seven licenses issued by top regulators such as FINMA, FCA and CySEC. In addition, the bank was founded in 1996 and listed on the Swiss stock exchange, highlighting its reliability, as only the most reliable brokers are publicly traded.

High-frequency trading characteristics :

- The most suitable entities for HFT : Swissquote Bank Ltd, Swissquote Ltd ( FINMA, 1 : 100 ), Swissquote Bank Europe Ltd ( CSSF, 1 : 30 ), Swissquote Capital Markets Ltd ( CySEC, 1 : 30 ).

- Trading platform: Advanced Trader

- Supporting tools : Autochartist, Trading Central, FIX API

- Average execution speed: 9 milliseconds

-HFT accounts : Premium, Prime and Elite

I opened a Forex and CFD account at Swissquote, offering more than 450 trading and investment products, and was impressed by the overall transparency of the site. But for me, the most outstanding feature is Swissquote 's professional platform-Advanced Trader. It features an intuitive design, highly detailed diagrams and advanced order types such as OCO and IF-DONE orders. It also contains more than 50 analytical tools.

Best for Algo Trading: IG*

Why do we choose it

Since its establishment in 1974, IG has become one of the most well-known and trusted brands in the financial industry. The company is headquartered in London and is listed on the London Stock Exchange ( LSE ), proving its stability and security. The broker offers more than 17,000 instruments, including currency pairs, commodities, indices, stock CFDs, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, etc.

The combination of IG 's API products and DMA ( Direct Market Access ) execution makes it an ideal choice for high-frequency algorithmic trading, especially scalping. In addition, I found that the average execution speed of IG is 14 milliseconds, which is lower than the industry average.

High-frequency trading characteristics :

- The most suitable entities for high-frequency trading : IG Index Ltd and IG Markets Ltd ( FCA, 1 : 30 )

- Trading platform : IG proprietary platform, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer

- Support tool : API

- Average execution speed : 14 milliseconds

-HFT account : CFD trading account

I evaluated the CFD trading account, which supports commission-free trading ( except stock CFDs ) and floating spreads from 0.6 p.m. I find that the price of IG is lower than the industry average.

IG also provides a variety of multi-functional platforms for you to choose from, all of which are suitable for high-frequency algorithmic trading. I tested these three platforms and found that the L2 Dealer DMA platform is most suitable for scalping stock CFD and foreign exchange pairs.

The platform provides a variety of trading volume indicators that can be used to evaluate the liquidity of the underlying market. This allows you to grasp the timing of admission and perform precise admission and exit operations. L2 Dealer DMA also provides a variety of order types and analysis tools.

Best for US Traders: Tastyfx*

Why do we choose it

Tastyfx is the new brand of IG US and part of the IG Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and globally regulated. There are more than 82 foreign exchange pairs available for trading, with zero commissions and competitive spreads.

In our real-time cost test, I found that the average Euro / USD spread was 0.8 points, exceeding the industry average of 1.0 points. tastyfx is a great choice for high-frequency trading because it also offers volume-based rebates - the more trades, the higher the rebate. For example, if the nominal monthly trading volume is between $ 50 million and $ 100 million, a 5 % rebate can be obtained, which means that $ 1 million per transaction can save $ 5.

High-frequency trading characteristics :

- The most suitable entity for HFT: tastyfx US LLC, 1330 W Fulton, Chicago

-trading platform: tastyfx network platform, MT4, ProRealTime

- Supporting tools : Autochartist, PIA-First

- Average execution speed: 14 milliseconds

-HFT Account : Forex Trading Account

Algorithm traders can choose MT4 and ProRealTime. For decades, MT4 has been the gold standard for foreign exchange algorithm trading. It does require programming knowledge, but the MetaTrader market offers free and paid indicators as well as automated trading strategies.

Comparison of the best HFT platforms

How We Selected the Best HFT Brokers

Our evaluation criteria for the best high-frequency trading platforms include:

✅ Regulation (ASIC, FCA, CySEC)

✅ Execution Speed (<50ms preferred)

✅ Low Latency Infrastructure (VPS, FIX API)

✅ Trading Costs (tight spreads, low commissions)

✅ Platform Features (one-click trading, EAs, block orders)

How to Choose the Trading Platform of High-Frequency Trading ?

The trading platform is a window for you to understand the market. It allows you to observe price behavior and study potential opportunities to place an order. Technology traders use a series of indicators, mapping tools and other functions of the platform to check various price patterns, volatility changes, liquidity, etc., to determine the best time to enter or exit the market.

The best platform is also the most functional platform. They include a wide range of technical indicators, such as Fibonacci Retracement Levels, Oscillation Indicators, Trend-based and Scope-based Indicators, as well as mapping tools, such as trend lines, channels, wedges, etc. They also allow you to easily adjust the rise and fall of price action.

Here are some features to note when applying HFT :

One-click trading minimizes the time required to execute a transaction, allowing traders to respond almost instantly to rapidly changing market conditions. It eliminates multiple steps that are usually involved in placing an order. Reducing friction and delays is critical to profitability, as even a small delay can lead to missed opportunities or unfavorable prices in high-frequency trading.

Expert Advisor ( EA ) can automatically execute complex trading strategies and execute orders at an astonishing speed according to predefined criteria and algorithms. In the fast-paced high-frequency trading environment, the millisecond difference determines the profit and loss, and EA can ensure that the opportunity is seized immediately and there is no artificial delay.

The -low time range is consistent with the short-term nature of the HFT strategy, allowing traders to analyze and take advantage of small price movements. By taking advantage of a low time horizon ( typically from a few milliseconds to a few minutes ), HFT traders can identify small, fleeting profit opportunities that are invisible or irrelevant over a longer time horizon.

- Bulk orders allow bulk transactions to be executed without causing large fluctuations in market prices. By decomposing bulk orders into small orders and executing them quickly through high-frequency trading algorithms, traders can minimize market impact and avoid a sharp decline in prices.

Best HFT Strategies

Scalping

Targets 0.5-5 pips per trade

Requires <20ms execution

Algorithmic Trading

Uses automated bots (Expert Advisors)

Best on MT4/MT5, cTrader

Arbitrage

Exploits price differences across brokers

Needs ultra-low latency

Risks of High-Frequency Trading

Currency. In essence, high-frequency trading can generate huge profits and easily cause equal losses, all of which occur within a few seconds of opening. This is why high-frequency trading is not suitable for traders with conservative account sizes and those who cannot afford any losses.

Psychological factors. High-frequency trading reflects a psychological state, often referred to as 'peaks and troughs '. The excitement of getting huge profits quickly and continuously may turn into fear in the blink of an eye, because you also easily lose everything. This rollercoaster of emotions may make you nervous, which is why only the most mentally prepared people will consider high-frequency trading.

External factors. Transactions may be interrupted by uncontrollable factors, such as Internet connection interruption or system failure, resulting in significant losses. Such setbacks, especially when it 's not your fault, can be economically and emotionally devastating. Therefore, choosing a reliable broker with a VPS hosting service is critical to minimizing these risks.