Deriv vs Windsor Brokers Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Deriv and Windsor Brokers across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Veteran retail broker with MFSA, VFSC, FSC BVI, and LFSA licensing, best known for synthetic indices - volatility-simulated instruments that trade around the clock - alongside a standard forex and CFD offering.
VS
Score 4 / 5
2 bonusesOne of the longest-operating CySEC-regulated brokers, offering standard and ECN accounts on MT4 and MT5 - a solid EU retail offering backed by a track record few Cyprus-based competitors can match.
Our Verdict
Too close to call0.1 pts apart
Deriv and Windsor Brokers are extremely closely matched with scores of 4.1/5 and 4/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.5 pips for Deriv, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
Windsor Brokers has a stronger safety profile: compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for active traders
Recommended
Windsor Brokers has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
Deriv offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Deriv edges out Windsor Brokers with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
Deriv vs Windsor Brokers: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1999 | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Birkirkara, Malta | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
| Max leverage | 1000:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSC BVI VFSC LFSA MFSA | FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Deriv | Visit Windsor Brokers |
Deriv vs Windsor Brokers Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Synthetic indices trade 24/7 - unique offering unavailable at mainstream brokers
Very low $5 minimum deposit
Multi-platform: DTrader, MT5, Deriv X, SmartTrader
MFSA (Malta/EU) licensing for European clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Pros
35+ years of continuous operation - one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Synthetic indices are proprietary instruments, not conventional regulated assets
Regulatory quality varies significantly by entity (MFSA vs VFSC/FSC BVI)
Customer support can be slow during peak periods
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
Cons
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5 - no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
Deriv vs Windsor Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Deriv
criteria win
3
Windsor Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Deriv | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Deriv vs Windsor Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Deriv ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 4/5 for Windsor Brokers. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Deriv and Windsor Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Deriv's spreads from 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Deriv has a lower minimum deposit of $5, while Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes Deriv more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Deriv is regulated by FSC BVI, VFSC. Windsor Brokers is regulated by FSCA, CySEC. Always confirm a broker's current regulatory status before opening an account.
For beginners: Deriv has a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Deriv offers maximum leverage of 1000:1, while Windsor Brokers offers up to 500:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade and Windsor Brokers offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 5; Deriv exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade; Windsor Brokers exclusively offers MetaTrader 4.
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Score 4 / 5
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