Public standard · v3.1
Scoring framework
Every firm is scored on five pillars. Each pillar is out of 100 points, awarded only for evidence we can verify. The overall score is a weighted average — the same formula for every firm.
Letter-grade ratings
Grades reflect the rounded overall score, not trader reviews or certificate status. A grade alone does not confirm certification. Every letter grade covers exactly five points; firms scoring below 61/100 show grade 0 and are marked as failed.
- A+
- 96–100 / 100
- A
- 91–95 / 100
- B+
- 86–90 / 100
- B
- 81–85 / 100
- C+
- 76–80 / 100
- C
- 71–75 / 100
- D+
- 66–70 / 100
- D
- 61–65 / 100
- 0
- 0–60 / 100
Regulation 30%
Fees 15%
Payouts 20%
Customer Support 15%
Over-trading barriers 20%
Regulation
30% weight| Criterion | How we verify | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Tier-1 licence (FCA, ASIC, SEC, FINRA, BaFin…) | Verified on regulator register | 40 |
| Segregated client funds | Bank or auditor letter | 25 |
| Negative balance protection | Client agreement clause | 15 |
| Annual audited financials | Independent auditor report | 20 |
Fees
15% weight| Criterion | How we verify | Points |
|---|---|---|
| All fees published before sign-up | Public fee schedule | 35 |
| Spreads/commissions match disclosure | Live account sampling | 30 |
| No hidden inactivity or withdrawal fees | Terms review | 20 |
| Prop firms: reset & challenge fees disclosed | Pricing page review | 15 |
Payouts
20% weight| Criterion | How we verify | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Withdrawals processed within 2 business days | Test withdrawals | 35 |
| Payout success rate of 98% or more | Payment records / trader data | 30 |
| Clear, non-retroactive payout rules | Rule history review | 20 |
| No unjustified profit denials | Complaint analysis | 15 |
Customer Support
15% weight| Criterion | How we verify | Points |
|---|---|---|
| First response within 24 hours | Mystery-shopper tickets | 30 |
| Formal complaints procedure | Published policy | 25 |
| Complaints resolved within 30 days | Complaint log | 25 |
| Access to independent dispute body | Ombudsman membership | 20 |
Over-trading barriers
20% weight| Criterion | How we verify | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Leverage caps and negative balance protection by default | Account terms review | 30 |
| Deposit limits, cooling-off and self-exclusion tools | Platform feature check | 25 |
| No bonuses or incentives tied to trading volume | Promotions and terms review | 25 |
| Prominent risk warnings with real loss-rate disclosure | Website and onboarding review | 20 |
Formula
Overall = Regulation × 0.3 + Fees × 0.15 + Payouts × 0.2 + Customer Support × 0.15 + Over-trading barriers × 0.2
Certification threshold
Overall 61+ and no pillar below 40. Certificates expire after 12 months and must be renewed.