OvalX Broker Review

Is OvalX Safe?

OvalX is the trading name of Monecor London Limited, a UK-based financial services company founded in 1965 and listed on the London Stock Exchange.  It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority of the UK (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC), and recently, the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).  See below for its list of registered companies:

• Monecor (London) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA license number: 124721.
• Monecor (Europe) Ltd is authorised and regulated by CySEC, license: 096/08.
• Monecor Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FSCA under license number 50246.

In July 2021 OvalX received a regulatory licence from the FSCA.  The new license will allow the broker to start offering trading services in South Africa. This is a huge achievement considering the complexity of the local laws in the region.  As part of its expansion plans beyond Europe, the FSCA licence allows OvalX to offer traders competitive trading environments unavailable under the ESMA framework.   

Considered one of the most trusted regulators on the African continent, but not as good as regulators of the EU or Australia, the FSCA ensures that brokers hold client funds in segregated accounts.  It does not, however, require brokers to provide negative balance protection, comply with leverage restrictions, or insure client money through compensation schemes.  

However, in addition to OvalX segregating all client funds from its operating capital, it also provides traders with negative balance protection, and is insured by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).  In the event of liquidation, clients may be compensated by the FSCS up to a limit of 85,000 EUR per person.

According to regulation, OvalX is also required to keep accurate records and accounts, distinguishing the assets held for one client from the assets of any other client, and the company assets.  The company is also regularly audited by external auditors, and the auditor’s report is sent directly to the FSCA.  

OvalX has won multiple awards for its trading tools, trader education, and platform. Recent awards include Best Forex Trading Support – Europe 2020 (Global Forex Awards), Best Mobile/Tablet Application 2020 (Shares Awards), Best Trading Education 2019 (Shares Awards), Best Trading Tools 2019 (Online Personal Wealth Awards), and Best Online Trading Platform 2018 (Shares Magazine) for the OvalX TraderPro proprietary trading platform.  

As a long-established, publicly-listed financial company with strong regulation, strict internal processes, and frequent industry recognition, we deem OvalX a safe broker.

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Trading Fees

OvalX’s trading fees are average compared to other similar brokers.

Unlike other brokers that offer a range of accounts with higher minimum deposits linked to tighter spreads, OvalX offers a single live account on two different platforms (click here for more on OvalX’s trading platforms).  Trading conditions vary depending on the platform chosen.  

OvalX’s accounts were assessed to compare the costs to those of other forex brokers.  The costs were evaluated based on the trading fees on one lot (100 000 USD) on the EUR/USD, including the spreads and commission.  

When making this calculation, we used one lot of EUR/USD as a benchmark as it is the most commonly traded currency pair and it usually has the tightest spread.

Trading Cost Formula: Spread x Trade Size + Commission = Cost in Secondary Currency (USD):

As you can see from the table above, OvalX’s trading costs are included in its variable spreads. Spreads widen or tighten depend on trade volume and market volatility. 

The trading costs on the Trader Pro platform are lower than those on the MT4 platform and are slightly lower than the industry average.  The trading costs at most other brokers tend to be 9 USD per lot of EUR/USD.  

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Broker

Trading Conditions

Base Currencies

EURUSD (Standard)

Trading Cost (Standard)

EURUSD (Best)

GBPUSD (Best)

USDJPY (Best)

Commission

OvalX

4.5/ 5

EUR, GBP, USD

0.60 pips

USD 6

1.01 pips

1.85 pips

1.35 pips

USD 0

Pepperstone

4.5/ 5

EUR, GBP, USD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, SGD, HKD, CAD

1.00 pips

USD 10

0.10 pips

0.40 pips

0.30 pips

USD 0

IG

4.5/ 5

AUD, USD, JPY, GBP, EUR, CAD, CHF, NZD, SGD, HKD

0.60 pips

USD 6

0.85 pips

1.40 pips

0.94 pips

USD 0

Swap Fees 

Another important cost to consider is the swap rate charged on positions held overnight.   Interest is paid (or received) for each night a position is held.  These are the interbank market ‘tom-next’ rates plus OvalX’s standard fee of 1.35% per annum. Positions held overnight on a Wednesday will be subject to three days of swap charges.  Unfortunately, OvalX does not publish these fees on its website.

Overall, OvalX’s trading costs are slightly lower than the industry average on the TraderPro platform but slightly higher than average on the MT4 platform.  

Non-trading fees

OvalX’s non-trading fees are lower than other similar brokers.

OvalX does not charge any account, deposit, or inactivity fees.  The first five withdrawals of a month are free, and a charge of 10 USD per withdrawal is charged thereafter.  Additionally, traders are charged a withdrawal fee for amounts less than 100 USD.

Overall, OvalX’s non-trading fees are low, and fees are only charged for withdrawals under certain circumstances.  

Opening an Account at OvalX

The account opening process at OvalX is user-friendly, fully digital and accounts are ready for trading within one day.

All South African residents are eligible to open an account at OvalX but have to meet the minimum deposit requirement of 100 USD.  

Creating an account is straightforward, the process is fully digital, and accounts are usually ready within one day. OvalX offers individual and corporate accounts, but we will focus on opening an individual account:

1. New traders will have to click on the “Create an Account” button at the top of the page where they will be directed to confirm their country of residence.    
2. Next, traders will have to choose their preferred platform – Trader Pro or MetaTrader 4.
3. OvalX’s intake form requires clients to fill in their personal details (including name and email address) and then create a password.
4. Traders will then have to fill in their date of birth, telephone number, and ID number.  
5. Once this step is complete, clients are required to fill out a questionnaire that helps OvalX assess the trader’s investment knowledge, experience, and expertise to deem the suitability and relevance of the services on offer. While most brokers don’t include this step in the account-opening process, it is a responsible move in an industry that is often accused of an irresponsible approach to consumer protection.  
6. OvalX requires at least two documents to accept you as an individual client:
   1. Proof of Identification – OvalX accepts all government-issued identification documents such as Passport, national ID card, driving license, or other government-issued ID. 
   2. Proof of Address – Proof of residence/address document must be issued in the name of the OvalX’s account holder within the last 6 months and must contain a trader’s full name, current residential address, issue date, and issuing authority. 

After the application is approved, traders can login and fund their accounts  We advise that you read OvalX’s risk disclosure, customer agreement, and terms of business before you start trading. 

Overall, OvalX’s account-opening process is fully digital and hassle-free and accounts are generally ready for trading within one business day.  

OvalX’s Account Types

OvalX offers one account type, which is limited compared to other brokers, and its account is suitable for beginners and more experienced traders.  

OvalX is a market-maker broker offering trading on over 5000 assets, including 60+ Forex pairs, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies (click here for more on OvalX’s tradable instruments).  

OvalX offers one live commission-free account with spreads that vary depending on the platform chosen (click here for more on OvalX’s trading platforms).  This arrangement could be a disadvantage for traders who are familiar with MT4, and will then have to pay higher trading costs.    The minimum deposit requirements to open an account are 100 USD.

The low minimum deposit requirement on OvalX’s account makes it accessible to beginner traders.   We define beginner traders as inexperienced traders who have never traded before or have been trading for less than a year. Beginners often do not want to risk trading large sums of money, and will generally not be able to trade full-time during the workweek.  

Experienced traders generally prefer paying higher minimum deposits and a commission per trade in exchange for tighter spreads, which is not available at OvalX.  Experienced traders will, however, appreciate the tight spreads and large number of tradable assets available for trading.  

Strangely, even though OvalX is regulated by the FSCA, leverage is limited to 30:1 on major Forex pairs.  Clients can elect to trade as a professional, subject to certain eligibility criteria, and will then be afforded leverage of up to 286:1.  

OvalX allows hedging and copy trading (or algorithmic trading), but does not allow copy trading.  It also does not offer Islamic swap-free accounts.  See below for details on OvalX’s accounts:

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TraderPro

Average spreads using the TraderPro platform are 0.81 pips for the EUR/USD, 1.40 for the EUR/GBP, and 1.06 for the USD/JPY, which is tighter than the industry average.  The minimum deposit to open an account is 100 USD.  

MetaTrader 4

Spreads are slightly wider on the MT4 platform, averaging at 1.01 pips for the EUR/USD, 1.54 pips for the EUR/GBP, and 1.35 pips for the USD/JPY.  Again, the minimum deposit requirement is 100 USD.  

Demo Accounts

Demo accounts are available on both platforms.  The demo account is unlimited and comes loaded with virtual currency.  Demo accounts are a good way to practice trading under real market conditions. We recommend opening a demo account if you decide to use TraderPro, as it is different from other popular third-party software.   

Overall, although the account choice at OvalX is limited, the account is suitable for both beginners and more experienced traders.  

OvalX’s trading platform support is average compared to most other brokers.

OvalX offers trading on MetaTrader 4 and its own proprietary trading platform, Trader Pro.  Winner of numerous awards, the OvalX TraderPro software was designed for experienced traders with advanced charting, and numerous drawing and risk-management tools.  

A popular third-party trading platform, MT4 is available for those already familiar with the platform, but includes the OvalX MT4 Remastered upgrade, consisting of numerous add-ons and improvements.  

Trader Pro

Trader Pro is OvalX’s proprietary platform.  It is user-friendly and highly customisable.  The customized workspaces ensure individual flexibility, a feature that more and more clients demand from a competitive trading platform. 

Features of the OvalX TraderPro include:

• Eight chart types, including Classic Candle Stick, Heikin Ashi, and the Ichimoku Cloud.
• Split charting tools (with eight time frames and individual indicators)
• Over 60 trend-following indicators
• Numerous drawing tools

Furthermore, its easy-to-use trade tickets make it simple to set stops and limits, enabling you to calculate your risk prior to execution.   

Additionally, OvalX provides a comprehensive selection of video tutorials to help familiarise traders with the platform.  Overall, Trader Pro provides traders with an excellent trading experience.

MetaTrader 4

The MT4 platform is the most commonly used trading software in the CFD trading industry. With the OvalX MT4 platform, traders can use Expert Advisors for automated trading, trade micro-lots, use MT4 hedging and one-click trading.  MT4 also comes with the OvalX MT4 Remastered plugin, which will be discussed below in the trading tools section.

Other features of MT4 include:

• MQL4 programming language
• Single-thread, single-currency backtesting
• 30 inbuilt technical indicators
• 31 graphical objects
• Nine timeframes
• Hedging allowed

There are also many advantages of signing up with an MT4 broker:

• The MT4 community is vast, as is the amount of text and video resources to support new and experienced traders alike.
• The MT4 EA (Expert Advisor) community of developers is very active, so renting or buying algorithmic trading software is very easy.
• MT4 has very low system requirements, and MT4 trading can run off any device.

While MT4 has great customizability, the platform feels outdated, and some of the features may be hard to find.  In addition, only the basic orders are available, including Market, Limit, Stop, and Trailing Stop.

The benefit of brokers offering third-party platforms such as MT4 is that traders can take their own customised version of the platform with them should they choose to migrate to another broker.

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Broker

Platform Choice

Copy Trading

Platforms

OvalX

4.5/ 5

Yes

MT4

ETX

Pepperstone

5/ 5

Yes

MT4

MT5

cTrader

TradingView

IG

4.5/ 5

No

MT4

L2 Dealer

ProRealTime

Mobile Trading

OvalX’s mobile platform support is average compared to other brokers.

OvalX offers two mobile trading platforms, TraderPro and MetaTrader 4.  

TraderPro Mobile App

A mobile version of the OvalX Trader Pro software is available for Android and IOS devices.  Traders have the same functionality available on the desktop version, including being able to manage positions, react to market movements, create watchlists, and place trades no matter where they are.   Still, recent comments from the community suggest that the application has many glitches and that some of the main features do not work.  Additionally, people complain that it constantly freezes and times out.  

Metatrader 4 Mobile App

MetaTrader4 (MT4) is available on IOS, Android, and Windows mobile phones and tablets. The app will connect to the same account as the desktop software, allowing a synchronised and mobile trading experience.

Traders should be aware that there is some loss in functionality when compared to the desktop trading platforms, including reduced time frames and fewer charting options, but traders can close and modify existing orders, calculate profit and loss, and trade on the charts.  

Trading Tools

OvalX offers fewer trading tools than other international brokers.

OvalX offers the MT4 Remastered and a number of trading tools integrated into the TraderPro platform as outlined above.  

OvalX MT4 Remastered

Designed to enhance the MT4 platform, the tool comes with numerous add-ons, including a trade terminal, a mini terminal, tick chart trader, and stealth orders.  The package is available for all retail clients for free.  A few of the tools are highlighted below:

• Miniterminal: Allows traders to adapt the platforms’ deal tickets and charts to their preferences with a host of highly configurable new features.
• Trade Terminal: Manage your trading account with powerful tools, create watch lists for your favourite symbols, create order templates and generate order groups for a strategic approach to pending order management.
• Session Map: A map that tracks the global financial markets and an economic calendar that offers the latest key information.
• Correlation matrix: Enables you to see how correlated your watched markets are, and limit your risk accordingly.
• Stealth Orders:  Allows traders to hide entry and exit levels from the market.

Overall, the OvalX MT4 Remastered is a great enhancement to the MT4 platform, but OvalX would do well to add more trading tools to its trading arsenal.  

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Broker

Economic Calendar

Autochartist

Trading Central

Trading View

Free VPS

OvalX

No

No

No

No

Yes

Pepperstone

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

IG

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

OvalX offers a wider range of tradable assets compared to other large international brokers.

OvalX’s range of financial instruments for CFD trading (click here for more details on CFD trading), includes Forex, share CFDs, commodities, bonds, cryptocurrencies, and indices.

• Forex: OvalX has over 62 currency pairs available for trading, a broader range than is available at other similar brokers, including majors (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY) and minors (NZD/CAD, EUR/JPY, and USD/ZAR), and exotics. The leverage on Forex pairs is up to 30:1.
• Share CFDs: OvalX offers 5000 share CFDs, an impressive range compared to other brokerages, but trading is only available on the TraderPro platform.  The selection available includes some of the major US, UK, and European Exchanges. Leverage on share CFDs is up to 20:1.  
• Indices: A larger range than other brokerages, there are 35 indices available for trading at OvalX.  These include the Wall Street, UK 100, Germany 30, & the SP500.  Leverage is up to 1:20 on indices.  
• Commodities: OvalX offers trading on 24 commodities, a larger range than other brokers.  Commodities include metals such as gold and silver, and energies such as natural gas and oil, and softs such as wheat and cotton.  Leverage is up to 1:10 on commodities.
• Bonds: There are 11 bonds available for trading, including those of the US and Europe.  The maximum leverage is up to 1:5.   
• Cryptocurrencies: OvalX offers trading on Bitcoin, crossed with EUR, GBP, and USD.  This is a severely limited range compared to what is available at other brokers.  Additionally, trading is only available on the MT4 platform.  Leverage is up to 2:1.

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Overall, OvalX offers a broader range of assets compared to other brokers, including an impressive Forex lineup.

Educational Material

OvalX’s educational materials are more comprehensive than other brokers, and it caters to both beginners and more advanced traders.

OvalX has invested heavily in its education and market analysis materials.  With awards for Best Education 2018 (Online Personal Wealth Awards), Best Forex Education 2018 (UK Forex Awards), and Best Trading Education 2018 (Shares Magazine), newcomer traders will find the educational materials welcoming.  

OvalX has targeted courses for different asset classes, webinars, ebooks, and platform guides. It also boasts an OvalX Trading Academy, which caters to both beginners and more advanced traders.  See below for more details:

• The Learn Forex Course is a light 24-minute course designed to act as a quick starter guide to inspire new trader confidence. Other similar courses are available for learning indices, commodities, shares, and cryptocurrencies. While this course is unique in that it offers a different set of materials for each asset class, the content is limited and would leave a trader familiar with the basics of Forex trading searching for new materials.
• The OvalX Trading Academy is run by a third-party provider, the Corellian Academy. It provides professional and interactive financial market education for traders of all experience levels.  Its mentors have all had successful careers as traders and senior managers at top financial institutions. 
• OvalX also runs a weekly “Learn to trade like a professional Trader” webinar series. Run by market veterans, these webinars help traders gain a quick footing in the world of trading. 
• Traders can take advantage of the exclusive free eBook library to learn about key trading strategies and instructions on analysing various market events.

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Broker

Beginner Course

Advanced Course

Well Structured Education

Education Quality

Webinars

OvalX

Yes

No

Yes

Medium

Yes

Pepperstone

Yes

Yes

Yes

Medium

Yes

IG

Yes

Yes

Yes

High

Yes

Analysis Material

OvalX’s analysis materials are limited compared to other international brokers.  

Limited to one blog, all analysis material that OvalX has to offer is open to the public. The in-house research team posts frequent analyses of both past and future events as well as a daily round-up in written format.  Traders should note that because OvalX is a multi-asset broker, most of the analysis relates to non-currency assets.

Customer Support

Multi-lingual customer support is available 24/5 by telephone, email, and live chat.   Existing clients are also provided with direct phone numbers to shorten waiting times.  In our test of OvalX’s live chat support, agents were connected within a minute and provided relevant answers. We also enjoyed the professional tone of the customer service team.  However, if you don’t respond quick enough, the live chat closes.

Similar to live chat assistance, the email support works well. We emailed OvalX twice and we received relevant and helpful answers in every case.

Evaluation Method

We value transparency and openness in the way we review the partners. To bring transparency to the forefront, we have published our review process that includes a detailed breakdown of the OvalX offering. Central to that process is the evaluation of the reliability of the broker, the platform offering of the broker, and the trading conditions offered to clients, which are summarised in this review. Each one of these is graded, and an overall score is calculated and assigned to the broker.

OvalX Risk Statement

Trading Forex is risky, and each broker is required to detail how risky the trading of Forex CFDs is to clients. OvalX would like you to know that: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 77.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Overview

Overall, OvalX is a trustworthy and dependable broker. Its proprietary TraderPro platform is undoubtedly one of the best in the industry, and the beginner education material on offer is world-class.  Its range of financial instruments, including the broad range of Forex pairs should be enough to satisfy experienced traders. Still, the limited number of account types and average trading conditions are a bit of a disappointment.  Additionally, South Africans may find the low levels of leverage restrictive.  

Editorial Team

 

Chris Cammack
Head of Content

Chris joined the company in 2019 after ten years experience in research, editorial and design for political and financial publications. His background has given him a deep knowledge of international financial markets and the geopolitics that affects them. Chris has a keen eye for editing and a voracious appetite for financial and political current affairs. He ensures that our content across all sites meets the standards of quality and transparency that our readers expect.

 

Alison Heyerdahl
Senior Financial Writer

Alison joined the team as a writer in 2021. She is the Senior Editor for FXScouts.  She has a medical degree with a focus on physiotherapy and a bachelor’s in psychology. However, her interest in forex trading and her love for writing led her to switch careers. She has a passion for Forex trading and over a decade of editorial experience researching Forex and the financial services industry, producing high-quality content. She hosts a weekly podcast, “Let’s Talk Forex,” alongside her colleague, Chris, and has produced over 100 Forex educational videos for the FXScouts YouTube channel. She also writes weekly technical analyses and has tested and reviewed over 100 Forex brokers.

 

Ida Hermansen
Financial Writer

Ida joined our team as a financial writer in 2023. She has a degree in Digital Marketing and a background in content writing and SEO. In addition to her marketing and writing skills, Ida also has an interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain networks. Her interest in crypto trading led to a wider fascination with Forex technical analysis and price movement. She continues to develop her skills and knowledge in Forex trading and keeps a close eye on which Forex brokers offer the best trading environments for new traders.