Most forex review sites tell you they have a “rigorous review process.” Then they show you a paragraph. Maybe two. You are expected to trust the ratings without seeing how they are produced.
We think that is backwards. If you are deciding where to deposit your money based on our ratings, you deserve to know the exact model behind them. This page publishes our complete scoring methodology, our testing protocol, our independence policy, and our update process. Every criterion. Every weight. Every formula.
No other forex review site does this. We checked. The comparison is at the bottom of this page.
Verified June 2026. forex-bonus.com may earn a commission through broker links. This never influences our ratings or which brokers pass our vetting standard. Trading forex carries significant risk — most retail traders lose money. See our full affiliate disclosure and risk warning.
Why We Publish Our Full Methodology
Forex broker reviews exist in a space Google classifies as YMYL: Your Money or Your Life. That means the information on this page can directly affect your financial wellbeing. Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines explicitly instruct human evaluators to look for transparency of methodology, author credentials, and editorial independence on YMYL sites.
But more importantly: you should demand this. If a site rates Broker A higher than Broker B and earns a commission from Broker A, you have every right to ask whether the rating is real or paid placement. The only way to answer that question is to publish the model.
Here is ours.
The Scoring Model: Six Categories, Published Weights
Every broker on forex-bonus.com receives a composite score from 0 to 10. That score is built from six category scores, each with a fixed weight that reflects what matters most to traders who use bonuses and promotions.
| Category | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation and Safety | 25% | Licensing quality, fund protection, regulatory track record |
| Bonus Value and Fairness | 20% | Offer generosity relative to conditions, withdrawal achievability |
| Withdrawal Reliability | 20% | Speed, consistency, and track record of processing payouts |
| Trading Costs | 15% | Spreads, commissions, swaps, deposit/withdrawal fees |
| Platform and Account Quality | 10% | Platform stability, account types, instrument range, execution |
| Customer Support | 10% | Responsiveness, language coverage, resolution quality |
The weights are not arbitrary. Regulation and Safety carries the highest weight because nothing else matters if a broker is not safe. Withdrawal Reliability is weighted equally with Bonus Value because a great bonus is worthless if you cannot withdraw profits. Trading Costs outweigh Platform Quality because most brokers now offer MT4/MT5, making platforms less of a differentiator. Customer Support is weighted lowest because it matters mainly when something goes wrong, while the other categories affect every trade.
Category 1: Regulation and Safety (25%)
This category answers one question: how safe is your money with this broker?
Scoring criteria:
| Factor | Score Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Primary license tier | 0—10 | Tier 1 regulators (FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS, JFSA) score 8—10. Tier 2 (DFSA, FSCA, CMA Kenya, SCB) score 5—7. Offshore only (FSC Belize, VFSC Vanuatu, FSA Seychelles) score 3—5. No verifiable license scores 0. |
| Segregated client funds | 0 or 2 | Confirmed segregation adds 2 points. No evidence adds 0. |
| Negative balance protection | 0 or 1 | Confirmed protection adds 1. No protection adds 0. |
| Regulatory complaints record | -3 to 0 | Clean record adds 0. Pattern of unresolved complaints deducts up to -3. |
| Compensation scheme membership | 0 or 1 | Membership in an investor compensation scheme (e.g., ICF for CySEC brokers) adds 1. |
The raw total is capped at 10. A broker with an FCA license, segregated funds, negative balance protection, a clean complaints record, and compensation scheme membership would score 10 + 2 + 1 + 0 + 1 = 14, capped to 10.
A broker with only an FSC Belize license, no confirmed fund segregation, no negative balance protection, a clean record, and no compensation scheme would score 4 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 4.
What disqualifies a broker entirely: A regulation score below 2 removes the broker from our site. We do not review or feature brokers that cannot demonstrate any credible regulatory oversight. These brokers are added to our do-not-promote list.
Category 2: Bonus Value and Fairness (20%)
This category is unique to forex-bonus.com. Most review sites ignore bonus terms or mention them in passing. We score them rigorously because our audience is specifically seeking bonus offers, and the difference between a fair bonus and a trap is in the details.
Scoring criteria:
| Factor | Score Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus generosity relative to deposit | 0—3 | Measured as percentage of deposit, adjusted for minimum deposit requirement. Higher percentage on lower minimums scores better. |
| Volume requirement achievability | 0—3 | Lots required per dollar of bonus. Under 3 lots per $1 of bonus = 3. 3—5 lots = 2. 5—10 lots = 1. Over 10 lots = 0. |
| Time limit fairness | 0—2 | 90+ days = 2. 30—89 days = 1. Under 30 days = 0. No time limit = 2. |
| Withdrawal clarity | 0—2 | Are the exact conditions for withdrawing bonus profits published clearly before sign-up? Clear and complete = 2. Partially clear = 1. Hidden, vague, or contradictory = 0. |
A perfect bonus score: generous amount, under 3 lots per dollar, 90+ day window, and fully transparent terms = 3 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 10.
A poor bonus: modest amount, 8 lots per dollar, 14-day window, vague terms = 1 + 1 + 0 + 0 = 2.
Data source: All bonus figures come from our Broker and Bonus Matrix, verified against the broker’s own terms page. We never invent bonus amounts. If a value is pending verification, it has been verified against current broker terms on the page.
Category 3: Withdrawal Reliability (20%)
Withdrawal reliability gets equal weight with bonus fairness because the ultimate test of any broker is whether you can get your money out.
Scoring criteria:
| Factor | Score Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Average withdrawal speed | 0—3 | Under 24 hours = 3. 1—3 business days = 2. 3—5 business days = 1. Over 5 business days = 0. |
| Withdrawal consistency | 0—3 | Based on the pattern across our tests and verified user reports. Consistent and predictable = 3. Occasional delays = 2. Frequent complaints = 1. Systemic problems = 0. |
| Withdrawal fee structure | 0—2 | No fees on standard methods = 2. Reasonable fees = 1. Excessive or hidden fees = 0. |
| User complaint ratio | 0—2 | Ratio of withdrawal complaints to total user base, sourced from regulator databases and verified forums. Low = 2. Moderate = 1. High = 0. |
When we have performed a live withdrawal test (see the Testing Protocol section below), the withdrawal speed and consistency scores reflect our direct experience. When we have not yet tested withdrawals ourselves, we say so on the broker review and score based on published processing times and verified third-party reports.
Category 4: Trading Costs (15%)
Low trading costs protect your capital over time. A bonus that saves you $50 on your first deposit is worth nothing if the broker’s spreads cost you $50 extra per month.
Scoring criteria:
| Factor | Score Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD average spread | 0—4 | Under 1.0 pip = 4. 1.0—1.5 pips = 3. 1.5—2.0 pips = 2. 2.0—3.0 pips = 1. Over 3.0 pips = 0. |
| Commission structure | 0—3 | Zero commission on standard accounts with competitive spreads = 3. Low commission ECN = 3. High commissions with wide spreads = 0. |
| Swap/overnight fees | 0—2 | Competitive swaps or swap-free Islamic accounts available = 2. Average = 1. Excessive = 0. |
| Hidden fees | 0 or 1 | No inactivity fees, no excessive deposit/withdrawal charges = 1. Hidden or punitive fees = 0. |
Spread data is sourced from our own observations where available, supplemented by the broker’s published typical spreads. We note the data source on each broker review.
Category 5: Platform and Account Quality (10%)
| Factor | Score Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Platform availability | 0—3 | MT4 + MT5 + proprietary mobile = 3. MT4 or MT5 only = 2. Proprietary only = 1. Web-only with limitations = 0. |
| Account type range | 0—2 | Multiple account types serving different trader levels (micro, standard, ECN, Islamic) = 2. Limited options = 1. One-size-fits-all = 0. |
| Execution quality | 0—3 | Minimal slippage, no requotes reported, fast execution = 3. Occasional issues = 2. Frequent problems = 0. |
| Instrument range | 0—2 | 100+ instruments across forex, commodities, indices, crypto = 2. Forex only with 40+ pairs = 1. Very limited = 0. |
Category 6: Customer Support (10%)
| Factor | Score Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Channel availability | 0—3 | Live chat + email + phone = 3. Two channels = 2. Email only = 1. No clear contact method = 0. |
| Response time | 0—3 | Live chat under 2 minutes, email under 24 hours = 3. Moderate delays = 2. Slow or unresponsive = 0. |
| Language coverage | 0—2 | Support in English plus local languages relevant to our audience (Arabic, Hindi, Malay, etc.) = 2. English only = 1. Non-English only = 0. |
| Resolution quality | 0—2 | Issues resolved accurately on first contact = 2. Requires escalation = 1. Unresolved or scripted non-answers = 0. |
The Composite Score Formula
The final score is a weighted average of the six category scores:
Composite Score = (Regulation x 0.25) + (Bonus x 0.20) + (Withdrawal x 0.20) + (Costs x 0.15) + (Platform x 0.10) + (Support x 0.10)
Worked Example
Here is a fully worked example using hypothetical scores for a broker we will call “Broker X.”
Raw category scores for Broker X:
| Category | Raw Score | Weight | Weighted Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation and Safety | 7.0 | 0.25 | 1.75 |
| Bonus Value and Fairness | 8.0 | 0.20 | 1.60 |
| Withdrawal Reliability | 6.5 | 0.20 | 1.30 |
| Trading Costs | 7.5 | 0.15 | 1.125 |
| Platform and Account Quality | 8.0 | 0.10 | 0.80 |
| Customer Support | 6.0 | 0.10 | 0.60 |
| Composite Score | 7.225 |
Broker X would receive a 7.2 out of 10 on forex-bonus.com, displayed as 7.2/10 on the review page.
What each composite score range means:
| Score | Rating | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 8.5—10.0 | Excellent | Top-tier regulation, fair bonuses, reliable withdrawals, competitive costs. Recommended with high confidence. |
| 7.0—8.4 | Good | Strong overall, may have one weaker area. Recommended with notes. |
| 5.5—6.9 | Average | Acceptable but with clear weaknesses. Featured with prominent caveats. |
| 4.0—5.4 | Below Average | Significant concerns in one or more areas. Featured only if a specific offer justifies inclusion, with clear warnings. |
| Below 4.0 | Not Featured | Does not meet our standard. Added to the do-not-promote list. |
How We Verify Bonus Terms
Every bonus offer on forex-bonus.com goes through a specific verification process before it appears on the site. Here is exactly what that process looks like.
Step 1: Locate the Primary Source
We go to the broker’s own website and find the bonus promotion page. We do not rely on third-party sites, cached versions, or affiliate network descriptions. The broker’s published terms page is the authoritative source.
Step 2: Record the Core Terms
For every bonus, we record:
- Bonus type (no deposit, deposit match, credit, cash)
- Bonus amount or percentage
- Minimum deposit required (if applicable)
- Volume requirement (lots per dollar of bonus)
- Time limit to meet conditions
- Profit withdrawal conditions
- Maximum bonus cap
- Eligible account types
- Eligible countries
- Whether the bonus is withdrawable or credit-only
These values go into our Broker and Bonus Matrix, the structured dataset that feeds every bonus listing on the site.
Step 3: Cross-Reference the Legal Terms
Many brokers have a promotional page that says one thing and a Terms and Conditions document that says something different. We read both. If the marketing page says “withdraw anytime” but the legal terms say “after completing 5 lots per dollar within 30 days,” we report the legal terms because those are what the broker will enforce.
When we find contradictions between the promotional page and the legal terms, we:
- Report the stricter condition on our listing (the one that applies in practice)
- Note the contradiction explicitly on the review page
- Contact the broker for clarification
- Update the listing when the broker responds or resolves the discrepancy
Step 4: Verify Against the Live Platform
Where possible, we verify that the bonus actually appears as described by checking the broker’s client area or demo environment. Does the bonus credit automatically, or does it require a support request? Is the claimed bonus amount accurate? Are there additional conditions visible only after registration?
Step 5: Date-Stamp and Publish
Every verified offer carries a “Verified [date]” stamp showing the date we last confirmed the terms against the broker’s own page.
What “Verified June 2026” Means
When you see “Verified June 2026” on a bonus listing, it means: on or around that date, a member of the forex-bonus.com team visited the broker’s live bonus page, confirmed the terms matched our listing, and updated the Broker and Bonus Matrix accordingly. It does not mean we opened an account and tested the bonus (that is a separate live test, noted when it has been done).
What Check broker website for current details Means
If a bonus listing shows Check broker website for current details, it means one of the following:
- The offer was recently reported by a reader but we have not yet confirmed it against the broker’s site
- The broker changed their terms page and we have not completed our review of the new conditions
- The verification date has passed our re-check threshold (see Update Cadence below)
We never publish unverified bonus amounts as confirmed facts. If we cannot verify a number, we mark it.
Our Testing Protocol
Verification of published terms is the baseline. Live testing goes further: we open real accounts, deposit real money, claim the bonus, trade, and attempt withdrawals. This section describes that protocol.
Important honesty note: We have not yet completed live tests on every broker featured on this site. Where we have tested, we say so explicitly. Where we have not, we say that too. We never fabricate first-person experience. If a review says “we tested,” it means a real test happened and we have the records. If it says “we reviewed the published terms,” it means a live test has not been conducted.
Account Opening Documentation
For each live test, we document:
- Date of account registration
- Account type selected
- KYC documents submitted and verification timeline
- Any issues during the onboarding process
- Time from registration to fully verified account
Deposit and Bonus Crediting
We record:
- Deposit method used
- Deposit amount
- Time for deposit to appear in the account
- Whether the bonus credited automatically or required action (support ticket, code entry, etc.)
- Actual bonus amount credited versus advertised amount
- Any discrepancies between the promoted offer and what appeared in the account
Spread Observation Methodology
Spreads vary by time of day, market conditions, and account type. A broker advertising “spreads from 0.0 pips” may have very different typical spreads. Our observation protocol:
- Peak session observation: We record EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and XAU/USD spreads during the London-New York overlap (13:00—17:00 UTC), the highest-liquidity period. Minimum 10 observations over 5 trading days.
- Off-peak observation: We record the same pairs during the Asian session (00:00—03:00 UTC) and around the daily rollover (21:00—22:00 UTC). Minimum 5 observations each.
- News event observation: We note spread behavior during at least one major news release (NFP, ECB rate decision, or similar).
- Reporting: We publish the median spread for each pair with the observation range and the number of data points. We do not cherry-pick the best spread.
Withdrawal Test Protocol
This is the most important test. A broker that processes deposits instantly but delays withdrawals is a fundamental problem.
Our withdrawal test process:
- Submit withdrawal request for a meaningful amount (not just the minimum). We request the withdrawal via the same method used for the deposit where possible.
- Record the timeline:
- Date and time of withdrawal request submission
- Date and time the broker processes/approves the request
- Date and time the funds arrive in our external account
- Total elapsed time from request to received funds
- Test multiple methods: Where practical, we test at least two withdrawal methods (e.g., bank wire and e-wallet).
- Document any friction: Does the broker require additional verification for withdrawal? Do they contact you to “offer” a bonus to keep trading? Do they request documents already submitted during KYC?
- Record fees: What was the actual fee charged for the withdrawal, compared to the published fee schedule?
What constitutes a pass:
- Withdrawal processed within the broker’s stated timeframe
- No unreasonable additional requests or delays
- Actual fees match published fees
- Full requested amount received (minus stated fees)
What constitutes a fail:
- Withdrawal takes significantly longer than stated without explanation
- Broker attempts to discourage or delay the withdrawal
- Additional unexplained deductions
- Withdrawal request ignored or rejected without valid reason
A single failed withdrawal test does not automatically disqualify a broker. We document the issue, contact the broker for explanation, and factor the result into the Withdrawal Reliability score. A pattern of failed withdrawals across multiple tests or corroborated by user reports will significantly reduce the score or result in removal from the site.
Our Independence Policy
forex-bonus.com earns money through affiliate commissions. When you click a broker link on our site and open an account, we may receive a payment from that broker. This is the standard business model for broker comparison sites.
Here is what we commit to, and what you can hold us to:
Commissions Never Affect Scores
The scoring model published above is the scoring model we use. It does not include a variable for “commission paid to forex-bonus.com.” A broker that pays us $500 CPA and a broker that pays us $100 CPA go through the identical model. The broker paying us $100 could easily score higher if it has better regulation, fairer bonus terms, and more reliable withdrawals.
We would rather recommend a broker that pays us less but serves our readers well than recommend a broker that pays us more but will create problems for our readers. A reader who has a bad experience with a broker we recommended will not come back. A reader who has a good experience will return for every future broker decision. The long-term business incentive aligns with honest ratings.
Brokers We Reject
Not every broker that approaches us with an affiliate offer gets featured. We reject brokers for any of the following reasons:
- No verifiable regulation: If we cannot confirm a license on a regulator’s public register, the broker is not featured. Period.
- Pattern of withdrawal complaints: If multiple verified sources report systematic withdrawal problems, the broker does not appear on our site regardless of commission offered.
- Deceptive bonus terms: If the broker’s bonus conditions are designed to be unachievable (e.g., 500 lots in 7 days on a $50 bonus), we will not promote the offer.
- Misleading profit claims: Any broker that markets assured returns or implies trading is without danger is either lying or unregulated, and often both. We do not feature them.
- History of regulatory action: Brokers that have been sanctioned, fined for client fund mishandling, or had their license revoked are not featured.
The Do-Not-Promote List
We maintain an internal list of brokers that have been evaluated and rejected. Brokers on this list are not featured in any capacity: no reviews, no bonus listings, no “compared to” mentions that could be construed as recommendation.
A broker can be removed from the do-not-promote list if circumstances change materially. For example, if a previously unregulated broker obtains a credible license and demonstrates a clean track record over a meaningful period, we will re-evaluate. But the bar for re-entry is high. We publish the criteria for our broker blacklist separately.
How We Handle Broker Complaints About Their Rating
Brokers sometimes disagree with their score. Here is how we handle it:
- We read every complaint. If a broker contacts us about their rating, we review their specific objections.
- Factual errors are corrected. If we got a fact wrong (wrong license number, outdated spread data, incorrect bonus terms), we correct it and adjust the score if warranted.
- Opinions are not negotiable. If the broker disagrees with our weighting model, our assessment of their withdrawal reliability, or our interpretation of their bonus terms, we explain our methodology but do not change the score to satisfy the broker.
- Pressure results in documentation, not compliance. If a broker threatens to cut our affiliate arrangement unless we improve their score, we document the threat and note it internally. Our score does not change. If they cut the arrangement, we continue to feature the review with a note that no affiliate relationship exists.
- We never accept payment for score adjustments. No broker can pay for a higher rating. Any attempt is rejected and logged.
Our Update Cadence
Forex bonus offers change constantly. Brokers launch new promotions, change terms, adjust spreads, and modify withdrawal policies. A review site that does not update is a misleading site. Here is our update schedule.
Scheduled Re-Verification
| Content Type | Re-Verification Cycle | What We Check |
|---|---|---|
| Active bonus offers | Every 30 days | Terms still match our listing, offer still active, amounts unchanged |
| Broker review scores | Every 90 days | Regulation status, spread data, withdrawal reports, new user feedback |
| Country-specific pages | Every 60 days | Regulatory changes, new broker entries/exits, local payment method availability |
| Comparison tables | Every 30 days | All data points current, rankings reflect latest scores |
What Triggers a Re-Review Outside the Schedule
Even between scheduled checks, certain events trigger an immediate re-review:
- Regulatory action: A regulator announces an investigation, fine, or license suspension
- Widespread withdrawal complaints: A sudden spike in verified reports about withdrawal delays or refusals
- Terms change reported by readers: A reader notifies us that a bonus has changed (we verify before updating)
- Broker acquisition or restructuring: Ownership changes can affect everything from regulation to fund safety
- New bonus launch: When a broker launches a new promotion, we verify and add it
The Changelog
Every broker review page includes a changelog at the bottom showing:
- Date of each update
- What changed
- Why it changed
This serves two purposes: it shows readers the page is maintained, and it gives Google a clear signal that the content is current and actively managed. If you see a changelog entry, you know exactly what was updated and when.
How We Compare to Other Forex Review Sites
We reviewed the methodology pages of the most prominent forex review and comparison sites. This table summarizes what each site publicly discloses about how they rate brokers.
| Disclosure Element | forex-bonus.com | Typical Competitor Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring categories published | Yes, all six with descriptions | Most list categories without detail |
| Exact weights published | Yes, with rationale | Very rarely. Most say “we consider these factors” without specifying how much each matters |
| Scoring rubric per category | Yes, with point ranges and criteria | Almost never. Scoring criteria are treated as proprietary |
| Worked example with real math | Yes, see above | None that we found |
| Bonus term verification process | Yes, step-by-step | Most do not describe any verification process for bonus offers specifically |
| Live testing protocol | Yes, with pass/fail criteria | Some mention testing but do not describe the protocol |
| Withdrawal test methodology | Yes, with timeline documentation | Rarely described in detail |
| Independence policy | Yes, with specific commitments | Most include a brief affiliate disclosure |
| How broker complaints are handled | Yes, with five specific rules | Almost never addressed |
| Do-not-promote list concept | Yes, with criteria for rejection | Some mention rejecting brokers but without published criteria |
| Update schedule | Yes, with specific cycles per content type | Some mention “regular updates” without specifics |
| Changelog on reviews | Yes, per review | Very rare |
We do not name specific competitors in this table because our goal is not to disparage other sites. Many do good work. Our point is simpler: in a YMYL niche where your money is at stake, you should expect this level of transparency from any site you trust with broker recommendations. If a site will not show you how they produce their ratings, ask yourself why.
See our reviewed brokers and their bonuses in the Bonus Finder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a broker pay for a higher score on forex-bonus.com?
No. Our scoring model is published on this page. There is no input variable for “payment to forex-bonus.com.” We earn affiliate commissions based on referrals, and those commissions are the same regardless of the score. A broker rated 6.5 earns us the same commission structure as a broker rated 8.5.
Why does bonus fairness get 20% weight but platform quality only gets 10%?
Because our audience is specifically searching for bonus offers. Platform quality matters, but most major brokers now offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, making platforms less of a differentiator. Bonus terms, on the other hand, vary enormously and have a direct financial impact on traders claiming offers.
How do you score a broker you have not live-tested yet?
We score based on published data, verified terms, regulatory status, and aggregated user reports. Categories like Regulation and Safety, Bonus Value and Fairness, and Trading Costs can be scored from public information. For Withdrawal Reliability, we rely on third-party reports and regulator databases until we complete a live test. We clearly note on each review whether a live test has been conducted.
What happens if a broker’s terms change after you publish a review?
Our 30-day re-verification cycle catches most changes. Readers also report changes to us. When terms change, we update the listing, adjust the score if warranted, and add a changelog entry. The “Verified [date]” stamp resets to the new verification date.
Do you accept sponsored content or paid reviews?
No. Every review on forex-bonus.com is produced using the methodology described on this page. We do not accept payment for reviews, and we do not publish broker-supplied content as editorial.
I am a broker and I disagree with my score. What can I do?
Contact us with specific factual corrections. If we got a fact wrong, we will correct it. If you disagree with our methodology or interpretation, we will explain our reasoning but we will not change the score to satisfy a broker request. See the “How We Handle Broker Complaints” section above for our full policy.
How can I report a problem with a broker listed on your site?
Use the contact form on our contact page or email the address listed there. Include the broker name, the specific issue, and any supporting documentation. We investigate every credible report and update our reviews accordingly.
This methodology page was written by Tim Morris, founder of forex-bonus.com. It reflects the review standards applied across the site as of June 2026. The methodology may evolve as we add live testing data and refine our processes. All changes will be documented in the changelog below.
Changelog:
- June 3, 2026: Initial publication of complete methodology, scoring model, testing protocol, independence policy, and update cadence.