Swap fees—also known as overnight rollover charges—can significantly impact a trader’s profit, especially for swing and position traders. These fees are applied when positions are held past market close (typically 5 PM EST) and vary by currency pair, broker, and interest rate differentials. This article outlines the best forex brokers with low swap fees, based on real-time swap rate transparency, account type options, and global regulation.

What Are Swap Fees in Forex?

• Swap Long: Charged when you hold a long (buy) position overnight
• Swap Short: Charged for holding a short (sell) position overnight
• Positive Swap: Some brokers credit your account based on interest differentials
• Calculated in pips per lot per night, varying by currency and broker

How to Avoid or Reduce Swap Fees

• Choose brokers with low or zero swap policies
• Trade using Islamic (swap-free) accounts
• Trade during the day and close positions before rollover time
• Focus on currency pairs with small interest rate differentials

Top Forex Brokers with Low Swap Fees (2025)

1. Exness

• Regulation: FCA, CySEC, FSCA, FSA
• Swap-Free Accounts: Yes (Extended swap-free regions)
• Transparency: Real-time swap calculator
• Why It’s Top:
  • Offers unlimited leverage and swap-free options
  • Extremely low or zero swaps on major/minor pairs
  • Ideal for long-term strategies, especially in Africa and Asia

2. IC Markets

• Regulation: ASIC, CySEC, FSA
• Swap-Free Accounts: Yes (upon request)
• Transparency: Daily swap rates on MT4/MT5
• Highlights:
  • Competitive swap fees across majors
  • Great for EUR/USD, AUD/JPY, and GBP/CHF pairs
  • Also offers swap-free for MENA clients

3. Tickmill

• Regulation: FCA, CySEC, FSCA
• Swap-Free Accounts: Yes (Islamic and low-swap options)
• Low-Swap Pairs: EUR/USD, AUD/NZD, USD/JPY
• Best For:
  • Low commission + low swap combos
  • MT4 traders seeking medium-term trades

4. XM

• Regulation: ASIC, CySEC, IFSC
• Swap-Free Accounts: Yes (Islamic accounts)
• Unique Feature:
  • No swap on standard or micro accounts in Islamic regions
  • Swap-free does not affect spreads or execution
  • Broad educational support for holding trades

5. FXTM (ForexTime)

• Regulation: FCA, FSCA, CySEC
• Swap-Free Accounts: Yes
• Notable Strengths:
  • Low swaps across ECN and Standard accounts
  • Swap-free flexibility available for long-term traders in Africa and the Middle East
  • Detailed swap tables published daily

Comparison Table: Low Swap Forex Brokers

Best Currency Pairs for Low Swap Costs

Key Takeaways

• Exness and IC Markets lead the industry for low or zero swap accounts across multiple jurisdictions
• Tickmill and XM offer clear swap-free policies, especially for Muslim traders
• FXTM provides region-specific options and consistently low rollover costs
• Always check live swap rates or use a broker’s swap calculator before holding trades overnight
• For zero swap trading, ensure your account is approved for Islamic or swap-free status in advance

Frequently Asked Questions

What are swap fees in forex?

Swap fees are charges applied for holding positions overnight, based on the interest rate differential between the two currencies.

Which broker offers swap-free accounts?

Exness, XM, FXTM, IC Markets, and Tickmill all offer swap-free or Islamic account options for eligible traders.

Can I avoid swap fees entirely?

Yes, by opening a swap-free (Islamic) account or closing trades before the daily rollover at 5 PM EST.

Is swap-free trading available globally?

Availability depends on your region and the broker. Most offer it in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Do swap-free accounts have higher spreads?

Sometimes. Some brokers offset lost swap revenue with slightly higher spreads, but many (like XM and Exness) keep them the same.

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