Swap rates, also known as rollover or overnight fees, are interest charged or paid when traders hold positions overnight. These rates vary between brokers, account types, and even trading instruments โ making swap comparison a critical step for swing traders, long-term forex investors, and those using high-leverage strategies.
This article compares the swap policies and overnight fees of leading forex brokers, focusing on transparency, competitiveness, and account flexibility. Whether you’re trading majors, minors, or exotic pairs, this guide helps identify the most cost-efficient brokers for holding positions overnight.
What Is a Swap in Forex?
A swap fee is the interest differential applied to positions held overnight. It’s derived from the difference in interest rates between the base and quote currencies in a pair, adjusted by the brokerโs markup. Swaps are either:
- Positive (swap credit) โ when you receive interest
- Negative (swap debit) โ when you pay interest
Swaps are tripled on Wednesdays to account for weekend rollover.
Forex Brokers Swap Rate Comparison (2025)
1. Exness
- Swap Visibility: Displayed in MT4/MT5 spec sheets
- EUR/USD Long: Approx. -0.30 pips
- EUR/USD Short: Approx. -0.15 pips
- Swap-Free Option: Yes, for select countries and assets
- Strengths: Low overnight charges, flexible account models
2. IC Markets
- Swap Visibility: Real-time in MT4/MT5 Market Watch
- EUR/USD Long: Approx. -4.26
- EUR/USD Short: Approx. 1.26
- Swap-Free Option: Islamic account (upon request)
- Strengths: True ECN pricing but moderately high swaps
3. Pepperstone
- Swap Visibility: Updated daily in platform or via website
- EUR/USD Long: Approx. -3.90
- EUR/USD Short: Approx. 1.50
- Swap-Free Option: Available in specific jurisdictions
- Strengths: Competitive on minor pairs, high-volume support
4. FXTM
- Swap Visibility: Clearly listed per asset in dashboard
- EUR/USD Long: Approx. -6.0
- EUR/USD Short: Approx. 2.0
- Swap-Free Option: Yes, with conditional trading style restrictions
- Strengths: Fast updates, regional account customisation
5. HFM (HotForex)
- Swap Visibility: In client portal and MT5
- EUR/USD Long: Approx. -3.5
- EUR/USD Short: Approx. 1.2
- Swap-Free Option: Yes, long-term conditions apply
- Strengths: Transparent overnight policy, swap calculator tool
6. FBS
- Swap Visibility: On web platform and MT4
- EUR/USD Long: Approx. -2.5
- EUR/USD Short: Approx. 0.9
- Swap-Free Option: Yes (on all Islamic accounts)
- Strengths: Micro account swaps relatively lower
7. FXPro
- Swap Visibility: MT4/MT5/cTrader platforms
- EUR/USD Long: Approx. -4.0
- EUR/USD Short: Approx. 1.4
- Swap-Free Option: Yes (non-interest accounts available)
- Strengths: Wide asset range and institutional pricing
8. Octa
- Swap Visibility: Listed in trading conditions PDF
- EUR/USD Long: Approx. -1.8
- EUR/USD Short: Approx. 0.5
- Swap-Free Option: Yes (automatically applied in some regions)
- Strengths: Good for emerging market pairs
Key Takeaways
- Swap fees vary greatly across brokers โ even on standard pairs like EUR/USD
- Some brokers like Exness and Octa offer competitive or near-zero swaps
- Islamic (swap-free) accounts are available with most brokers, but often have trade condition restrictions
- Swing and carry traders should use platform tools or swap calculators to monitor daily costs
- Wednesday triple swaps apply globally โ plan multi-day positions accordingly
Frequently Asked Questions
Which forex broker has the lowest swap fees?
Exness and Octa generally offer the lowest swaps on major pairs, with Exness providing close-to-zero overnight charges on some accounts.
Do all forex brokers charge swaps?
Yes, unless you use a swap-free (Islamic) account. Even then, administrative fees may apply.
Are swap-free accounts really swap-free?
They donโt charge interest, but brokers may apply fixed fees or exclude certain instruments from eligibility.
Where can I find the current swap rates for my broker?
Most brokers display swap rates within the trading platform (MT4/MT5) or publish them daily on their websites.
How do I avoid swap charges in forex trading?
Use day trading strategies that close all trades before rollover, or apply for a verified swap-free account if eligible.
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