About Us
The story behind
FXCostGuide
We were tired of losing money to costs we didn't understand. So we built the resource we wish we'd had from day one.
How we got here
Three traders, one shared frustration, and a spreadsheet that turned into a website serving over 150,000 traders a month.
The idea
Three forex traders, frustrated by how hard it was to compare real trading costs across brokers, started sketching what would become FXCostGuide.
First launch
Published the first six cost guides — spread, commission, swap, slippage, hidden costs, and our step-by-step calculator. No marketing, just shared in a few trading communities.
Strategy deep-dive
Added strategy-based cost breakdowns, showing scalpers, day traders, swing traders, and position traders exactly what each cost type means for their style.
Broker data layer
Built a system to pull and cross-reference broker pricing data from public sources, updating spread and commission figures monthly.
Where we are now
Over 150,000 traders visit each month. We cover every major cost type with real numbers, real examples, and zero broker bias.
Why we built this
Most forex traders lose money. Not because they make bad directional calls — but because they don't fully understand what they're paying on every trade. Spread. Commission. Swap. Slippage. Inactivity fees. Currency conversion markups. Each one chips away at your edge, and together they can turn what looks like a winning strategy into a net loss.
When we started trading, we experienced this firsthand. We'd calculate a trade, factor in the spread, and feel confident — only to see our account balance drift lower over weeks and months. The culprit? Costs we didn't know we were paying. Swap fees on positions held overnight. Slippage during news events. Hidden markups in the broker's conversion rate. Nobody was explaining this stuff in plain language, with real numbers.
of retail CFD accounts lose money each quarter (ESMA data, 2024–2025 average)
of a typical day trader's total costs come from spread alone
how much more a high-cost broker can charge versus a low-cost one for the same trade
Who's behind this
Not a big company. Not a broker. Just three traders who got frustrated, built a resource, and never stopped improving it.
Alex Kovacs
Content & ResearchFormer prop trader who spent four years at a London-based forex desk. Has traded with 20+ brokers and knows exactly where they hide fees. Writes every guide with the same question in mind: "Would this have saved me money when I started?"
Maya Lindström
Data & VerificationQuant background, previously built pricing models at a fintech startup. Runs the monthly broker data checks, cross-references spread figures, and makes sure every number on the site is traceable to a public source.
James Rivera
Product & DesignFull-stack developer and retail trader since 2019. Built the cost calculator, the broker comparison tools, and the entire site — driven by the belief that trading cost education should be free and easy to understand.
How we research & verify
Every number you see on FXCostGuide is traceable to a public source. Here's how we keep the data accurate and current.
Public data only
We pull spread, commission, and swap figures from publicly accessible broker websites and regulatory disclosure documents. No insider information, no privileged access — the same data any trader can verify themselves.
Monthly update cycle
Brokers change their pricing. We run a full data refresh every month, cross-referencing figures across multiple sources. If a broker adjusts their spreads or fee structure, our numbers reflect it within 30 days.
Cross-verification
For any cost figure, we aim to confirm it against at least two independent sources. If numbers conflict, we flag the discrepancy and default to the more conservative figure so we never understate what a trader might pay.
No black box math
Every formula and calculation is explained step by step on the site. You can reverse-engineer any cost figure and verify it yourself using your own broker's published rates.
Ready to see what your trades actually cost?
We've done the research. Now use it — start with the cost type that matters most to your trading style.