10 Best Forex Brokers Supporting Custom FIX Gateways

Traders and institutions need speed, transparency, and direct access to liquidity in the current fast-paced forex market. Best Forex Brokers Supporting Custom FIX Gateways are unique in this regard.

With ultra-low latency execution, sophisticated order routing, and smooth integration into proprietary systems, these specialized connections enable high-frequency and algorithmic trading.

For hedge funds, prop firms, and serious market players, selecting the top forex brokers that support custom FIX gateways guarantees professional-grade infrastructure, regulatory trust, and cost effectiveness.

What Is a Custom FIX Gateway in Forex Trading?

In forex trading, a custom FIX gateway is a specialized connection that connects traders directly to brokers, exchanges, or liquidity providers using the Financial Information Exchange (FIX) protocol.

A custom FIX gateway, which offers ultra-low latency, deep liquidity, and sophisticated order routing, is designed for high-frequency, algorithmic, and institutional trading, in contrast to typical trading platforms.

It is crucial for professional and institutional traders since it enables businesses to easily integrate their own trading systems, guaranteeing quicker execution, less slippage, and more control over methods.

Key Points: FIX API Features by Broker

Broker	Regulation	Access Requirements	Best For
IC Markets	ASIC, CySEC	Institutional/high-volume accounts	Algo & HFT traders
FXCM	FCA, ASIC	Institutional accounts, FIX engine setup	Hedge funds, quant traders
FOREX.com	CFTC, FCA	Retail/institutional, via REST API	Algo traders needing REST
IG Markets	FCA, ASIC	Institutional clients only	Funds, brokers
Tickmill	FCA, CySEC	Institutional accounts	Prop firms, liquidity takers
Global Prime	ASIC	Institutional/high-volume	Transparency-focused traders
FXOpen	FCA, ASIC	Institutional accounts	ECN algo traders
Dukascopy	FINMA (Switzerland)	Institutional/corporate	Quant & algo funds
ATFX	FCA	MT5 institutional clients	Tech-driven traders
OANDA	CFTC, FCA	Institutional/prime brokerage clients	Funds needing OANDA liquidity

1. IC Markets

Launched in 2007, IC Markets is headquartered in Sydney. They have a regulatory license from ASIC, CySEC, and FSA. IC Markets offers an ultra-low winding spread of 0.0 pips and charges a commission fee of $3.5 per lot.

Their platforms are MT4, MT5, and cTrader, including the FIX 4.4 API for institutional clients. To gain FIX access, clients will need to have trading volume high enough to be considered a corporate account or professional trader.

IC Markets is the best in the business for algo trading and HFT strategies, due to their raw pricing, co-location servers, and their premium market liquidity. Among forex brokers with custom FIX gateways, IC Markets is noted for rapid pricing and optimal scalability.

IC Markets Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very competitive commissions together with ultra-low spreads (0.0 Pips)
• Latency of FIX 4.4 APi is of institutional tier
• Managed by regulations of ASIC, CySEC, FSA
• Supports MT4, MT5, cTrader

Cons

• Access to FIX APi is for institutional/high volume traders only
• No set up for your dedicated infrastructure (VPS/co-location) required
• Standard APIs for Retail traders only

IC Markets

Feature	Details
Founded	2007 (Sydney, Australia)
Regulation	ASIC, CySEC, FSA
Platforms	MT4, MT5, cTrader
FIX API Protocol	FIX 4.4
Fees	Spreads from 0.0 pips, $3.5/lot commission
Access Requirements	Institutional/high-volume accounts
Best For	Algo traders, HFT strategies

2. FXCM

FXCM stands for Forex Capital Markets, which is based in the United Kingdom and was founded in 1999. FXCM is regulated by FCA, ASIC, and CySEC. Their current spread is 0.2 pips which is adjustable per account, with the fees dependent on the account type, whether it be standard, commission, or professional.

The supported platforms are MT4, MT5, and Trading Station and also provide FIX API with 4.4 and 200 price updates per second. Institutional accounts with FIX engine setups are required for access. For hedge funds and quant traders needing high-frequency execution, FXCM is the best.

Among the top forex brokers accommodating personalized custom FIX gateways is FXCM. Given the ‘Advanced Order Routing’ and ‘Deep Liquidity’ technologies, FXCM is an excellent choice for professional algo-trading.

FXCM

Pros

• Well-known broker (1999) with again, the well-known regulaing bodies of FCA, ASIC
• The FIX 4.4 APi supports 200 price updates per second
• Several platforms: MT4, MT5, Trading Station
• Access to a high level of liquidty

Cons

• Institutional accounts only on FIX APi
• Compared to ECN brokers there is high commissions
• REST/Java APIs only for retail traders

FXCM

Feature	Details
Founded	1999
Regulation	FCA, ASIC, CySEC
Platforms	MT4, MT5, Trading Station
FIX API Protocol	FIX 4.4
Fees	Spreads from 0.2 pips + commission
Access Requirements	Institutional accounts, FIX engine setup
Best For	Hedge funds, quant traders

3. FOREX.com

Since 2001, FOREX.com has been a part of GAIN Capital and is regulated by the NFA, CFTC, FCA, IIROC, and CySEC. They charge a spread of 1.0 pips and have no commission on standard accounts.

Their offered platforms are MT4, MT5, and the proprietary FOREX.com platform. While they don’t offer a FIX API, they do offer a REST API for automated trading. They have both retail and institutional client access.

TforerEOX.com is best for algo traders who prefer REST APIs and institutional clients who require regulated liquidity. Out of the many forex brokers offering custom FIX gateways, FOREX.com is the most unique with it’s multi-regulated REST API offering.

 FOREX.com

Pros

• Regulated by several (INFA, CFTC, FCA, IIROC, CySEC)
• Access to MT4/5 and an extra in house built platform
• Algo traders can access a REST APi
• Very strong presence globally

Cons

• Retail clients do not get access to direct FIX APi
• Over than the brokers that are ECN there are higher spreads from 1.0 pips
• FIX access is limited to institutional accounts

FOREX.com

Feature	Details
Founded	2001 (part of GAIN Capital)
Regulation	NFA, CFTC, FCA, IIROC, CySEC
Platforms	MT4, MT5, proprietary FOREX.com platform
FIX API Protocol	REST API (no direct FIX)
Fees	Spreads from 1.0 pips, commission-free
Access Requirements	Retail/institutional via REST API
Best For	Algo traders preferring REST API

4. IG Markets

Since 1974, IG Markets has operated under the regulation of the the FCA, ASIC, and global Tier-1 regulators. They have a spread of 0.6 pips and no commission on forex. Their offered platforms are MT4, ProRealTime, and the IG proprietary platform.

IG provides only institutional clients with access to FIX API. Additionally, retail clients have access to REST and streaming APIs. Access is through a corporate account and a coding background is required.

IG Markets is good for funds and brokers needing institutional-grade FIX connectivity. Supporting numerous customized FIX gateways, IG is recognized for its extensive coverage and strong regulation.

IG Markets

Pros

• Established in 1974. Highly reliable Tier-1 regulated broker
• FIX API offered to institutional investors
• Various platforms offered (MT4, ProRealTime, proprietary IG)
• Coverage of global markets and liquidity

Cons

• Corporate/institutional accounts are the only accounts that access FIX API
• Spread is a little wider than ECN brokers (0.6 pips)
• More complex to integrate FIX

IG Markets

Feature	Details
Founded	1974
Regulation	FCA, ASIC, NFA
Platforms	MT4, ProRealTime, IG proprietary
FIX API Protocol	FIX API (institutional only)
Fees	Spreads from 0.6 pips
Access Requirements	Corporate/institutional accounts
Best For	Funds, brokers

5. Tickmill

Tickmill was established in 2014 and is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and FSCA. Fees per side per lot are $2 in addition to a spread of 0.0 pips. Tickmill includes MT4 and MT5. FIX API 4.4 is an available option for institutional accounts with prime-of-prime liquidity and low latency.

This is targeted to corporate or high-volume accounts. Tickmill is most beneficial to prop firms and liquidity takers. Tickmill is recognized for tight spreads and institutional-grade execution and is among the select best forex brokers with customized FIX gateways.

Tickmill

Pros

• Regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSCA
• FIX 4.4 API with prime-of-prime liquidity
• Extremely low spreads (0.0 pips) and $2/lot
• Excellent ECN Execution

Cons

• FIX API is only for institutional accounts
• Retail traders only have access to MT4/MT5 platforms
• High trading volume to get access

Tickmill

Feature	Details
Founded	2014
Regulation	FCA, CySEC, FSCA
Platforms	MT4, MT5
FIX API Protocol	FIX 4.4
Fees	Spreads from 0.0 pips, $2/lot commission
Access Requirements	Institutional accounts
Best For	Prop firms, liquidity takers

6. Global Prime

Established in 2010 Global Prime is based in Australia and is regulated by ASIC, VFSC, and FSA. Fees are charged with a spread of 0.0 pips and additional commissions from $3.5 per lot. Tickmill includes the platforms MT4, Trader Evolution, and FIX API.

The FIX API 4.4 option is available for institutional traders and high-volume traders. This is available via professional account access. Of the various options Global Prime is best for transparency-focused traders as he offers the DMA and raw pricing.

Global Prime is recognized as one of the select forex brokers with customized FIX gateways, also for its audit trails and client-first execution.

Global Prime

Pros

• Regulated by ASIC, and has a strong focus on transparency
• FIX 4.4 API with Direct Market Access and raw spreads
• Audit trails for trade verification
• Spreads starting at $0.0 pips, and $3.5 for 1 lot

Cons

• The FIX API is only available for high volume traders, or institutional accounts
• Less platform options than bigger brokers
• Smaller global presence than IG and FOREX.com

Global Prime

Feature	Details
Founded	2010
Regulation	ASIC, VFSC, FSA
Platforms	MT4, Trader Evolution
FIX API Protocol	FIX 4.4
Fees	Spreads from 0.0 pips, $3.5/lot commission
Access Requirements	Institutional/high-volume accounts
Best For	Transparency-focused traders

7. FXOpen

Established in 2005, FXOpen is regulated under FCA, ASIC, and CySEC. Their fees range from 0.0 pips in spread and around $1.5 per lot for commission. Their trading platforms are MT4, MT5, and TickTrader.

FXOpen provides direct access to liquidity with lightning speed through FIX API 4.4, but access is only available for institutional accounts.

FXOpen is most suitable for ECN algo traders looking for less commission. Among forex brokers offering custom FIX gateways, FXOpen stands out for high-speed FIX trading.

FXOpen

Pros

• Regulated by FCA, ASIC, and CySEC
• FIX 4.4 API with plenty of liquidity
• Very low commissions, $1.5/lot- Compatible with MT4, MT5, and TickTrader

Cons

• Instititutional accounts only with FIX API
• Smaller broker than IG and FOREX.com
• Retail FIX access is limited

FXOpen

Feature	Details
Founded	2005
Regulation	FCA, ASIC, CySEC
Platforms	MT4, MT5, TickTrader
FIX API Protocol	FIX 4.4
Fees	Spreads from 0.0 pips, $1.5/lot commission
Access Requirements	Institutional accounts
Best For	ECN algo traders

8. Dukascopy

Dukascopy was established in 2004 in Switzerland and is regulated by FINMA. Commissions go for $3.5 per lot while fees include spreads from 0.1 pips. Their platforms are JForex, MT4, and MT5.

Dukascopy is also one of the forex brokers offering custom FIX gateways and is appreciated for his SWFX marketplace and Swiss regulation. Dukascopy supports FIX API 4.4 but with the limitation of 16 orders per second, and maximum of 100 open positions.

Access to this is only available for corporate or institutional accounts and Dukascopy is ideal for quant traders and algo funds.

Dukascopy

Pros

• High trust with FINMA regulation and base in Switzerland
• Access to SWFX marketplace with FIX 4.4 API
• MT4 / MT5 and JForex proprietary platform
• Good environment for algo/quant trading

Cons

• (16 orders per second, 100 positions open) Strict limits on FIX
• Corporate or institutional accounts needed for FIX API
• Compared to ECN peers, commissions ($3.5/lot) are higher

Dukascopy

Feature	Details
Founded	2004 (Switzerland)
Regulation	FINMA
Platforms	JForex, MT4, MT5
FIX API Protocol	FIX 4.4
Fees	Spreads from 0.1 pips, $3.5/lot commission
Access Requirements	Corporate/institutional accounts
Best For	Quant traders, algo funds

9. ATFX

ATFX is 2014 established and is regulated under FCA, CySEC, and FSC. Their fees include spreads from 1.8 pips with commission-free trading.

Available platforms include ATFX MT4, MT5, and proprietary tools, and for institutional clients, ATFX supports FIX API 4.4, allowing for minimal latency and flexible trading. Access is only available with corporate accounts.

ATFX is ideal for technology-driven institutional clients. ATFX is among the most prominent forex brokers with custom FIX gateways due to multiple regulations and superior advanced connectivity.

ATFX

Pros

• Regulated by FCA, CySEC, and FSC
• Less latency with FIX 4.4 API
• Offers MT4, MT5, and ATFX proprietary tools
• Offers strong solutions for institutions

Cons

• Corporate/ institutional accounts only for FIX API
• Retail accounts have higher spreads (from 1.8 pips)
• Access to retail FIX is limited

ATFX

Feature	Details
Founded	2014
Regulation	FCA, CySEC, FSC
Platforms	MT4, MT5, ATFX proprietary tools
FIX API Protocol	FIX 4.4
Fees	Spreads from 1.8 pips, commission-free
Access Requirements	Institutional/corporate accounts
Best For	Tech-driven institutional traders

10. OANDA

Established in 1996 and based in New York, OANDA is regulated in the United States by CFTC, in England by FCA, in Canada by IIROC, in Singapore by MAS, and in Australia by ASIC. Spreads start from 0.6 pips and there are no commissions on standard accounts.

Platforms include MT4 and OANDA Trade. OANDA supports FIX API 4.4 for institutional prime brokerage clients, but this is only available with institutional accounts.

OANDA is ideal for funds requiring OANDA liquidity and prime brokerage integration. OANDA is one of the most prominent forex brokers offering custom FIX gateways and is recognized for extensive coverage and strong regulation.

OANDA

Pros

• Multi-regulated (CFTC, FCA, IIROC, MAS, ASIC) and founded in 1996
• For institutional prime brokerage clients, there’s an API for FIX 4.4
• OANDA Trade and MT4 are supported
• Global coverage and strong liquidity

Cons

• Only institutional clients have access to FIX API
• ECN brokers have lower spreads (0.6 pips) than OANDA
• Limited options for retail algo traders in customization

OANDA

Feature	Details
Founded	1996 (New York)
Regulation	CFTC, FCA, IIROC, MAS, ASIC
Platforms	MT4, OANDA Trade
FIX API Protocol	FIX 4.4
Fees	Spreads from 0.6 pips, commission-free
Access Requirements	Institutional prime brokerage clients
Best For	Funds needing OANDA liquidity

Key Benefits of Using Brokers with Custom FIX Gateways

Ultra-Low Latency Execution

This is the main benefit of a custom FIX gateway: instant trade execution with minimal slippage in milliseconds.

Direct Liquidity Access

Trade directly with multi-bank liquidity pools instead of middlemen. Now, market depth and spreads are even more consistent.

Advanced Order Routing

Gateways can perform trade instructions Fix supports. This is excellent for order of execution, trade adjustments, and proprietary systems.

Scalability for Institutions

Custom FIX solutions scale well with high trade volume, robust infrastructure for hedge funds, brokers, and institutional clients.

Transparency & Control

Quick compliance auditing is made easy with real-time market data, execution control, and market data visibility with FIX connections.

Integration Flexibility

Custom FIX gateways can be designed and constructed to flow with in-house trading platforms, algorithms, and institutional risk systems.

Reduced Trading Costs

Direct FIX access is great for high-adjust trading volume. Spreads and commission are less and trading costs decrease.

Reliability & Stability

During high volatility, the connections are still reliable, and there is no interruption in trading with the FIX gateways.

Conclusion

It is easy to see from the top forex brokers with custom FIX gateways that professional and institutional traders greatly value this infrastructure. FIX API provides direct access to liquidity with advanced order routing and transparency, and because of the ultra-low latency, it is best suited for algorithmic and high-frequency trading.

From speedy IC Markets and FXCM with speed-oriented FIX solutions, to transparency-driven Global Prime and Dukascopy with Swiss-regulated FIX, each broker has their own distinct offering. Of the group, IG Markets, OANDA, and ATFX serve institutional customers; and of the group, REST API options for retail algo traders are available via FOREX.com.

Importantly, FIX APIs are not for retail traders. They are high-volume, high-frequency, and require institutional-level access. For firms, hedge funds, and quant teams, selecting the right broker requires a trade-off among fees, regulation, liquidity depth, and execution speed. Ultimately, precision, scalability, and control are the main offerings of FIX API trading, and these brokers are among the best options available.

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