GLOBAL WTD
Trading platforms
A practical checklist for comparing account terms, tools and operational risks.
Identify the product first
A familiar price chart does not tell you what you own. Establish whether an order buys an asset outright, creates a derivative contract or gives you a claim against an intermediary. Read the contract description and identify the counterparty before comparing interface features.
Compare the complete cost
List commissions, spreads, financing, currency conversion, market-data fees and withdrawal charges. Ask which charges vary with position size or time. A headline fee is only one part of the comparison.
Plan for problems
Find the process for interrupted service, failed orders, disputes and account closure. Check whether statements can be exported and how transaction records are retained. A demonstration account can help you learn the interface, but it does not prove how live orders will be handled.
A record to keep
- Legal entity and independently checked regulatory record.
- Product specification and current account agreement.
- Full fee schedule and example cost calculation.
- Withdrawal procedure and complaint process.
- Evidence of any claim that influenced your decision.