Best Gold Trading Brokers (XAUUSD): Lowest Spreads & Swap-Free
Compare the best XAUUSD gold trading brokers and platforms in 2026: raw gold spreads, round-turn commission per 100 oz lot, swap-free rules, and leverage.
Reviewed by Hà Ngọc Lộc· Senior SEO Editor
Reviewed using our forex & CFD broker review methodology
For gold (XAUUSD) CFDs, the broker that suits you comes down to four numbers: contract size (usually 100 oz per standard lot), all-in cost per lot (spread plus any commission), leverage on gold (which is usually lower than on forex), and overnight swap or swap-free terms. Gold moves several dollars in minutes during US data releases. At 100 oz per lot, a $5 move is a $500 gain or loss per lot, so position size matters more than the broker you pick. We compare the gold terms that Vantage, Exness, HFM, PU Prime and JustMarkets publish below.
Gold Terms Compared (Broker-Published)
| Broker | Typical gold contract | Published gold leverage (global entity) | Swap-free on gold | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JustMarkets | 100 oz per lot | Up to 1:3000 on site table | "Available" on site table | Gold average spread shown as 2 (global site); EU site 1:20 |
| Exness | 100 oz per lot | Varies by account and equity | Swap-free status applies to many instruments | Extended swap-free status by default in many regions |
| Vantage | 100 oz per lot; from 0.01 lot | Per entity | Swap-free accounts with admin fee | See Vantage gold |
| HFM | 100 oz per lot | Per entity and account | Islamic accounts available | See HFM swap rates |
| PU Prime | 100 oz per lot | Per entity | Islamic account options | See PU Prime Islamic account |
Always confirm the contract size in the platform's symbol specification. Some brokers use different sizes or sell gold "micro" contracts. EU entities cap retail gold leverage at 1:20.
How to Calculate Your Real Cost
- Open XAUUSD in Market Watch → Specification. Note the contract size, tick value and swap long/short.
- Note the average spread during the hours you trade. Gold spreads widen around the US open and data releases.
- Add commission on raw accounts (round turn).
- If you hold overnight, add the swap for your direction, or the admin fee on swap-free accounts.
Example: a 0.25 spread (25 cents per oz) on 1 lot (100 oz) costs $25, plus any commission.
Risk on Gold Specifically
- Leverage looks bigger than it is. At 1:500, a 1-lot gold position at $2,500/oz needs about $500 margin, but a $5 move changes your equity by $500.
- Gaps happen. Weekend and news gaps can jump past your stop-loss.
- Swap-free isn't always free. Some brokers charge an admin fee or limit how long you can hold swap-free.
Choosing
If you trade gold often during the day, compare all-in cost on raw accounts. If you hold for days, compare swap or swap-free terms. Either way, check your entity's leverage cap and whether the broker is authorised where you live. See our gold trading strategy and ECN vs STP explainer.
Related: How to trade gold
Official sources: JustMarkets official site (justmarkets.com) · Exness regulation page (exness.com) · Vantage official site (vantagemarkets.com) · PU Prime Help Center (helpcenter.puprime.com).
Best Gold Trading Brokers: Your Questions Answered
How much is 1 lot of gold?
At most brokers 1 standard lot of XAUUSD is 100 troy ounces, so a $1 price move equals $100 per lot. Check the contract size in the symbol specification.
What leverage is used for gold?
It depends on the entity: EU retail is capped at 1:20 on gold; offshore entities may offer much higher leverage.
Can I trade gold swap-free?
Many brokers offer swap-free status or Islamic accounts that include gold, sometimes with an admin fee or holding limits.
Sources: broker homepages and account pages (JustMarkets global and EU sites checked 2026-10-01), plus our dated Vantage, Exness, HFM and PU Prime pages. Gold CFDs carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.
Related Guides
Sources & verification
- Last checked
- Written by
- HNL Growth Team
- Reviewed by
- Hà Ngọc Lộc
- Length
- 3 min read · 636 words
Rules, prices and payout terms on this page were checked against the official websites, help-centre articles and published terms of the firms mentioned, on the date above. Prop firms and brokers change conditions often — confirm the current version on the official site before you buy or deposit. Read our broker review methodology and affiliate disclosure.
Official sources & documentation verified
- JustMarkets official site(justmarkets.com)
- Exness regulation page(exness.com)
- Vantage official site(vantagemarkets.com)
- PU Prime Help Center(helpcenter.puprime.com)
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Check Each Broker for Your Country
Listed in no particular order. Each broker onboards you through a different legal entity depending on where you live — confirm the entity, its regulator, leverage cap and withdrawal terms before funding.
Vantage
$50 Standard/Raw · MT4/MT5 + TradingView · FCA/ASIC & offshore entities
Exness
Standard from $10 · MT4/MT5 + Exness Terminal · entity varies by country
HFM
$0 Cent/Zero/Premium · MT4/MT5 + HFM App · FCA/FSCA/CMA/offshore
PU Prime
$20 Cent · $50 Standard · MT4/MT5 + app · ASIC/FSCA/offshore entities
Risk disclaimer: CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. Protections, leverage and available products depend on the entity that holds your account. Affiliate disclosure: HNL Growth may earn a commission when you open an account through broker links on this page.