For this list, we have searched and tested several forex brokers with platform for Linux.
We opened live accounts and made real deposits between $4,000 and $8,000 with each broker respectively. We placed trades in each market to get the real spreads. We also reached out to customer support to solve issues that we had encountered. Finally, we withdrew our funds to see if there are any issues with the deposit/withdrawal processes.
We selected the best forex brokers with a trading platform for Linux based on our trading data and experience as a trader.
What is Forex Linux Trading Platform?
Linux trading platform is a software system offered to traders and investors who prefer trading on a Linux operating system.
Trading can be done by any operating system. The main problem here is the availability of the trading software for Linux by the broker. The only solution here is either to use a web-based trading platform or to use Wine Linux compatibility software to install the trading platforms on the Desktop.
Here’s a list of trading platforms available on Linux:
| Trading Platforms | Programming Language |
| 🖥️ MetaTrader 4 | MLQ4 |
| 📈 MetaTrader 5 | MLQ5 |
| 💻 NinjaTrader | EasyLanguage |
| 📱 IQ Option | Python |
| 📊 IB Trader Workstation | Java |
Trading Platform for Windows vs Trading Platform for Linux
Most online traders across the globe use Windows or macOS for trading; however, there’s a minority of users who prefer trading on Linux, those are typically programmers who use Linux to build robots or auto systems on Linux.
Generally, trading platforms are not designed for operating systems but rather aligned to suit the versions of the software and device trader uses, so tools and main features will be almost alike. However, compatibility may be the major issue to deal with; this is mainly because of the absence of online support resources for Linux based systems. Not so many trading platforms are available on Linux and those available are typically plagued by bugs and issues that need to be addressed.
Here’s a comparison of Windows vs Linux:
| Characteristics | Linux OS | Windows OS |
| Free OS | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Free Software | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Security | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Customization | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Ease of Use | ❌ | ✔️ |
| User Friendly | ❌ | ✔️ |
Best Linux Based Forex Trading Platforms Brokers
There are not so many brokers with their platforms supporting Linux operating system; however, brokers with APIs might allow the connection of robots and extensions written on Linux. The majority of brokers offer and support both Mac and PC Windows versions of the trading platforms.
To come up with this list, we searched and reviewed several forex brokers with their platform for Linux. We opened real accounts with money deposited. Then we placed real trades to see the spreads and conditions offered.
- Interactive Broker – Best Online Broker with Linux Platform Overall
- Admiral Markets – Best Beginners Trading Platform for Linux
- OANDA – Best Linux for Crypto trading Broker
- TD Ameritrade – Best Broker for Linux Stock Trading Software
Best Online Broker with Linux Platform Overall
We chose Interactive Brokers as the best forex broker with platform for Linux.
Interactive Brokers is one of the most sophisticated forex and CFD brokers operating since 1993. Clients can trade stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, and funds on 135 markets from a single integrated account with low spreads.
Interactive Brokers offers a powerful trading platform IB Trader Workstation compatible with Linux operating system giving direct access to trading, order, live quoting, technical research and analysis tools all in a single window.
Best Beginners Trading Platform for Linux
We picked Admiral Markets as the best for brokers with platform for Linux for Beginners.
Operating since 2001, Admiral Markets is a global forex and CFD brokerage company expanding its offerings worldwide. The broker provides competitive low spreads and deep liquidity with no restriction on trading styles or strategies. In addition to this, the broker ensures a high speed of execution.
Admiral Markets provides MT4 platform available on Linux with all features included. Admiral Markets allows opening free MT4 accounts for beginners to learn all techniques and features. Furthermore, the broker offers decent educational resources.
Best Linux for Crypto trading Broker
We chose OANDA as the best crypto trading forex broker with platform for Linux.
Operating since 1996, OANDA is a global CFD and spread betting company. It offers a wide range of instruments across all the markets
OANDA offers CFD trading through MT4 Linux on 4 major cryptos like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Spreads start from $80 and margin from 10% for Bitcoin.
In order to install MT4 on Linux it is highly recommended to use the latest version of Ubuntu which is considered the best Linux dostro for crypto trading.
Best Broker for Linux Stock Trading Software
We picked TD Ameritrade as the best stock trading broker with platform for Linux.
TD Ameritrade is one of the top-tier stock trading brokers with $0 commissions and a top-of-the-line educational program that caters to both experienced traders and beginners who are just learning the ropes.
TD Ameritrade offers its Linux clients the Thinkorswim trading platform. To install Tnikorswim on your Linux first you need to install Zulu OpenJDK 11 to run on your OS.
Top Linux Trading Platform List
Apart from the above-mentioned list of forex brokers, here are the top forex brokers with platform for Linux. Not so many brokers allow their platforms to operate on Linux:
| Forex Broker | Test Details | Broker Review |
| Interactive Brokers | – | Visit Interactive Brokers |
| Admiral Markets | Deposit Amount: Over €4,000 Total Trade: 12 trades | Admiral Markets Review |
| TD Ameritrade | – | Visit TD Ameritrade |
| OANDA | – | Visit OANDA |
| XM | Deposit Amount: Over €5,000 Total Trade: 12 trades | XM Review |
| BlackBull Markets | Deposit Amount: Over €4,000 Total Trade: 12 trades | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Vantage FX | Deposit Amount: Over €5,000 Total Trade: 15 trades | Vantage FX Review |
FAQ and More on Forex Trading software for Linux
Many traders have different questions related to trading queries. We tried to comprehensive answers to some of the questions related to platform for Linux.
Linux Java trading Platform Forex
Most of the trading platforms developed with Java are compatible with Linux operating system.
Here are some of the platforms written in Java mainly used for the creation and writing of trading robots:
- JForex
- Thinkorswim
Best Linux Distro for Day Trading
Linux distro – shortened from Linux distribution – is an open-source operating system version packed with specific software collections.
Here are some of the best Linux distros for day trading:
- Ubuntu
- Manjaro
- Zorin
- Mint