Hidden Fee Investigator
Overnight swap rates, deposit and withdrawal charges, and inactivity penalties — for every broker we've audited.
Select a broker to investigate
Select a broker above to reveal its hidden fee breakdown
Why Hidden Fees Matter More Than Spreads
Most traders benchmark brokers on spread alone — EUR/USD at 0.0 pips sounds free. But the real cost of trading lies in three places most brokers don't advertise prominently: overnight swap rates charged every night a position is held, withdrawal fees that compound with every profit you take out, and inactivity fees that quietly drain dormant accounts.
For a position trader holding EUR/USD for 30 days: a $3.10/lot overnight swap adds up to $93 per standard lot — dwarfing any spread advantage. For someone withdrawing monthly profits, a $5 flat withdrawal fee adds $60/year in invisible friction. An inactivity fee of $10/month erases $120/year from an account that hasn't been touched.
The Hidden Fee Investigator exists to surface exactly these costs — audited directly from broker fee schedules and disclosed trading terms, updated June 2026.
How to Read This Tool
- 1Select your broker — or the broker you're considering opening an account with.
- 2Check the Transparency Score — 80+ means most fees are clearly disclosed. Below 60 means dig deeper before depositing.
- 3Review swap rates if you hold positions overnight — even a single standard lot held for a month accumulates meaningful cost.
- 4Check the 'Inactivity & Other Fees' section — this is where the most damaging hidden charges appear for part-time traders.
Understanding Overnight Swap Rates
Swap rates (also called tom-next rates or rollover rates) are charged every night a leveraged CFD position remains open past the market close, typically 17:00 New York time. They reflect the interest rate differential between the two currencies in a pair — but brokers add a markup on top.
On Wednesday night (for FX pairs) and Friday night (for indices), most brokers charge triple swap to account for the weekend. This triple-swap day is one of the most misunderstood costs in retail CFD trading. A position held open over the Wednesday close costs 3× the nightly rate — equivalent to 3 nights of swap in one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a swap fee in forex trading?+
A swap fee (also called a rollover or overnight fee) is charged when you hold a leveraged forex or CFD position past the daily market close, typically 17:00 New York time. It reflects the interest rate differential between the two currencies in the pair, plus a broker markup. Long positions on pairs where the base currency has a lower interest rate than the quote currency will pay swap; short positions may receive it.
Why do brokers charge inactivity fees?+
Brokers charge inactivity fees to recover administrative costs on accounts that hold a balance but generate no trading commissions or spreads. The fee is deducted directly from the account balance until it reaches zero. Inactivity windows range from 90 days (XM) to 12 months (IC Markets, OANDA, eToro). The trigger condition is worth checking carefully — XM's 90-day window is based on account login, not on whether you executed a trade, so a trader who logs in regularly to check charts will reset the timer even without placing a position. eToro uses the same login-based trigger over a 12-month window. Pepperstone charges no inactivity fee at all.
What is triple swap and when does it apply?+
Triple swap is charged once per week to compensate for the two weekend days when positions are held but markets are closed. For forex pairs, triple swap is applied on Wednesday night. For indices and commodities, it typically falls on Friday night. A position held over that night is charged 3× the standard nightly rate — making it the most expensive single overnight charge of the week.
Which broker has the lowest hidden fees?+
Based on our June 2026 audit, Fusion Markets scores highest on fee transparency (92/100) with the lowest estimated annual cost (~$55/year on a $10,000 account trading 20 lots/month). It charges no deposit fee, no withdrawal fee, and no inactivity fee. Pepperstone scores second at 88/100 with a similar fee structure. eToro scores lowest at 41/100 due to mandatory withdrawal fees, aggressive inactivity penalties, and high crypto spreads.
Are swap fees tax deductible?+
In many jurisdictions, swap fees paid on CFD positions may be deductible as a trading cost. However, tax treatment varies significantly by country and individual circumstances. Consult a qualified tax adviser in your jurisdiction — this tool does not provide tax advice.
Can I avoid swap fees entirely?+
Yes — most brokers offer Islamic accounts (also called swap-free accounts) that replace overnight swap charges with a fixed administration fee. These are designed for traders whose religious beliefs prohibit interest payments. Some brokers also extend swap-free status to all clients for selected instruments. Check each broker's Islamic account terms, as some apply the administration fee in ways that may exceed standard swap costs.
Explore Related Tools
About This Data
Fee data is researched directly from each broker's published fee schedule, trading terms, and account documentation. We verify swap rates by instrument type using each broker's own swap calculator or MT4/MT5 symbol specification. Data is reviewed periodically — current audit: June 2026. If you identify a discrepancy, contact us.
Risk warning. CFD trading involves significant risk of loss. 74–89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.