We assess every forex broker against criteria built specifically for forex trading, test it hands-on with a real account, and give you the result as one transparent, expert-led score. This page explains exactly how that score is produced.
The Four Steps Behind the Credibility Index
- Research & test — we study the broker and test it with a real account.
- Expert scoring — we score it against our forex criteria.
- Review & fact-check — every report is checked before it is published.
- Final score — a single transparent score out of 10, based on our expert assessment.
1. What We Review
RebateGain focuses on forex and CFD brokers — platforms used for trading currencies and contracts for difference. Because rebates, trading costs, and execution quality sit at the centre of a forex trader’s experience, our criteria are designed around exactly those factors rather than a generic checklist (see Section 3).
2. What is the Credibility Index?
The “Credibility Index” is the overall score we give each broker — a single, transparent number out of 10.
It is an expert-led assessment: our team evaluates each broker against the specialised, weighted criteria below, tests the service hands-on with a real account, and converts the result into one clear score. We do not currently factor public user ratings into the score. Because we cannot yet verify the identity of reviewers reliably, including unverified ratings would expose the score to fake, biased, or fraudulent reviews — so every Credibility Index reflects verified, first-hand expert assessment rather than unverified opinion.
3. Forex Broker Evaluation Criteria
Every forex broker is measured against the following criteria, with the weights shown (total = 100%):
| Criterion | What it Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Broker credibility & safety | Regulation, operating history, protection of client funds, brand reputation, accessibility for international traders, and any history of serious violations or complaints | 25% |
| Trading costs | Real spreads on popular instruments, account commissions, swaps, and other trading costs | 20% |
| Execution quality | Order execution speed, slippage, requotes, server stability, liquidity quality, and broker performance during news events and high market volatility | 20% |
| Rebate & cashback terms | Rebate rates, payout reliability, settlement speed, transparency of conditions, the cashback pass-through percentage (how much of the broker’s commission can actually be returned to the trader), and the real value of cashback programmes for traders | 15% |
| Deposits & withdrawals | Range of deposit and withdrawal methods (including local and crypto options), settlement speed, reliability of service for global users, fees, and ease of use | 15% |
| Support & transparency | Quality of customer support (including language coverage), response speed and hours, transparency of rules, communication of changes, quality of the website and social channels, and overall reputation among traders | 5% |
💡 Note on the safety score: “credibility & safety” is assessed on a strict regulatory tiering rubric. Brokers operating under Tier-1 regulators (for example, the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC) receive a higher baseline safety score than those operating only under offshore jurisdictions (for example, FSA or FSC). This keeps the safety assessment consistent and defensible across brokers.
4. Editorial Process and Quality Assurance
No assessment is published without being reviewed and approved by more than one person. Each report passes through three independent roles before it goes live, so that accuracy, neutrality, and up-to-date information are all confirmed:
- Stage 1 — Writer / Reviewer: Collects data from the broker’s website and official sources, checks the broker’s real conditions by opening a live account, and then produces the initial assessment and scoring. Finally, they write a comprehensive review based on the content brief and the required criteria.
- Stage 2 — Editor: Reviews and edits the content for accuracy, structure, and currency of information, in line with the content and SEO brief. The editor also checks that the text matches our framework and policies, and is responsible for the periodic and long-term updates of the content.
- Stage 3 — Fact-checker: Before publication, independently verifies all claims, figures, and key information — such as regulation, rebate rates, costs, and trading conditions — against independent sources, so that no inaccurate or outdated data is published.
5. Data Sources and Independent Testing
For each criterion we use several sources at the same time, so that no assessment relies on a single source. Wherever possible, we test services independently with a live account to measure the genuine trader experience:
- Official information and documents published by the broker itself.
- First-hand, independent testing of services with a live account (deposit, trade, withdrawal), handled by our review team to capture the actual trader journey.
- Checking regulatory status and licensing in the databases of supervisory authorities.
- Independent regulator registers and broker-verification databases (such as the public registers of financial supervisory authorities, and reputable review platforms like Trustpilot and Forex Peace Army).
- Reputable, independent third-party sources where needed.
6. Scoring and Grading Method
Each criterion receives a score out of 10, and their weighted average — using the weights in Section 3 — produces the broker’s final Credibility Index. The result is a single, transparent score out of 10, with no letter grades, just one clear number.
Example: 8.2 out of 10.
To help you interpret what a score means, we calibrate the Credibility Index on the following scale:
| Score | What it Means |
|---|---|
| 8.0 – 10 | Excellent — top-tier safety and trading conditions |
| 6.0 – 7.9 | Good / competitive — a solid choice with minor caveats |
| 4.0 – 5.9 | Average — caution advised, often with higher offshore exposure |
| Below 4.0 | High risk — strong caution advised |
7. Why These Criteria and These Weights?
The weight of each criterion is set according to how important it is to the trader — and especially to a trader looking for rebates. That is why “credibility & safety” (the safety of your capital), along with core trading metrics like trading costs and execution quality, carry the most significant weights, while “rebate & cashback terms” directly optimise your net outcome.
The weights and criteria are not fixed; they are reviewed periodically based on market changes and trader feedback, so that the Credibility Index always reflects what genuinely matters to traders.
8. Independence, Conflict of Interest, and Correction Policy
Scores are independent of any financial relationship. Receiving a commission from, or running a promotional partnership with, a broker has no effect on its score. Where such a relationship exists, we disclose it clearly.
- Correction Policy: If a genuine error occurs in an assessment, we correct it after review and, where necessary, announce the update. The final decision about scores always rests with the RebateGain editorial team.
- Updates: Assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change in a broker’s conditions.
9. Disclaimer
The RebateGain Credibility Index and scores are a comparative guide based on data and our expert assessment, and are not a guarantee of the safety, profitability, or future performance of any broker. A high score does not mean a broker is risk-free or fully endorsed, and any broker’s conditions may change at any time. Responsibility for every financial, investment, or trading decision and its consequences rests entirely with the user, and RebateGain accepts no liability for any loss, fraud, or dispute between a user and a broker. Always do your own research before taking any action.
Have a question or suggestion about this methodology? Get in touch.
RebateGain
- Email: support@rebategain.com