Forex bonuses are everywhere. You might come across offers like “Get 50% extra on your first deposit” or “Trade without investing your own money.” These promotions are designed to catch your attention, but not all of them are as helpful as they sound.
Some can give you more flexibility while trading, especially if you’re just getting started or want to boost your margin during high-volume sessions. Others might look good upfront but come with tricky terms that limit how or when you can use them.
Let’s explore the most common types of broker bonuses and explain how they work with real examples.
A forex bonus is an advantage offered by brokers to attract new clients or keep existing traders active. These promotions usually come in the form of extra funds added to your account, cashback based on your trading activity, or small welcome amounts to let you start trading without a deposit.
Most bonuses are applied automatically once you meet the requirements; like making a deposit, reaching a certain volume, or verifying your account. The bonus appears in your trading balance but doesn’t always work the same way as your real funds. In some cases, it can only be used for margin support or as a buffer against stop-outs. In other cases, parts of it can be converted into withdrawable cash after you reach a trading milestone.
It’s important to treat bonuses as a support tool rather than a shortcut to profits.
There are a few different reasons why brokers offer bonuses. First, to bring in new clients. For someone comparing different platforms, a bonus offer might be the extra push that leads them to open an account or make a deposit.
Second, bonuses can encourage existing clients to deposit more. Re-deposit bonuses, margin boosters, or cashback promotions are all designed to keep traders engaged and trading more frequently. For active traders, especially those who scalp or trade in high volume, cashback offers can even feel like a steady reward.
But not all bonuses are available everywhere. In regions like the EU or the UK, many types of trading bonuses have been restricted or banned due to regulatory concerns. In contrast, offshore brokers and those operating in less-regulated regions often have more freedom to offer creative promotions.
So, while bonuses can offer real value, they’re also part of a broker’s business strategy.
Not all forex bonuses work the same way. Below are the most common bonus types you’ll come across when looking for a broker.
This is one of the most common bonuses in the market. It’s offered to new clients making their first deposit into a live trading account. For example, if a broker offers a 100% bonus and you deposit $500, your account balance shows $1,000.
These types of promotions usually help traders to open slightly larger positions. However, they often come with conditions such as minimum trading volume before the bonus can be withdrawn or used beyond margin support.
This type is offered to existing clients who top up their accounts after the first deposit. The percentage is usually lower than the initial bonus, something like 20% or 30%, but it still provides useful support.
For example, a trader who adds $1,000 might receive an extra $200 as bonus credit. It’s a good incentive to stay with the same broker rather than opening new accounts elsewhere.
Margin bonuses aren’t meant to be withdrawn. Instead, they act as a cushion to support your open positions and help prevent margin calls. Let’s say your equity drops during a trade; a margin bonus can give you a little breathing room before positions are closed due to insufficient funds.
These are popular among traders using high leverage or those who hold multiple positions at once. Just keep in mind that the bonus disappears if you close all trades or request a withdrawal, depending on the broker’s rules.
Cashback bonuses are based on your trading volume. The more you trade, the more you earn back as real cash. This is usually calculated per lot; for instance, $5 or $10 per round lot traded.
This type of bonus is especially useful for scalpers, day traders, and algorithmic traders who open and close multiple positions in a day.
Cashbacks are often credited daily, weekly, or monthly and are usually fully withdrawable.
As the name suggests, this bonus is given without needing to fund your account. It’s often a small amount, something between $25 or $100 that lets you experience live market conditions without using your own money.
These are great for beginners who want to try live trading or test a broker's platform. But there are always limits.
You’ll likely need to verify your identity and complete certain trading volumes before you can withdraw any profits made with the bonus.
This table helps you understand how each one works, what it's good for, and what to watch out for.
Bonus Type | What It Does | When You Get It | Best For | Withdrawable? | Things to Consider |
First Deposit Bonus | Adds extra funds to your first deposit (e.g., +50% or +100%) | After your first deposit | New traders, small account starters | Usually partially after conditions | May require large trading volume to convert into cash |
Re-Deposit Bonus | Bonus applied when you fund your account again after the first time | After each top-up | Returning traders, seasonal traders | Sometimes partially | Lower percentage than first-time bonus, check if it applies to all payment methods |
Margin Bonus | Used as a buffer to support open positions and avoid stop-outs | After deposit (auto or on request) | High-leverage traders, swing traders | No | Disappears when you withdraw or close all trades |
Cashback Bonus | Rebate based on trading volume (e.g., $5 per lot traded) | As you trade | Scalpers, day traders, EA users | Yes | Often credited weekly or monthly, may require minimum lot size |
No Deposit Bonus | Small bonus without needing to deposit (e.g., $25 welcome credit) | After signup and verification | Beginners, platform testers | Profit only (with strict rules) | High restrictions on withdrawal, often time-limited |
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to forex bonuses. What works for an aggressive scalper might not suit a cautious beginner. Here are a few common trader profiles and which bonuses might suit them best.
James – The Beginner Trying Live Markets for the First Time
James has been trading on demo for a few weeks and wants to test a real account without committing funds right away.
Recommendation: No Deposit Bonus
It gives him access to live market conditions with zero risk to his own capital. Even though the withdrawal rules are strict, it’s a great way for him to build confidence.
Sarah – The Part-Time Trader with a Modest Account
Sarah has a $200 budget and wants to make the most of it. She doesn’t trade daily, but she follows major news releases and holds trades for a few hours at a time.
Recommendation: First Deposit Bonus
A 50% or 100% top-up helps her open larger positions without over-leveraging. It also gives her extra breathing room in case of short-term volatility.
Ravi – The Technical Scalper
Ravi opens and closes dozens of trades daily on pairs like EUR/USD and XAU/USD. He uses cTrader and relies on speed and tight spreads.
Recommendation: Cashback Bonus
Since he generates a lot of volume, Ravi gets rewarded with rebates on every trade. Over time, this adds up to real, withdrawable cash, even if some of his trades are break-even.
Lina – The Strategy Tester
Lina likes trying different strategies and sometimes trades with high leverage. She’s not always consistent, but she’s learning what works.
Recommendation: Margin Bonus
The bonus gives her a buffer so she can test setups more safely without hitting margin calls too soon. She understands that it’s not withdrawable, but it supports her riskier setups.
Omar – The Loyal Client Who Tops Up Frequently
Omar has been with the same broker for over a year. He makes regular deposits whenever there’s a big market opportunity.
Recommendation: Re-Deposit Bonus
Even if the percentage is lower than a first-time bonus, it’s a nice reward for staying loyal. The extra funds help him stretch his capital during volatile weeks.
Broker | Bonus Offer | Max Bonus Amount | Minimum Deposit | Withdrawable? | Key Conditions |
zForex | 30% First Deposit Bonus | $1,000 | $100 | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after meeting trading volume requirements. |
Broker 2 | Up to 100% Deposit Bonus | Unlimited | $5 | Yes, after conditions | Bonus becomes withdrawable after achieving specified trading turnover; up to 17.5% of the spread is allocated to cover the bonus. |
Broker 3 | 200% Deposit Bonus | $10,000 | $100 | Yes, after conditions | Bonus is tradable and withdrawable after meeting trading volume requirements; specific terms apply. |
Broker 4 | 30% Deposit Bonus | $5,000 | $100 | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after fulfilling trading volume conditions. |
Broker 5 | 100% Deposit Bonus | $500 | $5 | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after meeting trading volume requirements. |
Broker | Bonus Offer | Max Bonus Amount | Minimum Deposit | Withdrawable? | Key Conditions |
zForex | 20% Re-Deposit Bonus | $1,000 | $100 | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after meeting trading volume requirements. |
Broker 2 | Up to 100% Deposit Bonus | Unlimited | $5 | Yes, after conditions | Bonus becomes withdrawable after achieving specified trading turnover; up to 17.5% of the spread is allocated to cover the bonus. |
Broker 3 | 300% Tradable Deposit Bonus | $10,000 | $100 | Yes, after conditions | Bonus is tradable and withdrawable after meeting trading volume requirements; specific terms apply. |
Broker 4 | 55% Bonus on Each Deposit | Unlimited | $1 | Yes, after conditions | Bonus is withdrawable after fulfilling trading volume conditions; specific terms apply. |
Broker 5 | 20% Bonus on Subsequent Deposits | $4,500 | $5 | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after meeting trading volume requirements. |
Important Note: zForex does not offer a No Deposit (Welcome) Bonus.
Broker | Bonus Offer | Max Bonus Amount | Minimum Deposit | Withdrawable? | Key Conditions |
Broker A | $100 No Deposit Bonus | $100 | None | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after meeting trading volume requirements. |
Broker B | $100 No Deposit Bonus | $100 | None | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after trading 50 lots within 30 days. |
Broker C | $30 Welcome No Deposit Bonus | $30 | None | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after meeting trading volume requirements. |
Broker D | $50 No Deposit Bonus | $50 | None | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after meeting trading volume requirements. |
Broker E | $500 No Deposit Bonus | $500 | None | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after meeting trading volume requirements. |
Broker | Cashback Offer | Rebate Amount | Eligibility | Withdrawable? | Key Conditions |
zForex | Up to $6 per lot | Up to $6 per lot | All clients | Yes | Cashback credited based on trading volume; available for withdrawal without restrictions. |
Broker A | 40% Cashback Program | Up to $8 per lot on EUR/USD | Non-partner clients without active deposit bonus | Yes | Rebate applies to spread and commission; no time limit. |
Broker B | Volume-based rebates | Up to 15% of spread paid | Traders with $50 million+ monthly volume | Yes | Rebates credited monthly; no commissions charged. |
Broker C | Customized cashback program | Varies based on trading volume | Clients from eligible jurisdictions | Yes | Cashback calculated monthly; available only for clients outside UK/EU. |
Broker D | Auto-rebate program | Up to 61.75% of spread | All clients under specific IB | Yes | Rebates paid hourly directly to MT4/MT5 accounts; no spread markup. |
Important Note: zForex does not offer a Margin Bonus.
Broker | Margin Bonus Offer | Max Bonus Amount | Minimum Deposit | Withdrawable? | Key Conditions |
Broker X | 100% Margin Bonus | Up to $100,000 | $10 | No | Bonus is used as margin support; not withdrawable. If any amount is withdrawn, the bonus is removed. Scalping is prohibited; positions must be held for at least 3 minutes. |
Broker Y | 300% Tradable Deposit Bonus | Up to $10,000 | $100 | Yes, after conditions | Bonus is tradable and withdrawable after meeting trading volume requirements; specific terms apply. |
Broker Z | 100% Deposit Bonus | Up to $10,000 | $1 | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after fulfilling trading volume conditions. |
Broker Q | 200% Deposit Bonus | Up to $10,000 | $100 | Yes, after conditions | Bonus is tradable and withdrawable after meeting trading volume requirements; specific terms apply. |
Broker W | 30% Deposit Bonus | Up to $300 | $100 | Profits only | Bonus is non-withdrawable; profits can be withdrawn after meeting trading volume requirements. |
Can I withdraw a forex bonus?
Typically, bonuses themselves aren't withdrawable. However, profits earned from trading with the bonus may be withdrawn after meeting specific conditions.
Are forex bonuses available to all traders?
Not always. Some brokers in specific regions like the EU and UK have restrictions on trading bonuses due to regulatory policies, but brokers with an offshore license can offer any kind of promotion.
Are there risks associated with forex bonuses?
Yes. Bonuses can encourage overtrading or come with complex terms that may affect withdrawals. It's recommended to understand the conditions before starting.
How are bonuses paid?
Bonuses are usually paid directly into your account. Deposit bonuses are credited after a qualifying deposit, while no-deposit bonuses are given upon registration.
Cashback or rebate bonuses are based on trading volume and are often paid daily, weekly, or monthly, typically withdrawable. Referral and loyalty bonuses may also be added as credits or cash.
Are deposit bonuses fully tradable?
Not all of them! Some deposit bonuses work as margin bonuses, that’s why you should read the full terms. Please note that zForex deposit and re-deposit bonuses are fully tradable.
Is there a time limit to use a bonus?
It depends on the broker but most trading bonuses come with a time limit. Brokers usually require you to meet certain conditions, like trading a specific number of lots or maintaining an account balance, within a set period (e.g., 30, 60, or 90 days).
What happens to the bonus if I close my account?
Closing your account without meeting the bonus terms will result in the forfeiture of any unused bonus funds. However, if you've already traded with the bonus and met the conditions, you may be eligible to withdraw it.
Can I transfer bonus funds between accounts?
Bonus funds are non-transferable between your accounts. However, if you’ve accidentally funded the wrong account type and wish to transfer your balance, please contact zForex support for assistance.
Do bonuses affect my leverage?
No, bonus amounts are limited and do not impact zForex’s dynamic leverage structure.
Can I receive multiple bonuses from the same broker?
Most brokers offer various types of bonuses, such as welcome and deposit bonuses. However, combining them may be subject to certain restrictions. Always check the specific terms and conditions of each promotion.
Are bonuses available for all account types?
Not always. Some brokers limit bonuses to certain account types. At zForex, however, you can claim your bonus on any account type.
Can I use bonus funds to hedge positions?
This depends on the broker’s policy. Some may restrict hedging with bonus funds. At zForex, you are free to use your bonus funds as you wish. There’s no difference between bonus funds and your initial deposit when trading.
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