Forex, the trade of foreign currencies, is a market which is becoming increasingly popular to both professional and part-time investors. However, finding the right platform to trade upon is essential in order to maximise the potential for profit.

Every trader will have his or her own preferences but there are several key features which everyone should look out for. Ease of navigation and speed of response are vital, along with real time data and top-notch security. It is also helpful to be able to execute an order with just one click as well as being able to access a range of charting options and tools.

There are quite literally hundreds of trading platforms to pick from, especially as forex is a global market, but a handful have emerged as market leaders.

EToro has quickly become a favourite with personal trading coaches, chat rooms and its innovative OpenBook facility to help those less experienced in the market. OpenBook is a service which allows traders to see positions being opened and closed by others, as well as finding traders and copying their positions should you wish to do so. EToro offers a range of markets including commodities and indices as well as forex. It provides a simulation account free of charge and sets its minimum deposit at just $50. For those less confident and wanting to break themselves in gently, micro trading is available too.

AvaFX is another platform used by many traders, especially as it is accessible via MT4, a web-based platform as well as a mobile offering. Autotrading is a facility included in the site with four different types of system available. AvaFX offers round the clock support and provides its traders with daily analysis and recommendations. The minimum deposit is $100 and it also includes a dummy account to practice on.

UFXBank is a UK-based company (unlike many of the others) and has more than 50 years of experience amongst the professions at the firm. Its customers receive daily trading tips and analysis as well as having access to a personal assistant. The platform can cope with trades on oil, silver, gold, platinum as well as CFDs and stock indices. UFXBank also provide a free dummy account and can be accessed either through a Java-based program, a downloadable trading station or a mobile application. The minimum deposit is $100.

Perhaps not as well known as the three listed above is IronFx. Despite its relative anonymity, this broker won the World Finance Award for having the best trading platform during 2011, a prestigious award from industry experts. The platform includes unlimited use of a dummy account and allows investors to trade in up to 140 different instruments on the market. Online and mobile trading is offered, with the ability to use an expert advisor system if desired. Mini accounts are available and trades are executed instantly with no slippage.

XForex is another relative newcomer to the market, starting out as a small enterprise in 2003 but rapidly expanding over nine years. The minimum deposit is $100 and it offers traders the option of both standard and mini accounts. Those new to the market can utilise the personal trading assistant service that comes with an account. It also offers a `Top Trade` facility which allows the top 10 traders current positions to be seen by everyone else. There are 21 different currency pairs as well as 2 metals which can be traded on its web-based platform. It also offers a daily economic events calendar, together with daily market updates.

Ultimately which platform you use will depend on whether you are new or experienced, how much money you want to trade with and personal taste. The above five platforms differ significantly but all offer a robust service and have become popular with forex trading globally over the past year or more.