Quote from spike500:
With new brokers you should do the same thing as with new software:
wait 1 year and let others first test it out.
I prefer paying a normal spread to a well know broker instead of trading for free with an unknown one.
Free can become much more expensive than normal spreads.
Most people go to several shops before buying a refrigerator, they check the warranty and the quality of the goods. In trading it is much easier to do business: promise heaven for free and the big money will come in easy.
The traders who got rich in trading, never got rich because of the difference in commissions or spreads. These differences are only marginal additional profits, for as far as the broker is reliable. If he runs of with your money, even trading for free will wipe out your account completely.