cTrader brokers for DOM-based entries: what to test first

[FXS London Scalper]

cTrader is attractive for traders who want a depth-of-market view with their entries. Before relying on it, a few things are worth checking at any broker:

• Is the DOM real depth from the broker's providers, or a standard ladder? Some brokers show one level with fixed size.
• Does the DOM update in step with the chart, or lag behind?
• Can you place limit orders from the DOM with one click, and does it confirm?
• How are commissions shown? Many cTrader accounts quote them per million traded, so convert to per-lot to compare.

The main caveat: in spot FX there is no central order book. The depth you see is what your broker's liquidity providers send to the broker, not the whole market. It can still be useful, for example to see liquidity thinning at the open or around rollover, but it's a partial view.

A practical test: during a couple of London opens, watch how the displayed size at the best price changes in the first minutes after 08:00, and compare with fills on small orders. If big displayed size doesn't produce better fills, the DOM isn't telling you much at that broker.

Has anyone found the DOM useful for actual entry decisions?