Introduction: Why CRM Pricing Is a Black Box
Try finding transparent pricing for a forex CRM. Go ahead. We'll wait.
You'll discover that 90% of forex CRM providers have the same pricing page: a vague description of features, maybe some arbitrary tier names like "Starter" and "Enterprise," and a giant button that says "Contact Us for Pricing."
Why the secrecy? Three reasons:
- Price discrimination: They charge different brokers different amounts based on perceived ability to pay
- Hidden fees: The "base price" is a small fraction of the actual cost
- Competitive paranoia: They don't want us to write articles exactly like this one
Well, too late. We have the data. Let's decode the forex CRM pricing game.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
Pricing information in this report was collected between June and December 2024 through sales conversations, contract reviews, and public sources. Prices may have changed. Some vendors may dispute our characterizations. They're welcome to publish their own transparent pricing pages as a rebuttal.
Our Methodology
Here's how we gathered this data:
- 15 providers contacted – From enterprise to budget options
- Sales calls with each – Recorded and documented (where legal)
- Full quotes requested – For a hypothetical 500-account brokerage
- Contracts reviewed – Where available via client partnerships
- Client interviews – Actual customers reporting real costs
We posed as a new forex broker launching in Seychelles with ~500 expected accounts in year one, growing to 2,000 by year two. This represents a typical small-to-medium brokerage scenario.
What We Measured
- Advertised price – What the website or sales rep initially quoted
- Actual price – What the final invoice looked like
- Setup fees – One-time costs to get started
- Per-account fees – Variable costs based on account volume
- Add-on costs – Essential features charged separately
- Contract terms – Minimum commitment periods
Forex CRM Pricing Models Explained
There are several pricing models in the forex CRM market. Each has pros and cons—and each has ways vendors can extract more money than you expected.
Model 1: Flat Monthly Fee
How it works: You pay a fixed monthly fee regardless of volume. "$2,500/month, all-inclusive."
The catch: "All-inclusive" usually means "basic features included." Want automated KYC? Extra. Want multi-tier IB? Extra. Want more than 3 payment gateways? Extra. Want reports exported to PDF? Believe it or not, sometimes extra.
Best for: Brokers who have already negotiated a truly all-inclusive deal in writing.
Model 2: Per-Account Fee
How it works: Low base fee ($500-$1,000/month) plus a fee per active trading account ($2-$5/account/month).
The catch: Looks cheap until you scale. At 500 accounts and $3/account, you're paying $1,500/month just in per-account fees—plus the base. At 2,000 accounts, $6,000/month extra.
Best for: Very small startups testing the market. Bad for anyone planning to grow.
Model 3: Revenue Share
How it works: The CRM provider takes a percentage of your trading revenue (0.5-2% of commission/spread revenue).
The catch: Your success becomes their earnings. If you're generating $100,000/month in revenue and paying 1%, that's $1,000/month—not terrible. But at $500,000/month? That's $5,000/month for the same software.
Best for: Brokers with extremely low volume who want to minimize upfront costs. Terrible for anyone successful.
Model 4: Tiered Pricing
How it works: "Starter" at $1,000/month, "Professional" at $2,500/month, "Enterprise" at "Contact Us."
The catch: The features you actually need are always in the next tier up. Want MT5 integration? Professional. Want multi-language? Professional. Want IB sub-tiers beyond 2 levels? Enterprise. Oh, you're Enterprise now? That's $5,000/month.
Best for: Nobody. This model is designed to upsell, not to serve.
Hidden Fees Exposed
Now let's talk about the fees that aren't on the pricing page. These are the ones that turn a "$2,000/month CRM" into a "$6,000/month nightmare."
1. Setup and Onboarding Fees
What it is: A one-time fee to "configure" the CRM for your brokerage.
Typical range: $0 - $15,000
The truth: For a SaaS product, "setup" means clicking buttons. The configuration that actually takes time—MT5 integration, payment gateway setup, brand customization—is the same whether they charge you $0 or $10,000. The fee is arbitrary.
How to handle: Negotiate aggressively. Offer longer contract term in exchange for waived setup. If they won't budge, walk away—someone else will.
2. MT5 Integration Fee
What it is: Fee to connect the CRM to your MT5 white label.
Typical range: $1,000 - $5,000 one-time, sometimes $500-$1,000/month ongoing
The truth: If the CRM doesn't have native MT5 integration, they're using a third-party bridge—and charging you for their lack of development. Native integration should be included. Period.
How to handle: Only consider CRMs with native MT5 Manager API integration. Third-party bridges add latency, create failure points, and cost more.
3. Payment Gateway Integration
What it is: Fee to connect payment processors to the CRM.
Typical range: $500 - $2,000 per gateway one-time, sometimes monthly
The truth: Integrating a payment API takes a day of developer time. If they're charging $1,500 per gateway and you need 5 gateways, that's $7,500 for maybe 40 hours of work at most.
How to handle: Ask how many gateways are included. Get a list. If your preferred gateways aren't on it, negotiate inclusion before signing.
4. KYC Provider Integration
What it is: Fee to connect automated KYC services (SumSub, ShuftiPro, Onfido).
Typical range: $1,000 - $3,000 one-time plus monthly pass-through
The truth: Same as payment gateways—this is standard API integration. The KYC provider charges their own fees (usually per verification), which pass through to you. The CRM shouldn't add a significant markup.
How to handle: Confirm which KYC providers are pre-integrated. Ask what the "integration fee" actually covers.
5. Additional Manager/User Licenses
What it is: Fee for additional staff accounts in the CRM.
Typical range: $50 - $200 per user per month
The truth: SaaS user licenses cost vendors essentially nothing. This is pure margin extraction. A broker with 10 staff could be paying $500-$2,000/month just for login access.
How to handle: Ask how many users are included. Negotiate unlimited users or at least 10-20 included.
6. Multi-Language Support
What it is: Fee for additional languages beyond English.
Typical range: $100 - $500 per language one-time or monthly
The truth: Adding language files to a properly-built CRM is trivial. If they're charging per language, the system was built wrong.
How to handle: Insist on multiple languages included. 15+ is industry standard for serious providers.
7. "Premium" Support
What it is: Upgrade fee for 24/7 support instead of "business hours."
Typical range: $500 - $2,000/month
The truth: Forex markets trade 24/5. If your CRM provider doesn't offer 24/5 support by default, what happens when something breaks at 3 AM Sunday and clients can't deposit for Monday open?
How to handle: Don't sign with any provider that doesn't include 24/5 support. This is non-negotiable.
Provider Pricing Comparison
Based on our research, here's what you can expect to pay from major forex CRM providers. These are approximate ranges based on quotes for a 500-account brokerage.
| Provider | Advertised | Actual Monthly | Setup Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FxTrusts | $700-$2,000 | $700-$2,000 | $0 | All-inclusive, no hidden fees |
| B2Broker (B2Core) | $2,500-$5,000 | $4,000-$8,000 | $5,000-$15,000 | Many add-ons charged separately |
| Leverate (LXCRM) | $3,000-$5,000 | $5,000-$10,000 | $10,000-$25,000 | Often bundled with trading platform |
| Utip Technologies | $1,500-$3,000 | $2,500-$5,000 | $3,000-$8,000 | Decent mid-range option |
| CurrentDesk | $1,000-$2,000 | $2,000-$4,000 | $2,000-$5,000 | Competitive but limited features |
| Syntellicore | $1,500-$3,000 | $2,500-$5,000 | $5,000-$10,000 | Solid feature set |
| UpTrader | $1,000-$2,500 | $1,500-$4,000 | $2,000-$5,000 | Good value, some limitations |
| Custom Build | N/A | $5,000-$15,000 | $200,000-$500,000 | Only for very large brokers |
Note: Prices are estimates based on 2024 research. Request updated quotes directly from providers.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Monthly fees are only part of the picture. Here's what a forex CRM actually costs over your first two years.
Year 1 TCO: Typical Mid-Range CRM
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Setup/Onboarding Fee | $5,000 |
| Base Monthly Fee ($2,500 x 12) | $30,000 |
| MT5 Integration Fee | $2,500 |
| Payment Gateway Integrations (5 x $1,000) | $5,000 |
| KYC Integration | $1,500 |
| Additional User Licenses ($100 x 5 x 12) | $6,000 |
| Premium Support ($500 x 12) | $6,000 |
| Per-Account Fees ($2 x 500 average x 12) | $12,000 |
| YEAR 1 TOTAL | $68,000 |
That "$2,500/month CRM" is actually costing $5,667/month when you include everything. And that's not even accounting for staff time dealing with a poorly-integrated system.
Year 1 TCO: FxTrusts (For Comparison)
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Setup/Onboarding Fee | $0 |
| Base Monthly Fee ($1,500 x 12) | $18,000 |
| MT5 Integration (included) | $0 |
| Payment Gateways (included) | $0 |
| KYC Integration (included) | $0 |
| User Licenses (unlimited included) | $0 |
| 24/7 Support (included) | $0 |
| Per-Account Fees ($35 x 500 average x 12) | $21,000 |
| YEAR 1 TOTAL | $39,000 |
Savings: $29,000 in Year 1 alone. And no surprises.
What You Actually Need in a Forex CRM
Not every feature matters equally. Here's what's essential, nice-to-have, and unnecessary for most brokerages.
Essential (Don't Launch Without These)
- Native MT5 Integration – Account creation, balance operations, trading data sync
- Client Portal – Deposits, withdrawals, account management
- Automated KYC – Integration with SumSub, ShuftiPro, or Onfido
- IB Commission System – At minimum 3 tiers, auto-calculation
- Payment Gateway Integration – Cards, crypto, e-wallets, wire
- Multi-Language – At least 10 languages for global operation
- Real-Time Reporting – Deposits, volumes, commissions dashboards
- 24/5 Support – Forex never sleeps, neither should your CRM support
Nice-to-Have (Competitive Advantage)
- Copy Trading Integration – Built-in or API-connected
- Marketing Automation – Email campaigns, client segments
- Risk Management Dashboards – Exposure, position aggregation
- Mobile Admin App – Manage brokerage from phone
- Advanced IB Reporting – Multi-currency, historical tracking
- White-Label Ready – If you plan to offer B2B services
Usually Unnecessary (Don't Pay Extra)
- AI Lead Scoring – Sounds good, rarely works in forex
- Complex Workflow Builders – You'll never configure them
- Social Trading Clones – Stick with dedicated copy trading providers
- Cryptocurrency Staking – Separate that from your CRM
- 50+ Payment Gateways – You'll use maybe 5-8 max
How to Negotiate Better Pricing
CRM pricing is negotiable. Here's how to get better terms.
1. Get Multiple Quotes
Never negotiate with just one vendor. Get quotes from at least 3-4 providers and use them against each other. "Provider X offered the same for $500/month less" is a powerful statement.
2. Ask for Total Monthly Cost
Don't ask "what's the price." Ask "what will my total monthly invoice be, including all fees, for [X accounts] with [list specific features]?" Get it in writing.
3. Trade Contract Length for Discounts
Most vendors will discount 10-20% for annual prepayment or 15-25% for 24-month commitment. Only take this if you're confident in the provider.
4. Demand Itemized Quotes
If a vendor won't break down costs by line item, they're hiding something. Insist on seeing: base fee, per-account fees, integration fees, support fees, user license fees—everything.
5. Ask About Exit Terms
What happens if you want to leave? What's the termination notice? What data export is included? Some vendors make leaving nearly impossible.
6. Reference Check
Ask to speak with 2-3 existing clients of similar size. If they won't provide references, that's a red flag.
Build vs. Buy: The Eternal Question
"Why don't we just build our own CRM?" asked every broker who later regretted it.
The Build Option
Building a forex CRM from scratch requires:
- Development team: 5-10 developers for 12-24 months
- Cost: $200,000 - $500,000 (minimum)
- Time to market: 12-24 months
- Ongoing maintenance: $10,000-$30,000/month
- Risk: High – most custom CRMs fail or underperform
By the time you launch, commercial CRMs have added 2 years of features. You're perpetually behind.
The Buy Option
Buying a commercial forex CRM:
- Cost: $20,000 - $80,000/year
- Time to market: 2-4 weeks
- Maintenance: Included
- Risk: Low – proven systems, many clients
You're paying more per year, but you're operational in weeks, not years.
The Verdict
Buy. Unless you're one of the top 10 brokers in the world with truly unique requirements, building your own CRM is a waste of money and time. Focus on running your brokerage, not becoming a software company.
The Smart Approach
Start with a commercial CRM that offers API access. If you outgrow it in 3-5 years, you'll have the revenue and data to inform a custom build. Very few brokers ever reach that point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a forex CRM cost per month?
Advertised: $500-$3,000/month. Actual (with all add-ons): $1,500-$8,000/month. The gap is where vendors make their real money. Always get "total monthly cost" in writing before signing.
Are forex CRM setup fees negotiable?
Usually yes. Setup fees of $5,000-$15,000 are often waived or reduced for longer contracts. If a vendor refuses to negotiate, they either don't need your business or the fee is non-negotiable for everyone.
What is the cheapest forex CRM?
You can find CRMs at $500/month, but they typically lack critical features like native MT5 integration, multi-tier IB support, or automated KYC. "Cheapest" usually means "most manual work for your team."
Should I build or buy a forex CRM?
Buy. Building a forex CRM from scratch costs $200,000-$500,000+ and takes 12-24 months. By the time you launch, the technology is outdated. Only massive brokers with unique requirements should consider custom development.
What features justify higher CRM pricing?
Native MT5 integration (not third-party bridges), automated KYC with reputable providers, multi-tier IB calculations, real-time reporting, and 24/7 support. If a CRM lacks these, the "savings" cost you more in manual work.
Can I switch CRM providers easily?
Short answer: No. Client data migration is complex, MT5 integration needs reconfiguring, and there's almost always downtime. Plan for 2-4 weeks of parallel running and expect some data loss. Choose carefully the first time.
Conclusion: Get Transparent Pricing
The forex CRM market is confusing by design. Vendors benefit from opacity—it lets them charge different prices to different clients and hide fees until you're already committed.
Here's how to protect yourself:
- Demand all-in pricing. Total monthly cost, in writing, before signing.
- Compare TCO, not base price. The "$500/month" CRM that costs $4,000 with add-ons isn't cheap.
- Prioritize essential features. Native MT5, KYC, IB system, payments, support.
- Negotiate aggressively. Setup fees are almost always waivable.
- Check references. Talk to actual users before committing.
- Plan your exit. Know how to leave before you enter.
At FxTrusts, we built our CRM with transparent pricing because we were frustrated by the same games everyone else plays. No setup fees, no hidden add-ons, no "contact us for pricing." The price on our website is the price you pay.
That's what the industry should look like. Now you know what it actually looks like—and how to navigate it.
See Transparent CRM Pricing
No hidden fees. No "contact us." Real prices.