The major issues that a foreign exchange software platform should address are:

Real-time: providing constantly up-to-date exchange rates in increments of a few seconds. These rates, in contrast to traditional bank rates, are actual, tradable Forex quotes. Once you decide to trade on a currency you can “lock” in a rate and this will be the actual rate at which the transaction will take place.

Security, privacy and data integrity: for any user performing financial transactions over the Internet, this is a main issue. This point is further emphasized with Forex trading software, where the amounts traded may be significant. Forex trading software must be designed with the highest level of data security, integrity and privacy. Most systems use at least one layer of at least 64-bit SSL encryption, as well as various data backup and recovery methods and procedures.

24×7 availability: providing updated Forex quotes 24×7 and allowing a trade any time of the week.
Web-based versus downloaded Forex software

Forex software comes in two main forms – web-based and client-side Forex software:

Web-based Forex software system
Web-based Forex software means that all the operations are performed on the vendor’s website, pending user verification. That means that users are offered a familiar, web-based interface, to perform their desired operations. This allows trading from almost any place that has a computer and doesn’t require any additional software installation. Browser based Forex brokers usually offer Java and Flash trading platforms that run in the browser smoothly and securely.

The advantages of such a system are:
No need to download and install proprietary software
Log in anywhere, anytime. A web-based system allows instant access to a users account, from any Internet connected computer.
Familiar and friendly, web-based user interface.

Forex Brokers with Web Based Platform
A list of on-line Forex brokers which fully support Forex trading purely in the Internet browser window, without installing any trading software.

DeltaStock
One Financial
Exto Capital
NobleTrading
Fit Markets
Latitude FX
ForexYard
HY Markets
WH SelfInvest
StartForex
UFXBank
eToro
Finexo
Easy-Forex
Forex WebTrader
Forex Capital Trading
Forex.com
FXCM
OANDA
ACM
Interactive Brokers
High Street Networking
Questrade FX
MGFOREX
IG Markets
iFOREX
ActivTrades
ABN AMRO
GCI Financial
Forex Trading Edge
Xforex
Easy-Forex® offers a web-based Forex trading system. We believe in making foreign exchange easy, so we offer a friendly, fast, secure, no-download, web-based Forex system to allow even the novice Forex investor easy access to the Forex markets.

With regard to our backend, Easy-Forex® has two different server farms in different locations to ensure backup and recovery. Each server farm uses load-balancing software to balance the load handled by each node and to ensure an immediate, real time response to any user operation.

Client side Forex software system
Client-side Forex software is a program that a user downloads and installs to gain access to the Forex markets. The software communicates with the vendor’s server offering Forex services.
FXCM Trading Station II
FXCM MetaTrader 4