How fast should order execution be at a good forex broker?

At a good forex broker, retail orders are typically filled in a fraction of a second under normal conditions. Milliseconds matter for scalpers and high‑frequency traders, while longer‑term traders mainly need consistent, fair fills. Execution speed depends on the broker’s technology, server location, liquidity providers and your own internet connection. Delays can increase slippage, especially around news or volatile moves, so consistently slow execution can become a hidden cost. Many brokers publish average execution times or highlight low‑latency infrastructure, but real‑world tests on a demo or small live account are more meaningful. If you often see long “processing” times or frequent re‑quotes with no clear market reason, it may be worth questioning the broker’s execution quality.