The gap that matters
Balance records realised account activity. Equity also reflects the value of open trades. A strategy can book frequent small gains while holding a large unrealised loss. A rising balance line alone will not show the full journey. This is why our review checklist asks for both lines over the same dates.
A simple illustration
Imagine an account with a $10,000 balance and an open loss of $1,800. Its equity is about $8,200 before any other adjustments. The loss is economically present even though the trade has not closed. If a chart displays only the balance, the investor could mistake a flat line for a quiet period. These numbers are illustrative, not a provider’s results.
Read the path, not just the endpoint
Look at the deepest equity decline, how long the account remained below its prior peak, and whether risk rose during recovery. Then inspect deposits, withdrawals and changes in trade size. A cash deposit can lift an account-value chart without being a trading return.
Compare identical periods and clarify whether a percentage is cash-flow adjusted. A five-year headline beside a one-year drawdown statistic is not a fair pairing. A chart’s missing dates matter as much as its visible curve.
Questions to send the provider
- Can I see historical equity as well as closed-trade balance?
- Is drawdown measured intraday, at day-end or only on closed trades?
- How are deposits, withdrawals and fees handled?
- What was the longest time below the previous equity peak?
Use the right evidence
Myfxbook distinguishes a broker-matched track record from trading-privilege verification. Neither badge answers every question about the risk hidden in open positions. Read the definitions, then ask for the missing account-level evidence.
Sources & review scope
Primary material checked 9 November 2026. Provider statements explain product mechanics; they are not independent confirmation of performance, permissions or withdrawals.