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Stock markets have attracted investors and entrepreneurs since the 1600s, and with advances in technology, the process of stock trading has been simplified and is now easier than ever by trading through one of the 30 Best Stock Trading Brokers listed below.
What is Stock or Equity trading?
Before you choose a broker or a company to invest in, it is important to understand the fundamentals of stock trading.
Stock trading occurs on public markets where companies offer shares to investors to receive funding for expansion (instead of borrowing capital from banks) and gives investors an opportunity to buy shares and either make profits by selling shares or by receiving dividends from the companies they have invested in.
Not only is stock trading a great way to earn profits on both short- and long-term investments, but economic development often depends on the sustainability of companies and companies that are listed on stock exchanges, such as the NYSE and NASDAQ, have far greater chances of succeeding and growing over the long run.
The activities of buyers and sellers on such exchanges are the driving force behind supply and demand for the prices of shares of listed companies, and bearish (falling stock prices) or bullish markets (rising stock prices) are indicative of fluctuating price movements and signals that economic patterns are changing.
However, falling prices do not mean that you should not invest in shares because a bearish market is often followed by a bullish one, once investors have regained their confidence.
By analysing the historical data of stock markets, investors can determine whether or not it is safe to invest in certain companies and can also use charts to identify the best moment to strike.
How do you invest in stocks?
The easiest way to invest in stocks is through a regulated broker that facilitates the trading of stocks, shares or equities and acts on your behalf.
You can either approach the stock market as a value investor, whereby you will invest in established companies to avoid risk and to earn profit off dividends; or you can be a growth investor, that is a more ambitious and hopeful approach to stock trading where you invest in new companies with greater potential to grow.
Stock trading requires extensive research, dedication and patience. The stock markets cannot be navigated without a fundamental understanding of how they work and understanding how to read an index or interpret historical data will greatly increase your chances of success and reduce capital risks.
For the best results and low-risk investments, we recommend using a broker that offers historical data of stocks, research and analytics, charting tools and detailed reports and we encourage you to do your own research on a daily basis and that you dedicate time every day to learn more about this type of trading.
Top 10 companies to buy stocks in
The following 21 companies are the top choices for stock trading investors in 2021 (smallest to largest market capitalization):
- iRobot (NASDAQ:IRBT) – $2 billion
- Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK) – $4 billion
- Fiverr (NYSE:FVRR) – $7 billion
- Redfin (NASDAQ:RDFN) – $7 billion
- Beyond Meat (NASDAQ:BYND) – $8 billion
- Etsy (NASDAQ:ETSY) – $22 billion
- Teladoc Health (NYSE:TDOC) – $29 billion
- Zillow Group (NASDAQ:Z) (NASDAQ:ZG) – $31 billion
- Pinterest (NYSE:PINS) – $41 billion
- Roku (NASDAQ:ROKU) – $42 billion
- Altria Group (NYSE:MO) – $76 billion
- MercadoLibre (NASDAQ:MELI) – $84 billion
- Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG) – $96 billion
- Square (NYSE:SQ) – $98 billion
- Sea Limited (NYSE:SE) – $102 billion
- Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM) – $129 billion
- salesforce.com (NYSE:CRM) – $204 billion
- Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) – $328 billion
- Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) (NYSE:BRK.B) – $544 billion
- bitcoin – $597 billion
- Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) – $1.6 trillion
AvaTrade
AvaTrade was launched in 2006 and is a trusted Forex and CFD broker with more than 300,000 loyal clients.
This broker is supervised by more than 5 international regulatory bodies and has been awarded more than 100 times since its inception.
Clients can choose from 4 account types, as well as demo accounts and swap-free accounts, and inexperienced traders will find that AvaTrade is very accommodating.
AvaTrade offers a great selection of educational content and also provides access to more advanced trading tools for research and analysis.
Pros and Cons of AvaTrade:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Quick and easy to open an account | Service not offered to US citizens |
| Deposits and withdrawals are free | Telephonic customer support seems lacking |
| Great educational materials | US citizens cannot use AvaTrade |
| Highly regulated |
Minimum Account Features of AvaTrade:
| Minimum deposit | $100 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:400 |
| Account base currencies | AUD, EUR, USD, GBP, CHF |
| Instruments | Forex, Bonds, Stocks, Commodities, ETFs, Indices, Crypto |
| Regulations | MiFID, FSA, ASIC, BVI, FFAJ, FSCA, ADMG, FRSA |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGo, AvaOptions |
Dukascopy
Dukascopy’s comprehensive financial offering ensures that all its clients have access to flexible trading accounts, reliable wealth management services, and a variety of products and services to empower them financially.
Demo accounts are available for new traders or clients who wish to trade without risk and all the different accounts on offer can be used with trading signals, APIs, technical indicators, advanced calculators, automated trading features and much more.
For intermediate and advanced traders who are confident in their trading knowledge and skills, Dukascopy is a great option, but beginners might find it challenging to get started on this platform due to the lack of educational material.
Pros and Cons of Dukascopy:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Multi-currency accounts offered | Commission fees are high |
| Incredible selection of tools and data | Withdrawals are not free |
| Advanced market research features | Not available in US |
| Variety of trading platforms |
Minimum Account Features of Dukascopy:
| Minimum deposit | $100 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:2000 |
| Account base currencies | SEK, SGD, TRY, XAU, ZAR, USD, CHF, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CZK, DKK, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MXN, NOK, NZD, PLN, RON, RUB, CNH |
| Instruments | Forex, Metals, Energy, Crypto, Indexes, Bonds, Stocks, ETFs |
| Regulations | FINMA, FCMC, JFSA |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | JForex, MT4 |
Admirals (Admiral Markets)
Admiral markets, now known as “Admirals”, offers a more comprehensive range of financial products and services since its recent rebranding.
It is a multi-regulated broker and licensed financial provider that offers 5 types of trading accounts that can be used with the MetaTrader platforms and tools.
Admirals also offers a variety of analysis and research tools, as well as heat maps, market sentiments and economic calendars.
Clients can use TradingCentral and news updates on markets to make more informed decisions and Admirals also allows its clients to use Expert Advisors and offers a learning centre for beginners.
Pros and Cons of Admiral Markets:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Great range of research tools | Cash rebates only available to UK and Australian clients |
| Variety of accounts offered | Penalty fee for inactivity |
| Negative balance protection | |
| Good selection of educational content |
Minimum Account Features of Admiral Markets:
| Minimum deposit | $1-$100 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:500 |
| Account base currencies | USD, CHF, EUR, BGN, HRK, PLN, RON, CZK, HUF, GBP |
| Instruments | Forex, Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds |
| Regulations | ASIC, FCA, EFSA, CySEC |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Admirals app |
Darwinex
More than 3,000 active traders use Darwinex and this broker is regulated by the FCA, with its headquarters based in the UK.
Darwinex has been around for nearly a decade and is available to more than 70 countries globally.
Although Darwinex only offers 2 types of trading accounts, these accounts can be used with the MetaTrader platforms, as well as Trader WorkStation and FIX API.
Pros and Cons of Darwinex:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Regulated by the FCA | No cryptocurrencies |
| Supports Copy trading | Limited accounts for Forex |
| Compatible with MetaTrader platforms | Only 3 supported base currencies |
Minimum Account Features of Darwinex:
| Minimum deposit | $500 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:30 |
| Account base currencies | GBP, USD, EUR |
| Instruments | Forex, Indices, Commodities, US Stocks |
| Regulations | FCA |
| Swap-free accounts | No |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | Darwin API, FIX, MT4, MT5 |
Axiory
Axiory is an ECN and STOP Forex broker that was founded in 2011.
The trading tools and risk management features offered by Axiory ensure that traders with all levels of experience can trade responsibly and Axiory also allows the use of AutoChartist and Expert Advisors.
Axiory offers 5 accounts that can be used on MetaTrader 4 and 5, and cTrader, and it is a beginner-friendly platform with the option to use demo and Islamic accounts.
Pros and Cons of Axiory:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Negative balance protection | Only 2 base currencies supported |
| Low minimum deposit | Not available to US clients |
| Swap-free option for all account types | No crypto trading |
| User-friendly website | |
| Beginner-friendly |
Minimum Account Features of Axiory:
| Minimum deposit | $0 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:777 |
| Account base currencies | EUR, USD |
| Instruments | Forex, Gold, Metals, Energies, Oil, CFD indices, CFD stocks, ETFs |
| Regulations | IFSC, MFSC, FCA |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader |
BDSwiss
BDSwiss is an award-winning Forex broker that is focused on ECN and STP trading, and it is regulated by 3 major bodies.
This broker was founded in 2012 and offers over 250 trading products, as well as a trading academy for beginners and advanced research and trading tools for more experienced traders.
In addition to the trading academy, BDSwiss provides daily market analyses and live education.
A total of more than $84 billion is traded on BDSwiss every month and this broker is trusted by over 1.5 million traders.
Pros and Cons of BDSwiss:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Zero-commission accounts | No Only 3 base currencies supported |
| Great variety of research tools | Not available to US citizens |
| Instant withdrawals | |
| Beginner-friendly |
Minimum Account Features of BDSwiss:
| Minimum deposit | $100 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:500 |
| Account base currencies | GBP, EUR, USD |
| Instruments | Forex, Commodities, Shares, Indices, Cryptocurrencies |
| Regulations | CySEC, FSC, BaFIN, FSA |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, BDSwiss proprietary app |
IQ Option
IQ Option offers an award-winning trading platform that is fully customizable, along with customer support around the clock.
There are close to 90,000 registered users on IQ Option, with more than 1.8 million trades made daily, over $380 million invested monthly and $10 million withdrawn each month.
Although the information is limited on the website, the IQ Option platform offers live news updates, technical indicators and more tools that can be used to make informed decisions.
More than 300 products can be traded with IQ Option and the low minimum deposit requirement makes it easy to get started.
Pros and Cons of IQ Option:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| 24/7 customer support | Website needs updating |
| Low minimum deposit | Not compatible with Metatrader platforms |
| Fully customizable interface on platform | No account information on website |
| Flexible payment methods |
Minimum Account Features of IQ Option:
| Minimum deposit | $10 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:500 |
| Account base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, ZAR |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Crypto, Stocks, Commodities, Indices |
| Regulations | CySEC |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | Proprietary platform |
HotForex
HotForex was established in 2008 as an ECN and STP Forex broker and offers 5 types of flexible accounts with low minimum deposits and tight spreads.
This is a beginner-friendly broker with a variety of educational resources and training courses and clients can also benefit from a loyalty program, bonuses, contests and other promotional offers.
HotForex has been listed under the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies and offers premium trading tools, access to AutoChartist, a VPS hosting service and more.
Unique to the HotForex platform, the loyalty program can be used to exchange bars for cash, trading services and credit bonuses.
Pros and Cons of HotForex:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| 5 account types offered | Trading fees are high |
| Highly regulated | Penalty fees for inactivity |
| 18 trading tools provided | |
| Negative Balance Protection |
Minimum Account Features of HotForex:
| Minimum deposit | $5 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account base currencies | USD, ZAR, USD, NGN |
| Instruments | Forex, Metals, Energies, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Bonds, Stocks, ETFs |
| Regulations | FCA, FSA, FSCA, DFSA |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
Libertex
Libertex has over 2 decades of experience in the Forex trading industry and offers more than 250 tradable products.
This broker is available in more than 110 countries around the world and has received more than 70 awards since its inception.
Libertex investment accounts are commission-free and can be used to earn dividends on stocks in major companies, such as Apple, Dropbox, eBay and more.
Beginners can use a demo account along with the Libertex trading course to learn how to trade in a risk-free environment and the Libertex trading account offers a variety of advanced trading and research tools.
Pros and Cons of Libertex:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Beginner-friendly | CySEC license was suspended |
| Negative Balance Protection | No Islamic account |
| Well-established broker |
Minimum Account Features of Libertex:
| Minimum deposit | $100 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:600 |
| Account base currencies | EUR, GBP, PLN, CFH |
| Instruments | Crypto, Metals, ETFs, Stocks, Forex, Indices, Oil and gas, commodities |
| Regulations | FSCA |
| Swap-free accounts | No |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Libertex platform |
HYCM
HYCM, short for Henyep Markets, has been around since 1977 and is trusted by more than 30 million traders from all across the globe.
Clients can choose from 3 types of accounts that have low minimum deposit requirements, very low spreads and the option to trade without paying commission.
HYCM also offers VIP accounts for more experienced traders and these accounts offer a dedicated account manager, market analytics and more.
HYCM has over 4 decades of experience in the industry of Forex trading and is a trusted, multi-regulated broker.
Pros and Cons of HYCM:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| More than 300 tradable instruments | Not available to US citizens |
| Suitable for beginners | Monthly penalty for inactivity |
| Regulated by several entities | |
| Negative Balance Protection |
Minimum Account Features of HYCM:
| Minimum deposit | $100 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:500 |
| Account base currencies | USD, GBP, EUR, AED |
| Instruments | Forex, Stocks, Indices, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, ETFs |
| Regulations | FCA, CySEC, CIMA, DIFC, |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
Global GT
Global GT is a beginner-friendly Forex broker that offers 5 types of commission-free accounts with low minimum deposits and the option to try a demo account on each account type.
Several currencies can be used for funding accounts and negative balance protection is offered on all accounts.
Global GT currently has 3 promotional offers and clients can choose to enter the lucky draw and can also benefit from a 30% welcome bonus, a 60% bonus through the loyalty program, or a 100% deposit bonus.
Beginners can learn to trade with Global GT through the educational portal and can be rewarded for doing so.
Global GT offers MetaTrader tutorials, Live Q&As, live trading sessions and webinars, and much more.
Pros and Cons of Global GT:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Multiple account types | High minimum deposit required |
| Negative balance protection | Lacking support via live chat |
| Demo account for each type of account |
Minimum Account Features of Global GT:
| Minimum deposit | $5 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account base currencies | BTC, ETH, USDT, ADA, XRP, EUR, USD, ZAR |
| Instruments | Forex, Metals, Indices, Energies, Stocks, Cryptos |
| Regulations | FSCA, SFSA |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT5 |
Grand Capital
Grand Capital was established in 2006 and is trusted by more than 750,000 clients globally.
This brokerage facilitates the trading of over 300 instruments, including 68 cryptocurrencies, and offers 6 flexible account types that are compatible with MetaTrader 4 and 5.
Grand Capital offers a renewable deposit bonus of 40% and clients can participate in a variety of different contests.
Grand Capital offers investment portfolios, demo accounts, copy trading and a trading guide for beginners, and VIP clients have access to exclusive benefits.
Pros and Cons of Grand Capital:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Trading bonuses | US clients not accepted |
| Compatibility with MetaTrader platform | Limited educational resources |
| Copy Trading supported | Live chat keeps popping up |
| 5 account types |
Minimum Account Features of Grand Capital:
| Minimum deposit | $10 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:500 |
| Account base currencies | USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CHF, RUB |
| Instruments | Stocks, Energies, Metals, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Indices, |
| Regulations | FinaCom |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, GrandTrade |
IC Markets
Since 2007, IC Markets has evolved into a popular ECN broker that offers more than 1,780 tradable instruments with 3 flexible account types covering a comprehensive range of markets.
IC markets accounts can be funded using more than 10 secure payment methods and up to 9 base currencies.
IC Markets offers Multi Account Managers (MAM), money managers, tight spreads, VPS services and a variety of MetaTrader trading tools.
Beginners can use a demo account with a great library of educational content to get them started and IC Markets also offers updated news feeds, podcasts and webinars for all clients.
Pros and Cons of IC Markets:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Multiple accounts offered | Not available to US citizens |
| Secure VPS server | No investor protection for non-EU clients |
| 10 base currencies supported |
Minimum Account Features of IC Markets:
| Minimum deposit | $200 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:500 |
| Account base currencies | AUD, USD, JPY, EUR, NZD, SGD, GBP, CAD, HKD, CHF |
| Instruments | Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Forex, Bonds, Crypto, Futures |
| Regulations | FSA, CySEC, ASIC |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader |
InstaForex
InstaForex is used by more than 7 million traders around the world and it has been around since 2007, having received many rewards over the years.
The 2 types of accounts offered by InstaForex include the Single Live Trading account and the Investor’s account, and new clients can also use a demo account to see if they like the platform.
Depending on the client’s location, the EU version of InstaForex offers ECN and Scalping accounts, as well as Swap-free accounts.
InstaForex welcomes beginners and provides them with a variety of educational content that can be used in combination with the demo account.
InstaForex hosts contests and events on a regular basis and with a client base of 7 million, there is a lot of participation and hype amongst clients.
Pros and Cons of InstaForex:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Beginner-friendly | Only 2 base currencies to choose from |
| 10 trading servers provided | US clients not accepted |
| Negative Balance Protection | |
| Great variety of research and trading tools |
Minimum Account Features of InstaForex:
| Minimum deposit | $1 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account base currencies | EUR, USD |
| Instruments | Forex, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Oil, Gas, Commodity Futures, Crypto, InstaFutures |
| Regulations | FSC BVI |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, InstaTick Trader, Multiterminal |
Fidelity
It may be hard to believe, but Fidelity is by far one of the oldest FSPs (Financial Service Providers) around, having been founded in 1946.
Despite how old it is, it has a great deal of experience in the industry of finance and trading, and has evolved into a modernized, beginner-friendly platform.
Due to the lack of trading platforms available to US citizens, Fidelity has taken initiative to make trading easy and possible for Americans.
Fidelity’s accounts cover 8 categories of trading and investment needs and there is a total of 24 accounts to choose from.
Pros and Cons of Fidelity:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Great product offering | No credit/debit card deposits or withdrawals |
| Accounts can be funded with 16 currencies | Non-free mutual funds carry higher fees |
| Commission-free trading | No crypto or CFD trading |
| Well-established broker |
Minimum Account Features of Fidelity:
| Minimum deposit | $0 |
| Maximum leverage | N/A |
| Account base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, DEN, HKD, JPY, MXN, NZD, NOK, PLN, ZAR, SGD, SEK, CHF |
| Instruments | Stocks, Options, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual funds, Sector funds, Forex |
| Regulations | SEC, FINRA |
| Swap-free accounts | N/A |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | Active Trader Pro |
TradeNation (Core Spreads)
TradeNation is a regulated Forex broker that offers an intuitive proprietary trading platform and a beginner-friendly user experience.
TradeNation was founded in 2014 as Core Spreads, but rebranded to TradeNation in 2019
CoreTrader2 was developed by TradeNation and this platform offers low fixed spreads, no minimum deposit is required to activate a live account and a variety of risk management and trading tools are provided.
Clients also benefit from a reliable newsfeed and a variety of beginner guides for clients who have never traded before.
Pros and Cons of TradeNation:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| No penalty fee charged for inactivity | Not available to US citizens |
| No withdrawal and deposit fees | Limited information available on accounts and products |
| Supports 8 base currencies | Leverage levels cannot be adjusted |
| No minimum deposit required | |
| Fixed spreads |
Minimum Account Features of TradeNation:
| Minimum deposit | $0 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:200 |
| Account base currencies | USD, GDP, EUR, DKK, SEK, NOK, AUD, ZAR |
| Instruments | Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, CFDs |
| Regulations | FCA, ASIC, SCB |
| Swap-free accounts | No |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | MT4, TradeNation platform |
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab offers the latest market news and insights and was rated one of the top brokers in the 2021 Investor’s Business Daily survey.
This broker was founded in 1971 and is listed on the NYSE, and signing up with Charles Schwab is quick and easy.
The insights provided by Charles Schwab are comprehensive, detailed and up to date, and cover many different topics to help clients make informed decisions.
Pros and Cons of Charles Schwab:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| No minimum deposit required | Only 1 base currency supported |
| Comprehensive product and service offering | No cryptocurrencies |
| 24/7 customer support | |
| Available to US citizens | |
Minimum Account Features of Charles Schwab:
| Minimum deposit | $0 |
| Maximum leverage | 1: |
| Account base currencies | USD |
| Instruments | Mutual Funds, ETFs,Money Market Funds, Stocks, Bonds, Options, Futures, Margin Loans, Annuities, Insurance |
| Regulations | SEC, FINRA, CFTC, SFC, MAS |
| Swap-free accounts | No |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | StreetSmart Edge, Schwab.com, StreetSmart Central |
TD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade is a US-based stockbroker that was founded in 1975 and has 175 offices around the world.
This is a beginner-friendly broker that offers a great selection of educational content to ensure that new traders understand the fundamentals of trading before making any real investments.
The account types offered by TD Ameritrade are not limited to trading only, but clients can also choose from retirement accounts, managed portfolios and educational accounts.
TD Ameritrade has developed its own proprietary trading platform, called thinkorswim (that can be used by beginners and professionals) and it comes with a user manual, market scanners, strategy testers and much more.
Pros and Cons of TD Ameritrade:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Beginner-friendly | Only USD can be used for funding accounts |
| Zero-commission trading | Only allows trading with US stocks |
| No minimum deposit required | |
| Intuitive trading platform |
Minimum Account Features of TD Ameritrade:
| Minimum deposit | $0 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:2 |
| Account base currencies | USD |
| Instruments | Stocks, Forex, Bonds, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Futures |
| Regulations | SEC, FINRA, CFTC |
| Swap-free accounts | No |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | thinkorswim |
eToro
eToro has designed an incredible trading academy for beginners or experienced traders who would like to refine their skills.
This educational content appears to be free to use by the public and covers many different topics, such as crypto, investing, trading and more.
eToro offers a user-friendly website with exceptional educational content and a variety of markets to trade in.
eToro is used by more than 17 million traders around the world and is also available to US citizens.
Pros and Cons of eToro:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Supports CopyTrading | Difficult to find detailed account information |
| Supports Social trading | Forex fees are high |
| Flexible leverage | Withdrawal fee of $5 |
| Free stock and ETF trading in EU |
Minimum Account Features of eToro:
| Minimum deposit | $50 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:30 |
| Account base currencies | USD, AUD, CNY, CAD, GBP, EUR, JPY, RUB |
| Instruments | Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Forex, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies |
| Regulations | FCA, CySEC, ASIC |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | eToro app, OpenBook |
Exness
Exness offers a total of 107 tradable currency pairs, 81 stocks and indices, 13 cryptocurrencies, and 12 metals and energies.
Clients can choose between standard and professional accounts, which each have different sub accounts that are tailored for different types of traders.
Exness currently has more than 100,000 clients internationally and has been around for more than a decade.
Although there is no dedicated educational section on the website, the FAQ section offers in depth explanations and guides on how to trade and use the tools and platforms provided.
Pros and Cons of Exness:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Highly regulated and trusted broker | Lack of educational content |
| Compatible with MT4 and MT5 | Not beginner-friendly |
| Hedging and Scalping allowed | |
| Low minimum deposit |
Minimum Account Features of Exness:
| Minimum deposit | $10 |
| Maximum leverage | Unlimited |
| Account base currencies | USD, EUR, ZAR, CHF, NZD, SGD, JPY, AUD |
| Instruments | Forex, Cryptocurrencies, Energies, Metals, Shares, Stocks, Commodities |
| Regulations | CySEC, FCA, SFSA, FSCA |
| Swap-free accounts | yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, WebTerminal |
FBS
There are more than 17 million active clients on FBS and more than 1 billion orders have been opened since 2009.
FBS has over 150,000 partners and affiliates and has won many awards over the years.
This is a beginner-friendly broker that offers 5 types of accounts and supports copy trading.
There are many promotional benefits to trading with FBS and there are 8 contests currently running.
FBS offers tight spreads, flexible leverage and demo accounts, and clients can start trading with as little as $1 for crypto accounts and $5 for trading accounts.
Pros and Cons of FBS:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Flexible account options | Limited product offering |
| Copy trader-friendly | Only 2 base currencies supported |
| Compatible with MetaTrader platforms | |
| Plenty of promotions and bonuses |
Minimum Account Features of FBS:
| Minimum deposit | $1 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:30 |
| Account base currencies | EUR, USD |
| Instruments | Forex, Indices, Stocks, Metals, Energies, Crypto |
| Regulations | CySEC, IFSC, FSCA, ASIC |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, FBS trader, CopyTrade |
Forex.com
Forex.com has been around for more than 2 decades and facilitates trades in more than 4,000 markets across 7 asset classes.
Forex.com offers 3 flexible account types and a rewards program for active traders.
Forex.com provides a variety of trading tools, including SMART signals, advanced charting, performance analytics, and several innovative platform tools.
Beginners have access to educational materials that cover many different topics and can take a quiz to find out what type of trader they are.
Pros and Cons of Forex.com:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Cash rebates for high-volume trades | Not a CySEC-regulated broker |
| Great range of research tools | Inactivity is penalised |
| Withdrawals and deposits are free |
Minimum Account Features of Forex.com:
| Minimum deposit | $50 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:40 |
| Account base currencies | EUR, GBP, USD, AUD, CHF, JPY |
| Instruments | Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Metals, Crypto |
| Regulations | FCA, IIROC, ASIC, CFTC |
| Swap-free accounts | No |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Forex.com apps |
FXTM
FXTM was established in 2011 and has earned the trust of more than 2 million clients since its inception.
Clients can choose from 3 account types with low spreads and zero-commission accounts, and each type of account can be tested as a demo account.
FXTM offers many different trading tools, including trading signals, indicators, advanced calculators, strategy tools and investment calculators.
FXTM is available in over 100 countries and provides more than 5,000 trading strategies that can be copied by clients.
This is a beginner-friendly broker that gives new traders access to trading guides, educational tutorials and webinars.
Pros and Cons of FXTM:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Tight spreads | No US clients allowed |
| Fast trade execution | Penalty fees for inactive users |
| Option to start trading with $10 |
Minimum Account Features of FXTM:
| Minimum deposit | $10-$500 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:2000 |
| Account base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, NGN |
| Instruments | Metals, Stocks, CFDs, Indices, Forex, Commodities |
| Regulations | CySEC, FCA, FSC |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, FXTM Trader |
FxView
FXView is a CFD and Forex broker that offers a variety of tools for social trading, API trading, charting, analysis and research.
FXView accounts can be used with MetaTrader 4 and 5, and also offers its own proprietary trading platform, called ActTrader.
ActTrader has a fully customizable user interface with risk management tools, a strategy builder, and a variety of different charts and graphs.
FxView also provides AutoChartist and VPS packages, along with a unique trader’s toolbox and managed accounts services.
Beginner’s can use the educational resources provided by FxView and practice with a demo account.
Pros and Cons of FxView:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Tight spreads | No Crypto trading |
| Great selection of trading tools | Limited product offering |
| Negative Balance Protection | |
| Low minimum deposit |
Minimum Account Features of FxView:
| Minimum deposit | $5 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:500 |
| Account base currencies | EUR, USD, GBP, AUD |
| Instruments | Forex, Commodities, Indices, Stocks |
| Regulations | CySEC, SEBI |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, ActTrader, ZuluTrade |
IronFX
IronFX is used by more than 1 million traders and is available in 180 countries across the globe.
IronFX offers over 300 tradable instruments and a total of 7 trading accounts that can be used with Trading Central tools, reliable market news updates and the IronFX Trading School for clients who are new to trading.
IronFX accounts have flexible leverage, trading bonuses, tight spreads and more, and can be used on the MetaTrader 4 platform.
IronFX has been around since 2010 and has won many awards over the last decade.
Pros and Cons of IronFX:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Low spreads | Not available to US clients |
| Commission-free trading | No Crypto trading |
| Fixed spreads offered | |
| Beginner-friendly |
Minimum Account Features of IronFX:
| Minimum deposit | $100 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, BTC, PLN, CZK |
| Instruments | Forex, Indices, Metals, Commodities, Futures, Shares, |
| Regulations | FCA, CySEC, ASIC |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, IronFX PMAM Platform, TradeCopier |
Robinhood
Robinhood is a commission-free stock trading broker that offers IDO investment opportunities, fractional shares and a great range of products.
This is a beginner-friendly broker and educational resources have been made available to the public for free, covering the topics of investments, options, risk management, dividends, investment portfolios and more.
Robinhood also offers a debit card that can be used to access funds directly and is compatible with more than 75,000 ATMs around the globe.
The Robinhood debit card can also be used anywhere where Mastercard is accepted.
Pros and Cons of Robinhood:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Available to US citizens | Limited product offering |
| Educational content provided | No inactivity fee |
| More than 5,000 stocks offered | Only available to US citizens |
| Commission-free trading | Only 1 base currency supported |
Minimum Account Features of Robinhood:
| Minimum deposit | $0 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:2 |
| Account base currencies | USD |
| Instruments | Stocks, Option,s Gold, Crypto |
| Regulations | FINRA, FCA |
| Swap-free accounts | No |
| Demo accounts | No |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | Proprietary platform |
Ally Invest
Whether you are interested in self-directed trading or you are curious about trading with Robo advisors, Ally Invest has an account for you.
Ally Invest offers commission-free trading and clients can connect to the markets 24/7.
No minimum deposit is required to activate a live account with Ally Invest and a bonus of up to $3,000 is offered for creating an investment account with this broker.
Ally Invest offers its own proprietary trading platform with charts, research and analysis tools, watchlists and much more.
Pros and Cons of Ally Invest:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Beginner-friendly | Only 1 base currency supported |
| Comprehensive product and service offering | Difficult to find specific account info on website |
| Available to US citizens | No cryptocurrencies or Forex |
| 24/7 customer support |
Minimum Account Features of Ally Invest:
| Minimum deposit | $0 |
| Maximum leverage | N/A |
| Account base currencies | USD |
| Instruments | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds |
| Regulations | SEC, FINRA, CFTC |
| Swap-free accounts | No |
| Demo accounts | No |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | Maxit Tax Manager, Ally Invest proprietary platforms |
LiteFinance
LiteFinance was launched over 15 years ago and has established itself as a reliable ECN and Forex broker with a trusted reputation.
Not only are there tons of benefits to trading with this broker, but it is also a great option for social traders.
LiteFinance accommodates beginners by providing a comprehensive library of educational content, trading guides and articles, and also offers a demo account to practice on.
LiteFinance can be used to access over 5 major stock exchanges, including NASDAQ, NYSE, EURONEXT and more, and offers a variety of trading tools for research, charting and analysis.
LiteFinance also hosts several different contests, but what makes this broker unique is that one of the contests offers a cash prize for responsible and profitable trading on a demo contest account.
Pros and Cons of LiteForex:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Accommodates for social traders | Limited product offering |
| Expert analysis provided | Not available to US citizens |
| Compatible with MT4 and MT5 | |
| Low minimum deposit |
Minimum Account Features of LiteForex:
| Minimum deposit | $ |
| Maximum leverage | 1:30 |
| Account base currencies | Depends on payment method |
| Instruments | Forex, Metals, Oil, Stocks, NASDAQ CFDs, NYSE CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulations | CySEC |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers premium trading tools and facilitates trading across 130 markets.
This is a beginner-friendly broker that guarantees low trading costs and transparency.
Interactive Brokers can be used to perform advanced analytics, use over 100 order types, trade in spot markets, make more informed decisions based on comprehensive reporting and use APIs.
There is a total of more than 7,000 CFD products that can be traded and over 100 Forex pairs, with access to 80 international market centres.
There is also a wide variety of educational content provided through the trader’s academy and StudentTradingLab that can be used with a demo account and other educational resources.
Pros and Cons of Interactive Brokers:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Well regulated | Limited to Bank transfers for withdrawals and account funding |
| Good variety of trading products | Commission structure benefits only high volumes |
| Supports API trading | |
| 24 base currencies supported |
Minimum Account Features of Interactive Brokers:
| Minimum deposit | $0 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:40 |
| Account base currencies | AUD, CHF, TRY, USD, GBP, DKK, EUR, KRW, MXN, NZD, HKD, CAD, CNH, CZK, HUF, ILS, YEN, NOK, PLN, RUB, SGB, ZAR, SEK |
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Commodities, Metals |
| Regulations | USSEC,CFTC, ASIC, FCA |
| Swap-free accounts | No |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | No |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation IBKR mobile app, IBKR APIs |
OctaFX
In 2011, OctaFX was established and it is available in 100 countries and has more than 6 million loyal clients.
Traders can choose from 2 types of accounts with tight, floating spreads, no commission fees and flexible leverage.
OctaFX allows Hedging and Scalping and allows trading with Expert Advisors.
The website is easy to use, and OctaFX facilitates copy trading and rewards clients through its referral program and several different promotional offers.
There is an extensive library of educational content provided and OctaFX is a great option for professional traders and clients who have never traded before.
Pros and Cons of OctaFx:
| ✔️Pros | ❌Cons |
| Low minimum deposit | Limited product offering |
| Tight spreads | Only 2 base currencies accepted |
| CopyTrader-friendly | |
| Compatible with popular platforms |
Minimum Account Features of OctaFx:
| Minimum deposit | $100 |
| Maximum leverage | 1:500 |
| Account base currencies | EUR, USD |
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies |
| Regulations | FSA, SVGFSA |
| Swap-free accounts | Yes |
| Demo accounts | Yes |
| VIP, Referral Program or Active Trader | Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, OctaFX app |
Conclusion
Choosing what instruments to trade can be a daunting and overwhelming task, but that is why we recommend using one of the 30 Best Stock Trading Brokers in this review because they offer accounts, platforms and tools that make the process of trading much easier and safer.
Some final tips before you leave – always try to buy low and sell high, think about the impact of short-term goals and how they influence long-term investments, don’t be fooled by the prices of stocks, dedicate time to reading market news and doing your research and analysis, and finally – remember that the profits you receive are most likely taxable and always remain calm.
