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Written By
Michael MacKenzie
Written By
Michael MacKenzie
Michael is a writer and editor with over a decade in journalism and publishing. His niche lies in editing and fact-checking content in the financial services sector, with a focus on online brokers and trading platforms. Michael previously reported on politics and economics in the Middle East and edits books for established publishers.
» Michael MacKenzie Profile Page
Edited By
James Barra
Edited By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. He has worked as a management consultant, where he delivered large-scale operational transformational programmes at some of Europe's biggest banks.James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
» James Barra Profile Page
Fact Checked By
William Berg
Fact Checked By
William Berg
William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.
» William Berg Profile Page
Updated
Feb 19, 2024
Want to buy shares or speculate on stock prices but don’t know which brokerage to use? We’ve reviewed, compared and rated the best stock brokers and platforms for day trading stocks.
Top 5 Stock Brokers for Day Trading
Our comprehensive analysis of over 490 brokers, conducted as of April 2024, reveals the following day trading platforms as the top choices for stock traders. Every stock broker listed we evaluated using a real money or test account.
- AvaTrade - AvaTrade offers hundreds of shares on leading exchanges including the NYSE and FTSE. You can take positions on leading tech firms like Tesla, Apple and Microsoft with no restrictions and 24/5 support. There is also an above-average selection of 45+ indices and 60+ ETFs.
- Eightcap - Eightcap offers 650+ US, Australian, and European shares as well as a modest range of indices, including the Dow Jones and FTSE. Its Labs offer excellent educational tools, notably the ‘Navigating Stock Market Volatility’ guide, while Capitalise.ai lets you automate stock trading strategies in plain English. On the downside, Eightcap still doesn’t offer fractional shares for budget traders, which are available at brokers like XTB.
- InstaForex - There are hundreds of major global shares and indices available. You can also trade IPO shares and ETFs in the MT4 platform, depending on jurisdiction. You can expect a reasonable 0.025% commission on US shares, plus a range of analysis features to help you stay ahead of stock market news.
- XM - You can trade hundreds of shares in major markets, including the US, UK, Europe and Asia. Commissions are as low as $1 per transaction while fractional shares reduce the entry barrier for beginners. There's also a dedicated stock market analysis section on the broker's website.
- eToro - eToro offers access to thousands of stocks and shares from all over Europe, the US and beyond. Traders can invest alone or join millions of other traders in eToro's popular social trading community. Buy-and-hold investors can also try out the broker's Smart Portfolios, covering exciting thematic collections like Big Tech.
Best Stock Brokers For Day Trading Comparison
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Stock Trading App | Stock Fee | Extended Hours | Financial Regulator | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | $100 | iOS & Android | 0.13 | ✘ | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM | Visit |
| | $100 | iOS & Android | 0.03 (Apple Inc) | ✘ | ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB | Visit |
| | €200 | iOS and Android + browser based platform | Commissions as low as 0.1% | ✘ | CySEC | Visit |
| | $5 | iOS, Android & Windows | 0.002 | ✘ | ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA | Visit |
| | $50 | iOS & Android | 0.57 (Apple) | ✔ | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA | Visit |
| | $100 | iOS & Android | Variable | ✘ | FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSC | Visit |
| | $0 | iOS & Android | NA | ✘ | CySEC | Visit |
| | $100 | iOS, Android & Windows | 0.08 | ✘ | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, FMA, EFSA | Visit |
| | $100 | iOS, Android | 4 pips | ✘ | FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, FSC | Visit |
| | $0 | iOS & Android | Variable | ✘ | FCA, ASIC, DFSA, FMA | Visit |
| | $0 | iOS & Android | 0.02 | ✔ | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA | Visit |
| | $5 | iOS, Android | - | ✘ | MGA, SC | Visit |
| | $250 | Android | NA | ✘ | - | Visit |
| | $0 | iOS & Android | 0.02 | ✔ | FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA | Visit |
| | $100 | iOS & Android | 1.0 cent + $0.02 per share, per side (Apple) | ✘ | ASIC | Visit |
#1 - AvaTrade
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Review
Why We Chose AvaTrade
AvaTrade offers hundreds of shares on leading exchanges including the NYSE and FTSE. You can take positions on leading tech firms like Tesla, Apple and Microsoft with no restrictions and 24/5 support. There is also an above-average selection of 45+ indices and 60+ ETFs.
"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Demo Account: Yes
- Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM
- Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
- Minimum Deposit: $100
- Automation: Yes
- Bonus: None
About AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.
Pros
- Automated trading is supported through MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs), as well as the AvaSocial and DupliTrade tools
- WebTrader is well-suited to beginners and features a strong suite of technical analysis tools and market research for day traders
- The broker’s unique risk management tool, AvaProtect, protects against losses up to $1 million and is easy to activate in the platform
Cons
- A high $2000 minimum investment is required to use DupliTrade, which will be out of reach for many beginners
- Traders from the US are not accepted
- It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here
Visit AvaTrade
#2 - Eightcap
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Review
Why We Chose Eightcap
Eightcap offers 650+ US, Australian, and European shares as well as a modest range of indices, including the Dow Jones and FTSE. Its Labs offer excellent educational tools, notably the ‘Navigating Stock Market Volatility’ guide, while Capitalise.ai lets you automate stock trading strategies in plain English. On the downside, Eightcap still doesn’t offer fractional shares for budget traders, which are available at brokers like XTB.
"Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 250+ crypto CFDs and the Crypto Crusher market scanner, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Demo Account: Yes
- Regulator: ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit: $100
- Automation: Yes
- Bonus: None
About Eightcap
Eightcap is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker established in Australia in 2009. The broker has proven popular with active day traders, providing 1,000+ instruments with tight spreads and notable improvements in recent years, integrating the leading TradingView platform, alongside AI-powered financial calendars and algo trading tools with zero coding experience required.
Pros
- Eightcap stands out with a selection of powerful trading tools, including MT4 and MT5, the innovative algorithmic trading platform Capitalise.ai, and more recently the 50-million strong social trading network TradingView.
- With tight spreads from 0 pips, low commission fees, and high leverage up to 1:500 for certain clients, Eightcap provides cost-effective and flexible trading conditions that can accommodate an array of strategies, including day trading and scalping.
- After bolstering its roster in 2021, Eightcap offers one of the most extensive selections of cryptocurrency CFDs in the market, with crypto/fiat pairs, crypto/crypto pairs, plus crypto indices for broader exposure to the market.
Cons
- Eightcap needs to continue bolstering its suite of instruments to match category leaders like Blackbull Markets with its 26,000+ assets, featuring a particularly weak selection of commodities.
- Despite a useful library of educational guides and e-books, Eightcap still trails IG’s comprehensive toolkit for aspiring traders with its dedicated IG Academy app and 18 course categories.
- In spite of an increasing variety of tools, Eightcap doesn't offer industry favorites like Autochartist or Trading Central, which offer cutting-edge charting analytics, live news, and market insights for short-term traders.
Visit Eightcap
#3 - InstaForex
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Review
Why We Chose InstaForex
There are hundreds of major global shares and indices available. You can also trade IPO shares and ETFs in the MT4 platform, depending on jurisdiction. You can expect a reasonable 0.025% commission on US shares, plus a range of analysis features to help you stay ahead of stock market news.
"InstaForex maintains its position as a top forex broker, with more currency products than most rivals. The tight spreads and low minimum deposits make it accessible to all experience levels, especially those familiar with the MT4 and MT5 platforms."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Demo Account: Yes
- Regulator: CySEC
- Platforms: MT4, MT5
- Minimum Deposit: €200
- Automation: Yes
- Bonus: Choose between: Club Bonus, 30 %, 55 % and 100 % bonuses
About InstaForex
InstaForex is a forex and CFD broker founded in 2007. The broker offers diverse market coverage to over 7 million clients, spanning traditional assets like currencies and shares, as well as other interesting opportunities such as IPOs. Traders can also access copy trading services, PAMM accounts and investment opportunities. InstaForex is regulated by the BVI FSC.
Pros
- There’s a copy trading service available with just a $10 minimum deposit, allowing clients to become both followers and providers
- There’s a decent range of free and fast payment methods including local bank transfers, bank cards, e-wallets and cryptos
- InstaForex has a strong industry reputation, with a 15+ year history and serving over 7 million clients
Cons
- The broker’s website and client cabinet feel outdated and difficult to navigate for newcomers
- The broker’s global branch offers weaker regulation via the offshore jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands, which means non-EU traders will receive limited safeguards
- Market coverage and account conditions vary significantly between the global and EU entities - for example, only 300+ instruments are available for global clients, whilst European traders can access 2500+
Visit InstaForex
#4 - XM
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Review
Why We Chose XM
You can trade hundreds of shares in major markets, including the US, UK, Europe and Asia. Commissions are as low as $1 per transaction while fractional shares reduce the entry barrier for beginners. There's also a dedicated stock market analysis section on the broker's website.
"XM is one of the best forex and CFD brokers we have tested. The flexible account types will suit a variety of short-term trading styles while the $5 minimum deposit and smooth sign-up process make it easy to start trading."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Demo Account: Yes
- Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FSC, FSCA
- Platforms: MT4, MT5
- Minimum Deposit: $5
- Automation: Yes
- Bonus: None
About XM
XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker with 10+ million clients in 190+ countries. Since 2009, this trusted broker has been known for its low fees on 1000+ instruments. XM is regulated by multiple financial bodies, including the ASIC and CySEC.
Pros
- XM is a hugely respected broker authorized by tier-one regulators
- 1000+ instruments are available, including recently added thematic indices, providing exposure to emerging industries
- The broker offers premium research including market sentiment, fundamental insights and strategy builders
Cons
- There's $5 inactivity fee after only 3 months, though this won't affect active traders
- PayPal deposits are not supported
- There is weak regulatory oversight through the global entity
Visit XM
#5 - eToro
Visit
Review
Why We Chose eToro
eToro offers access to thousands of stocks and shares from all over Europe, the US and beyond. Traders can invest alone or join millions of other traders in eToro's popular social trading community. Buy-and-hold investors can also try out the broker's Smart Portfolios, covering exciting thematic collections like Big Tech.
"eToro's social trading platform leads the pack with a terrific user experience and active community chat that can help beginners find opportunities. There are also competitive fees on thousands of CFDs and real stocks, plus excellent rewards for experienced strategy providers."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Demo Account: Yes
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA
- Platforms: eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
- Minimum Deposit: $50
- Automation: Yes
- Bonus: None
About eToro
eToro is a top-rated multi-asset platform which offers trading services in thousands of CFDs, stocks and cryptoassets. Launched in 2007, the brand has millions of active traders globally and is authorized by tier one regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. The brand is particularly popular for its comprehensive social trading platform. Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in the UK and some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. 76% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Pros
- Charts are powered by TradingView and offer strong technical analysis features, including 9 chart types and over 100 indicators
- There's a comprehensive online training academy with accessible resources, from bitesize articles to comprehensive courses
- Exciting investment portfolios are available covering traditional market trends as well as tech, crypto and more
Cons
- Traders will face currency conversion fees for account denominations other than USD
- There are no guaranteed stop loss orders which would be a useful risk management feature for beginners
- There is a $30 minimum withdrawal amount and a $5 fee, which will affect novices with low capital
Visit eToro
We exhaustively evaluated each stock broker, assigning them an overall rating that served as the basis for our platform rankings. This rating is a culmination of:
- Quantitative metrics: We scrutinized over 200 data points across 8 core categories, carefully documented by our experts.
- Qualitative insights: Our extensive testing process yielded valuable observations that further informed our evaluation.
Below are the key considerations that shaped our stock broker ratings. We recommend you take these factors into account when choosing an online stock broker.
Regulation and Trust
We prioritized online stock brokers that are authorized by trusted financial regulators like the US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).
That’s because top-tier regulators ensure stock brokerages provide measures that can help protect your capital from business failure. The UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), for example, protects investments up to £85,000.
Leading regulators also enforce restrictions on leveraged stock trading for retail investors, typically set at 1:5. Leveraged trading is particularly common among short-term traders and it’s regulated to curb potential losses, offering protection in case the stock markets move against you.
- Plus500 maintains its position as one of the most heavily regulated stock brokers (via CFDs) we’ve tested with real money, earning our trust with 7 licenses and a listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Stock Trading Fees
We chose brokers that offer low stock trading and non-trading fees, taking into account commissions on popular shares, margin fees, plus any deposit/withdrawal and inactivity charges.
Picking a brokerage account with low trading fees is especially important if you are day trading stocks, as a large volume of transaction fees can cut into profit margins.
- XTB continues to stand out for its low stock trading fees after introducing zero commissions on shares and charging a competitive 0.5% conversion fee. It’s also one of a limited number of stock brokers we’ve tested to offer high interest on uninvested cash (up to 4.9%).
Stock Market Access
We favored brokers with access to a wide range of stock exchanges, providing short-term trading opportunities across a selection of markets and industries.
Importantly, stock market trading is centralized, meaning that shares in most large companies are sold through national exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ), and London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Companies will not be listed on all exchanges, therefore, you should look for a broker with a global reach, especially if you want to build a diverse portfolio.
Also, some brokers specialize in buying and selling company shares directly, while others only allow you to speculate on stocks as the underlying assets using products like CFDs. These derivatives can be an excellent option for day traders looking for leveraged vehicles to profit from shorter-term price movements.
- Year after year, we’ve been impressed with CMC Markets, which offers an almost unrivalled suite of 10,000+ shares including major stocks in technology, banking, finance, plus consumer and retail sectors.
Stock Trading Platforms and Apps
We selected brokers with excellent stock trading platforms and apps that have clearly been designed with ease of use in mind for beginner traders, alongside helpful stock screeners and sophisticated analysis tools for advanced investors.
That’s because a user-friendly platform ensures smooth navigation, timely execution of trades, and provides valuable tools and insights to inform stock trading decisions.
- eToro’s stock trading platform and app stood out during testing for its simple interface that will appeal to new traders. It also provides intuitive charting and in-built indicators that will serve day traders, as well as integrated research and news feeds, trading calendars and expert commentary.
What Is A Stock Broker?
An online stock broker allows you to purchase company stocks and shares, or trade related derivatives like CFDs, via a website, desktop platform or mobile app, using just the internet.
These brokers will have connections to the stock market and will purchase the stock on your behalf. Trades can be executed at the click of a button, in real-time via their online platforms.
How Do Stock Brokers Make Money?
Stock brokers make money through several avenues. Often you will pay a commission, which is a flat fee per transaction. That said, we’re increasingly seeing online stock brokers, such as XTB, move to commission-free models.
In these instances, stock brokers may make money through a markup on the spread, which is the difference between the price a buyer is willing to pay (bid) and the price a seller is willing to accept (ask) for a particular stock, representing the transaction cost and liquidity in the market.
Some stock brokers are also market makers meaning they create liquidity by taking the other side of your trade. Sometimes, brokers can make money this way if a stock trader makes a loss.
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Tip: Advanced traders should consider a firm like Interactive Brokers. Their IBKRO Pro plan provides access to the IB SmartRoutingSM system which offers excellent execution by looking for the best available prices on stocks.
How Do I Start Trading Stocks?
The first step is to open an account with a stock brokerage.
You will find a wide assortment of online stock brokers and trading platforms available online, but choosing the best one for you depends on the stocks you want to trade, your trading strategy and your personal preferences.
You will then need to deposit the minimum amount, which typically ranges from $0 to $500.We’ve learned that depositing more upfront can often provide access to better quality stock trading tools and market research.
After that, you can log into the stock trading platform or app to find opportunities and place trades.
If you are new to stock trading, I recommend starting with a demo account. They simulate real-life market conditions, but any orders placed are with ‘paper money’. This means you can explore a platform and practice day trading stocks before risking real money.
Michael MacKenzie
Author
FAQ
Are Online Stock Brokers Safe?
The best way to stay safe is to choose a trustworthy stock broker. The most reliable sign of a trustworthy stock broker is authorization from one or more respected regulators, such as the SEC in the US, the ASIC in Australia, the FCA in the UK, or the CySEC in Europe.
We regularly verify the licenses of our recommended stock brokers on the respective regulator’s database to ensure they are authorized by the financial bodies they claim to be.
Our team is also comprised of industry experts who keep abreast of major security incidents and unfair trading practices – marking such stock brokerages down where appropriate. This was the case with Robinhood when its trading practices were found to be harmful to retail investors.
Which Is The Best Stock Broker For Beginners?
Pepperstone, XTB and eToro are our top picks for beginner day traders. They all have minimum deposits of <$10, free demo accounts so you can practice stock trading, and useful educational materials that we’ve explored ourselves.
Both XTB and eToro also offer fractional shares, lowering the entry barrier on high-value stocks.
Which Is The Best Stock Broker For Advanced Traders?
Interactive Brokers, IG and City Index are our top picks for advanced day traders. They offer a huge range of stocks with professional-grade platforms for market analysis, excellent research and reliable execution.
