Best Day Trading Apps 2026

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Written By
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James Barra
James is an investment writer and brokerage expert with a background in financial services. A former management consultant, he's worked on major operational transformation programmes at top European banks. A trusted industry name, James's work at DayTrading.com has been cited in publications like Business Insider.
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Fact Checked By
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Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
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We’ve evaluated countless mobile platforms to bring you our selection of the best day trading apps. Discover the applications that stand out for their:

  • User-friendly design
  • Low fees for day traders
  • Mobile-optimized charts and analysis tools
  • Excellent compatibility with Apple and Android devices

But don’t just take our word for it, for each day trading app we scored highly, we’ve also compiled ratings from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store so you can see what other traders think.

Top 6 Apps For Day Trading In 2026

These are the 6 best apps for day trading based on our hands-on tests and in-depth analysis in January 2026:

What Makes These Apps The Best For Day Trading?

Here’s a snapshot of why these day trading apps topped our latest tests:

  1. Interactive Brokers is the best app for day trading in 2026 - The IBKR Mobile app, available on both iOS and Android devices, makes your phone a powerful gateway to your IBKR accounts, offering you the freedom to keep an eye on portfolios, initiate trades, and dive into real-time quotes and charts, all while managing your account activities on the fly. This app stands out for its intuitive design, making it especially welcoming for those just starting their trading journey, providing a smoother and more accessible experience than the more complex TWS platform.
  2. OANDA US - OANDA's app stands out for its deeply customizable interface, ensuring you can tailor every aspect of the trading experience to your strategy, from setting custom notifications to adjusting chart sizes and overlays. This level of personalization, combined with the ability to quickly react to market changes, manage risk, and stay informed with alerts on significant market events, makes it a category leader.
  3. Plexytrade - Rather than developing its own app, Plexytrade offers its 100+ instruments on the MT4 and MT5 mobile platforms. While MetaTrader is favored by experienced traders, the absence of a proprietary trading app results in a steep learning curve for beginners. It also means deposits, withdrawals and account management have to be completed through the Plexytrade website, leading to a less complete mobile trading experience.
  4. FOREX.com - Running alongside the MT4 and Web Trader platforms, the FOREX.com app offers full trading capabilities on a user-friendly, compact platform. Integrated news and analysis, plus real time trade alerts, are two mobile specific features that set this app above the crowd. Additionally, it beats out MT4 when it comes to mobile charting tools, with over 80 indicators and 11 chart types, not to mention a slicker design that we love.
  5. Focus Markets - Focus Markets does not provide its own trading app, which is a downside for beginners. However, Apple and Android users can trade the broker's growing list of 1000+ CFDs on the MT5 mobile app with competitive trading conditions. This includes powerful charting with 21 timeframes, 4 execution types, and tight spreads from 0.0 pips in the Raw account.
  6. Optimus Futures - Optimus Futures Mobile gives futures traders fast, direct exchange access with low-latency execution and full depth-of-market (DOM) views. Order entry is quick and reliable, with support for advanced strategies such as brackets, OCO, and trailing stops alongside 150+ indicators for charting. It’s best suited for active day traders who need professional futures tools on the go.

Top Day Trading Apps Comparison

Find the best day trading app for you with our detailed comparison of the areas vital to active mobile traders:

Top Day Trading Apps Comparison
Broker iOS Rating Android Rating Day Trading Markets Regulators
Interactive Brokers 4.3 / 5 4.5 / 5 Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
OANDA US 4.7 / 5 3.7 / 5 Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA) NFA, CFTC
Plexytrade 4.8 / 5 4.7 / 5 CFDs, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Crypto -
FOREX.com 3.6 / 5 3.8 / 5 Forex, Stock CFDs, Futures, Futures Options NFA, CFTC
Focus Markets 4.8 / 5 4.8 / 5 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto ASIC, SVGFSA
Optimus Futures 2.9 / 5 2.9 / 5 Futures on Indices, Metals, Energies, Softs, Bonds, Cryptos, Options on Futures, Event Contracts NFA, CFTC

How Safe Are These Day Trading Applications?

Find out how our top apps for day trading protect your funds while managing transactions and trades on the go:

How Safe Are These Day Trading Applications?
Broker Trust Rating Guaranteed Stop Loss Negative Balance Protection Segregated Accounts
Interactive Brokers 4.5
OANDA US 4.5
Plexytrade 2.3
FOREX.com 4.9
Focus Markets 3
Optimus Futures 4.5

Are the Top Day Trading Apps Good for Beginners?

New traders should choose an app that allow trading with virtual money, alongside other features geared towards beginners:

Are the Top Day Trading Apps Good for Beginners?
Broker Demo Account Minimum Deposit Minimum Trade Education Rating Support Rating
Interactive Brokers $0 $100 4.3 3
OANDA US $0 0.01 Lots 3.8 3.5
Plexytrade $50 0.01 3.5 3.8
FOREX.com $100 0.01 Lots 4.5 4.3
Focus Markets $100 0.01 Lots 1 2
Optimus Futures $500 $50 3.8 3.3

Are the Top Day Trading Apps Good for Advanced Traders?

Experienced traders should look for sophisticated tools to enhance the mobile trading experience:

Are the Top Day Trading Apps Good for Advanced Traders?
Broker Automated Trading VPS AI Pro Account Leverage Low Latency Extended Hours
Interactive Brokers Capitalise.ai, TWS API 1:50
OANDA US Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:50
Plexytrade Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:2000
FOREX.com Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:50
Focus Markets Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:500
Optimus Futures TradingView Pine Script, API Features -

Compare the Ratings of Top Apps For Day Trading

See how top short-term trading apps rate in key areas after our in-depth tests of their mobile trading capabilities:

Compare the Ratings of Top Apps For Day Trading
Broker Trust Platforms Assets Mobile Fees Accounts Research Education Support
Interactive Brokers 4.5 3.3 4.7 4.4 4.3 3.5 4.4 4.3 3
OANDA US 4.5 4.5 2.8 4.2 4 3.5 4.3 3.8 3.5
Plexytrade 2.3 4 3.5 4.8 3.5 3.3 2.8 3.5 3.8
FOREX.com 4.9 4.6 4.3 3.7 4.6 4 4.8 4.5 4.3
Focus Markets 3 2.5 3 4.8 3 2.8 1 1 2
Optimus Futures 4.5 4.5 3.8 2.9 3.8 3.8 4 3.8 3.3

Compare Mobile Trading Fees

The cost of trading with a broker will make a big difference over time, especially if you're making frequent mobile transactions. Here's how the top day trading app providers stack up on pricing:

Compare Mobile Trading Fees
Broker Cost Rating Fixed Spreads Inactivity Fee
Interactive Brokers 4.3 $0
OANDA US 4 $0
Plexytrade 3.5 -
FOREX.com 4.6 $15
Focus Markets 3 $0
Optimus Futures 3.8 $0

How Popular Are These Day Trading Apps?

Many traders prefer the most downloaded apps (those with the most users):

Why Day Trade On Your Mobile With Interactive Brokers?

"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."

Christian Harris Christian Harris, Reviewer

Interactive Brokers Quick Facts

Mobile AppsiOS & Android
iOS App Rating4.3 / 5
Android App Rating4.5 / 5
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsStocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
Minimum Deposit$0
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Pros

  • Interactive Brokers has been named Best US Broker for 2025 by DayTrading.com, recognizing its long-standing commitment to US traders, ultra-low margin rates, and global market access at minimal cost.
  • The new IBKR Desktop platform takes the best of TWS while adding bespoke tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to create a genuinely impressive trading experience for day traders at every level.
  • With low commissions, tight spreads and a transparent fee structure, IBKR delivers a cost-effective environment for short-term traders.

Cons

  • TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.
  • IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
  • Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.

Why Day Trade On Your Mobile With OANDA US?

"OANDA remains an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."

Jemma Grist Jemma Grist, Reviewer

OANDA US Quick Facts

Mobile AppsiOS & Android
iOS App Rating4.7 / 5
Android App Rating3.7 / 5
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)
Minimum Deposit$0
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • The proprietary OANDA web platform continues to deliver a highly competitive charting environment, including 65+ technical indicators powered by TradingView
  • OANDA is a reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators including the CFTC
  • There's a strong selection of 68 currency pairs for dedicated short-term forex traders

Cons

  • The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
  • It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends
  • There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported

Why Day Trade On Your Mobile With Plexytrade?

"Plexytrade is a newcomer in the brokerage scene with attention-grabbing features like 1:2000 leverage, zero spreads on select instruments and fast execution speeds of less than 46 milliseconds. However, the absence of regulation is a significant concern, while the non-existent research and educational tools place it far behind industry frontrunners."

Christian Harris Christian Harris, Reviewer

Plexytrade Quick Facts

Mobile AppsiOS & Android
iOS App Rating4.8 / 5
Android App Rating4.7 / 5
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Crypto
Minimum Deposit$50
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR

Pros

  • Plexytrade accommodates a range of trading methods and short-term strategies, including scalping, hedging, and automated trading.
  • Despite lacking regulation, Plexytrade provides negative balance protection and reinforces safety protocols by holding client funds in segregated accounts.
  • Plexytrade offers among the highest leverage we’ve seen, up to 1:2000, catering to advanced traders willing to forego regulatory protections.

Cons

  • With around 100 instruments, Plexytrade restricts the flexibility of investors who prefer to trade across various assets, especially compared to Blackbull with its 26,000 securities.
  • There are no social or copy trading features for inexperienced traders to replicate the trades of more experienced investors, trailing category leaders like eToro.
  • Plexytrade lacks regulation in major jurisdictions, significantly increasing the risks of opening an account and depositing funds.

Why Day Trade On Your Mobile With FOREX.com?

"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."

Christian Harris Christian Harris, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Mobile AppsiOS & Android
iOS App Rating3.6 / 5
Android App Rating3.8 / 5
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, Stock CFDs, Futures, Futures Options
Minimum Deposit$100
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

  • With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.
  • There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
  • The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.

Cons

  • Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
  • Despite increasing its range of instruments, FOREX.com's product portfolio is still limited to forex and CFDs, so there are no options to invest in real stocks, real ETFs or real cryptocurrencies.
  • There’s no negative balance protection for US clients, so you may find yourself owing more money than your initial deposit into your account.

Why Day Trade On Your Mobile With Focus Markets?

"Focus Markets is perfect for experienced traders familiar with MetaTrader 5, offering flexible crypto transactions (USDT and BTC) and access to over 90 cryptocurrencies for seamless speculation, deposits, and withdrawals."

Christian Harris Christian Harris, Reviewer

Focus Markets Quick Facts

Mobile AppsiOS & Android
iOS App Rating4.8 / 5
Android App Rating4.8 / 5
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
Minimum Deposit$100
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, SGD

Pros

  • Focus Markets’ MT5 platform delivered fast, seamless trade execution during testing with advanced charting, multiple timeframes, and useful tools like Depth of Market (DOM). Its clean interface made navigation easy, while clear risk/reward ratios ensures precise trading.
  • While its meagre four commodities won’t meet the needs of some serious traders interested in softs and metals, Focus Markets offers a huge suite of 90+ cryptos, providing short-term opportunities on high-reward, high-risk assets.
  • Focus Markets is regulated by ASIC – one of the most respected regulatory bodies in the financial industry with robust safeguards like negative balance protection, ensuring you can’t lose more than your balance in volatile markets.

Cons

  • Regulatory protection is a location lottery at Focus Markets – Australian traders benefit from strong ASIC oversight, but those using the SVGFSA-registered entity face limited recourse options in disputes.
  • Focus Markets’ 24/5 support lacks direct phone help and unresponsive live chat, while email replies took a full business day during our latest tests. This slow support is a major drawback for active traders who need quick resolutions.
  • A significant drawback of Focus Markets is the lack of platform variety. It only support MT5, excluding popular platforms like MT4, cTrader, and TradingView, plus it hasn't developed its own software that could better meet the needs of beginners.

Why Day Trade On Your Mobile With Optimus Futures?

"Optimus Futures is best for active futures day traders who want low per-contract costs and the flexibility to build a custom trading setup across platforms like Optimus Flow, TradingView, and Sierra Chart. Its fast order-routing, low day trading margins, depth-of-market and footprint analysis tools, plus the ability to select your own clearing firm, make it especially suited to high-volume traders focused on U.S. and global futures markets."

Christian Harris Christian Harris, Reviewer

Optimus Futures Quick Facts

Mobile AppsiOS & Android
iOS App Rating2.9 / 5
Android App Rating2.9 / 5
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsFutures on Indices, Metals, Energies, Softs, Bonds, Cryptos, Options on Futures, Event Contracts
Minimum Deposit$500
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • Futures commission rates are competitive, and there’s transparent access to trading on major exchanges, while the firm's fee calculator makes it a breeze to estimate trading costs before placing orders, helping to avoid surprises.
  • Optimus Futures stands out with ultra-low day trading margins on micro futures, starting at just $50 per contract and a $100 minimum balance, giving small accounts serious buying power.
  • Optimus Futures has added event contracts from CME Group, allowing traders to express a daily market view with a simple yes-or-no position on major futures markets. Only offered by a handful of brokers, these fixed-risk products provide a straightforward way to speculate on a short-term basis.

Cons

  • Live chat support is handled entirely by a bot, so despite several attempts in our tests, it wasn't possible to get access to a human agent, which can be frustrating when urgent or complex questions arise.
  • There are limited payment options and no toll-free numbers for international support, while withdrawals cost $20 to $60, potentially making frequent withdrawals costly for active traders.
  • There's no true 'all-in-one' account management dashboard - key functions like risk settings, software downloads, and subscriptions are split across different sections or platforms, so it required extra digging to set everything up during testing.

Where brokers do not offer their own proprietary trading apps, and instead support third-party applications like MT4, MT5 or cTrader, we have shown these ratings from the respective app stores. Also kindly note that ratings from app stores may change.

What To Look For In An App For Day Trading

In recent years, we’ve seen the day trading landscape shift, with more retail investors using smartphones for online trading. In fact, the number of trading app users has risen year-on-year according to Business of Apps.

Application functionality has also improved, where once you could just view portfolios and make basic trades, the best day trading apps today offer the complete package for all types of traders.

However, despite significant investment in app development and varied personal preferences, the key qualities of an outstanding app for day trading remain the same:

Day Trading Apps testing methodology

We explain these factors and our methodology in detail below…

They Are Easy And Enjoyable To Use

For intraday traders, where every second can count, selecting a day trading app with a user-friendly design that allows for easy navigation is essential.

The ability to quickly analyze data and execute trades with minimal clicks or fuss is a key feature of top apps. Given the trend of apps like Robinhood, which gamify trading with features like digital confetti when you make a trade, it’s important for serious day traders to avoid such distractions.

We assess the usability of day trading apps by evaluating how they balance providing key information for informed trading decisions, without overwhelming users with excessive data. This approach ensures that the apps we recommend offer an optimal user experience, catering to the specific needs of day traders.

Market analysis on CMC Markets aa
CMC Markets App – Analysis
Day trading on the CMC Markets app
CMC Markets App – Assets
Trading chart on CMC Markets app
CMC Markets App – Charts

 

  • Our firsthand experience with the CMC Markets app reveals its significant investment in recent years, resulting in an intuitive and user-friendly design that we love. The app simplifies market analysis and trade management for the full spectrum of traders, offering a seamless experience that earned it one of our annual awards.

They Offer The Tools You Need To Day Trade Effectively

From our many years in the industry, we understand that transitioning from desktop to mobile trading platforms often means compromising on functionality, particularly in charting tools, which are vital for day traders.

Therefore, we look for day trading apps that deliver a comprehensive mobile trading experience, including mobile-friendly charts with numerous technical indicators and drawing tools, as well as a complete range of order types.

Additionally, we value standout features such as SMS alerts and push notifications that provide buy and sell signals or important market updates, improving the overall trading experience.

Day trading assets on FxPro app
FxPro App – Indicators
Trading chart on FxPro app
FxPro App – Charts
Tradable assets on FxPro app
FxPro App – Assets

 

  • Our time testing the FxPro app has been excellent, particularly for its advanced yet user-friendly charting functions and huge selection of technical indicators. The mobile interface allows easy customization of charts, and the split-screen feature is a real plus, enabling simultaneous viewing of charts and trading data on one screen.

They Provide Seamless Compatibility With Your Device

We’ve found that while most top day trading apps are available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, their performance can vary between iPhone/iPad and Android devices.

For example, during our analysis, E*Trade scored 4.6/5 on the Apple App Store but only 2.9/5 on the Google Play Store, indicating a less optimal experience for Android users.

Therefore, we prioritize the mobile trading experience on both Apple and Android platforms, blending our own testing observations with feedback from other traders. This approach helps us ensure that the day trading apps we recommend deliver a high-quality experience, regardless of the device.

Education on AvaTrade app
AvaTrade App – Education
Tradable assets on AvaTrade App
AvaTrade App – Assets
Trading chart on AvaTrade app
AvaTrade App – Charts

 

  • Our evaluation of AvaTrade solidifies its position as a top-tier day trading app. It impressed us with its smooth and flawless performance during our tests, and this excellence is mirrored in its equally high ratings on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

They Offer Excellent Pricing For Day Traders

It’s vital to select day trading apps with low fees, as this can help maximize profits by reducing the ongoing transaction costs that quickly add up in the high-frequency environment of day trading.

In our hands-on assessments, we carefully review the fees associated with day trading in popular markets like stocks, forex, and commodities.

We also consider the needs of different traders. Beginners, for example, may prefer a commission-free model with variable spreads and zero inactivity fees, keeping pricing simple with no penalties if they choose to stop day trading. On the other hand, experienced day traders often prefer models that feature tight spreads and low, fixed commissions.

Trading fees at Pepperstone
Pepperstone – Pricing
  • Pepperstone continues to deliver competitive pricing for day traders. We’ve found the commission-free Standard account to be a decent option for entry-level traders, but it’s the Razor account for experienced traders that really stands out. With average spreads of just 0.3 on the USD/JPY and a reasonable $3.50 commission per lot per side, it’s a particularly attractive choice, especially when combined with the rebate program for active traders.

If you’re still unsure which app to use for day trading, I recommend test-driving a few applications using demo accounts. This will help you find good day trading apps with designs you enjoy, tools you need, low fees, and excellent integration with your mobile or tablet devices.

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James Barra
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FAQ

What Is A Day Trading App?

A day trading app is a downloadable application for your mobile or tablet, allowing you to conduct day trading activities like market analysis, trade execution, and account management.

Some day trading brokers, such as CMC Markets, have built their own apps that offer everything in one package, while other firms, such as IG, have stand-alone apps for different purposes such as trading and education.

There are also brokers, such as Pepperstone, that provide access to popular third-party apps that can be used for charting and day trading, such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5).

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