Awards – Broker Of The Year Awards 2024

Contributor Image
Written By
Contributor Image
Written By
Tobias Robinson
Tobias is a partner at DayTrading.com, director of a UK limited company and active trader. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry and contributed via CySec to the regulatory response to digital options and CFD trading in Europe. Toby’s expertise and dedication to financial education make him a trusted voice in the industry, including a BBC investigation into digital options.
Updated

The DayTrading.com Broker Awards for 2024. The trading landscape continues to see big changes and significant challenges – our Awards acknowledge those brands that have adapted best, continued to innovate and maintained a customer focus.

In addition to Best Overall Broker, Best Forex Broker and Best Trading App, we also award a Best US, and Best Aus, Broker Award in what are fairly unique markets.

From depth of markets and investments to customer service, we have tried to include every aspect of what makes a broker stand out. In a hugely competitive arena, spreads and trading costs remain important, as does the trading platform itself.

In addition, post ESMA, we have looked at the overall health of a firm too, and how they are helping customers trade responsibly, and profitably.

With some notable brands taking actions that clearly disregarded the best interests of their customers in recent years, we have awarded firms who treat customers fairly.

Below we detail the winners and explain the basis on which we made each Award decision. We also mention notable runners up where the call was close. Feel free to send us your feedback and contribute to the winners and losers over the next 12 months.

best forex broker award 2024Best Forex Broker Award

Winner: Pepperstone

Runners Up:  Eightcap
Pepperstone offer a superb platform for trading forex, and continue to offer traders unique insight via their market analysts. Reliable and swift trading provide traders with everything they need.

Strong regulation, high user satisfaction and a solid balance sheet back up Pepperstone as a great choice for anyone looking to speculate on foreign exchange.

IC Markets and Eightcap also offer solid all-round offerings, but were pipped by Pepperstone in the forex category.

best binary broker award 2024Best Binary Broker Award

Winner: IQ Cent

Runner Up: Pocket Option

IQ Cent continue to expand their offering. With binary and digital options coming under further scrutiny, IQ Cent are still able to offer their services to traders around the world, and boast a solid reputation.

With a slick platform and considerable market depth, traders are able to access most major markets with clear risk management expectations and simplified strategies.

Recent additions of Marketplace rewards illustrate the brands constant push for higher user retention.

Pocket Option – 2022 winners – continue to offer a solid service too, again, available to most nations around the world.

best us broker award 2024Best US Broker Award

Winner: Forex.com

Runner Up: Nadex

Forex.com continue to offer a wide reaching service to US traders. Regulatory oversight varies considerably in the US, compared to other regions, and many brands offer very slimmed down offerings for traders.

Forex.com however, ensure they provide as many options as possible, for those looking to invest from the US.

In a fast changing environment, Forex.com continue to deliver for US clients and score highly in user satisfaction.

In an era of gamification and controversy with certain brands – Forex.com remain admirably professional.

best australian broker award 2024Best Aus Broker Award

Winner: Vantage

Runner Up: Pepperstone

A new regional award – this one focusing on Australia.

Given the changing regulatory picture around the world, regional awards reflect the different pressures brands face, while enabling us to compare like-for-like offerings.

The inaugural winners of the “Best Aus Broker” are Vantage. ASIC regulated, the brand do operate globally, but deliver an award winning service for Australians.

With a broad asset range, excellent reliability and low fees, Vantage came out on top in a very competitive region, pipping Pepperstone to take this year’s award.

best crypto broker award 2024Best Crypto Award

Winner: Eightcap

Runner Up: eToro

After the collapse of FTX, and issues at Binance, many traders hold fears about the viability of crypto exchanges.

Traditional brokers such as Eightcap however, can offer confidence and peace of mind to potential traders via regulatory oversight and a proven track record.

Eightcap have been adding new crypto pairs when required, and offering levels of customer support that crypto exchanges simply do not attempt to match.

With risk management a more straight forward process with CFDs, getting exposure to crypto price fluctuation via a traditional broker, now makes more sense than trying to find a reliable exchange. Eightcap offer the best route for traders looking to take up this option.

best trading app 2024 awardBest Trading App Award

Winner: Avatrade

Runners Up: Pepperstone

Though more of an issue in the US, the gamification of many trading apps remains the current trend, this means that traders are not treated with the respect they deserve by many application developers.

Avatrade have gone done a different route, and continue to develop a robust, reliable application that delivers excellent functionality alongside a simplified design to better suit mobile devices.

User ratings are high, up-time is excellent (and consistent) and the focus remains on the end user, rather than the bottom line.

Pepperstone have been previous winners of this award, and they continue to provide an excellent alternative, with a superb, well-rounded mobile app.

best metatrader broker award 2024Best MT4/MT5 Broker

Winner: Pepperstone

Runners Up: IC Markets

Pepperstone won this year’s “Best MT4 Broker”.

The globally regulated brand have been prolific winners of our awards down the years, and their current MetaTrader integration gives traders everything they would want when trading directly from the Meta Quotes platforms.

Pepperstone have often tried to deliver multiple options for traders, while not compromising on the trading experience and reliability of the platform. The addition on MT4 and MT5 in recent years is further evidence.

best broker award 2024Best Overall Broker

Winner: EightCap

Eightcap have been awarded the “Best Overall Broker” this year.

The Best Overall award generally goes to a brand that delivers across the board, and Eightcap have done that this year.

From the forex CFD trading, to the growth of the crypto offering, the brand continues to excel.

Further regulatory oversight has been added, giving traders from across the globe the confidence of trading with a brand regulated locally. From ASIC to the FCA in the UK, Eightcap are keen to offer their traders peace of mind.

Combine this with expanded platform offerings, greater integration – including Tradingview – and deeper market liquidity and you have a brand improving in almost every metric.

Top Rated Award-Winning Brokers

These are the 10 top rated brokers that have also won awards:

Click a broker for details
  1. 1
    FOREX.com
    5 Awards
    Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs

    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5

    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options
    MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN
  2. 2
    NinjaTrader
    1 Award

    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    2.9 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.2 / 5

    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
    NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
    ACH Transfer, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Cheque
    USD
  3. 3
    IG
    5 Awards
    Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.

    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.9 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.9 / 5
    5 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5

    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
    FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
    Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD
  4. 4
    Pocket Option
    2 Awards
    50% Deposit Bonus

    Ratings
    2 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.2 / 5

    $50
    $1
    MISA
    Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Cryptos
    Web, MT4, MT5
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Volet, Perfect Money, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, WebMoney, FasaPay, Ethereum Payments, Maestro, JetonCash, Airtel
    USD
  5. 5
    IQCent
    1 Award
    20% to 200% Deposit Bonus

    Ratings
    2.5 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    2.4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    2 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.1 / 5

    $250
    $0.01
    1:500
    IFMRRC
    Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
    Online Platform, TradingView
    Credit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments, Visa, Mastercard
    USD, EUR
  6. 6
    OANDA US
    6 Awards
    CFDs are not available to residents in the United States.

    Ratings
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.7 / 5
    3.7 / 5

    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)
    OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
    Wire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
  7. 7
    Moomoo
    4 Awards
    Get up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000

    Ratings
    4.8 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3 / 5
    2 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    3.3 / 5

    $0
    $0
    1:2
    SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
    Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
    Desktop Platform, Mobile App
    Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer
    USD, HKD, SGD
  8. 8
    CEX.IO
    3 Awards

    $20
    $1
    GFSC
    Cryptos
    TradingView
    Debit Card, Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Swift, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Neteller, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Bitcoin Payments
    USD, EUR, GBP
  9. 9
    Empower
    1 Award

    $1 (Cash), $100,000 (Robo Advisor)
    Variable
    SEC, FINRA
    Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Fixed Income
    Own
    Wire Transfer
    USD
  10. 10
    Personal Capital
    1 Award

    $1 (Cash), $100,000 (Robo Advisor)
    Variable
    SEC
    Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Fixed Income
    Own
    Wire Transfer
    USD

Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons

  1. FOREX.com - Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
  2. NinjaTrader - NinjaTrader is a US-headquartered and regulated brokerage that specializes in futures trading. There are three pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets, as well as ultra-low margins on popular contracts. The brand's award-winning charting software and trading platform also offers a high-degree of customization and superb technical analysis features.
  3. IG - Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
  4. Pocket Option - Established in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker offering high/low contracts on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. With over 100,000 active users and a global reach, the platform continues to prove popular with budding traders.
  5. IQCent - IQCent is an offshore binary options and CFD broker based in the Marshall Islands. The brand continues to offer a range of unique account types with bonuses and perks, including payout boosts, TradeBacks and free rollovers. With 100+ assets, around-the-clock trading and 98% payouts, the firm is popular with aspiring short-term traders.
  6. OANDA US - OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is regulated by trusted agencies, including the NFA/CFTC. Around the clock support is available for short-term traders, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.
  7. Moomoo - Moomoo is an SEC-regulated app-based investment platform that offers a straightforward and affordable way to invest in Chinese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Australian and US stocks, ETFs and other assets. Margin trading is available and the brand offers a zero-deposit account as well as several bonuses.
  8. CEX.IO - CEX.IO is one-stop-shop for crypto investors where you can buy and sell popular digital tokens, speculate on prices with margin trading and earn rewards through staking. Since it launched in 2013, more than five million traders have deposited over $7.5 billion. CEX.IO is registered with the FinCEN in the US and the GFSC in the EU.
  9. Empower - Empower, previously Personal Capital, is a US-based and SEC-regulated trading platform and advisory firm. Clients can access pensions, robo-advisors and do-it-yourself investing in stocks, mutual funds, fixed-income products and ETFs. Millions of clients trust Empower with their long-term investments, attracted by the suite of free financial planning tools and excellent reputation.
  10. Personal Capital - Empower (formerly Personal Capital) is a popular, SEC-regulated US financial advisory and investment platform that offers pensions, ready-made investment plans and do-it-yourself, commission-free investing through a large range of mutual funds, ETFs, individual equities and fixed-income securities. The broker has an impressive 3.4 million clients.

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, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Bonus OfferActive Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options
RegulatorNFA, CFTC
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$100
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:50
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

FOREX.com Awards

FOREX.com has won 5 awards:

  1. Best CFD Broker 2022 - Rankia
  2. Best HNW Service 2022 - Dubai Forex Expo
  3. Best US Broker 2020 - DayTrading.com
  4. Best US Broker 2019 - DayTrading.com
  5. Runner-Up - Best Forex Broker 2019 - DayTrading.com

Pros

  • FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
  • Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
  • There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.

Cons

  • 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.
  • FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.

NinjaTrader

"NinjaTrader continues to meet the demands of active futures traders looking for low fees and premium analysis tools. The platform hosts top-rate charting features including hundreds of indicators and 10+ chart types."

Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

NinjaTrader Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
RegulatorNFA, CFTC
PlatformsNinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:50
Account CurrenciesUSD

NinjaTrader Awards

NinjaTrader has won one award:

  1. 2023 Benzinga Global Fintech Awards

Pros

  • NinjaTrader continues to deliver comprehensive charting software for active day traders with bespoke technical indicators and widgets
  • Low fees are offered, with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract
  • NinjaTrader is a widely respected and award-winning futures broker and is heavily authorized by the NFA and CFTC

Cons

  • The premium platform tools come with an extra charge
  • There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods
  • Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers

IG

"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform, best-in-class education for beginners, advanced charting tools bolstered by its recent TradingView integration, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
RegulatorFCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
PlatformsWeb, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

IG Awards

IG has won 5 awards:

  1. Best Customer Service 2022 - Online Money Awards
  2. Best Spread Betting Provider 2022 - Online Money Awards
  3. Best Platform for the Active Trader 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  4. Best Multi Platform Provider 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  5. Best Finance App 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards

Pros

  • The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our 'Best Trading App' award.
  • The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met.
  • IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis.

Cons

  • IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.
  • While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients.
  • IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.

Pocket Option

"Pocket Option excels for its easy-to-use web platform which provides a best-in-class user experience for short-term binary traders. The $50 minimum deposit is also accessible for beginners while opening an account is really easy. Looking at the negatives, Pocket Option still trails alternatives in its market offering and regulatory credentials."

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

Pocket Option Quick Facts

Bonus Offer50% Deposit Bonus
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsBinary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Cryptos
RegulatorMISA
PlatformsWeb, MT4, MT5
Minimum Deposit$50
Minimum Trade$1
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pocket Option Awards

Pocket Option has won 2 awards:

  1. Best Binary Broker Runner Up 2023 - DayTrading.com
  2. Best Binary Broker 2022 - DayTrading.com

Pros

  • The web platform shines for its straightforward design and usability that will appeal to beginners looking to speculate on popular financial markets in a few clicks
  • The range of payment methods beats the majority of rivals, providing fast, secure and convenient deposits for traders in most countries
  • Extremely fast and smooth sign-up process that takes less than 2 minutes

Cons

  • Despite offering competitive payouts up to 92%, binary brokers like IQCent offer higher returns up to 98% based on tests
  • The maximum binary contract length of 4 hours is restrictive for longer-term trading strategies. Alternatives like Videforex offer binaries up to 1 month
  • You need to deposit $1000 to access the extended list of 250+ assets, otherwise just 130+ assets are available

IQCent

"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

IQCent Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsBinary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
RegulatorIFMRRC
PlatformsOnline Platform, TradingView
Minimum Deposit$250
Minimum Trade$0.01
Leverage1:500
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR

IQCent Awards

IQCent has won one award:

  1. Best Binary Broker 2023 - DayTrading.com

Pros

  • The broker's 24/7 customer support is fast and reliable, responding within 1 minute during tests
  • IQCent is one of the few binary options brokers that also offers a copy trading service for hands-off traders
  • The proprietary terminal offers TradingView-powered charts which deliver dozens of technical indicators and studies

Cons

  • IQCent trails binary brokers like Quotex with its narrow investment offering of around 100 assets with no stocks
  • The broker is not overseen by a respected regulator, though this is common among binary options firms
  • The market analysis is very basic with limited technical summaries and insights from analysts

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, Reviewer

OANDA US Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)
RegulatorNFA, CFTC
PlatformsOANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:50
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

OANDA US Awards

OANDA US has won 6 awards:

  1. Best US Broker 2023 - DayTrading.com
  2. Best Trading Tools winner 2021 - Online Personal Wealth Awards
  3. Awarded highest overall client satisfaction 2021 - Investment Trends US Leverage Trading Report, Margin Forex
  4. Awarded highest client satisfaction for mobile platform/app 2021 - Investment Trends US Leverage Trading Report, Margin Forex
  5. Voted Most Popular Broker 2021 - TradingView Broker Awards
  6. Voted Best Forex and CFD Broker 2021 - TradingView Broker Awards

Pros

  • Beginners can get started easily with $0 minimum initial deposit
  • OANDA is a reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators including the CFTC
  • Seasoned day traders can access industry-leading tools, including an MT4 premium upgrade and advanced charting provided by MotiveWave

Cons

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

Moomoo

"Moomoo remains an excellent choice for new and intermediate stock traders who want to build a diverse investment portfolio. What really stands out is the broker's user-friendly app and the low trading fees."

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

Moomoo Quick Facts

Bonus OfferGet up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsStocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
RegulatorSEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
PlatformsDesktop Platform, Mobile App
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade$0
Leverage1:2
Account CurrenciesUSD, HKD, SGD

Moomoo Awards

Moomoo has won 4 awards:

  1. Best Trading Platform 2022 - Fintech Breakthrough
  2. Best Active Trading App 2021 - Investing Simple
  3. Best Trading Technology 2021 - Benzinga
  4. Best Online Stock Brokers 2021 - Benzinga

Pros

  • The broker offers access to extended pre-market trading hours
  • The ‘Moomoo Token’ generates dynamic passwords for transaction security - a unique and helpful safety feature
  • Moomoo is a Member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), adding another level of security for prospective clients

Cons

  • There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
  • It's a shame that there is no 2 factor authentication (2FA), despite the other security features on offer
  • There is no phone or live chat support - common options at most other brokers

CEX.IO

"CEX.IO continues to serve a range of crypto investors looking to buy, sell, trade, hold and earn with low fees. The tiered pricing structure will appeal to active traders while rookie investors will enjoy the straightforward platform interface and excellent education."

Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

CEX.IO Quick Facts

Demo AccountNo
InstrumentsCryptos
RegulatorGFSC
PlatformsTradingView
Minimum Deposit$20
Minimum Trade$1
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP

CEX.IO Awards

CEX.IO has won 3 awards:

  1. Most Secure Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform 2023, World Business Outlook
  2. Leading Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform 2023, World Business Outlook
  3. Best Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform 2023, Global Brands Magazine

Pros

  • High quality educational materials are available through the University feature
  • CEX.IO has remained a trusted crypto exchange since its launch, with 5+ million users
  • The range of 200+ cryptocurrencies is competitive and will serve more experienced traders

Cons

  • The Exchange Plus platform delivers a cluttered interface compared to competitor platforms
  • The broker has limited regulatory oversight
  • A maintenance fee applies after 12 months of no activity

Empower

"Empower is best for hands-off investors looking for a US-regulated platform and robo-advisor with free financial planning services. However, investors need to be willing to make a large minimum investment and pay higher than average fees for premium services."

William Berg, Reviewer

Empower Quick Facts

Demo AccountNo
InstrumentsStocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Fixed Income
RegulatorSEC, FINRA
PlatformsOwn
Minimum Deposit$1 (Cash), $100,000 (Robo Advisor)
Minimum TradeVariable
Account CurrenciesUSD

Empower Awards

Empower has won one award:

  1. America’s Best Customer Service 2019 - Newsweek

Pros

  • Beginner-friendly financial dashboard with customizable widgets
  • Robo-advisor service with pre-built portfolios and investment strategies
  • Intelligent budgeting and portfolio management tools

Cons

  • No forex, commodity or crypto trading
  • Only available in the US
  • $100,000 is needed for the robo-advisor service

Personal Capital

"Personal Capital (now Empower) is a great option for investors seeking a flexible way to build an investment portfolio or pension plan. It is a particularly good fit for US traders owing to the SEC oversight."

William Berg, Reviewer

Personal Capital Quick Facts

Demo AccountNo
InstrumentsStocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Fixed Income
RegulatorSEC
PlatformsOwn
Minimum Deposit$1 (Cash), $100,000 (Robo Advisor)
Minimum TradeVariable
Account CurrenciesUSD

Personal Capital Awards

Personal Capital has won one award:

  1. Best for Portfolio Management 2020

Pros

  • A wealth of free financial analysis and planning tools
  • FDIC-insured cash account with no minimum balance requirement
  • Easy-to-use platform and financial dashboard

Cons

  • No demo account
  • US residents only
  • No forex, futures or cryptocurrencies