Broker Awards 2021

The DayTrading.com Broker Awards for 2021. This year has seen big changes in the trading sector and our Awards acknowledge those brands that have adapted best. In addition to Best Overall Broker, Best Forex Broker and Best Trading App, we have also awarded a Best US Broker Award in what is a fairly unique market.

From innovation to customer service, we have tried to include every aspect of what makes a broker stand out. In a hugely competitive market, spreads and trading costs are very similar across the industry. So, post ESMA, we have looked at the overall health of a firm too, and how they are helping customers trade responsibly, and profitably.

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 2021Best Forex Broker Award

Winner: Pepperstone

Runners Up: IC Markets

Pepperstone enjoyed a strong 12 months. They have embarked on a global regulation push, opening up new regions where traders can invest with a locally regulated broker, that has a global footprint.

When it comes to forex, the firm excel. The EDGE Razor account offers access to the world’s largest liquidity providers, and therefore some of the tightest spreads on the market. Scalping is accepted, and the thin spreads certainly benefit short term traders.

In addition to the low trading overheads, Pepperstone also deliver excellent execution speed and run ultra reliable platforms. While IC Markets continue to offer a great service, Pepperstone took the award this year, as the broker of choice for forex traders.

Best Binary Broker 2021Best Binary Broker Award

Winner: IQ Option

Runner Up: Expert Option

Despite their move away from binary and digital products in regulated markets, IQ Option continue to operate a good service for Non-EU clients wanting digital options.

The sector remains under a cloud, but IQ Option have always run a transparent service and continue to provide a great platform, a mobile trading app, and a slick, exciting, trading experience.

The upheaval at Binary.com (now Deriv) has opened the door for IQ Option, who have been runners up for the past two years. Patience has paid off, and their reliable service and ‘best in class’ platform have been voted number 1 in 2021.

Best US Broker 2021Best US Broker Award

Winner: Interactive Brokers

Runner Up: Nadex

Interactive Brokers remain the standout choice for US based investors. In addition to being an established organisation with many years of experience in the markets, the firm continues to offer a huge range of markets, from simple investments to more complex derivatives.

The reliability of the platform, and service more generally, are also a clear strength during turbulent times. Investors need to know they are using a service they can rely on.

With low commissions and the IB SmartRouting system ensuring market leading execution efficiency, the service remains the one to beat in the US.

Best Crypto Award

Best Crypto Broker 2021Winner: eToro

Runner Up: Bitmex, CoinBase

 

eToro win in this very competitive category. One of the big strengths of eToro in cryptocurrency trading, is that they cater for multiple needs.

In addition to offering the more straightforward trading of cryptos, they also offer a crypto wallet for users to both buy and sell crypto, but also send and receive payments in lieu of fiat currency.

The depth of alt-coins available to trade is also huge at eToro, and compares favourably with outright crypto exchanges like Bitmex.

eToro jumped on board the cryptocurrency trend very early, and that faith in the technology has now placed them at the head of the market for those wanting to either trade crypto derivatives, or own crypto in a dedicated wallet.

Best Trading App 2021Best Trading App Award

Winner: AvaTrade

Runners Up: IG

Best Trading App 2021 was another tight call as every provider looked to improve their offering. Avatrade came out on top though.

With an app that has been very well received by users, Avatrade have made mobile trading a priority. The application is slick, fast and most importantly, reliable. While many things can affect the performance of an application, Avatrade do deliver a robust piece of software.

The app is a fully functioning version of the full site, but has also been developed to take advantage of the different strengths of various mobile platforms, notably iOS and android.

IG also deliver an extremely reliable app and are worthy runners-up in a category that will get even more influential in future years.

Best MT5 Broker 2021Best MT4/MT5 Broker

Winner: XM

Runners Up: IC Markets

MetaTrader brokers offer all the additional functionality of MT4 or MT5 – therefore execution speed, automation, EA’s or backtesting. These accounts also often have lower trading fees – minimal trading costs are key components for traders using this type of account for frequent trading.

Via their MT5 platform, XM provide a superb MetaTrader account and service. Speed and reliability are both excellent but it is the additional features that tip XM over the top.

The support for MT5 at XM is excellent, and this is a big benefit on a platform with which some traders might be unfamiliar. Likewise, the educational offering at XM is in depth and unbiased, particularly the newer content aimed at traders in Africa.

IC Markets continue to provide a great ECN option via MT4 too, but come in at runner-up this year.

Best Overall Broker 2021Best Overall Broker

Winner: Plus500

The most sought after award! Best Overall Broker 2021 goes to Plus500.

Plus500 retained the Best Overall Broker by maintaining the high standards they have set over the last few years. As a market listed company (Plus500 Ltd), their financial results are also public knowledge. A range of factors affected financial performance – including COVID 19 and volatile markets, but the customer focus has remained.

Plus500 continue to expand trading options based on customer demand, including topical assets (new IPOs etc). ESMA regulation continues to impact the offering, but professional trading remains an option at Plus500.

The brand continues to provide the best all-round service, scoring well in all areas.