Brokers with Automated Trading

If you want to automate your trading you need a broker with built-in automation features or an open interface – an API –  you can to connect 3rd party automation software to. We have tested and listed the best brokers with auto trading features and/or external software connectivity.

Best Automated Trading Brokers

These are the 10 best brokers with support for automated trading in 2023:

#1 - Forex.com

Forex.com boasts a global reputation with multiple awards and 20+ years experience. Regulated in the US, EU, UK and Canada they provide a huge range of markets, not just forex, and offer competitive fees on a cutting-edge platform. The brand also provides a suite of additional tools, from performance analytics and SMART Signals to advanced charts and strategy builders.

"Forex.com is an excellent broker for forex traders with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads, low commissions and powerful platforms. The brand is also heavily regulated while its parent company is listed on the NASDAQ, giving it a high trust score."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Forex, Spot Metals
  • Regulator: NFA, CFTC
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
  • Min. Deposit: $100
  • Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:50

Automation

Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader

Forex Trading

Forex.com is a leading FX broker. The brand offers a wide range of currency pairs and some of the lowest fees in the industry. Spreads on the EUR/USD come in as low as 0.0 with a $7 commission per $100k.

Stocks Trading

Forex.com offers access to thousands of US, EU and UK stocks, with spreads of just 1 point. Speculate on household names as well as new IPOs. US stocks are available from just 1.8 cents per share.

Pros

  • Low minimum deposit of $100
  • Beginner-friendly web platform and mobile app
  • Top-rated forex and CFD broker

Cons

  • Investment offering varies between countries
  • No copy trading platform
  • $15 monthly inactivity fee

#2 - eToro USA

eToro is a social investing platform that offers stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto. The broker is well-known for its user-friendly community-centred platform and competitive fees. With FINRA and SIPC oversight and millions of users across the world, this brand is highly respected. eToro securities trading is offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc.

"eToro is a top pick for users looking for social investing and copy trading. With a low deposit, zero commissions and an intuitive platform, the broker will meet the needs of newer traders."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto
  • Regulator: SEC, FINRA
  • Platforms: Own
  • Min. Deposit: $10
  • Min. Trade: $10

Automation

Copy multiple traders simultaneously with the flexibility to pause and stop. Crypto only.

Stocks Trading

Trade popular US stocks and ETFs with zero commissions while fractional shares and options are also available. The eToro Academy and excellent market research are also huge bonuses for newer investors.

Crypto Trading

eToro US leads the way in cryptocurrency trading. 1% fee for buying or selling crypto added to the spread (from 0.75% for BTC), with their own wallet service and the largest number of cryptos to trade in the market. eToro copy trading is only for cryptos. Crypto asset investing is highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.

Pros

  • The online broker offers an intuitive social investment network with straightforward copy trading on cryptos
  • The $10 minimum deposit and straightforward account opening process means beginners can get started quickly
  • eToro USA Securities is a trustworthy, SEC-regulated broker that is a member of FINRA and SIPC

Cons

  • Narrower range of instruments than some competitors
  • No MetaTrader 4 platform integration

#3 - 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.

"We recommend NinjaTrader for high-volume futures traders looking for low fees and premium analysis tools."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
  • Regulator: NFA, CFTC
  • Platforms: eSignal
  • Min. Deposit: $50
  • Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:50

Automation

Yes

Forex Trading

NinjaTrader supports the trading of popular currencies including the EUR/USD. The trading software also offers unique features tailored to forex trading, including specific order and market windows.

Stocks Trading

Stocks can be traded by connecting the NinjaTrader platform to supporting brokers. You can then take positions on large public companies and household names via advanced trading software.

Crypto Trading

Trade micro Bitcoin futures with low fees and leading charting tools. Get exposure to Bitcoin through CME Group's centralized exchange with robust risk management tools.

Pros

  • Widely respected and heavily authorized by the NFA and CFTC
  • Free platform access and trade simulation capabilities
  • Excellent trading software for active users with bespoke widgets and indicators

Cons

  • Withdrawal fee on some funding methods
  • Premium platform tools come with an extra charge
  • Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers

#4 - 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, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.

"We recommend OANDA for US traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium market research and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is a particularly good pick if you want a heavily regulated broker with a secure trading environment."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Forex, Crypto
  • Regulator: NFA, CFTC
  • Platforms: MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
  • Min. Deposit: $0
  • Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:50

Automation

Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader

Forex Trading

OANDA offers 68 forex pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker's in-house platform also offers impressive execution speeds and a suite of advanced charting and analysis tools.

Crypto Trading

Speculate on the world's biggest cryptos by market cap. Commissions are lower than many peers starting at 0.25%. Clients can spot trade cryptocurrencies on Paxos's itBit exchange through the OANDA platform via OANDA’s partnership with Paxos. Users can trade digital currencies in a few taps through the iOS and Android mobile app.

Pros

  • Industry-leading platforms including MT4 and TradingView
  • Wide selection of instruments including 68 forex pairs
  • US clients accepted

Cons

  • Customer support not available on the weekend

#5 - Kwakol Markets

Kwakol Markets is a Nigerian headquartered broker with strong regulatory oversight in Australia and Canada. A great selection of asset classes are available, including synthetic products that simulate realistic market activity. Clients can trade on the MT4, MT5 and cTrader platforms, as well as a copy trading solution whereby a fee is only paid on profitable trades.

"Kwakol Markets is a good option for newer traders with a dedicated learning academy, copy trading and a choice of reliable platforms. New clients can also sign up and start trading in four straightforward steps."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
  • Regulator: ASIC, FINTRAC
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, AutoChartist
  • Min. Deposit: $1
  • Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:1000

Automation

Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader

CFD Trading

CFDs are available on a breath of underlying assets, including stocks, indices, commodities, forex and cryptos. High leverage up to 1:500 is available alongside a 0.01 minimum lot size and award-winning software. For the tightest spreads from 0 pips, opt for the Premium account.

Forex Trading

Kwakol Markets offers a wider range of forex pairs than most competitors, with 90+ assets available. Users get fast execution speeds through the ECN model and competitive spreads. On the negative side, not all currency pairs are available on MT4.

Stocks Trading

Trade stocks with zero commissions and ultra-fast trade executions. Clients get exposure to US, EU, Asian and Russian stock markets on both the MT4 and MT5 platforms. Stocks are available as CFDs, so users will not own the underlying shares.

Crypto Trading

Trade cryptos against fiat currencies, other cryptocurrencies and metals like gold. This separates the broker from many alternatives that only offer cryptos paired with the USD. High leverage up to 1:20 on cryptos is available, plus support for Expert Advisors and copy trading.

Pros

  • Account manager and client support functions
  • Easy account opening process
  • 0.01 Lot trading

Cons

  • Regional restrictions in certain countries
  • High deposits for premium features
  • Lack of deposit and withdrawal methods

#6 - IG Group

IG is an award-winning broker that has an excellent reputation globally. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across a comprehensive suite of markets. IG is also multi-regulated, provides a great trading app and has 50 years experience.

"IG offers a superb all-round package. Beginners will appreciate the user-friendly web platform and secure trading environment while established investors will rate the 17,000+ markets and top-tier market research."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
  • Regulator: FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA
  • Platforms: MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
  • Min. Deposit: $0
  • Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)

Automation

Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime

CFD Trading

IG offers an impressive suite of 17,000+ CFD instruments. Negative balance protection ensures accounts cannot drop below zero while custom price alerts and the IG Academy enhance the trading experience.

Forex Trading

IG offers currency trading on its award-winning web platform and mobile app. Comprehensive charts and forex analysis tools are also available through ProRealTime.

Stocks Trading

IG offers 13,000+ shares, with more listed firms than most competitors. Fees are low with no commission on US stocks. Extended hours trading is also available alongside ultra-fast execution speeds of 0.014 seconds.

Crypto Trading

11 popular cryptos are available, plus two crypto crosses. A crypto index is also offered, following the value of the top 10 digital currencies by market cap. All cryptos are available via CFDs.

Pros

  • IG offers great educational materials including an extensive library of training and support on how to day trade successfully
  • Opening an account takes less than 5 minutes
  • IG is an LSE-listed company with a transparent financial history and a great track record

Cons

  • No copy trading platform
  • Inactivity charge

#7 - Pocket Option

Founded in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker offering up/down contracts on forex, stocks and cryptocurrencies. With over 100,000 active users and a global reach, the brand has proven popular with budding traders. Pocket Option also supports dozens of payment methods and has a low minimum trade of just $1.

"We recommend Pocket Option for aspiring binary options traders looking for copy trading services and a low minimum investment."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices
  • Regulator: IFMRRC
  • Platforms: MT5
  • Min. Deposit: $50
  • Min. Trade: $1

Automation

Yes

Forex Trading

Binary and OTC options can be purchased on over 40 foreign exchange pairs. Typical payouts are also decent at 81% and users can trade forex binary options in just a couple of clicks.

Stocks Trading

Trade 30 of the most popular American multinational stocks including Microsoft and Google. Payouts on big brands come in at a decent 92% while indices are available up to 67%.

Crypto Trading

Pocket Option supports major cryptocurrencies on a beginner-friendly app. Over 10 leading cryptocurrencies are available with very high leverage up to 1:1000.

Pros

  • Multiple strategies supported
  • 92% payouts on binaries
  • Clients accepted from over 95 countries

Cons

  • The expiration time is limited on trades
  • IFMRRC is not a reputable regulator
  • Only one account type is available

#8 - Nadex

Nadex is a renowned exchange and binary options provider, based in the US. The company is fully regulated by the CFTC and offers options, call spreads and Knock Out contracts. Nadex also has just a $1 entry or exit fee and a user-friendly platform and proprietary app.

"Users looking to trade short-term binary options with a US-regulated broker will find a good platform in Nadex."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Binary Options, Knock Outs™, Call Spreads
  • Regulator: CFTC
  • Platforms: Own
  • Min. Deposit: $250
  • Min. Trade: $1

Automation

Yes

Forex Trading

Speculate on 11 popular currency pairs via Knock Out contracts, call spreads and binary options. Nadex offers a wider range of timeframes than most binary options brokers, with contracts spanning from intraday to weekly.

Stocks Trading

Speculate on a handful of global indices via binary options contracts, including the S&P 500 and FTSE 100. There are low commissions and traders can see fixed payouts and risk levels before opening a trade.

Crypto Trading

Nadex offers a limited list of cryptos with just Bitcoin and Ethereum. Traders can go long or short though with straightforward binary options contracts that mean you don't need to own the underlying token.

Pros

  • Proprietary mobile app with good range of indicators and charting tools
  • Extensive educational resources for those new to binary options trading
  • US regulated exchange with excellent trust score

Cons

  • No MT4 or MT5 platform integration
  • Products and tools are more advanced than some alternatives
  • Narrow selection of cryptocurrencies to trade

#9 - Videforex

Videforex offers access to stock, index, crypto, forex and commodities markets via binary options and CFDs. The proprietary platform, mobile app and integrated copy trading are user-friendly and will suit new and casual traders, and the market analysis tools and trading contests provide good ways to improve your trading skills.

"Newer traders will find a lot to enjoy about trading binary options on Videforex's easy-to-use proprietary platform, as well as the broker's copy trading solution. Payouts are also higher than most alternatives climbing to 98%."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
  • Platforms: TradingView
  • Min. Deposit: $250
  • Min. Trade: $0.01
  • Leverage: 1:500

Automation

Yes

CFD Trading

Videforex CFDs are available on forex, indices, cryptocurrencies and commodities with up to 1:500 leverage and tight spreads from near zero. CFDs incur a commission fee of 1%–2.5% and up to 5% for leveraged trades.

Forex Trading

Trade 35 major, minor and exotic forex pairs through CFDs with floating spreads from 0.1 pips. Alternatively, binary options allow you to speculate on rising and falling prices with a fixed stake and payout.

Stocks Trading

Trade binary options and CFDs on global stocks from US, European, Russian and Asian exchanges, as well as 37 indices covering a wide range of global markets. The access to stocks trumps many binary options brokers.

Crypto Trading

Traders can speculate on crypto prices in pairs with USD and CNY through binary options and CFDs. The range of digital currencies is fairly narrow vs alternatives but major tokens like Bitcoin are available.

Pros

  • Earn up to 98% payouts on 100+ assets with the broker’s binary options
  • You can enter positions with just ¢0.01
  • The support time are fast and reliable. Very few brokers offer 24/7 multi-lingual video support

Cons

  • The broker isn’t overseen by a trusted regulatory agency
  • US clients aren’t accepted due to legal restrictions
  • No MetaTrader 4 integration

#10 - M1 Finance

M1 Finance is a US brokerage that allows users to build a customizable investment portfolio from a range of 6000+ stocks and shares, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. The innovative 'pie' based portfolio management system allows traders to build several portfolios with different aims, and the brokerage supports machine-learning tools that can provide automated portfolio management.

"US investors who want a straightforward, commission-free way to invest in stocks and crypto with AI-powered strategy support should consider M1 Finance."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: Stocks, ETFs, OTC stocks
  • Regulator: SEC, FINRA
  • Platforms: Own
  • Min. Deposit: $100
  • Min. Trade: $1

Automation

Yes

Stocks Trading

M1 Finance offers a very large list of 6000+ stocks and shares listed on the NASDAQ and NYSE, as well as a small list of OTC securities. The shares are directly bought, sold and owned, meaning traders will have voting rights and benefit from dividends as well as capital gains. Commission-free trades and fractional shares will appeal to beginners and those on a budget.

Crypto Trading

M1 Finance users can open a crypto account to invest in 10 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano and Solana. You can also invest in six crypto-related funds and ETFs, which are a good way to get broader exposure to the digital currency market.

Pros

  • Make your own ETF by customizing your pie
  • Follow more than 60 expert portfolios
  • Straightforward proprietary platform

Cons

  • Despite offering stocks and ETFs, M1 Finance doesn’t provide trading on mutual funds or options
  • You cannot consolidate external accounts for planning purposes
  • Accounts with less than $20 and no trading activity for 90 days are charged a fee

Automation Through Copy Trading

Automated trading does not necessarily mean that you run special software or coded algorithms that make trading decisions for you, you can also simply automatically copy what other traders do. This is called copy trading, and is becoming very popular due to its simplicity. It does not require any programming skills or other complications – just find another trader that seems successful and automatically copy their trades.

There are many different brokers and platforms that facilitate copy trading in different ways. To learn more and get started with copy trading, consult the list of the best copy trading brokers.