Best Brokers For Short Selling 2026
Short sellers aim to profit from market downturns. We’ve found the best brokers for short selling by assessing key factors: markets available to short, fees on short positions, platform quality, account minimums, and our trust in the broker.
Best Brokers For Short Selling 2026
These are the 3 best platforms based on our findings, offering either direct short selling or short selling through products like derivatives:
-
1
Interactive Brokers -
2
NinjaTrader -
3
Plus500USTrading in futures and options involves the risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- Interactive Brokers - When we tested Interactive Brokers, short selling across stocks and forex was highly flexible. Borrow costs were transparent and often lower than most competitors we tested, averaging around 0.015% daily on forex and about 1.1% for equities, and restrictions were minimal. IBKR’s platforms and market data are also a step above much of the competition, making it ideal for advanced traders who rely on precise, tactical short-selling strategies.
- NinjaTrader - In our evaluations, NinjaTrader stood out for how easy it made short selling across futures and forex. Borrow costs were reasonable. For those short selling through futures products, it provides more instruments and specific tool than almost every other firm we tested.
- Plus500US - When we tested Plus500US, short selling was straightforward - just sell to open on futures contracts like micro equity indices and crude oil, then buy to close. Because these are futures, there are limited borrow/locate hassles or borrow fees; costs are transparent (commission + exchange/NFA fees), margin updates in real time, and the web platform has a unique design that's genuinely intuitive and complete with integrated research tools..
Best Brokers For Short Selling 2026 Comparison
| Broker | Short Selling Rating | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | / 5 | $0 |
| NinjaTrader | / 5 | $0 (live trades must meet intraday margin minimums, e.g., $50 to trade micro contracts) |
| Plus500US | / 5 | $100 |
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, Reviewer
Interactive Brokers Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies |
| Regulator | SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | $100 |
| Leverage | 1:50 (major forex pairs), 1:2-1:4 (equities) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF |
Pros
- Interactive Brokers has launched ForecastTrader, a unique, zero-commission product where users can trade yes/no Forecast Contracts on political, economic, and climate events, with fixed $1 payouts per contract, 24/6 market access, and up to 3.14% APY on held positions.
- Interactive Brokers was 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.
- There's a vast library of free or paid third-party research subscriptions catering to all types of traders, plus you can enjoy commission reimbursements from IBKR if you subscribe to Toggle AI.
Cons
- 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.
- You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
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."
NinjaTrader Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Futures, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto (non-futures depend on provider) |
| Regulator | NFA, CFTC, CySEC |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 (live trades must meet intraday margin minimums, e.g., $50 to trade micro contracts) |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | $50 intraday margins for Micro contracts and $500 for popular E-mini contracts |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD |
Pros
- NinjaTrader's ecosystem gives traders access to thousands of add-ons and applications from developers across more than 150 countries, covering indicators, strategies, and custom tools that go well beyond what the platform ships with natively
- Nano contracts — one-hundredth the size of standard contracts — allow traders to size positions with precision and manage risk at a much smaller scale, a meaningful advantage for those building positions gradually
- The market replay function is a standout feature — you can download tick-by-tick historical data, rewind to any specific date, and interact with it as if trading live, making it genuinely useful for both strategy testing and real-world practice
Cons
- Intraday margin requirements can spike by as much as four times in the 15 minutes leading up to major economic news releases, and may stay elevated for several minutes after volatility subsides — a detail that can catch underprepared traders off guard at exactly the wrong moment.
- NinjaTrader was fined $250k in 2025 for failing to implement an adequate anti-money laundering (AML) program and for supervisory failures.
- NinjaTrader was acquired by Kraken in May 2025, and while it continues to operate independently for now, traders who value long-term stability may have reservations about how the platform's direction and pricing could shift under new ownership.
Plus500US
"Plus500US stands out as an excellent choice for beginners, offering a very user-friendly platform and access to the Futures Academy to enhance trading skills. Its powerful tools and reliable service helped it scoop second place in DayTrading.com's annual 'Best US Broker' award."
Plus500US Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Futures on Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Agriculture, Forex, Interest rates, Energy, Equity Index future contracts |
| Regulator | CFTC, NFA |
| Platforms | WebTrader, App |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | Variable |
| Leverage | Variable |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- The Futures Academy is an excellent resource for new traders with engaging videos and easy-to-follow articles, while the unlimited demo account is great for testing strategies
- The straightforward account structure, pricing model and web platform offer an easier route into futures trading than rivals like NinjaTrader
- The trading app provides a terrific user experience with a modern design, a clean layout and mobile-optimized charts
Cons
- While Plus500US continues to broaden its investment offering, it's currently restricted to around 50+ futures with no stocks
- Despite competitive pricing, Plus500US lacks a discount program for high-volume day traders, a scheme found at brokers like Interactive Brokers
- The proprietary platform is user-friendly but lacks advanced technical analysis tools found in third-party solutions like MetaTrader 4
Comparing Short Selling Brokers
Based on our exhaustive tests, the best brokers for short selling are trusted and offer a range of markets, low fees, excellent platforms, and accessible minimum deposits.
We unpack these comparison factors and our methodology below.
Trust
When we put together this list, our top priority was choosing trustworthy short selling brokers.
Only those who meet our stringent trust standards, including having up-to-date regulatory credentials and earning a solid reputation with our in-house experts, make the cut.
- eToro continues to distinguish itself through its stellar record with 25+ million users and authorization from multiple tier-one regulators including the US SEC and UK FCA.
Markets
Short selling brokers provide opportunities to profit when an asset’s price decreases, either through products like contracts for difference (CFDs), which aren’t allowed in all countries including the US, or by directly loaning the asset, such as stocks, to traders to rebuy later at a lower price.
We look for short selling brokers that offer a diverse range of markets, ensuring traders can capitalize on shorting opportunities across company shares, stock indices, currencies, or crypto tokens.
- AvaTrade excels for its extensive market offerings, allowing short positions through derivatives across 1,250+ stocks, indices, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
Fees
Short selling can involve certain fees including transaction costs, interest charged on borrowed funds, as well as standard interest rates on margin accounts.
We only select short selling brokers that offer highly competitive rates, but more than this we seek out those that offer good value for money by reviewing the total costs and how the services on offer weigh up.
Brokers frequently adjust their rates, so we also periodically review pricing structures to make sure short sellers have the latest information.
- Moomoo shines for its low fees with zero commissions and competitive short selling rates that vary depending on daily market supply.
Platforms
Traders need a fast, smooth and responsive platform or app to get the best results while short selling.
However, what separates the best short selling brokers for us is their valuable insights into securities that can be shorted, including the quantity available and alerts to significant changes in short interest rates and costs, to support decision-making.
- Interactive Brokers stands out with its comprehensive IBKR’s Securities Loan Borrow (SLB), offering real-time updates on shortable quantities, live and historical borrowing rates, and more throughout the day.
Account Minimums
Brokerages with low minimum deposits are the most accessible and allow traders of all stripes to test out brokers’ services and start shorting securities before risking substantial capital.
Recognizing the potential of margin trading for short sellers with limited funds, we favor brokers offering minimum deposits of $500 or less.
- Webull excels as one of the most accessible short selling brokers with no minimum deposit.
Methodology
Compiling our list of the top short selling brokers involved a 5-step, hands-on approach:
- Regulatory credentials – We went beyond the details advertised, verifying each broker’s license on the relevant agency’s website to ensure it was valid.
- Trading fees – We compared fees comprehensively – examining commissions, interest on borrowing, and any additional costs – to ensure brokers offer a cost-effective environment for short sellers.
- Platform quality – Putting platforms and tools to the test, we actively placed paper trades, assessing their suitability specifically for short selling.
- Trading markets – We investigated the markets and instruments available for short selling to ensure users have ample trading opportunities.
- Account opening – Recognizing the importance of accessibility, we verified that the minimum deposit required to open an account was reasonable, helping new short sellers get started.
FAQ
What Is Short Selling?
Short selling involves borrowing an asset to sell it in a bet that its price will drop, allowing you to buy it back at a later date and pocket the difference in price (minus any fees).
Alternatively, short sellers can speculate on falling prices using derivatives like contracts for difference (CFDs) in countries that allow it, whereby you don’t take ownership of the underlying asset.
Can Anyone Short Sell?
Thanks to the wide availability of online brokers, it is easier than ever to short stocks and other securities today. If you are able to sign up with the brokers on our list, then you can start short selling.
What Are The Benefits Of Short Selling?
Shorting can be a lucrative trading strategy when it comes off. Asset prices do not normally rise indefinitely, and short selling gives traders an opportunity to anticipate price drops and make money from the inevitable.
What Are The Risks Of Short Selling?
If you had bought one Bitcoin in 2019 for $5000, the maximum amount you would have risked losing was $5000 if the price went to zero. But in fact, the price rose to a peak above $60,000, so if you had shorted Bitcoin you would have potentially lost more than $55,000 (excluding any fees).
This illustrates how a short trade can be riskier than a straightforward buy, as there is no limit to how high an asset’s price can rise.