Brokers with lowest margin rates are highly sought after by traders with a large risk appetite and designs to make serious money from their investment accounts. Such brokers are also popular amongst cost-conscious retail investors, especially during periods of market volatility.
This guide delves into the world of low margin rate brokers, explaining the underlying concepts behind margin trading, and detailing the benefits for traders that open accounts with brokers offering the lowest margin rates.
Brokers With Lowest Margin Rates
These 6 brokers offer the lowest margin rates in New Zealand 2026:
The rate listed below is the annualized mark-up/admin fee charged by CFD or FX brokers before the central bank underlying rate is applied. For US equity brokers, the rate is the total annualized interest rate charged on debit amounts. Margin rates vary depending on the margin model used by brokers, the size of your account balance, and the product traded.
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1
Margin rate: 1.0% – 1.5% for Forex, 3.0% – 3.4% for Shares, Indices, and Commodities- Demo account
- Min. deposit: $0
- Min. trade: 0.01 Lots
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- Demo account
- Platforms: WebTrader, App
- Min. deposit: $100
81% of retail CFD accounts lose money. -
- Demo account
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA
- Platforms: Web, MT4, MT5, TradingView
69% of retail CFD accounts lose money. -
- Demo account
- Platforms: xStation
- Min. deposit: $0
69-80% of accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. -
- Demo account
- Platforms: eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
- Min. deposit: $1000
61% of retail CFD accounts lose money. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. -
- Demo account
- Instruments: Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA, MAS, SFC, ASIC, CIRO, JFSA, SC
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons
- IG 4.5/5 Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand offers a top-tier 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.
- Plus500 4.1/5 Established in 2008 and headquartered in Israel, Plus500 is a prominent brokerage that boasts over 25 million registered traders in over 50 countries. Specializing in CFD trading, the company offers an intuitive, proprietary platform and mobile app. It maintains competitive spreads and does not charge commissions or deposit or withdrawal fees. Plus500 also continues to shine as one of the most trusted brokers with licenses from reputable regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CySEC.
- CMC Markets 4.7/5 Established in 1989, CMC Markets is a respected broker listed on the London Stock Exchange and authorized by several tier-one regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CIRO. More than 1 million traders from around the world have signed up with the multi-award winning brokerage.
- XTB 4.8/5 Founded in 2002 in Poland, XTB now serves more than 1 million clients. The forex and CFD broker combines a heavily regulated trading environment with an extensive selection of assets and a commitment to trader satisfaction, featuring an intuitive in-house platform with superb tools to support aspiring day traders.
- eToro 4.0/5 eToro is a top-rated multi-asset platform which offers trading services in thousands of CFDs, stocks and cryptoassets. Launched in 2007, the brand has millions of active traders globally and is authorized by tier one regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. The brand is particularly popular for its comprehensive social trading platform. Crypto investments are risky and may not suit retail investors. You could lose your entire investment. Understand the risks here. 61% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
- Moomoo 3.2/5 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.
Community Sentiment
See how users rate these brokers based on the average customer ratings submitted on DayTrading.com, plus ratings from Trustpilot, the Apple App Store and Google Play.
| Broker | Our Users' Rating | Trustpilot Score | Trustpilot Reviews | iOS App Rating | Android App Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | 10262 | ||||
| Plus500 | 20208 | ||||
| CMC Markets | 3556 | ||||
| XTB | 3055 | ||||
| eToro | 32301 | ||||
| Moomoo | 736 |
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 robust trade execution for experienced day traders.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IG quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs (not in US), Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting (UK only)
- Regulator
- CFTC, NFA, FCA, BaFin, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, FMA, DFSA, BMA, CONSOB
- Platforms
- Web, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD
- Margin Rate
- 1.0% – 1.5% for Forex, 3.0% – 3.4% for Shares, Indices, and Commodities
Pros
- IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis.
- IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus added US-listed futures and options as well as an AI Index, providing diversification opportunities.
- As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust.
Cons
- IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.
- Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges.
- IG applies an inactivity fee of $12-$18 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
Plus500
Plus500 offers a super-clean experience for traders with a CFD trading platform that sports a modern design and dynamic charting. That said, the broker’s research tools are limited, fees trail the cheapest brokers, and there’s room for enhancement in its educational resources.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Plus500 quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs on Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Options, Crypto
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, EFSA, ASIC, FMA, FSCA, MAS, ISA, FSA, DFSA, SCA, JFSA, SCB, CIRO, BAPPEBTI, OJK, BI
- Platforms
- WebTrader, App
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Minimum Trade
- Variable
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, CZK
- Margin Rate
- 2.5%
Pros
- The customer support team continue to provide reliable 24/7 support via email, live chat and WhatsApp
- The broker offers low commission trading on a diverse range of markets, minimizing additional fees while appealing to established traders
- Plus500 provides a specialized WebTrader platform designed explicitly for CFD trading, offering a clean and uncluttered interface
Cons
- Educational resources are limited compared to best-in-class brokers like eToro, impacting the learning curve for beginners
- Algo trading and scalping are not supported, which may deter some day traders
- Plus500’s lack of support for MetaTrader or cTrader charting tools might be a deal breaker for advanced day traders looking for familiarity
CMC Markets
With advanced charting tools and an extensive range of tradable CFDs, including an almost unrivalled selection of currencies and custom indices, CMC Markets provides a fantastic online platform for traders of all levels.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
CMC Markets quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting, Certificates and Warrants (Germany and Austria)
- Regulator
- FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA
- Platforms
- Web, MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SEK, NOK, SGD, PLN
- Margin Rate
- 3.0%
Pros
- The CMC web platform delivers a fantastic user experience with advanced charting tools for day trading and customizable features, catering to both beginners and experienced traders. MT4, MT5 and TradingView (added in 2025) are also supported.
- The brokerage continues to stand out with its wide range of value-add resources, including pattern recognition scanners, webinars, tutorials, news feeds, and research from respected sources like Morningstar.
- CMC Markets has added an AI News feature, using AI to surface and summarise market stories rather than place trades for you, hinting at where broker research tools are heading.
Cons
- Despite improvements, the web platform still requires enhancements to make it as intuitive to trade on as software from rivals like IG.
- The CMC Markets app offers the complete trading package but the design and user experience trails category leaders like eToro.
- An inactivity fee of $15 per month is applied after 12 months of inactivity, which may deter casual investors.
XTB
XTB stands out as a top choice for new day traders with the terrific xStation platform, low trading costs, no minimum deposit, and excellent educational tools, many of which are seamlessly integrated into the platform.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
XTB quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, CMF, Bappebti
- Platforms
- xStation
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP
- Margin Rate
- 4.5%
Pros
- The xStation platform continues to impress with its user-friendly interface and intuitive features, including customizable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and trader calculator, reducing the learning curve for newer traders.
- XTB has improved its assets and markets offering further in 2026 with options trading in Spain and Germany, spot cryptos in some regions, and Investment Plans 2.0 with more pre-built plans covering sectors like Defence, a more intuitive interface, and greater flexibility to combine single stocks and ETFs into individual plans.
- Opening an XTB account is a hassle-free, entirely online process that takes just a few minutes, making the entry into day trading smooth for new traders.
Cons
- Trading fees are competitive with average spreads of around 1 pip on the EUR/USD but still trail the cheapest brokers like IC Markets, plus there's an inactivity fee after 12 months.
- The demo account expires after just four weeks, a serious limitation for traders who wish to thoroughly test the xStation platform and practice short-term strategies before committing real funds.
- The research tools at XTB are good but could be great if they went beyond in-house features with access to leading third-party tools such as Autochartist, Trading Central and TipRanks.
eToro
eToro's social trading platform leads the pack with a terrific user experience and active community chat that can help beginners find opportunities. There are also competitive fees on thousands of CFDs and real stocks, plus excellent rewards for experienced strategy providers.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
eToro quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, MiCA, MFSA, FSRA, ASIC, FSAS, MAS, GFSC
- Platforms
- eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
- Minimum Deposit
- $1000
- Minimum Trade
- $10
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, DKK
- Margin Rate
- 6.40%
Pros
- eToro picked up second place in DayTrading.com's 'Best Crypto Broker' for 2025 with its huge range of tokens, reliable service and competitive fees.
- Top copy traders can receive annual payments up to 1.5% of assets under copy in the broker's Popular Investor Program.
- eToro has bolstered its investment offering, regularly adding new crypto assets, and now offering over 100 digital currencies.
Cons
- There are no guaranteed stop loss orders which would be a useful risk management feature for beginners.
- There is a $30 minimum withdrawal amount and a $5 fee, which will affect novices with low capital.
- The lack of additional charting platforms like MT4 will reduce the appeal for seasoned day traders accustomed to using third-party software.
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
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
- Regulator
- SEC, FINRA, MAS, SFC, ASIC, CIRO, JFSA, SC
- Platforms
- Desktop Platform, Mobile App
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- $0
- Account Currencies
- USD, CAD, AUD, JPY, MYR, HKD, SGD, CNY
- Margin Rate
- 6.8%
Pros
- Moomoo's analytics and insights are impressive and detailed compared to other brands
- Moomoo is a Member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), adding another level of security for prospective clients
- There are reduced options contract fees from $0.65 to $0
Cons
- Moomoo has faced multiple regulatory penalties in recent years, including fines and orders in 2026 that stopped it temporarily accepting some Japanese and Chinese clients
- The account range is narrow compared to other brokerages in its class with no managed portfolios or robo-advisor solutions
- There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
What Is A Margin Trading Account?
A margin account is a powerful tool for investors that allows trades or investments to be made that are worth more capital than what is being put down.
Margin refers to the fraction of the full trading amount that the investor provides to open a position; a margin rate is a form of commission charged on the trade, often provided as a percentage. This is why margin traders look for brokers with the lowest margin rates. Most brokers will require a minimum invested account balance to access margin.
In traditional markets, the borrowed funds used to open a position are usually provided by an investment broker. However, in cryptocurrency trading, funds may be fronted by other traders who earn interest based on market demand for margin funds. In other cases, the cryptocurrency exchange itself may provide margin account funds to its customers.
Margin Rate
With trading on margin being much like taking out a bank loan, traders must also pay a fee, or interest, on the loan. These are referred to as margin rates, and they vary between brokers and accounts.
Margin rates are often a few percent and are charged on the leveraged capital, not the margin fronted by the trader. Brokers with lowest margin rates offer particularly competitive account conditions.
Much like loan interest, the best scenario for an investor is the lowest broker margin rate, as this minimises the cost of the overall trade.
Depending on the margin account rate that the broker offers, you may also have to pay periodic interest payments in the same way you would pay interest on a bank loan.
Most brokerages will also offer their best margin rates for those traders with higher levels of investment capital in their accounts.
It is important to fully understand the fee structure of a broker’s margin investing options to optimise the use of margin and maximise profits.
Margin Example
Now let’s look at an example that shows the benefits of brokers with lowest margin rates. If a trader were to invest $25,000 cash into an unleveraged account for a period that produces a 10% yield, they would walk away with a profit of $2,500 and a new total capital of $27,500.
However, if they were to invest $25,000 and also take on a margin debt of $25,000, the total investment capital would be $50,000. For the same account yield of 10% and the same timeframe, an initial return of $5,000 would be produced. However, the margin cost must be determined from the margin rate and deducted from this value. For example, if the margin rate is 5%, then $1,250 (5% of $25,000) must be paid back to the broker, resulting in a net profit of $3,750 and a new capital of $28,750.
Consider now the same investment but with a lower margin rate of 1%. In this case, the margin cost would be $250 (1% of $25,000) and the net return would equal $4,750. Clearly then, maximum profit exposure is created by the broker with the lowest margin rate, as they take the least from the trade’s returns. In the example above, the 1% margin rate afforded the trader an extra $1,000 profit.
Risks
While using margin trading accounts may seem a no-brainer, especially through online brokers with the lowest margin rates, it is deceptively dangerous. Consider again the above example, only this time the investment backfires and the portfolio yield is -10%. In an unleveraged scenario, the investor would lose $2,500 and walk away with $22,500. In the leveraged case with a 5% margin rate, the investor not only loses the $2,500 from their own investment and pays the same $1,250 margin cost, but they must also front the losses on the margin debt (another $2,500), totalling a net $6,250 loss.
Additionally, traders must be careful about using margin for small trades, as the returns from the investment need to be larger than the margin cost. If not, the margin cost would have to be paid by the trade profit and some of the investment capital, resulting in a net loss for the investor despite the trade being profitable at face value.
Pros Of Brokers With Lowest Margin Rates
The benefits of using brokerages with the lowest margin rates are:
- Less interest to accrue
- Amplification of return rates due to more affordable account borrowing
Cons Of Brokers With Lowest Margin Rates
Opting for brokers with lowest margin rates can also be disadvantageous:
- Interest costs apply until fully repaid
- Only beneficial if a trade is successful
- Rapid profit generation can be difficult
- Margin trading is a debt that must be repaid
- A larger account deposit is often required than for higher rates
Final Word
Margin trading is an opportunity for investors to magnify their gains, though it can add complexities and risks not otherwise required. Thorough research should be carried out into the brokers offering the lowest margin rates, which should be combined with other considerations before selecting a broker to open an account with. If margin trading is for you, brokers offering low rates will facilitate larger profits for the same risk exposure.
FAQs
What Does It Mean To Trade On Margin?
Trading on margin entails borrowing money from a broker to carry out trades. Traders deposit cash that serves as collateral for the loan, then pay ongoing interest on the borrowed money. This loan allows investors to buy a larger quantity of securities which automatically serve as collateral for the loan.
What Are The Benefits Of Brokers With Lowest Margin Rates?
Margin accounts becomes advantageous when your rate of return is higher than the interest on the loan. Brokers offering the lowest margin rates will eat into your profits less.
Which Broker Has The Best Margin Rates?
Most traditional brokers have margin rates of around 8%. Interactive Brokers offers competitive margin rates of around two or three percent, depending on the base currency and investment capital size.
Which Forex Brokers Have The Cheapest Margin Rates?
Interactive Brokers has an entire platform dedicated to forex trading that supports 23 different currencies. Its margin rates range from 0.5% on large loans for premium account holders to 9% for lite members.
Can You Negotiate Margin Account Rates?
Margin rates are not always fixed at those published on the broker websites. Given a large amount of capital often involved, brokers can sometimes be negotiated with the get better margin rates. If you are with an existing broker and want a lower margin rate, it may be worth contacting them first.