Brokers With Micro Accounts
Brokers with micro accounts offer straightforward access to forex markets for rookies and those on a budget. This guide will explain what micro trading accounts are and how they work. We also compare micro accounts to other popular trading solutions. Use our list of the best global brokers with micro accounts to get started today.
Micro Account Brokers
Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons
- 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.
- 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.
- UnitedPips - Operating since 2016 and based in Saint Lucia, UnitedPips is a non-dealing desk broker serving clients in over 137 countries. It specializes in CFD trading across around 80+ assets with high leverage up to 1:1000.
- 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 an expanded suite of 175+ assets, around-the-clock trading and 98% payouts, the firm is popular with aspiring short-term traders.
- 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.
- Capitalcore - Capitalcore is an offshore broker, based in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and established in 2019. Traders can choose from four accounts (Classic, Silver, Gold, VIP) with lower spreads and larger bonuses as you move through the tiers. Where Capitalcore distinguishes itself is its high leverage up to 1:2000 and zero swap fees, though these don’t compensate for the weak oversight from the IFSA and paltry education and research.
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 Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulator | NFA, CFTC |
| Platforms | NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- Traders can get free platform access and trade simulation capabilities in the unlimited demo
- NinjaTrader continues to deliver comprehensive charting software for active day traders with bespoke technical indicators and widgets
- You can get thousands of add-ons and applications from developers in 150+ countries
Cons
- There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods
- The premium platform tools come with an extra charge
- Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
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 Offer | VIP status with up to 10k+ in rebates - T&Cs apply. |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | Forex, Stock CFDs, Futures, Futures Options |
| Regulator | NFA, CFTC |
| Platforms | WebTrader, Mobile, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN |
Pros
- There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
- The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
- With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.
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.
- Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
- Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
UnitedPips
"UnitedPips is ideal for traders seeking leveraged trading opportunities, the security of fixed spreads, and the flexibility to deposit, withdraw, and trade cryptocurrencies - all in one sleek TradingView-powered platform."
UnitedPips Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 40% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Precious Metals, Crypto |
| Regulator | IFSA |
| Platforms | UniTrader |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- UnitedPips’ platform performs well, with an intuitive design that will appeal to beginners, while the TradingView integration delivers powerful charting tools without overwhelming users, making it straightforward to execute trades efficiently.
- UnitedPips offers impressive leverage up to 1:1000 with zero swap fees or commissions, which can enhance potential returns for day traders and swing traders looking to control prominent positions with less capital.
- Although being handed off mid-chat due to shift changes during testing was frustrating, customer support is generally good with quick, helpful responses, and 24/7 support via phone and email for regional teams is a definite advantage.
Cons
- Unlike brokers such as IG, UnitedPips is an offshore broker not regulated by any 'green tier' financial authorities, raising concerns for traders seeking assurance and protection under well-established regulatory frameworks.
- UnitedPips' selection of tradable instruments is still minimal, comprising a bare minimum selection of forex, metals and crypto. There are no equities, indices or ETFs, which may be a drawback for experienced traders looking for diverse opportunities.
- UnitedPips lacks comprehensive research, while the educational content for beginner traders is woeful. Compared to brokers like eToro, which offers tutorials, webinars, and advanced courses, UnitedPips offers minimal resources to help new traders understand key concepts.
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. "
IQCent Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Regulator | IFMRRC |
| Platforms | Online Platform, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $250 |
| Minimum Trade | $0.01 |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- IQCent has bolstered its asset range with 60+ new assets, including hot cryptos like TON and SHIB; top-tier stock CFDs such as TSLA and NVDA; plus exotic FX pairs like THB and HUF
- The broker's 24/7 customer support is fast and reliable, responding within 1 minute during tests
- The broker offers up to 98% payouts on binary options, which is more than alternatives like Pocket Option, only offering up to 92%
Cons
- IQCent trails binary brokers like Quotex with its narrow investment offering of around 175 assets with limited stocks
- IQCent charges a punitive $10 monthly inactivity fee if you fail to place at least 1 trade per month
- The broker is not overseen by a respected regulator, though this is common among binary options firms
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."
OANDA US Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA) |
| Regulator | NFA, CFTC |
| Platforms | OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- The broker offers a transparent pricing structure with no hidden charges
- There's a strong selection of 68 currency pairs for dedicated short-term forex traders
- OANDA is a reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators including the CFTC
Cons
- There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported
- 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
Capitalcore
"The major selling points of Capitalcore are its high leverage options up to 1:2000 and zero commission or swap fees. However, its weak regulatory oversight from the IFSA and non-existent education place it far behind the top brokers."
Capitalcore Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500 |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | Forex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures Indices, Binary Options |
| Regulator | IFSA |
| Platforms | WebTrader, Pro |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:2000 |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- The Capitalcore platform provides comprehensive charting tools and a wide range of 150+ technical indicators, ideal for detailed market analysis.
- Capitalcore has added binary options trading on 30+ currency pairs, metals and crypto with one-click trading and payouts up to 95%.
- Capitalcore is one of the only brokers to charge zero swap fees, which may appeal to Islamic traders looking to comply with Islamic Finance.
Cons
- The web platform was inconsistent during testing, with occasional technical glitches that meant the trading platform wouldn’t load.
- Capitalcore is not regulated by major financial authorities and has an unproven reputation, raising concerns about the safety of client funds.
- Platform support is limited to proprietary software, so there's no integration with the market-leading MetaTrader or cTrader, which offer built-in economic news and support automated trading.
Micro Accounts Explained
A micro account is one of the smallest of several different-sized trading accounts – the smallest being nano accounts which are rarely offered. Micro accounts essentially offer low contract sizes, called micro lots, which are 1,000 units of currency. The typical pip value with a micro lot is $0.1. They are also sometimes referred to as ‘cent accounts‘.
Brokers who offer micro accounts are best for beginner retail investors who want to access the forex market, or for investors who wish to try new strategies without risking too much capital.
Micro accounts are primarily found at forex and CFD brokers. Most online brokerages either require no minimum deposit for a micro account, or the deposit is significantly less than the requirements of a standard account, for example, often around $10.
Importantly, other trading conditions and features don’t usually differ from standard live accounts.
Criteria & Qualification
A micro account allows investors to buy smaller contracts with fewer margin requirements. The smallest contract available to purchase is called a micro lot, which is 1% of the size of a standard lot, meaning it is equal to 1,000 units of the base currency.
For comparison, mini accounts offer mini lots as their smallest contract, which are 10,000 units of the base currency. Standard accounts offer standard lots as their smallest currency, which are larger, at 100,000 units of the base currency.
Let’s say an investor wishes to trade EUR/USD. In this case, the euro is the base currency. So, a micro lot of this currency pair would involve the purchase of 1,000 EUR. And you can buy as many micro lots as the capital in your account allows.
Though brokers with micro accounts mean smaller contracts, they do not necessarily mean smaller yields are payable. If the brokerage offers high leverage, traders can amplify their receivable profit. Of course, when trading with leverage, it is important to remember that losses will also be multiplied.
Tip: ensure you have the best rates on your chosen currencies, whether it be the South African Rand (ZAR), Great British Pound (GBP), Canadian Dollar (CAD), or Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD).
Who Should Use A Micro Account?
Perfect for beginners who do not want to risk a lot of capital but want to get into retail trading, forex brokers that offer micro lots are a great step up from demo accounts, in which you practice trading with virtual cash.
Those who have traded before can also use brokers with micro accounts to try any number of new strategies before making large buy and sell orders. This will help gauge if a strategy or trading system works before taking on too much risk.
Compatible Account Types
Cash
Cash accounts can be used jointly with micro accounts as they are also beginner-friendly. Importantly, investors can only use the finances they have deposited into their account, with no margin or leverage trading.
Providers and businesses with these type of cash accounts offer the same tools as regular trading accounts, including the MT4 platform and secure management login and opening.
Managed
When an investor allows another person to manage their capital and account, this is described as managed. It is, naturally, risky to not have control over your funds. Some brokers offer managed micro accounts, but it is important to be thorough with checks on who you are allowing to manage your account, especially as trading can be leveraged, so any losses made by the manager will be amplified. Also check timelines as leaving your capital for 6 months or more may not be possible for some investors.
Look into the fees charged and reviews from other customers on our site, Google or Trustpilot, to ensure you can trust the service.
PAMM
Percentage Allocation Module Management, better known as PAMM accounts, allow investors to group funds while experienced market professionals do the trading. These are arguably safer than managed accounts and are more heavily regulated.
The total profits earned are split between the manager, who receives a portion, as well as between each individual trader whose money was pooled, proportionate to their contribution to the total finances.
A PAMM account may have a higher chance of profit than a micro account, but the amount made will be less as it is split between multiple parties.
ECN
Electronic Communication Network (ECN) accounts are offered by Non-Desk Dealing (NDD) brokers. They can also offer Direct Market Access (DMA) accounts.
NDD brokers allow traders direct access to interbank market rates of exchange. ECN brokers do this by allowing sellers to bid for an order anonymously. With DMA accounts, those who are lending are not anonymous.
ECN brokers do not generally offer micro accounts and these types of accounts are not to be confused with dematerialised (or demat) accounts.
Pros Of Micro Trading Accounts
- Risk control: Smaller lot sizes allow traders to control their risk exposure. For example, in a standard lot, two pip movements in the EUR/GBP is equal to a £20 profit or loss, whereas two pip movement in a micro lot is £0.20.
- Free from additional costs: Micro accounts are a common way for budding investors to begin learning how to trade forex and cryptos with competitive fees.
- Leverage: Profits can be magnified with leverage, so micro accounts do not have to sacrifice profits in return for limited upfront investment. Leveraged trading is also available on multiple assets, from indices like the NASDAQ to ETFs.
- No maximum: The only limit to how many micro lots you can purchase is the money you deposit into your account. This means you can trade using a micro account for as long as you wish, whether it be 6 months or 365 days. As long as you make the right forex trading decisions, there is no compromise on the amount of profits you could potentially earn.
Cons Of Micro Trading Accounts
- Returns: Smaller initial investments tend to lead to lower returns. Leverage can amplify profits, but they also multiply losses, so beginners may not be comfortable trading on margin.
- Upgrading: Once you feel ready to move onto a larger account, you will need to close the micro account and reopen a new mini/standard account. Fortunately, many top brokers with micro accounts also offer mini and standard account solutions.
Final Word
With as many as 80% of day traders estimated to lose money over a year, with the median loss being -36.30%, it is important to be adequately prepared before getting into trading. Check out which brokers with micro account options have low and high interest rates or zero spread accounts, meaning competitive fees. Micro accounts are a perfect way to introduce yourself to trading before committing to investing larger amounts.
Check out our list of the best brokers with micro accounts to start trading.
FAQs
Are Brokers With Micro Accounts Halal?
Brokers who offer micro accounts may be halal depending on their trading conditions. If there are no overnight finance charges and investors don’t speculate on prohibited industries, such as gambling or tobacco, then micro accounts may comply with Shariah Law. Speak to a local religious leader for guidance.
Which Brokers Offer Micro Accounts?
AvaTrade, City Index, Tiger Brokers, Zerodha and XM are all examples of micro entity accounts. Popular brokerages that do not offer the trading solution include Interactive Brokers and Vanguard. Alternatively, see our guide to the best trading platforms for micro e-mini futures here.
Where Can I Learn More About Brokers With Micro Accounts?
Yahoo Finance, Reddit pages, and YouTube videos can all help broaden your knowledge of micro accounts. Also read up on our guide to forex trading for guidance on getting started.