Brokers With No Inactivity Fees

Written By

Jemma Grist

Edited By

James Barra

Fact Checked By

William Berg

Updated

Feb 17, 2026

Brokers typically make their money from the commissions, spreads, transaction charges and other fees they apply to active traders. But if a customer goes a period without making any trades, some brokerages will charge inactivity fees to ensure their business continues to make a buck. With so many other charges involved when trading, it is only natural that a less hands-on investor will look for a broker that does not charge inactivity fees.

This guide will explain the meaning of inactivity fees with examples of typical charges a trader may face. We have also compiled a list of the top brokers with no inactivity fees in 2026.

Brokers With No Inactivity Fee

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Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.

Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers in March 2026:

Interactive Brokers - Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
Plus500US - Plus500US is a well-established broker that entered the US market in 2021. Authorized by the CFTC and NFA, it provides futures trading on forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and interest rates. With a 10-minute sign-up, a manageable $100 minimum deposit, and a straightforward web platform, Plus500 continues to strengthen its offering for traders in the US.
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.
Moomoo - 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.
Focus Markets - Established in 2019, Focus Markets is an Australian-based MetaTrader broker offering access to over 1,000 tradable instruments, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and a particularly large selection of crypto derivatives.
TradeUp - Established in 1986, TradeUp operates as a commission-free broker in the US offering trading for stocks, ETFs and options. Through its web platform and mobile app, clients can trade over 5,000 instruments with cash and margin options, while idle funds can earn interest.

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	FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
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
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Pros

While primarily geared towards experienced traders, IBKR has made moves to broaden its appeal in recent years, reducing its minimum deposit from $10,000 to $0.
IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.
The new IBKR Desktop platform takes the best of TWS while adding bespoke tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to create a genuinely impressive trading experience for day traders at every level.

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.
TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.
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.

Visit Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers Review

Plus500US

"Plus500US stands out as an excellent choice for beginners, offering a very user-friendly platform, low day trading margins, 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."
Michael MacKenzie, Reviewer

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

Plus500 is a publicly traded company with a good reputation, over 24 million traders, and a sponsor of the Chicago Bulls.
The trading app provides a terrific user experience with a modern design, a clean layout and mobile-optimized charts
The straightforward account structure, pricing model and web platform offer an easier route into futures trading than rivals like NinjaTrader

Cons

Plus500US does not offer social trading capabilities, a feature available at alternatives like eToro US which could strengthen its offering for aspiring traders
Although support response times were fast during tests, there is no telephone assistance
Despite competitive pricing, Plus500US lacks a discount program for high-volume day traders, a scheme found at brokers like Interactive Brokers

Visit Plus500US

Plus500US Review

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."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

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, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

The proprietary OANDA web platform continues to deliver a highly competitive charting environment, including 65+ technical indicators powered by TradingView
OANDA is a reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators including the CFTC
Day traders can enjoy fast and reliable order execution

Cons

The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends
There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported

Visit OANDA US

OANDA US Review

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, ASIC, SFC
Platforms	Desktop Platform, Mobile App
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	$0
Leverage	1:2
Account Currencies	USD, HKD, SGD

Pros

Moomoo is a Member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), adding another level of security for prospective clients
There is no minimum deposit requirement making the broker accessible for beginners
It is reassuring that Moomoo holds licenses with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), among others

Cons

It's a shame that there is no 2 factor authentication (2FA), despite the other security features on offer
There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
There is no phone or live chat support - common options at most other brokers

Visit Moomoo

Moomoo Review

Focus Markets

"Focus Markets is perfect for experienced traders familiar with MetaTrader 5, offering flexible crypto transactions (USDT and BTC) and access to over 90 cryptocurrencies for seamless speculation, deposits, and withdrawals."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

Focus Markets Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
Regulator	ASIC, SVGFSA
Platforms	MT5
Minimum Deposit	$100
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:500
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, SGD

Pros

Focus Markets’ MT5 platform delivered fast, seamless trade execution during testing with advanced charting, multiple timeframes, and useful tools like Depth of Market (DOM). Its clean interface made navigation easy, while clear risk/reward ratios ensures precise trading.
Focus Markets is regulated by ASIC – one of the most respected regulatory bodies in the financial industry with robust safeguards like negative balance protection, ensuring you can’t lose more than your balance in volatile markets.
While its meagre four commodities won’t meet the needs of some serious traders interested in softs and metals, Focus Markets offers a huge suite of 90+ cryptos, providing short-term opportunities on high-reward, high-risk assets.

Cons

Focus Markets’ 24/5 support lacks direct phone help and unresponsive live chat, while email replies took a full business day during our latest tests. This slow support is a major drawback for active traders who need quick resolutions.
Focus Markets still has a long way to go to compete with the best brokers - with virtually zero research tools and education, plus limited value-add features like VPS hosting, copy trading and swap-free accounts.
A significant drawback of Focus Markets is the lack of platform variety. It only support MT5, excluding popular platforms like MT4, cTrader, and TradingView, plus it hasn't developed its own software that could better meet the needs of beginners.

Visit Focus Markets

Focus Markets Review

TradeUp

"TradeUp is best suited to budget-conscious day traders looking to trade U.S. and global markets with zero commissions on a user-friendly mobile app. Its more than 250 Chinese American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), including Alibaba Group (BABA), also make it suitable for trading Chinese equities."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

TradeUp Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Bonds
Regulator	SEC, FINRA
Platforms	Desktop, Web, Mobile
Minimum Deposit	$0.01
Minimum Trade	$1
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP

Pros

TradeUp’s platforms work smoothly across multiple devices based on our tests, including mobile apps for iOS and Android, a desktop app for Windows and Mac, and a web-based platform. This allows active traders to switch between devices without losing continuity, whether you’re at home or on the go.
TradeUp runs an integrated and intuitive financial calendar that helps you track earnings, dividends, and IPOs relevant to your watchlist, enabling you to stay ahead of market-moving events.
TradeUp offers commission-free trading on US stocks and ETFs, and support for fractional shares lets you buy portions of a share for as little as $5.This makes it a cost-effective choice for active day traders who want to minimize trading expenses.

Cons

TradeUp's educational resources aren't kept updated, and were over 6 months old in our latest tests. While there are articles and tutorials aimed at newcomers, the content is somewhat limited and does not cover more advanced trading strategies or deeper topics.
The platform's technical indicators have limited customization options from our use. On both mobile and web versions, you can't layer multiple indicators on the same chart simultaneously, which restricts more sophisticated chart analysis.
TradeUp does not support popular third-party platforms like TradingView or cTrader, so traders who rely on those for advanced charting, automation, or community features won't find that flexibility.

Visit TradeUp

TradeUp Review

How Inactivity Fees Work

Trading brokers levy inactivity fees on customers who have an open account but are not active. This is to cover the costs of the service while the account is open but not in use, meaning the broker is unable to charge other usage fees, such as deposit fees, commission rates, or spread costs.

The nominal value of the fee differs for each brokerage. Make sure you read a broker’s policy on all costs, as well as inactivity fees, to ensure you are aware of what the charges entail and how you can avoid paying them.

It is common for a broker to take a monthly payment after a period of inactivity, usually one year, though some dormancy penalties kick in after just a few months.

Typical Charges

Here are some examples of inactivity fees at popular trading brokerages:

XTB: This is a reputable broker offering forex trading, CFD trading, business stocks, and more. After 12 months of inactivity, there is a monthly charge of €10 (or equivalent in GBP, USD).
IG: IG offers a range of tradable assets, such as options, forex, and cryptocurrency. You will be charged $/£12 or €14 after 24 consecutive months of inactivity.
eToro: eToro allows users to match the trading moves of popular investors, also known as copy trading, which is a key reason for the broker’s popularity. The brand charges a $10 monthly inactivity fee on accounts that have been inactive for more than 1 year.

Trading & Inactivity Fees Explained

Beginners to retail trading and those who trade on the side often buy and hold assets that are yet to return a profit until they take a rewarding turn. If this is a strategy you follow, you may end up having to pay inactivity fees.

It is worth spending the time to research both trading strategies and the technical side of how brokers work. Some inactivity fee policies are more complicated than others. For example, before Interactive Brokers eliminated their policy, they would charge a higher inactivity fee on accounts holding less than $2,000. Other brokers base their inactivity policy on the lack of trades or deals made within a given period. Some online brokerages simply need you to log into your account to avoid paying the fee.

How To Avoid Inactivity Fees

If you do decide to sign up with a trading broker that charges an inactivity fee, make sure you have a good understanding of their terms. If the broker only charges accounts which have been inactive for 12 or 24 months, you can avoid fees by making even very sporadic transactions before the due date.

If the account requires more frequent transactions, you can keep track of when your payment is due in a journal and set up a direct debit with your broker, payable on a monthly basis or as often as necessary. Alternatively, you can log in as required and sell or swap some of your stocks. Brokers are usually satisfied that an account is active once they have been paid from a commission, spread or transaction fee.

With that said, traders are fortunate to have a wealth of options to choose from when it comes to brokers, and some of the best and most popular firms offer accounts with no inactivity fees. Pepperstone, BlackBull Markets and FP Markets are just a few well-known names on the long list of brokers which do not charge customers if they hold inactive accounts.

To check whether a broker charges an inactivity fee, you can visit their website and head to the fees section. All charges should be clearly listed here. If you still cannot find the information, contact the customer support team.

Comparing Brokers With No Inactivity Fees

Since traders have a wide range of brokers with no inactivity fees to choose from, it makes sense to consider other features too:

Range Of Markets

If your trading strategy requires access to many different assets and international markets, ensure the broker you make an account with caters to this. Some brokers specialize in specific assets, such as Coinbase and cryptos. Additionally, less popular brokerages may have limited market access, so for example may only offer stocks from within the country they operate.

Fees

Brokers can charge both trading and non-trading fees. Trading fees include deposit and withdrawal rates, transaction and commission fees, currency conversion fees, overnight fees and spread costs. Non-trading fees include inactivity fees, account maintenance fees, and subscriptions to specific tools and features.

All of these should be outlined in the broker’s terms and conditions, especially if they are regulated. Ensure you are aware of all fees and avoid brokers that are not transparent when it comes to pricing.

Customer Service

When trading, time can be very valuable, so having access to customer support can be important. The best brokers with no inactivity fees have 24/7 customer service, be it call, or live chat functions. Read reviews from customers to guarantee good quality customer service.

Minimum Deposit

Some brokers with no inactivity fees have a minimum deposit that must be met before trading can begin on the account. CMC Markets and Fusion Markets do not have a minimum deposit, while IC Markets has a $200 minimum deposit and Interactive Brokers requires a $10,000 initial payment.

Security

Safety and security are key to having a successful and enjoyable trading experience. The best brokers with no inactivity fees will ensure your funds are protected through negative balance protection and other schemes. They will also ensure your personal data is safe through encryption and two-factor authentication, among other methods. Pepperstone, for instance, provides negative balance protection for all customers.

Regulation

You should always look to trade with a broker that is regulated by a top-tier authority. Regulation ensures brokers are held to high standards and means they cannot take advantage of or scam traders. Some of the best authorities around are the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). The best brokers will hold licenses with one or more of these.

Trading Platforms

Different brokers will utilize a range of trading platforms. This can include third-party platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and cTrader. On the other hand, some brokers may develop and supply their own bespoke trading platform.

Ensure the platform of your chosen broker supports all your needs using tools such as technical indicators, price alerts and signals.

Education

The key to trading successfully is to be constantly learning. Many of the best brokers with no inactivity fees provide a host of educational resources that can teach you about trading and help enhance your skills. At some online brokers, these are available for free, while at others you may have to pay. In all cases, though, the material will usually help you to trade more effectively and are a sensible place to start for beginners.

Final Word On Brokers With No Inactivity Fees

Brokers often charge inactivity fees to accounts that are not used for an extended period. In some cases, these fees can start being charged from as early as 3 months, and you may face a new charge every 30 days after that. Policies differ between brokers, so to avoid paying extra fees, check the terms and conditions before opening an account. Also use our list of the best trading brokers with no inactivity fees.

FAQs

Are Brokers With Inactivity Fees Legal?

It is legal for brokers to charge inactivity fees in the UK, US, Australia, Africa and Europe. Specific regulations differ so do your research before opening an account. Additionally, do not get the regulations and rules on brokers mixed up with those that apply to banks on credit card accounts.

What’s An Example Of Brokers With No Inactivity Fees?

Pepperstone, IC Markets, and RoboForex are all examples of regulated brokers that do not implement an inactivity fee. More information on these is available in our detailed reviews.

What Do I Do When Charged With An Inactivity Trading Fee?

Usually, due to brokers outlining the details of inactivity fee charges on their websites, once a fee is charged, you will not be able to claim it back. The best way to not pay an inactivity fee is to be aware of policies beforehand.

How Will Trading Brokers Charge Me Inactivity Fees?

When you open an account with a broker, you will set up a payment method, be it PayPal, a credit card or a debit card. This will then be used if you are charged with any costs, including inactivity fees.

When Will I Be Charged An Inactivity Fee By My Trading Broker?

This differs amongst brokerages. Some can charge as early as 3 months, although it is more common for inactivity fees to be charged from 12 months. Some may also give you 24 months’ leeway. Ensure you do your research on a broker’s policy before opening up an account, and sign in regularly – even if it’s only once in three months – to make sure you don’t miss any changes to the broker’s terms and conditions.