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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- Demo account
- Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSA, SCB, CMA-Kenya
- Min. deposit: $200
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- Demo account
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, CMVM , FSCA, SCB, FSA
- Platforms: TN Trader, MT4, TradingView
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- Demo account
- Min. deposit: $0
- Min. trade: 0.01 Lots
73-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs -
- Demo account
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSC, SCB, FSA
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradeLocker
71.28% of retail traders lose money when trading CFDs -
- Demo account
- Regulator: ASIC, VFSC, FSA
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, DupliTrade
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- Demo account
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities
- Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, FSC
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category in 2026:
- IC 4.8/5 IC Markets (now IC) is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 200,000 clients from over 200 countries.
- Trade Nation 4.4/5 Trade Nation is a top FX and CFD broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions including the UK and Australia. The firm offers low-cost fixed and variable spreads on 1000+ assets with robust trading platforms and training materials. The Signal Centre can also be used for trade ideas.
- Pepperstone 4.8/5 Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 830,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,400+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, helping to ensure a secure environment for day traders at all levels.
- Eightcap 4.6/5 Eightcap is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker established in Australia in 2009. The broker has proven popular with active day traders, providing 800+ instruments with tight spreads and notable improvements in recent years, integrating the leading TradingView platform, alongside AI-powered financial calendars and algo trading tools with zero coding experience required.
- Fusion Markets 4.6/5 Fusion Markets is an online broker established in 2017 and regulated by the ASIC, VFSC and FSA. It is best known for its low-cost forex and CFD trading, although its multiple account types and copy trading solutions cater to a range of traders. New clients can sign up and start trading in 3 easy steps.
- FBS 4.3/5 Founded in 2009, FBS is an award-winning CFD broker operating in over 150 countries with a client base exceeding 27 million traders. Traders are supported at every stage of their journey with 24/7 assistance, market analytics, trading calculators, and competitive pricing with zero commissions.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC | 2 | ||||
| Trade Nation | 2156 | ||||
| Pepperstone | 3695 | ||||
| Eightcap | 3909 | ||||
| Fusion Markets | 10127 | ||||
| FBS | 10200 |
IC
IC (formerly IC Markets) offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IC quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
- Regulator
- ASIC, CySEC, FSA, SCB, CMA-Kenya
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower
- Minimum Deposit
- $200
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
Pros
- IC secured DayTrading.com's 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' in 2025 for its seamless, industry-leading MetaTrader integration, refined over years to maximize the platform experience.
- As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
- IC offers fast and dependable 24/7 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
Cons
- While IC offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
- There are fees for certain withdrawal methods, including a $20 wire charge, which can eat into profits, especially for frequent withdrawals.
- Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
Trade Nation
Trade Nation suits discretionary traders who want to speculate on major indices like the US 500 or liquid FX pairs, and want the predictable all-in costs of fixed spreads. In tests, we found the fixed-spread TN Trader environment particularly useful for trading around scheduled economic releases owing to its reliable charting environment and because published spreads stayed capped.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Trade Nation quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Spread Betting (UK and Ireland only), Cryptos (Bahamas entity only)
- Regulator
- FCA, ASIC, CMVM , FSCA, SCB, FSA
- Platforms
- TN Trader, MT4, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- 0.1 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK
Pros
- In testing of the TN Trader account under normal market conditions, fixed spreads held while fills were prompt on major forex pairs, with a slight drift in the entry level as price ticked between click and fill.
- Trade Nation accounts can now be linked with TradingView, providing advanced multi-charts and the ability to execute trades directly.
- The broker expanded into Europe with regulated online trading services after securing authorization from Portugal's CVMV, boosting its safety protections for European residents.
Cons
- Withdrawals can take up to five business days, which is around the industry average but slower than the 1-3 days we’re increasingly seeing brokers offer in an attempt to quash withdrawal complaints from retail investors.
- There is no raw or ECN pricing tier, which are often prefered by day traders. No matter how much you deposit or trade, you use the same fixed (or variable on MT4) pricing as beginners, making it unsuitable for scalpers especially.
- The 2–20% rebate scheme is closed to FCA, CMVM, and ASIC clients, meaning active day traders in these regions who would benefit from transaction rebates cannot claim them.
Pepperstone
Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/5 support (18h a day on weekends).
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Pepperstone quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto CFDs, Spread Betting
- Regulator
- FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, SCA, SCB, CMA-Kenya
- Platforms
- Pepperstone Trading Platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
Pros
- After adding spread betting through TradingView, Pepperstone provides a seamless, tax-efficient trading experience with advanced analysis tools for financial spread bettors in supported countries.
- Award-winning customer support is available via telephone, email or live chat with response times of <5 minutes during testing and friendly agents knowledgeable about its products and trading tools.
- Pepperstone has greatly improved the deposit and withdrawal experience in recent years, adding Apple Pay and Google Pay in 2025, as well as PIX and SPEI for clients in Brazil and Mexico in 2024.
Cons
- Execution may not feel as reliable in fast markets as headline speeds suggest. In our own testing, execution was fast at desired prices, but some community complaints focus on slippage, stop-loss fills and spread-sensitive order triggers during volatile conditions.
- Overnight holding fees are higher than that found with some Market Maker brokers (usually Benchmark + 2.5%). This makes pepperstone an ideal broker for day traders and forex scalpers but less suitable for swing traders who often keep position open overnight.
- Despite improvements to its range of markets, crypto CFD offerings are still fairly limited compared to other brokers who focus on this area, such as Eightcap, and there's no option to invest in real coins.
Eightcap
Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms, education via Labs, and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 120+ crypto CFDs, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Eightcap quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs in Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
- Regulator
- FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSC, SCB, FSA
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradeLocker
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD
Pros
- Eightcap added TradeLocker in 2026 for certain regions, marking it out as the best regulated TradeLocker broker, while still delivering Eightcap's ultra-fast execution and low fees for active traders on the charting software.
- With tight spreads from 0 pips, low commission fees, Eightcap provides cost-effective and flexible trading conditions that can accommodate an array of strategies, including day trading and scalping.
- Eightcap stands out with a selection of powerful trading tools and resources, including MT4 and MT5, and more recently the 100-million strong social trading network TradingView.
Cons
- Despite a useful library of educational guides and e-books in Labs, Eightcap still trails IG’s comprehensive toolkit for aspiring traders with its dedicated IG Academy app and 18 course categories.
- In spite of an increasing variety of tools, Eightcap doesn't offer industry favorites like Autochartist or Trading Central, which offer cutting-edge charting analytics, live news, and market insights for short-term traders.
- Eightcap needs to continue bolstering its suite of 800+ instruments to match category leaders like Blackbull Markets with its 26,000+ assets, featuring a particularly weak selection of commodities.
Fusion Markets
Fusion Markets is a standout option for forex traders looking for excellent pricing with spreads near zero, industry-low commissions and recently TradingView integration. It’s a particularly good broker for Australian traders where the company is headquartered and regulated by the ASIC.
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
Fusion Markets quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
- Regulator
- ASIC, VFSC, FSA
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, DupliTrade
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
Pros
- Average execution speeds of around 37 milliseconds are noticeably faster than many rivals and can help day traders secure optimal prices in fast-moving markets.
- Fusion Markets is set up to support algo traders with a sponsored VPS solution and a 25% discount if you opt for the NYC Servers VPS for MT4 or cTrader.
- Fusion Markets offers best-in-class support with very fast, friendly and helpful responses during tests and no frustrating automated chatbot to navigate.
Cons
- There is no proprietary trading platform or app built with beginners in mind, a notable drawback compared to AvaTrade.
- Traders outside of Australia must sign up with weakly regulated global entities with limited safeguards, though in August 2026 they made negative balance protection available to all eligible accounts.
- While the selection of currency pairs trumps most rivals, the broker's alternative investment offering is average with no stock CFDs beyond the US.
FBS
FBS is an excellent choice for day traders at every level and budget, with just a $5 minimum deposit and intensive academy for aspiring traders alongside access to MT4 and MT5.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
FBS quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities
- Regulator
- ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, FSC
- Platforms
- FBS App, MT4, MT5
- Minimum Deposit
- $5
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, AUD, JPY
Pros
- The introduction of the FBI Assistant has given active traders useful, AI-powered intelligence to assess charts and patterns with potential trade ideas that can be executed in one click.
- The trading firm has picked up over 90 awards and amassed more than 27 million clients, making it one of the largest and most established brokers globally.
- FBS offers lightning-fast execution speeds from just 10 milliseconds, placing it among the industry leaders for highly active traders like scalpers who demand rapid order processing.
Cons
- There are only four base currencies available - EUR, USD, AUD and JPY (region dependant) - which isn't practical for minimizing currency conversion fees for many global traders, and is especially striking given the broker’s user base spans over 150 nations.
- Despite enhancing the selection of currency pairs, now providing over 70, FBS still trails industry leaders like BlackBull Markets in its market offering with a particularly narrow selection of commodities and indices.
- Although the FBS app offers a terrific mobile trading experience for aspiring traders and MT4/MT5 cater to advanced traders, the absence of cTrader and TradingView, which are increasingly offered by alternatives like Pepperstone, will deter day traders familiar with these platforms.
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.