One of the important aspects to consider is the time of day that you invest and there is a compelling case for pre-market trading. Many like to trade when the market is open and at its most volatile. However, with stocks being more accessible and active than ever before, there is a viable option for some investors looking for returns outside of these hours.
This review of brokers offering pre-market trading serves as a guide for anyone wanting to explore the opportunities and advantages of trading in the pre-market period. This includes an explanation of how it works, an evaluation of the good and bad of trading at this time, and finally tips and strategies to assist you. We have also compiled a list of the best brokers with pre-market trading in 2026.
Brokers With Extended Hours Trading
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- Demo account
- Instruments: Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA, MAS, SFC, ASIC, CIRO, JFSA, SC
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- Demo account
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA
- Platforms: Web, MT4, MT5, TradingView
69% of retail CFD accounts lose money. -
- Demo account
- Instruments: Stocks, ETFs, Options, Pink Sheets, Warrants
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA, CIRO, AFM, SCB
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- Demo account
- Instruments: Stocks, Options, ETFs, Bonds
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons
- Moomoo 3.2/5 During our tests, moomoo provided extended trading from 09:00 to 01:00 (GMT) for U.S. markets, plus full pre- and post-market sessions. Liquidity dipped slightly after hours, and spreads widened by 0.5 to 0.8 pips. Zero commission on U.S. stocks made off-hours trading cost-effective.
- CMC Markets 4.7/5 When we used CMC Markets, extended hours trading was available from 09:00 to 01:00 (GMT) on U.S. stocks and indices. Spreads widened modestly - around 0.5–0.9 pips - after market close, but order execution stayed consistent. Stop-loss and limit orders triggered accurately. Commission-free equity CFDs made off-hours trading accessible and cost-efficient.
- TradeZero 3.8/5 TradeZero is a stock and ETF broker established in the Bahamas in 2015. Though the global entity is regulated offshore, the US subsidiary is overseen by FINRA with SIPC registration. The powerful proprietary trading software makes it a popular choice for active day traders.
- TradeUp 3.5/5 TradeUP offers extended-hours trading on U.S. stocks/ETFs - pre-market 4:00–9:30 a.m. ET and after-hours 4:00–8:00 p.m. ET. Like most brokers we’ve tested, it requires limit orders only during these sessions, but its commission-free model still applies out of hours.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moomoo | 740 | ||||
| CMC Markets | 3519 | ||||
| TradeZero | 3093 | ||||
| TradeUp | - | 1 |
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
Pros
- The broker offers access to extended pre-market trading hours
- API Skills provides agentic investing to retail traders, whereby users can connect their personal AI agents like Claude or OpenAI to Moomoo's infrastructure to execute algo strategies in plain natural language
- Moomoo is a Member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), adding another level of security for prospective clients
Cons
- The account range is narrow compared to other brokerages in its class with no managed portfolios or robo-advisor solutions
- 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
- There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
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
Pros
- CMC offers excellent pricing, including tight spreads and low trading fees for all but stock CFDs. The Alpha and Price+ schemes also offer perks for active traders with up to 40% discounts on spreads.
- We've bumped up its 'Assets & Markets' rating after almost monthly product additions in 2025 and 2026, from extended hours trading on 5,000+ US stocks and ETFs to new share CFDs and certificates and warrants, plus fractional shares in some regions.
- CMC Funded available from October 2026, providing up to a $100k prop trading-style simulated account to traders looking to prove their skills on CMC's trading infrastructure with wide market access, including prediction markets.
Cons
- 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.
- Despite improvements, the web platform still requires enhancements to make it as intuitive to trade on as software from rivals like IG.
TradeZero
TradeZero is best for experienced stock day traders, especially those trading momentum in small-caps or those chasing opportunities in pre- and after-hours sessions. It also suits short sellers needing hard-to-borrow locates and active options traders thanks to its direct routing tools and Level 2 data, though these typically require a paid platform subscription (ZeroPro or ZeroWeb).
James Barra, Reviewer
TradeZero quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- Stocks, ETFs, Options, Pink Sheets, Warrants
- Regulator
- SEC, FINRA, CIRO, AFM, SCB
- Platforms
- TZ1, ZeroPro, ZeroFree, ZeroMobile, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit
- $2,500 (US), $500 (International), $250 (Europe)
- Minimum Trade
- $1
- Account Currencies
- USD
Pros
- TradeZero brought out Developer 2026, giving experienced algo traders an API to automate stock and options trades and short locate workflows.
- TradeZero’s 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET market access is excellent for those looking to capitalize on pre-market momentum and post-earnings volatility on U.S. equities.
- In our latest support tests, comprising 7 queries on different topics, 70% of responses arrived in under 5 minutes and 90% resolved the issue without follow-up.
Cons
- It doesn't use a true 'no commission' model - free trading really applies to non-marketable limit orders of 200+ shares above $1, while marketable orders, OTC names, options, locates, borrow and data still add up fast. It charges a $0.99 flat fee on trades under 200 shares.
- TradeZero is not suitable for traders seeking to build multi-asset portfolios, with no forex, no futures, no funds, no copy trading, and no modern funding options.
- TradeZero was charged by the US SEC in 2022 over misleading statements concerning its meme-stock purchase halts, plus it had a $250k fine from FINRA in 2024 over compliance failures, and a $175k fine from CIRO in 2025 for inadequate supervision of client trading.
TradeUp
TradeUp is best suited to budget-conscious day traders looking to trade U.S. and global markets (via ADRs) 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
Pros
- 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 $1. This makes it a cost-effective choice for active day traders who want to minimize trading expenses.
- 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.
Cons
- 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.
- 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.
How Does Pre-Market Trading Work?
Trading markets are traditionally open between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:00 pm EST. In the case of pre-market trading, however, early risers can trade as early as 4:00 am, depending on their broker.
Previously, access to the pre-market period was difficult for retail traders, but nowadays it is offered by multiple online brokers and trading platforms.
The actual process involved in trading on the pre-market is similar to investing during open hours. You simply start by choosing what it is you want to trade, next specify any trade conditions, and then finalize the trade with the broker. The nuances are in the strategy you adopt, as the pre-market trading period has distinct characteristics.
Pros And Cons Of Brokers With Pre-Market Trading
Positives
- Quick reaction to overnight news – Investing during the pre-market period gives you a head start on anyone who trades on the open market. This means that any developments which could have major implications for stocks and other assets can be taken advantage of earlier by making use of the pre-market window.
- Access – The extra hours of the pre-market period give you more opportunities to make trades and generate gains. For anyone that has a busy schedule, it might not always be ideal to be limited to the open market hours so having the alternative of trading during the pre-market session can be a big perk.
- Early Start – The pre-market gives a great indication of what trends may occur during regular trading hours. Any stocks and currency pairs which are trading high during the pre-market will often continue similar trends going into the open market and, similarly, stocks trading lower tend to remain so too.
Negatives
- Competition with experienced traders – The pre-market period can be a risky environment for less experienced traders. Many professional traders like to take advantage of this session and will often have better access to information, more capital, and ultra-fast trade executions and tools.
- Price uncertainty – Prices during the pre-market period can be more difficult to predict in comparison to the open market. The values of assets can differ significantly from what they are during regular hours. Slippage can also impact prices.
- Liquidity shortage – With reduced activity during the pre-market session it can be difficult to find available buyers or sellers, making it difficult to convert your assets into cash at short notice. This shortage can also lead to the prices of securities becoming more volatile.
Strategies Explained
Due to the risks involved with the pre-market, it’s important to go into this trading window with an effective trading strategy and reliable data. Daily investments need to be carefully planned and should be executed with thorough research beforehand.
Firstly, it is important to pay attention to big news announcements. One of the key advantages of the pre-market is the early jump you can get on major price moves which trend exponentially after the extra activity during regular hours. Investments made shortly after news which causes big price moves can be an effective way to generate profits.
Economic indicators also provide valuable information to which you should pay attention when setting your trading strategy. These will give a forecast for the expected values of assets and usually set a precedence for how the price will move. The best brokers with pre-market trading offer a range of technical indicators and drawing tools to help traders forecast upcoming price trends.
Final Word
The pre-market session is a volatile period of the day which can make it more difficult to predict for beginners. When explored to its fullest advantage, it can be an opportunity to make trades early and get ahead of the competition. These early hours are an important period of the trading day, have an effect on opening prices and setting the stage for what is likely to happen during the traditional market.
Use our list of the top brokers with pre-market trading to get started today.
FAQ
What Hours Count As Pre-Market Trading?
Generally, pre-market hours are between 4:00 am and 9:30 am EST. But depending on your broker, the pre-market hours available for trading will vary, so check to ensure you know the specific hours you can trade with their service.
How Do You Choose Suitable Assets During Pre-Market Trading?
There is not as much activity during the pre-market period so, as you would expect, it is worth choosing assets likely to gain traction with other investors. Paying attention to any news or economic indicators can act as a good guide for choosing suitable investments. Open your brokerage platform and conduct technical and fundamental analysis. The top brokers provide tools to identify upcoming price patterns, alongside the biggest gainers.
What Is The Best Broker With Pre-Market Trading?
There is no one online broker that is best for everyone so it is worth exploring the different options. Pick the right platform for you based on your level of experience and the hours you would like to have access to the market. Also consider which markets you want access to, from New York-listed exchanges to futures listed in London. Check out our comparison of the best brokers for pre-market trading in 2026 here.