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
- Min. deposit: $0
- Min. trade: 0.01 Lots
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- Demo account
- Regulator: CySEC
- Min. deposit: $100
65% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. -
- 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, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSA
- Min. deposit: $100
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- Regulator: SEC, FINRA
- Platforms: Firstrade Invest 3.0, TradingCentral
- Min. deposit: $0
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- Demo account
- Instruments: Stocks, ETFs, Options, Pink Sheets, Warrants
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA, CIRO, AFM, SCB
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 4.8/5 During our tests, IG offered extended hours trading from 09:00 to 01:00 (GMT) on key U.S. stocks and indices. Spreads widened modestly (typically 0.5 to 1 pip) after market close. Stop-loss and limit orders were responsive, even in low-liquidity periods. No added commission on most extended-hour trades impressed us.
- Skilling 3.4/5 During our latest tests of Skilling, extended hours trading ran from 09:00 to 01:00 (GMT) on major indices and select U.S. equities. Spreads widened slightly (around 0.5–0.8 pips) during low-volume periods. Stop-loss and limit orders were responsive, even off-hours. Commission-free CFD trading kept costs low despite reduced liquidity outside regular sessions.
- 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.
- FxPro 4.4/5 FxPro became a compelling option for day traders seeking to trade prominent US stocks in 2026 after adding pre- and post-market trading on 50 key equities, spanning 16 hours per day. Extended hours trading is available on the FxPro MT5 account with tight spreads, reliable execution and advanced charting tools.
- Firstrade 4.0/5 When we evaluated Firstrade, extended hours trading covered 09:00 to 01:00 (GMT) for U.S. stocks, including both pre- and post-market sessions. Spreads widened moderately (typically 0.5–0.9 pips) but order execution was consistent. Stop-loss and limit orders triggered accurately. Commission-free trading helped offset reduced liquidity during quieter market periods.
- 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.
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 | 10162 | ||||
| Skilling | 446 | ||||
| Moomoo | 740 | ||||
| FxPro | 729 | ||||
| Firstrade | 53 | ||||
| TradeZero | 3093 |
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
Pros
- As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust.
- 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.
- The proprietary web-based platform continues to caters to traders of all levels, with advanced charting tools and real-time market data useful for day trading, while IG has also added TradingView integration.
Cons
- IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.
- IG applies an inactivity fee of $12-$18 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
- 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.
Skilling
Skilling maintains its position as a top pick for budding traders looking for a competitive zero commission account with direct access to a copy trading feature. It will also serve experienced strategy providers looking to earn commissions, or active traders looking to deal forex.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Skilling quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities and Cryptos
- Regulator
- CySEC
- Platforms
- Skilling Trader, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, SEK, NOK
Pros
- Skilling offers five trading platforms: Skilling Trader, cTrader, MT4, MT5, and TradingView, each with distinct strengths. MT4 and MT5 supports EA-based strategies, cTrader excels in order management, Skilling Trader offers straightforward web execution, and TradingView specializes in advanced charting. This range provides valuable flexibility for traders
- The Skilling Trader platform maintains a focused design, offering charts, order placement, and risk controls without unnecessary features or promotional content. For systematic traders or those who prefer a streamlined execution environment, this simplicity is an advantage
- Beyond major forex pairs, Skilling’s spreads are often lower than those of larger, more prominent brokers. While not always the lowest, traders focused on raw pricing can find competitive value without needing a full ECN setup
Cons
- Skilling depends on TradingView for advanced analytics and does not provide its own platform for Trading Central, Autochartist, or instrument-specific news feeds. This may be sufficient for traders with independent research tools, but it is less comprehensive than brokers offering integrated in-platform content
- Skilling’s educational and research resources are limited to a basic economic calendar, brief market commentary, some lessons, and occasional news headlines, plus the newer AI-powered Skilling Trade Assistant. There aren't comprehensive and structured learning paths
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
- 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
- The Moomoo AI assistant, found in the desktop software and app, provides genuinely useful market insights to inform active traders
Cons
- There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
- 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
FxPro
FxPro is a stellar option for day traders, sporting exceptionally fast execution speeds under 8ms, competitive fees that were lowered in 2022, and terrific charting platforms in MT4, MT5, cTrader and FxPro Edge.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
FxPro quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Spread Betting
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSA
- Platforms
- FxPro Edge, MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, ZAR, CHF, PLN
Pros
- FxPro offers four reliable charting platforms, notably the intuitive FxPro Edge, with over 50 indicators, 7 chart types and 15 chart timeframes.
- The FxPro app undergoes regular improvements, from expanding the range of assets and tightening spreads to minor UX tweaks like the addition of Colour Adjust in 2026 to better configure mobile charts and other features.
- The Discover Hub, added to the FxPro app in 2026, is an upgrade for active traders - bringing signals and economic events into the same place to help spot fast-moving markets.
Cons
- There are limited passive investment tools like interest paid on cash or interactive social trading networks. While active traders may not miss these, competitors like eToro catering to active and passive investors have more comprehensive offerings.
- Despite a growing Knowledge Hub and a $10M funded demo account, FxPro is geared towards advanced traders, with beginners potentially finding the account and fee structure complex.
- While FxPro provides 24/5 customer support through multiple channels that performed well during testing, it lacks 24/7 availability, which can disadvantage traders needing assistance outside traditional market hours.
Firstrade
Firstrade is perfect for beginners looking to trade US stocks with zero commissions. There is a wealth of free education plus premium-quality research, notably through its latest FirstradeGPT tool, plus trading ideas from Morningstar, Briefing.com, Zacks and Benzinga.
William Berg, Reviewer
Firstrade quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✘No
- Instruments
- Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Fixed
- Regulator
- SEC, FINRA
- Platforms
- Firstrade Invest 3.0, TradingCentral
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- $5
- Account Currencies
- USD
Pros
- Improved platform offering in 2025 with Firstrade Invest 3.0, sporting a cleaner interface and faster order entry for active traders across key areas like watchlists and options chains
- Enhanced stock trading environment with overnight trading and fractional shares added
- One of the first brokers to add AI-powered analysis through FirstradeGPT
Cons
- Customer support still needs work following testing, though 24/7 assistance has been introduced
- No demo/paper trading account at Firstrade, despite them available at over 90% of alternatives we've evaluated
- Firstrade focuses on stocks at the expense of forex, limiting diversification opportunities
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’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.
- TradeZero Europe is bolstering its regional footprint and local trading services by now accepting clients in Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, and Denmark.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- The TradingView integration disappointed during our tests and is supported by wider user feedback, with access issues, freezes and occasional order-processing problems that make it harder to trust for frequent live execution.
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.