Best Brokers For Research

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Written By
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Written By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
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Fact Checked By
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Fact Checked By
Michael MacKenzie
Michael is a writer and editor with over a decade in journalism and publishing. His niche lies in editing and fact-checking content in the financial services sector, with a focus on online brokers and trading platforms. Michael previously reported on politics and economics in the Middle East and edits books for established publishers.
Updated

Cutting-edge research tools can transform the way you trade. Imagine having a personal trading assistant that provides live charting analysis, insightful market outlooks, timely news updates, and even social sentiment data that reveals whether traders are bullish or bearish on hot stocks like Tesla.

Explore the best brokers for research. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you – investigating and rating the research tools of countless brokers, with each of our recommended trading platforms standing out in the field – providing insights to help you identify short-term trading opportunities.

Top 10 Trading Platforms For Research Tools

Our hands-on tests and analysis show these 10 brokers offer the best research, either through in-house services or third-party integration:

Click a broker for details
  1. 1
    IG
    Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.

    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.9 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.9 / 5
    5 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5

    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
    FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
    Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD
  2. 2
    FOREX.com
    Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs

    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5

    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options
    MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN
  3. 3
    Interactive Brokers

    Ratings
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5

    $0
    $100
    1:50
    FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
    Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
    Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
    Cheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF
  4. 4
    OANDA US
    CFDs are not available to residents in the United States.

    Ratings
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.7 / 5
    3.7 / 5

    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)
    OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
    Wire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
  5. 5
    eToro USA
    Invest $100 and get $10
    Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk. https://www.daytrading.com/ is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD.

    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    3.4 / 5
    4 / 5
    3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5

    $100
    $10
    SEC, FINRA
    Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto
    eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader
    ACH Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer
    USD
  6. 6
    Firstrade
    Deposit Bonus Up To $4000

    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    0 / 5
    0 / 5

    $0
    $1
    SEC, FINRA
    Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Cryptos, Fixed
    TradingCentral
    ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Cheque, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service
    USD
  7. 7
    NinjaTrader

    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    2.9 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.2 / 5

    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:50
    NFA, CFTC
    Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
    NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
    ACH Transfer, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Cheque
    USD
  8. 8
    Zacks Trade

    Ratings
    3.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    1 / 5
    0 / 5
    0 / 5

    $2500
    $3
    FINRA
    Stocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Options, Bonds
    Own
    Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer, Cheque
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, RUB, PLN, CZK, HUF
  9. 9
    Moomoo
    Get up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000

    Ratings
    4.7 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3 / 5
    2.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    3.3 / 5

    $0
    $0
    1:2
    SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
    Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
    Desktop Platform, Mobile App
    Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer
    USD, HKD, SGD
  10. 10
    InstaTrade

    Ratings
    2.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    3 / 5
    3 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5

    $1
    0.01
    1:1000
    BVI FSC
    FISP, CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos, Futures
    InstaTrade Gear, MT4
    Visa, Mastercard, Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments
    USD, EUR, RUB

Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers:

  1. IG - Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. eToro USA - eToro is a social investing platform that offers short-term and long-term trading on stocks, ETFs, options and crypto. The broker is well-known for its user-friendly community-centred platform and competitive fees. With FINRA and SIPC oversight and millions of users across the world, eToro is still one of the most respected brands in the industry. eToro securities trading is offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc.
  6. Firstrade - Firstrade is a US-headquartered discount broker-dealer with authorization from the SEC. The company is also a member of FINRA/SIPC. With welcome bonuses, powerful tools and apps, plus commission-free trading, Firstrade Securities is a popular and top-tier online brokerage. It is also quick and easy to open a new account.
  7. 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.
  8. Zacks Trade - Zacks Trade is a FINRA-regulated US broker offering trading on stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, bonds and more through a proprietary terminal. The broker is geared toward active traders and offers very affordable fees on most assets as well as an app and a vast amount of market data.
  9. 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.
  10. InstaTrade - InstaTrade, based in the British Virgin Islands, is an online broker specializing in fixed income structured products and active trading through CFDs. Its zero-spread accounts, excellent research notably through InstaTrade TV, and access to the popular MT4 alongside its own web-accessible InstaTrade Gear, make it an attractive option for short-term traders at every level.

Best Brokers For Research Comparison

Best Brokers For Research Comparison
Broker Research Rating Trading Central Auto Chartist Minimum Deposit Markets Regulator
IG logo
4.9 / 5 $0 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
FOREX.com logo
4.8 / 5 $100 Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options NFA, CFTC
Interactive Brokers logo
4.4 / 5 $0 Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
OANDA US logo
4.3 / 5 $0 Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA) NFA, CFTC
eToro USA logo
4.3 / 5 $100 Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto SEC, FINRA
Firstrade logo
4.3 / 5 $0 Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Cryptos, Fixed SEC, FINRA
NinjaTrader logo
4 / 5 $0 Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto NFA, CFTC
Zacks Trade logo
3.9 / 5 $2500 Stocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Options, Bonds FINRA
Moomoo logo
3.8 / 5 $0 Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
InstaTrade logo
3.5 / 5 $1 FISP, CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos, Futures BVI FSC

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 fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
RegulatorFCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
PlatformsWeb, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • 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.
  • The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our 'Best Trading App' award.
  • IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus recently added US-listed futures and options, providing ample diversification opportunities.

Cons

  • IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 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.
  • While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients.

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 OfferActive Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options
RegulatorNFA, CFTC
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$100
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:50
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

  • 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.
  • FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
  • There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.

Cons

  • Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
  • 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.

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 AccountYes
InstrumentsStocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
RegulatorFCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
PlatformsTrader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade$100
Leverage1:50
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Pros

  • 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.
  • 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 TWS platform has clearly been built for intermediate and advanced traders and comes with over 100 order types and a reliable real-time market data feed that rarely goes offline.

Cons

  • 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.
  • Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.
  • 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.

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 AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)
RegulatorNFA, CFTC
PlatformsOANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:50
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • OANDA is a reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators including the CFTC
  • Seasoned day traders can access industry-leading tools, including an MT4 premium upgrade and advanced charting provided by MotiveWave
  • There's a strong selection of 68 currency pairs for dedicated short-term forex traders

Cons

  • 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
  • There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported

eToro USA

"eToro remains a top pick for traders looking for leading social investing and copy trading services. With a low deposit, zero commissions and an intuitive platform, the broker will meet the needs of newer day traders."

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

eToro USA Quick Facts

Bonus OfferInvest $100 and get $10
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsStocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto
RegulatorSEC, FINRA
PlatformseToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader
Minimum Deposit$100
Minimum Trade$10
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • The broker's Academy offers comprehensive learning materials for beginners to advanced-level investors
  • eToro USA Securities is a trustworthy, SEC-regulated broker that is a member of FINRA and SIPC
  • The low minimum deposit and straightforward account opening process means beginners can get started quickly

Cons

  • Average fees may cut into the profit margins of day traders
  • There's no MetaTrader 4 platform integration for traders who are accustomed to using third-party charting tools
  • The proprietary terminal doesn't support trading bots and there are no additional stock market analysis tools

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

Bonus OfferDeposit Bonus Up To $4000
Demo AccountNo
InstrumentsStocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Cryptos, Fixed
RegulatorSEC, FINRA
PlatformsTradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade$1
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • One of the first brokers to add AI-powered analysis through FirstradeGPT
  • Enhanced stock trading environment with overnight trading and fractional shares added
  • Excellent broker for budget-conscious traders with low OTC fees

Cons

  • Visa credit/debit card deposits and withdrawals are not accepted
  • Customer support still needs work following testing with no 24/7 assistance
  • No demo/paper trading account found at over 90% of alternatives evaluated

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 AccountYes
InstrumentsForex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
RegulatorNFA, CFTC
PlatformsNinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:50
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • You can get thousands of add-ons and applications from developers in 150+ countries
  • NinjaTrader is a widely respected and award-winning futures broker and is heavily authorized by the NFA and CFTC
  • Low fees are offered, with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract

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

Zacks Trade

"Zacks Trade will suit active day traders with experience using powerful platforms. Fees and margin rates are low while the market research is excellent."

Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

Zacks Trade Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsStocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Options, Bonds
RegulatorFINRA
PlatformsOwn
Minimum Deposit$2500
Minimum Trade$3
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, RUB, PLN, CZK, HUF

Pros

  • Comprehensive research and data
  • 20+ account denominations
  • Regulated by FINRA with access to the Securities Investor Protection Corporation

Cons

  • Withdrawal fees apply if removing funds more than once per month
  • Shortcomings regarding platform loading times and technical glitches
  • No MT4 or MT5 platform integration

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

Bonus OfferGet up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsStocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
RegulatorSEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
PlatformsDesktop Platform, Mobile App
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade$0
Leverage1:2
Account CurrenciesUSD, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • The ‘Moomoo Token’ generates dynamic passwords for transaction security - a unique and helpful safety feature
  • Moomoo's analytics and insights are impressive and detailed compared to other brands
  • There are reduced options contract fees from $0.65 to $0

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

InstaTrade

"Although InstaTrade offers active trading on a comprehensive platform, it stands out with its fairly unique Fixed Income Structured Product (FISP), providing passive investment opportunities with up to 50% returns in 6 months if conditions are met. "

Christian Harris, Reviewer

InstaTrade Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsFISP, CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos, Futures
RegulatorBVI FSC
PlatformsInstaTrade Gear, MT4
Minimum Deposit$1
Minimum Trade0.01
Leverage1:1000
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, RUB

Pros

  • InstaTrade TV, consisting of video interviews and valuable market insights spanning equities, cryptos and more, helps identify opportunities and inform short-term trades.
  • Despite an average investment offering of around 300 assets, InstaTrade offers a particularly strong suite of currency pairs, catering to advanced traders seeking opportunities in volatile exotics.
  • InstaTrade delivers an excellent suite of charting tools for day traders with its web trader comprising 250+ indicators, 11 chart types and a user-friendly design.

Cons

  • InstaTrade sports one of the most cluttered websites and client cabinets in the industry, potentially overwhelming new traders, especially compared to XTB’s intuitive trading journey and resources.
  • Marketing of the FISP, especially phrasing around the “guarantee of profitability” and the “elimination of risks of trading on financial markets” raises concerns.
  • Profits are only guaranteed in the FISP if investors do not reach the 50% profit level and attract other users with a total sum of $4 for each dollar in compensation.

How We Chose The Best Brokers

We rate brokers’ research offerings from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Then we’ve ranked them by this research rating to reveal the very best.

To assign a score for a trading platform’s research services we weigh several elements:

  • The range of research tools, with a preference for technical and fundamental summaries, market screeners, news streams, pre-open bulletins, forward-looking insights, and community research.
  • The quality of providers, with a preference for excellent in-house insights or third-party tools like Trading Central, Autochartist, TipRanks, and Seeking Alpha.
  • The frequency of market insights, with a preference for daily coverage via in-app notifications, email alerts and increasingly video channels to support active day traders.
  • The usability of the tools, with a preference for beginner-friendly features integrated directly into the trading platform or app for a seamless user experience.
  • The breadth of market coverage, with a preference for insights and actionable trading ideas spanning popular financial markets, such as stocks, forex, indices, and commodities.
  • The ability to tailor research tools to individual preferences, with a focus on customizable workspaces, market filters, impact ratings, and the option to set up personal notifications.

What Types Of Research Tools Are Available For Trading?

This depends on the broker but can generally be split into in-house and third-party tools.

XTB, for example, focuses on insights from its in-house analysts with almost hourly news coverage, a filterable stock scanner, a heatmap (forex, US and EU stocks), plus well-presented charting analysis that’s great for short-term traders.

The user experience is also fantastic – I can access all the tools from the top of the web platform in one click, though I’d like to see them carried through to the XTB app too (there is no calendar, heatmap or stock scanner).

Market analysis on XTB platform
XTB Stock Screener

Alternatively, IG supplements its superb in-house research with access to leading third-party tools like Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks and  Reuters, culminating in the best research tools I’ve seen.

The benefits of integrating third-party resources are plentiful; they specialize in what they do so the depth of market coverage is often excellent.

For day traders, in particular, tools like Autochartist also provide fantastic features for short-term trading, notably chart patterns, horizontal support & resistance levels, extreme movements, hourly volatility analysis, plus risk calculators.

My only criticism of IG’s tools is the scatter gun approach to where they’re stored. While TipRanks is available directly in the platform and I added it to my workspace with ease, the financial calendar takes you to a separate web page, while IGTV, which is brilliant for discussing trading opportunities, is located within the IG Community.

This can all make navigation fiddly and potentially overwhelming for newer traders who will understandably want to access everything from one place, preferably the account area or platform.

TipRanks research in IG online trading platform
IG TipRanks

How Can I Use Research Tools For Online Trading?

To illustrate how you can use market insights from online brokers, let’s walk through an example using real research from Pepperstone.

A report focusing on the tech momentum following a Federal Reserve meeting highlighted Apple’s 7% surge in after-hours trading due to a positive earnings announcement and a $100 billion share buyback, which pushed its stock price above recent highs.

This bullish signal in technology, especially influencing NASDAQ futures, prompts an idea…

I could place a long position on NASDAQ futures early the next morning, expecting a continued uptrend spurred on by the technology sector.

I could set a stop loss below the recent significant low on a 5-minute chart and target a profit near the next resistance level, around 1.5% higher.

If the tech rally persists, I could close my position near my profit target, benefiting from a well-timed entry into technology stocks thanks to research and data from my broker.

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James Barra
Author

Will Research Tools Improve My Trading Results?

Potentially, but only if you understand what they can, and can’t, do.

  • They can help you identify markets where there may be trading opportunities, whether due to news events, geopolitical shifts, sector trends, technological innovations, or other influences.
  • However, they can’t be relied upon in isolation. You’ll still need to conduct your own analysis to confirm there is an opportunity and how best to capitalize on the opportunity, for example, whether to go long or short, over what duration, and how to approach risk management.

Ultimately, research services can be a valuable tool in your toolkit, but you’ll need the rest of the tools to trade successfully.

FAQ

Which Online Broker Has The Best Research?

Use our list of the best online brokers for research to find the trading platform that best meets your needs. This is because research tools are only one piece of the puzzle.

It’s also important to weigh the broker’s industry standing (only use tightly regulated brokers), trading fees (short-term traders especially need low-cost brokers), market coverage (make sure the assets you want to trade are supported), education (beginners in particular should look for trading guides and demo accounts), and customer support (day traders especially need fast, dependable assistance should they encounter urgent issues).