Best Credit Card Brokers 2024
Credit cards are among the most popular and convenient payment methods globally. Credit card transactions are accepted by most merchants, including the top trading brokers. Existing cardholders can deposit funds into FX trading accounts in just a few clicks.
This review details the benefits and drawbacks of trading with credit cards, including fees, limits and deals. We also list the best online brokers that accept credit card deposits in 2024.
Best Credit Card Brokers
Following our analysis, these are the top 5 brokers with credit card payments:
Credit Card Brokers Comparison
Broker | Minimum Deposit | Instruments | Platforms | Leverage | Visit |
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$100 | Forex, Spot Metals | MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral | 1:50 | Visit |
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$100 | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto | MT4, MT5 | 1:500 | Visit |
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$20 | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | MT4 | 1:1000 | Visit |
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$0 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting | Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral | 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro) | Visit |
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$50 | Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Cryptos | Web, MT4, MT5 | - | Visit |
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$250 | Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Online Platform, TradingView | 1:500 | Visit |
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$250 | Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | TradingView | 1:500 | Visit |
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$20 | Cryptos | TradingView | - | Visit |
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$0 | Cryptos | Desktop Platform, Mobile App | - | Visit |
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$10 | CFDs, Forex, Metals, Commodities, Stocks, Indices | MT4, MT5 | 1:1000 | Visit |
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$1 | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities | MT5 | 1:1000 | Visit |
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$10 | Forex, indices, cryptos | TradeLocker | 1:500 | Visit |
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$0 | Stocks, Cryptos | Own | - | Visit |
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$5 | Forex, Stocks, Cryptos | Own | - | Visit |
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$10 | Cryptos | Nexo Pro | - | Visit |
#1 - FOREX.com
Why We Chose 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.
"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."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Forex, Spot Metals
- Regulator: NFA, CFTC
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
- Minimum Deposit: $100
- Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:50
Pros
- There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
- Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
- FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
Cons
- Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
- There’s no negative balance protection for US clients, so you may find yourself owing more money than your initial deposit into your account.
- 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.
#2 - DNA Markets
Why We Chose DNA Markets
DNA Markets is a forex and CFD broker established in 2020. The broker operates two entities in Australia and the offshore jurisdiction, St Vincent and the Grenadines. Traders can access 250+ markets, with a Standard account for beginners and a Raw account for experienced traders. The reliable MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms are available, alongside Signal Start.
"DNA Markets is an excellent choice for short-term traders familiar with the MetaTrader platforms. The smooth sign-up process also makes it easy to get started while the $100 minimum deposit is accessible. That said, DNA Markets trails the top brokers in education, research and mobile trading. "
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto
- Regulator: ASIC
- Platforms: MT4, MT5
- Minimum Deposit: $100
- Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:500
Pros
- Low trading fees with spreads from 0.0 pips in the Raw account and zero non-trading fees
- Top-rate platforms and charting tools for day traders with access to MT4 and MT5
- Convenient account funding with 7 base currencies, a $100 deposit and a wide range of payment methods
Cons
- There are limited educational and research tools, reducing its appeal to beginners
- The investment offering trails alternatives, especially in terms of stocks, cryptos and commodities
- Despite access to MT4 and MT5, there is no proprietary trading app
#3 - LQDFX
Why We Chose LQDFX
LQDFX is a straight-through processing (STP) broker based in the Marshall Islands. The offshore trading firm offers competitive spreads from 0.0 pips, free deposits, 24/5 support and access to the hugely popular MetaTrader 4 platform. LQDFX also runs a competitive bonus program for short-term traders.
"LQDFX is best for active day traders looking for ultra-tight spreads, low fees and high leverage up to 1:1000. Forex traders will particularly appreciate the strong range of 70+ currency pairs with minimum deposits starting from $20."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
- Platforms: MT4
- Minimum Deposit: $20
- Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:1000
Pros
- The broker offers the industry favorite MT4 platform and mobile app, with 30 technical indicators for chart analysis
- There are multiple STP account types with fast execution speeds, plus an Islamic swap-free option and PAMM accounts
- Tight forex spreads from 0.0 are available in the raw spread account and the $3.50 per lot commissions are in line with competitors
Cons
- There are no additional charting platforms available, such as MT5 or a proprietary solution
- The lack of regulatory oversight is a concern, although the broker does claim to use segregated accounts and balance protection
- Market research tools and educational resources are very limited compared to top brands like IG
#4 - IG
Why We Chose 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.
"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform and best-in-class education for beginners, plus advanced charting tools, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA
- Platforms: Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
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, providing ample 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
Cons
- While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients
- 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
- IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors
#5 - Pocket Option
Why We Chose Pocket Option
Established in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker offering high/low contracts on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. With over 100,000 active users and a global reach, the platform continues to prove popular with budding traders.
"Pocket Option excels for its easy-to-use web platform which provides a best-in-class user experience for short-term binary traders. The $50 minimum deposit is also accessible for beginners while opening an account is really easy. Looking at the negatives, Pocket Option still trails alternatives in its market offering and regulatory credentials."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Cryptos
- Regulator: MISA
- Platforms: Web, MT4, MT5
- Minimum Deposit: $50
- Minimum Trade: $1
Pros
- Extremely fast and smooth sign-up process that takes less than 2 minutes
- The range of payment methods beats the majority of rivals, providing fast, secure and convenient deposits for traders in most countries
- The MetaTrader platforms offer integrated analysis with helpful technical summaries for short-term traders
Cons
- You need to deposit $1000 to access the extended list of 250+ assets, otherwise just 130+ assets are available
- Pocket Option offers a slimmed down iteration of the MT4 and MT5 that doesn't provide the full charting package for advanced traders
- The maximum binary contract length of 4 hours is restrictive for longer-term trading strategies. Alternatives like Videforex offer binaries up to 1 month
Credit Card Overview
First coined by Edward Bellamy in 1887, credit cards have evolved into a leading payment method used worldwide. Millions of daily transactions are carried out by major companies, including Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, and American Express.
The payment method allows instant transactions within a secure online environment. Importantly, they also allow investors to speculate on financial markets with funds essentially borrowed from their issuing bank. It’s perhaps unsurprising then that credit cards are a top choice among traders.
Pros Of Trading With Credit Cards
Popular
Credit cards are popular all over the world. For example, the UK alone issues approximately 60 million every year. This means traders from all over the world can open an account with an online broker and start investing using their credit cards.
Accepted Everywhere
Credit cards are provided by multiple companies and large brands are accepted by most trading brokers. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are particularly popular. This means you can change brokers, move countries and you’ll still be able to make deposits and withdrawals using your credit card.
Rewards
Many credit cards come with rewards such as cashback, zero/no interest, and product offers. Details of the credit cards with the best free rewards can be found in reviews online. Some brokers also offer rewards for depositing with credit cards over other payment methods. Check for the latest promos when you sign up for an account.
Credit Card Choice
There are many options to choose from when looking into credit cards. Some are good to build credit, others offer low interest, and some promise the best incentives. It’s worth checking a credit comparison website before opening an account. And always check the terms and conditions before registering.
Customer Support
Generally, credit card companies provide customer support via multiple channels, from rapid response live chats and international phone numbers to extensive FAQ sections. This is good news for traders because it means support is available should you run into withdrawal issues at your broker. Moreover, credit cards sometimes provide extra security should you apply for an account with a disreputable trading broker or scam.
Note, you can also contact your online broker’s support team should you encounter deposit or withdrawal issues.
Cons Of Trading With Credit Cards
Risk Of Debt
Users are putting themselves at risk if they are unable to settle their credit card debt. This debt can rise significantly with associated charges and fees. This combined with the risky nature of leveraged trading means investors should be careful.
Credit Score Check
Most companies assess a new applicant’s eligibility through a credit score checker. Applications will be refused if an applicant has a history of unpaid debt and a poor credit score. However, if the trader is already a credit card holder then this shouldn’t be an issue. But for traders new to credit cards, there are a few hoops to jump through before you can make a deposit.
Speed
Payments with credit cards are typically instant at most providers, such as Interactive Brokers, though it can take time to appear on your statement. Brokers may also have their own payment processing times to factor in for credit card funding, but these are typically short. Withdrawals tend to take longer due to additional checks on the broker’s side.
Security
Credit cards are generally a safe and secure payment method to use. Most supporting companies offer a strong level of protection in regard to fraud and misuse. They also provide integrated payment portals direct to your forex trading account for peace of mind.
Deposits & Withdrawals
No deposit is strictly required with a credit card, holders simply pay off the money they spend. In the context of day trading, any deposits made to a broker using a virtual credit card will be transferred immediately to the broker but the credit will have to be settled at the payment date.
Withdrawals from credit cards are only applicable when refunds are received. With respect to online trading, if an investor withdraws funds from their account via a credit card the value of the withdrawal will show as a debit on the card. The cardholder can then request to transfer the money into the debit account associated with the card. Credit balance refunds are subject to the card’s processing times.
Check for minimum payment terms at your broker prior to making payment.
Fees
The biggest fee applicable is the annual percentage charge which is the rate charged for borrowing funds. This fee is applicable on any debt remaining at the end of each month. APR can range from 5% to 75%, so it can be a costly expense to miss a credit card payment.
Annual membership fees vary from company to company. Cards that are free to join such as the Platinum Mastercard by Captial One typically have lower credit limits and fewer rewards than fee-paying cards. Credit cards with better rewards and higher credit limits tend to have a membership fee, which can range from $1 to over $100.
However, you can always find a good deal as no-membership-fee cards are becoming more popular. For example, the 25.3% APR American Express Platinum Cashback Everyday credit card has travel and shopping protection and 5% cashback up to £100 for the first three months, after this period you continue to receive cashback without paying for membership.
Brokers also have their own payment fees. Deposits are usually free, but withdrawals can come at a cost. Check with your broker before making a payment.
Are Credit Cards Good For Day Trading?
Credit cards are an attractive payment option for traders. Existing cardholders will be familiar with their ease of use for online trading. But clients who are considering signing up for a credit card for forex trading should first consider the risks and fees. Leveraged investing is already risky and borrowing further capital from a card issuer could increase that risk further.
See our list of brokers that accept credit card deposits to get started today.
FAQ
How Do Credit Cards Work At Brokers?
A credit card company will pay upfront for any deposits made to a trading account. At the end of the month or on an agreed payment date, the trader will then be required to settle the debt.
Are My Trading Funds Safe With Credit Cards?
From a security perspective, credit cards are relatively safe. Your trading funds aren’t at risk in the first instance but only spend and deposit what you can pay off. Any fraudulent spending will be handled by customer support.
Is It Free To Deposit Using Credit Card?
Most brokers offer free deposits, though some may charge a small percentage commission. Additionally, some credit cards may charge the holder an annual membership fee which can range from $1 to $100+. Membership fees are typically contingent on the credit limit and rewards available.