Day Trading Brokers 2023
Day trading brokers enable investors to efficiently trade on an asset’s daily price fluctuations, such as forex, stocks or cryptocurrencies. But while all day trading brokers provide the means to execute trades, the services provided and fees charged can vary, making it difficult to find the most suitable day trading platform for your needs. In this tutorial, we walk through the most important elements to consider when searching for the best day trading brokers.
Day Trading Brokers
#1 - Forex.com
Forex.com boasts a global reputation with multiple awards and 20+ years experience. Regulated in the US, EU, UK and Canada they provide a huge range of markets, not just forex, and offer competitive fees on a cutting-edge platform. The brand also provides a suite of additional tools, from performance analytics and SMART Signals to advanced charts and strategy builders.
"Forex.com is an excellent broker for forex traders with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads, low commissions and powerful platforms. The brand is also heavily regulated while its parent company is listed on the NASDAQ, giving it a high trust score."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Forex, Spot Metals
- Regulator: NFA, CFTC
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
- Min. Deposit: $100
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:50
Forex Trading
Forex.com is a leading FX broker. The brand offers a wide range of currency pairs and some of the lowest fees in the industry. Spreads on the EUR/USD come in as low as 0.0 with a $7 commission per $100k.
Stocks Trading
Forex.com offers access to thousands of US, EU and UK stocks, with spreads of just 1 point. Speculate on household names as well as new IPOs. US stocks are available from just 1.8 cents per share.
Pros
- Free demo account for prospective traders
- VPS hosting for automated strategies
- Low minimum deposit of $100
Cons
- $15 monthly inactivity fee
- No copy trading platform
- Investment offering varies between countries
#2 - eToro USA
eToro is a social investing platform that offers 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, this brand is highly respected. eToro securities trading is offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc.
"eToro is a top pick for users looking for social investing and copy trading. With a low deposit, zero commissions and an intuitive platform, the broker will meet the needs of newer traders."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA
- Platforms: Own
- Min. Deposit: $10
- Min. Trade: $10
Stocks Trading
Trade popular US stocks and ETFs with zero commissions while fractional shares and options are also available. The eToro Academy and excellent market research are also huge bonuses for newer investors.
Crypto Trading
eToro US leads the way in cryptocurrency trading. 1% fee for buying or selling crypto added to the spread (from 0.75% for BTC), with their own wallet service and the largest number of cryptos to trade in the market. eToro copy trading is only for cryptos. Crypto asset investing is highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.
Pros
- The online broker offers an intuitive social investment network with straightforward copy trading on cryptos
- eToro USA Securities is a trustworthy, SEC-regulated broker that is a member of FINRA and SIPC
- A free demo account means new users and prospective traders can try the broker risk-free
Cons
- No MetaTrader 4 platform integration
- Narrower range of instruments than some competitors
#3 - 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.
"We recommend NinjaTrader for high-volume futures traders looking for low fees and premium analysis tools."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
- Regulator: NFA, CFTC
- Platforms: eSignal
- Min. Deposit: $50
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:50
Forex Trading
NinjaTrader supports the trading of popular currencies including the EUR/USD. The trading software also offers unique features tailored to forex trading, including specific order and market windows.
Stocks Trading
Stocks can be traded by connecting the NinjaTrader platform to supporting brokers. You can then take positions on large public companies and household names via advanced trading software.
Crypto Trading
Trade micro Bitcoin futures with low fees and leading charting tools. Get exposure to Bitcoin through CME Group's centralized exchange with robust risk management tools.
Pros
- Free platform access and trade simulation capabilities
- Easy account opening that takes a few minutes
- Thousands of add-ons and applications from developers in 150+ countries
Cons
- Withdrawal fee on some funding methods
- Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
- Premium platform tools come with an extra charge
#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, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.
"We recommend OANDA for US traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium market research and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is a particularly good pick if you want a heavily regulated broker with a secure trading environment."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Forex, Crypto
- Regulator: NFA, CFTC
- Platforms: MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:50
Forex Trading
OANDA offers 68 forex pairs, more than many alternatives. The broker's in-house platform also offers impressive execution speeds and a suite of advanced charting and analysis tools.
Crypto Trading
Speculate on the world's biggest cryptos by market cap. Commissions are lower than many peers starting at 0.25%. Clients can spot trade cryptocurrencies on Paxos's itBit exchange through the OANDA platform via OANDA’s partnership with Paxos. Users can trade digital currencies in a few taps through the iOS and Android mobile app.
Pros
- US clients accepted
- Industry-leading platforms including MT4 and TradingView
- Reliable, trustworthy and secure brand with authorization from tier-one regulators
Cons
- Customer support not available on the weekend
#5 - Kwakol Markets
Kwakol Markets is a Nigerian headquartered broker with strong regulatory oversight in Australia and Canada. A great selection of asset classes are available, including synthetic products that simulate realistic market activity. Clients can trade on the MT4, MT5 and cTrader platforms, as well as a copy trading solution whereby a fee is only paid on profitable trades.
"Kwakol Markets is a good option for newer traders with a dedicated learning academy, copy trading and a choice of reliable platforms. New clients can also sign up and start trading in four straightforward steps."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
- Regulator: ASIC, FINTRAC
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, AutoChartist
- Min. Deposit: $1
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:1000
CFD Trading
CFDs are available on a breath of underlying assets, including stocks, indices, commodities, forex and cryptos. High leverage up to 1:500 is available alongside a 0.01 minimum lot size and award-winning software. For the tightest spreads from 0 pips, opt for the Premium account.
Forex Trading
Kwakol Markets offers a wider range of forex pairs than most competitors, with 90+ assets available. Users get fast execution speeds through the ECN model and competitive spreads. On the negative side, not all currency pairs are available on MT4.
Stocks Trading
Trade stocks with zero commissions and ultra-fast trade executions. Clients get exposure to US, EU, Asian and Russian stock markets on both the MT4 and MT5 platforms. Stocks are available as CFDs, so users will not own the underlying shares.
Crypto Trading
Trade cryptos against fiat currencies, other cryptocurrencies and metals like gold. This separates the broker from many alternatives that only offer cryptos paired with the USD. High leverage up to 1:20 on cryptos is available, plus support for Expert Advisors and copy trading.
Pros
- 2FA login security
- Wide range of free learning resources such as an eBook
- 0.01 Lot trading
Cons
- Lack of deposit and withdrawal methods
- High deposits for premium features
- The only base currency is USD
#6 - Webull
Webull is a US-regulated trading app that offers stocks, options, forex, cryptos, ETFs, fractional shares and more. The firm is authorized by the SEC and FINRA with a strong trust rating. Low fees, no minimum investment and generous bonuses have made the discount broker popular with online investors.
"Webull is best for traders looking to buy and sell stocks on a user-friendly app with zero commissions."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Stocks, ETFs, options, cryptos, forex, ADRs, fractional shares, OTCs
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA
- Platforms: Own
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:4
Forex Trading
Webull offers a modest collection of 17 currencies, including majors like EUR/USD. Forex can be traded on the feature-rich investing app with real-time quotes and low spreads.
Stocks Trading
Webull offers a fantastic list of 2000+ US stocks, fractional shares, options, ETFs, OTC, and ADRs. There is no commission on stocks, ETFs, and options. Full extended trading hours is available while custom screeners and watchlists aid the decision making process.
Crypto Trading
Webull offers trading on popular cryptos like Bitcoin against the US Dollar. With 35+ tokens and premium analysis tools, traders can review market trends and identify opportunities in a few taps.
Pros
- Respected brand with strong regulatory oversight
- Smart Advisor for auto investing
- Easy-to-use investment platform and mobile app
Cons
- Sometimes sudden changes in trading conditions
- Day trading is limited for customers with less than $25,000 deposited
- High deposit and withdrawal wire fees for non-US residents
#7 - IG Group
IG is an award-winning broker that has an excellent reputation globally. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across a comprehensive suite of markets. IG is also multi-regulated, provides a great trading app and has 50 years experience.
"IG offers a superb all-round package. Beginners will appreciate the user-friendly web platform and secure trading environment while established investors will rate the 17,000+ markets and top-tier market research."
- 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: MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
CFD Trading
IG offers an impressive suite of 17,000+ CFD instruments. Negative balance protection ensures accounts cannot drop below zero while custom price alerts and the IG Academy enhance the trading experience.
Forex Trading
IG offers currency trading on its award-winning web platform and mobile app. Comprehensive charts and forex analysis tools are also available through ProRealTime.
Stocks Trading
IG offers 13,000+ shares, with more listed firms than most competitors. Fees are low with no commission on US stocks. Extended hours trading is also available alongside ultra-fast execution speeds of 0.014 seconds.
Crypto Trading
11 popular cryptos are available, plus two crypto crosses. A crypto index is also offered, following the value of the top 10 digital currencies by market cap. All cryptos are available via CFDs.
Pros
- Users have access to a comprehensive range of charts, market news, client sentiment data, and analysis tools
- Share dealing and ISAs are available for longer term investing
- IG is an LSE-listed company with a transparent financial history and a great track record
Cons
- Inactivity charge
- No copy trading platform
#8 - Pocket Option
Founded in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker offering up/down contracts on forex, stocks and cryptocurrencies. With over 100,000 active users and a global reach, the brand has proven popular with budding traders. Pocket Option also supports dozens of payment methods and has a low minimum trade of just $1.
"We recommend Pocket Option for aspiring binary options traders looking for copy trading services and a low minimum investment."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices
- Regulator: IFMRRC
- Platforms: MT5
- Min. Deposit: $50
- Min. Trade: $1
Forex Trading
Binary and OTC options can be purchased on over 40 foreign exchange pairs. Typical payouts are also decent at 81% and users can trade forex binary options in just a couple of clicks.
Stocks Trading
Trade 30 of the most popular American multinational stocks including Microsoft and Google. Payouts on big brands come in at a decent 92% while indices are available up to 67%.
Crypto Trading
Pocket Option supports major cryptocurrencies on a beginner-friendly app. Over 10 leading cryptocurrencies are available with very high leverage up to 1:1000.
Pros
- Welcome bonuses and coupon codes
- Clients accepted from over 95 countries
- Turbo binary options
Cons
- The expiration time is limited on trades
- Only one account type is available
- IFMRRC is not a reputable regulator
#9 - IQCent
IQCent is an offshore binary options and CFD broker based in the Marshall Islands with 10+ payment methods and a low $50 starting deposit. With 100+ assets, around the clock trading and high payouts the brand is popular with aspiring traders.
"IQCent will appeal to newer traders who want a platform where they can trade both binary options and CFDs with copy trading support and regular contests."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
- Regulator: IFMRRC
- Platforms: TradingView
- Min. Deposit: $250
- Min. Trade: $0.01
- Leverage: 1:500
CFD Trading
IQCent CFDs are available on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptos with leverage variable by asset to a maximum of 1:500, which is higher than many alternatives. 24/7 customer support is also available to assist new users.
Forex Trading
IQCent traders can access CFDs or binary options on 40+ forex pairs, including majors, minors and exotics. CFD spreads start from 0.7 pips and binary options payouts are decent up to 95%. Trading takes place through the broker's proprietary platform with advanced analysis tools.
Stocks Trading
IQCent offers CFDs and binaries on four German stocks: Lufthansa, Deutsche, Daimler and BMW. Traders can also speculate on stock markets via seven leading indices including US30, S&P500 and FTSE100.
Crypto Trading
IQCent offers 17 crypto assets through its own platform, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Leverage on crypto CFDs is limited to 1:10 while binary options payouts vary by token but are competitive.
Pros
- 24/7 customer support
- Instant deposits and fast withdrawals
- Trading contests with cash prizes
Cons
- Not overseen by any highly respected regulator
- A short period before an inactivity fee is charged
- No MetaTrader 4 platform
#10 - Moomoo
Moomoo is an SEC-regulated app-based investment platform that offers a straightforward and affordable way to invest in Chinese, Hong Kong and US stocks, ETFs and other assets. Margin trading is available and the brand accepts low minimum deposits while also decent several bonuses.
"Moomoo will appeal to stock traders who want to build an investment portfolio through a user-friendly app with low to zero commissions."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA, MAS
- Platforms: Own
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: $0
Stocks Trading
Moomoo offers online US and Hong Kong stocks, and China-A shares trading across options, ETFs, ADRs, OTC, plus IPOs on a proprietary trading platform. The zero commissions, no account minimum and free level 2 data are standout features.
Pros
- Access to full extended pre-market trading hours
- Great mobile app for beginners
- No minimum deposit requirement
Cons
- No 2 factor authentication (2FA)
- Aimed mainly towards US residents
- High margin rate fees
What Is Day Trading?
Day trading is the process of buying and selling a financial instrument within a single financial trading day, with the aim of profiting from the asset’s short-term volatility. This process is carried out anywhere between once and hundreds of times per day, with the most frequent type of intraday trading known as scalping.
How Day Trading Brokers Work
Brokers act as a middleman between traders and markets, by connecting them to securities exchanges that individual traders may not have access to. They then facilitate the execution of trades on behalf of the trader in exchange for a fee. This can be done across a range of instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities and cryptos.
Day trading brokers can also provide leverage on instruments, enabling users to invest more with less capital. This is a common strategy for day traders, who are looking to profit from smaller price fluctuations. Full-service brokers offer additional services such as investment advice and portfolio management, while execution-only brokers (also known as discount brokers) are only responsible for carrying out the trade, usually at a lower cost.
How Day Trading Brokers Make Money
Brokers profit from the execution of each trade, which can be through the spread or by charging a commission. A spread is the difference between the buy and sell price, whereas commission fees are usually charged as a flat rate per transaction. Using brokers with low fees is therefore particularly important when day trading, as carrying out a high volume of trades can result in fees that rapidly eradicate profits.
What To Look For In A Day Trading Broker
The services offered and fees charged vary, with the best day trading brokers for direct access often depending on your strategy. Here we discuss the topics to review when selecting a day trading broker.
Markets
While some day trading brokers offer a wide variety of instruments and different markets, others may specialise in certain assets. The best brokers for trading stocks may be different to those for day trading crypto or forex. For example, Pepperstone and Plus 500 are good day trading brokers that cover a variety of instruments, while eToro specialises in digital currencies, with its crypto platform, exchange and wallet services. Interactive Brokers also offer futures accounts for day trading (subject to meeting the margin requirements), but only accepts customers from the US, UK and Canada.
Platforms
A day trading platform is the software provided by the day trading broker to carry out technical analysis and execute trades.
This could either be the day trading firm’s proprietary platform, or an industry recognised solution such as MetaTrader 4 or cTrader.
Most top rated platforms today offer terminals compatible with Mac and Windows.
The day trading platform should include all the chart and indicator types needed to carry out any technical analysis as a minimum.
In addition, consider if more detailed features such as access to Level II quotes (the order book) and historical intraday price data is required.
Overall, the platform user interface should be intuitive and responsive.
While many day trading brokers offer the popular MetaTrader platform, customers of Interactive have the opportunity to trade on their proprietary Trader Workstation (TWS) platform, which has excellent reviews due to its high customisability.
Order Execution Speed
Speed of order execution is particularly important when day trading. Quick execution enables an intraday trader to buy or sell closer to the entry price, preventing slippage during times of high volatility.
Order execution speeds can often be found in online brokerage comparison reviews, removing the need to test platform speeds yourself.
TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers are examples of day trading brokers with setups that provide rapid execution of trades.
Automated Trading
Automated trading tools are another element to consider when selecting a day trading platform. Automated investing uses algorithmic robots to automatically find entry and exit points, then execute the trade if required.
These ‘bots’ are created by writing algorithms that define a set of rules, which could be written in tool-specific languages (such as the MQL language used on MetaTrader platforms), or open-source programming languages such as Python.
Some traders choose to develop their own trading robots, while others download free or paid-for versions from code libraries. Investors looking to take advantage of automated trading should research the range of compatible robots available with a selected day trading platform, or investigate the skills required to develop a bespoke bot.
Mobile Apps
Many day trading brokers now offer their services via mobile app, which is a convenient way to manage trades on the go. The application may be specific to the platform, in which case checking the brokerage app reviews on the App Store and Google Play is recommended. For traders using the MT4 or MT5 platforms, MetaTrader offers their own highly-rated app, which comes with a respectable selection of chart and indicator types.
Fees
Platform fees are applied in the format of spreads or commission, although additional day trading brokerage firms account fees may be charged too. In particular, look out for account inactivity fees, overnight fees, deposit and withdrawal fees.
The spreads and commissions charged are often influenced by whether the platform is a Dealing Desk or a No Dealing Desk (NDD) day trading broker.
With an NDD broker, the platform has access to multiple providers to get more competitive trading prices. ECN or STP methods can then be used to execute this.
A dealing desk broker is also known as a market maker and will take all customer trades, regardless of whether they are trading in the market or not.
However, because they are taking on more risk, dealing desk brokers often have higher spreads meaning it costs more to trade with them.
Interactive Brokers LLC offers STP accounts with competitive commission fees and rates which makes them especially suited to day traders, although they come with a huge initial deposit requirement of $10,000.
Alternative cheap day trading brokers include Pepperstone which offers tight spreads through its ECN Razor account, or Robinhood which has a free trading account and is one of the best choices for beginners in the USA.
HDFC Securities offers low brokerage charges for customers looking to day trade in India.
Regulation
Choosing a regulated day trading broker is highly recommended when carrying out any type of investing, though not all regulators offer the same level of protection. The most reputable regulators include the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). For the best day trading brokers across Europe, look for those with oversight from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
Regulators have the authority to impose sanctions on a day trading broker if they do not follow defined standards, thereby protecting the investor from bad practices. In some cases, the client’s funds are also protected, for example in the event the day trading broker goes into liquidation. Investors using FCA regulated day trading brokers in the UK have up to £85,000 of their funds protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Although regulators can apply controls to broker practices, agencies in some countries may apply additional restrictions and rules to day traders. In the US, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) does not allow Pattern Day Trading (PDT) with less than 25k USD Net Liquidation Value (includes cash, stocks, options and futures). This is enforced by first limiting a trader’s buying power and then closing the account. Because of this, there are no regulated day trading brokers without the PDT margin rule available, including Interactive Brokers. The best way to avoid the PDT rule without using offshore unregulated brokers is to carry out futures and options day trading.
Demo Account
Demo accounts enable day traders to practice strategies and become familiar with the trading environment, before depositing real money. Practising with virtual funds can prove particularly useful when day trading, which is more pressured due to the shorter timescales. Many day trading platforms now offer access to free demo accounts, without needing to commit to a live account first.
Customer Support
The best day trading brokers offer great customer support. This can be via email, telephone, live chat or submission forms. Check when the customer support lines are open, as this might not align with the trading hours for all markets.
Additional Tools
Many day trading brokers now offer resources that go above and beyond the basic investing services, such as online trading education for beginners. Look out for blogs, step-by-step guides and YouTube videos. NinjaTrader is an example of a broker that provides training in the form of daily webinars and help videos.
Security
Security is paramount when depositing funds with a day trading broker. As a minimum, check that brokerage accounts offer two-factor authentication and encrypted login, as well as segregated bank accounts. Regulators will often define security practices that need to be carried out by a day trading broker, which is another reason for choosing a regulated platform.
Live Accounts
Account requirements vary between day trading brokers, depending on the services offered. Additionally, many brokers offer a selection of account types, targeted at different types of day traders. For example, some accounts may provide higher leverage and tighter spreads, in return for a higher minimum deposit requirement.
FXTM is a leading day trading brokerage that offers a range of three online accounts to cater for different types of investing strategies.
Supported Countries
Many day trading platforms impose restrictions on where their customers are located, so checking the ‘supported countries’ section of the broker’s website is key. Offshore brokers will allow day trading customers to open accounts outside of their country’s jurisdiction, though these brokers are unregulated and therefore not recommended.
Deposits & Withdrawals
Day trading brokers set their own deposit and withdrawal restrictions for each account type. This includes minimum deposit and withdrawal requirements, speed of payments, plus transaction options and associated fees (e.g. credit card and e-wallet). Popular payment methods
CMC Markets is one of the best stock brokers that allows day trading and offers an account with no minimum deposit requirements. They are also regulated in Australia, the UK, Germany and Canada. For customers looking to day trade with smaller accounts in India and South Africa, XM is one of the best day trading brokers with low minimum deposit requirements.
Final Word On Day Trading Brokers
Day trading platforms are a key enabler for carrying out short-term investing. Despite this, the options can appear complicated, with many brokers offering different platform types, fees and account requirements. By reviewing this checklist, you can be confident you’ve considered the most important factors to find the best day trading brokers.
FAQ
How Do I Start Day Trading?
Finding a broker is the best way to start day trading as they provide access to securities exchanges. They also provide a platform that can be used to carry out technical analysis and execute trades.
What To Look For In A Day Trading Broker?
When selecting a day trading broker, the most important things to consider are regulation, market offerings, platform features, account requirements, fees and customer support.
What Are The Best Day Trading Brokers?
Pepperstone, Plus 500 and eToro are some of the highest-rated, regulated day trading friendly brokers that also offer a huge variety of assets.
Which Day Trading Brokers Have Low Minimum Deposit Requirements?
CMC Markets offers an account with no minimum deposit requirement and is regulated in Australia, the UK, Germany and Canada. For forex day traders looking for a low minimum deposit account that supports clients in India and South Africa, try XM.