An increasing number of brokers are paying interest on uninvested cash balances, incentivising clients to keep their funds in trading accounts until they decide to trade. Discover the top brokers offering interest on idle funds in October 2026.
Best Brokers That Pay Interest On Cash
These are the top 3 day trading brokers paying interest on uninvested cash:
-
- Demo account
- Min. deposit: $0
- Min. trade: 0.01 Lots
70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. -
- Demo account
- Platforms: xStation
- Min. deposit: $0
74% of accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. -
- Demo account
- Min. deposit: $0
- Min. trade: $1
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers in October 2026:
- IG 4.8/5 Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand offers a top-tier 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.
- XTB 4.8/5 Founded in 2002 in Poland, XTB now serves more than 1 million clients. The forex and CFD broker combines a heavily regulated trading environment with an extensive selection of assets and a commitment to trader satisfaction, featuring an intuitive in-house platform with superb tools to support aspiring day traders.
- Interactive Brokers 4.3/5 Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to over 170 markets across 40 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.
Best Brokers That Pay Interest On Uninvested Cash 2026 Comparison
Compare the interest rates available at different brokers side-by-side. Note this table shows the maximum rates, with some brokers offering different amounts depending on your account and balance.
| Broker | Interest Rate | Minimum Deposit | Markets | Platforms | Regulators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | GBP: 3.75% | $0 | CFDs (not in US), Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting (UK only) | Web, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime | CFTC, NFA, FCA, BaFin, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, FMA, DFSA, BMA, CONSOB |
| XTB | USD: 3.45%, GBP: 4%, EUR: 2.30% | $0 | CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs | xStation | FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, CMF, Bappebti |
| Interactive Brokers | USD: 3.14%, GBP: 3.24% | $0 | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, CFDs | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS |
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 | 10185 | ||||
| XTB | 3022 | ||||
| Interactive Brokers | 5531 |
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
- 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 ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met.
- IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis.
Cons
- IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.
- 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-$18 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
XTB
XTB stands out as a top choice for new day traders with the terrific xStation platform, low trading costs, no minimum deposit, and excellent educational tools, many of which are seamlessly integrated into the platform.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
XTB quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, CMF, Bappebti
- Platforms
- xStation
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP
Pros
- Opening an XTB account is a hassle-free, entirely online process that takes just a few minutes, making the entry into day trading smooth for new traders.
- XTB has boosted its interest rate on uninvested balances and added zero-fee ISAs (On ETFs and real shares, or 0.2% with transactions over €100k) for UK clients with a huge range of markets available.
- The xStation platform continues to impress with its user-friendly interface and intuitive features, including customizable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and trader calculator, reducing the learning curve for newer traders.
Cons
- The demo account expires after just four weeks, a serious limitation for traders who wish to thoroughly test the xStation platform and practice short-term strategies before committing real funds.
- XTB does not offer a raw spread account, which is becoming increasingly common among competitors like Pepperstone, and may disappoint day traders looking for the tightest spreads.
- Trading fees are competitive with average spreads of around 1 pip on the EUR/USD but still trail the cheapest brokers like IC Markets, plus there's an inactivity fee after 12 months.
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 Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, CFDs
- Regulator
- SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
- Platforms
- Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Minimum Trade
- $1
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF
Pros
- There's a vast library of free or paid third-party research subscriptions catering to all types of traders, plus you can enjoy commission reimbursements from IBKR if you subscribe to Toggle AI.
- 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.
- Interactive Brokers has launched a unified interface that integrates prediction markets across three top exchanges: Kalshi, CME Group, and ForecastEx, with products where users can trade yes/no contracts on political, economic, and climate events, with fixed $1 payouts per contract, 24/6 market access, and interest on eligible held positions.
Cons
- IBKR was fined $11.8m by the US OFAC in 2025 for providing services in sanctioned jurisdictions. It was also fined $125k by FINRA in 2025 for municipal bond disclosure failures.
- TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features.
- 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.
Higher interest rates are forcing brokers to think differently. The last few years have seen interest rates across the US and UK floating around 5% and 4.5% in the Eurozone.
When you can make this without lifting a finger, day trading returns have to be higher to make it a worthwhile activity. And uninvested cash in trading accounts making zero is a lost opportunity.
James BarraAuthorFAQ
Which Broker Pays The Highest Interest On Uninvested Cash?
We’ve listed the brokers paying the highest interest on uninvested cash, with XTB standing after recently introducing a 4.5% rate on all balances.
However, we don’t recommend choosing a day trading broker solely based on how much interest they’re paying on unused funds. Equally important is the quality of their trading environment, which our ratings take into account.
What Is The Minimum Balance I Need In My Trading Account To Earn Interest?
This varies by online broker. Some brokerages cater to traders with modest balances, notably CMC Markets, paying interest on balances from just $0.01. Other trading platforms cater to investors with higher account balances, notably Saxo, paying interest on $10,000+.
It’s important to consider the amount you plan to leave in your trading account to get the best rate. For example, XTB pays 5+% interest on all balances, while eToro only pays 5% interest on balances of 50k+.
What Do You Need To Do To Earn Interest In A Brokerage Account?
Other than meeting the minimum deposit requirements – mostly nothing. The majority of brokerages automatically pay interest on uninvested cash as long as it is held in the correct account.
For example, Interactive Brokers pays cash on securities accounts only, not commodities accounts. Alternatively, eToro requires traders to hold a Club Member account and switch on ‘Interest on Balance’ in their profile settings.
When Do Brokers Pay Interest On Unused Balances?
Most brokers pay interest monthly, with the interest calculated daily. This means you can add cash to your account on any day throughout the month, and your interest will be calculated from that day.
Platforms generally specify a day of the month that the interest will be paid. For example, XTB pays interest on the 5th working day of the month.
Can Brokers Change Interest Rates?
Yes, the interest rate can change. Brokers decide their interest rates based on government interest rate benchmarks, which will fluctuate depending on the economic environment.
Almost every day trading broker we examined confirmed that interest rates are subject to change with varying frequencies. For example, XTB recalculates their interest rates daily, while at eToro it’s quarterly.
Article Sources
- XTB Details On Cash Interest
- Saxo Details On Cash Interest
- eToro Details On Cash Interest
- AvaTrade Details On Cash Interest
- Interactive Brokers Details On Cash Interest
- CMC Details On Cash Interest
- FreeTrade Details On Cash Interest
The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com