Broker rankings built for retail investors
Compare regulated brokers on fees, regulation, asset coverage, and trading platforms — and pick the one that fits the way you actually invest.
Editor's Picks
Regulated brokers ranked by our independent methodology.
Acorns
Investors seeking stocks and ETFs
Acorns is an automated saving and investing app with ETF portfolios, Round-Ups, retirement accounts, and pricing from $3/mo.
Admirals
Investors seeking stocks, ETFs, forex and CFDs
Admirals offers CFDs on forex, stocks, ETFs, indices, commodities and crypto, plus real stocks and ETFs through MetaTrader and Admirals platforms.
Ally Invest
Investors seeking stocks, ETFs and options
Ally Invest combines self-directed trading with robo portfolios and personal advice, with $0 commissions on most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs.
BlackBull Markets
Investors seeking stocks, ETFs, options and futures
BlackBull Markets is a forex and multi-asset broker with $0 ECN minimum deposits, segregated accounts and platforms including MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.
CMC Invest
Investors seeking stocks and ETFs
CMC Invest is an app-based investing platform with £0 commission, GIA, flexible ISAs, SIPP, stocks, ETFs and mutual funds. FX and plan fees vary by tier.
CMC Markets
Investors seeking stocks, ETFs, forex and CFDs
CMC Markets is a CFD and forex broker founded in 1989, with MT4, MT5, TradingView and its own web and mobile platforms.
Charles Schwab
Investors seeking stocks, ETFs, options and futures
Charles Schwab combines $0 online listed stock and ETF commissions with thinkorswim platforms, fractional S&P 500 Stock Slices, and automated portfolios.
DEGIRO
Investors seeking stocks, ETFs, options and crypto
DEGIRO is an execution-only broker with low account costs, ETF and stock trading, options, bonds, funds and crypto investing on web and mobile platforms.
ETRADE from Morgan Stanley
Investors seeking stocks, ETFs, options and futures
ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offers $0 online stock and ETF trades, advanced Power ETRADE platforms, options, futures, bonds and managed portfolios.
Eightcap
Investors seeking stocks, ETFs, forex and CFDs
Eightcap is a CFD broker offering forex, shares, indices, commodities and crypto on MT5 and TradingView, with a €100 minimum deposit.
FXTM
Investors seeking stocks, ETFs, futures and forex
FXTM offers forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs, futures and cryptocurrencies through its app, desktop trading and MetaTrader platforms.
Firstrade
Investors seeking stocks, ETFs and options
Firstrade is a US online broker with $0 online trades for stocks, ETFs, options and mutual funds, plus mobile apps and overnight stock and ETF trading.
Our research process
We verify regulatory licenses, independently test trading platforms, and document all fee schedules; we then publish these criteria to allow readers to review our methodology.
All brokers listed on the platform are licensed by a recognized financial regulator.
Our scoring criteria are public — read the methodology and check our work.
Fees, features, and licensing details are reviewed monthly — no stale data.
How retail investors pick a regulated broker in three structured steps.
Filter our curated list of regulated brokers by fees, features, and the assets you trade.
Compare brokers on fees, regulation, and the features that matter to you.
Go directly to the broker's website to register. Onboarding and KYC approval times vary by provider.
Free investor tools
Forecast long-term investment returns, simulate broker commissions, and review your portfolio strategy — no signup required.
Estimate the ending balance, contributions, and growth over time.
Calculate nowSee how ongoing platform or fund fees affect long-term returns.
Calculate nowDistribute an investment amount across asset classes and review the allocation.
Calculate nowCalculate the required monthly contribution based on a target retirement savings goal.
Calculate nowSide-by-side comparison
Put two regulated brokers side by side and weigh their fees, regulation, asset coverage, and platforms before you decide.
Investor Education
The Calmar Ratio compares annualized returns to the largest historical loss. Learn how this metric helps investors assess risk-adjusted performance.
A trading journal helps investors analyze their decision-making rather than just their profits. Learn how to review your process to improve long-term consistency.
Value at Risk (VaR) estimates potential losses over a set time. Learn how this metric works, its limitations, and why it should not be your only risk check.
Winning streaks often trigger overconfidence, leading investors to take excessive risks. Understanding this bias helps protect capital during market shifts.
Confirmation bias leads investors to seek only supporting evidence. Learn how to identify this mental trap and build a more objective investment process.
Revenge trading and tilt often follow significant losses, leading to impulsive decisions. Learn the psychological triggers and practical steps to regain control.
Holding multiple assets that move together creates hidden concentration risk. Learn how correlation affects your portfolio and how to assess true exposure.
Traders often choose between setting a hard stop-loss order or relying on a mental exit. This guide explains the mechanics, risks, and scenarios where each approach can fail.
