Best brokers in the United States: Top 10 (2025)

Over the past 30 years, brokers have played a key role in democratizing access to financial markets. They’ve made it easier than ever for clients to buy and sell a wide range of assets, including stocks, bonds, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Compared to traditional banks, brokers offer access to a broader variety of products and significantly lower fees, thanks to the high trading volumes they process.

That said, the U.S. market is vast, with over 3,500 broker-dealers regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and FINRA. This abundance of choices can make it overwhelming for investors to decide which platform is best suited for managing their trades.

To help simplify this decision, our team of experts has conducted an in-depth analysis of the top brokers in the U.S. We’ve compiled an independent and comprehensive comparison to guide you toward the best option for your specific needs.

What is a Broker ?

A broker, commonly referred to as a stockbroker, acts as the middleman between investors and financial markets. They make it easy to buy and sell a wide range of assets—like stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and more. Essentially, brokers provide the tools and platforms that allow individual investors to place orders and access the financial markets without needing to go through complex processes.

Online brokers, in particular, have revolutionized investing by offering low-cost and user-friendly solutions. They stand out from traditional banks by providing a greater variety of financial products, lower fees, and a more streamlined experience.

What Are the Different Types of Brokers?

There are several types of brokers available to U.S. investors, each designed to meet specific investment goals and strategies. Here's an overview of the most common types:

Who Are the Best Online Brokers?

Best Broker by Asset Type to Trade

Best Forex Broker

To select the best Forex broker, here are the most important factors to consider:

• Spreads and Trading Fees: check currency pairs like EUR/USD, USD/JPY, or GBP/USD.
• Overnight Fees: if you wish to hold your positions open overnight, these fees, also known as swap rates, should be considered carefully.
• Leverage Effect: compare the maximum leverage available for trading currency pairs. Higher leverage allows you to amplify potential profits but also increases risks.
• Order Execution Speed: fast execution is essential for Forex trading since prices can change within fractions of a second.
• Trading Platform: assess the quality of the trading platform (e.g., MetaTrader 4 or 5), its user interface, and available technical analysis tools.

Best CFD Broker

If you are looking to trade CFDs, here are the key factors to compare:

• Transaction Fees: review spreads, commissions, and overnight fees (swap) for CFDs.
• Leverage Effect: CFDs allow leveraged trading. Compare the leverage levels offered across various assets (stocks, indices, commodities).
• Asset Offerings: a good CFD broker should provide a wide range of underlying assets, including stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
• Negative Balance Protection: verify if the broker offers protection against negative balances, ensuring you can’t lose more money than you’ve invested.
• Risk Management Tools: look into the availability of stop-loss tools, take-profit orders, and portfolio management features to protect your investments.
• Trading Platform: evaluate the trading platform’s quality, such as available indicators, trading tools, and automation capabilities.

Watch out !

CFDs (Contracts for Difference) are speculative financial instruments that allow traders to profit from price fluctuations of an underlying asset without owning it outright. These instruments are based on an agreement between a buyer and a seller, where the trade is settled based on the difference in the asset’s value between the opening and closing of the position. As a result, CFDs offer the potential for significant gains, but they also carry the risk of substantial losses.

Best ETF Broker

When selecting the best broker for trading ETFs, here are the key factors to consider:

• ETF Variety: choose a broker offering a wide selection of ETFs, covering diverse sectors, indices, and geographic regions.
• Management Fees: compare the management fees for ETFs, alongside transaction costs. Some brokers even provide commission-free ETF trading options.
• International Market Access: check if the broker grants access to ETFs across various global financial markets.
• Dividend Reinvestment Options: certain brokers offer reinvestment plans for ETF dividends, which can be particularly advantageous for long-term investors seeking compounding growth.

Best Stock Broker

If you’re looking to invest in stocks, here are the key criteria to evaluate:

• Trading Fees: compare the fees for buying and selling stocks. Some brokers offer commission-free transactions, while others might charge fixed or variable rates.
• Access to Global Stock Markets: if international investing interests you, verify whether the broker provides access to multiple global stock exchanges.
• Analytical Tools: evaluate the availability of advanced technical and fundamental analysis tools, including screeners, detailed reports, and data visualization options.

Best Online Broker Based on Trading Experience

Broker for Beginners

If you’re new to trading, look for the following essential features in a beginner-friendly broker:

• Copy Trading Features: some platforms allow beginners to replicate the trades of experienced investors, providing an effective way to learn by example.
• Demo Accounts: access to a demo account is crucial for new traders, allowing them to practice strategies with virtual funds in a risk-free environment.
• Educational Resources: choose brokers offering robust educational content such as tutorials, webinars, and guides to build foundational knowledge about financial markets.
• User-Friendly Interface: opt for brokers with intuitive platforms designed for ease of use, making it simpler for newcomers to execute trades and monitor their portfolios.

Best Brokers for Experienced Traders

If you’re an experienced trader, these are the key features to look for when choosing a broker:

• Broad Market Access: an ideal broker for seasoned traders provides access to a wide variety of markets, including U.S. and international stocks, forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. This flexibility supports advanced portfolio diversification and strategic opportunities.
• Powerful Analysis Tools: advanced traders rely on cutting-edge tools for technical and fundamental analysis. Look for platforms offering customizable charts, a wide range of indicators, and sophisticated stock screeners to refine your trading strategies.
• Lightning-Fast Execution: speed matters in fast-moving markets. Ensure your broker delivers high-performance execution so you can take advantage of real-time price movements, especially in volatile trading environments.
• Highly Customizable Platforms: experienced traders benefit from platforms that allow deep customization. This includes adding proprietary indicators, using automated trading strategies, or even integrating third-party tools via API.
• Access to Professional-Grade Tools: features like algorithmic trading, margin accounts, and API access for building advanced trading systems are essential for traders looking to scale their operations or implement complex strategies.
• Comprehensive Risk Management Options: top brokers offer a variety of order types, such as stop-loss, take-profit, and trailing stop, along with advanced risk management tools to help you protect capital while pursuing larger gains.
• Low Trading Costs: for frequent traders, every dollar in fees counts. The best brokers for experienced traders offer competitive commission structures, low spreads, and zero hidden fees to ensure profitability over the long term.

Top Brokers with Advanced Trading Platforms

Best Brokers Supporting MetaTrader 4 & 5

Best Brokers with TradingView Integration

For traders who prefer using TradingView, here are the key factors to consider:

• Seamless Integration with TradingView: Ensure the broker is fully integrated with TradingView, allowing you to execute trades directly from TradingView’s advanced charting interface.
• Advanced Charting and Analysis Tools: TradingView is renowned for its industry-leading charting and technical analysis features. Choose a broker that lets you leverage these tools to craft complex and precise trading strategies.
• Real-Time Market Data Access: A reliable broker for TradingView should provide accurate, real-time market data across a wide range of assets, ensuring you’re always trading with the latest information.
• Compatibility with Automated Trading Strategies: Check if the broker supports algorithmic trading and the execution of automated strategies created on TradingView.
• Multi-Asset Support: Opt for a broker that offers access to a broad array of tradable assets, including stocks, indices, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and forex.
• Transparent and Competitive Trading Fees: Since TradingView is popular among active traders, look for brokers with low and transparent fees to maximize your profitability while taking full advantage of this powerful platform.

Best Brokers Based on Trading Strategy

Brokers for Scalping

Scalping is a short-term trading strategy that involves making multiple small transactions over a brief period to capitalize on minor price movements.

If you're into scalping, here are the key features to look for in a U.S. broker:

• Execution speed: scalping relies on fast trades, often within seconds or minutes. Look for a broker offering near-instant order execution to maximize profit opportunities
• Tight spreads: since scalpers make numerous small trades, tight spreads are crucial to minimize costs and maximize gains
• No scalping restrictions: some brokers limit or prohibit scalping. Ensure your chosen broker explicitly permits this strategy
• Robust trading platform: a responsive platform with advanced features, such as real-time charts and stop-loss orders, is essential for scalpers
• Low transaction fees: with many transactions daily, choose a broker with low fees to avoid diminishing your profits
• Suitable leverage: while high leverage can be beneficial for scalping, it’s important to fully understand the associated risks

Brokers for Swing Trading

Swing trading is a medium-term investment strategy that aims to benefit from price fluctuations over several days or weeks by taking positions to capture trend movements.

If you're practicing swing trading, consider these important points:

• Suitable leverage: while high leverage can be beneficial for scalping, it’s important to fully understand the associated risks: swing trading involves holding positions for days or weeks. Find a broker that offers limit orders, stop-loss, and take-profit options for efficient position management

• Technical analysis tools: a platform with advanced technical analysis tools, like trend indicators, oscillators, and candlestick patterns, is crucial for identifying swing trading opportunities

• Competitive spreads and commissions: even though swing trading generates fewer transactions than scalping or day trading, costs must remain low to maximize long-term profits

• Access to various markets: swing trading can apply to different assets (stocks, currencies, commodities). Choose a broker that offers a wide range of assets to diversify your positions

• Multi-asset support: the ability to trade various assets on a single platform is advantageous for swing traders aiming to capture price movements across different markets

Brokers for Day Trading

Day trading involves buying and selling financial assets within the same day to profit from intraday price fluctuations. Here’s what U.S. day traders should prioritize in a broker:

• Fast order execution: day trading requires quick market movements, so instant order execution is key to capturing small price changes
• Tight spreads and low commissions: with numerous trades in a day, choose a broker with tight spreads and low commissions to minimize costs
• Advanced trading platform: access to a responsive platform with real-time charts and technical analysis tools is crucial for day trading success
• Access to real-time market data: real-time market information is essential for making informed decisions and executing trades effectively
• Appropriate leverage: moderate leverage can be beneficial, but it’s important to choose a level that aligns with your risk tolerance
• Risk management tools: features like stop-loss and trailing stop orders are vital for protecting against significant losses during day trading

What Else to Consider When Choosing an Online Broker?

Broker Regulation

Regulation is a critical factor in selecting an online broker. A regulated broker must adhere to strict financial regulations, ensuring client funds' security, operational transparency, and legal compliance. Regulation also protects investors against fraudulent practices by enforcing mechanisms for dispute resolution.

Key Regulatory Bodies Globally:

• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - United States
• Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) - France
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - United Kingdom
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) - Australia
• Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) - Cyprus
• BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) - Germany

Investing through a broker regulated by these authorities can provide better protection and peace of mind.

Assets Offered by Brokerage Firms

The selection of available assets is crucial, as it determines your opportunities for diversification and the trading strategies you can implement. Here’s an overview of the main types of assets that brokers might offer:

Types of Trading Accounts

When choosing an online broker, it's important to find an account type that fits your trading style and experience level. Most U.S. brokers offer several options:

• Standard account: best for beginner and casual traders, this account gives you access to the financial markets with basic trading tools and standard fees.
• Pro account: designed for experienced traders, this type of account offers lower trading costs (tighter spreads), higher leverage, and sometimes personalized support. Some brokers require a higher minimum deposit for these accounts.
• Demo account: a great way to learn without risk. Demo accounts let you trade with virtual money so you can test strategies and get familiar with the platform before using real funds.
• Swap-free account: sometimes called an Islamic account, this option is available for traders who want to avoid interest fees on overnight positions, in line with specific financial principles.

Key Features to Look for in a Trading Platform

A trading platform isn’t just a place to buy and sell—it’s your main tool for executing trades, analyzing markets, and managing risk. Here are some features that can make a big difference:

• Copy trading: lets you automatically mirror the trades of experienced investors, which can be useful if you're still learning how to trade.
• Market insights: access to real-time market data, expert analysis, and financial news to help you make informed decisions.
• Automated trading: some platforms allow you to set up trading bots or algorithms to execute trades based on preset conditions.
• Risk management tools: features like stop-loss and take-profit orders help you control your risk and lock in profits without having to monitor the market 24/7.

Understanding Broker Fees and Costs

Trading isn’t free, and fees can eat into your profits if you’re not careful. Here are the main costs to be aware of:

How to Start Trading with an Online Broker

If you're new to trading and want to get started, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process using a typical online broker.

1. Opening a Trading Account

The first step to trading is setting up a brokerage account. Most brokers aim to make this process as beginner-friendly as possible:

• Quick registration: go to your broker’s website and click on the sign-up button. Fill out a simple form with your personal details.
• Identity verification (KYC process): U.S. brokers are required to verify your identity using a government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) and proof of address. This process is known as KYC (Know Your Customer) and is mandatory for security and regulatory compliance. Verification usually takes a few hours to a day, but delays can occur.

2. Depositing Funds

Once your account is set up and verified, you'll need to fund it before you can start trading:

• Multiple deposit methods: most brokers allow deposits via credit/debit card, bank transfer, and digital wallets like PayPal or Skrill. Each method may have different processing times and fees.
• Instant deposits: transactions made via credit card or e-wallets are usually processed instantly, while bank transfers may take a few business days. Some brokers charge fees for deposits, so check the terms before funding your account.

3. Placing Your First Trade

Now that your account is funded, you're ready to execute your first trade:

• Choose an asset: most brokers offer a wide range of assets, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
• Place an order: decide whether you want to buy (if you expect the price to rise) or sell (if you think the price will drop).
• Set trading parameters: you can add risk management tools like stop-loss (to limit potential losses) and take-profit (to automatically secure profits at a set price).

4. Withdrawing Funds

When you're ready to cash out your profits or withdraw funds, here’s what to expect:

• Simple process: most brokers make withdrawals easy—just log into your account, select the withdrawal option, and choose your preferred method.
• Processing time: withdrawals to e-wallets like PayPal or Skrill are typically processed within 24 hours, while bank transfers can take a few business days. Weekends and public holidays may cause delays.

Example of a Trade with an Online Broker

Let’s say you want to trade the EUR/USD currency pair:

• You analyze the market and predict that the euro will strengthen against the U.S. dollar.
• You place a buy order for 1 lot of EUR/USD at 1.1200.
• You set a stop-loss at 1.1150 (limiting your potential loss to 50 pips) and a take-profit at 1.1250 (locking in a 50-pip gain).
• If the market moves in your favor, your take-profit executes at 1.1250, securing a 50-pip profit. If the market drops, your stop-loss triggers at 1.1150, limiting your loss.

How Do Online Brokers Make Money?

If you're new to trading, you might be wondering: if some brokers offer commission-free trades, how do they actually make money? Brokers use several different ways to generate revenue, and understanding these can help you make smarter decisions when choosing a platform.

1. Trading Fees (Even When It Seems Free!)

• Many brokers advertise zero-commission trading, especially for stocks and ETFs. While this is true, they often make money in other ways, like processing trades through specific market makers, a practice called payment for order flow (PFOF).
• Some types of trades, like options or forex, may still come with small commissions.

2. Spreads: The Hidden Cost in Prices

• When you buy or sell an asset, there's always a small difference between the price you pay and the price the broker gets. This is called the spread, and brokers pocket the difference.
• The wider the spread, the more the broker earns—this is common in forex and CFD trading.

3. Margin & Leverage: Borrowing Money Isn’t Free

• If you trade on margin (meaning you borrow money from the broker to trade larger amounts), you'll pay interest on that loan.
• These margin interest fees are charged daily and can add up quickly if you're not careful.

4. Account Fees & Inactivity Charges

• While many brokers don’t charge maintenance fees, some still apply inactivity fees if you don’t trade for several months.
• Other potential fees include premium account features like advanced charting tools or research reports.

5. Deposit & Withdrawal Fees

• Most brokers allow free deposits, but some charge fees for withdrawals, especially for international wire transfers.
• If you use certain payment methods (like a credit card or e-wallet), you might also get hit with transaction fees.

6. Paid Investment Services

• Some brokers offer robo-advisors, portfolio management, or premium research tools—these services usually come with a subscription fee.
• If you're looking for personalized financial advice, you may have to pay a management fee.

Bottom Line

Even when a broker claims to offer “free” trading, they still need to make money somehow. By understanding where these costs come from, you can choose a platform that fits your needs without unexpected fees cutting into your profits.

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P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.