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Written By
James Barra
Written By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. He has worked as a management consultant, where he delivered large-scale operational transformational programmes at some of Europe's biggest banks.James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
» James Barra Profile Page
Updated
Feb 6, 2024
The best brokers for day trading offer low fees, excellent charting platforms, fast execution, access to global markets, support trading with leverage, and provide accessible minimum deposits. They are also trusted. Every brokerage we recommend in this guide meets these criteria.
Top 5 Platforms For Day Trading
We have reviewed over 490 brokers as of (February 2024) and found that these are the 5 best platforms for day trading. Every day trading broker we evaluated using real money or a test account.
- Forex.com - 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.
- Interactive Brokers - Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts. 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.
- NinjaTrader - NinjaTrader continues to meet the demands of active futures traders looking for low fees and premium analysis tools. The platform hosts top-rate charting features including hundreds of indicators and 10+ chart types.
- eToro USA - eToro remains a top pick for traders looking for leading social investing and copy trading services. With a low deposit, zero commissions and an intuitive platform, the broker will meet the needs of newer day traders.
- OANDA US - OANDA remains an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score.
Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in 2024 Comparison
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Markets | Platforms | Leverage | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | $100 | Forex, Spot Metals | MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral | 1:50 | Visit |
| | $0 | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies | Trader Workstation (TWS), Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral | 1:50 | Visit |
| | $0 | Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto | NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal | 1:50 | Visit |
| | $10 | Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto | eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader | - | Visit |
| | $0 | Forex, Crypto | OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist | 1:50 | Visit |
| | $100 | CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Crypto | MT4, MT5 | 1:500 | Visit |
| | $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 |
| | $50 | Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Cryptos | Web, MT4, MT5 | - | Visit |
| | $250 | Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Online Platform, TradingView | 1:500 | Visit |
| | $100 | Futures on Forex, Commodities, Cryptos, Indices, Interest Rates | WebTrader, App | - | Visit |
| | $0 | Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs | Desktop Platform, Mobile App | 1:2 | Visit |
| | $250 | Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | TradingView | 1:500 | Visit |
| | $20 | Cryptos | TradingView | - | Visit |
| | $0 | Cryptos | Desktop Platform, Mobile App | - | Visit |
| | $50 | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Futures | Scope Trader, MT4, MT5 | 1:2000 | Visit |
#1 - Forex.com
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Review
Why We Chose 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 day trading 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.
- 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
Pros
- Forex.com is a respected and trusted broker overseen by tier-one regulators including the US SEC
- The free demo account allows you to practice day trading strategies in a risk-free environment
- Excellent trading tools including the Trading Central research dashboard and the SMART Signals price pattern scanner
Cons
- The $15 monthly inactivity fee is higher than some competitors, including XM which only charges $5
- It's a shame that there's no copy trading platform for beginners or signal providers
- The investment offering varies between countries
Visit Forex.com
#2 - Interactive Brokers
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Review
Why We Chose Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage for experienced traders, providing access to 150 markets in 33 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.
- Instruments: Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
- Regulator: FCA, SEC, FINRA, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB
- Platforms: Trader Workstation (TWS), Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: $100
- Leverage: 1:50
Pros
- The TWS platform has clearly been built for intermediate and advanced traders and comes with over 100 order types and a reliable real-time market data feed that rarely goes offline.
- While primarily geared towards experienced traders, IBKR has made moves to broaden its appeal in recent years, reducing its minimum deposit from $10,000 to $0.
- There's a vast library of free or paid third-party research subscriptions catering to all types of traders.; plus, you can enjoy commission reimbursem*nts from IBKR if you subscribe to Toggle AI.
Cons
- Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.
- 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.
- TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.
Visit Interactive Brokers
#3 - NinjaTrader
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Review
Why We Chose 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.
- Instruments: Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
- Regulator: NFA, CFTC
- Platforms: NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:50
Pros
- Low fees are offered, with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract
- Traders can get free platform access and trade simulation capabilities in the unlimited demo
- NinjaTrader is a widely respected and award-winning futures broker and is heavily authorized by the NFA and CFTC
Cons
- Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
- The premium platform tools come with an extra charge
- There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods
Visit NinjaTrader
#4 - eToro USA
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Review
Why We Chose eToro USA
eToro is a social investing platform that offers short-term and long-term trading on 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, eToro is still one of the most respected brands in the industry. eToro securities trading is offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc.
- Instruments: Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA
- Platforms: eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader
- Min. Deposit: $10
- Min. Trade: $10
Pros
- Investors can access Smart Portfolios for a more hands-off approach, covering a range of sectors and markets such as renewable energy and artificial intelligence
- The broker's Academy offers comprehensive learning materials for beginners to advanced-level investors
- eToro USA Securities is a trustworthy, SEC-regulated broker that is a member of FINRA and SIPC
Cons
- The proprietary terminal doesn't support trading bots and there are no additional stock market analysis tools
- There's a narrower range of day trading instruments available compared to competitors, with only stocks, ETFs and cryptos
- There's no MetaTrader 4 platform integration for traders who are accustomed to using third-party charting tools
Visit eToro USA
#5 - OANDA US
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Why We Chose 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 for short-term traders, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.
- Instruments: Forex, Crypto
- Regulator: NFA, CFTC
- Platforms: OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:50
Pros
- Beginners can get started easily with $0 minimum initial deposit
- The broker offers a transparent pricing structure with no hidden charges
- Seasoned day traders can access industry-leading tools, including an MT4 premium upgrade and advanced charting provided by MotiveWave
Cons
- It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends
- There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported
- The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
Visit OANDA US
How We Rate Day Trading Brokers
Below, we explain the key factors our team consider when comparing day trading platforms.
Trust
Choosing a trustworthy day broker is the most important consideration. This will help protect you from scams and unfair trading practices, while safeguarding your funds.
We only recommend day trading platforms that we trust, an assessment we continuously make by considering the quality of regulatory licenses, the broker’s years in the industry, and their reputation.
You can see which bodies regulate our best brokers below.
| Forex.com | Interactive Brokers | NinjaTrader | eToro USA | OANDA US | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Rating | |||||
| Regulators | NFA, CFTC | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB | NFA, CFTC | SEC, FINRA | NFA, CFTC |
Fees
Choosing a broker with low fees is critical when you are day trading because a large volume of trades can lead to significant costs, impacting overall profitability.
Our recommended platforms offer low day trading fees, an evaluation we make year-on-year by recording and comparing trading and non-trading fees.
Importantly, we also weigh costs with the quality of the services provided – if you simply pick the broker with the lowest fees, you might compromise on platform features or face hidden costs later.
You can compare the typical fees you will incur at our best brokers below.
| Forex.com | Interactive Brokers | NinjaTrader | eToro USA | OANDA US | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee Rating | |||||
| EUR/USD Spread | 1.0 | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | 1.3 | 1.6 | |
| Oil Spread | 0.04 | 0.25-0.85 | |||
| Stock Fee | 0.1% | 0.003 | $0 | ||
| Inactivity Fee | $15 | $0 | $25 | $10 | $0 |
Platforms
Choosing a broker with a high-quality charting platform is essential for day trading because most intraday traders use technical analysis to identify trading opportunities.
Most brokers offer several platforms to choose from, some will tick the boxes for the average day trader with an intuitive design and user-friendly interface, while others offer more advanced charting packages and analysis tools for the veteran trader.
I recommend using a demo account to make sure the platform works for you.
A demo account will allow you to explore the platform risk-free and assess the broker’s reliability before trading with real money.
James Barra
Author
Our recommend brokers offer top-rate platforms, an assessment we routinely make by testing the software available and evaluating their usability, charting packages and trading tools.
You can compare the platforms and apps available at our best brokers below.
| Forex.com | Interactive Brokers | NinjaTrader | eToro USA | OANDA US | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Rating | |||||
| Charting Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral | Trader Workstation (TWS), Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral | NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal | eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader | OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist |
| Mobile App | iOS & Android | iOS & Android | iOS & Android | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Automated Trading | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | Capitalise.ai & TWS API | NinjaScript or via Automated Trading Interface | No | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader |
Markets
Choosing a broker that provides trading opportunities on the markets you are interested in is critical, as not every firm offers every asset type.
Our recommended brokers provide access to popular global markets, such as stocks, forex and commodities, something we confirm by signing in to brokers’ platforms to record the assets available.
We also consider the availability of trading vehicles that cater specifically to day traders, such as contracts for difference (CFDs). This derivative allows you to speculate on rising and falling prices without owning the underlying asset.
You can compare the financial markets available at our best brokers below.
| Forex.com | Interactive Brokers | NinjaTrader | eToro USA | OANDA US | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Markets Rating | |||||
| Day Trading Markets | Forex, Spot Metals | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies | Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto | Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto | Forex, Crypto |
Note market access may vary depending on jurisdictional rules.
Order Execution
Choosing a broker with fast execution speeds is crucial for day trading due to the rapid pace of market fluctuations. A delay in order execution could lead to you missing trades or less favorable prices.
Execution quality is also a critical consideration and encompasses factors like speed, price, and the probability of execution, helping to gauge whether you will secure the optimal trade.
Our recommended platforms offer fast and reliable execution, a judgement we make by reviewing execution policies and considering average execution speeds (where data is available).
You can see whether our best brokers meet our execution benchmarks below.
| Forex.com | Interactive Brokers | NinjaTrader | eToro USA | OANDA US | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Execution | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Leverage & Margin Requirements
Choosing a broker with access to leverage trading is an important consideration for day trading, as it can magnify your profits by enabling control of larger positions with less capital.
However, it also escalates the risk of larger losses, so beginners in particular should be very careful. Effective risk management is crucial, alongside an awareness of your broker’s margin requirements which set the minimum capital you need.
You can compare the leverage available at our best brokers below.
| Forex.com | Interactive Brokers | NinjaTrader | eToro USA | OANDA US | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leverage Available | 1:50 | 1:50 | 1:50 | 1:50 |
Note leverage may vary depending on jurisdictional rules and the market being traded.
Minimum Deposit
Choosing a broker with a low minimum deposit will be particularly important for new day traders on a budget.
Our recommend day trading platforms have achievable entry requirements, an evaluation we make by weighing the minimum investment with the suitability of accounts for different traders, from beginners through to intermediate and advanced traders.
You can compare the account minimums at our best brokers below.
| Forex.com | Interactive Brokers | NinjaTrader | eToro USA | OANDA US | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | $0 | $10 | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots | $100 | 0.01 Lots | $10 | 0.01 Lots |
Methodology
To find the best brokers for day trading we considered quantitative data and qualitative insights gathered during our comprehensive reviews, focusing on 7 criteria:
- We verified that brokers are authorized by a trusted regulator
- We recorded and analyzed the fees you will encounter day trading
- We testedthe suitability of the platform for short-term traders
- We compared the markets available for day trading
- We investigated the speed of order executions
- We determined the level of support for leveraged trading
- We checked the minimum deposit required to start trading
Bottom Line
Choosing a broker for day trading is a personal decision that will depend on your individual needs. However, our selection of top-rated platforms is a great place to start. Our exhaustive evaluation process takes into account the key factors that determine a broker’s suitability for short-term trading.
FAQ
What Is Day Trading?
Day trading is a strategy where individuals buy and sell financial instruments within the same trading day, seeking to profit from short-term price movements.
What Are The Benefits Of Day Trading?
Day trading offers the potential for fast profits as traders take advantage of short-term price fluctuations. Additionally, day traders can operate with reduced overnight risk since they often close positions before the market closes.
What Are The Risks Of Day Trading?
Day trading entails several risks. Firstly, there is the risk of financial loss if you make losing trades because of market volatility and emotional decision-making.
There is also the risk of signing up with fraudulent brokers operating scams, making it important to choose a trusted and regulated day trading broker.
Do I Need A Broker To Day Trade?
Yes, you normally need a broker to day trade. Your broker will provide a platform and the infrastructure to execute intraday trades in financial markets.
What Brokers Do Day Traders Use?
We have ranked the best brokers for day traders. In conducting our comparison, we considered multiple factors, from regulatory credentials and fees to the quality of the platform for intraday trading, the speed of order executions, and the minimum deposit to open an account.
How Do I Open A Day Trading Account?
To open a day trading account you will need to sign up with a broker. You usually need to provide basic contact details and information about your trading experience and source of funds, a process which often takes around 15 minutes.
Most regulated day trading brokers also need to verify your identity and address before you can unlock all trading features.
How Much Money Do I Need To Start Day Trading?
Account minimums vary between day trading platforms. Some require thousands of dollars in return for sophisticated features that cater to advanced traders. Alternatively, many brokers have an accessible minimum deposit of less than $500. Some brokerages even have no minimum deposit.
