Binary Options Alternatives

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 fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

FTSE Spread	1.0
GBPUSD Spread	0.9
Stocks Spread	0.02
Leverage	1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
Regulator	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
Platforms	Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
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.
IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis.
As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust.

Cons

IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients.
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.

Visit IG

IQCent

"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

IQCent Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
FTSE Spread	1.4
GBPUSD Spread	0.8
Stocks Spread	N/A
Leverage	1:500
Regulator	IFMRRC
Platforms	Online Platform, TradingView
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

Keen traders can take part in trading contests with cash prizes
There's an accessible $0.01 minimum stake for new day traders with a small budget
IQCent is one of the few binary options brokers that also offers a copy trading service for hands-off traders

Cons

IQCent charges a punitive $10 monthly inactivity fee if you fail to place at least 1 trade per month
IQCent trails binary brokers like Quotex with its narrow investment offering of around 100 assets with no stocks
The market analysis is very basic with limited technical summaries and insights from analysts

Visit IQCent

RedMars

"RedMars is the best fit for experienced day traders familiar with the MetaTrader 5 platform and based in the EU, where the broker is authorized by the CySEC. However, the threadbare education and research tools make it unsuitable for beginners."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

RedMars Quick Facts

FTSE Spread	15
GBPUSD Spread	0.7
Stocks Spread	Variable
Leverage	1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
Regulator	CySEC, AFM
Platforms	MT5
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

Getting started on RedMars is incredibly easy - you can be up and running in just a few minutes based on tests
Clients in the EU, in particular, can trade with peace of mind knowing RedMars is authorized by the CySEC with up to €20K compensation available through the ICF in the event of bankruptcy
The broker supports a range of flexible payment methods, including wire transfers, credit cards, e-wallets, and notably cryptocurrencies

Cons

With just 300 instruments, RedMars offers a narrow trading environment, particularly compared to category leaders like BlackBull Markets which offers 26,000 assets
While RedMars' spreads are within industry averages, they don't offer a significant edge over the cheapest day trading brokers we've personally used, notably IC Markets
The no-frills trading environment offers little beyond the basics, with no Islamic account, PAMM account or copy trading.

Visit RedMars

RedMars Review

Capitalcore

"The major selling points of Capitalcore are its high leverage options up to 1:2000 and zero commission or swap fees. However, its weak regulatory oversight from the IFSA and non-existent education place it far behind the top brokers."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

Capitalcore Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500
FTSE Spread	25
GBPUSD Spread	0.5
Stocks Spread	1.5 (Apple)
Leverage	1:2000
Regulator	IFSA
Platforms	WebTrader, Pro
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

Capitalcore is one of the only brokers to charge zero swap fees, which may appeal to Islamic traders looking to comply with Islamic Finance.
The support team are available 24/7 and responded within minutes during testing with helpful responses.
The Capitalcore platform provides comprehensive charting tools and a wide range of 150+ technical indicators, ideal for detailed market analysis.

Cons

Capitalcore’s threadbare education and research seriously trail category leaders like IG, making it less suitable for aspiring traders.
The web platform was inconsistent during testing, with occasional technical glitches that meant the trading platform wouldn’t load.
Platform support is limited to proprietary software, so there's no integration with the market-leading MetaTrader or cTrader, which offer built-in economic news and support automated trading.

Visit Capitalcore

Videforex

"Videforex will serve traders looking for a no-frills, easy-to-use platform to speculate on the direction of popular financial markets through binaries. With a sign-up process that takes a matter of minutes and a web-accessible platform, getting started is a breeze. "
William Berg, Reviewer

Videforex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
FTSE Spread	Floating from 0.2
GBPUSD Spread	Floating from 0.1
Stocks Spread	NA
Leverage	1:500
Platforms	TradingView
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Pros

Traders can earn up to 98% payouts on 100+ assets with the broker’s binary options, bringing it in line with competitors like IQCent.
Videforex is one of the few brokers with 24/7 multilingual video support, providing comprehensive assistance for active traders.
Videforex regularly runs trading contests, offering practice opportunities and cash prizes to beginners and experienced traders, with position sizes from just ¢0.01.

Cons

The absence of any educational tools is a serious drawback for newer traders who can find blogs, videos and live trading sessions at category leaders.
The client terminal needs improvements based on our latest tests, sporting sometimes slow and unresponsive widgets which could dampen the experience for day traders.
Videforex lacks authorization from a trusted regulator, meaning traders may receive little to zero safeguards like segregated client accounts.

Visit Videforex

xChief

"xChief continues to prove popular with investors looking to trade highly leveraged CFDs on the popular MetaTrader platforms. The broker's rebate scheme and investment accounts will particularly appeal to seasoned traders. However, the lack of top-tier regulatory oversight is a major drawback."
William Berg, Reviewer

xChief Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	$100 No Deposit Bonus
FTSE Spread	70
GBPUSD Spread	0.9
Stocks Spread	50
Leverage	1:1000
Regulator	ASIC
Platforms	MT4, MT5
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF

Pros

Traders can access a copy trading solution via the MetaQuotes Signals service
The low minimum deposit of $10 will appeal to beginners, as well as the beginners’ guides in the Library
The broker offers several account types to suit different traders, including a Cent account for beginners and pro-level hedging/netting accounts

Cons

The total range of 150+ assets is much lower than most competitors who typically offer hundreds
xChief is an offshore broker with weak regulatory oversight from the VFSC, so traders will receive limited safeguards
The broker trails competitors when it comes to research tools and educational resources

Visit xChief

xChief Review

Axofa

"Axofa could be a good option for clients looking for social trading features alongside the MT5 platform. The low entry requirements and ECN spreads are particularly promising, but the lack of transparency and respected regulatory oversight raises security concerns."
William Berg, Reviewer

Axofa Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	10% Deposit Bonus
FTSE Spread	NA
GBPUSD Spread	From 1.6 pips
Stocks Spread	NA
Leverage	1:1000
Regulator	SVGFSA
Platforms	MT5
Account Currencies	USD, IDR

Pros

The $1 minimum deposit across all 3 accounts will appeal to novices and those on a budget
Low ECN spreads are available from 0.0 pips, plus reasonable commissions at $3.50 per side
There's a proprietary social/copy trading service for beginners looking to follow successful strategies and for experienced traders looking to sell their strategies

Cons

There is limited verifiable information about the broker’s owners and background
There is a lack of transparency around pricing and account conditions, which significantly reduces the trust score
The offshore operations and lack of any regulatory oversight is a major concern

Visit Axofa

Axofa Review

Sage FX

"Sage FX will suit forex traders looking for high leverage and ECN spreads. The broker's prop trading service will also appeal to users looking for funded accounts with up to $200K available."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

Sage FX Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	$1,500 trading competition
FTSE Spread	5.0
GBPUSD Spread	0.9
Stocks Spread	N/A
Leverage	1:500
Regulator	Pending
Platforms	TradeLocker
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD

Pros

Bonus offers and trading competitions
Low starting deposit from $10
Fast withdrawal processing

Cons

Relatively narrow range of asset classes
Lacks educational resources and other extra features
Not regulated by any reputable body

Visit Sage FX

Sage FX Review

Plexytrade

"Plexytrade is a newcomer in the brokerage scene with attention-grabbing features like 1:2000 leverage, zero spreads on select instruments and fast execution speeds of less than 46 milliseconds. However, the absence of regulation is a significant concern, while the non-existent research and educational tools place it far behind industry frontrunners."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

Plexytrade Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	120% Cash Welcome Bonus
FTSE Spread	0.8
GBPUSD Spread	0.8
Stocks Spread	5
Leverage	1:2000
Platforms	MT4, MT5
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

Despite lacking regulation, Plexytrade provides negative balance protection and reinforces safety protocols by holding client funds in segregated accounts.
US residents are accepted as clients, distinguishing Plexytrade as one of the rare offshore brokers that cater to US-based traders.
Plexytrade offers among the highest leverage we’ve seen, up to 1:2000, catering to advanced traders willing to forego regulatory protections.

Cons

With around 100 instruments, Plexytrade restricts the flexibility of investors who prefer to trade across various assets, especially compared to Blackbull with its 26,000 securities.
There are no research and educational materials, falling short of alternatives like IG, while access to the economic calendar is restricted to clients with balances of $500.
Deposits and withdrawals are exclusively facilitated through cryptocurrencies, as Plexytrade does not support bank cards, bank wire transfers, or e-wallets.

Visit Plexytrade

Plexytrade Review

Binary Options Explained

The simple definition is that binary options are a simplified type of speculation where traders make straightforward price predictions about an asset over a set period. With the most basic contracts, investors need only predict if an asset’s price will be higher or lower than its current value after the contract expires. For example, will Twitter’s share price be higher or lower than $40 in six hours?

Binary options are similar to sports or event gambling in that users stake money for a fixed-odds return. Payouts on traditional binary options can reach 95%, while a losing trade will see the investor lose their initial stake.

Types Of Binary Options

Traders worldwide can use this investment vehicle to make price predictions on a wide range of markets. However, there are significant regional differences between European-style binary options and the alternatives for US residents.

Before diving into the alternatives to binary options, here is a brief overview of the differences between the USA and European-style instruments:

European Binary Options

European or traditional binary options allow investors to stake funds on the price movement of an asset in exchange for a fixed payout if their prediction is correct. However, some binary options brokers offer alternative variants for different trading strategies:

Up/Down – This is the most basic form of binary option supported by most, if not all, binary options trading companies and businesses. Clients can bet either long or short to predict whether an asset’s price will be “up” or “down” from its current price at expiry.
One/Two Touch – With a traditional up/down variant, the payout is determined by the price when the contract expires. However, for a one or two-touch binary options contract, the price only needs to reach a price level at any time before expiry to trigger the payout. Investors can set this price level above or below the current price to go long or short on an asset.
Range/Boundary – Boundary options allow traders to bet on price volatility rather than direction. Investors specify a high and low cash value for their chosen asset. With these levels, traders can bet on the asset price, finishing either outside or within this range at expiry.
Ladder – While traditional binary options pay out a fixed reward based on a singular strike price, ladder options provide several strike prices, each with different payouts. This allows investors to make extra profit from more significant price movements.

US-Style Binary Options

US-style binary options, also sometimes referred to as fixed-return options, differ because they are exchange-traded rather than sold over-the-counter (OTC) by individual brokers. This gives investors more flexibility to exit positions early and provides traders with additional security.

All US-style binary options offer a set payout of $100 per contract, with investors profiting from the difference between the price paid for a contract and the set final value.

Brokers often make their money from commissions for buying, selling and settling winning trades, similar to some of our binary options alternatives.

Markets

Binary options offer access to an excellent range of markets. However, it is worth noting that none of these assets are owned during the trade. Binary options are simply derivatives with which to speculate on price movements.

Here are some of the markets that binary options traders typically have access to:

Forex – Investors can bet on price movements on major, minor and sometimes even exotic currency pairs.
Indices – A good range of global indices are usually provided for speculation, from the FTSE to the S&P.
Commodities – Popular commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil are often provided by binary options brokers.
Stocks – Almost all brokers offer major USA-based equities instruments. However, those looking for EU, UK or Asian offerings may find it harder to find a provider.
Cryptos – Cryptocurrencies are well-suited to binary options speculation due to their volatile and heavily momentum-based trading. The best binary options brokers will provide crypto assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Ripple.

Note, not all of the binary options alternatives listed below offer such wide market access.

Best binary options alternatives — Trading Binary Options On Focus Option

Pros Of Binary Options

Here are some of the reasons that binary options are popular with global investors:

Simple – The mechanics of binary options are easy to understand and suitable for beginners.
Capped Losses – No matter what style or variant of binary options you trade, your losses can never exceed your stake.
Big Payouts – Traditional binary options do not discriminate based on the size of a price movement, meaning investors can bank up to a 95% payout for even the smallest price movement.
Demo Accounts – Many of the best binary options brokers offer risk-free demo accounts to help clients learn the ropes. This is far harder to do using some of the binary options alternatives.
Customizable – Binary options traders can specify expiry times ranging from as low as 3 seconds up to months with some providers. Additionally, several variants are available suited to different market conditions or prediction types.

Cons Of Binary Options

Here are some examples of why traders may prefer alternatives to binary options:

Limited Payouts – Brokers always have the edge over traders with payouts usually reaching only 95%.
Pure Derivative – Traders do not own any of the underlying assets when trading binary options. This restricts opportunities for staking or dividend investing.
Largely Unregulated – It can be hard to find a good binary options broker. For binary options traders outside of the USA, brokers are mostly unregulated and scams are rife with a hefty blacklist of fraudulent providers. This is not the case with many of the binary options alternatives below.
Limited Platforms – Many proprietary binary options platforms are designed with simplicity in mind. Traders do not normally have access to comprehensive technical analysis tools and signals found elsewhere.
Missing Markets – Most brokers only offer markets on major USA company stocks, leaving global equities unrepresented. Additionally, less common commodity markets such as coffee, grain or palladium are often not normally featured.

Binary Options Brokers

Click a broker for details

1

Pocket Option

Go To Pocket Option
Pocket Option Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 50% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.3 / 5

Customer Support 3.3 / 5

Research 3 / 5

Education 3.5 / 5

iOS App 4 / 5

Android App 4.2 / 5

Minimum Deposit $50

Minimum Trade $1

Leverage

Regulator MISA

Instruments Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Cryptos

Platforms Web, MT4, MT5

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Volet, Perfect Money, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, WebMoney, FasaPay, Ethereum Payments, Maestro, JetonCash, Airtel

Account Currencies USD

Go To Pocket Option
2

IQCent

Go To IQCent
IQCent Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.4 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 2.5 / 5

Research 3 / 5

Education 2 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4.1 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator IFMRRC

Instruments Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto

Platforms Online Platform, TradingView

Payment Methods Credit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments, Visa, Mastercard

Account Currencies USD, EUR

Go To IQCent
3

CloseOption

Go To CloseOption
CloseOption Review

New Customer Bonus Offer $10 Welcome Gift

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.8 / 5

Accounts & Banking 2.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 1.3 / 5

Education 2.5 / 5

iOS App 3.7 / 5

Android App 3.5 / 5

Minimum Deposit $5

Minimum Trade $1

Leverage

Regulator National Bank of Georgia

Instruments Binary Options on Forex & Cryptos

Platforms Own

Payment Methods PayPal, WebMoney, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD

Go To CloseOption
4

Videforex

Go To Videforex
Videforex Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 4.5 / 5

Research 1.3 / 5

Education 1.3 / 5

iOS App 4.1 / 5

Android App 4.4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator

Instruments Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto

Platforms TradingView

Payment Methods Skrill, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Go To Videforex
5

Binarium

Go To Binarium
Binarium Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.8 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 3.3 / 5

Research 1.3 / 5

Education 4.2 / 5

iOS App 1.3 / 5

Android App 3.3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $5

Minimum Trade $1

Leverage

Regulator

Instruments Forex, Stocks, Cryptos

Platforms Own

Payment Methods QIWI, Yandex Money, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, WebMoney, Wire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Credit Card, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, AUD, RUB

Go To Binarium
6

BinaryCent

Go To BinaryCent
BinaryCent Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% - 200% deposit bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.8 / 5

Accounts & Banking 2.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 2.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 1 / 5

Education 2 / 5

iOS App 3 / 5

Android App 3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator VFSC

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Cryptos, Options, Commodities

Platforms Own

Payment Methods Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, Credit Card, Skrill, WebMoney, Neteller, Bitcoin Payments, Wire Transfer, Perfect Money, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD

Go To BinaryCent
7

RaceOption

Go To RaceOption
RaceOption Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% - 200% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 2.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3 / 5

Customer Support 4 / 5

Research 0.8 / 5

Education 0.8 / 5

iOS App 4 / 5

Android App 3.8 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator

Instruments Binary Options, CFDs

Platforms TradingView

Payment Methods Credit Card, Debit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, Mastercard, Visa, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Go To RaceOption
8

World Forex

Go To World Forex
World Forex Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 100% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 2.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 3.3 / 5

Research 2.5 / 5

Education 2.8 / 5

iOS App 1.3 / 5

Android App 1.3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $1

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:1000

Regulator SVGFSA

Instruments Forex, CFD Stocks, Metals, Energies, Cryptos, Digital Contracts

Platforms MT4, MT5

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Google Wallet, Apple Pay, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Volet

Account Currencies USD, EUR, RUB

Go To World Forex

Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons

Pocket Option - Established in 2017, Pocket Option is a binary options broker offering high/low contracts on forex, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. With over 100,000 active users and a global reach, the platform continues to prove popular with budding traders.
IQCent - IQCent is an offshore binary options and CFD broker based in the Marshall Islands. The brand continues to offer a range of unique account types with bonuses and perks, including payout boosts, TradeBacks and free rollovers. With 100+ assets, around-the-clock trading and 98% payouts, the firm is popular with aspiring short-term traders.
CloseOption - CloseOption is a Georgia-headquartered broker with over a decade in the trading industry. The brand offers high/low binary options trading on forex and crypto markets, with decent payouts, welcome bonuses, 24/7 customer support and intuitive trading software.
Videforex - Launched in 2017, Videforex offers access to stock, index, crypto, forex and commodities markets via binary options and CFDs. The proprietary platform, mobile app and integrated copy trading are user-friendly and will suit new and casual traders, and the market analysis tools and trading contests provide good ways to improve your trading skills.
Binarium - Binarium is an established international broker offering binary options trading on diverse markets including stocks, indices, forex, commodities and cryptocurrencies. Traders can start trading with as little as $1 and earn payouts up to 80% of their stake.
BinaryCent - BinaryCent is an unregulated binary options broker that offers 24/7 trading on forex, cryptos and stocks with payouts up to 95%. Despite its lack of regulation, this broker takes client security seriously and stores client funds in European banks. The broker also offers CFDs with very high leverage up to 1:500.
RaceOption - RaceOption is a binary options broker operating from the Marshall Islands. With over 1,500 clients, the broker aims to offer fast funding, low fees and a secure trading environment. Traders can access over 100 binary options and CFDs, plus copy trading and weekly prizes.
World Forex - World Forex is an offshore broker registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines, offering commission-free trading with a $1 minimum deposit and 1:1000 leverage. Digital contracts are also available, offering beginners a straightforward way to speculate on popular financial markets.

Pocket Option

"Pocket Option excels for its easy-to-use web platform which provides a best-in-class user experience for short-term binary traders. The $50 minimum deposit is also accessible for beginners while opening an account is really easy. Looking at the negatives, Pocket Option still trails alternatives in its market offering and regulatory credentials."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

Pocket Option Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	50% Deposit Bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Binary Options, Currencies, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Cryptos
Regulator	MISA
Platforms	Web, MT4, MT5
Minimum Deposit	$50
Minimum Trade	$1
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

Well-funded traders who deposit $1000+ can qualify for a 2%+ payout boost, more tradable assets and exclusive perks
Extremely fast and smooth sign-up process that takes less than 2 minutes
The range of payment methods beats the majority of rivals, providing fast, secure and convenient deposits for traders in most countries

Cons

The MISA is a weak regulator with limited investor protection for retail traders
Pocket Option offers a slimmed down iteration of the MT4 and MT5 that doesn't provide the full charting package for advanced traders
You need to deposit $1000 to access the extended list of 250+ assets, otherwise just 130+ assets are available

Visit Pocket Option

Pocket Option Review

IQCent

"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

IQCent Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
Regulator	IFMRRC
Platforms	Online Platform, TradingView
Minimum Deposit	$250
Minimum Trade	$0.01
Leverage	1:500
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

There's an accessible $0.01 minimum stake for new day traders with a small budget
The broker offers up to 98% payouts on binary options, which is more than alternatives like Pocket Option, only offering up to 92%
The broker's 24/7 customer support is fast and reliable, responding within 1 minute during tests

Cons

There's no automated trading support for algo traders
IQCent charges a punitive $10 monthly inactivity fee if you fail to place at least 1 trade per month
IQCent trails binary brokers like Quotex with its narrow investment offering of around 100 assets with no stocks

Visit IQCent

CloseOption

"CloseOption is a good pick for traders seeking a user-friendly binary options platform with high payouts and joining bonuses."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

CloseOption Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	$10 Welcome Gift
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Binary Options on Forex & Cryptos
Regulator	National Bank of Georgia
Platforms	Own
Minimum Deposit	$5
Minimum Trade	$1
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

Free demo account
The user-friendly platform is compatible with most web browsers
CloseOption offers weekly trading tournaments with cash prizes

Cons

Clients need to deposit $50,000+ to qualify for the best payouts
CloseOption is not regulated by a well-regarded trading authority
Binary options are only available on fiat and digital currencies

Visit CloseOption

CloseOption Review

Videforex

"Videforex will serve traders looking for a no-frills, easy-to-use platform to speculate on the direction of popular financial markets through binaries. With a sign-up process that takes a matter of minutes and a web-accessible platform, getting started is a breeze. "
William Berg, Reviewer

Videforex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
Platforms	TradingView
Minimum Deposit	$250
Minimum Trade	$0.01
Leverage	1:500
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Pros

Videforex regularly runs trading contests, offering practice opportunities and cash prizes to beginners and experienced traders, with position sizes from just ¢0.01.
Videforex is one of the few brokers with 24/7 multilingual video support, providing comprehensive assistance for active traders.
Traders can earn up to 98% payouts on 100+ assets with the broker’s binary options, bringing it in line with competitors like IQCent.

Cons

Videforex lacks authorization from a trusted regulator, meaning traders may receive little to zero safeguards like segregated client accounts.
The client terminal needs improvements based on our latest tests, sporting sometimes slow and unresponsive widgets which could dampen the experience for day traders.
The absence of any educational tools is a serious drawback for newer traders who can find blogs, videos and live trading sessions at category leaders.

Visit Videforex

Binarium

"Binarium has been designed with simplicity in mind, featuring a fast, fully digital sign-up process and an intuitive platform and app with 4 chart types and 12 indicators. With binaries spanning 5 minutes to 3 months, it caters to short- and medium-term traders."
William Berg, Reviewer

Binarium Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, Stocks, Cryptos
Platforms	Own
Minimum Deposit	$5
Minimum Trade	$1
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, AUD, RUB

Pros

Binarium claims to segregate client funds with EU banks, meaning traders’ money should not be misused and providing an important layer of protection, which is especially relevant given its offshore status.
The $10,000 demo account, deposit-doubling welcome bonus, smooth sign-up, and 24/7 support make for an attractive onboarding experience.
Binarium has the best education centre we’ve seen amongst binary options brands, complete with information on core topics like trading basics and account options, plus professional video guides to using the platform.

Cons

Binarium has some way to go to match the investment offering of binary firms like Quotex, with a particularly weak selection of around 20 currencies and 3 cryptocurrencies.
Payouts of up to 80% are on the low side of binary options platforms based on our evaluations, which may deter traders looking for the possible best returns, though you can get back up to 15% of losing trades.
Despite being operational since 2012, Binarium is an unregulated broker with limited transparency on its website, raising safety concerns and potentially putting your capital at risk.

Visit Binarium

Binarium Review

BinaryCent

"Traders who want a reliable binary options broker with a streamlined platform and high payouts should try out BinaryCent."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

BinaryCent Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% - 200% deposit bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Cryptos, Options, Commodities
Regulator	VFSC
Platforms	Own
Minimum Deposit	$250
Minimum Trade	$0.01
Leverage	1:500
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

Accepts a wide range of funding methods, including cryptos and e-wallets
Copy trading and binary options bots are useful for beginner traders
Trade binary contracts from $0.10 allowing trading opportunities for all budgets

Cons

The $250 minimum deposit is higher than most binary options brokers
Not overseen by any reputable regulator, raising risks and reducing customer protections
Not available to traders based in the US

Visit BinaryCent

BinaryCent Review

RaceOption

"RaceOption will appeal to investors looking for a feature-rich binary options trading experience with regular contests, account-based perks, and copy trading. The catch is its unregulated status, with little to zero investor protections available based on our investigations."
William Berg, Reviewer

RaceOption Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% - 200% Deposit Bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Binary Options, CFDs
Platforms	TradingView
Minimum Deposit	$250
Minimum Trade	$0.01
Leverage	1:500
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Pros

RaceOption makes account funding a breeze with fee-free and near-instant deposits via bank cards and cryptos, plus guaranteed withdrawals processing within 1 hour.
Payouts on popular underlying assets like EUR/USD can reach 95%, beating out most alternatives based on our evaluations, and increasing potential returns, while the first 3 trades are risk-free in Silver and Gold accounts.
RaceOption is in the less than 1% of brokers that offers video chat, available 24/7 in multiple languages, although the knowledge of agents about trading and regulatory issues needs improvement from our direct experience.

Cons

RaceOption is an unregulated, high-risk broker that doesn’t provide investor compensation or legal recourse options should you run into trading or withdrawal issues.
While still affordable for many retail investors, the $250 minimum deposit raises the entry barrier, especially compared to Deriv and World Forex who are designed for budget traders.
RaceOption is one of the only brokers not to offer a demo account, which when considered alongside the absence of education, makes this broker a poor choice for beginners.

Visit RaceOption

RaceOption Review

World Forex

"World Forex provides both highly leveraged CFDs and digital contracts, making this a good broker for clients who want flexible and rewarding ways to trade. The copy trading service will also appeal to newer traders."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

World Forex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	100% Deposit Bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, CFD Stocks, Metals, Energies, Cryptos, Digital Contracts
Regulator	SVGFSA
Platforms	MT4, MT5
Minimum Deposit	$1
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:1000
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, RUB

Pros

Copy trading solution
Low deposit of $1
Demo account

Cons

Withdrawal fees apply
No negative balance protection
Weak regulation

Visit World Forex

World Forex Review

Alternatives To Binary Options

Many alternative instruments offer solutions if binary options do not fulfil your trading needs. While this list is not exhaustive, some examples of the most popular and valuable binary options alternatives are:

Binary Options Alternative 1: CFDs

Our first binary options alternative is contracts for difference, or CFDs. CFDs are hugely popular trading instruments for forex and commodity markets. Similarly to binary options, investors have no ownership of an underlying asset and only trade on its market price.

Unfortunately for American investors, CFDs are heavily restricted in the US. However, in this article, there are other binary options alternatives listed that are available in the US.

Markets

This binary options alternative boasts a more comprehensive selection of markets, partly due to the many more brokers offering CFDs than binary options.

Using CFDs, traders can speculate on major, minor and exotic forex pairs, indices, stocks, ETFs, commodities, cryptos, bonds and interest rates markets.

Complexity

CFDs are slightly more complex than binary options despite being governed by the same principles of going either long or short on an asset. However, investors need not be experts to open a CFD trade.

The positive side of this added complexity, traders have more order types to choose from to create more precise positions.

Profit & Loss Potential

CFD trading promises the potential for far greater payouts through leverage. Some global CFD brokers offer leverage of 1:500 or even higher.

However, with greater potential for reward comes greater risk. Losses are not capped and can quickly wipe out significant capital when trading using high leverage. Our excerpts advise investors to use tools like a stop loss or trailing stop to minimize losses on CFDs.

Fees & Commissions

CFDs can be a cost-effective way of trading versus some of the other binary options alternatives outlined below. Typical broker fees are competitive and charged either through commission or are contained within the spread of a product.

However, customers should ensure that their broker has no hidden charges such as inactivity, deposit, withdrawal or platform fees.

Safety & Regulation

Regarding safety, CFDs rank higher than binary options due to a higher proportion of brokers being regulated.

However, this is not to say that fraudulent CFD brokers do not exist. For maximum protection, prospective clients should favour brokers regulated by a reputable body such as the FCA or ASIC.

Strategies

CFDs may have the least strategies available of all the binary options alternatives in this guide. Investors must ultimately pick between going long or short on an asset. While hedging is possible, other instruments are better suited to this strategy.

CFD Brokers

Click a broker for details

1

Interactive Brokers

Go To Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.6 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.3 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 4.4 / 5

Education 4.3 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4.5 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $100

Leverage 1:50

Regulator FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM

Instruments Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies

Platforms Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral

Payment Methods Cheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Go To Interactive Brokers
2

IG

Go To IG
IG Review

Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.9 / 5

Customer Support 4.5 / 5

Research 4.9 / 5

Education 5 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)

Regulator FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting

Platforms Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

Payment Methods PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Go To IG
3

IQCent

Go To IQCent
IQCent Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.4 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 2.5 / 5

Research 3 / 5

Education 2 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4.1 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator IFMRRC

Instruments Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto

Platforms Online Platform, TradingView

Payment Methods Credit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments, Visa, Mastercard

Account Currencies USD, EUR

Go To IQCent
4

RedMars

Go To RedMars
RedMars Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.8 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 4 / 5

Research 2.8 / 5

Education 3 / 5

iOS App 4.7 / 5

Android App 4.6 / 5

Minimum Deposit €250

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)

Regulator CySEC, AFM

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos

Platforms MT5

Payment Methods Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Sticpay, FasaPay, Bitcoin Payments, Trustly, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Mastercard, Visa

Account Currencies USD, EUR

Go To RedMars
5

Capitalcore

Go To Capitalcore
Capitalcore Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 2.5 / 5

Education 3.5 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $10

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:2000

Regulator IFSA

Instruments Forex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures Indices

Platforms WebTrader, Pro

Payment Methods Ethereum Payments, Mastercard, Visa, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Debit Card, Credit Card, PayPal

Account Currencies USD

Go To Capitalcore
6

Videforex

Go To Videforex
Videforex Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 4.5 / 5

Research 1.3 / 5

Education 1.3 / 5

iOS App 4.1 / 5

Android App 4.4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator

Instruments Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto

Platforms TradingView

Payment Methods Skrill, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Go To Videforex
7

xChief

Go To xChief
xChief Review

New Customer Bonus Offer $100 No Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.7 / 5

Fees & Costs 3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.3 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 3.5 / 5

Education 3.3 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $10

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:1000

Regulator ASIC

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Metals, Commodities, Stocks, Indices

Platforms MT4, MT5

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Credit Card, UnionPay, Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney, Perfect Money, Debit Card, Ethereum Payments, FasaPay, Volet

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF

Go To xChief
8

Axofa

Go To Axofa
Axofa Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 10% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.8 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3 / 5

Customer Support 1.3 / 5

Research 2.5 / 5

Education 2.5 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $1

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:1000

Regulator SVGFSA

Instruments Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities

Platforms MT5

Payment Methods Debit Card, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, Bitcoin Payments, Wire Transfer

Account Currencies USD, IDR

Go To Axofa
9

Sage FX

Go To Sage FX
Sage FX Review

New Customer Bonus Offer $1,500 trading competition

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 2.5 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 1.3 / 5

Education 1.8 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $10

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:500

Regulator Pending

Instruments Forex, indices, cryptos

Platforms TradeLocker

Payment Methods Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD

Go To Sage FX
10

Plexytrade

Go To Plexytrade
Plexytrade Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 120% Cash Welcome Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 1.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 2.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 2.5 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 0.5 / 5

Education 0.5 / 5

iOS App 4.8 / 5

Android App 4.7 / 5

Minimum Deposit $50

Minimum Trade 0.01

Leverage 1:2000

Regulator

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Crypto

Platforms MT4, MT5

Payment Methods Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD, EUR

Go To Plexytrade

Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:

Interactive Brokers - Over 8,000 CFDs are offered on a vast array of instruments, encompassing stocks, indices, forex, and commodities. Moreover, the TWS platform lends itself to seasoned day traders, offering a comprehensive selection of over 100 order types and algorithms, alongside premium market data sourced from reputable sources such as Reuters and Dow Jones.
IG - IG offers a huge selection of 17,000+ CFDs, providing more trading opportunities than most CFD brokers. Traders can go long or short on popular markets like stocks, currencies, commodities and cryptos, while custom price alerts and the IG Academy continue to enhance the trading experience.
IQCent - CFDs are available on forex, indices, commodities and cryptos, although the range of 100+ instruments is limited compared to alternatives such as Quotex with 400+. Leverage is available up to 1:500 but the $250 minimum deposit is noticeably higher than competitors.
RedMars - RedMars caters to various short-term trading styles across popular asset classes, including 7 commodities, 14 indices, and 120+ stocks. Leverage is available up to 1:30 (retail) and 1:500 (pro), amplifying results. However, there is no calculator to help with understanding margin requirements and the depth of investments is limited.
Capitalcore - The range of CFDs at Capitalcore is narrow, with 6 precious metals, 6 indices, and a slim suite of stocks. Notably, there are no commodities such as oil or gas and spreads vary greatly. Tiered leverage is available depending on the account, from 1:100 to 1:2000.
Videforex - Videforex CFDs are available on forex, indices, cryptocurrencies and commodities with up to 1:500 leverage and tight spreads from near zero. CFDs incur a commission fee of 1%–2.5% and up to 5% for leveraged trades.
xChief - You can trade a competitive range of CFDs encompassing crypto, indices, energies and metals, with very high leverage up to 1:1000. ECN pricing is available, with spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions from $2.50. A Cent account is also available for those on a smaller budget.
Axofa - CFDs are available on popular asset classes with a competitive $1 minimum deposit. The MT5 integration will allow serious short-term traders to utilize the vast library of technical tools, bots and indicators, but the lack of any CFD trading education puts the broker behind many alternatives.
Sage FX - Trade CFDs on forex, stocks, metals, energies, indices, cryptos and dollar futures. Sage FX offers tight spreads and high leverage on all instruments from 1:100 to 1:500.
Plexytrade - Plexytrade offers a modest selection of CFDs, providing opportunities to speculate on upward/downward price movements across 15 indices, 48 US stocks, 3 commodities, 4 metals, and 5 cryptos. The free margin calculator allows you to work out how much you need to put down to open and maintain leveraged positions.

Binary Options Alternatives Comparison

Binary Options Alternatives Comparison
CFD Leverage	Minimum Deposit	Minimum Trade	Regulators
1:50	$0	$100	FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)	$0	0.01 Lots	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
1:500	$250	$0.01	IFMRRC
1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)	€250	0.01 Lots	CySEC, AFM
1:2000	$10	0.01 Lots	IFSA
1:500	$250	$0.01	-
1:1000	$10	0.01 Lots	ASIC
1:1000	$1	0.01 Lots	SVGFSA
1:500	$10	0.01 Lots	Pending
1:2000	$50	0.01	-

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

FTSE Spread	0.005% (£1 Min)
GBPUSD Spread	0.08-0.20 bps x trade value
Stocks Spread	0.003
Leverage	1:50
Regulator	FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
Platforms	Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Pros

IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.
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.
IBKR continues to deliver unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands of equities available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries, most recently the Saudi Stock Exchange.

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

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 fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

FTSE Spread	1.0
GBPUSD Spread	0.9
Stocks Spread	0.02
Leverage	1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
Regulator	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
Platforms	Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis.
IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus recently added US-listed futures and options, providing ample diversification opportunities.
The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our 'Best Trading App' award.

Cons

IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.
IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients.

Visit IG

IQCent

"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

IQCent Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
FTSE Spread	1.4
GBPUSD Spread	0.8
Stocks Spread	N/A
Leverage	1:500
Regulator	IFMRRC
Platforms	Online Platform, TradingView
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

There's an accessible $0.01 minimum stake for new day traders with a small budget
CFD trading fees are competitive based on tests, including 0.7 pips on major forex pairs such as EUR/USD
IQCent is one of the few binary options brokers that also offers a copy trading service for hands-off traders

Cons

IQCent trails binary brokers like Quotex with its narrow investment offering of around 100 assets with no stocks
The market analysis is very basic with limited technical summaries and insights from analysts
The broker is not overseen by a respected regulator, though this is common among binary options firms

Visit IQCent

RedMars

"RedMars is the best fit for experienced day traders familiar with the MetaTrader 5 platform and based in the EU, where the broker is authorized by the CySEC. However, the threadbare education and research tools make it unsuitable for beginners."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

RedMars Quick Facts

FTSE Spread	15
GBPUSD Spread	0.7
Stocks Spread	Variable
Leverage	1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
Regulator	CySEC, AFM
Platforms	MT5
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

Getting started on RedMars is incredibly easy - you can be up and running in just a few minutes based on tests
The broker supports a range of flexible payment methods, including wire transfers, credit cards, e-wallets, and notably cryptocurrencies
The broker is one of a limited number of firms to offer an account specially designed for VIPs with premium support and invites to exclusive events

Cons

RedMars falls short for newer traders, with little in the way of education, no beginner-friendly platform, a steep minimum deposit, and inadequate support during testing
With just 300 instruments, RedMars offers a narrow trading environment, particularly compared to category leaders like BlackBull Markets which offers 26,000 assets
While RedMars' spreads are within industry averages, they don't offer a significant edge over the cheapest day trading brokers we've personally used, notably IC Markets

Visit RedMars

RedMars Review

Capitalcore

"The major selling points of Capitalcore are its high leverage options up to 1:2000 and zero commission or swap fees. However, its weak regulatory oversight from the IFSA and non-existent education place it far behind the top brokers."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

Capitalcore Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500
FTSE Spread	25
GBPUSD Spread	0.5
Stocks Spread	1.5 (Apple)
Leverage	1:2000
Regulator	IFSA
Platforms	WebTrader, Pro
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

The support team are available 24/7 and responded within minutes during testing with helpful responses.
Capitalcore is one of the only brokers to charge zero swap fees, which may appeal to Islamic traders looking to comply with Islamic Finance.
Unlike most brokers, Capitalcore offers an unlimited demo account that takes under 5 minutes to open.

Cons

Platform support is limited to proprietary software, so there's no integration with the market-leading MetaTrader or cTrader, which offer built-in economic news and support automated trading.
Capitalcore’s threadbare education and research seriously trail category leaders like IG, making it less suitable for aspiring traders.
Capitalcore is not regulated by major financial authorities and has an unproven reputation, raising concerns about the safety of client funds.

Visit Capitalcore

Videforex

"Videforex will serve traders looking for a no-frills, easy-to-use platform to speculate on the direction of popular financial markets through binaries. With a sign-up process that takes a matter of minutes and a web-accessible platform, getting started is a breeze. "
William Berg, Reviewer

Videforex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
FTSE Spread	Floating from 0.2
GBPUSD Spread	Floating from 0.1
Stocks Spread	NA
Leverage	1:500
Platforms	TradingView
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Pros

Videforex is one of the few brokers with 24/7 multilingual video support, providing comprehensive assistance for active traders.
Traders can earn up to 98% payouts on 100+ assets with the broker’s binary options, bringing it in line with competitors like IQCent.
Videforex regularly runs trading contests, offering practice opportunities and cash prizes to beginners and experienced traders, with position sizes from just ¢0.01.

Cons

The client terminal needs improvements based on our latest tests, sporting sometimes slow and unresponsive widgets which could dampen the experience for day traders.
Videforex lacks authorization from a trusted regulator, meaning traders may receive little to zero safeguards like segregated client accounts.
The absence of any educational tools is a serious drawback for newer traders who can find blogs, videos and live trading sessions at category leaders.

Visit Videforex

xChief

"xChief continues to prove popular with investors looking to trade highly leveraged CFDs on the popular MetaTrader platforms. The broker's rebate scheme and investment accounts will particularly appeal to seasoned traders. However, the lack of top-tier regulatory oversight is a major drawback."
William Berg, Reviewer

xChief Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	$100 No Deposit Bonus
FTSE Spread	70
GBPUSD Spread	0.9
Stocks Spread	50
Leverage	1:1000
Regulator	ASIC
Platforms	MT4, MT5
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF

Pros

xChief delivers a high-quality day trading environment via the MT4 and MT5 platforms, with market-leading charts, indicators and tools
The broker offers a turnover rebate scheme geared towards active investors, as well as trading credits and several other occasional bonuses
Traders can access a copy trading solution via the MetaQuotes Signals service

Cons

The Classic+ and Cent accounts provide access to fewer instruments than the other account types, at 50+ and 35+, respectively
The broker trails competitors when it comes to research tools and educational resources
The total range of 150+ assets is much lower than most competitors who typically offer hundreds

Visit xChief

xChief Review

Axofa

"Axofa could be a good option for clients looking for social trading features alongside the MT5 platform. The low entry requirements and ECN spreads are particularly promising, but the lack of transparency and respected regulatory oversight raises security concerns."
William Berg, Reviewer

Axofa Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	10% Deposit Bonus
FTSE Spread	NA
GBPUSD Spread	From 1.6 pips
Stocks Spread	NA
Leverage	1:1000
Regulator	SVGFSA
Platforms	MT5
Account Currencies	USD, IDR

Pros

The $1 minimum deposit across all 3 accounts will appeal to novices and those on a budget
The broker offers a range of local payment methods, especially for clients in Asia, as well as crypto deposits
There's a proprietary social/copy trading service for beginners looking to follow successful strategies and for experienced traders looking to sell their strategies

Cons

There is a lack of transparency around pricing and account conditions, which significantly reduces the trust score
Our team found inconsistencies between international subsidiaries and website information
The offshore operations and lack of any regulatory oversight is a major concern

Visit Axofa

Axofa Review

Sage FX

"Sage FX will suit forex traders looking for high leverage and ECN spreads. The broker's prop trading service will also appeal to users looking for funded accounts with up to $200K available."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

Sage FX Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	$1,500 trading competition
FTSE Spread	5.0
GBPUSD Spread	0.9
Stocks Spread	N/A
Leverage	1:500
Regulator	Pending
Platforms	TradeLocker
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD

Pros

Prop trading accounts with multiple funding tiers
Flexible accounts with STP and ECN solutions available
High leverage up to 1:500

Cons

Not regulated by any reputable body
Lacks educational resources and other extra features
Relatively narrow range of asset classes

Visit Sage FX

Sage FX Review

Plexytrade

"Plexytrade is a newcomer in the brokerage scene with attention-grabbing features like 1:2000 leverage, zero spreads on select instruments and fast execution speeds of less than 46 milliseconds. However, the absence of regulation is a significant concern, while the non-existent research and educational tools place it far behind industry frontrunners."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

Plexytrade Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	120% Cash Welcome Bonus
FTSE Spread	0.8
GBPUSD Spread	0.8
Stocks Spread	5
Leverage	1:2000
Platforms	MT4, MT5
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

Plexytrade accommodates a range of trading methods and short-term strategies, including scalping, hedging, and automated trading.
Despite lacking regulation, Plexytrade provides negative balance protection and reinforces safety protocols by holding client funds in segregated accounts.
US residents are accepted as clients, distinguishing Plexytrade as one of the rare offshore brokers that cater to US-based traders.

Cons

Plexytrade lacks regulation in major jurisdictions, significantly increasing the risks of opening an account and depositing funds.
There are no research and educational materials, falling short of alternatives like IG, while access to the economic calendar is restricted to clients with balances of $500.
Deposits and withdrawals are exclusively facilitated through cryptocurrencies, as Plexytrade does not support bank cards, bank wire transfers, or e-wallets.

Visit Plexytrade

Plexytrade Review

Binary Options Alternative 2: Vanilla Options

Vanilla options are a popular derivative due to their high payouts and ability to cash settle. This also makes them one of the best alternatives to binary options.

Markets

Options are a primarily US-focussed instrument for making predictions about single stocks. Also available are indices and some commodities.

Complexity

Understanding regular options is more complex vs learning binary options. Contract prices are determined by a set of complex variables referred to as the Greeks, and investors need to be equipped with knowledge of financial concepts such as implied volatility and hedge ratios.

Profit & Loss Potential

Unlike binary options, there are no limits on the profit investors can make with a successful options trade. Options contracts also contain high innate leverage, with one contract based on 100 units of an asset.

However, with this potential for high rewards comes unlimited risk.

Fees & Commissions

Several brokers specialize in low-cost options trading– shop around to find competitive fees and commissions.

Safety & Regulation

Vanilla options are a highly regulated instrument versus some of the other binary options alternatives listed in this guide. When trading with a trusted broker, investors can trade this binary options alternative with confidence.

Strategies

Investors can choose to write options contracts or purchase them from an exchange as speculative assets or for hedging existing trades. Options spreads can be used to profit from various trading metrics such as volatility or direction.

Traders can also sell covered calls to lock in smaller but safer profits consistently– a strategy available with binary options.

Vanilla Options Brokers

Click a broker for details

1

FOREX.com

Go To FOREX.com
FOREX.com Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.3 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.6 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.6 / 5

Customer Support 4.3 / 5

Research 4.8 / 5

Education 4.5 / 5

iOS App 3.6 / 5

Android App 3.8 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options

Platforms MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Go To FOREX.com
2

NinjaTrader

Go To NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 2.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.9 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.5 / 5

Customer Support 4 / 5

Research 4 / 5

Education 4 / 5

iOS App 3 / 5

Android App 3.2 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto

Platforms NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Cheque

Account Currencies USD

Go To NinjaTrader
3

eToro USA

Go To eToro USA
eToro USA Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Invest $100 and get $10

Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk. https://www.daytrading.com/ is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.9 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.4 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 4.3 / 5

Education 4.5 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade $10

Leverage

Regulator SEC, FINRA

Instruments Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto

Platforms eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer

Account Currencies USD

Go To eToro USA
4

Interactive Brokers

Go To Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.6 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.3 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 4.4 / 5

Education 4.3 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4.5 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $100

Leverage 1:50

Regulator FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM

Instruments Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies

Platforms Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral

Payment Methods Cheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Go To Interactive Brokers
5

IG

Go To IG
IG Review

Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.9 / 5

Customer Support 4.5 / 5

Research 4.9 / 5

Education 5 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)

Regulator FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting

Platforms Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

Payment Methods PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Go To IG
6

Moomoo

Go To Moomoo
Moomoo Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Get up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.7 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3 / 5

Customer Support 2.8 / 5

Research 3.8 / 5

Education 4.4 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 3.3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $0

Leverage 1:2

Regulator SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC

Instruments Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs

Platforms Desktop Platform, Mobile App

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer

Account Currencies USD, HKD, SGD

Go To Moomoo
7

Firstrade

Go To Firstrade
Firstrade Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Deposit Bonus Up To $4000

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 4 / 5

Education 4 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $1

Leverage

Regulator SEC, FINRA

Instruments Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Cryptos, Fixed

Platforms Own

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Cheque, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service

Account Currencies USD

Go To Firstrade
8

Zacks Trade

Go To Zacks Trade
Zacks Trade Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 3.9 / 5

Education 1 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $2500

Minimum Trade $3

Leverage

Regulator FINRA

Instruments Stocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Options, Bonds

Platforms Own

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer, Cheque

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, RUB, PLN, CZK, HUF

Go To Zacks Trade
9

BinaryCent

Go To BinaryCent
BinaryCent Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% - 200% deposit bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.8 / 5

Accounts & Banking 2.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 2.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 1 / 5

Education 2 / 5

iOS App 3 / 5

Android App 3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator VFSC

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Cryptos, Options, Commodities

Platforms Own

Payment Methods Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, Credit Card, Skrill, WebMoney, Neteller, Bitcoin Payments, Wire Transfer, Perfect Money, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD

Go To BinaryCent

Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons

FOREX.com - Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
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.
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.
Interactive Brokers - Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, 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.
IG - Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled 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.
Moomoo - Moomoo is an SEC-regulated app-based investment platform that offers a straightforward and affordable way to invest in Chinese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Australian and US stocks, ETFs and other assets. Margin trading is available and the brand offers a zero-deposit account as well as several bonuses.
Firstrade - Firstrade is a US-headquartered discount broker-dealer with authorization from the SEC. The company is also a member of FINRA/SIPC. With welcome bonuses, powerful tools and apps, plus commission-free trading, Firstrade Securities is a popular online brokerage. It is also quick and easy to open a new account.
Zacks Trade - Zacks Trade is a FINRA-regulated US broker offering trading on stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, bonds and more through a proprietary terminal. The broker is geared toward active traders and offers very affordable fees on most assets as well as an app and a vast amount of market data.
BinaryCent - BinaryCent is an unregulated binary options broker that offers 24/7 trading on forex, cryptos and stocks with payouts up to 95%. Despite its lack of regulation, this broker takes client security seriously and stores client funds in European banks. The broker also offers CFDs with very high leverage up to 1:500.

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."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Platforms	MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$100
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.

Cons

Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
There’s no negative balance protection for US clients, so you may find yourself owing more money than your initial deposit into your account.

Visit FOREX.com

FOREX.com Review

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."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

NinjaTrader Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Platforms	NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

NinjaTrader is a widely respected and award-winning futures broker and is heavily authorized by the NFA and CFTC
Traders can get free platform access and trade simulation capabilities in the unlimited demo
Low fees are offered, with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract

Cons

The premium platform tools come with an extra charge
Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods

Visit NinjaTrader

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."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

eToro USA Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Invest $100 and get $10
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto
Regulator	SEC, FINRA
Platforms	eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader
Minimum Deposit	$100
Minimum Trade	$10
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

A free demo account means new users and prospective day traders can try the broker risk-free
The online broker offers an intuitive social investment network with straightforward copy trading on cryptos
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

Cons

Average fees may cut into the profit margins of day traders
There's no MetaTrader 4 platform integration for traders who are accustomed to using third-party charting tools
There's a narrower range of day trading instruments available compared to competitors, with only stocks, ETFs and cryptos

Visit eToro USA

eToro USA Review

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, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
Regulator	FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
Platforms	Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	$100
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Pros

IBKR continues to deliver unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands of equities available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries, most recently the Saudi Stock Exchange.
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.
IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.

Cons

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.
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.
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.

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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 fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
Regulator	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
Platforms	Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met.
As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust.
IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus recently added US-listed futures and options, providing ample diversification opportunities.

Cons

Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests.
IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.

Visit IG

Moomoo

"Moomoo remains an excellent choice for new and intermediate stock traders who want to build a diverse investment portfolio. What really stands out is the broker's user-friendly app and the low trading fees."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

Moomoo Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Get up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
Regulator	SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
Platforms	Desktop Platform, Mobile App
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	$0
Leverage	1:2
Account Currencies	USD, HKD, SGD

Pros

It is reassuring that Moomoo holds licenses with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), among others
There are reduced options contract fees from $0.65 to $0
The ‘Moomoo Token’ generates dynamic passwords for transaction security - a unique and helpful safety feature

Cons

There is no phone or live chat support - common options at most other brokers
There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
It's a shame that there is no 2 factor authentication (2FA), despite the other security features on offer

Visit Moomoo

Moomoo Review

Firstrade

"We recommend Firstrade for beginner investors looking to trade US stocks with no commissions. There is a wealth of free education plus premium-quality research and trading ideas from Morningstar, Briefing.com, Zacks and Benzinga."
William Berg, Reviewer

Firstrade Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Deposit Bonus Up To $4000
Demo Account	No
Instruments	Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Cryptos, Fixed
Regulator	SEC, FINRA
Platforms	Own
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	$1
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

Accepts US traders
No minimum deposit
Access to education, research, and tools

Cons

No forex or futures trading
Visa Credit/debit card deposits and withdrawals not accepted
No 24/7 customer support

Visit Firstrade

Firstrade Review

Zacks Trade

"Zacks Trade will suit active day traders with experience using powerful platforms. Fees and margin rates are low while the market research is excellent."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

Zacks Trade Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Stocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Options, Bonds
Regulator	FINRA
Platforms	Own
Minimum Deposit	$2500
Minimum Trade	$3
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, RUB, PLN, CZK, HUF

Pros

Regulated by FINRA with access to the Securities Investor Protection Corporation
Customizable proprietary trading platform and mobile app
Demo account

Cons

No MT4 or MT5 platform integration
Withdrawal fees apply if removing funds more than once per month
Shortcomings regarding platform loading times and technical glitches

Visit Zacks Trade

Zacks Trade Review

BinaryCent

"Traders who want a reliable binary options broker with a streamlined platform and high payouts should try out BinaryCent."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

BinaryCent Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% - 200% deposit bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Cryptos, Options, Commodities
Regulator	VFSC
Platforms	Own
Minimum Deposit	$250
Minimum Trade	$0.01
Leverage	1:500
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

Payouts up to 95% are higher than most competitors and increases profit potential
Accepts a wide range of funding methods, including cryptos and e-wallets
Trade binary contracts from $0.10 allowing trading opportunities for all budgets

Cons

Not available to traders based in the US
The $250 minimum deposit is higher than most binary options brokers
Not overseen by any reputable regulator, raising risks and reducing customer protections

Visit BinaryCent

BinaryCent Review

Binary Options Alternative 3: Futures

Futures are one of the most unique alternatives to binary options and forex trading. These are agreements to buy or sell an asset for a set price at a specific time. These derivatives were primarily used within the commodities industry as a hedge against future price fluctuations but are now a well-used financial instrument for many markets.

This type of trading involves the delivery of physical assets at expiry. It is exchange-traded rather than sold over-the-counter (OTC). Futures contracts are primarily associated with US markets, but EU and UK investors can still get involved.

Markets

While futures were first used on commodity markets such as cattle, wheat and orange juice, this instrument has expanded to cover assets like equities and cryptocurrencies.

Complexity

Futures are a fairly complex product compared to binary options. Though, with a thorough education, these contracts offer far greater strategic potential and can form a vital element of an expert investor’s trading arsenal.

Profit & Loss Potential

Futures contracts typically involve 1,000 units of a specific asset, and most futures brokers offer the opportunity to trade on margin for enhanced trading leverage. This gives investors the chance to make significant trading profits or losses.

It is with mentioning that futures can also be utilized to hedge against spot instruments to reduce risk.

Fees & Commissions

Fees for futures contracts can be higher than other instruments and binary options alternatives. However, traders will often receive a fee discount for high-volume trading or creating high-capital accounts.

Holding positions overnight will also come with swap fees, so this binary options alternative is best utilized for day trading or short-term swing trading.

Safety & Regulation

As with many binary options alternatives for US citizens, American futures contracts are regulated by the CTFC. Combined with the exchange-traded nature of futures contracts, this instrument is one of the safest to trade vs binary options.

Strategies

Regarding strategy, most traders will not hold futures contracts until expiry but look to resell their positions before the contract is automatically closed out. This is to avoid having to take delivery of the physical asset, such as barrels of oil.

Futures pricing can swing dramatically based on news and events, so acting quickly to any upcoming market changes will pay dividends with this instrument.

Futures Brokers

Click a broker for details

1

FOREX.com

Go To FOREX.com
FOREX.com Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.3 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.6 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.6 / 5

Customer Support 4.3 / 5

Research 4.8 / 5

Education 4.5 / 5

iOS App 3.6 / 5

Android App 3.8 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options

Platforms MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Go To FOREX.com
2

NinjaTrader

Go To NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 2.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.9 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.5 / 5

Customer Support 4 / 5

Research 4 / 5

Education 4 / 5

iOS App 3 / 5

Android App 3.2 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto

Platforms NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Cheque

Account Currencies USD

Go To NinjaTrader
3

Interactive Brokers

Go To Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.6 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.3 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 4.4 / 5

Education 4.3 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4.5 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $100

Leverage 1:50

Regulator FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM

Instruments Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies

Platforms Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral

Payment Methods Cheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Go To Interactive Brokers
4

IG

Go To IG
IG Review

Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.9 / 5

Customer Support 4.5 / 5

Research 4.9 / 5

Education 5 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)

Regulator FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting

Platforms Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

Payment Methods PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Go To IG
5

Plus500 US

Go To Plus500 US
Plus500 US Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $200

Trading with leverage involves risk.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.7 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.3 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 2.8 / 5

Education 3.5 / 5

iOS App 4.1 / 5

Android App 4.3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade 0.0 Lots

Leverage

Regulator CFTC, NFA

Instruments Futures on Forex, Commodities, Cryptos, Indices, Interest Rates

Platforms WebTrader, App

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Mastercard, Visa

Account Currencies USD

Go To Plus500 US
6

Moomoo

Go To Moomoo
Moomoo Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Get up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.7 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3 / 5

Customer Support 2.8 / 5

Research 3.8 / 5

Education 4.4 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 3.3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $0

Leverage 1:2

Regulator SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC

Instruments Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs

Platforms Desktop Platform, Mobile App

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer

Account Currencies USD, HKD, SGD

Go To Moomoo
7

Capitalcore

Go To Capitalcore
Capitalcore Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 2.5 / 5

Education 3.5 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $10

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:2000

Regulator IFSA

Instruments Forex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures Indices

Platforms WebTrader, Pro

Payment Methods Ethereum Payments, Mastercard, Visa, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Debit Card, Credit Card, PayPal

Account Currencies USD

Go To Capitalcore
8

Videforex

Go To Videforex
Videforex Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 4.5 / 5

Research 1.3 / 5

Education 1.3 / 5

iOS App 4.1 / 5

Android App 4.4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator

Instruments Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto

Platforms TradingView

Payment Methods Skrill, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Go To Videforex
9

Axofa

Go To Axofa
Axofa Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 10% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.8 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3 / 5

Customer Support 1.3 / 5

Research 2.5 / 5

Education 2.5 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $1

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:1000

Regulator SVGFSA

Instruments Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities

Platforms MT5

Payment Methods Debit Card, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, Bitcoin Payments, Wire Transfer

Account Currencies USD, IDR

Go To Axofa
10

InstaTrade

Go To InstaTrade
InstaTrade Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 3.5 / 5

Education 3.3 / 5

iOS App 4.8 / 5

Android App 4.4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $1

Minimum Trade 0.01

Leverage 1:1000

Regulator BVI FSC

Instruments FISP, CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos, Futures

Platforms InstaTrade Gear, MT4

Payment Methods Visa, Mastercard, Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD, EUR, RUB

Go To InstaTrade

This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category:

FOREX.com - Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
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.
Interactive Brokers - Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, 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.
IG - Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled 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.
Plus500 US - Plus500 is a well-established broker that entered the US market in 2021. Authorized by the CFTC and NFA, it provides futures trading on forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and interest rates. With a 10-minute sign-up, a manageable $100 minimum deposit, and a straightforward web platform, Plus500 continues to strengthen its offering for traders in the US.
Moomoo - Moomoo is an SEC-regulated app-based investment platform that offers a straightforward and affordable way to invest in Chinese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Australian and US stocks, ETFs and other assets. Margin trading is available and the brand offers a zero-deposit account as well as several bonuses.
Capitalcore - Capitalcore is an offshore broker, based in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and established in 2019. Traders can choose from four accounts (Classic, Silver, Gold, VIP) with lower spreads and larger bonuses as you move through the tiers. Where Capitalcore distinguishes itself is its high leverage up to 1:2000 and zero swap fees, though these don’t compensate for the weak oversight from the IFSA and paltry education and research.
Videforex - Launched in 2017, Videforex offers access to stock, index, crypto, forex and commodities markets via binary options and CFDs. The proprietary platform, mobile app and integrated copy trading are user-friendly and will suit new and casual traders, and the market analysis tools and trading contests provide good ways to improve your trading skills.
Axofa - Axofa is a forex and CFD broker registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The broker offers three account types with access to forex, commodities and indices. With ECN processing, low minimum deposits and no commissions, Axofa remains an attractive option, although the broker does not hold a reputable license.
InstaTrade - InstaTrade, based in the British Virgin Islands, is an online broker specializing in fixed income structured products and active trading through CFDs. Its zero-spread accounts, excellent research notably through InstaTrade TV, and access to the popular MT4 alongside its own web-accessible InstaTrade Gear, make it an attractive option for short-term traders at every level.

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."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Platforms	MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$100
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.
Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.

Cons

Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.

Visit FOREX.com

FOREX.com Review

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."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

NinjaTrader Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Platforms	NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

You can get thousands of add-ons and applications from developers in 150+ countries
NinjaTrader is a widely respected and award-winning futures broker and is heavily authorized by the NFA and CFTC
Low fees are offered, with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract

Cons

There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods
Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
The premium platform tools come with an extra charge

Visit NinjaTrader

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, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
Regulator	FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
Platforms	Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	$100
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Pros

IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.
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.
IBKR continues to deliver unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands of equities available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries, most recently the Saudi Stock Exchange.

Cons

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.
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.
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

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 fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
Regulator	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
Platforms	Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus recently added US-listed futures and options, providing ample diversification opportunities.
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.
IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests.

Visit IG

Plus500 US

"Plus500 US stands out as an excellent choice for beginners, offering a very user-friendly platform, low day trading margins, and access to the Futures Academy to enhance trading skills."
Michael MacKenzie, Reviewer

Plus500 US Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $200
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Futures on Forex, Commodities, Cryptos, Indices, Interest Rates
Regulator	CFTC, NFA
Platforms	WebTrader, App
Minimum Deposit	$100
Minimum Trade	0.0 Lots
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

The Futures Academy is an excellent resource for new traders with engaging videos and easy-to-follow articles, while the unlimited demo account is great for testing strategies
Plus500 is a publicly traded company with a good reputation, over 24 million traders, and a sponsor of the Chicago Bulls, instilling a sense of trust
The trading app provides a terrific user experience with a modern design, a clean layout and mobile-optimized charts

Cons

Plus500 US does not offer social trading capabilities, a feature available at alternatives like eToro US which could strengthen its offering for aspiring traders
The proprietary platform is user-friendly but lacks advanced technical analysis tools found in third-party solutions like MetaTrader 4
Although support response times were fast during tests, there is no telephone assistance

Visit Plus500 US

Plus500 US Review

Moomoo

"Moomoo remains an excellent choice for new and intermediate stock traders who want to build a diverse investment portfolio. What really stands out is the broker's user-friendly app and the low trading fees."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

Moomoo Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Get up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
Regulator	SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
Platforms	Desktop Platform, Mobile App
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	$0
Leverage	1:2
Account Currencies	USD, HKD, SGD

Pros

It is reassuring that Moomoo holds licenses with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), among others
Moomoo is a Member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), adding another level of security for prospective clients
Moomoo's analytics and insights are impressive and detailed compared to other brands

Cons

There is no phone or live chat support - common options at most other brokers
It's a shame that there is no 2 factor authentication (2FA), despite the other security features on offer
There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers

Visit Moomoo

Moomoo Review

Capitalcore

"The major selling points of Capitalcore are its high leverage options up to 1:2000 and zero commission or swap fees. However, its weak regulatory oversight from the IFSA and non-existent education place it far behind the top brokers."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

Capitalcore Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures Indices
Regulator	IFSA
Platforms	WebTrader, Pro
Minimum Deposit	$10
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:2000
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

The Capitalcore platform provides comprehensive charting tools and a wide range of 150+ technical indicators, ideal for detailed market analysis.
Capitalcore is one of the only brokers to charge zero swap fees, which may appeal to Islamic traders looking to comply with Islamic Finance.
The support team are available 24/7 and responded within minutes during testing with helpful responses.

Cons

Capitalcore’s threadbare education and research seriously trail category leaders like IG, making it less suitable for aspiring traders.
Capitalcore is not regulated by major financial authorities and has an unproven reputation, raising concerns about the safety of client funds.
Platform support is limited to proprietary software, so there's no integration with the market-leading MetaTrader or cTrader, which offer built-in economic news and support automated trading.

Visit Capitalcore

Videforex

"Videforex will serve traders looking for a no-frills, easy-to-use platform to speculate on the direction of popular financial markets through binaries. With a sign-up process that takes a matter of minutes and a web-accessible platform, getting started is a breeze. "
William Berg, Reviewer

Videforex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
Platforms	TradingView
Minimum Deposit	$250
Minimum Trade	$0.01
Leverage	1:500
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Pros

Videforex is one of the few brokers with 24/7 multilingual video support, providing comprehensive assistance for active traders.
Traders can earn up to 98% payouts on 100+ assets with the broker’s binary options, bringing it in line with competitors like IQCent.
Videforex regularly runs trading contests, offering practice opportunities and cash prizes to beginners and experienced traders, with position sizes from just ¢0.01.

Cons

The client terminal needs improvements based on our latest tests, sporting sometimes slow and unresponsive widgets which could dampen the experience for day traders.
Videforex lacks authorization from a trusted regulator, meaning traders may receive little to zero safeguards like segregated client accounts.
The absence of any educational tools is a serious drawback for newer traders who can find blogs, videos and live trading sessions at category leaders.

Visit Videforex

Axofa

"Axofa could be a good option for clients looking for social trading features alongside the MT5 platform. The low entry requirements and ECN spreads are particularly promising, but the lack of transparency and respected regulatory oversight raises security concerns."
William Berg, Reviewer

Axofa Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	10% Deposit Bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities
Regulator	SVGFSA
Platforms	MT5
Minimum Deposit	$1
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:1000
Account Currencies	USD, IDR

Pros

The $1 minimum deposit across all 3 accounts will appeal to novices and those on a budget
Low ECN spreads are available from 0.0 pips, plus reasonable commissions at $3.50 per side
Axofa offers the MetaTrader 5 platform which will particularly serve intermediate to experienced traders looking for advanced charting tools

Cons

There is limited verifiable information about the broker’s owners and background
Our team found inconsistencies between international subsidiaries and website information
The offshore operations and lack of any regulatory oversight is a major concern

Visit Axofa

Axofa Review

InstaTrade

"Although InstaTrade offers active trading on a comprehensive platform, it stands out with its fairly unique Fixed Income Structured Product (FISP), providing passive investment opportunities with up to 50% returns in 6 months if conditions are met. "
Christian Harris, Reviewer

InstaTrade Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	FISP, CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos, Futures
Regulator	BVI FSC
Platforms	InstaTrade Gear, MT4
Minimum Deposit	$1
Minimum Trade	0.01
Leverage	1:1000
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, RUB

Pros

VPS hosting caters to algo trading strategies with a dedicated physical server providing rapid execution speeds as low as 9 milliseconds.
InstaTrade delivers an excellent suite of charting tools for day traders with its web trader comprising 250+ indicators, 11 chart types and a user-friendly design.
InstaTrade claims to "guarantee" returns through the structured element of its passive trading solution (FISP), with applications approved within 24 hours.

Cons

InstaTrade’s growing educational tools provide valuable information for aspiring traders, but still trail category leaders like eToro with no structured course based on experience level.
Profits are only guaranteed in the FISP if investors do not reach the 50% profit level and attract other users with a total sum of $4 for each dollar in compensation.
InstaTrade sports one of the most cluttered websites and client cabinets in the industry, potentially overwhelming new traders, especially compared to XTB’s intuitive trading journey and resources.

Visit InstaTrade

InstaTrade Review

Binary Options Alternative 4: Spread Betting

One of the top instruments in our binary options alternatives examples is spread betting. Spread betting works similarly to CFD trading but comes with tax advantages in some regions as it is classed as gambling rather than trading.

Markets

As there are fewer spread betting brokers than CFD providers, there will be a smaller range of assets to choose from. However, spread betting speculation is still available for forex, indices, commodities, stocks and crypto markets.

Complexity

Spread betting is a reasonably straightforward instrument. However, expert traders can add complexity using order tools such as stop losses, take profit levels and automated trading bots.

Profit & Loss Potential

As with CFDs, traders can access significant leverage to multiply potential profits and losses when spread betting.

However, these levels are still likely lower than the high leverage available through international CFD brokers. This is because most spread betting providers are EU or UK-based and therefore have to comply with ESMA regulations limiting maximum margin.

Fees & Commissions

Fees and commissions are low with this alternative to binary options but will vary from broker to broker.

Safety & Regulation

Spread betting tends to be safer than CFDs and binary options due to the EU regulation of most brokers. In addition, as a more obscure field, fewer fraudulent providers are out there.

Strategies

As with CFDs, the range of strategies available is relatively limited. This binary options alternative is best suited to strong, short-term directional price movements, with significant profits available for successful speculation.

Spread Betting Brokers

Click a broker for details

1

IG

Go To IG
IG Review

Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.9 / 5

Customer Support 4.5 / 5

Research 4.9 / 5

Education 5 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)

Regulator FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting

Platforms Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

Payment Methods PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Go To IG

Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:

IG - IG offers spread betting on 17,000+ markets, including currencies, indices, shares and commodities - more than almost every alternative. Notably, IG also offers spread bets on less commonly offered assets like IPOs, allowing experienced traders to diversify their portfolios. For casual traders, IG also offers the opportunity to spread bet on weekend markets – a terrific feature that we don’t come across often.

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 fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
Regulator	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
Platforms	Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust.
IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus recently added US-listed futures and options, providing ample diversification opportunities.
The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met.

Cons

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.
While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients.
Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests.

Visit IG

Binary Options Alternative 5: Stock Trading

Stock trading is the most simple and common form of trading and one of the most popular alternatives to binary options. Investors can purchase single stocks, ETFs or mutual funds containing hand-picked segments of specific sectors or global markets.

Markets

The best stock trading brokers will offer thousands of stocks from many international regions, with equities from the USA, EU and UK reasonably standard for all. Some brokers will support mutual fund investing, while others may focus solely on single stocks and ETFs for day trading.

Complexity

Suitable for beginners up to experts, stock trading offers opportunities for day trading, swing trading, long-term investing or earning profit from dividends. This can be as simple as buying a stock and holding it for an extended period to as complex as setting up an automated dividend portfolio targeting the biggest yielding companies in a region.

Profit & Loss Potential

While margin trading is possible through some brokers, most stock trading is done on cash accounts. As a result, stock trading does not typically offer as much profit potential as derivative assets such as binary options, CFDs or vanilla options.

Fees & Commissions

Of all the binary options alternatives available, stock trading has the most variance in its fees. Some brokers allow free investing, while others charge commissions per stock or a dealing fee per trade.

In addition, some more traditional brokers, specifically international companies, will charge account fees. To offset these, many regions, including the USA and UK, offer tax-advantaged stock accounts that investors can use for retirement or general savings.

Safety & Regulation

There is no shortage of highly regulated brokers when making a stock trading investment. Regional regulators also protect the equities themselves for additional peace of mind. This is a key benefit over some of the other binary options alternatives explored below, including crypto exchanges.

Strategies

One of the greatest strengths of stock investing is the flexibility afforded for trading. Traders can hold positions for an unrestricted period, going long or short on an asset.

With this binary options alternative, investors can target high dividend-yield stocks to be paid an income from holding equities. Or, traders can set up bots to buy and sell based on preset parameters. Investors can even hedge spot stocks with futures positions to reduce risk.

Stock Brokers

Click a broker for details

1

FOREX.com

Go To FOREX.com
FOREX.com Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.3 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.6 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.6 / 5

Customer Support 4.3 / 5

Research 4.8 / 5

Education 4.5 / 5

iOS App 3.6 / 5

Android App 3.8 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options

Platforms MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Go To FOREX.com
2

Interactive Brokers

Go To Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.6 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.3 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 4.4 / 5

Education 4.3 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4.5 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $100

Leverage 1:50

Regulator FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM

Instruments Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies

Platforms Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral

Payment Methods Cheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Go To Interactive Brokers
3

NinjaTrader

Go To NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 2.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.9 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.5 / 5

Customer Support 4 / 5

Research 4 / 5

Education 4 / 5

iOS App 3 / 5

Android App 3.2 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto

Platforms NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Cheque

Account Currencies USD

Go To NinjaTrader
4

eToro USA

Go To eToro USA
eToro USA Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Invest $100 and get $10

Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk. https://www.daytrading.com/ is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.9 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.4 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 4.3 / 5

Education 4.5 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade $10

Leverage

Regulator SEC, FINRA

Instruments Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto

Platforms eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer

Account Currencies USD

Go To eToro USA
5

IG

Go To IG
IG Review

Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.9 / 5

Customer Support 4.5 / 5

Research 4.9 / 5

Education 5 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)

Regulator FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting

Platforms Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

Payment Methods PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Go To IG
6

Videforex

Go To Videforex
Videforex Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 4.5 / 5

Research 1.3 / 5

Education 1.3 / 5

iOS App 4.1 / 5

Android App 4.4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator

Instruments Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto

Platforms TradingView

Payment Methods Skrill, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Neteller, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Go To Videforex
7

World Forex

Go To World Forex
World Forex Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 100% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 2.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 3.3 / 5

Research 2.5 / 5

Education 2.8 / 5

iOS App 1.3 / 5

Android App 1.3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $1

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:1000

Regulator SVGFSA

Instruments Forex, CFD Stocks, Metals, Energies, Cryptos, Digital Contracts

Platforms MT4, MT5

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Google Wallet, Apple Pay, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Volet

Account Currencies USD, EUR, RUB

Go To World Forex
8

Zacks Trade

Go To Zacks Trade
Zacks Trade Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 3.9 / 5

Education 1 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $2500

Minimum Trade $3

Leverage

Regulator FINRA

Instruments Stocks, ETFs, Cryptos, Options, Bonds

Platforms Own

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer, Cheque

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, RUB, PLN, CZK, HUF

Go To Zacks Trade
9

Firstrade

Go To Firstrade
Firstrade Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Deposit Bonus Up To $4000

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 4 / 5

Education 4 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $1

Leverage

Regulator SEC, FINRA

Instruments Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Cryptos, Fixed

Platforms Own

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Cheque, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service

Account Currencies USD

Go To Firstrade
10

Moomoo

Go To Moomoo
Moomoo Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Get up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.7 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3 / 5

Customer Support 2.8 / 5

Research 3.8 / 5

Education 4.4 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 3.3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $0

Leverage 1:2

Regulator SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC

Instruments Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs

Platforms Desktop Platform, Mobile App

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer

Account Currencies USD, HKD, SGD

Go To Moomoo

This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category:

FOREX.com - FOREX.com provides access to a wide array of US, EU, and UK stock CFDs, featuring spreads as narrow as 1 point. This enables you to speculate on established household names and emerging IPOs, fostering ample opportunities for diversification within stock portfolios. US stocks are accessible from as low as 1.8 cents per share.
Interactive Brokers - IBKR provides access to an unparalleled array of equity products originating from 24 diverse countries. Whether seeking capital appreciation, dividends, or voting rights, you can directly invest in stocks. Alternatively, you can engage in speculative trading on price movements through CFDs, futures and more than 13,000 ETFs. IBKR also enhanced its European equity derivatives offering in 2024 by adding trading on CBOE Europe Derivatives (CEDX).
NinjaTrader - Stocks can be traded by connecting the NinjaTrader platform to supporting brokers. The firm also provides access to a range of index futures via standard and micro contracts, including the E-Mini S&P 500 Index Futures and E-Mini Russell 2000 Index Futures.
eToro USA - You can trade 3000+ popular US stocks and ETFs at eToro US, with zero commissions and fractional shares available. The broker remains an excellent choice for beginner stock traders, thanks to its comprehensive eToro Academy and user-friendly stock market research features.
IG - IG offers 13,000+ shares to trade or invest in, with more listed firms than nearly every competitor. The broker also excels for its zero commissions on US shares, while out-of-hours trading provides access to 70+ shares, plus popular ETFs and trusts, when the markets are closed.
Videforex - Trade binary options and CFDs on global stocks from US, European, Russian and Asian exchanges, as well as 37 indices covering a wide range of global markets. The access to stocks trumps many binary options brokers.
World Forex - World Forex traders can speculate on price movements of 40+ stocks with CFDs and digital contracts with no commissions, tight spreads and high payouts. You can take positions on big names like IBM and American Express.
Zacks Trade - Zacks Trade offers a large selection of US and international stocks, including penny stocks, as well as ETFs and global indices. The broker also offers options as a way to speculate on stock price movements.
Firstrade - Firstrade offers commission-free stock trading on the NASDAQ, NYSE and OTC markets. Clients can invest in penny stocks through to blue chip stocks with extended hours trading, plus conditional orders and trailing stops. We also rated the dividend reinvestment program.
Moomoo - Moomoo continues to offer a wide selection of US, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong stocks, plus China-A shares trading across options, futures, ETFs, ADRs, OTC, plus IPOs on a proprietary trading platform. The zero commissions, no account minimum and free level 2 data are also standout features.

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."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
Fractional Shares	No
Demo Account	Yes
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Platforms	MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$100
Automation	Yes
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Stock Exchanges

FOREX.com offers trading on 14 stock exchanges:

Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
Borsa Italiana
CAC 40 Index France
DAX GER 40 Index
Dow Jones
Euronext
FTSE UK Index
Hang Seng
Hong Kong Stock Exchange
IBEX 35
Japan Exchange Group
Nasdaq
S&P 500
SIX Swiss Exchange

Pros

Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.

Cons

Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.

Visit FOREX.com

FOREX.com Review

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

Fractional Shares	Yes
Demo Account	Yes
Regulator	FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
Platforms	Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Automation	Yes
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Stock Exchanges

Interactive Brokers offers trading on 16 stock exchanges:

Borsa Italiana
CAC 40 Index France
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
Euronext
IBEX 35
Japan Exchange Group
Korean Stock Exchange
London Metal Exchange
London Stock Exchange
Nasdaq
Nasdaq Nordic & Baltics
New York Stock Exchange
Russell 2000
Shenzhen Stock Exchange
Tadawul
Toronto Stock Exchange

Pros

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.
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.
IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.

Cons

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.
IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
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.

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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."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

NinjaTrader Quick Facts

Fractional Shares	No
Demo Account	Yes
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Platforms	NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
Minimum Deposit	$0
Automation	Yes
Account Currencies	USD

Stock Exchanges

NinjaTrader offers trading on 2 stock exchanges:

Chicago Mercantile Exchange
New York Stock Exchange

Pros

NinjaTrader continues to deliver comprehensive charting software for active day traders with bespoke technical indicators and widgets
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

There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods
Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
The premium platform tools come with an extra charge

Visit NinjaTrader

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."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

eToro USA Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Invest $100 and get $10
Fractional Shares	Yes
Demo Account	Yes
Regulator	SEC, FINRA
Platforms	eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader
Minimum Deposit	$100
Automation	Yes
Account Currencies	USD

Stock Exchanges

eToro USA offers trading on 3 stock exchanges:

Dow Jones
New York Stock Exchange
S&P 500

Pros

The low minimum deposit and straightforward account opening process means beginners can get started quickly
A free demo account means new users and prospective day traders can try the broker risk-free
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

Cons

There's no MetaTrader 4 platform integration for traders who are accustomed to using third-party charting tools
There's a narrower range of day trading instruments available compared to competitors, with only stocks, ETFs and cryptos
The proprietary terminal doesn't support trading bots and there are no additional stock market analysis tools

Visit eToro USA

eToro USA Review

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 fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

Fractional Shares	No
Demo Account	Yes
Regulator	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
Platforms	Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Automation	Yes
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Stock Exchanges

IG offers trading on 20 stock exchanges:

Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
Bombay Stock Exchange
Borsa Italiana
Deutsche Boerse
Dow Jones
Euronext
Hong Kong Stock Exchange
IBEX 35
Japan Exchange Group
Korean Stock Exchange
London Stock Exchange
National Stock Exchange Of India
Russell 2000
S&P 500
SIX Swiss Exchange
Shanghai Stock Exchange
Shenzhen Stock Exchange
Tadawul
Taiwan Stock Exchange
Toronto Stock Exchange

Pros

The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our 'Best Trading App' award.
As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust.
The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met.

Cons

Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests.
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 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.

Visit IG

Videforex

"Videforex will serve traders looking for a no-frills, easy-to-use platform to speculate on the direction of popular financial markets through binaries. With a sign-up process that takes a matter of minutes and a web-accessible platform, getting started is a breeze. "
William Berg, Reviewer

Videforex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Fractional Shares	No
Demo Account	Yes
Platforms	TradingView
Minimum Deposit	$250
Automation	Yes
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB

Stock Exchanges

Videforex offers trading on 7 stock exchanges:

Dow Jones
FTSE UK Index
Hong Kong Stock Exchange
IBEX 35
Nasdaq
S&P 500
SIX Swiss Exchange

Pros

Traders can earn up to 98% payouts on 100+ assets with the broker’s binary options, bringing it in line with competitors like IQCent.
Videforex regularly runs trading contests, offering practice opportunities and cash prizes to beginners and experienced traders, with position sizes from just ¢0.01.
Videforex is one of the few brokers with 24/7 multilingual video support, providing comprehensive assistance for active traders.

Cons

Videforex lacks authorization from a trusted regulator, meaning traders may receive little to zero safeguards like segregated client accounts.
The absence of any educational tools is a serious drawback for newer traders who can find blogs, videos and live trading sessions at category leaders.
The client terminal needs improvements based on our latest tests, sporting sometimes slow and unresponsive widgets which could dampen the experience for day traders.

Visit Videforex

World Forex

"World Forex provides both highly leveraged CFDs and digital contracts, making this a good broker for clients who want flexible and rewarding ways to trade. The copy trading service will also appeal to newer traders."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

World Forex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	100% Deposit Bonus
Fractional Shares	No
Demo Account	Yes
Regulator	SVGFSA
Platforms	MT4, MT5
Minimum Deposit	$1
Automation	Yes
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, RUB

Stock Exchanges

World Forex offers trading on 2 stock exchanges:

Nasdaq
S&P 500

Pros

Several different account types with varied pricing structures
10+ accepted payment methods
Swap-free account available

Cons

Withdrawal fees apply
No negative balance protection
Weak regulation

Visit World Forex

World Forex Review

Zacks Trade

"Zacks Trade will suit active day traders with experience using powerful platforms. Fees and margin rates are low while the market research is excellent."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

Zacks Trade Quick Facts

Fractional Shares	Yes
Demo Account	Yes
Regulator	FINRA
Platforms	Own
Minimum Deposit	$2500
Automation	Yes
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, RUB, PLN, CZK, HUF

Stock Exchanges

Zacks Trade offers trading on 4 stock exchanges:

London Stock Exchange
Nasdaq
New York Stock Exchange
S&P 500

Pros

20+ account denominations
Comprehensive research and data
Customizable proprietary trading platform and mobile app

Cons

Withdrawal fees apply if removing funds more than once per month
High minimum requirement of $2,500
No forex, commodities or futures trading

Visit Zacks Trade

Zacks Trade Review

Firstrade

"We recommend Firstrade for beginner investors looking to trade US stocks with no commissions. There is a wealth of free education plus premium-quality research and trading ideas from Morningstar, Briefing.com, Zacks and Benzinga."
William Berg, Reviewer

Firstrade Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Deposit Bonus Up To $4000
Fractional Shares	Yes
Demo Account	No
Regulator	SEC, FINRA
Platforms	Own
Minimum Deposit	$0
Automation	No
Account Currencies	USD

Stock Exchanges

Firstrade offers trading on 2 stock exchanges:

Nasdaq
New York Stock Exchange

Pros

Regulated by SEC and FINRA
Multiple customer support options
Stop limit and trailing stop orders supported

Cons

No copy trading
No demo/paper trading account
No 24/7 customer support

Visit Firstrade

Firstrade Review

Moomoo

"Moomoo remains an excellent choice for new and intermediate stock traders who want to build a diverse investment portfolio. What really stands out is the broker's user-friendly app and the low trading fees."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

Moomoo Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Get up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000
Fractional Shares	No
Demo Account	Yes
Regulator	SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
Platforms	Desktop Platform, Mobile App
Minimum Deposit	$0
Automation	No
Account Currencies	USD, HKD, SGD

Stock Exchanges

Moomoo offers trading on 5 stock exchanges:

Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Nasdaq
New York Stock Exchange

Pros

The ‘Moomoo Token’ generates dynamic passwords for transaction security - a unique and helpful safety feature
There are reduced options contract fees from $0.65 to $0
The broker offers access to extended pre-market trading hours

Cons

It's a shame that there is no 2 factor authentication (2FA), despite the other security features on offer
There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
There is no phone or live chat support - common options at most other brokers

Visit Moomoo

Moomoo Review

Binary Options Alternative 6: Cryptocurrency

The newest market on this list, cryptocurrency products can be traded as derivatives through binary options, CFDs or spread betting. However, the asset class has far more utility to investors.

Markets

There are more and more crypto tokens being created at all times, with thousands of coins and projects in existence. While not all of these are legitimate, more cautious investors can stick to more well-known coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum for greater peace of mind.

Complexity

Similarly to stock investing, cryptocurrency trading can be as simple or complex as a trader desires. Investors can buy and hold crypto tokens, stake them for interest or utilize bots on sites such as Pionex for round-the-clock automated trading.

Profit & Loss Potential

The crypto markets are notoriously volatile and have seen some meteoric price rises and falls in their brief history. Investors should be prepared for these conditions or even a complete collapse of a coin like Terra in 2022.

Fees & Commissions

Many exchanges offer very low, competitive fees on this binary options alternative. These are usually displayed in the form of maker and taker fees, often shown as a percentage.

Safety & Regulation

Crypto is almost entirely unregulated and scams are rife within the broker space and the coins themselves. As a result, more cautious investors may wish to avoid this binary options alternative or track selected crypto markets using a more secure ETF.

Strategies

Traders can buy and hold tokens long-term or take advantage of the volatile crypto markets to day trade.

Advanced strategies such as spot/futures arbitrage are available for major tokens such as BTC and ETH and can yield solid and low-risk returns.

Similarly to dividend investing, traders can stake crypto tokens for a fixed reward, with some providers offering upwards of 10% annual returns for this strategy.

Crypto Brokers

Click a broker for details

1

NinjaTrader

Go To NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 2.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.9 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.5 / 5

Customer Support 4 / 5

Research 4 / 5

Education 4 / 5

iOS App 3 / 5

Android App 3.2 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto

Platforms NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Cheque

Account Currencies USD

Go To NinjaTrader
2

eToro USA

Go To eToro USA
eToro USA Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Invest $100 and get $10

Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk. https://www.daytrading.com/ is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.9 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.4 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 4.3 / 5

Education 4.5 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade $10

Leverage

Regulator SEC, FINRA

Instruments Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto

Platforms eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer

Account Currencies USD

Go To eToro USA
3

Interactive Brokers

Go To Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.6 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.3 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 4.4 / 5

Education 4.3 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4.5 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $100

Leverage 1:50

Regulator FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM

Instruments Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies

Platforms Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral

Payment Methods Cheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Go To Interactive Brokers
4

IG

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IG Review

Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.9 / 5

Customer Support 4.5 / 5

Research 4.9 / 5

Education 5 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)

Regulator FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting

Platforms Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

Payment Methods PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

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5

OANDA US

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OANDA US Review

CFDs are not available to residents in the United States.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.8 / 5

Fees & Costs 4 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.5 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 4.3 / 5

Education 3.8 / 5

iOS App 4.7 / 5

Android App 3.7 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)

Platforms OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, ACH Transfer

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

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6

Uphold

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Uphold Review

Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.5 / 5

Customer Support 2.3 / 5

Research 3 / 5

Education 1.5 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 4.4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $1

Leverage

Regulator

Instruments Cryptos

Platforms Desktop Platform, Mobile App

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Debit Card, Credit Card, Mastercard, Visa, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP

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7

IQCent

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IQCent Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.4 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 2.5 / 5

Research 3 / 5

Education 2 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4.1 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator IFMRRC

Instruments Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto

Platforms Online Platform, TradingView

Payment Methods Credit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments, Visa, Mastercard

Account Currencies USD, EUR

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8

RedMars

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RedMars Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.8 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 4 / 5

Research 2.8 / 5

Education 3 / 5

iOS App 4.7 / 5

Android App 4.6 / 5

Minimum Deposit €250

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)

Regulator CySEC, AFM

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos

Platforms MT5

Payment Methods Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Sticpay, FasaPay, Bitcoin Payments, Trustly, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Mastercard, Visa

Account Currencies USD, EUR

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9

Plus500 US

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Plus500 US Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $200

Trading with leverage involves risk.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.7 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.3 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 2.8 / 5

Education 3.5 / 5

iOS App 4.1 / 5

Android App 4.3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade 0.0 Lots

Leverage

Regulator CFTC, NFA

Instruments Futures on Forex, Commodities, Cryptos, Indices, Interest Rates

Platforms WebTrader, App

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Mastercard, Visa

Account Currencies USD

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10

Capitalcore

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Capitalcore Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 2.5 / 5

Education 3.5 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $10

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:2000

Regulator IFSA

Instruments Forex, Metals, Stocks, Cryptos, Futures Indices

Platforms WebTrader, Pro

Payment Methods Ethereum Payments, Mastercard, Visa, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Debit Card, Credit Card, PayPal

Account Currencies USD

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Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers:

NinjaTrader - You can get exposure to micro Bitcoin futures through the CME Group’s centralized exchange, which is highly regulated by the US CFTC. Micro contracts allow you to trade a fractional size of one Bitcoin, giving you more risk control and order flexibility.
eToro USA - eToro US offers 24 tradeable cryptoassets, with just a 1% buying/selling fee added to the spread. Additionally, there are 80 different coins available through the broker’s proprietary wallet service. You can also practice your crypto strategies easily by switching between live and demo mode. Crypto asset investing is highly volatile and unregulated. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.
Interactive Brokers - IBKR lets you purchase and hold Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin at competitive commission rates and without needing a crypto wallet. Additionally, there is a range of other diverse assets to explore, such as crypto indices like the NYSE Bitcoin Index, as well as futures contracts like the BAKKT Bitcoin Futures.
IG - IG's modest selection of 11 crypto CFDs trails top crypto brokers like Vantage which offers 40+ tokens. That said, it stands out with its crypto index, which tracks the value of the top 10 digital currencies by market cap and provides a holistic way to speculate on the value of the crypto market.
OANDA US - Cryptocurrency trading is offered via Paxos, a separate entity from Oanda. You can speculate on the world’s biggest cryptos by market cap. Commissions are lower than many peers starting at 0.25%. Through the broker’s partnership with Paxos, clients can spot trade cryptocurrencies on the itBit exchange through the OANDA native platform.
Uphold - You can buy and sell 250+ crypto assets with fiat currencies or in crypto pairs using the straightforward mobile app or through Uphold's browser-based account homepage. This is significantly more than many rivals. You can also earn up to 16% APY by staking one or more out of 32 valid tokens, or send tokens to an external wallet.
IQCent - IQCent offers 17 crypto pairs through its proprietary terminal, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Leverage on crypto CFDs is capped at 1:10, whilst binary options payouts vary by token but remain competitive. OTC assets, for example, pay out up to 95%.
RedMars - RedMars offers 13 crypto CFDs, including the popular BTC/USD, ETH/USD, and LTC/USD. However, there's no option to buy the underlying cryptocurrency. As a comparison, eToro allows the underlying purchase of 44 cryptocurrencies with copy trading on digital currencies also supported.
Plus500 US - Plus500’s Micro-Bitcoin and Micro-Ethereum futures only allow traders to scratch the surface of crypto trading with bets on the two most popular digital assets. Importantly, you cannot buy and own the cryptos with these derivative contracts - you are speculating on their price.
Capitalcore - Capitalcore allows traders to speculate on the price movements of just five cryptocurrencies through CFDs. Popular options like Bitcoin (BTC/USD), Ethereum (ETH/USD), and Litecoin (LTC/USD) are available. However, unlike competitors like eToro, you cannot purchase the underlying crypto directly.

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."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

NinjaTrader Quick Facts

Coins	BTC
Crypto Mining	No
Auto Market Maker	No
Crypto Spread	Floating
Crypto Lending	No
Crypto Staking	No
Platforms	NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
Minimum Deposit	$0
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

You can get thousands of add-ons and applications from developers in 150+ countries
NinjaTrader is a widely respected and award-winning futures broker and is heavily authorized by the NFA and CFTC
Low fees are offered, with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract

Cons

There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods
Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
The premium platform tools come with an extra charge

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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."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

eToro USA Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Invest $100 and get $10
Coins	BTC, ETH, BCH, DASH, LTC, ETC, MIOTA, XLM, EOS, NEO, ZEC, XTZ, MKR, COMP, LINK, UNI, YFI, DOGE, AAVE, ALGO, MANA, ENJ, BAT, MATIC, FLR, SHIBxM
Crypto Mining	No
Auto Market Maker	No
Crypto Spread	BTC 0.75%
Crypto Lending	No
Crypto Staking	No
Platforms	eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader
Minimum Deposit	$100
Regulator	SEC, FINRA
Account Currencies	USD

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
eToro USA Securities is a trustworthy, SEC-regulated broker that is a member of FINRA and SIPC
The low minimum deposit and straightforward account opening process means beginners can get started quickly

Cons

Average fees may cut into the profit margins of day traders
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

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eToro USA Review

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

Coins	BTC, LTC, ETH, XRP
Crypto Mining	No
Auto Market Maker	No
Crypto Spread	0.12%-0.18%
Crypto Lending	No
Crypto Staking	No
Platforms	Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Regulator	FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
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 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.
With low commissions, tight spreads and a transparent fee structure, IBKR delivers a cost-effective environment for short-term traders.

Cons

IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
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.
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.

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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 fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

Coins	BTC, BCH, LTC, ETH, ADA, DOT, DOGE, LINK, UNI, XLM
Crypto Mining	No
Auto Market Maker	No
Crypto Spread	Variable
Crypto Lending	No
Crypto Staking	No
Platforms	Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Regulator	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust.
IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis.
IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, plus recently added US-listed futures and options, providing ample diversification opportunities.

Cons

While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients.
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.
Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests.

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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."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

OANDA US Quick Facts

Coins	BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, PAXG, LINK, UNI, AAVE
Crypto Mining	No
Auto Market Maker	No
Crypto Spread	$100
Crypto Lending	No
Crypto Staking	No
Platforms	OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
Minimum Deposit	$0
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

The broker offers a transparent pricing structure with no hidden charges
The broker's API facilitates access to 25 years of deep historical data and rates from 200+ currencies
Day traders can enjoy fast and reliable order execution

Cons

The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported
It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends

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OANDA US Review

Uphold

"Uphold remains a top choice for crypto investors looking for a one-stop-shop solution to accessing the markets. There are over 250 tokens to buy, sell and trade through flexible platform options."
William Berg, Reviewer

Uphold Quick Facts

Coins	BTC, BTCO, AAVE, ALCX, DYDX, INH, XYO, API3, GHST, LSK, AUDIO, GLMR, NMR, CAKE, GODS, REQ, CHR, TRB, DAO, ROOK, XRP, ETH, BAT, ADA, ALGO, ATOM, AVAX, AXS, BCH, BAL, BTG, CSPR, COMP, CRV, DASH, DCR, DGB, DOGE, DOT, EGLD and many more
Crypto Mining	No
Auto Market Maker	No
Crypto Spread	Up to 1.5%
Crypto Lending	No
Crypto Staking	Yes
Platforms	Desktop Platform, Mobile App
Minimum Deposit	$0
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP

Pros

UK users can get the Uphold card with up to 2% cashback in XRP
Fees are competitive based on tests, with 26 underlying platforms helping to source the best prices
Over 250 cryptos are available including major tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum

Cons

The charting analysis features on the platform trail specialist exchanges
Uphold operates with limited regulatory oversight
Customer service is slow based on tests, with limited contact options

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Uphold Review

IQCent

"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

IQCent Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Coins	BTC, ETH, LTC, ETC, DOGE, MATIC, QNT, SOL, XRP, USDT, XMR, BNB
Crypto Mining	No
Auto Market Maker	No
Crypto Spread	Variable
Crypto Lending	No
Crypto Staking	No
Platforms	Online Platform, TradingView
Minimum Deposit	$250
Regulator	IFMRRC
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

The broker offers up to 98% payouts on binary options, which is more than alternatives like Pocket Option, only offering up to 92%
There's an accessible $0.01 minimum stake for new day traders with a small budget
The broker's 24/7 customer support is fast and reliable, responding within 1 minute during tests

Cons

IQCent charges a punitive $10 monthly inactivity fee if you fail to place at least 1 trade per month
The market analysis is very basic with limited technical summaries and insights from analysts
There's no automated trading support for algo traders

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RedMars

"RedMars is the best fit for experienced day traders familiar with the MetaTrader 5 platform and based in the EU, where the broker is authorized by the CySEC. However, the threadbare education and research tools make it unsuitable for beginners."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

RedMars Quick Facts

Coins	BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, XLM, DOT, ZEC, XMR, QTM, NEO, EOS, BCH, DSH
Crypto Mining	No
Auto Market Maker	No
Crypto Spread	65
Crypto Lending	No
Crypto Staking	No
Platforms	MT5
Minimum Deposit	€250
Regulator	CySEC, AFM
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

RedMars offers one of the best platforms for day trading, MT5, hosting 21 timeframes, dozens of analytical tools, flexible templates and algo trading
Getting started on RedMars is incredibly easy - you can be up and running in just a few minutes based on tests
The broker supports a range of flexible payment methods, including wire transfers, credit cards, e-wallets, and notably cryptocurrencies

Cons

While RedMars' spreads are within industry averages, they don't offer a significant edge over the cheapest day trading brokers we've personally used, notably IC Markets
RedMars falls short for newer traders, with little in the way of education, no beginner-friendly platform, a steep minimum deposit, and inadequate support during testing
With just 300 instruments, RedMars offers a narrow trading environment, particularly compared to category leaders like BlackBull Markets which offers 26,000 assets

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RedMars Review

Plus500 US

"Plus500 US stands out as an excellent choice for beginners, offering a very user-friendly platform, low day trading margins, and access to the Futures Academy to enhance trading skills."
Michael MacKenzie, Reviewer

Plus500 US Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $200
Coins	MicroBitcoin, MicroEthereum
Crypto Mining	No
Auto Market Maker	No
Crypto Lending	No
Crypto Staking	No
Platforms	WebTrader, App
Minimum Deposit	$100
Regulator	CFTC, NFA
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

The trading app provides a terrific user experience with a modern design, a clean layout and mobile-optimized charts
Plus500 US excels for its low fees with very competitive day trading margins and no inactivity fees, live data fees, routing fees, or platform fees
The Futures Academy is an excellent resource for new traders with engaging videos and easy-to-follow articles, while the unlimited demo account is great for testing strategies

Cons

While Plus500 US continues to broaden its investment offering, it's currently restricted to around 50+ futures with no stocks
The proprietary platform is user-friendly but lacks advanced technical analysis tools found in third-party solutions like MetaTrader 4
Although support response times were fast during tests, there is no telephone assistance

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Plus500 US Review

Capitalcore

"The major selling points of Capitalcore are its high leverage options up to 1:2000 and zero commission or swap fees. However, its weak regulatory oversight from the IFSA and non-existent education place it far behind the top brokers."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

Capitalcore Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500
Coins	BTC, ETH, BCH, XRP, LTC
Crypto Mining	No
Auto Market Maker	No
Crypto Spread	$45
Crypto Lending	No
Crypto Staking	No
Platforms	WebTrader, Pro
Minimum Deposit	$10
Regulator	IFSA
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

The Capitalcore platform provides comprehensive charting tools and a wide range of 150+ technical indicators, ideal for detailed market analysis.
Capitalcore is one of the only brokers to charge zero swap fees, which may appeal to Islamic traders looking to comply with Islamic Finance.
The support team are available 24/7 and responded within minutes during testing with helpful responses.

Cons

Capitalcore is not regulated by major financial authorities and has an unproven reputation, raising concerns about the safety of client funds.
Platform support is limited to proprietary software, so there's no integration with the market-leading MetaTrader or cTrader, which offer built-in economic news and support automated trading.
Capitalcore’s threadbare education and research seriously trail category leaders like IG, making it less suitable for aspiring traders.

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