Best Brokers That Pay Interest On Uninvested Cash 2025

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Written By
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Written By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
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Fact Checked By
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Fact Checked By
Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
Updated

An increasing number of brokers are paying interest on uninvested cash balances, incentivising clients to keep their funds in trading accounts until they decide to trade. Discover the top brokers offering interest on idle funds in April 2025.

Best Brokers That Pay Interest On Cash

These are the top 6 day trading brokers paying interest on uninvested cash:

Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers in April 2025:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. AvaTrade - Established in 2006, AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Operating under regulation in 9 jurisdictions, AvaTrade processes an impressive 2+ million trades each month. Through like MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader, the broker provides a growing selection of 1,250+ instruments. Whether it’s CFDs, AvaOptions, or the more recent AvaFutures, short-term traders at all levels will find opportunities. With terrific education and 24/5 multilingual customer support, AvaTrade delivers the complete trading experience.
  5. XTB - Founded in 2002 in Poland, XTB now serves more than 1 million clients. The forex and CFD broker combines a heavily regulated trading environment with an extensive selection of assets and a commitment to trader satisfaction, featuring an intuitive in-house platform with superb tools to support aspiring day traders.
  6. City Index - Established in 1983 and now a part of the Nasdaq-listed StoneX Group, City Index is a renowned and award-winning broker specializing in forex, CFDs, and spread betting. Offering over 13,500 instruments, an evolving Web Trader platform, top-tier educational resources, and 24/5 customer support, City Index delivers a comprehensive trading experience.

Best Brokers That Pay Interest On Uninvested Cash 2025 Comparison

Best Brokers That Pay Interest On Uninvested Cash 2025 Comparison
Broker Interest Rate Minimum Deposit Markets Platforms Regulators
Interactive Brokers USD: 4.8%, GBP: 4.7% $0 Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
eToro USA USD: 4.9% $100 Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader SEC, FINRA
Moomoo USD: 5.1% $0 Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs Desktop Platform, Mobile App SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
AvaTrade USD: 2.7% $100 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM
XTB USD: 2%, GBP: 4.5%, EUR: 1.25% $0 CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs xStation FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti
City Index GBP: 2.5% $0 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Futures, Options, Bonds, Interest Rates,ETFs,Spread Betting Web Trader, MT4, TradingView, TradingCentral FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS

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 Christian Harris, Reviewer

Interactive Brokers Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsStocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
RegulatorFCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
PlatformsTrader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade$100
Leverage1:50
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

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.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • 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.
  • 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.

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 Jemma Grist, Reviewer

eToro USA Quick Facts

Bonus OfferInvest $100 and get $10
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsStocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto
RegulatorSEC, FINRA
PlatformseToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader
Minimum Deposit$100
Minimum Trade$10
Account CurrenciesUSD

Pros

  • 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
  • The online broker offers an intuitive social investment network with straightforward copy trading on cryptos

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

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 Jemma Grist, Reviewer

Moomoo Quick Facts

Bonus OfferGet up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsStocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
RegulatorSEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
PlatformsDesktop Platform, Mobile App
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade$0
Leverage1:2
Account CurrenciesUSD, 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
  • The ‘Moomoo Token’ generates dynamic passwords for transaction security - a unique and helpful safety feature
  • The broker offers access to extended pre-market trading hours

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

AvaTrade

"AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets."

Jemma Grist Jemma Grist, Reviewer

AvaTrade Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM
PlatformsWebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
Minimum Deposit$100
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD

Pros

  • The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
  • Years on, AvaTrade remains one of the few brokers offering a bespoke risk management tool, AvaProtect, that insures losses up to $1M for a fee and is easy to activate on the platform.
  • AvaTrade continues to enhance its suite of products, recently through AvaFutures, providing an alternative vehicle to speculate on over 35 markets with low day trading margins.

Cons

  • While signing up is a breeze, AvaTrade lacks an ECN account like Pepperstone or IC Markets, which provides the raw spreads and ultra-fast execution many day traders are looking for.
  • Although the deposit process itself is smooth, AvaTrade still doesn’t facilitate crypto payments, a feature increasingly offered by brokers like TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
  • The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.

XTB

"XTB stands out as a top choice for new day traders with the terrific xStation platform, commission-free pricing, no minimum deposit, and excellent educational tools, many of which are seamlessly integrated into the platform. "

Christian Harris Christian Harris, Reviewer

XTB Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs
RegulatorFCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti
PlatformsxStation
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:30 (EU) 1:500 (Global)
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, PLN

Pros

  • XTB has boosted its interest rate on uninvested balances and added zero-fee ISAs for UK clients with 3,000 stocks and 700 ETFs for diverse opportunities.
  • The xStation platform continues to impress with its user-friendly interface and intuitive features, including customizable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and trader calculator, reducing the learning curve for newer traders.
  • XTB offers fast withdrawals with same-day payments if requested before 1 pm, ensuring day traders have quick access to their funds.

Cons

  • Trading fees are competitive with average spreads of around 1 pip on the EUR/USD but still trail the cheapest brokers like IC Markets, plus there's an inactivity fee after 12 months.
  • The research tools at XTB are good but could be great if they went beyond in-house features with access to leading third-party tools such as Autochartist, Trading Central and TipRanks.
  • The demo account expires after just four weeks, a serious limitation for traders who wish to thoroughly test the xStation platform and practice short-term strategies before committing real funds.

City Index

"City Index is a great match for active traders, with ultra-fast execution speeds averaging 20ms, a highly customizable web platform featuring 90+ technical indicators, and some of the best education we’ve seen."

Christian Harris Christian Harris, Reviewer

City Index Quick Facts

Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Futures, Options, Bonds, Interest Rates,ETFs,Spread Betting
RegulatorFCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS
PlatformsWeb Trader, MT4, TradingView, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.01 Lots
Leverage1:30 (Retail), 1:50 (Accredited Investor), 1:200 (Sophisticated Investor), 1:300 (Wholesale Investor), 1:400 (Professional Trader). Varies with jurisdiction.
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, PLN, CZK

Pros

  • City Index provides versatile trading platforms for all skill levels. The intuitive Web Trader platform is ideal for beginners, while support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and TradingView adds robust analysis and automation features, ensuring a flexible experience for traders of all levels.
  • City Index boasts 13,500+ markets spanning forex, indices, shares, commodities, bonds, ETFs, and interest rates, with the platform's inclusion of niche markets like interest rates offering unique trading avenues not always found elsewhere.
  • City Index has made strides to enhance the trading experience, notably through its Performance Analytics in 2024 for insights into trades and discipline, plus an upgraded mobile app featuring in-built market research and news at a swipe.

Cons

  • Unlike brokers such as AvaTrade and BlackBull, City Index does not provide passive investment opportunities like social copy trading, or real stock or ETF ownership, making it less appealing for hands-off trading.
  • While many brokers like eToro have expanded their crypto offerings, City Index only provides crypto CFDs, and the limited range may not satisfy traders looking for a broader selection of altcoins.
  • City Index lacks an Islamic account with swap-free trading conditions, making the broker less appealing to Muslim traders compared to providers like Eightcap and Pepperstone.

Visual showing traders can earn interest while identifying day trading opportunities

Higher interest rates are forcing brokers to think differently. The last few years have seen interest rates across the US and UK floating around 5% and 4.5% in the Eurozone.

When you can make this without lifting a finger, day trading returns have to be higher to make it a worthwhile activity. And uninvested cash in trading accounts making zero is a lost opportunity.

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James Barra
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FAQ

Which Broker Pays The Highest Interest On Uninvested Cash?

We’ve listed the brokers paying the highest interest on uninvested cash, with XTB standing after recently introducing a 4.5% rate on all balances.

However, we don’t recommend choosing a day trading broker solely based on how much interest they’re paying on unused funds. Equally important is the quality of their trading environment, which our ratings take into account.

What Is The Minimum Balance I Need In My Trading Account To Earn Interest?

This varies by online broker. Some brokerages cater to traders with modest balances, notably CMC Markets, paying interest on balances from just $0.01. Other trading platforms cater to investors with higher account balances, notably Saxo, paying interest on $10,000+.

It’s important to consider the amount you plan to leave in your trading account to get the best rate. For example, XTB pays 5+% interest on all balances, while eToro only pays 5% interest on balances of 50k+.

What Do You Need To Do To Earn Interest In A Brokerage Account?

Other than meeting the minimum deposit requirements – mostly nothing. The majority of brokerages automatically pay interest on uninvested cash as long as it is held in the correct account.

For example, Interactive Brokers pays cash on securities accounts only, not commodities accounts. Alternatively, eToro requires traders to hold a Club Member account and switch on ‘Interest on Balance’ in their profile settings.

When Do Brokers Pay Interest On Unused Balances?

Most brokers pay interest monthly, with the interest calculated daily. This means you can add cash to your account on any day throughout the month, and your interest will be calculated from that day.

Platforms generally specify a day of the month that the interest will be paid. For example, XTB pays interest on the 5th working day of the month.

Can Brokers Change Interest Rates?

Yes, the interest rate can change. Brokers decide their interest rates based on government interest rate benchmarks, which will fluctuate depending on the economic environment.

Almost every day trading broker we examined confirmed that interest rates are subject to change with varying frequencies. For example, XTB recalculates their interest rates daily, while at eToro it’s quarterly.

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