Broker Reviews
The best brokers, compared
Real details that actually matter: fees, platforms, account types, and what each broker is genuinely good at. Some links are referrals that keep this site free — they don't change our rankings or cost you extra.
Trading 212
4.7Commission-free stocks & ETFs with fractional shares.
Min deposit
$1
Fees
$0 commission
Markets
Stocks, ETFs, CFDs
Best for
Beginners & long-term investors
Account types
ISA (UK), General Investment, CFD
Platforms
iOS, Android, Web
Research tools
Basic charts and news
- Zero-commission stock & ETF investing
- Fractional shares from $1
- Built-in Pies for automated portfolio rebalancing
- Clean, beginner-friendly mobile app
- ISA accounts available (UK tax-free)
- No FX fees on USD, EUR, GBP accounts
- No bonds or mutual funds
- Limited research tools vs pro platforms
- Waiting list for new accounts during high demand
- CFD side can be risky for beginners
Interactive Brokers
4.6Pro-grade access to 150+ global markets.
Min deposit
$0
Fees
From $0 (IBKR Lite) or $0.0035/share (IBKR Pro)
Markets
Stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, funds
Best for
Advanced & active traders
Account types
Individual, Joint, IRA, Trust, Corporate
Platforms
TWS Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Web Trader, APIs
Research tools
Advanced tools, analyst reports, market scanners
Margin rate
From 5.83% (tiered based on balance)
- Access to 150 markets in 33 countries
- Powerful desktop platform (Trader Workstation)
- Industry-leading low margin rates
- Excellent for options and futures trading
- Real API access for algo traders
- Best-in-class FX conversion rates
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- UI is functional but dated
- Can feel overwhelming if you just want to buy ETFs
- Inactivity fee if under $2k and less than $10 commission/month
eToro
4.3Social trading and copy portfolios.
Min deposit
$50 (varies by country)
Fees
$0 stock commission (spreads apply)
Markets
Stocks, ETFs, crypto, CFDs, commodities
Best for
Social & copy traders, crypto exposure
Account types
Retail, Professional, Islamic, Corporate
Platforms
iOS, Android, Web
Research tools
Social feed, copy stats, basic charts
- CopyTrader lets you mirror successful investors
- Wide range including crypto and commodities
- Polished, intuitive mobile app
- Good for beginners who want social features
- Demo account to practice
- $5 withdrawal fee on all withdrawals
- Higher FX conversion fees (50 pips)
- Spreads on crypto can be steep
- Limited fundamental analysis tools
- Only fractional shares on some stocks
- Not available in all regions (e.g., US has restrictions)
Quick comparison
| Broker | Min deposit | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 | $1 | $0 commission | Beginners & long-term investors |
| Interactive Brokers | $0 | From $0 | Advanced & active traders |
| eToro | $50 (varies by country) | $0 stock commission | Social & copy traders, crypto exposure |
How to choose
If you're new to investing: Trading 212 is hard to beat. Zero fees, fractional shares, and an app that actually makes sense. The Pies feature is excellent for portfolio automation.
If you trade options or want global access: Interactive Brokers is the standard. Yes, the UI is ugly, but the costs are unbeatable and you get access to basically every market on Earth.
If you want to copy other traders: eToro's CopyTrader feature is genuinely useful. Just watch the withdrawal fees and FX spreads.
Bottom line: most beginners should start with Trading 212 or similar zero-commission platforms. Once you outgrow them (if you ever do), move to IBKR for serious trading.
Capital at risk. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Swift Penguin may earn a commission from brokers featured on this page.