Lowest-Cost Brokers

Why here: Unmatched global market access from a single account

Watch out: Trader Workstation has a genuinely steep learning curve

Real assets · SEC, FINRA, FCA, ASIC, CIRO and others

Why here: Zero-fee index funds and unusually deep retirement planning tools

Watch out: Less suited to active derivatives trading than some rivals

Real assets · SEC, FINRA, SIPC

Why here: thinkorswim's professional tooling alongside full-service support

Watch out: Low interest paid on uninvested cash; limited crypto access

Real assets · SEC, FINRA, SIPC

Why here: Charting and paper trading well beyond what a free app usually offers

Watch out: No mutual funds, and its ownership history has drawn US scrutiny

Real assets · SEC, FINRA, SIPC

Why here: Raw spreads with a choice of MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView

Watch out: Derivatives only — there is nothing here to buy and hold

CFDs only · FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA and others

Why here: Among the lowest per-trade costs available in Europe

Watch out: Basic platform, no forex, and not open to US residents

Real assets · BaFin, through flatex's German banking licence

Why here: Trading since 1974, LSE-listed, with very wide market access

Watch out: Most of the range is leveraged rather than owned

Mixed · FCA, ASIC and other regional regulators

Why here: A genuinely simple mobile app with an IRA contribution match

Watch out: No mutual funds or individual bonds, and a $100 outgoing transfer fee

Real assets · SEC, FINRA, SIPC

Why here: Moved away from payment for order flow on stock and ETF trades

Watch out: A shorter track record, with some features behind a subscription

Real assets · SEC, FINRA, SIPC

Why here: Pies and AutoInvest, with a £1 minimum to start

Watch out: No mutual funds, bonds, desktop platform or phone support

Real assets · FCA

Why here: CopyTrader, the most developed social investing product

Watch out: Heavy CFD component outside the US and UK, plus withdrawal and FX fees

Mixed · FCA, CySEC, ASIC; SEC-registered US entity

Why here: Commission-free stocks and ETFs up to a high monthly threshold

Watch out: The product range is CFD-weighted, and availability varies by country

Mixed · FCA, KNF, CySEC, DFSA and others

Why here: Professional-grade platforms and exceptional instrument breadth

Watch out: Premium pricing, with custody fees on some account tiers

Real assets · Danish FSA as a licensed bank, plus FCA and others

Why here: A simple proprietary platform backed by an LSE-listed parent

Watch out: No real asset ownership at all, and no MT4 or MT5

CFDs only · FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS and others

Why here: An app that actively surfaces behavioural feedback on your trading

Watch out: CFDs only, and a shorter track record than the older names

CFDs only · FCA, CySEC, ASIC and others

Why here: Investing built into an app millions already have open

Watch out: A narrow menu with tiered free-trade limits; not a dedicated broker

Real assets · Varies by region: FCA in the UK, an EU entity in the EEA