Best Regulated Brokers 2025
We test and rank the top regulated brokers that ensure your trading safety, transparency, and success
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1Plus500 is a reputable broker that began operating in the US in 2021. It is accredited by the CFTC and NFA to provide futures trading on forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and interest rates. The creation of an account on Plus500 takes only 10 minutes, and you need a minimum of $100 to start trading. Its user-friendly web platform makes it a strong choice for US traders.
Regulation
Regulated by: CFTC, NFA -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.5 NinjaTrader is a US-based brokerage regulated for trading futures. It offers three different pricing plans for varied needs and budgets, along with extremely low margins on popular contracts. The company's renowned charting software and trading platform provides extensive customization options and excellent technical analysis features.Regulation
Regulated by: NFA, CFTC -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.3 Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a top brokerage firm offering access to 150 markets in 33 countries and a range of investment services. With 40 years in the field, this company listed on Nasdaq strictly follows the rules set by authorities such as the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC. It's recognized as one of the most reliable brokers for global trading.Regulation
Regulated by: FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 3.4 eToro is a platform for social investing that provides options for both short and long-term trading on stocks, ETFs, options, and crypto. The platform is recognized for its easy-to-use, community-oriented interface and reasonable fees. With oversight from FINRA and SIPC, and used by millions globally, eToro is a reputed name in the industry. Trading on eToro is facilitated by eToro USA Securities, Inc.Regulation
Regulated by: SEC, FINRA -
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Trust Platform Assets Fees Accounts Research Education Mobile Support 4.5 Established in 1999, FOREX.com is part of StoneX, a global financial services company that serves over a million customers. It's regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia, and other countries. The broker offers a wide range of markets beyond forex and provides competitive pricing on advanced platforms.Regulation
Regulated by: NFA, CFTC
Compare Brokers
Safety Comparison
Compare how safe the Best Regulated Brokers 2025 are.
Mobile Trading Comparison
Compare the mobile trading features of the Best Regulated Brokers 2025.
Comparison for Beginners
Compare how suitable the Best Regulated Brokers 2025 are for beginners.
Comparison for Advanced Traders
Compare how suitable the Best Regulated Brokers 2025 are for advanced or professional traders.
Accounts Comparison
Compare the trading accounts offered by Best Regulated Brokers 2025.
Detailed Rating Comparison
Compare how we rated the Best Regulated Brokers 2025 in key areas.
Fee and Cost Comparison
Compare the cost of trading with the Best Regulated Brokers 2025.
Broker Popularity
See how popular the Best Regulated Brokers 2025 are in terms of number of clients.
Broker | Popularity |
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Interactive Brokers |
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eToro USA |
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NinjaTrader |
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FOREX.com |
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Why Trade With Plus500 US?
Plus500 US is an excellent choice for beginners, offering a user-friendly platform, low trading margins, and access to the Futures Academy to improve trading skills. Its strong tools and reliable service earned it second place in DayTrading.com's 'Best US Broker' award.
Pros
- Plus500 US stands out due to its affordable fees for trading. It offers competitive margins and does not charge for inactivity, live data, routing, or platform usage.
- The Futures Academy is a useful resource for beginner traders due to its captivating videos and simple articles. Its unrestricted demo account is also beneficial for practicing trading strategies.
- The account setup, pricing structure, and web platform make futures trading simpler than competitors like NinjaTrader.
Cons
- Testing showed fast response times for support, but phone aid is not available.
- Plus500 US presently offers about 50 futures for trading, but currently does not provide stocks.
- The private trading platform is easy to use, but doesn't have the advanced analysis tools that platforms like MetaTrader 4 do.
Why Trade With NinjaTrader?
NinjaTrader consistently satisfies active futures traders with its low-cost service and high-quality analysis tools. It offers superior charting features, including hundreds of indicators and over 10 chart types.
Pros
- You can access thousands of applications and add-ons from developers worldwide for trading.
- NinjaTrader is a well-regarded and acclaimed futures broker, approved by the NFA and CFTC.
- Low costs, with $50 trading margins and commissions starting at $.09 per micro contract.
Cons
- You need to register with partner brokers to trade in securities other than forex and futures.
- Some payment methods require a withdrawal fee.
- The advanced trading tools require an additional fee.
Why Trade With Interactive Brokers?
Interactive Brokers is ideal for seasoned traders due to its robust charting platforms, updated data, and adaptability, especially with the IBKR Desktop application. Its exceptional pricing and advanced order features appeal to traders, and its variety of stocks remains unmatched in the market.
Pros
- IBKR is a highly regarded brokerage, regulated by prime authorities. This ensures the safety and reliability of your trading account.
- The TWS platform is designed for intermediate to advanced traders. It includes over 100 order types and a dependable real-time market data feed that rarely experiences downtime.
- IBKR offers exceptional access to global stocks, with thousands of equities available from over 100 market centers in 24 countries, including the recent addition of the Saudi Stock Exchange.
Cons
- IBKR offers many research tools. However, the tools are not uniformly distributed across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page, causing confusion for the users.
- Customer service may take time to respond, and there may be delays in fixing problems based on tests. It could be difficult to reach the customer service promptly.
- TWS's platform may be difficult for beginners to grasp because of its complexity. Plus500's web platform, on the other hand, is more appropriate for those new to trading.
Why Trade With eToro USA?
eToro is a top choice for traders due to its top-notch social investing and copy trading services. The broker caters well to new traders with its low deposit requirement, commission-free trading, and user-friendly platform.
Pros
- The broker's Academy provides extensive educational resources for traders, ranging from beginners to advanced levels.
- The low minimum deposit and simple account setup allow beginners to start trading quickly.
- Traders can use Smart Portfolios for a simpler approach, covering multiple sectors and markets like renewable energy and artificial intelligence.
Cons
- Traders used to third-party charting tools won't find MetaTrader 4 platform integration.
- Average fees can reduce the profits of traders.
- The exclusive terminal does not accommodate trading bots and lacks extra equity market analysis tools.
Why Trade With FOREX.com?
FOREX.com is a top-tier brokerage suitable for forex traders of all skill levels. It offers more than 80 currency pairs, has small spreads starting from 0.0 pips, and features low fees. The platform provides powerful charting tools that include over 100 technical indicators and multiple research aids.
Pros
- Numerous educational materials such as tutorials, webinars, and a comprehensive YouTube channel are available to assist you in learning about the financial markets.
- The Web Trader remains one of the top platforms for budding traders, boasting a sleek design and more than 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
- FOREX.com provides top-tier forex pricing beginning at 0.0 pips. They also offer competitive cashback rebates up to 15% for dedicated traders.
Cons
- US clients do not have negative balance protection, so you can potentially owe more than your original account deposit.
- The funding options are not as extensive as those of top competitors such as IC Markets and lack several widely-used e-wallets, particularly UnionPay and POLi.
- Demo accounts have a limited time duration of 90 days, which may not be sufficient for thoroughly testing trading strategies.
Filters
Why Use Regulated Trading Platforms?
We strongly suggest that traders stick to using trading platforms that are regulated. Here’s why:
– When a trading platform is approved by a respected regulatory agency, it shows that the broker is trustworthy and conducts trading fairly.
– Using regulated brokers can help you avoid scams, which have become more common lately. In 2023, UK’s FCA issued a record number of scam alerts, and the FBI in the US reported a significant rise in money lost because of scams.
How We Selected the Best Regulated Brokers
Here’s how we chose the top regulated brokers:
– We went through our list of online brokers and trading platforms.
– We checked and confirmed if they are regulated by looking them up on official regulatory websites.
– We ranked them based on their ratings, which come from over 100 data points and our testers’ personal insights.
Why You Need a Regulated Broker
If you want secure trading, choosing a regulated broker is essential. Some traders might go for unregulated brokers to get special promotions or higher leverage, but we advise against this, especially if you’re new to trading.
Choosing a regulated broker gives you:
- Protection: Many regulators make sure brokers offer protection systems, like compensation when things go wrong and secure accounts to keep your money safe. For instance, SIPC in the US and FSCS in the UK provide financial safety nets.
- Transparency: Regulated brokers must clearly show trading fees and risks, which is important for traders. In the EU, brokers have to state how many traders lose money when using products like CFDs.
- Security: Regulations ensure brokers protect your data with strong security measures like encryption and multi-factor authentication.
Are All Brokers Equal?
Choosing just any “regulated broker” isn’t enough because:
– Not all regulatory bodies offer the same level of protection. Each regulator focuses on brokers within their jurisdiction.
– Regulations can vary greatly across different agencies. For example, the FCA in the UK demands strict protection measures that offshore regulators might not.
We’ve categorized regulators based on their protective measures:
- Green Tier: These provide the best protection, like the SEC in the US, FCA in the UK, and ASIC in Australia.
- Yellow Tier: These offer strong protections but not as robust as Green Tier, such as FSCA in South Africa and SEBI in India.
- Orange Tier: These offer limited protection. Be cautious with examples like BMA in Bermuda.
- Red Tier: These provide little protection and are considered risky, like the VFSC in Vanuatu.
Be very cautious with brokers that are under ‘red tier’ regulation as they’re often used by scammers.
How to Check If a Broker Is Regulated
Checking a broker’s regulation is quite simple:
- Go to the regulator’s website where they have a searchable database.
- Enter the broker’s name or license number, which you can often find on the broker’s website.
- Verify their authorization and see which services they can provide.
Conclusion
Choosing a regulated trading platform is crucial. It’s beneficial for both traders and brokers. It indicates that a broker is trustworthy and helps them build a good reputation, making regulated brokers a smart choice given the rise in trading scams.
Use our curated list at brokerlistings.com to find the best regulated trading platforms.
FAQ
What Is Trading Regulation?
Regulatory bodies monitor financial markets and brokers to enforce rules that protect traders. MiFID II, for instance, has been a key regulatory system in Europe.
What Is a Regulated Broker?
A regulated broker has a license to operate within specific rules to protect traders and ensure fair market operations.
What Is an Unregulated Broker?
Unregulated brokers lack the guidelines regulated brokers follow, which can mean less protection for your funds, despite attractive features like high leverage.
Which Is the Best Regulated Broker?
Check our recommended list at brokerlistings.com for the best regulated brokers tailored to meet your trading needs, all independently verified for legitimacy.