Best S&P 500 Brokers 2026

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Tested with a live trading account Accept traders from United States

Our Top Pick in USA 1 Interactive Brokers 4.3/5 Visit

2 NinjaTrader 4.5/5 Visit

3 eToro USA 3.4/5 Visit

4 Moomoo 3.2/5 Visit

Compare Interactive Brokers and NinjaTrader Details

Brokers With: S&P 500 ×

Showing 5 of 5 matching brokers

Filters Order By ... Overall Rating Latest Trust & Regulation Banking & Accounts Assets & Markets Fees & Costs Platforms & Tools Research Education Customer Support iOS App Android App Most Clients Trustpilot Score

1. 1

   Interactive Brokers

   4.3/5 our rating
   Available in United States Not available in United States
   Rating breakdown

   Regulation & Trust 4.5

   Assets & Markets 4.7

   Fees & Costs 4.3

   Platforms & Tools 3.3

   Customer Support 3.0

   Education 4.3

   Research 4.4

   Accounts & Banking 3.5
   Visit Interactive Brokers Read Review

   Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a leading brokerage offering access to over 170 markets in 40 countries and a range of investment services. With 40+ years in the industry, this Nasdaq-listed company follows strict regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, SFC, Europe and beyond, making it a trusted global trading broker.

   Demo Account

   ✓

   Minimum Deposit

   $0

   Minimum Trade

   $1

   Leverage

   1:50 (major forex pairs), 1:2-1:4 (equities)

   Copy Trading

   ✗

   Regulator

   SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS

   Instruments

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

   Platforms

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

   Account Currencies

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

   Automated Trading

   TWS API

   AI

   ✓

   Guaranteed Stop Loss

   ✗

2. 2

   NinjaTrader

   4.5/5 our rating
   Available in United States Not available in United States
   Rating breakdown

   Regulation & Trust 4.1

   Assets & Markets 3.5

   Fees & Costs 4.3

   Platforms & Tools 4.5

   Customer Support 4.0

   Education 4.0

   Research 4.0

   Accounts & Banking 3.3
   Visit NinjaTrader Read Review

   NinjaTrader is a trusted brokerage 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.

   Demo Account

   ✓

   Minimum Deposit

   $0 (live trades must meet intraday margin minimums, e.g., $50 to trade micro contracts)

   Minimum Trade

   1 contract

   Leverage

   $50 intraday margins for Micro contracts and $500 for popular E-mini contracts

   Copy Trading

   ✗

   Regulator

   NFA, CFTC, CySEC

   Instruments

   Futures, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto (non-futures depend on provider)

   Platforms

   NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal

   Account Currencies

   USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD

   Automated Trading

   NinjaScript or via Automated Trading Interface

   AI

   ✗

   Guaranteed Stop Loss

   ✗

3. 3

   eToro USA

   3.4/5 our rating
   Available in United States Not available in United States
   Rating breakdown

   Regulation & Trust 4.0

   Assets & Markets 2.9

   Fees & Costs 3.4

   Platforms & Tools 3.5

   Customer Support 3.0

   Education 3.0

   Research 3.5

   Accounts & Banking 3.0
   Visit eToro USA Read Review

   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. This site is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD.

   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. Used by millions globally with a string of awards, eToro is a reputed name in the industry. Trading on eToro is facilitated by eToro USA Securities, Inc.

   Demo Account

   ✓

   Minimum Deposit

   $50

   Minimum Trade

   $10

   Leverage

   ✗

   Copy Trading

   ✓

   Regulator

   SEC, FINRA

   Instruments

   Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto

   Platforms

   eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader

   Account Currencies

   USD

   Automated Trading

   ✗

   AI

   ✓

   Guaranteed Stop Loss

   ✗

4. 4

   Moomoo

   3.2/5 our rating
   Available in United States Not available in United States
   Rating breakdown

   Regulation & Trust 4.2

   Assets & Markets 3.3

   Fees & Costs 3.0

   Platforms & Tools 3.0

   Customer Support 3.3

   Education 4.0

   Research 3.5

   Accounts & Banking 3.0
   Visit Moomoo Read Review

   Moomoo is a regulated trading platform overseen by trusted regulators like the SEC. It provides a simple, cost-effective method to trade in stocks, ETFs, and various assets from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, and Australia. They provide the option for margin trading, along with no minimum deposit requirement, and several bonus options.

   Demo Account

   ✓

   Minimum Deposit

   $0

   Minimum Trade

   $0

   Leverage

   1:2

   Copy Trading

   ✗

   Regulator

   SEC, FINRA, MAS, SFC, ASIC, CIRO, JFSA, SC

   Instruments

   Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs ,Futures

   Platforms

   Desktop Platform, Mobile App

   Account Currencies

   USD, CAD, AUD, JPY, MYR, HKD, SGD, CNY

   Automated Trading

   Moomoo OpenAPI

   AI

   ✓

   Guaranteed Stop Loss

   ✗

5. 5

   Firstrade

   4.0/5 our rating
   Available in United States Not available in United States
   Rating breakdown

   Regulation & Trust 3.5

   Assets & Markets 4.3

   Fees & Costs 3.8

   Platforms & Tools 3.5

   Customer Support 3.5

   Education 4.0

   Research 4.3

   Accounts & Banking 3.8
   Visit Firstrade Read Review

   Firstrade is a US-based discount broker-dealer authorized by the SEC and a member of FINRA/SIPC. It offers welcome bonuses, advanced tools and apps, and commission-free trading. Firstrade Securities is a popular top online brokerage, and opening a new account is fast and simple.

   Demo Account

   ✗

   Minimum Deposit

   $0

   Minimum Trade

   $5

   Leverage

   1:2

   Copy Trading

   ✗

   Regulator

   SEC, FINRA

   Instruments

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

   Platforms

   Firstrade Invest 3.0, TradingCentral

   Account Currencies

   USD

   Automated Trading

   ✗

   AI

   ✓

   Guaranteed Stop Loss

   ✗

Compare Brokers

Broker		USD Account	Demo Account	Minimum Deposit	Minimum Trade	Leverage	Copy Trading	Regulator	Instruments	Platforms	Account Currencies	Automated Trading	AI	Guaranteed Stop Loss
		✓	✓	$0	$1	1:50 (major forex pairs), 1:2-1:4 (equities)	✗	SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS	Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, CFDs Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies	Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF	TWS API	✓	✗
		✓	✓	$0 (live trades must meet intraday margin minimums, e.g., $50 to trade micro contracts)	1 contract	$50 intraday margins for Micro contracts and $500 for popular E-mini contracts	✗	NFA, CFTC, CySEC	Futures, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto (non-futures depend on provider)	NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD	NinjaScript or via Automated Trading Interface	✗	✗
		✓	✓	$50	$10	✗	✓	SEC, FINRA	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto	eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader	USD	✗	✓	✗
		✓	✓	$0	$0	1:2	✗	SEC, FINRA, MAS, SFC, ASIC, CIRO, JFSA, SC	Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs ,Futures	Desktop Platform, Mobile App	USD, CAD, AUD, JPY, MYR, HKD, SGD, CNY	Moomoo OpenAPI	✓	✗
		✓	✗	$0	$5	1:2	✗	SEC, FINRA	Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Fixed	Firstrade Invest 3.0, TradingCentral	USD	✗	✓	✗
Broker		USD Account	Demo Account	Minimum Deposit	Minimum Trade	Leverage	Copy Trading	Regulator	Instruments	Platforms	Account Currencies	Automated Trading	AI	Guaranteed Stop Loss

Safety Comparison

Compare how safe the Best S&P 500 Brokers 2026 are.

Broker	Trust Rating	Guaranteed Stop Loss	Negative Balance Protection	Segregated Accounts
	4.5	✗	✗	✓
	4.1	✗	✗	✓
	4.0	✗	✗	✓
	4.2	✗	✗	✓
	3.5	✗	✗	✓
Broker	Trust Rating	Guaranteed Stop Loss	Negative Balance Protection	Segregated Accounts

Mobile Trading Comparison

Compare the mobile trading features of the Best S&P 500 Brokers 2026.

Broker	Mobile Apps	iOS Rating	Android Rating	Smart Watch App
	iOS & Android	4.3	4.5	✓
	iOS & Android	3.0	3.2	✗
	iOS & Android	4.3	4.0	✗
	Yes (iOS & Android)	4.6	3.8	✗
	iOS & Android	4.7	4.2	✗
Broker	Mobile Apps	iOS Rating	Android Rating	Smart Watch App

Comparison for Beginners

Compare how suitable the Best S&P 500 Brokers 2026 are for beginners.

Broker	Demo Account	Minimum Deposit	Minimum Trade	Education Rating	Support Rating	Fractional Shares	Demo Competitions
	✓	$0	$1	4.3	3.0	✓	✗
	✓	$0 (live trades must meet intraday margin minimums, e.g., $50 to trade micro contracts)	1 contract	4.0	4.0	✗	✗
	✓	$50	$10	3.0	3.0	✓	✗
	✓	$0	$0	4.0	3.3	✓	✗
	✗	$0	$5	4.0	3.5	✓	✗
Broker	Demo Account	Minimum Deposit	Minimum Trade	Education Rating	Support Rating	Fractional Shares	Demo Competitions

Comparison for Advanced Traders

Compare how suitable the Best S&P 500 Brokers 2026 are for advanced or professional traders.

Broker	Automated Trading	VPS	API	AI	Pro Account	Leverage	Low Latency	Extended Hours
	TWS API	✗	✓	✓	✗	1:50 (major forex pairs), 1:2-1:4 (equities)	✓	✓
	NinjaScript or via Automated Trading Interface	✗	✗	✗	✗	$50 intraday margins for Micro contracts and $500 for popular E-mini contracts	✓	✗
	✗	✗	✓	✓	✗	✗	✓	✓
	Moomoo OpenAPI	✗	✓	✓	✗	1:2	✓	✓
	✗	✗	✗	✓	✗	1:2	✗	✓
Broker	Automated Trading	VPS	API	AI	Pro Account	Leverage	Low Latency	Extended Hours

Accounts Comparison

Compare the trading accounts offered by Best S&P 500 Brokers 2026.

Broker	Demo Account	Interest on Cash	Islamic Account	Joint Account	Managed Account	PAMM	MAM	LAMM	Pro Account
	✓	USD: 3.14%, GBP: 3.24%	✗	✓	✓	✗	✓	✗	✗
	✓	✗	✗	✓	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗
	✓	USD: 4.05%	✗	✗	✓	✗	✗	✗	✗
	✓	USD: 3.35%	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗
	✗	✗	✗	✓	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗
Broker	Demo Account	Interest on Cash	Islamic Account	Joint Account	Managed Account	PAMM	MAM	LAMM	Pro Account

Detailed Rating Comparison

Compare how we rated the Best S&P 500 Brokers 2026 in key areas.

Broker	Trust	Platforms	Assets	Mobile	Fees	Accounts	Research	Education	Support
	4.5	3.3	4.7	4.4	4.3	3.5	4.4	4.3	3.0
	4.1	4.5	3.5	3.1	4.3	3.3	4.0	4.0	4.0
	4.0	3.5	2.9	4.2	3.4	3.0	3.5	3.0	3.0
	4.2	3.0	3.3	4.2	3.0	3.0	3.5	4.0	3.3
	3.5	3.5	4.3	4.5	3.8	3.8	4.3	4.0	3.5
Broker	Trust	Platforms	Assets	Mobile	Fees	Accounts	Research	Education	Support

Fee and Cost Comparison

Compare the cost of trading with the Best S&P 500 Brokers 2026.

Broker	Cost Rating	Fixed Spreads	Inactivity Fee	EUR/USD Spread	Crypto Spread
	4.3	✗	$0	0.08-0.20 bps x trade value	0.12%-0.18%
	4.3	✗	$35	✗	Floating
	3.4	✓	$10	✗	BTC 0.75%
	3.0	✗	$0	✗	0.49% per spot Bitcoin trade (US), 0.3% to 0.39% (Singapore)
	3.8	✗	$0	✗	Variable
Broker	Cost Rating	Fixed Spreads	Inactivity Fee	EUR/USD Spread	Crypto Spread

Customer Ratings

Compare how customers of these brokers feel about them, with real user ratings from Trustpilot, the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Broker	Customers	Trustpilot Score	Trustpilot Reviews	Android App Rating	iOS App Rating
	4,300,000	3.0	5,535	4.5	4.3
	1,800,000	3.8	1,258	3.2	3.0
	3,200,000	4.0	32,301	4.0	4.3
	24,000,000	4.0	736	3.8	4.6
	✗	1.8	53	4.2	4.7
Broker	Customers	Trustpilot Score	Trustpilot Reviews	Android App Rating	iOS App Rating

Broker Popularity

See how popular the Best S&P 500 Brokers 2026 are in terms of number of clients.

Broker	Popularity
Moomoo	24,000,000
Interactive Brokers	4,300,000
eToro USA	3,200,000
NinjaTrader	1,800,000

Why Trade With Interactive Brokers?

4.3/5

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

• Interactive Brokers was awarded 'Best US Broker' for 2025 by DayTrading.com for its dedication to US traders, ultra-low margin rates, and affordable global market access.
• 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.
• The new IBKR Desktop platform combines the advantages of TWS and adds unique tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to make trading accessible and impressive for traders of all levels.

Cons

• 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.
• Only one active session per account is allowed, which means you can't run the desktop version and mobile app at the same time. This can sometimes lead to a frustrating trading experience.
• In 2025, IBKR was fined $11.8 million by the US OFAC for offering services in restricted areas. It also faced a $125,000 fine from FINRA in 2025 for failing to disclose municipal bond information.

Visit Interactive Brokers Read Review

Why Trade With NinjaTrader?

4.5/5

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

• In July 2026, NinjaTrader introduced CME Group Single Stock futures. This allows traders to take directional positions in major U.S. companies such as Nvidia and Amazon without using options.
• The market replay feature lets you download tick-by-tick historical data, go back to any date, and interact with it as if trading live. It's useful for strategy testing and real-world practice.
• Nano contracts—one-hundredth the size of standard NinjaTrader contracts—help traders size positions precisely and manage risk at a smaller scale when building positions gradually.

Cons

• NinjaTrader was fined $250,000 in 2025 for not implementing a sufficient anti-money laundering program and for supervisory failures.
• NinjaTrader was bought by Kraken in May 2025. Although it still operates independently, traders concerned about long-term stability may worry about changes in the platform's direction and pricing under new ownership.
• Intraday margin requirements can rise up to four times in the 15 minutes before major economic news and remain high for several minutes after volatility decreases.

Visit NinjaTrader Read Review

Why Trade With eToro USA?

3.4/5

eToro is a strong choice for traders seeking social investing and copy trading. Its low deposit, zero commissions, and easy-to-use platform suit new traders.

Pros

• The low minimum deposit and simple account setup allow beginners to start trading quickly.
• A free demo account enables new users and potential traders to test the broker without risk.
• The broker's Academy provides extensive educational resources for traders, ranging from beginners to advanced levels.

Cons

• Average fees may reduce active traders' profit margins.
• eToro USA was fined $1.5 million by the SEC in 2024 for unregistered crypto offerings.
• The range of trading instruments is limited compared to some competitors, offering mainly stocks, ETFs, a large selection of options, and cryptocurrencies.

Visit eToro USA Read Review

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. This site is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD.

Why Trade With Moomoo?

3.2/5

Moomoo is a great option for beginner and intermediate traders aiming to diversify their investment portfolio. The brokerage's app is easily navigable and the trading fees are significantly low.

Pros

• The fees for options contracts have been lowered from $0.65 to $0.
• API Skills offers agentic investing for retail traders. Users can connect their AI agents, such as Claude or OpenAI, to Moomoo's platform to execute algorithmic strategies using natural language.
• Moomoo is a member of FINRA and SIPC, providing added protection for clients.

Cons

• The account options are limited compared to similar brokerages, with no managed portfolios or robo-advisor solutions.
• Moomoo has received several regulatory penalties lately, including fines and orders in 2026 that temporarily halted the acceptance of some Japanese and Chinese clients.
• No negative balance protection, a standard safety feature at top-tier regulated brokers.

Visit Moomoo Read Review

Why Trade With Firstrade?

4.0/5

Firstrade is ideal for beginners wanting to trade US stocks without commission fees. It offers plenty of free educational resources and high-quality research, including its new FirstradeGPT tool. Users also get trading ideas from Morningstar, Briefing.com, Zacks, and Benzinga.

Pros

• Improved platform in 2025 with Firstrade Invest 3.0, featuring a cleaner interface and faster order entry for active traders in key areas like watchlists and options chains.
• FirstradeGPT ranks among the initial brokers to offer AI-powered analysis.
• Improved stock trading features now include overnight trading and fractional shares.

Cons

• Firstrade does not offer a demo or paper trading account, unlike over 90% of other options we've reviewed.
• Customer support needs improvement after testing, but 24/7 help is now available.
• Firstrade emphasizes stocks and lacks forex options, reducing diversification opportunities.

Visit Firstrade Read Review

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How We Choose The Top S&P 500 Brokers

Our comprehensive evaluation process comprises the following steps:

• Registering for a trading account with each broker in our evolving directory, then noting which ones provide customers with access to the S&P 500 either through shares listed, or ETFs, futures or other vehicles that track the US 500 index.
• Verifying that each broker is registered with a national regulator like the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We then consider the protections investors can expect based on the regulatory frameworks of each of these financial watchdogs. As part of this process, we also search to see if there have been any reported or investigated cases of misconduct.
• Weighing up the strengths and weaknesses of our listed brokerages. Low trading costs, the quality of their online trading software, and the range of US shares they provide exposure to are among the key things we look at.
• Regulatory re-checking each broker’s regulatory status. Organizations like the SEC can revoke a brokerage’s license when they identify cases of fraud or evidence of bad business practices.

Each broker with access to the S&P 500 in BrokerListings.com’s database was awarded an overall score following the collection of roughly 300 data points and combination with research from our hands-on evaluators, which providers were ranked by.

How Should I Choose A Broker To Trade The S&P 500?

The US stock market is the most popular share trading venue on the planet. This means the range of brokerages offering exposure to New York-listed shares – and particularly the blue-chip companies of the S&P 500 index – is vast.

However, the quality and cost of service can differ significantly the further you delve into the market. Spending time to find the best brokerage for you can yield benefits in terms of your trading and your investing experience.

The service offered may differ significantly from broker to broker. At BrokerListings.com, we have identified the four key factors every investor should check before handing over any money or personal information.

These are:

Regulatory Status

The growth in online trading has caused a boom in the number of internet-based investment scams. And as the market grows and scams become more sophisticated, the problem is becoming increasingly expensive.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), investment scams were the second-most frequent example of online fraud in 2025, with 72,984 reported cases. The scale of investor losses was even more staggering, at $8,648,617,756, more than any other type of cyber-enabled fraud.

As you can see, it’s therefore critical to ensure the broker you’re considering is licensed by a reputable national regulator. This has other benefits, too, like protecting you from bad business practices and offering a route for financial redress and compensation if appropriate.

Pro tip: Consider brokers regulated by bodies with Category A status under BrokerListings.com’s comprehensive regulator ranking system. Investors can quickly and simply check the regulatory status of a broker on their websites (or in the case of CFTC-approved firms, on the National Futures Association’s (NFA) internet directory).

Using an SEC or FINRA-authorized firm, for example, has advantages, including partial or full financial protection if your broker becomes bankrupt. The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) compensation scheme pays up to $500,000 on eligible claims for lost assets (with a ceiling of $250,000 for cash holdings).

If you’re based outside the US and plan to trade S&P 500 securities directly or indirectly, you may wish to consider a top-level regulator in your region.

Top S&P 500 broker for regulatory status: Firstrade has a long record of offering financial services dating back to the mid-1980s. Today it is authorized by both the SEC and FINRA, meaning investors enjoy excellent protections from fraud and poor customer service.

Firstrade is an SEC-authorized broker. Source: SEC

Trading Costs

Under SEC regulations, brokers are required to disclose “material fees and costs that apply to the retail customer’s transactions, holdings, and accounts.”

Publishing fees and charges in a timely, clear and comprehensive manner is a key requirement demanded by all Category A regulators. The sorts of costs we’re talking about include:

• Trading commissions.
• Charges for depositing and withdrawing money.
• Account costs (including subscription fees and charges for extras).
• Currency conversion fees.
• Account inactivity charges.
• Swap fees for derivatives.
• Account management and portfolio advice fees.

Pro tip: Foreign exchange conversion charges shouldn’t be an issue for US traders directly trading the S&P 500. This is because all S&P stocks are denominated in the US dollar (USD).

If you’re trading the S&P 500 outside the US, however, you may want to consider using a broker that offers US dollar-denominated trading accounts. This can save you a packet in currency conversion fees, and can make portfolio management simpler too.

The S&P 500 comprises blue riband shares from both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ exchanges.

These trading venues don’t charge retail investors directly to buy and sell shares. Instead, these fees are paid by market members like brokerages. It is then down to the discretion of the broker as to whether to pass these costs along to their customers, for example by charging higher trade commissions or employing wider bid (buy) and ask (sell) spreads.

The NYSE and NASDAQ operate different fee structures, as do exchanges that offer trading of S&P 500-related derivatives (such as futures and options contracts). The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) is a popular derivatives exchange for indirectly trading US shares, and like those other venues offers its own pricing structure.

Let’s say a broker has received a trader instruction to buy 1,000 Caterpillar shares on the NYSE. They will pay a transaction fee for each share they buy, assuming the trader’s buy order matches with a sell order on the NYSE’s order book, thus removing liquidity from the exchange.

In this example, the NYSE would charge the broker $2.40 to purchase those 1,000 Caterpillar shares. Under its standard pricing plan, the exchange charges $0.0024 for each share that is bought and sold.

It’s important to take a holistic view of a broker’s fees and charges, and to consider what works best for you. For instance, if you’re a high-volume trader, you may be happy to pay a larger account management fee if the service provider also offers narrow spreads.

Top S&P 500 broker for trading costs: eToro USA doesn’t charge commissions to trade S&P 500 shares directly for those living in the US. There are no platform fees either for holding these investments, and withdrawals are free.

All this can make eToro USA a strong choice for investors who don’t trade US shares frequently.

Trading Platform

What makes the best trading platform is a highly subjective matter. It’s not just down to aesthetics like the software’s color scheme or interface layout. The most suitable platform for you will also depend on your investing style, personal circumstances and trading objectives.

For example:

• If you’re a new trader, you might want a brokerage offering stacks of educational material to help you get started.
• If you plan to trade high-risk assets like CFDs and/or make use of leverage (borrowed funds), you’ll want to know the platform provides excellent risk management tools. Note CFDs aren’t available to US residents.
• If you want to trade ‘on the go,’ a broker offering sophisticated mobile and smartwatch apps may be extremely useful.
• If you’re a short-term trader, you’ll need a platform that offers advanced charting tools.

That said, there are certain things all investors will need for a seamless trading experience. Consider things like execution speeds if you’re making short-term trades, how easy to navigate the platform’s menus are, how simple it is to build watchlists of S&P 500 shares, and the robustness of the software’s security features.

Pro tip: If you’re a novice trader, also consider a broker that offers access to demo trading accounts. That way, you can get up to speed with the market and refine your trading strategy by using virtual cash and not your own hard-earned capital.

Top S&P 500 broker for trading platform: IG is world famous for its excellent trading platform, which caters for new, intermediate and experienced traders. It’s also one of the few service providers that offer a dedicated smartphone and smartwatch app.

IG’s desktop app is fast, intuitive, and offers a range of tools (its advanced charting tools are especially strong). But if you prefer to use a third-party trading software, the broker’s trading infrastructure is compatible with various external platforms including MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and TradingView.

Trading the S&P 500 with IG. Source: IG

Asset Range

As I’ve mentioned, traders can deal in S&P 500 shares directly and indirectly, both of which have different advantages. As well as offering derivatives like ETFs that change hands on regulated exchanges, many brokers offer index- or share-based contracts for difference (CFDs) which are dealt over-the-counter (OTC), though CFDs aren’t allowed in the US.

Certain brokers also allow traders to purchase fractional shares in S&P-listed companies. This can be a valuable tool for traders in US shares given the huge price tags of many blue-chip stocks.

Pro tip: Traders seeking exposure to S&P 500 companies don’t typically restrict their interest to this particular group of equities. This was particularly evident when SpaceX shares went public in June 2026, attracting frenzied interest from retail investors the world over.

Therefore, it may be a good idea to check that the broker you’re considering offers broad access US shares.

Top S&P 500 broker for asset range: Interactive Brokers provides wide exposure to the S&P 500 (and the broader US stock market), whether you’re looking to buy shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or derivatives. Fractional shares are also on offer.

How Can I Begin Trading The S&P 500?

To begin trading S&P 500 shares, ETFs, or stock- or index-linked derivatives, I’ll need to complete the following three steps:

1. Compare brokers. It’s not just the four aforementioned factors I’ll need to think about at this stage (trustworthiness, platform, costs and asset range – constituent shares, ETFs, futures or other products that track the index). They may be the most important in our view, but other features will demand attention according to my personal circumstances and investing style objectives. I’ll need to consider margin rules, for instance, if I want to use leverage, or ascertain which risk management tools are available if my strategy involves high-risk assets like CFDs (region dependent).

2. Open an account. Once I’ve selected a broker, I’ll need to provide some basic personal information to register for a live account. If my brokerage is also licensed by a reputable national regulator like the SEC, I may also be asked questions at this stage on my investing goals and experience, as well as the source of my funds to meet money laundering legislation requirements. Some service providers won’t ask this until the next stage, however…

3. Deposit money. I’ll need cash in my trading account to start buying assets. Many brokers allow their customers to make deposits in a variety of ways, including bank transfer (such as from US banks like Wells Fargo), debit card, digital wallet (like Apple Pay) and payment service providers (such as PayPal).

What Is The S&P 500?

The S&P 500 is generally regarded as the leading US stock market index. Created in 1957, the Standard & Poor’s 500 (to give the index its full title) includes hundreds of the largest listed companies in the US.

The S&P 500 comprises shares quoted on both the NYSE and NASDAQ stock exchanges. In total, the index represents 80% of the market capitalization of US-listed equities.

Pro tip: Surging investor interest in tech shares means Information Technology is the most represented sector on the S&P 500. It makes up more than a third of the index’s total market value. However, other well-represented industries include financial services, communications, consumer goods and healthcare.

Some of the S&P’s most popular stocks include:

• Consumer electronics manufacturer Apple.
• Semiconductor maker Nvidia.
• E-commerce platform Amazon.
• Banking giant JP Morgan.
• Energy producer ExxonMobil.
• Berkshire Hathaway, a conglomerate and investment company once led by legendary investor Warren Buffett.
• Pharmaceuticals manufacturer Eli Lilly.
• Software developer Microsoft.
• Tesla, which designs and manufactures cars, energy storage systems and robots.
• Google, YouTube and Gmail owner Alphabet.
• Digital payments network Visa.

The long-term performance of the S&P 500 Source: S&P

The S&P 500 is one of several indices that come under the S&P umbrella. Others include the S&P MidCap 400 index of medium-sized companies; the S&P SmallCap 600, which tracks small cap companies; and the S&P Composite 1500, which blends all three of these indices.

How Can I Trade The S&P 500?

You’ll be hard pushed not to find a broker offering access to S&P 500 stocks. Millions of investors the world over buy and sell shares in companies that make up the index. And the range is vast, meaning investors can build diversified portfolios of robust companies, a popular strategy with long-term investors.

However, investors can also achieve this diversification with the use of an S&P-500 tracking ETF. Funds like the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF hold shares in every member of the index, and therefore closely follow the performance of the 500 constituent firms. Funds like these change hands on US securities exchanges as well as international trading venues.

The State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF. Source: State Street

These ETFs can cater for a range of trading strategies. Some S&P 500-linked funds distribute dividends from companies on the index, while others accumulate these cash rewards and reinvest them straight back into the fund.

Investors can also ‘go short’ on the S&P 500 with ETFs that rise in value when the index falls. Higher-risk leveraged funds are also available, which allow investors greater exposure to the index without them having to invest the full notional value themselves. The Xtrackers S&P 500 2x Inverse Daily Swap UCITS ETF is a product that combines both of these strategies.

Pro tip: State Street also offers ETFs allowing investors to cherry pick certain groups of S&P 500 companies according to the sector in which they operate.

State Street’s 11 S&P 500 sector ETFs. Source: State Street

Investors can also trade S&P 500-linked derivatives, allowing them to speculate on price movements without having to own any underlying asset. This offers certain advantages, like allowing traders to go both ‘long’ and ‘short,’ providing profit opportunities when markets rise or fall.

But this strategy does have drawbacks – for instance, traders don’t receive passive income from dividend-paying US shares or S&P 500 ETFs that distribute dividends.

These derivatives include futures and options that change hands on the CME, one of many major global exchanges that offer trading of such assets. Traders can also purchase CFDs to indirectly deal in S&P 500 securities.

Pro tip: Retail investors can directly trade S&P 500 stocks and index-linked ETFs on both the NYSE and NASDAQ exchanges during regular market hours. These are 9.30am to 4pm Eastern Time (ET) Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Bottom Line

The S&P 500 attracts significant investor interest and, as a result, the number of brokers offering exposure is vast. Traders can buy stocks directly as well as ETFs, futures and other derivatives that track the whole index or particular sectors.

Whichever broker you use, it’s critical to check they’re authorized by a top-level regulator like the SEC or FINRA in the US. BrokerListings.com’s regulator classification system lets you find a reputable financial watchdog simply and quickly.