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Stock brokers

Compare stock and share brokers by overall rating, minimum deposit, markets and regulation, with Capital.com leading the ranking.

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Best brokers

  1. Overall score
    4.8/5
    65% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
  2. Overall score
    4.6/5
    80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
  3. Overall score
    4.5/5
    80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
  4. Overall score
    4.5/5
    71% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
  5. Overall score
    4.4/5
    82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
  6. Overall score
    4.3/5
    70.7% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
  7. Overall score
    4.3/5
    CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.
  8. Overall score
    4.1/5
    CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.
  9. Overall score
    4/5
    83% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Stock brokers

Short answer

Capital.com leads with an overall rating of 4.8, followed by XM at 4.6. Exness and XTB each have 4.5, followed by ActivTrades at 4.4. Capital.com, XM, XTB and ActivTrades offer shares, while Exness offers stocks.

Capital.com leads the ranking; XM, Exness, XTB and ActivTrades complete the leading group.

  1. Capital.com4.8/5
  2. XM4.6/5
  3. Exness4.5/5
  4. XTB4.5/5
  5. ActivTrades4.4/5
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Compare brokers
BrokerCapital.comXMExnessXTBActivTrades
Rating4.8/54.6/54.5/54.5/54.4/5
Min. deposit$20$5$10$0$0
RegulationCySEC, FCA, ASICCySECFCA, FSAFCA, CySECFCA
MarketsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, ETFs, Forex, Indices, SharesCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals, SharesCryptocurrencies, Forex, Futures, Indices, Metals, StocksCommodities, ETFs, Forex, Indices, SharesBonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, ETFs, Forex, Indices, Shares
PlatformsMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, WebTrader, Web platform, Proprietary platformMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Mobile apps, Web platformMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Web-based platforms, Web platform, Proprietary platformWeb-based platforms, xStation 5, Web platform, Proprietary platformActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, Web platform, Proprietary platform
Account typesStandard account, Demo account, Islamic accountStandard account, Demo account, Islamic account, VIP accountStandard account, Demo account, Islamic account, VIP accountStandard account, Demo account, Islamic account, VIP accountStandard account, Demo account, Islamic account, VIP account
Open an accountVisit Capital.com65% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit XM80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit Exness80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit XTB71% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit ActivTrades82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Which stock broker has the highest overall rating?

Short answer

Capital.com has the highest overall rating in this comparison at 4.8, ahead of XM at 4.6. Exness and XTB are tied at 4.5, with Exness appearing before XTB in the ranking, followed by ActivTrades at 4.4.

Capital.com leads on overall rating; Exness and XTB share the same score.

Which stock broker has the highest overall rating?
Compare brokers
BrokerCapital.comXMExnessXTBActivTrades
Rating4.8/54.6/54.5/54.5/54.4/5
Open an accountVisit Capital.com65% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit XM80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit Exness80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit XTB71% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit ActivTrades82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Which ranked broker has no minimum deposit?

Short answer

XTB has no minimum deposit and an overall rating of 4.5. Capital.com remains ahead of XTB in the overall ranking, with a rating of 4.8.

XTB combines a zero minimum deposit with share trading.

Which ranked broker has no minimum deposit?
Compare brokers
BrokerCapital.comXMExnessXTBActivTrades
Rating4.8/54.6/54.5/54.5/54.4/5
Min. deposit$20$5$10$0$0
Open an accountVisit Capital.com65% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit XM80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit Exness80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit XTB71% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit ActivTrades82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Which leading stock brokers also offer ETFs?

Short answer

Capital.com, XTB and ActivTrades offer ETFs alongside shares. Capital.com, XTB and ActivTrades also offer forex, indices and commodities, giving you other markets to compare alongside share trading.

Capital.com, XTB and ActivTrades combine shares and ETFs.

Which leading stock brokers also offer ETFs?
Compare brokers
BrokerCapital.comXMExnessXTBActivTrades
Rating4.8/54.6/54.5/54.5/54.4/5
MarketsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, ETFs, Forex, Indices, SharesCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals, SharesCryptocurrencies, Forex, Futures, Indices, Metals, StocksCommodities, ETFs, Forex, Indices, SharesBonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, ETFs, Forex, Indices, Shares
Open an accountVisit Capital.com65% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit XM80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit Exness80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit XTB71% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit ActivTrades82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Which leading stock brokers have FCA regulation?

Short answer

Capital.com, Exness, XTB and ActivTrades have FCA regulation in the UK. Capital.com also has CySEC regulation in Cyprus and ASIC regulation in Australia; XM and XTB have CySEC regulation in Cyprus.

Capital.com, Exness, XTB and ActivTrades have FCA regulation in the UK.

Which leading stock brokers have FCA regulation?
Compare brokers
BrokerCapital.comXMExnessXTBActivTrades
Rating4.8/54.6/54.5/54.5/54.4/5
RegulationCySEC, FCA, ASICCySECFCA, FSAFCA, CySECFCA
Open an accountVisit Capital.com65% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit XM80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit Exness80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit XTB71% of retail CFD accounts lose money.Visit ActivTrades82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

#1 Capital.com

Capital.com is a globally regulated CFD broker offering commission-free access to over 4,500 trading instruments, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, and futures-based CFDs. With regulatory licenses from top-tier authorities like the FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), ASIC (Australia), SCA (UAE), and SCB (Bahamas), it provides traders with robust security, segregated client funds, and negative balance protection across most jurisdictions. Its award-winning proprietary platform, alongside MT4 and TradingView integration, ensures fast execution and a flexible, user-friendly trading environment.

In addition to its competitive spreads and transparent fee structure, Capital.com supports a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods without charging internal fees. Traders can choose from multiple account types—including swap-free, spread betting (only for UK clients), and 1X accounts—each tailored for different strategies and regions. With strong 24/7 customer support, free educational resources, and platform accessibility across devices, Capital.com caters effectively to both beginner and professional traders worldwide.

Visit Capital.com65% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Capital.com at a glance
Overall score
4.8/5
Min. deposit
$20
Regulation
CySEC, FCA, ASIC
Markets
Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, ETFs, Forex, Indices, Shares
Platforms
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, WebTrader, Web platform, Proprietary platform
Account types
Standard account, Demo account, Islamic account
Read our Capital.com review

#2 XM

XM stands among the world’s leading multi-asset brokers, trusted by over 15 million clients across nearly 200 countries. Operating under multiple regulators including CySEC, DFSA, FSC (Mauritius & Belize), FSCA, and FSA (Seychelles), the broker upholds global standards of transparency, security, and fair trading.

Clients can trade more than 1,400 instruments across forex, stocks, indices, commodities, precious metals, cryptos, and new categories such as Turbo Stocks and Thematic Indices. The unified XM App and MetaTrader 4/5 platforms deliver TradingView charts, XM AI insights, and instant 24/7 withdrawals, giving traders a fully connected experience from analysis to execution.

With spreads from 0.8 pips, leverage up to 1:1000, and execution speeds under one second, XM offers institutional-grade performance backed by negative balance protection and segregated Tier-1 bank accounts. Comprehensive multilingual education, XM Traders Club rewards, and round-the-clock support make XM a dependable, innovation-driven choice for traders worldwide.

Visit XM80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
XM at a glance
Overall score
4.6/5
Min. deposit
$5
Regulation
CySEC
Markets
Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals, Shares
Platforms
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Mobile apps, Web platform
Account types
Standard account, Demo account, Islamic account, VIP account
Read our XM review

#3 Exness

Exness is a leading online forex and CFD broker, offering a wide range of trading instruments and account types tailored to the needs of different types of traders. The broker has a user-friendly and efficient deposit and withdrawal system, with a variety of payment options, including BTC and USDT crypto solutions. Exness is regulated by leading international governing bodies, and operates as a member of the Financial Commission, offering additional protection for traders through the Compensation Fund. The broker has won several awards and has set records in the industry, making it a reliable and trustworthy choice for traders of all levels who want to access the global financial markets.

Visit Exness80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Exness at a glance
Overall score
4.5/5
Min. deposit
$10
Regulation
FCA, FSA
Markets
Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Futures, Indices, Metals, Stocks
Platforms
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Web-based platforms, Web platform, Proprietary platform
Account types
Standard account, Demo account, Islamic account, VIP account
Read our Exness review
Compare the top three side by side

Capital.com, XM, Exness

Compare brokers

#4 XTB

According to our XTB experience, there are significantly more advantages than disadvantages that speak in favor of XTB. XTB is a reputable, regulated, publicly listed, and established broker that has been enabling CFD and Forex trading for traders from many different countries since 2002. For most traders, especially advanced traders, XTB is a good choice. Unfortunately, due to the high minimum fees for stocks, XTB may not be the right fit for every trader. Smaller accounts, in particular, might be better off with other brokers (if the focus is on stock trading).

Visit XTB71% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
XTB at a glance
Overall score
4.5/5
Min. deposit
$0
Regulation
FCA, CySEC
Markets
Commodities, ETFs, Forex, Indices, Shares
Platforms
Web-based platforms, xStation 5, Web platform, Proprietary platform
Account types
Standard account, Demo account, Islamic account, VIP account
Read our XTB review

#5 ActivTrades

ActivTrades is a reputable, UK-based broker founded in 2001 that has evolved into a multi-asset platform serving traders worldwide. Known for its transparent pricing and competitive spreads, the broker provides access to a diverse range of markets—including Forex, CFDs on shares, indices, commodities, bonds, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies—catering to both retail and institutional investors. Clients can choose from a variety of account types, such as Standard, Professional, Corporate, Islamic (swap-free), Betting, and Demo accounts, each designed to meet different trading needs and levels of experience. The account opening process is fully digital and streamlined, ensuring that new clients can quickly verify their identity and fund their accounts.

ActivTrades stands out for its robust regulatory framework, being licensed by top-tier authorities such as the FCA in the UK, the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB), both BACEN and CVM in Brazil, the CMVM in Portugal, and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Mauritius. This extensive regulatory oversight is complemented by additional investor protection measures, including FSCS membership and private insurance from Lloyd’s of London providing up to £1 million in extra protection (subjected to specific terms and conditions). The broker also offers a comprehensive suite of trading platforms—including its proprietary ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView—along with 24/5 multi-channel support available globally. Combined with a clear fee structure that emphasizes transparency, ActivTrades is positioned as a reliable and innovative broker in the competitive global trading landscape.

Visit ActivTrades82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
ActivTrades at a glance
Overall score
4.4/5
Min. deposit
$0
Regulation
FCA
Markets
Bonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, ETFs, Forex, Indices, Shares
Platforms
ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, Web platform, Proprietary platform
Account types
Standard account, Demo account, Islamic account, VIP account
Read our ActivTrades review

#6 FP Markets

FP Markets is highly recommended for intermediate and experienced traders who are familiar with the basics of trading with a broker. The services of FP Markets such as the types of accounts available are tailored for professional traders and those who may have some experience.

Nonetheless, the broker’s trading platforms and technology are always constantly under review and always improving. It is, therefore, not a surprise that the broker has remained a widely acclaimed broker for over 15 years.

Visit FP Markets70.7% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
FP Markets at a glance
Overall score
4.3/5
Min. deposit
$100
Regulation
ASIC
Markets
Bonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, ETFs, Forex, Indices, Metals, Shares
Platforms
cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, Web platform, Proprietary platform
Account types
Standard account, Demo account, Islamic account, VIP account
Read our FP Markets review

How we ranked

Short answer

The ranking includes brokers with Stocks or Shares among their markets and orders them by overall rating, from highest to lowest.

  1. Select stock and share brokers Include brokers whose markets contain Stocks or Shares. A mention of share CFDs alone does not determine inclusion.

  2. Order by overall rating Rank eligible brokers by overall rating in descending order, placing brokers without a rating last. Capital.com leads with 4.8, followed by XM at 4.6.

  3. Keep ties consistent When overall ratings match, use the more recent review date where available, then a fixed broker order. Exness appears before XTB, with both rated 4.5.

  4. Compare the details Compare minimum deposits, markets and regulators alongside overall ratings. These comparisons explain differences between brokers while keeping the overall rating order.

Read the full methodology

FAQ

Who leads this stock broker ranking?

Capital.com leads with an overall rating of 4.8, followed by XM at 4.6. Exness and XTB each have 4.5, followed by ActivTrades at 4.4.

Does XTB require a minimum deposit?

XTB has no minimum deposit. XTB offers shares and ETFs and has an overall rating of 4.5.

Which other ranked brokers offer ETFs alongside shares or stocks?

FP Markets offers shares and ETFs, while Tradit offers stocks and ETFs. Capital.com, XTB and ActivTrades also offer shares and ETFs.

Are Exness and XTB rated equally?

Exness and XTB each have an overall rating of 4.5. Exness appears before XTB in this ranking.

Does this list include brokers offering share CFDs?

ActivTrades offers CFDs on shares, and IUX offers share CFDs. Inclusion in this list depends on Stocks or Shares being among a broker’s markets.

Which ranked brokers offer stocks?

Exness, Envessa Markets and Tradit include stocks among their markets. Capital.com, XM, XTB, ActivTrades, FP Markets and IUX include shares.

Written byFlorian Fendt