How we research a broker
Most comparison sites rank hundreds of brokers from marketing material. We do the opposite: a small number of brokers, researched in depth.
We trade there first
Every broker we feature is one we have traded with ourselves, so our view comes from real accounts and real fills, not a sales deck.
We check the paperwork
Licences are verified on each regulator's own register. We map which legal entity you actually sign with, and search regulator and court records for past actions.
We look under the hood
Execution model, prime brokerage and liquidity relationships, depth behind the quoted price, server location, platforms, costs, and funding options.
We keep it current
Brokers change owners, pricing, and licences. Reports are reviewed and updated when something material changes, and members get 12 months of updates.
How we rate regulators
We place each regulator in one of four tiers, or flag it, based on supervision intensity, capital requirements, client-money rules, real local substance, compensation, and leverage policy. We also rate reputation and governance, and trading flexibility, because strong protection and flexible conditions rarely come together.
Browse all 31 regulator profilesHow we make money
Members pay a one-time fee for access to our research. Some brokers featured in our research may also compensate us through advertising, sponsorship, or marketing arrangements. These relationships never decide which brokers we include or what we say about them, and inclusion cannot be bought.
What we are not
We are not a broker, dealer, introducing broker, investment adviser, or fund manager. We never hold client money, open accounts on your behalf, execute trades, or tell you what to trade. We publish research so you can make your own decisions.
See the research for yourself.
Start with our shortlist of pre-vetted brokers.