How can I check that a broker is regulated?

A regulated broker is authorized by a financial supervisory authority such as the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), BaFin (Germany) or ASIC (Australia). You can verify a firm by searching its licence number on the regulator's public register. Regulation typically means client-money segregation and, in many regions, investor-compensation coverage.

What are the risks of CFDs and leverage?

CFDs are leveraged products: a small deposit controls a larger position, so both gains and losses are amplified and you can lose more than expected. Most regulated brokers publish the percentage of retail accounts that lose money. Understand leverage, margin and stop-outs before trading, and never risk money you cannot afford to lose.

How do I choose an international broker?

Compare regulation and investor protection, the asset classes offered (stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs), total cost (commissions plus spreads), platform and mobile quality, deposit/withdrawal options and availability in your country. Balance cost against product range and the level of support you need.

Regulated Online Brokers

Compare leading internationally regulated online brokers for stocks, ETFs, forex and CFDs. Every firm listed here is authorized by at least one recognized financial regulator (FCA, CySEC, BaFin, ASIC and others), sourced from investing.com's broker coverage.

Editor's Choice

Best overall

Interactive BrokersIndependent

4.5/5

The widest global multi-asset access (stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, forex, funds) with strong US/EU regulation makes it the most complete all-round broker.

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Best mobile app

eToroApp-first

4.4/5

A polished, mobile-first platform with social and copy-trading plus zero-commission real stocks, ideal for a mobile-first experience.

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Best for beginners

Trade RepublicApp-first

4.0/5

A simple mobile app with a full EU banking licence, fractional shares and free ETF savings plans lowers the barrier for first-time investors.

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Lowest cost

XTBIndependent

4.2/5

Commission-free real stocks and ETFs (up to a monthly turnover limit) and its own xStation platform give it a strong low-cost profile.

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ieconomy Score

Editorial assessment

1
IG
Independent
4.6/5
Trust & regulation
4.8
Product range
4.5
Platforms & technology
4.6
Cost & transparency
4.8
Accessibility & ease
4.0
2
Interactive Brokers
Independent
4.5/5
Trust & regulation
4.5
Product range
5.0
Platforms & technology
4.1
Cost & transparency
4.8
Accessibility & ease
4.0
3
eToro
App-first
4.4/5
Trust & regulation
4.2
Product range
4.5
Platforms & technology
4.1
Cost & transparency
4.8
Accessibility & ease
4.2
4
Saxo Bank
Independent
4.4/5
Trust & regulation
4.5
Product range
5.0
Platforms & technology
4.6
Cost & transparency
3.8
Accessibility & ease
3.6
5
DEGIRO
Bank-affiliated
4.4/5
Trust & regulation
4.7
Product range
4.0
Platforms & technology
4.1
Cost & transparency
4.8
Accessibility & ease
4.0
6
XTB
Independent
4.2/5
Trust & regulation
4.5
Product range
4.0
Platforms & technology
3.7
Cost & transparency
4.8
Accessibility & ease
4.0
7
Plus500
Independent
4.2/5
Trust & regulation
4.5
Product range
3.5
Platforms & technology
4.1
Cost & transparency
4.8
Accessibility & ease
3.9
8
Pepperstone
Independent
4.0/5
Trust & regulation
4.2
Product range
3.5
Platforms & technology
4.6
Cost & transparency
3.8
Accessibility & ease
3.7
9
Trade Republic
App-first
4.0/5
Trust & regulation
4.2
Product range
3.5
Platforms & technology
4.1
Cost & transparency
3.8
Accessibility & ease
4.6

Our scoring methodology

The ieconomy Score is a transparent editorial assessment derived from each broker's public, verifiable attributes — not user reviews or a fabricated average. We weight five dimensions: Trust & regulation (28% — SPK license, bank/public-listing backing, track record), Product range (24% — breadth of markets and instruments), Platforms & technology (18% — trading platforms and mobile access), Cost & transparency (18% — disclosed commission structure) and Accessibility & ease (12% — onboarding ease, minimums and mobile focus). Scores are informational, not investment advice; data is current as of the research date (July 2026).

Comparison Table

Broker	Rating	Markets	Platforms	Account	Pricing
eToroFCA · CySEC · ASIC App-first · Founded 2007 Social & copy trading	4.4/5	StocksETFsForexCFDsCryptoCommodities	Proprietary, Web, Mobile	$50	Zero commission on real stocks and ETFs; spreads apply on CFDs, forex and crypto.	Visit site
XTBKNF · FCA · CySEC Independent · Founded 2002 Commission-free stocks & ETFs	4.2/5	StocksETFsForexCFDsCommodities	xStation 5, Web, Mobile	No minimum	Commission-free real stocks and ETFs up to a monthly turnover limit; spreads on CFDs.	Visit site
Interactive BrokersSEC/FINRA · FCA · CBI Independent · Founded 1978 Global multi-asset access	4.5/5	StocksETFsOptionsForexBondsFundsCrypto	Trader Workstation (TWS), Web, Mobile	No minimum	Low tiered/fixed commissions; IBKR Lite offers commission-free US stock and ETF trading.	Visit site
Plus500FCA · CySEC · ASIC Independent · Founded 2008 Simple CFD trading	4.2/5	CFDsForexCommoditiesCrypto	Proprietary, Web, Mobile	$100	No fixed commissions; Plus500 is remunerated mainly through the bid/ask spread.	Visit site
IGFCA · ASIC · MAS Independent · Founded 1974 Established all-round broker	4.6/5	StocksETFsForexCFDsOptionsCommodities	Proprietary, MetaTrader 4, Web, Mobile	No minimum	Commission-free forex and CFDs priced via the spread; share dealing charged per trade.	Visit site
PepperstoneFCA · ASIC · CySEC · BaFin Independent · Founded 2010 Forex & CFD trading	4.0/5	ForexCFDsCommoditiesCrypto	MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView	No minimum	Razor accounts charge commission on raw spreads; Standard accounts are spread-only.	Visit site
Saxo BankDanish FSA · FCA · FINMA Independent · Founded 1992 Premium multi-asset investing	4.4/5	StocksETFsForexCFDsOptionsBondsFundsCommodities	SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, Web, Mobile	—	Volume-tiered commissions across stocks, ETFs, options, bonds and forex.	Visit site
Trade RepublicBaFin · ECB App-first · Founded 2015 Mobile investing & savings plans	4.0/5	StocksETFsCryptoBonds	Mobile, Web, Proprietary	No minimum	€1 flat external settlement fee per trade; ETF and stock savings plans are free.	Visit site
DEGIROBaFin · AFM Bank-affiliated · Founded 2013 Low-cost European stocks/ETFs	4.4/5	StocksETFsOptionsBondsFunds	Proprietary, Web, Mobile	No minimum	Low flat trading fees, with a monthly core selection of ETFs commission-free.	Visit site

This content is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. CFDs and leveraged products carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. Regulatory details are current as of the research date (July 2026); verify up-to-date terms and your local availability directly with each broker before trading.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I check that a broker is regulated?: A regulated broker is authorized by a financial supervisory authority such as the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), BaFin (Germany) or ASIC (Australia). You can verify a firm by searching its licence number on the regulator's public register. Regulation typically means client-money segregation and, in many regions, investor-compensation coverage.
What are the risks of CFDs and leverage?: CFDs are leveraged products: a small deposit controls a larger position, so both gains and losses are amplified and you can lose more than expected. Most regulated brokers publish the percentage of retail accounts that lose money. Understand leverage, margin and stop-outs before trading, and never risk money you cannot afford to lose.
How do I choose an international broker?: Compare regulation and investor protection, the asset classes offered (stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs), total cost (commissions plus spreads), platform and mobile quality, deposit/withdrawal options and availability in your country. Balance cost against product range and the level of support you need.