Choose the best discount broker in 2020 for citizens in Pakistan, we did the research for you. Fees, fees, and fees. We do not like them and surely you do not either. Checking carefully, we uncovered all the hidden fees. After testing 57 brokers, 5 made it to the top. And now, without further ado...
The top 5 picks for the best discount brokers for Pakistani citizens in 2020:
- TradeStation Global is the best discount broker in Pakistan in 2020. Low trading and non-trading fees, high fund fees.
- Interactive Brokers is the second. Low trading fees, average non-trading fee, free stock and ETF trading for US customers.
- XM rounded out the top three. Low trading fees, average non-trading fees, low CFD fees. Third place.
- eToro in the fourth place. Low trading fees, high non-trading fees, free stock and ETF trading for European customers.
- IG. Average trading fees, low non-trading fees, low index CFD fees. Just made it to the list with being number five.
| Broker | Info | Fees score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | TradeStation Global | UK-based global broker | 4.0 |
| #2 | Interactive Brokers | US discount broker | 4.0 |
| #3 | XM | Global CFD and forex broker | 4.0 |
| #4 | eToro | Global social trading broker | 4.0 |
| #5 | IG | Global CFD and forex broker | 3.0 |
What makes a good discount broker? Certainly, damn low fees. This holds for commissions, financing rates, and a lot of people forget, non-trading fees like inactivity or withdrawal fees. Besides low fees, it also should offer access to a lot of markets and products.
Easy to list, but hard to figure it out. We are testing brokers along more than 100 criteria with real accounts and real money. We know what's up.
Not sure which broker? For a tailored recommendation, check out the broker finder tool. You can enter your country and it will show only the relevant brokers. Want more details? Compare brokers with this detailed comparison table.
And now, let's see the best discount brokers for Pakistani citizens in 2020 one by one, starting with the winner, TradeStation Global.
#1 Best discount broker
TradeStation Global
TradeStation Global is the brand of TradeStation International, which is based in the UK and regulated by the top-tier FCA. TradeStation International is the subsidiary of TradeStation, while introducing broker of Interactive Brokers (IB).
Therefore, TradeStation Global is a combined product of TradeStation and IB. You can reach IB's markets almost at IB's fees. You can trade on both IB's and TradeStation's desktop platform. The customer service is by TradeStation.
Both Interactive Brokers and TradeStation are reputable brokers, regulated by top-tier financial authorities. While Interactive Brokers is listed on NASDAQ, TradeStation itself is not: only TradeStation's parent company Monex is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Recommended for traders and investors looking for low fees and a wide selection of products
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Not user-friendly deposit and withdrawal |
| • Wide range of products | • Complicated account opening |
| • Fast and relevant customer service | • Limited education materials |
#1 TradeStation Global
Fees
TradeStation Global has low trading fees, especially for stock and ETF. It's also great that there is no inactivity fee and the first withdrawal in each month is free of charge. On the other hand, mutual fund fees are high.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • High fund fees |
| • Low non-trading fees | |
| • Low stock and ETF fees |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.5 | $1.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $15.0 |
| UK stock | $2.4 | $7.2 | - | $0.0 | $9.6 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $17.9 | $17.9 | $17.1 | $19.6 | $16.9 |
| Mutual fund | $25.0 | $15.0 | - | - | - |
| US Treasury bond | $7.5 | $5.0 | - | - | - |
| US stock index options | $15.0 | $7.0 | - | - | $10.0 |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | No | No | No | No | No |
| Inactivity fee | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | $0 |
#1 TradeStation Global
Account opening
TradeStation Global's account opening is fully digital and fast. On the negative side, the process is complicated and there is a high, $1,000 minimum required deposit.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fast | • Minimum deposit is higher than $500 |
| • Fully digital | • Not user-friendly |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1,000 | $0 | $5 | $200 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1 day | 1-3 days | 1 day | 1 day | 1-3 days |
#1 TradeStation Global
Deposit and withdrawal
TradeStation Global offers many account base currency options and one free withdrawal per month. The main drawbacks are that you can only use bank transfer and the process is not user-friendly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No deposit fee | • Credit/Debit card not available |
| • Several account base currencies | • Not user-friendly |
| • No charge for the first withdrawal every month. |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/Debit card | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | $0 |
#1 TradeStation Global
Markets and products
With TradeStation Global, you can access the same range of product types and exchanges as at Interactive Brokers. This selection is one of the widest among online brokers.
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Bond | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#1 TradeStation Global
Web trading platform
You can use Interactive Brokers' web trading platforms. Client Portal is simple and easy to use even for beginners. On the negative side, it is not customizable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • Limited customizability (for charts, workspace) |
| • Clear fee report | • Difficult to set the alerts |
| • Two-step (safer) login |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Mobile platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | - | - |
#1 TradeStation Global
Verdict
TradeStation Global has low trading fees, has access to a lot of products and markets, and has great customer support. The TradeStation Global desktop platform has great charting tools, and plenty of indicators highly customizable watchlists (Radar Screen), and visualized order placing (Matrix).
On the other hand, the deposit and withdrawal process is not user-friendly and you can use only a bank transfer. The account opening is complicated and for full account verification, a minimum deposit of $1,000 is needed. Lastly, the education section could be extended with more materials, as of now, it is limited.
If you prefer low fees with IB's product range, feel free to try TradeStation Global.
| TradeStation Global | |
|---|---|
| Summary | TradeStation Global is an introducing broker for EU clients. It is regulated by the top-tier UK FCA. |
| Fees score | 4.0 |
| Recommended for | Traders and investors looking for low fees and a wide selection of products |
#2 Best discount broker
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers was founded in 1978 and is one of the biggest US-based discount brokers. The broker is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including top-tier ones like the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
As it has licenses from multiple top-tier regulators, the broker is considered safe. Also, having a long track record and publicly disclosed financials while being listed on a stock exchange are also great signs for its safety.
Recommended for traders looking for low fees and a professional trading environment
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Wide range of products | • Extremely complex desktop trading platform |
| • Many great research tools | • Complicated account opening process |
| • Regulated by several authorities | • Funding and withdrawal only via bank transfer |
#2 Interactive Brokers
Fees
Interactive Brokers has low trading fees and for US clients, stock and ETF trading is free. On the negative side, there is a high inactivity fee for non-US clients.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Inactivity fee |
| • Low stock and ETF fees | |
| • Low financing rate | |
| • Free stock and ETF trading for US clients |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.5 | $1.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $15.0 |
| UK stock | $2.4 | $7.2 | - | $0.0 | $9.6 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $17.9 | $17.9 | $17.1 | $19.6 | $16.9 |
| Mutual fund | $25.0 | $15.0 | - | - | - |
| US Treasury bond | $7.5 | $5.0 | - | - | - |
| US stock index options | $15.0 | $7.0 | - | - | $10.0 |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | No | No | No | No | No |
| Inactivity fee | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | $0 |
#2 Interactive Brokers
Account opening
IB's account opening process is fully digital and the required minimum deposit is low. On the negative side, the online registration is complicated and account verification takes around 2 business days.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fully digital | • Not user-friendly |
| • No minimum deposit for most accounts types | • Confusing messages throughout the process |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1,000 | $0 | $5 | $200 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1 day | 1-3 days | 1 day | 1 day | 1-3 days |
#2 Interactive Brokers
Deposit and withdrawal
Interactive Brokers offers many account base currency options and one free withdrawal per month. The main drawbacks are that you can only use bank transfer and the process is not user-friendly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No deposit fee | • Credit/Debit card not available |
| • Several account base currencies | • Not user-friendly |
| • First withdrawal each month free |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/Debit card | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | $0 |
#2 Interactive Brokers
Markets and products
Through Interactive Brokers you can access an extremely wide range of markets, with every product type available.
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Bond | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#2 Interactive Brokers
Web trading platform
Interactive Brokers's web platform is simple and easy to use even for beginners. On the negative side, it is not customizable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • Limited customizability (for charts, workspace) |
| • Clear fee report | |
| • Two-step (safer) login |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Mobile platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | - | - |
#2 Interactive Brokers
Verdict
Interactive Brokers is one of the biggest US-based discount brokers, regulated by several top-tier regulators globally. We recommend this broker for advanced traders.
On the plus side, IB has a vast range of markets and products available, with diverse research tools and low costs.
There are some drawbacks though: you can only fund your account via wire transfer and the account opening process is complicated. The desktop platform is complex and hard-to-understand, especially for beginners.
If you have experience navigating complex platforms and you like transparent low-cost trading, Interactive Brokers could be a great fit for you.
| Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|
| Summary | Interactive Brokers is a US discount broker. It is listed on a stock exchange and regulated by several authorities, including top-tier ones like the FCA and the SEC. |
| Fees score | 4.0 |
| Recommended for | Traders looking for low fees and a professional trading environment |
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#3 Best discount broker
XM
Trading Point Holding, XM's parent company, is a global CFD and FX broker founded in 2009. Trading Point Holding has two brands, XM and Trading.com.
XM is available globally and is regulated by three financial authorities: the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC).
Trading.com was launched in 2019 and is available only for EEA residents, except those living in Belgium, Cyprus, Greece and Switzerland. Trading.com is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
In this review, we focus on the XM brand.
Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69.10% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Risk warnings are shown on the website but they are unclear on percentages
Recommended for forex and cfd traders who prefer metatrader platforms and seek low trading fees
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low CFD and withdrawal fees | • Only CFDs, forex, cryptos for Europeans |
| • Easy and fast account opening | • Average forex fees |
| • Great educational tools | • Inactivity fee |
#3 XM
Fees
XM has low trading fees for CFDs and charges no withdrawal fee. On the other hand, forex fees are average, and there is a fee for inactivity.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low CFD fees | • Inactivity fee |
| • No withdrawal fee | • Average FX fees |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.5 | $1.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $15.0 |
| UK stock | $2.4 | $7.2 | - | $0.0 | $9.6 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $17.9 | $17.9 | $17.1 | $19.6 | $16.9 |
| Mutual fund | $25.0 | $15.0 | - | - | - |
| US Treasury bond | $7.5 | $5.0 | - | - | - |
| US stock index options | $15.0 | $7.0 | - | - | $10.0 |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | No | No | No | No | No |
| Inactivity fee | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | $0 |
#3 XM
Account opening
XM account opening is hassle-free and straightforward. Your account is ready for trading on the same day.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fast | None |
| • Fully digital | |
| • Low minimum deposit |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1,000 | $0 | $5 | $200 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1 day | 1-3 days | 1 day | 1 day | 1-3 days |
#3 XM
Deposit and withdrawal
XM's deposit and withdrawal functions are fast and inexpensive, and offer you several options.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Credit/Debit card available | None |
| • Free withdrawal | |
| • No deposit fee | |
| • Free wire withdrawal above $200 |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/Debit card | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | $0 |
#3 XM
Markets and products
At XM, you can trade CFDs, forex and cryptos; non-European clients can also trade some real stocks. There are no ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, options or futures.
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Bond | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#3 XM
Web trading platform
XM's web trading platform is provided by MetaTrader. It is highly customizable and has a clear fee report. On the other hand, the platform lacks price alerts, and the design is outdated.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Clear fee report | • No price alerts |
| • Good customizability (for charts, workspace) | • Outdated design |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Mobile platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | - | - |
#3 XM
Verdict
XM is regulated by several authorities globally, including the top-tier ASIC.
On the plus side, we liked the low CFD and withdrawal fees. The account opening process is seamless and hassle-free. There is a wide range of educational tools of great quality.
XM has some drawbacks though. Its product range is limited to FX, CFDs and cryptos, with stock trading only available for non-European users. Its forex fees are average, and a monthly $5 fee is charged after three months of inactivity.
We recommend XM for those who are interested in CFD and forex trading and prefer MetaTrader trading platforms. Feel free to test it via the demo account.
| XM | |
|---|---|
| Summary | XM is a global forex and CFD broker regulated by Australia's ASIC, CySEC of Cyprus, and Belizean authority IFSC. |
| Fees score | 4.0 |
| Recommended for | Forex and CFD traders who prefer MetaTrader platforms and seek low trading fees |
#4 Best discount broker
eToro
eToro is a well-known Israeli fintech startup, a social trading broker established in 2007.
eToro serves UK clients through an entity regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australians through an Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) regulated entity. All other customers are served by a Cypriot entity that is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).
eToro is not listed on any stock exchange, does not disclose its annual report on its site and does not have a bank parent.
eToro is considered safe because its UK and Australian arms are regulated by top-tier financial authorities and it is a well-known fintech startup.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Recommended for traders interested in social trading (i.e. copying other investors’ trades)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Free stock and ETF trading in the EU | • High forex fees |
| • Seamless account opening | • Withdrawing money is slow and expensive |
| • Social trading experience | • Only one account base currency |
#4 eToro
Fees
eToro offers free stock trading in Europe and has low CFD fees. On the negative side, forex trading fees and withdrawal fees are high.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Free stock and ETF trading in the EU | • High non-trading fees |
| • Low CFD fees | • High forex fees |
| • Withdrawal fee |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.5 | $1.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $15.0 |
| UK stock | $2.4 | $7.2 | - | $0.0 | $9.6 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $17.9 | $17.9 | $17.1 | $19.6 | $16.9 |
| Mutual fund | $25.0 | $15.0 | - | - | - |
| US Treasury bond | $7.5 | $5.0 | - | - | - |
| US stock index options | $15.0 | $7.0 | - | - | $10.0 |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | No | No | No | No | No |
| Inactivity fee | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | $0 |
#4 eToro
Account opening
Account opening at eToro is seamless and very fast.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fast | None |
| • Fully digital | |
| • Low minimum deposit |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1,000 | $0 | $5 | $200 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1 day | 1-3 days | 1 day | 1 day | 1-3 days |
#4 eToro
Deposit and withdrawal
Depositing money is free and easy, with a lot of available options, including credit cards. However, there is a withdrawal fee and only USD accounts are available.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Credit/Debit card available | • High withdrawal fee |
| • No deposit fee | • Only one account base currency |
| • User-friendly | • Slow withdrawal - over 3 days |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/Debit card | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | $0 |
#4 eToro
Markets and products
At eToro you can trade with CFDs and forex, as well as real stocks, ETFs and many cryptocurrencies. In addition, the broker also offers innovative services like social trading and CopyPortfolio.
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Bond | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#4 eToro
Web trading platform
eToro offers a user-friendly and well-designed web trading platform. In addition, social trading is also available. On the other hand, the customizability is limited.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • Limited customizability (for charts, workspace) |
| • Clear fee report | |
| • Two-step (safer) login |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Mobile platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | - | - |
#4 eToro
Verdict
eToro has zero-commission stock trading in Europe. Account opening is really fast and seamless. It has also a lot of innovative features, like social trading.
It has some drawbacks, though. Forex fees and non-trading fees are high, and eToro only allows USD accounts.
Overall, we would recommend eToro for its social trading feature and cheap stock trading.
Risk disclaimer
eToro is a multi-asset platform that offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFD assets.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Cryptoassets are volatile instruments which can fluctuate widely in a very short timeframe and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Other than via CFDs, trading cryptoassets is unregulated and therefore is not supervised by any EU regulatory framework.
Past performance is not an indication of future results.
| eToro | |
|---|---|
| Summary | eToro is a global social trading broker. It is regulated by top-tier authorities such as the UK FCA or Australia's ASIC. |
| Fees score | 4.0 |
| Recommended for | Traders interested in social trading (i.e. copying other investors’ trades) |
#5 Best discount broker
IG
IG was established in the UK in 1974 and is one of the biggest CFD brokers in the world. It is regulated by several bodies globally, including top-tier regulators like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). IG Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
IG is considered safe because it is listed on a stock exchange, discloses its financials and is overseen by top-tier regulators.
Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are not provided for US clients. Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.
Recommended for traders of any experience level looking for an easy-to-use trading platform
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • First-class web trading platform | • High stock CFD fees |
| • Superb educational tools | • Limited product portfolio |
| • Great deposit and withdrawal options | • Poor phone support |
#5 IG
Fees
IG has low fees for stock index CFD, while forex fees are average to low. There is no fee for withdrawal and the inactivity fee is charged only after 2 years. On the negative side, the stock CFD fees are high.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No withdrawal fee | • Inactivity fee |
| • Low index CFD trading fees | • High stock CFD fee |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.5 | $1.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $15.0 |
| UK stock | $2.4 | $7.2 | - | $0.0 | $9.6 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $17.9 | $17.9 | $17.1 | $19.6 | $16.9 |
| Mutual fund | $25.0 | $15.0 | - | - | - |
| US Treasury bond | $7.5 | $5.0 | - | - | - |
| US stock index options | $15.0 | $7.0 | - | - | $10.0 |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | No | No | No | No | No |
| Inactivity fee | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | $0 |
#5 IG
Account opening
IG's account opening is seamless and fully digital. There is no minimum deposit for bank transfers and a low, $300 minimum deposit for credit/debit cards and PayPal. On the other hand, account verification takes around 3 business days, which is slower than at some other brokers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fully digital | • Slower account opening |
| • Low minimum deposit | |
| • No minimum deposit for bank transfer |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1,000 | $0 | $5 | $200 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1 day | 1-3 days | 1 day | 1 day | 1-3 days |
#5 IG
Deposit and withdrawal
IG offers free and fast deposit and withdrawal. There are various options for funding your account, including traditional methods such as bank wire and credit card funding, as well as PayPal.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Credit/Debit card available | None |
| • Free withdrawal | |
| • No deposit fee |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/Debit card | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $25 | $0 |
#5 IG
Markets and products
At IG, most clients can only trade with CFDs, forex and options. There are literally thousands of CFDs available to trade. Residents in the UK and some other countries can also trade with real shares. Other popular assets, like mutual funds or bonds, are not available.
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Bond | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#5 IG
Web trading platform
IG's web trading platform is great for both beginners and professional traders. It is easy to use, has all the necessary functions and can be customized.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | None |
| • Clear fee report | |
| • Two-step (safer) login |
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Mobile platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | - | - |
#5 IG
Verdict
IG is one of the biggest and most reliable CFD brokers. It is regulated by several financial authorities around the world. IG Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
IG has one of the best web trading platforms Brokerchooser tested. The deposit and withdrawal conditions are great. You can also educate yourself with great educational materials.
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks. The stock CFD fees are high and the product portfolio in most countries is limited to forex, CFDs, and options. The phone customer service has also low quality.
Feel free to test IG's first-class trading platform since there is no minimum funding amount for bank transfers and you can easily open a demo account too.
| IG | |
|---|---|
| Summary | IG is a CFD and forex broker. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and regulated by several authorities globally, including the top-tier FCA. |
| Fees score | 3.0 |
| Recommended for | Traders of any experience level looking for an easy-to-use trading platform |
Best discount brokers
What makes a good discount broker?
Now you know the top three discount brokers. You are probably curious about how we came up with this list. Let's go over three points:
- What is a discount broker?
- Why do we think these brokers are safe?
- What are the most important factors when selecting the best discount brokers?
What is a discount broker?
A discount broker is a brokerage company that executes your buy and sell orders at a low trading fee. Discount brokers' fees can be lower since they don't provide extra services like research, personal investment advice, tax planning or robo-advisory as the full-service brokers.
Discount brokers were appearing with the internet and the online broker services. Brokerage companies started to provide their service online and fully automatized. This was the rise of online trading platforms. An online trading platform is basically a website, where you can insert your own orders and you get only a customer support, no investment advice.
The distance between the full-service brokers and discount brokers has been narrowing in the last years. Discount brokers started to provide extra services as well, like research, while full-service brokers started to lower their fees. The full brokerage and wealth management industry is under fee pressure thanks to the more and more cost-effective online broker companies.
Nowadays, the new discount brokers are the free-trade brokers. These provide commission-free trading and charge an extra fee for ancillary services, like after hour trading. The biggest free-trade online broker in the US is Robinhood. In the UK, Freetrade launched its trading app in 2018. Stay tuned, we will come out with the Freetrade broker reviews soon.
Are these brokers safe?
You can be sure none of them is a scam. They are regulated by at least one top-tier regulator.
However, also brokerage companies can go down. Remember Lehman Brothers? In these cases, it is important to know what happens with your securities and cash. These are usually held in segregated accounts, so even in case of a broker bankruptcy, you are safe.
If everything goes very bad and for example, the broker steals your assets, then you have a last resort, the compensation fund of the country where the broker is regulated.
How did Brokerchooser pick the best discount brokers?
At Brokerchooser, we test online brokers along more than 100 criteria, with a real account and real money. When we selected the best discount brokers, the primary selection criteria were fees.
We made the rank based on the trading fees of all asset classes, such as stock fees, and the fees not related to trading, like the withdrawal fees. We also scored positively if the broker provides a wide range of asset classes, because providing low fees in more than one asset class is not an easy job.
Best discount brokers
Bottom line
You saw the details, now let's zoom out. Here are best discount brokers in 2020 for citizens in Pakistan:
| TradeStation Global | Interactive Brokers | XM | eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Account opening score | 3.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal score | 3.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Markets and products score | 5.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Web platform score | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Visit broker | Visit broker |
Visit broker
69.10% of retail CFD accounts lose money |
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75% of retail CFD accounts lose money |
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68% of retail CFD accounts lose money |
TradeStation Global is our winner, the best discount broker in Pakistan in 2020. Low trading and non-trading fees, high fund fees.
All brokers are considered a great choice. Pick the winner, or any runner-up and save a lot of money on fees. Let us know what you think in the comment section.
Still unsure? Use the broker finder and find the best broker for you or learn more about investing your money.
