To help you find the best online brokers in 2021, we went ahead and did the research for you. First, we selected 81 quality online brokers, then checked and compared basically every aspect of their offering: fees, available markets and products, trading platforms, deposit and withdrawal options and much much more. To be selected best online broker, service providers had to prove their excellence in multiple areas. We dug deep, so you won't have to.
5 brokers made it to the top in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We highly recommend all 5 to you. And now, without further ado...
The top 5 picks for best international online broker of 2021 for citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands:
- Interactive Brokers is the best international online broker in 2021. Low trading fees. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
- TradeStation takes second place. Great web and mobile trading platform. Low stock and ETF fees. High-quality educational tools.
- Zacks Trade rounds out the top three. Low fees. Extensive stock and ETF selection. Great customer service.
- Fusion Markets, numero quattro. Low trading and non-trading fees. Fast and easy account opening. Great customer service.
- IG just made it to the list at in fifth place. First-class web trading platform. Superb educational tools. Great deposit and withdrawal options.
| Broker | Info | Score | Best in | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Interactive Brokers | US discount broker | 4.9 | Best online broker |
| #2 | TradeStation | US stockbroker | 4.7 | |
| #3 | Zacks Trade | US discount broker | 4.6 | Best broker for investing |
| #4 | Fusion Markets | Australian forex broker | 4.5 | Best discount forex broker |
| #5 | IG | Global CFD and forex broker | 4.6 |
What makes a good online broker? Surely, they need to provide great service in all areas. First of all, they need to offer fair fees and have a good safety score. Opening an account and depositing money should also be user-friendly processes. They need to provide access to a wide range of products and have a great platform.
These features are easy to list, but hard to figure out. We test brokers based on more than ~300 criteria with real accounts and real money. We know what's up. You can find all the ranking criteria in our methodology.
Not sure which broker to choose? For a tailored recommendation, check out our broker finder tool. If you enter the name of your country it will show only the relevant brokers. Want more details? Compare brokers with our in-depth comparison table.
And now, let's see the best international online brokers in 2021 for citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands one by one, starting with the winner, Interactive Brokers.
#1 Best international online brokers for citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands
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, Interactive Brokers is considered safe. 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 |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Complicated account opening process |
| • Wide range of products | • Complex desktop trading platform |
| • Many great research tools | • High forex fees |
#1 Interactive Brokers
Fees
Interactive Brokers has low trading fees; 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 |
| • Free stock and ETF trading for US clients | |
| • Low margin rates |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $1.0 | $1.0 | - | $15.0 |
| UK stock | $7.8 | - | $15.6 | - | $10.4 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $8.1 | - | - | $5.2 | $17.5 |
| AUDUSD benchmark fee | $8.8 | - | - | $5.4 | $12.2 |
| GBPUSD benchmark fee | $8.8 | - | - | $4.3 | $11.0 |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | - | - | $0.0 | $1.2 |
| Europe 50 index CFD fee | $3.1 | - | - | $1.5 | $1.6 |
The above calculation includes all spreads, commissions and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding it for a week, and closing it.
#1 Interactive Brokers
Account opening
IB's account opening process is fully digital and the required minimum deposit is low. On the negative side, the process is complicated, and account verification takes relatively long.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fully digital | • Not user-friendly |
| • No minimum deposit for most account types | • Confusing messages throughout the process |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1 day | >3 days | 1 day | 1-3 days |
#1 Interactive Brokers
Deposit and withdrawal
Interactive Brokers offers many account base currency options and one free withdrawal per month. The main drawback is that you can only use bank transfer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No deposit fee | • Credit/Debit card not available |
| • Several account base currencies | |
| • First withdrawal each month free |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
#1 Interactive Brokers
Markets and products
Through Interactive Brokers, you can access an extremely wide range of markets, and all product types are available.
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Bond | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
#1 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 |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 2.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 stars | 2.5 stars | 3.0 stars | 3.4 stars | - |
#1 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 mainly for advanced traders.
On the plus side, IB has low fees, a vast range of available markets and products, and diverse research tools.
There are some drawbacks, though: there is a high forex fees, and the account opening process is complicated. The desktop platform is complex and hard to get a handle on, especially for beginners.
If you have experience navigating complex platforms and enjoy 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 | 4.2 stars |
| Recommended for | Traders looking for low fees and a professional trading environment |
#2 Best international online brokers for citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands
TradeStation
TradeStation is a US stockbroker founded in 1982. It is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Clients are eligible for up to $500,000 investor protection per account (including cash up to $250,000).
TradeStation is considered safe because it has a long track record; discloses its financials; and its parent company, the Monex Group, is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Recommended for traders focusing on us markets and buy-and-hold investing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Great web and mobile trading platform | • Not user-friendly deposit and withdrawal |
| • Low stock and ETF fees | • No forex trading |
| • High-quality educational tools | • Mediocre customer service |
#2 TradeStation
Fees
TradeStation has low trading fees, and you can choose from multiple fee structures. On the negative side, withdrawals can be costly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Withdrawal fee |
| • Low stock and ETF fees | |
| • Multiple fee structures to choose from |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $1.0 | $1.0 | - | $15.0 |
| UK stock | $7.8 | - | $15.6 | - | $10.4 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $8.1 | - | - | $5.2 | $17.5 |
| AUDUSD benchmark fee | $8.8 | - | - | $5.4 | $12.2 |
| GBPUSD benchmark fee | $8.8 | - | - | $4.3 | $11.0 |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | - | - | $0.0 | $1.2 |
| Europe 50 index CFD fee | $3.1 | - | - | $1.5 | $1.6 |
The above calculation includes all spreads, commissions and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding it for a week, and closing it.
#2 TradeStation
Account opening
TradeStation account opening is fully digital, user-friendly and fast. On the other hand, USD is the only available base currency (except for futures accounts).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fast | • Only USD accounts (unless you trade futures) |
| • Fully digital | |
| • User-friendly |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1 day | >3 days | 1 day | 1-3 days |
#2 TradeStation
Deposit and withdrawal
TradeStation's deposit and withdrawal functions are somewhat limited, as you can use only bank transfer; and the fee for wire transfer withdrawals is high.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No deposit fee | • Credit/Debit card not available |
| • Deposit and withdrawal in cryptocurrencies | • High fee for wire withdrawal |
| • Only USD accounts (unless you trade futures) |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
#2 TradeStation
Markets and products
TradeStation grants access to a wide variety of US products, but its non-US market coverage is poor. Also, forex and CFDs are not available.
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Bond | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
#2 TradeStation
Web trading platform
TradeStation has a nice-looking, user-friendly web trading platform with a safe login process, but it lacks price alerts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • No price alerts |
| • Clear fee report | |
| • Two-step (safer) login |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 2.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 stars | 2.5 stars | 3.0 stars | 3.4 stars | - |
#2 TradeStation
Verdict
TradeStation is a great US broker.
The web and mobile platforms are very user-friendly with many functions. It also offers low stock and ETF trading fees. On top of that, TradeStation's education materials are well-structured and high quality.
On the other hand, the deposit and withdrawal functions are not user-friendly as you can only use bank transfer. There is no forex trading, and customer service has room for improvement.
Feel free to try TradeStation if you prefer trading on US markets. We recommend it for buy and hold investors with at least some experience.
| TradeStation | |
|---|---|
| Summary | TradeStation is a US stockbroker regulated by FINRA, a top-tier US regulatory body. |
| Fees score | 4.1 stars |
| Recommended for | Traders focusing on US markets and buy-and-hold investing |
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#3 Best international online brokers for citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Zacks Trade
Zacks Trade is a US-based discount broker and a division of LBMZ Securities. LBMZ Securities was founded in 1978 and is regulated by the top-tier US financial authorities SEC and FINRA.
LBMZ Securities's clearing and execution services are provided through Interactive Brokers, a global stockbroker regulated by many top-tier financial authorities globally.
If you're familiar with the services of Interactive Brokers, you might notice that many of Zacks Trade's services are the same. To sum up:
- Zacks Trade has its own, different fee structure, product selection, educational tools and customer support.
- The account opening and deposit/withdrawal processes, trading platforms and research tools are the same as at Interactive Brokers.
Zacks Trade is considered safe because it has a long track record and is overseen by top-tier regulators.
Recommended for traders and investors looking for comprehensive research tools, a wide product selection and low fees
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low fees | • Complex desktop platform and research tools |
| • Extensive stock and ETF selection | • Slow and complicated account opening |
| • Great customer service | • Limited educational tools |
#3 Zacks Trade
Fees
Zacks Trade has low trading and non-trading fees. Its stock, ETF and bond trading fees are especially low, while mutual fund fees are quite high.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low stock and ETF fees | • High fund fees |
| • No withdrawal fee | |
| • No inactivity fee |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $1.0 | $1.0 | - | $15.0 |
| UK stock | $7.8 | - | $15.6 | - | $10.4 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $8.1 | - | - | $5.2 | $17.5 |
| AUDUSD benchmark fee | $8.8 | - | - | $5.4 | $12.2 |
| GBPUSD benchmark fee | $8.8 | - | - | $4.3 | $11.0 |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | - | - | $0.0 | $1.2 |
| Europe 50 index CFD fee | $3.1 | - | - | $1.5 | $1.6 |
The above calculation includes all spreads, commissions and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding it for a week, and closing it.
#3 Zacks Trade
Account opening
Zacks Trade has a fully digital account opening for clients all over the world, and there is no minimum deposit. On the negative side, we found the process slow and hard to navigate.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fully digital | • Slow |
| • No minimum deposit | • Not user-friendly |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1 day | >3 days | 1 day | 1-3 days |
#3 Zacks Trade
Deposit and withdrawal
Zacks Trade offers one free withdrawal per month for nearly all base currencies. However, you cannot use credit/debit cards or electronic wallets to deposit or withdraw funds.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Free withdrawal | • Credit/Debit card not available |
| • No deposit fee | |
| • Several account base currencies |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
#3 Zacks Trade
Markets and products
Zacks Trade offers international stocks, ETFs and bonds, which is fairly unique for a US broker, as well as US funds and options. However, you cannot trade futures or forex.
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Bond | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
#3 Zacks Trade
Web trading platform
The Zacks Trade 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 |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 2.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 stars | 2.5 stars | 3.0 stars | 3.4 stars | - |
#3 Zacks Trade
Verdict
Zacks Trade is a great US discount broker. It is a division of LBMZ Securities, which is regulated by the SEC and FINRA.
On the plus side, Zacks Trade has low fees, outstanding stock and ETF selections and great customer service.
There are some drawbacks though, as its desktop trading platform and research tools are quite complex. The account opening is complicated and slow. Lastly, we missed some useful educational tools.
As Zacks Trade provides a demo account and doesn't require any minimum deposit, feel free to try it.
| Zacks Trade | |
|---|---|
| Summary | Zacks Trade is a US discount broker that also allows international clients to open an account. Zacks Trade is a division of LBMZ Securities, which is regulated by SEC and FINRA. Customers are protected by the SIPC scheme, up to $500,000 (including a $250,000 limit for cash). |
| Fees score | 4.3 stars |
| Recommended for | Traders and investors looking for comprehensive research tools, a wide product selection and low fees |
#4 Best international online brokers for citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Fusion Markets
Fusion Markets is an Australian discount forex broker founded in 2010. It is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC).
Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74-89% 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 forex traders looking for low fees and a chance to use the metatrader 4 platform
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading and non-trading fees | • Basic educational tools |
| • Fast and easy account opening | • Limited product selection |
| • Great customer service | • No investor protection |
#4 Fusion Markets
Fees
Fusion Markets has low forex and CFD fees and charges no inactivity or withdrawal fees.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low non-trading fees | None |
| • Low forex fees | |
| • No withdrawal or inactivity fees |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $1.0 | $1.0 | - | $15.0 |
| UK stock | $7.8 | - | $15.6 | - | $10.4 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $8.1 | - | - | $5.2 | $17.5 |
| AUDUSD benchmark fee | $8.8 | - | - | $5.4 | $12.2 |
| GBPUSD benchmark fee | $8.8 | - | - | $4.3 | $11.0 |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | - | - | $0.0 | $1.2 |
| Europe 50 index CFD fee | $3.1 | - | - | $1.5 | $1.6 |
The above calculation includes all spreads, commissions and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding it for a week, and closing it.
#4 Fusion Markets
Account opening
Account opening at Fusion Markets is user-friendly and fully digital. It is also very fast, as our test account was verified the same day.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fast | None |
| • Fully digital | |
| • No minimum deposit |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1 day | >3 days | 1 day | 1-3 days |
#4 Fusion Markets
Deposit and withdrawal
Fusion Markets does not charge any fees for deposits and most withdrawal options. You can use bank transfer, credit/debit cards and electronic wallets for adding money; however, there are no minor account currencies accepted.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Credit/Debit card available | • No minor account currencies accepted |
| • Free withdrawal | |
| • No deposit fee |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
#4 Fusion Markets
Markets and products
Fusion Markets gives access to many currency pairs and some CFDs. On the other hand, it lacks a lot of popular asset classes, such as real stocks, ETFs and funds.
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Bond | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
#4 Fusion Markets
Web trading platform
The web trading platform of Fusion Markets (provided by MetaTrader) is highly customizable and has a clear fee report. On the other hand, its design is outdated and it lacks a two-step login and price alerts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Clear fee report | • No two-step (safer) login |
| • Good customizability (for charts, workspace) | • No price alerts |
| • Order confirmation | • Poor design |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 2.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 stars | 2.5 stars | 3.0 stars | 3.4 stars | - |
#4 Fusion Markets
Verdict
Fusion Markets is a great forex broker with very low fees.
It offers low trading and non-trading fees. Account opening is fast and easy, and customer service provides quick and relevant answers.
On the negative side, Fusion Markets has limited educational tools. The product offering covers only forex and some CFDs. Lastly, there is no investor protection provided.
As you can open an account within a day and fees are low, feel free to try Fusion Markets.
| Fusion Markets | |
|---|---|
| Summary | Fusion Markets is an Australia-based discount forex broker, regulated by the ASIC and VFSC. |
| Fees score | 4.8 stars |
| Recommended for | Forex traders looking for low fees and a chance to use the MetaTrader 4 platform |
#5 Best international online brokers for citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands
IG
Note (February 18 2021): Due to an unexpected interest in the markets in January 2021, IG decided to halt new share dealing account registration in the UK and Australia.
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 UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Germany's 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. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. 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 forex and stock CFD fees |
| • Superb educational tools | • Limited product portfolio |
| • Great deposit and withdrawal options | • Slow customer support |
#5 IG
Fees
IG has low non-trading fees. There is no fee for withdrawals and an inactivity fee is charged only after 2 years. On the negative side, the forex and stock CFD fees are high.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No withdrawal fee | • High forex fees |
| • Inactivity fee charged only after 2 years | • High financing rate |
| • High stock CFD trading fees |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $1.0 | $1.0 | - | $15.0 |
| UK stock | $7.8 | - | $15.6 | - | $10.4 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $8.1 | - | - | $5.2 | $17.5 |
| AUDUSD benchmark fee | $8.8 | - | - | $5.4 | $12.2 |
| GBPUSD benchmark fee | $8.8 | - | - | $4.3 | $11.0 |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | - | - | $0.0 | $1.2 |
| Europe 50 index CFD fee | $3.1 | - | - | $1.5 | $1.6 |
The above calculation includes all spreads, commissions and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding it for a week, and closing it.
#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 |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $1 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1 day | >3 days | 1 day | 1-3 days |
#5 IG
Deposit and withdrawal
IG offers free and fast deposits and withdrawals. There are various options for funding your account, including traditional methods such as bank wire transfer and credit card funding, as well as PayPal.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Credit/Debit card available | None |
| • Free withdrawal | |
| • No deposit fee |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $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 stocks. Other popular assets, however, like mutual funds and bonds, are not available.
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Bond | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| CFD | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | No | 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 |
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 2.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 stars | 2.5 stars | 3.0 stars | 3.4 stars | - |
#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 has tested. The deposit and withdrawal conditions are great. You can also expand your knowledge with great educational materials.
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks. The forex and stock CFD fees are high and the product portfolio in most countries is limited to forex, CFDs and options. Customer support could be better.
Feel free to test IG's first-class trading platform, since there is no minimum funding amount for bank transfers and you can also easily open a demo account.
| 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 | 2.9 stars |
| Recommended for | Traders of any experience level looking for an easy-to-use trading platform |
Best international online brokers for citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands
What makes a good online broker
Now that you know the top 5, you are probably curious how we came up with this list. Let's go through a few points quickly. What is an online broker? Why do we think these brokers are safe? What are the most important factors when selecting the best online brokers?
What is an online broker?
Thirty years ago, if you wanted to buy a stock, you had to pick up the phone and call your broker, who executed the transaction in return for a commission. Brokers were like characters in the movie 'Wolf of Wall Street'. They were constantly monitoring stock prices while holding the phone and shouting. The Internet changed all that. Nowadays, if you want to invest in Apple shares, you open an online account, deposit money, and set up an order on the brokers' online platform. These platforms are the online brokers. Online brokers help you buy and sell securities like stocks and ETFs. After creating your order, the online broker executes it immediately. It all takes place online.
Are these brokers safe?
We consider each broker on our list safe. You can be sure none of them is a scam. All the brokers featured on BrokerChooser are regulated by at least one authority.
However, brokerage companies can still go bust. Remember the collapse of Lehman Brothers? In such cases, it is important to know what happens with your securities and cash. Your funds are usually held in segregated accounts, so even if your broker goes bankrupt, your funds are safe.
If all goes wrong, 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 online brokers?
At BrokerChooser, we test online brokers based on more than ~300 criteria, with real accounts and real money. We don\'t want to overwhelm you, so we will list the five most important criteria.
| 1. Fees | The trading fees of a typical US equity trade can be 50 times higher at one online broker compared to another. It's definitely worth checking these fees. |
| 2. Account opening | Some online brokers require a minimum deposint to start investing while others don't ask for a fix first-time deposit. Check these reuirements at the best online brokers. |
| 3. Deposit and withdrawal | At some online brokers, funding and withdrawing funds can take 5 times longer and be much more expensive than at others. |
| 5. Trading platform | A user-friendly and well-equipped trading platform can significantly increase your trading comfort. |
| 4. Markets and products | You want to invest in Amazon or trade Bitcoin? They might not be available. Check the product lineup before opening an account. |
Best international online brokers for citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Bottom line
These were the details, now let's zoom out. Here are the best international online brokers of 2021 for citizens in the U.S. Virgin Islands:
| Interactive Brokers | TradeStation | Zacks Trade | Fusion Markets | IG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| Best in | Best online broker | Best broker for investing | Best discount forex broker | ||
| Fees score | 4.2 stars | 4.1 stars | 4.3 stars | 4.8 stars | 2.9 stars |
| Account opening score | 3.4 stars | 5.0 stars | 2.8 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Deposit and withdrawal score | 3.5 stars | 2.3 stars | 3.5 stars | 4.4 stars | 4.5 stars |
| Markets and products score | 5.0 stars | 2.7 stars | 3.8 stars | 1.8 stars | 3.9 stars |
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.5 stars | 2.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 3.8 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Visit broker | Visit broker | Visit broker |
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74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money |
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75% of retail CFD accounts lose money |
Interactive Brokers is our winner, the best international online broker in the U.S. Virgin Islands for 2021. Low trading fees. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
All of these brokers are considered safe and a great choice. Pick the winner, or any of the runners-up, and take the next step in your investment journey. Let us know what you think in the comments section.
Still unsure? For a tailored recommendation, check out our broker finder tool. If you enter the name of your country it will show only the relevant brokers. Want more details? Compare brokers with the help of our in-depth comparison table.
