Best margin trading platforms in 2025

Margin trading - that is, borrowing funds from your broker to increase your trading exposure - is a risky exercise, where trading conditions can make a big difference. Here's how the best brokers for margin trading compare in key areas.

Popularity of the best brokers for margin trading

Interested in what others think? Here's how many people chose these brokers at BrokerChooser in the last 6 months.

So who charges the best margin rates? Check the table below to see the rates applied by the top brokers, for various currencies. Don't forget to check the fine print, as many brokers have tiered margin rates depending on the borrowed amount or your account balance. The lowest margin rates typically apply when you borrow a higher amount.

When trading stocks or ETFs (exchange-traded funds) on margin, you'll face the same trading fees as in a normal stock/ETF trade. These fees can be flat or percentage-based commissions, or a combination of the two.

When you're looking to open an account for margin trading, it's super important to select a reliable and well-established broker. We have good news for you: all the brokers in this toplist have top-notch regulation and are trustworthy.

You can assess the trustworthiness of these brokers by checking their regulatory information, investor protection availability and foundation date in the table below.

Trading on margin means borrowing money from your broker to buy stocks, ETFs or options. The money you borrow doesn't come free, though; you have to pay interest to the broker like you would when borrowing money from a bank.

What are margin rates?

The margin rate is basically the interest rate charged by your broker for this borrowed money. Each broker sets its own margin rates; these vary depending on the currency in which the funds are denominated and, often, on the amount of money you borrow.

Margin rates tend to move in tandem with the benchmark interest rate of the currency in which you borrow. So if your broker lends you USD, the margin rate will usually be the US benchmark interest rate plus a markup added by the broker.

Margin accounts and margin requirements

So why trade on margin? Basically, it increases your 'buying power', allowing you to open larger trading positions than you could otherwise afford with just the cash in your brokerage account.

In order to trade on margin, you'll need to open a special account at your broker, typically simply called a margin account. You are also required to deposit a certain percentage of the total traded value as collateral, also known as the margin requirement. The remaining portion is funded by the broker.

At brokers regulated in the US, the mandatory minimum deposit for margin accounts is $2,000. Regulations require margin traders to meet an initial margin requirement of 50% for most stocks. This means that investors must provide at least 50% of the purchase price in cash, while the remaining 50% can be borrowed from the broker.

Pattern day traders (those who execute four or more day trades within five business days) must maintain a minimum equity balance of $25,000 in their margin accounts.

Make sure you check the margin rates your broker applies, as higher rates can significantly impact your overall trading cost and erode your investment gains. For example, you may be happy with a simple stock investment that yields an 8% return over one year; probably less so if you borrowed money at 10% annual interest to finance that stock investment.

You also need to be aware of the risks associated with trading on margin, as any losses will also be magnified in the same way that gains are amplified.

Recommended for traders looking for broad market access and a professional trading environment

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For a detailed analysis of Interactive Brokers's services, check out our full review for 2025

Recommended for investors and traders looking for zero-commission trading and focusing on US markets

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For a detailed analysis of moomoo's services, check out our full review for 2025

Recommended for investors and traders looking for low fees and sophisticated trading platforms

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For a detailed analysis of CapTrader's services, check out our full review for 2025

Recommended for beginners and buy-and-hold investors focusing on the US stock market

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For a detailed analysis of Robinhood's services, check out our full review for 2025

Recommended for traders and investors looking for execution only

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Investing involves risks

For a detailed analysis of DEGIRO's services, check out our full review for 2025

Recommended for affluent investors who value safety and are OK with higher fees

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For a detailed analysis of Swissquote's services, check out our full review for 2025

Recommended for traders interested in algorithmic stock trading

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For a detailed analysis of Alpaca Trading's services, check out our full review for 2025

Recommended for traders interested in social trading (i.e. copying other investors’ trades) and stock trading with low fees

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eToro securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities Inc, member of FINRA & SIPC. Investing involves risk.

For a detailed analysis of eToro's services, check out our full review for 2025

Recommended for investors and traders looking for zero-commission trading and easy platforms

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Your capital is at risk. You may lose money on your investments.

For a detailed analysis of Webull's services, check out our full review for 2025

Recommended for any European traders looking for low stock and ETF fees and a good mobile trading platform

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For a detailed analysis of LYNX's services, check out our full review for 2025

• We checked whether the broker is overseen by a trusted financial authority;
• Compared margin rates;
• Looked into stock trading and withdrawal fees;
• Checked minimum deposit requirements, including those specifically for margin accounts;
• Opened an account and tested the platform (charting, features, usability, customer service).

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