Best Stock Brokers For Intraday Deals In 2025

Day trading requires speed, precision, and access to advanced trading tools. The right brokerage can make a significant difference, offering low-latency order execution, competitive fees, and a robust trading platform. This article analyzes the best brokers for day trading, evaluating them based on key criteria such as commission structures, available markets, order execution speed, margin trading options, and platform reliability. Whether you are an experienced trader or just entering the market, selecting the right broker is essential for maximizing profits and managing risk effectively.

Comparison of the Best Brokers for Day Trading

We compared the top brokers for day trading based on key factors such as account minimums, demo account availability, stock trading fees, and access to fractional shares. These criteria help identify brokers with the best cost efficiency and trading flexibility for active traders. Also, we have prepared a brief overview of each broker, highlighting their key advantages and disadvantages to help you choose the best option for day trading.

Best Day Trading Platforms Comparison

	Account min.	Demo	Min. stock/ETF fee	Basic stock/ETF fee	Fractional Shares	Open an account
eToro	No	Yes	Zero Fees	Zero Fees	Yes	Open an account Your capital is at risk.
DEGIRO	No	No	€2,00 for US stocks	€2,00 + €0,038 per share for US stocks	No	Study review
CapTrader	2,000​	Yes	US Stocks $2, EU Stocks €4	US: $0.01 per share; min $2. EU: 0.1% of trade value with a min €4.	Yes	Open an account Your capital is at risk.
Saxo Bank	£500	Yes	$1/£5/€3	U.S. Stocks: start from $1. European Stocks: start from €3. UK Stocks: start from £5.	Yes	Open an account Your capital is at risk.
Wealthsimple	No	No	Zero Fees	Zero Fees	Yes	Open an account Via Wealthsimple's secure website.
Revolut	No	No	£1.00 in the UK, €1.00 in the Eurozone	Standard, Plus, Premium, and Metal Plans: 0.25% of the order amount. Ultra Plan: 0.12% of the order amount.	Yes	Study review

Top company reviews

1

9.4/10

Go to broker

Your capital is at risk.

Minimum deposit:

From $100

Review

The eToro broker was founded in 2007. The company promotes itself as a social trading platform working with traders from over 140 countries. The broker has several divisions operating under different jurisdictions and licensed by different regulators. For example, eToro (Europe) is licensed by the Cypriot regulator CySEC (109/10) and eToro (UK) is licensed by the British regulator FCA (583263). The broker also has a representative office in Australia and the USA.

Pros/Cons

•High level of reliability ensured by the licenses of respected regulatory authorities and participation in the compensation funds.

•Wide selection of assets quoted at stock exchanges in the UK, U.S., Australia and Asia.

•An opportunity to combine active trading with social trading and passive investing.

•Zero-fee trading of a number of stocks.

•Access to ready-made diversified asset portfolios with various risk levels.

•Provision of leverage, educational materials on various markets and user-friendly trading platforms that can run on any device.

•Zero fees for portfolio management, depositing funds and account maintenance.

•High minimum deposit for users of a number of countries.

•No live chat on the website for quick connection to customer support.

Study Review

2

9.2/10

Study Review

Minimum deposit:

$1

Review

DEGIRO is a Dutch investment company operating since 2008. The broker has been providing online services since 2013. Today DEGIRO is headquartered in Amsterdam and has offices in 18 European countries. Its activities are controlled by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA, 574048), as well as regulators in the Netherlands: Financial Markets Authority (AFM, 12048408) and Central Bank (DNB, R128868). DEGIRO was awarded over 86 international awards: financial publications of Germany, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands have repeatedly recognized the company as the best stock market broker.

Pros/Cons

•Low brokerage fees for trading stock market assets;

•The ability to open transactions on European and American exchanges;

•Simple trading platform functionality.

•There is no online chat on the company's website.

Study Review

3

9.1/10

Go to broker

Your capital is at risk.
Your capital is at risk.

Minimum deposit:

$2000

Review

CapTrader is a Forex broker, which was founded in Germany in 1997. The company is headquartered in Dusseldorf. CapTrader is an Introducing broker to Interactive Brokers. The platform uses Interactive Brokers software, which is why the brokers have identical user accounts, trading platforms and products. CapTrader provides access to 7 categories of assets and trading instruments: Forex, commodities, stocks, ETFs, futures, options and CFDs. The company is regulated by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin, 10156708). In addition it is an introducing broker and the European licenses from the regulators of Ireland and the UK (208159) held by Interactive Brokers apply to it as well.

Pros/Cons

•Partnership with a well-known broker – International Brokers.

•Access to 145 global stock markets.

•70,000+ trading instruments.

•3 types of trading platforms.

•Access to analytical service Trading Workstation.

•High minimum deposit – $2,000 or an equivalent.

•Limited education options.

•Technical support is available 24/5.

Study Review

4

8.9/10

Go to broker

Your capital is at risk.

Minimum deposit:

$1

Review

Saxo Bank is a large Danish bank established in 1992. It specializes in online investments and trading different financial instruments, including underlying assets, debt instruments, and derivatives. It provides access to organized exchanges of the U.S., Pacific Ocean region, EU, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, and to Forex and CFD markets. Saxo Bank provides its services to individual and institutional investors, offers a wide choice of account types, proprietary and third-party platforms, and a multi-level fee model that depends on the trading volume. The broker is regulated by DFSA (Danish Financial Supervisory Authority), FCA (Financial Conduct Authority | UK), ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission), FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority), and SFC (Securities and Futures Commission | Hong Kong).

Pros/Cons

•Many representative offices and regulated activities;

•Presence in the market since 1992 and stable financial indicators;

•Huge range of trading instruments;

•Minimum fee for stocks and ETFs is $1;

•Three account levels with different initial deposit requirements, fees, and interest on free funds;

•Diverse investment solutions for traders who prefer passive strategies;

•Electronic platforms for professional investors and novice traders.

•Trading fees for individual traders with little trading volumes can be higher than those of the broker’s competitors;

•Lower fees are available only upon depositing from €200,000;

•Technical support isn’t available on weekends.

Study Review

5

8.7/10

Go to broker

Your capital is at risk.
Via Wealthsimple's secure website.

Minimum deposit:

$1

Review

Wealthsimple is a robo-advisor (algorithmic trading robot) that was founded in 2014 in Canada and also provides services in the UK. It is regulated by the UK and Canadian Securities Commissions, including the FCA (747883) and IIROC, and participates in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) as well as the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). Wealthsimple serves over 1 million investors and manages £3 billion of investments.

Pros/Cons

•No minimum deposit requirements for the basic account.

•Top-notch security and regulation by reputable securities commissions and participation in compensation schemes.

•Ability to earn income passively, i.e., without having to actively trade yourself.

•No additional charges for account maintenance, deposit, withdrawal, and use of a mobile application.

•A simple principle for charging commissions for portfolio management is a fixed percentage of the deposited amount.

•Possibility to open accounts not only in pounds sterling but also in Canadian dollars.

•Detailed statistics on commissions and rebalancing of the formed portfolios, which are available in the personal cabinet on the website and in the mobile application.

•Registration is only available to UK and Canadian residents.

•The site does not have an online chat for prompt communication with the support team.

•The formation of an individual portfolio by an investment specialist is available when depositing £100,000 or more.

Study Review

6

8.6/10

Study Review

Minimum deposit:

$1

Review

Revolut is a British fintech company that has been providing investors with accounts for trading precious metals, cryptocurrencies, and stocks listed on U.S. exchanges since 2015. The broker offers its clients access to investing in stocks and ETFs on European stock exchanges. For organizations and private clients, the company offers a multi-currency account with the possibility of exchanging currencies at the current inter-bank exchange rate. Revolut is supervised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Pros/Cons

•In addition to stock trades, customers can trade cryptocurrencies and precious metals.

•The broker offers commission-free trading plans.

•The minimum number of shares to buy is 0.00000001.

•There are no minimum deposit requirements.

•Social trading is available, which allows newcomers to the stock market to copy trades of successful traders.

•Communication with the support service via chat is available in the mobile application 24 hours a day.

•There is no fee for opening and maintaining a trading account.

•Stock trading is currently only available to UK residents.

•Operations in precious metals and cryptocurrencies are not regulated by supervisory authorities.

•The company does not offer fiduciary management of its investment portfolio.

Study Review

What Can I Day Trade?

Day traders typically focus on highly liquid and volatile assets to capitalize on short-term price movements. Commonly traded instruments include:

• Stocks – Popular due to volatility, earnings reports, and high trading volumes.

• ETFs – Allow diversification while maintaining liquidity.

• Options – Provide leverage and flexibility but carry higher risk.

• Futures – Frequently used for trading commodities, indexes, and currencies.

• Forex (Currencies) – High volatility and 24-hour trading appeal to active traders.

• Cryptocurrencies – Increasingly popular due to extreme price swings.

We also compared the trading instruments available on various day trading platforms to help you find brokers that support a wide range of markets.

How Much Money Do You Need to Start Day Trading Stocks?

The amount of capital required for day trading depends on several factors, including regulations, broker requirements, and individual trading strategies.

1. PDT (Pattern Day Trader) Rule

• In the U.S., the FINRA Pattern Day Trader (PDT) rule requires traders with margin accounts to maintain a minimum balance of $25,000 if they execute four or more day trades within five business days.

• If your balance falls below this threshold, you will be restricted from making further day trades until your account meets the requirement again.

• This rule does not apply to cash accounts, but cash settlement times (T+2 for stocks) may limit trading frequency.

2. Capital Requirements for Non-U.S. Traders

• Many countries do not have a fixed minimum balance requirement like the PDT rule. Traders outside the U.S. can often start with smaller amounts.

• Some offshore brokers allow day trading with as little as $500–$2,000, but leverage may be lower than what is available in margin accounts.

3. Margin Accounts vs. Cash Accounts

• Margin accounts allow traders to borrow money to increase their buying power, but they require a higher minimum balance. Most brokers require at least $2,000 to open a margin account.

• Cash accounts do not offer leverage, meaning traders can only trade with the capital they deposit. This can limit opportunities but reduces risk.

4. Recommended Starting Capital for Day Trading

• Beginner traders: At least $5,000–$10,000 to manage risk effectively and trade smaller positions.

• Serious day traders (U.S., under PDT rule):$25,000+ for full trading flexibility.

• Professional traders: Often trade with $50,000+ to scale positions effectively and manage drawdowns.

What Are the Risks of Day Trading Stocks?

Day trading stocks offers the potential for profit but comes with significant risks that traders must understand before entering the market.

1. High Market Volatility

• Stock prices can fluctuate rapidly within seconds, leading to unexpected losses.

• News events, earnings reports, and market sentiment shifts can cause sharp price swings, making it difficult to predict movements accurately.

2. Leverage Risks

• Margin trading amplifies both gains and losses.

• If a trade goes against you, you may face margin calls, requiring additional deposits or forced liquidation of positions.

• Excessive leverage can wipe out an account in a matter of trades if risk is not managed properly.

3. Psychological Pressure and Overtrading

• Day trading requires quick decision-making and emotional control. Fear and greed can lead to revenge trading or overtrading, which increases losses.

• Many beginners struggle with risk management, taking trades based on emotions rather than strategy.

4. Broker Fees and Hidden Costs

• Frequent trading leads to high commissions, spreads, and ECN fees.

• Traders should choose brokers with low per-share or per-trade commissions to avoid eating into profits.

• Slippage and execution delays can also result in higher costs than expected.

5. Regulatory and Tax Risks

• Different countries have varying regulations on day trading taxation and capital gains.

• In the U.S., short-term capital gains are taxed at the same rate as ordinary income, which can significantly reduce net profits.

6. Risk of Losing Entire Investment

• Studies show that most day traders lose money due to lack of experience, poor risk management, and market unpredictability.

• Without a solid strategy and discipline, traders can wipe out their accounts within weeks or months.

How to Mitigate These Risks?

• Use stop-loss orders to limit downside risk.

• Risk only 1-2% of your capital per trade to prevent large drawdowns.

• Avoid over-leveraging—high leverage increases the likelihood of losing your entire balance.

• Practice with a demo account before trading real money to refine strategies.

Can I make money in stock day trading?

Yes, it is possible to make money in stock day trading, but it's important to understand the risks involved. Day trading involves buying and selling stocks within the same day, aiming for small profits. However, there are challenges and limitations to consider:

Transaction costs

Day trading comes with high transaction costs, including taxes and fees. Short-term capital gains tax applies to day trading profits, which is higher than long-term capital gains tax. Additionally, traders may face fees for each trade, reducing their profits.

High risk

Day trading is inherently risky and requires a deep understanding of markets, products, and strategies. Professional day traders are experienced and knowledgeable. Before starting day trading, it's essential to grasp the significant risks involved.

Market monitoring

Successful day trading demands constant market and news monitoring. It's fast-paced and speculative, requiring intense focus and emotional resilience.

Minute-to-minute decision-making

Day trading involves rapid decision-making, which can result in substantial losses. Market volatility poses a challenge, even for experienced traders, as prices fluctuate throughout the day.

Stock day trading example

Let's assume you're a day trader interested in trading shares of Apple Inc. (AAPL). Your trading day begins with thorough market analysis and preparation. You review the latest news and announcements related to Apple, as well as broader market trends and economic indicators that could potentially impact the stock's performance.

Pre-market analysis

• You analyze Apple's pre-market trading activity, paying close attention to the bid-ask spread, volume, and any significant price movements.

• You study the previous day's closing price, support and resistance levels, and key technical indicators like moving averages, relative strength index ( RSI), and MACD.

• You also review analyst ratings, price targets, and any upcoming events or earnings reports that could influence the stock's price action.

Trading plan and entry

• Based on your analysis, you develop a trading plan with well-defined entry and exit points, as well as risk management strategies like stop-loss orders.

• Let's say your analysis suggests a potential breakout above a key resistance level at $135 per share. You decide to enter a long position at $135.10 with a stop-loss order at $134.50, limiting your potential loss.

Intraday trading and position management

• Shortly after your entry, Apple's stock price begins to rally, and you observe significant buying volume. You decide to trail your stop-loss order to protect potential profits as the stock moves in your favor.

• As the stock approaches your initial profit target, you consider implementing a scaling-out strategy, where you gradually exit your position in multiple tranches to lock in gains while allowing a portion of your position to remain open in case the rally continues.

• Throughout the trading day, you closely monitor the stock's price action, volume, and any potential catalysts or news that could impact your position. You may adjust your stop-loss levels, take partial profits, or even add to your position based on your real-time analysis and risk management strategies.

Exit and post-trade analysis

• Assuming the stock reaches your final profit target, you exit your position completely, securing your gains for the day.

• After the market closes, you conduct a thorough post-trade analysis, reviewing your entry and exit points, risk management strategies, and overall trade performance.

• You analyze any potential mistakes or areas for improvement, and document your findings to refine your trading strategies for future trades.

Do I have to pay taxes when day trading stocks?

In day trading, you're obligated to pay taxes on your trading profits. Day trading is classified as short-term capital gains, subject to ordinary income tax rates.

Here are some essential points to understand about taxes on day trading stocks in different countries:

Expert opinion

Oleg Tkachenko Author and expert at Traders Union

In my experience, for novice day traders, platforms like eToro and Fidelity offer excellent options. eToro's user-friendly interface and CopyTrader feature simplify the trading process, making it ideal for beginners. Fidelity's comprehensive educational resources and zero-commission trading for stocks and ETFs provide valuable support for those starting out. Additionally, beginners should look for platforms with robust research and analysis tools, educational resources such as tutorials and webinars, and responsive customer support to help navigate the complexities of day trading effectively.

FAQs

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Team that worked on the article

Parshwa Turakhiya

Author at Traders Union

Parshwa is a content expert and finance professional possessing deep knowledge of stock and options trading, technical and fundamental analysis, and equity research. As a Chartered Accountant Finalist, Parshwa also has expertise in Forex, crypto trading, and personal taxation. His experience is showcased by a prolific body of over 100 articles on Forex, crypto, equity, and personal finance, alongside personalized advisory roles in tax consultation.

Learn about our editorial policies

Dr. BJ Johnson

Developmental English Editor

Dr. BJ Johnson is a PhD in English Language and an editor with over 15 years of experience. He earned his degree in English Language in the U.S and the UK. In 2020, Dr. Johnson joined the Traders Union team. Since then, he has created over 100 exclusive articles and edited over 300 articles of other authors.

Mirjan Hipolito

Cryptocurrency and stock expert

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).

Glossary for novice traders

Pre-Market Trading

Pre-market trading refers to trading activity in financial markets before the official opening of the regular trading session, allowing investors to react to pre-market news and events.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is a type of digital or virtual currency that relies on cryptography for security. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments (fiat currencies), cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized networks, typically based on blockchain technology.

Volatility

Volatility refers to the degree of variation or fluctuation in the price or value of a financial asset, such as stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrencies, over a period of time. Higher volatility indicates that an asset's price is experiencing more significant and rapid price swings, while lower volatility suggests relatively stable and gradual price movements.

Day trading

Day trading involves buying and selling financial assets within the same trading day, with the goal of profiting from short-term price fluctuations, and positions are typically not held overnight.

Risk Management

Risk management is a risk management model that involves controlling potential losses while maximizing profits. The main risk management tools are stop loss, take profit, calculation of position volume taking into account leverage and pip value.