BrokerRank Research
Data-driven studies on online brokers, trading regulations, and market trends. All research is based on our database of 345+ brokers worldwide.
All data is free to cite with attribution. How to cite →
Key Findings — 345 Brokers, 2026
Based on our 2026 database of 345 active brokers: around 71% of retail traders lose money with forex and CFD brokers (per mandatory regulatory disclosures), approximately 70% of brokers offer $0 minimum deposit to open a live account, and 83% of brokers restrict US clients due to CFTC/NFA compliance requirements. Regulation is the single strongest predictor of broker quality, with a 0.84 correlation to overall rating.
Source: BrokerRank original research, 2026. Free to cite with attribution (CC BY 4.0).
83% of Brokers Don't Accept US Clients — Here's Why
We analyzed 345 online brokers and found that 83% restrict US clients. This study examines why, which brokers still accept Americans, and what regulations drive this.
345 brokers analyzedWhich Regulators Do Traders Trust Most?
CFTC-regulated brokers score highest (3.76/5), while 58% of brokers hold only a single license. Full breakdown by regulator, tier, and multi-license analysis.
20+ regulators compared70% of Brokers Have $0 Minimum Deposit — But the Average Is $118
We analyzed minimum deposit requirements across 345 brokers. Forex and CFD brokers charge the most, while 7 of our top 10 rated brokers require nothing to start.
345 brokers analyzedMT4 vs MT5 vs Proprietary: Which Platform Dominates?
76% of brokers offer proprietary platforms, MT4 still leads MT5, and TradingView-integrated brokers score highest. Full platform market share analysis.
7 platforms comparedWhere Can You Trade With 1:500 Leverage?
65 brokers offer 1:500+ leverage, but availability depends on your jurisdiction. We mapped leverage limits across every major regulator.
9 jurisdictions mapped71% of Retail Traders Lose Money — Data From 50 Brokers
We collected mandatory loss rate disclaimers from 50 EU/FCA-regulated brokers. The average: 71% of retail accounts lose money. Full broker-by-broker data.
50 brokers with loss ratesBroker Age & Trust: Does Older Mean Safer?
We analyzed 345 brokers founded between 1473 and 2023. Mid-era brokers (2005–2014) score highest, while the newest brokers average lowest. Age alone doesn't equal trust.
553 years of broker historyWhere Are Online Brokers Actually Based?
We mapped 345 brokers by headquarters. The UK leads (35), followed by USA (33) and Australia (25). 8% are offshore — and they rate 0.14 points lower.
25+ countries mapped81% Claim Zero Spreads — But 68% Charge Hidden Commissions
We analyzed fees across 345 brokers. 280 advertise 0.0 spreads, but 191 charge commissions on top. Only 89 brokers (26%) are truly commission-free.
345 fee structures analyzedOnly 10% of Brokers Accept PayPal — But They Rate Highest
100% accept bank wire/card, 91% Skrill/Neteller, 49% crypto — but only 10% PayPal and 4% Apple/Google Pay. PayPal brokers average 3.71/5.
8 payment methods comparedOnly 16% Offer Copy Trading or PAMM — They Rate 14% Higher
We analyzed advanced features across 345 brokers. Only 55 offer copy trading, PAMM, VPS, or signals. These brokers average 3.57/5 vs 3.13 for basic brokers.
7 features trackedStocks, Forex, or Crypto? What 345 Brokers Actually Let You Trade
Stocks lead (72%), crypto at 49%, forex only 36%. 15% are crypto-only. Brokers with 5+ markets average 3.51/5 vs 3.03 for single-market platforms.
12 market types analyzedWhat Makes a Good Broker? Regulation Is the #1 Factor
We broke down ratings across 6 dimensions. Regulation has 0.84 correlation with overall score — fees barely matter (0.03). 38% of brokers have zero regulation score.
6 dimensions analyzedDoes Expanding Product Coverage Dilute a Broker? Data Says No
Pearson r = +0.566 between market coverage and rating across 340 brokers. Multi-asset brokers (6+ markets) score 22% higher than mono-product. Expansion correlates with quality, not dilution.
Pearson r = +0.566