Top US stock trading platforms
In our analysis, these trading platforms stand out as the best options for trading US stocks, thanks to their low fees, robust platforms, and quality customer service.
Platform review details
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is one of the largest brokerage firms in the world, known for its competitive fees and advanced platforms that target investors and traders of all levels.
The platform offers several account types, and the right choice depends on your trading style and how much you need tools like margin, short selling, or advanced options strategies.
Among the most notable account types at Interactive Brokers:
- Cash Account
- and Margin Account.
Cash Account
A cash account relies only on the funds you deposit on the platform, without borrowing from the broker or using leverage.
This account type suits those who prefer trading with only their own money, or who don't want to deal with margin risks like margin calls or forced position liquidation.
Cash account advantages:
- A clearer option for traders who don't have sufficient knowledge of how margin and leverage work.
- Ability to trade stocks, ETFs, and some options contracts depending on account eligibility.
- Does not require using leverage or borrowing from the broker.
- Unlimited number of trades, regardless of account value.
- An advanced platform for order types and portfolio performance display and analysis.
Cash account limitations:
- T+2 settlement period: when you sell a financial asset, you cannot use the proceeds for new trades or withdraw them until after two business days.
- You cannot use short selling, because the account does not support margin trading.
- Limited options strategies, as some advanced strategies such as selling naked options cannot be executed.
Margin Account
A margin account allows the user to borrow from the broker against the assets held in the account, giving greater trading flexibility, but in return it increases the level of risk.
This account type suits more experienced traders, especially those who understand how margin works, collateral requirements, and the risks of using leverage.
Margin account advantages:
- Ability to use margin to increase buying power within the account.
- Support for short selling.
- Greater flexibility in executing some advanced options strategies.
- Suitable for traders who need more professional tools to manage their trades.
Margin account limitations and risks:
- Using borrowed funds can multiply losses just as it can multiply potential gains.
- The account may face a margin call if the value of the assets falls below the required maintenance level.
- The broker may automatically liquidate some positions if collateral is insufficient.
- Requires a good understanding of the risks before using it.
Which account type might suit you?
- The choice of account type depends on how you use the platform and your level of trading experience.
- A cash account may suit those who prefer trading only with the funds available in the account, without getting into the complexities of leverage or margin.
- A margin account, on the other hand, may suit those who need more trading flexibility, such as using short selling or some advanced options strategies, with the importance of understanding the risks of using borrowed funds.
- There is no single account that suits everyone; the choice depends on your goals, experience, and how you manage risk.
This content is provided in cooperation with Interactive Brokers. Taswyah is not an affiliate or employee of Interactive Brokers, and this content reflects independent editorial views that may not necessarily align with the opinions of Interactive Brokers. The experiences or examples mentioned may not be representative for all users, and none of the above constitutes a guarantee of future results.
None of the information on this page constitutes a recommendation, promotion, offer, or solicitation to buy, sell, or hold any security or financial product, or to apply any specific investment strategy.
Investing involves risk and may result in the loss of capital. It is advisable to obtain independent financial advice and understand the risks associated with investment products and services before making any investment decision. Risk disclosures can be found on the official Interactive Brokers website.
Interactive Brokers is a broker registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), and it is also registered with the National Futures Association (NFA) as a futures commission merchant, providing execution and clearing services to its clients.
For more information about Interactive Brokers or any of its products or services, please visit the official website: www.interactivebrokers.com
Derayah Global
Derayah Global is a platform operated by Derayah Financial, one of the leading brokerage firms in the Kingdom. Through Derayah Global, users can trade in the US market and a number of global markets via the Interactive Brokers platform.
Derayah Global offers traders two key advantages:
- Ability to deposit and withdraw through the bank the user chooses during registration, without needing to use a specific bank.
- No fees on withdrawals.
Example of the trading commission (calculated on every buy and sell):
Number of shares times $0.0199
| Number of shares | Share price | Share value | Commission before VAT (15%) | Commission (total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $300 | $150,000 | $9.95 | $11.44 |
Minimum commission method
| Number of shares | Share price | Share value | Commission before VAT (15%) | Commission after VAT | Commission applied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | $50 | $250 | $0.0995 | $0.114 (less than $1.99) | $1,99 + 15% = $2.29 |
Advantages:
- Instant settlement — you won't wait two business days to reuse your funds.
- Unlimited number of trades, regardless of account value.
- Uses the advanced Interactive Brokers platform for order types and portfolio performance display and analysis.
Limitations:
- You cannot use short selling unless you upgrade your account to Derayah Global Plus.
- You cannot execute advanced options strategies unless you upgrade your account to Derayah Global Plus.
- You cannot trade index contracts unless you upgrade your account to Derayah Global Plus.
Who is it for?
- Professional day traders in stocks.
- Traders who deposit and withdraw frequently (no fees apply except bank transfer fees).
- Those who want to trade on an advanced platform in terms of order types and portfolio performance reports.
- Those who want to easily reach customer service in Arabic.