Top picks for day trading platforms
Best broker for day traders - Interactive Brokers
| Company |
Minimum Deposit |
Stock Trades |
Options (Per Contract) |
 Interactive Brokers
|
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.65 info |
Why Interactive Brokers is the best brokerage firm for day traders: Interactive Brokers (IBKR) delivers institutional-grade trading tools, advanced order types, and some of the lowest margin rates in the industry. Its powerful Trader Workstation (TWS) platform, direct market access, and algo trading capabilities give active traders the tools they need to trade efficiently and manage risk in real time. With deep customization and advanced features, IBKR is my top choice for serious day traders in 2025.
Desktop experience: TWS is highly customizable, letting you tailor your workspace down to specific metrics like beta or Sharpe ratio. The ability to bracket a trade instantly, setting both stop-loss and profit targets, is invaluable for managing risk in fast-moving markets.
Mobile experience: IBKR delivers a pro-level experience. The trade ticket is among the most advanced I’ve used on a phone. It supports multi-leg options trades, bracket orders, and shows real-time margin impact before you submit. The app includes 90+ indicators for charting, plus syncing watchlists with over 50 data points, including valuation metrics like forward P/E. It’s designed for traders who want full control on the go without compromising functionality.
Margin rates: IBKR consistently offers some of the lowest margin costs in the industry. But more importantly, it gives you real-time visibility into your balances, requirements, and the impact of each trade, all before you click submit. This level of transparency helps avoid surprises and supports responsible risk management.
If you’re an active trader who demands precision, speed, and customization, all at a low cost, Interactive Brokers remains the best brokerage for day trading in 2025.
Best desktop platform for day trading - Charles Schwab
| Company |
Minimum Deposit |
Stock Trades |
Options (Per Contract) |
 Charles Schwab
|
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.65 |
Why Charles Schwab has the best desktop platform for day trading: From my perspective, Charles Schwab’s thinkorswim platform is one of the best tools a day trader can have. It’s one of my favorite desktop platforms for monitoring the markets, offering powerful charting, integrated FRED data, options analysis tools, and even earnings analysis.
Top-of-the-line charting: Charting is where thinkorswim truly shines. It offers hundreds of technical indicators, drawing tools, and multi-chart layouts that stay responsive even when streaming heavy data. I’ve tested plenty of platforms, and switching between multiple charts on thinkorswim is smooth and glitch-free, even when streaming large amounts of data.
Advanced order types: Execution tools are just as strong. Thinkorswim supports advanced order types, including bracket and conditional orders, helping traders set defined exit points automatically. One-click order entry and customizable trade tickets add to the speed and efficiency needed in intraday trading.
Best for research: Real-time news, economic releases, Schwab Network video updates, and earnings analysis are built into the workspace. For strategy testing, paperMoney allows you to simulate trades using real market conditions without putting capital at risk. That blend of depth and usability is why Schwab earned our #1 Research ranking.
Margin: Margin management is another standout. The platform displays margin requirements, available buying power, and post-trade impacts before you place a trade, giving you a clear view of your risk and exposure.
With its high level of customization, robust analytics, and fast trade execution, thinkorswim is a clear choice for serious day traders. Whether you’re building multi-leg options trades, scalping short-term setups, or analyzing macro drivers, the tools are all there, and tightly integrated.
For a deeper dive into Schwab’s tools and why thinkorswim remains a favorite among professionals, check out my full review of Charles Schwab.
Best platform for beginner day traders - Fidelity
| Company |
Minimum Deposit |
Stock Trades |
Options (Per Contract) |
 Fidelity
|
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.65 |
Why Fidelity is the best broker for first-time day trading: Fidelity strikes the perfect balance between power and accessibility, making it ideal for traders learning the ropes. Its Active Trader Pro platform simplifies risk management with visual bracket orders, while tools like the Margin Calculator for hypothetical purchases help investors understand their exposure before placing trades. Add in top-tier trader support, real-time education, and Fidelity’s commitment to execution quality with no payment for order flow, and it’s the best starting point for new day traders.
Platform and order execution: Active Trader Pro is built for serious trading, but it doesn’t overwhelm. The standout feature is the visual bracket order, which lets you set up a buy order with stop-loss and take-profit levels in one step. It simplifies trade automation and helps instill discipline from day one. The platform also supports technical indicators, real-time news, and seamless order entry across asset types.
Margin visibility: Fidelity makes managing risk easier with clear margin data shown on both the trade ticket and the positions page. The built-in Margin Calculator goes a step further, allowing you to test hypothetical trades and see how they affect your balances and buying power before placing an order, a key feature for new traders learning about leverage.
Support and education: What really sets Fidelity apart for me is the support. Fidelity’s Active Trader Strategy Desk offers live events and training on advanced trading and market concepts, helping traders master the platform and refine their strategies. They even provide education on trading violations, ensuring you understand rules like good faith violations, day trading rules, and margin requirements before they become a costly mistake.
No payment for order flow: Unlike many brokers, Fidelity doesn’t accept PFOF, which means better price improvement potential and more transparency around execution.
For new traders who want to start with a high-integrity platform and the right mix of guidance and control, Fidelity is the best brokerage to begin your day trading journey.
Best web trading platform and a powerful stock screener – E*TRADE
| Company |
Minimum Deposit |
Stock Trades |
Options (Per Contract) |
 E*TRADE
|
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.65 |
Why E*TRADE is the best web-based platform for day traders: E*TRADE’s Power E*TRADE platform delivers one of the most responsive and intuitive web trading experiences in the market. I’ve used dozens of trading platforms over the years, and Power E*TRADE strikes that rare balance of speed, sophistication, and usability that makes it ideal for fast-paced trading without the need to install desktop software. It’s a browser-based powerhouse that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Web platform and screener tools: Power E*TRADE supports streaming quotes, direct access routing, and customizable watchlists in a clean layout that feels built for speed. The stock and ETF screener is outstanding, with real-time filters and flexible criteria that can be adjusted on the fly. The charting engine includes over 100 technical studies, drawing tools, and real-time intraday data that syncs seamlessly across devices.
Options trading and order types: Options traders will find a lot to like. The customizable chain, strategy builder, and built-in risk visualizer help map out trades before execution. You can place complex orders, including OCO and conditional orders, right from your browser, without missing a beat.
Mobile sync: E*TRADE’s mobile app mirrors the web platform, with positions, watchlists, and trade setups syncing automatically. It’s a seamless handoff when switching between desktop and mobile during a trading session, keeping your workflow smooth and consistent.
Margin and execution: While not the cheapest on margin rates, E*TRADE offers clear visibility into margin usage and buying power directly within the trade ticket. Execution is reliable, and real-time margin impacts are shown pre-trade, helping you manage risk more effectively.
If you’re a day trader looking for serious tools in a flexible, web-based package, Power E*TRADE strikes the right balance of capability and convenience. You can explore more in my full E*TRADE review.
Best platform for technical and options-focused day traders – TradeStation
| Company |
Minimum Deposit |
Stock Trades |
Options (Per Contract) |
 TradeStation
|
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.60 |
Why TradeStation is the best choice for technical traders and options strategists: TradeStation is a go-to platform for serious traders, especially those with a high net worth and a strong interest in active trading. Whether you’re coding custom indicators or scalping off the DOM (depth of market), TradeStation delivers the professional-grade tools needed for customization, high-level support, and advanced charting.
Platform and charting tools: The platform supports tick charts, volume-based intervals, Renko bars, and just about every chart type you can imagine. I’ve used it to build multi-timeframe layouts with custom indicators and backtesting strategies baked in. The charting engine is built for speed and clarity, even when pulling in real-time data across multiple monitors.
Options and strategy building: OptionsStation Pro is a standout. It allows traders to simulate, visualize, and execute complex strategies from one screen. Whether you’re trading verticals or condors, everything is streamlined. Real-time greeks, IV data, and payoff diagrams help clarify risk and reward before you trade.
Execution and hotkeys: Execution is fast and flexible. You can place trades directly from charts or the ladder using custom hotkeys, essential for high-speed decision-making. Direct market routing is supported, and liquidity providers can even capture rebates through ECN access.
Margin and risk tools: Margin data is transparent and detailed. You’ll see pre-trade margin impact, buying power by symbol, and alerts when positions approach house requirements. While rates aren’t the lowest, the margin insight is among the best.
TradeStation isn’t the easiest platform to learn, but for experienced traders who want deep control, it’s one of the most powerful tools available. For a full breakdown of features, visit my in-depth TradeStation review.
How to Get Started in Day Trading
Understand what day trading is
Day trading involves buying and selling financial instruments, such as stocks, options, or futures, within a single trading day to try to profit from daily stock price fluctuations. Day traders often rely heavily on technical analysis because they enter and exit trades in hours or even minutes. Unlike investing, which focuses more on long-term strategies, day trading is all about momentum, price action, and timing.
This trading style requires a deep understanding of market trends, advanced technical analysis skills, and access to real-time data. Day traders close all positions before the market closes to mitigate risks from overnight market fluctuations, including those caused by unexpected after-hours news or events.
Day trading is also capital-intensive and emotionally demanding. Most retail day traders lose money, and consistent profitability requires discipline, risk management, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
Learn about the market
Before diving into day trading, take time to understand how markets work. Key factors like volatility, liquidity, and trading hours can directly impact your results. Stay up to date on economic news, earnings reports, and anything that might move prices.
Use technical analysis: Most day traders rely on charts and indicators to spot opportunities. Popular tools like RSI, moving averages, and Bollinger Bands help identify trends, momentum, and volatility. No single indicator works all the time, so combine them with a solid plan and risk management. While technical indicators help spot patterns, they lag price and are not predictive. Successful traders use them in combination with market context, price action, and strict risk controls.
Get the right tools: A fast, reliable trading platform is essential. Use screeners to find setups, alerts to track price moves, and advanced order types to manage trades efficiently. The better your tools, the more focused your trading can be.
Research different day trading strategies
Day traders use a variety of strategies depending on their goals, risk tolerance, and time commitment. There’s no best approach; success comes from finding a style that fits your strengths.
Scalping: Scalpers aim to profit from small price moves by placing dozens of trades per day. Scalping requires fast decision-making and low-latency execution, but frequent trades mean fees and slippage can add up fast.
Momentum vs. Reversal Trading: Momentum traders follow strong trends, looking to ride price moves until momentum fades. Reversal traders try to catch turning points, entering when a trend is losing strength. Both styles require quick decision-making and solid chart-reading skills. Both strategies also come with risks: momentum trades can reverse quickly without warning, while reversal setups often have lower win rates and demand strict discipline.
Intraday Swing Trading: Swing trading typically involves holding trades for several days, but intraday swing traders apply similar principles within a single session, targeting larger moves without overtrading. This approach requires strong patience and timing, and traders may miss larger moves if they exit too early.
Macro-Aware Trading: Even short-term traders can benefit from watching broader economic trends. Earnings reports, rate decisions, and breaking news often trigger volatility that day traders can use to their advantage. Keep in mind that market-moving events can be unpredictable, and news-based trades often react too quickly for retail traders to capitalize on.
Crypto Day Trading: Crypto markets trade 24/7 and are highly volatile. Prices can swing dramatically in minutes, especially with high leverage. While the potential for fast gains exists, the risks are equally high. Liquidations from leveraged positions often amplify price moves, making strict risk management essential.
Learn how to manage margin
Margin accounts allow you to borrow funds from your broker to increase your buying power, which is a common setup for day traders who need speed and flexibility. Unlike cash accounts, which require waiting for trades to settle, margin accounts let you place trades instantly with unsettled funds. But with that convenience comes risk.
Trading on margin means you’re using leverage, which can amplify both gains and losses. Additionally, if your account is flagged as a pattern day trader (PDT), meaning you place four or more day trades in a five-day period, you’ll need to maintain a minimum balance of $25,000. Fall below that, and your account could be restricted. Cash accounts avoid the PDT rule but are unable to use margin and are subject to settlement rules. Violations like freeriding, using funds from a sale that hasn’t settled yet, can result in frozen funds.
Before using margin, know the rules, understand how leverage works, and be prepared to manage risk. With leveraged trades, it’s entirely possible to lose more than your initial investment.
Start with a demo account
Opening a demo or paper trading account is a smart first step before trading with real money. These accounts let you simulate trades in real market conditions using virtual funds, helping you get comfortable with order execution, platform features, and price movement, all without financial risk.
Demo trading is also useful for testing strategies and identifying your preferred trading style. It gives you a low-pressure way to build confidence, develop discipline, and better understand the markets with confidence and clarity.
FAQs
What are the basics of day trading?
Day trading is the practice of buying and selling financial instruments — like stocks, options, or futures — within the same trading day. The goal is to capitalize on short-term price movements rather than holding positions overnight.
Day traders rely on real-time market data, technical analysis, and rapid trade execution to make quick, informed decisions. They often use margin accounts to increase buying power and execute strategies like scalping, momentum trading, and breakout trading.
ruleOne key rule to know
The Pattern Day Trader (PDT) rule is important to be aware of when using margin. In the U.S., traders with less than $25,000 in a margin account are limited to three day trades in a rolling five-day period. If you exceed this, your account may be restricted unless you meet the minimum balance requirement. This is true across all brokerage firms.
Successful day trading can be quite difficult. It requires a deep understanding of market trends, risk management, and discipline, as well as a brokerage platform with fast execution, advanced charting, and real-time data. For a run-down on the many reasons you might not want to day trade, read the take from our founder Blain Reinkensmeyer on his 10 reasons to avoid day trading.
What is margin?
Margin is a form of leverage. Margin accounts let traders use their portfolios as collateral for loans, which they can use to buy more investments.
A margin account gives you access to this borrowing power, but it comes with specific requirements:
- Initial Margin – The percentage of a trade’s total value that you must fund with your own cash before borrowing. This is the Fed funds requirement, or Reg T, and is usually 50%.
- Maintenance Margin – The minimum equity you must maintain in your account to keep a margin position open. If your balance falls below this level, you’ll receive a margin call, requiring you to deposit more funds or close positions. The excess is what drives your buying power. This is set by your brokerage firm and is generally 30% and sometimes referred to as “house requirements”.
- Margin Interest – Since you’re borrowing money, brokers charge interest on margin loans, which varies by firm and loan size. Usually, margin interest is accrued on borrowed funds held overnight.
Margin is widely used in day trading, options trading, and short selling for the flexibility it can offer, but it comes with higher risk. If the market moves against you, losses can exceed your initial investment. That’s why understanding margin requirements, risk exposure, and how margin impacts your account is crucial before using it.
What are some tips and resources to get started day trading?
Learn the fundamentals: Before placing a single trade, make sure you understand:
- Market mechanics – How and why stocks, options, and futures move
- Technical analysis – Chart patterns, indicators, and support/resistance levels
- Order types – Market orders, limit orders, stop-loss, and bracket orders
- Risk management – Position sizing, stop-loss placement, and managing drawdowns
Interactive Brokers and Charles Schwab have extensive courses and resources to learn and keep up with the markets.
Pick the right brokerage and platform: Day trading requires precision and skill backed by an advanced trading platform with day trading software. Here are my picks:
- Interactive Brokers (Trader Workstation) – Best for low-margin rates and advanced execution
- Charles Schwab (thinkorswim) – Best for technical analysis and customization
- Fidelity (Active Trader Pro) – Best for execution quality and trader support
Practice with paper trading: Most brokers offer virtual trading accounts where you can test strategies without risking real money. Use this time to refine your trade execution and get comfortable with your platform.
Track your trades and adjust: The best traders review their trades regularly to identify mistakes and improve. Use a trading journal to track entry and exit points, reasons for entering and exiting the trades, and mistakes or lessons learned. Your goal is to refine a disciplined approach.
Manage your risk and focus on risk versus reward: Day trading is risky, and protecting your capital is just as important as making profitable trades. Follow the 1% rule (never risk more than 1% of your account on a single trade) and use stop-losses religiously. Using higher percentages of your portfolio will result in an impossible scenario to overcome if you end up with a loss — and you eventually will have losses while day trading.
For more tips on how to get started along with a deep dive into the different strategies day traders employ, head on over to our comprehensive guide on how to day trade.
Day trading basics
If you are interested in day trading or more active trading, be sure to explore our other guides:
Can you day trade on multiple platforms?
Yes. It’s common for day traders to have multiple brokerage accounts and use several trading platforms simultaneously. A trader might prefer the chart analysis tools of one broker but prefer to trade options at another. It’s also a good idea to have a backup account open and at the ready in case a preferred broker suffers a data glitch or crash.
What is the fastest day trading platform and software?
The fastest day trading platform will be found among TradeStation, tastytrade, Charles Schwab's thinkorswim, Interactive Brokers' Trader Workstation (TWS), and Webull because they are desktop-based. With a desktop trading platform, the base code runs locally on your computer, maximizing speed. That said, web-based trading platforms built with modern code can match desktop platforms in overall speed. Day trading software aside, the most common bottleneck for any trading platform is the internet connection.
What is the best app for day trading?
The best app for day trading in 2025 is Interactive Brokers’ trading app as our rigorous testing proves. Based on extensive hands-on evaluation, IBKR’s mobile platform stands out for its advanced tools, in-depth order tickets and trade executions, and seamless usability which are all critical factors for active traders when away from their desktop computers. While many other brokers offer solid mobile platforms, IBKR is simply the most complete app for active traders who need institutional-grade tools on their phone.
What day trading platform is best for first-time day traders?
For beginner day traders, Fidelity is a great choice. The platform is intuitive, easy to customize, and designed to help new traders navigate the fast-paced world of active trading.
Fidelity stands out for its live trader support. The Active Trader Strategy Desk offers real-time coaching and educational events, making it easier to learn advanced strategies. The platform also helps new traders understand trading violations, margin rules, and risk management before costly mistakes happen.
Paper trading allows beginners to test strategies without risking real capital. Fidelity also prioritizes execution quality by not accepting payment for order flow (PFOF), which can lead to better price improvement. For new traders who need guidance, Fidelity offers the best mix of education, support, and technology.
What is pattern day trading?
Pattern Day Trading (PDT) is a FINRA rule that applies to traders who execute four or more day trades in a five-day period using a margin account. If flagged, you must maintain a minimum of $25,000 in your account or face restrictions. Futures and forex trading are not subject to PDT rules.
Is day trading legal?
Yes, day trading is legal in the U.S. and most global markets. However, it’s regulated, and brokers may have specific requirements for margin accounts and risk disclosures. Make sure to trade with a regulated broker and understand the tax implications of active trading.
Is day trading worth it?
It depends on your goals, risk tolerance, and discipline. Day trading can be profitable, but it’s also time-intensive and emotionally demanding. Most new traders lose money in the beginning. A structured approach, risk management, and continuous learning are essential.
Our testing
Why you should trust us
Jessica Inskip is Director of Investor Research at StockBrokers.com, bringing 15 years of experience in brokerage and trading strategy. A former FINRA-licensed rep, she held Series 7, 63, 66, and 4 licenses. Jessica focuses on investor education and brokerage industry research, appears regularly on CNBC, Bloomberg, The Schwab Network, Fox Business, and Yahoo! Finance, and hosts the Market MakeHer podcast.
Blain Reinkensmeyer, co-founder of StockBrokers.com, has been investing and trading for over 25 years. After having placed over 2,000 trades in his late teens and early 20s, he became one of the first in digital media to review online brokerages. Today, Blain is widely respected as a leading expert on finance and investing, specifically the U.S. online brokerage industry. Blain has been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Fast Company, among others. Blain created the original scoring rubrics for StockBrokers.com and oversees all testing and rating methodologies.
How we tested
- We used our own brokerage accounts for testing.
- We collected thousands of data points across the brokers we review.
- We tested each online broker's website, desktop platforms, and mobile app, where applicable.
- We maintained strict editorial independence; brokers cannot pay for inclusion or a higher rating.
Our research team meticulously collected data on every feature of importance to a wide range of customer profiles, including beginners, casual investors, passive investors, and active traders. We carefully track variables like margin rates, trading costs, fees, and platform features and use them to help rate brokers across a range of categories measuring ease of use, range of investments, research, education, and more.
At StockBrokers.com, our reviewers use a variety of computing devices to evaluate platforms and tools. Our reviews and data collection were conducted using the following devices: iPhone SE running iOS 17.5.1, MacBook Pro M1 with 8 GB RAM running the current MacOS, and a Dell Vostro 5402 laptop i5 with 8 GB RAM running Windows 11 Pro.
Each broker was evaluated and scored on over 200 different variables across seven key categories: Range of Investments, Platforms & Tools, Research, Mobile Trading, Education, Ease of Use, and Overall. Learn more about how we test.
Trading platforms tested
We tested 14 online trading platforms for this guide:
Charles Schwab
Interactive Brokers
Fidelity
E*TRADE
Merrill Edge
Webull
TradeStation
tastytrade
Finviz
Stock Rover
TrendSpider
Trade Ideas
TraderSync
TradingView
Tradervue
