The Brokerage Directory
Four categories. Every broker vetted for US residents. No offshore lookalikes, no affiliate-padded lists — just the brokers and exchanges that will actually let you open an account, ranked and profiled.
Picking the right broker is one of those decisions that looks identical to 100 other decisions until it actually matters — and then it matters a lot. The wrong broker means paying $3 a contract instead of $0.25, getting locked out of fractional shares for the stocks you want, discovering your forex broker isn't actually allowed to take your money, or finding out your crypto exchange doesn't operate in your state. This hub points you to the right directory for each market. Each linked guide profiles every brokerage option available to US residents in detail, including fees, platforms, and asset coverage.
Browse by Market
Futures Brokers Directory
The deepest broker category, where commissions and intraday margins make or break small-account trading. Compare 13 futures brokers across micro and standard contracts.
- Top pick: NinjaTrader (lifetime license)
- Best for small accounts: AMP Futures, Optimus, NT
- Best multi-asset: Interactive Brokers
Stock Brokers Directory
Commission-free is universal, so the real differences are in fractional shares, options pricing, research depth, platform quality, and execution routing. Compare 13 US equity brokers.
- Top pick: Interactive Brokers
- Best for beginners: Fidelity
- Best for options: tastytrade, Webull
Forex Brokers Directory
The shortest list — only NFA-registered brokers can legally serve US residents, and most global names refuse to comply with the 1:50 leverage cap and FIFO rule. Compare every legal option.
- Top pick: tastyfx (IG US)
- Best for algos: OANDA, Interactive Brokers
- Best raw spreads: ATC Brokers
Crypto Exchanges Directory
State-by-state regulation makes "available to US residents" a tricky claim. Compare every exchange that legally accepts US users, including which states they actually operate in.
- Top pick: Coinbase
- Best fees: Kraken (excl. NY/ME)
- Best for NY: Gemini
Quick Picks: Best Broker by Trader Type
If you're just starting out
If you trade actively (10+ times per week)
If you trade multiple asset classes
What Changed in 2026
A few shifts are worth flagging if you're returning to broker selection after a long time. First, fractional shares are now standard at every major equities broker, but the breadth still varies — Fidelity and Robinhood let you fractionalize anything; Schwab is still S&P 500 only. Second, futures commissions have continued to compress, with the cheapest US brokers now charging $0.09–$0.25 per contract versus $1.50+ at full-service firms. Third, the forex broker count for US residents has stayed flat — global names have continued to exit rather than enter the NFA framework. Fourth, crypto exchanges have stabilized post-enforcement: the survivors are clearer about their state coverage and which products they offer, but the global names US residents can't use have not changed. For ongoing analysis on market dynamics that affect broker choice, see our education hub or our day trading category.
Frequently Asked Questions
How were these brokers selected?
Every broker in this directory is legally available to US residents, meaning SIPC membership for equities brokers, NFA/CFTC registration for futures and forex brokers, and money transmission or BitLicense compliance for crypto exchanges. Brokers offering hidden-fee structures, weak regulatory standing, or geofenced US access have been excluded.
Are these rankings influenced by affiliate payments?
No. Rankings are based on commissions, account minimums, platform quality, asset breadth, and regulatory standing. Brokers are not paid to be included and cannot pay for higher placement. Always verify current pricing on each broker's site before opening an account, since fees can change.
Can I have accounts at multiple brokers?
Yes. Many active traders maintain multiple broker accounts to access different platforms or features — for example, Fidelity for long-term equity holdings, tastytrade for options, and a dedicated futures broker for active futures trading. There's no penalty for multiple accounts and SIPC/regulatory protections apply to each broker separately.
How often is this directory updated?
Pricing and broker availability are reviewed quarterly. Major changes — broker shutdowns, fee restructures, new regulatory actions — are reflected when they occur. The structure of which brokers operate in the US tends to stay stable, but fees and platform features change more often.
What if I see a broker not listed here?
If a broker is not in this directory, it either does not accept US residents, operates without proper US regulatory standing, or did not meet the inclusion criteria. Use the NFA BASIC database for futures and forex brokers, the FINRA BrokerCheck for equities, and state money transmitter lookups for crypto exchanges to verify any broker's legal standing before opening an account.
What's the minimum capital to start trading?
Most US brokers have eliminated formal account minimums. Realistic minimums depend on what you trade: $100–$500 for stocks with fractional shares, $500–$2,000 for futures with $50 intraday micro margins, $250–$1,000 for forex with proper risk management, and $0–$100 for crypto. Trading too small leaves no buffer for normal drawdowns.
