Best Brokers for ETF Trading
Published March 25, 2022.
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The exchange-traded fund (ETF) market has soared over the last 15 years, surpassing the mutual fund industry in value.
Today, the global ETF market is worth nearly $8 trillion, up from approximately $400 billion in 2005.
Everyone is hopping on the ETF bandwagon - and for good reason, too. ETF fees are lower, these investment products are easier to liquidate, and they are far more flexible.
From index funds that mirror the S&P 500 to ETFs that concentrate on hydrogen energy, there is something for every type of armchair or institutional investor.
But what about ETF providers?
In recent years, there has been a significant number of brokers that allow you to engage in free ETF trading and buy an ETF online. But what would be the best place to buy an ETF anyway?
We have compiled a guide on the top ETF websites in 2022.
A Quick Look at Our Top 8
- Best overall: Fortrade
- Best for experts: Trade360
- Best for beginners: eToro
- Best for low fees: easyMarkets
- Most user-friendly: AvaTrade
- International Presence: plus500
- Best mobile app: eToro
Is ETF Trading Profitable?
There is a reason why ETF trading has become incredibly popular over the last several years.
From hedge funds to retail investors, ETFs are widely used investment vehicles to park capital in a broad array of companies, sectors, or indexes.
What makes them reliable tools is that you can either engage in "set it and forget it" investing or you can participate in day trading ETFs.
So, yes, ETF trading is highly profitable.
That said, you still need to employ the same strategies, technical analysis, and other mechanisms to ensure you are executing the right trade. Otherwise, you will walk into a position blind and without a cane.
In other words, due diligence is still critical to profiting from ETF investing.
How We Chose Our Brokers
Choosing the best ETF brokers was not an easy process. We used specific criteria to determine what brokers were the best for adding exchanged-traded funds to your overall investment portfolio. We listed specific types of brokers, as well as the overall best place to buy an ETF.
We assessed the following components:
- Fees and commissions
- Quality of customer service
- ETF selection
- User experience
- Best app for ETFs
Broker Reviews’ Choices of Top ETF Brokers
Best overall
Maximize your ETF trading
Get StartedFounded in
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2013
Regulated by
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The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC).
Fortrade is a derivatives broker that offers various investment products, including forex, Contract for Differences (CFD), and, of course, ETFs.
With CFDs, you do not own the underlying asset. Instead, you are trading based on the movement of the price. Fortrade merges the best of both CFDs and ETFs.
For example, three most of the popular products are available to trade as CFDs:
- ProShares UltraPro QQQ Long ETF CFD (TQQQ)
- ProShares UltraPro QQQ Short ETF CFD (SQQQ)
- USO Oil Fund (USO)
Because Fortrade keeps growing in popularity, and the ETF market continues its acceleration, it is quite likely that the trading platform will expand its product selection.
Fortrade Pros and Cons
Pros
- No hidden fees, commissions, or deposits
- 24/5 customer support
- Highly regulated
- Demo account available
- Free education resources and tools
Cons
- Limited selection of ETFs
- Long withdrawal process
Best for beginners
Improve your trading skills
Open AccountFounded in
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2007
Regulated by
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CySec (Cyprus) and the FCA (UK)
How many ETFs does eToro offer users? At the time of this writing, there are 264 ETFs to choose from. All the big ones are available to invest in: SPDR S&P500 ETF (SPY), iShares Silver Trust (SLV), Global X Uranium ETF (URA), and so many more.
The list of ETFs available to trade on the platform will tell you the buy and sell prices and buying sentiment.
eToro Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free stock and ETF trading
- Social trading
- Fast account opening
- Education resources and tools
- Demo account available
Cons
- Inadequate customer service
- High non-trading fees
- One base currency supported
Best for low fees
For more than two decades, easyMarkets has been able to maintain low trading fees, allowing it to stay on top of its industry rivals. Aside from the fees, which are great for investors looking to save money on trading, easyMarkets provides users with a curated selection of the world's most popular exchange-traded funds.
easyMarkets Pros and Cons
Pros
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Low minimum deposit
- Islamic account offered
- Demo account available
- No commission charges on ETF transactions
Cons
- Disappointing customer support
- VPS not available to clients
Most user-friendly
Enjoy the transparency of online trading
Open AccountFounded in
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2006
Regulated by
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Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) Financial Regulatory Services Authority (FRSA)
Does trading have to be difficult? Of course not! The user interface on Avatrade makes sure that online investing is as simple as possible without the headaches of industry jargon and complex investment tactics. It is a transparent process, from trading to the fees. This is why it has been a successful trading platform for 16 years.
Avatrade Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low trading fees
- Low non-trading fees
- Minimum deposit is $100
- Fast account creation
- Six base currencies offered
Cons
- Limited product selection
- High inactivity fee
- Slow withdrawal
Wide variety
Enjoy a wide variety of products
Open AccountFounded in
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1977
Regulated by
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FCA, DFSA, CySec, and CIMA
Henyep Capital Markets released a long list of ETFs on its MT5 trading platform. Many market analysts questioned this decision at the time because the announcement occurred at the height of the pandemic-induced market meltdown. But the multi-regulated CFD and forex provider apparently made the right decision as the financial markets hit all-time highs.
HYCM Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low trading and non-trading fees
- Fast and user-friendly account creation process
- Plenty of educational resources
- $0 withdrawal fee
- Six base currencies supported
- Demo account available
Cons
- High inactivity fee
- Difficult user experience
- No two-step security process
International Presence
There is no doubt that Plus500 maintains one of the comprehensive ETF product lines in the industry today. Whether you want to mirror the composition and performance of index funds or you want to invest in specific sectors, Plus500 can help you achieve your investment objectives.
Plus500 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Terrific user experience
- Fast and easy account opening
- Exceptional customer service
- Low trading and non-trading fees
- 16 base currencies supported
- Demo account available
Cons
- Average fees
- Lackluster research tools
- High inactivity fee
ETF time
It is not only forex time, but it is also ETF time at FXTM. That's right. This trading platform that is well-known for its foreign exchange trading opportunities has also delved into the world of ETFs. And, so far, it is not too bad either!
FXTM Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fast account opening
- Low commission fees
- Excellent customer service
- No deposit fee
- Library of educational resources
Cons
- High inactivity and withdrawal fees
- Limited suite of ETFs
Best for Experts
Do you want to get in on UNG? Do you think QQQ has hit a bottom? Is SPY on your long-term trajectory? Whatever the case, ETF trading, especially within the CFD realm, is quite popular at Trade360. With some of the top trading resources, tools, and platforms on the web today, you can increase your earnings or avoid steep losses on Trade360.
Trading360 Pros and Cons
Pros
- WebTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 availability
- Various account types
- CrowdTrading tool
- High retail leverage
- Fast account creation
- No trading or commission fees
Cons
- High minimum deposit of $250
- No Islamic account
Final Verdict: Which Broker Is the Best for ETF Trading?
In the end, Fortrade is the best choice for your ETF trading needs. The trading platform maintains a treasure trove of features and resources that can facilitate your ETF investment. Fortrade possesses a user-friendly design, a wide range of trading options, and low fees and commissions.
ETF trading does not have to be complicated, and neither should the trading platform you use!