Our Methodology

Our mission is to make choosing an online broker easier and more transparent. All the information presented on TradingBrokersView is built on dependable data and objective analysis. With more than a decade of experience in the financial industry, combined with continuous input from our readers, we have developed the core principles that shape the TradingBrokersView experience. Our evaluation methodology is reviewed and refined on a regular basis, allowing us to consistently improve our criteria and accurately assess broker services.

Nearly 500 evaluation factors are applied to each broker

All brokers are assessed using the same nine core categories and evaluation standards. Our methodology is reviewed and refined on an annual basis, drawing on both our internal expertise and feedback from our users. Currently, each broker is examined against 497 individual criteria, as outlined in the table below:

**TradingBrokersView methodology – number of criteria**
Area	Criteria
Fees	289
Security	33
Deposit and withdrawal	11
Trading platforms	43
Account opening	15
Product portfolio	62
Customer service	12
Education	6
Research	9
+1 General information*	17

*Covers areas like country of origin, which is not included in the scoring.

Every year, we publish new broker reviews on TradingBrokersView and simultaneously update our existing analyses. As part of this process, more than 100 brokers are typically revised, covering more than 30,000 individual data points in total.

Beyond the evaluation criteria already mentioned, we maintain a dedicated database that tracks the countries and territories from which each broker accepts clients. This information currently spans to more than 200 countries and regions.

We also tend to explore automation and data-scraping techniques, which allow us to integrate thousands of additional data points and further expand and refine our evaluation framework.

Live account checks conducted anonymously

Everything in our reviews is based on first-hand experience: we open a live account at each broker and deposit real money. The broker does not know we are testing. During the test, we check the broker’s services along the criteria laid down in our methodology and note our experiences.

Overall evaluation scores

Once all broker criteria have been reviewed, the results are translated into numerical scores using a weighted scoring system. The importance assigned to each criterion is determined by our industry expertise and insights gathered from our readers, ensuring that the overall score reflects what users value most and which features matter to them.

We reassess and adjust these weightings on an annual basis. The table below illustrates how the relative importance of each category was revised for 2025, highlighting which areas gained or lost weight in the overall evaluation.

TradingBrokersView methodology – ranking of weights*
Area	Ranking – 2025	Ranking – 2024
Fees	#1	#1
Security	#2	#2
Deposit and withdrawal	#3	#3
Trading platforms	#3	#4
Account opening	#4	#3
Product portfolio	#5	#5
Customer service	#6	#7
Education	#7	#8
Research	#7	#6

The core evaluation areas

1. Costs and charges

We collect fee-related information directly from brokers’ official websites and review all charges across different asset classes, including stocks, forex, funds, and others. Our analysis goes beyond visible pricing to identify hidden expenses, covering both trading and non-trading fees. To determine actual costs, we calculate the total expense of opening a position, holding it for one week, and then closing it. For certain fee elements, data is gathered automatically to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

2. Safety and regulation

This category focuses on the broker’s regulatory environment, including which authorities supervise each entity, the level of investor protection offered, and the broker’s background and track record. Since these factors are critical to safeguarding investments, this area receives significant weighting in our evaluation.

3. Funding and withdrawals

We use real money to test deposit and withdrawal processes firsthand. Particular attention is given to available payment methods, associated fees, and processing times, as these are key concerns for users. These factors influence scoring—for example, brokers offering free credit card deposits typically score higher than those relying solely on wire transfers, which often involve additional costs.

4. Trading platforms

The quality of a trading platform has a major impact on overall user experience. We test all available platform types, including mobile apps, desktop software, and browser-based platforms. Our evaluation covers usability as well as specific functions such as order execution, login and security options, and customization features.

5. Account setup

We open live accounts with brokers to assess the onboarding experience. Since required documentation and steps can sometimes be confusing, we examine how clear and straightforward the process is. We also review available account types and minimum deposit requirements as part of this assessment.

6. Available products

Brokers are evaluated based on the range of markets and instruments they offer. Those providing access to a wider selection of products generally receive higher scores than brokers with more limited offerings, such as those focused solely on CFDs.

7. Client support

Our team personally tests every customer support channel offered by a broker. Each broker’s customer service rating is based on eight meaningful interactions across all available contact methods, including live chat, email, and phone.

8. Learning resources

High-quality educational materials can significantly improve both platform usability and trading confidence. Brokers offering well-organized and informative educational content—such as webinars, videos, podcasts, and written guides—are rewarded with higher scores.

9. Market research

Comprehensive research tools can justify higher fees by providing valuable insights into market trends, sentiment, securities, and companies. We thoroughly review all research features and tools made available by the broker.

We value your input and welcome any feedback. If you have questions or comments about our evaluation approach, feel free to reach out—thank you for your interest!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much effort goes into reviewing each broker?

Although our evaluation process is highly structured and we know exactly what to assess, researching and writing a single broker review on TradingBrokersView typically takes between one and one and a half weeks. This represents a significant time investment on our part—and a major time saver for you. Even spending just two hours researching each broker yourself would add up to an entire week simply to gather the basic information on all the brokers we cover.

How large is the team behind this work?

Our team is made up of 11 full-time professionals and 28 part-time contributors.

How frequently is the information updated?

Our data and content are refreshed continuously throughout the year. We actively monitor all brokers on an ongoing basis to capture changes as quickly as possible. When necessary, we also conduct annual review sessions focused on improving and enhancing our content.

Are brokers treated differently if they pay more?

Absolutely not. In fact, more than half of the brokers we review do not generate any revenue for us. Even among those that do, payment does not influence our recommendations. Our assessments are driven solely by the needs and preferences of our users, ensuring that all opinions remain objective and unbiased.