Our panel of trading experts investigated and reviewed the best online trading platforms for options, and you can find out which brokers ranked the best right here. Read on to learn more about options trading and find the best brokers to use.
Best options trading brokers overall for 2026
What are the best options trading platforms?
We recommend Plus500 as the best options broker. We compared 63+ online options trading brokers on security, ease of access, fees, and more, to find the best choice for everyday users.
Below are three more option brokers that offer low trading fees, market-leading security, and a range of assets to trade.
4.5
Plus500
Min. Deposit $100
Fees From 2%
No. assets 2800+
Demo account Yes
CFD service. Your capital is at risk.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Best options trading platforms
Min. Deposit n/a
Fees –
No. assets n/a
Demo account –
Top 5 options brokers, reviewed
We found 6 online brokers for users based in
1. Plus500. Best for international trading*
Overview
We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you make a trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures contracts for some of the biggest indices.
Plus500 has something for all types of traders, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements (starting at $100) and different contracts make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting.
For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.
The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website.
*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 2800+ |
| Min. Deposit | $100 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | Yes |
| Supported assets | Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | FSA, ASIC, FMA, FCA, CySEC |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | No |
| Inactivity fees | Yes |
| Rollover/overnight fees | Yes |
| Withdrawal fees | No |
| Spreads | Yes |
| Conversion fees | Yes |
CFD service. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2. AvaTrade. Best regulated broker for secure trading
Overview
We love AvaTrade because it is a reliable CFD broker, that gives users access to a wide range of markets. As a CFD broker, AvaTrade lets you speculate on the price movements of various stock markets without owning the underlying assets. AvaTrade is a multi asset brokerage firm and includes CFDs on hundreds of global stocks including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and more.
AvaTrade is also highly regarded for its strong regulatory framework and commitment to security. AvaTrade is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands, which means it must adhere to stringent regulatory standards across the world.
AvaTrade isn’t just well regulated, it also employs advanced security measures to protect client funds and personal information, including segregated accounts and robust encryption technology.
The fees: There is no commission on any trading. AvaTrade makes money from the Bid/Ask spread instead. Stock spreads start from 0.13. Positions left overnight are charged a swap fee that varies depending on size. An inactivity fee of £/€/$50 per month is applicable if you don’t log in to your account for three consecutive months.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 1250+ |
| Min. Deposit | $100 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | Yes |
| Supported assets | Stocks, Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Commodity CFDs, Index CFDs |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | FSCA, FSA, ASIC, CBI, MiFID, CySEC, BVIFSC, FRSA |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | No |
| Inactivity fees | Yes |
| Rollover/overnight fees | Yes |
| Withdrawal fees | No |
| Spreads | Yes |
| Conversion fees | No |
Pros & Cons
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
3. Public. Best for AI analysis
Overview
We love Public because it makes use of cutting-edge AI technology to enhance your trading and investing experience. Public’s AI-powered feature, Public Alpha offers personalized insights and recommendations through its natural language interface in real time.
Public’s AI technology helps you make more informed decisions by analyzing massive amounts of data and providing actionable insights. These AI-driven insights are easily accessible and give users access to the latest advancements in financial analysis and trading.
Not only do can you use AI to help your investments, Public is one of the lowest cost brokerage firms out there. You can invest in stocks and ETFs commission free. You can also buy and trade fractional shares and if you want to diversify, you can explore a range of alternative investments including music and film royalties.
The fees: There are no fees for investing in stocks during regular trading hours in the US – 9.30am-4pm EST. There is a $2.99 fee for trades outside of regular hours.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 9,000 + |
| Min. Deposit | $20 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | No |
| Supported assets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, , , |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | SEC, FINRA, SIPC |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | Yes |
| Inactivity fees | Yes |
| Rollover/overnight fees | No |
| Withdrawal fees | No |
| Spreads | Yes |
| Conversion fees | Yes |
Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.
What is an options broker?
It’s a financial brokerage that offers options contracts, which give you the right to buy or sell an asset at a specified price.
The best options trading platforms can be used online via desktop software or on the go through mobile apps.
Any options trading platform worth its salt lets you buy and sell options contracts, view real-time prices, and track your portfolio seamlessly.
These platforms are very similar to futures trading platforms, and there is often a lot of crossover between the two services. Futures are like options, but they include an obligation to buy or sell at a given price, rather than just an opportunity to.
Many brokers also offer secondary tools and advanced resources to progress in your trading journey, so take your time while researching for an option broker, and don’t settle for anything but the best.
What is an Option?
Options are financial contracts that give a trader the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specified date and price. Options can be used on various financial instruments, including stocks, commodities, currencies, indexes, futures, and more.
They are an inherently leveraged derivative, which means that even with a small capital, you can get higher exposure on the asset you want to invest in, at the cost of a similarly magnified risk.
An options contract is known as a derivative because its value is derived from the value of the underlying asset. The price at which you may buy or sell the asset is known as the ‘strike price’ and is agreed when you take out the stock options.
There are two types of options, calls and puts.
- Call option. Call options give you the right to buy the underlying asset at a predetermined date and price.
- Put option. Put options give you the right to sell the underlying asset at a predetermined date and price.
Call and put options have expiration dates, which refer to the date the option must be exercised. If it is not exercised by the predetermined date, it becomes worthless.
How should I choose an options trading platform?
There’s a lot to consider if you want to find the best options broker.
Below, we have listed some insight into how to choose the perfect option broker for yourself, alongside some considerations you need to have before starting to trade in the option market.
1. Use a platform that has a wide range of options contracts
There are lots of option contract types with a variety of expiration dates and different strike prices. If you’re new to trading options, then you want to be able to experiment with multiple contracts until you get a feel for what suits you.
Advanced options traders, on the other hand, may already know what they like and are instead looking for precise tools and advanced resources.
Either way, it’s important to pick an options broker that offers what you want to trade.
The longer the time period between now and the expiration date, the more uncertainty and volatility are involved. You may have to accept a higher strike price or contract fee, along with a higher risk of losing your capital.
2. Make sure you understand the options trading fees and commissions
Trading options can be expensive because the fees and commissions can quickly add up. To keep costs down, look to use low-commission options trading brokers.
Some award-winning options brokers are completely commission-free, and may be worth considering. However, the trade-off is often a larger ‘spread’, the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset.
3. Consider the platform’s user interface
An online broker platform that’s difficult to use can lead to frustration and mistakes. This is particularly true for option trading, which is a little harder to get your head around to begin with.
Sign up for a free demo to test out any options trading account and explore the interface or app provided by the platform before you deposit any money.
Any retail options trading platform should be easy to navigate and understand, but also consider any tools and features you might want to use in the future. Does the service offer all the markets you want to invest in? Do you understand the fee structure? Are there discounts available for high-volume traders?
4. Look for educational resources
It can take some time to fully understand options and how to use them. If you’re a novice options trader, then it’s important to choose an online broker that provides beginner-friendly material, like explainers, walkthroughs, and video tutorials.
Even if you sign up for a binary options trading broker with plenty of educational materials, we highly recommend that you start with a demo account. A demo account is a way to practice options trading using virtual money, giving you real-time experience on live markets without risking any money.
5. Choose a platform with advanced options trading tools and features
An options trading strategy requires up-to-date information on prices and market conditions. Make sure you use an options trading broker that provides real-time data and options prices to help you make informed decisions and check out which analysis tools are available.
If you base your options trades on technical analysis, then ensure you can access charting tools with a wide range of technical indicators.
If you instead tend to trade stocks based on fundamental analysis factors, then access to market research and the latest news is more important than everything else.
Should I use an options trading platform?
Options trading can be helpful for some investors. However, it is important to remember that it can be a complex and risky activity, so it is best suited to those who understand the markets and risks involved well.
Investors looking to hedge their investments, earn income, or speculate on price changes may find options contracts a good choice. For beginners, options trading can be a confusing way to trade.
Learning the different strategies available and working with a reputable options broker is as important as having all the right tools for the job.
Whether or not using an options trading platform is your best choice depends on your investing experience. If you’re an experienced investor with a solid understanding of the markets, then options are a good choice; however, beginners should really take their time and learn the ins and outs of the market before starting to use this kind of derivative.
What are the risks of using an options trading platform?
There are lots of risks associated with using an options trading platform. Options are leveraged products, so you must ensure you have the margin available in your trading account to place your orders. The options market can also be volatile, which means the value of your contract can change rapidly. Liquidity issues can make it difficult to close our positions at desired prices.
Here are a few pros and cons of using an options trading platform.
Pros
- You can use options to hedge your positions
- Options can be used to limit your risk while earning returns
- There are options contracts for a wide range of financial markets
Cons
What are the fees for using an options trading broker?
The fees for options trading can vary depending on the platform you use. Some common fees include commissions on trades, account maintenance charges, option exercise, and assignment fees. Some advanced options platforms also charge for specific data feeds and real-time market information.
Methodology: How did we choose the best options trading platforms?
Helping people make better financial decisions is at the heart of our mission at Invezz.
We periodically test more than 63 stock trading platforms to provide our users with clear, accessible guidance on the investing options available. All testing is carried out by our panel of stock market experts, analysts, and active traders who sign up to each broker, conduct research, and score each service.
Our tests are designed to find stock brokerages that offer a beginner-friendly, secure investing experience at a fair price. To supplement our practical testing and experience, we research each trading platform to gather any further relevant information. We read online customer reviews, app reviews on the Play Store and App Store, and conduct user surveys to get feedback from real people about what works and what doesn’t.
Each stockbroker is awarded a final score based on 130+ data points across 8 ranking categories: cost, reliability, user experience, deposit & withdrawals, investing options, range of products/markets, research & analysis tools, and the availability of educational & learning resources.
We work closely with individual brands to ensure all factual information displayed here is accurate. All data is then fact-checked by an independent reviewer. You can learn more about our expert panel and how we test, rate, and review platforms in our review process.
FAQs
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Sources & references
