Best Options Brokers 2025
When choosing the best options brokers in 2025, the first thing to weigh is your strategy. Are you trading simple calls and puts, or do you need advanced spreads with low contract fees? A cheap broker won’t help if the platform can’t handle complex orders or leaves you without solid risk-management tools.
The smart move is to pick a broker that balances competitive pricing with reliable execution, intuitive software, and strong educational resources. In this guide, we’ll highlight the brokers that give traders that winning combination, so you can trade options with confidence instead of second-guessing your setup.
Top 10 Best Options Brokers in 2025
 Interactive Brokers | 4.9/5 | Learn More |
 Charles Schwab | 4.6/5 | Learn More |
 Tradestation | 4.6/5 | Learn More |
 Fidelity | 4.5/5 | Learn More |
 Moomoo | 4.5/5 | Learn More |
 Merrill Edge | 4.5/5 | Learn More |
 Tastytrade | 4.4/5 | Learn More |
 Swissquote | 4.4/5 | Learn More |
 E*TRADE | 4.4/5 | Learn More |
 Webull | 4.4/5 | Learn More |
Interactive Brokers | 4.9/5 |
Charles Schwab | 4.6/5 |
Tradestation | 4.6/5 |
Fidelity | 4.5/5 |
Moomoo | 4.5/5 |
Merrill Edge | 4.5/5 |
Tastytrade | 4.4/5 |
Swissquote | 4.4/5 |
E*TRADE | 4.4/5 |
Webull | 4.4/5 |
Not all options brokers are built the same. Some shine with ultra-low contract fees, while others win with advanced tools and clean, intuitive platforms. In this list of the 10 Best Options Brokers in 2025, we’ve narrowed down the choices to the platforms that deliver real value for different types of traders, from beginners placing their first call to pros running complex strategies.
Interactive Brokers
Charles Schwab
TradeStation
Fidelity
Moomoo
Merrill Edge
Tastytrade
Swissquote
E*TRADE
Webull
Key Takeaways
☑️ Interactive Brokers and TradeStation excel with advanced tools and low options fees.
☑️ Charles Schwab and Fidelity combine trusted service with strong education.
☑️ Tastytrade and Webull make options trading simple and affordable.
☑️ Merrill Edge and Swissquote offer banking perks and international access.
☑️ E*TRADE and Moomoo stand out for easy account setup and great mobile apps.
Bottom Line: From pro-level platforms to beginner-friendly apps, there’s a broker here for every type of options trader.
Top Brokers Key Features
Choosing the right options broker often comes down to the details—minimum deposits, ease of account opening, and the overall experience you can expect.
This section highlights the standout features of each broker, from trading tools to account requirements, alongside our very own Broker Guide ratings. Think of it as a quick snapshot to see which platform best matches your trading style before you dive deeper.
How to Choose an Options Broker in 2025
Choosing the best options broker comes down to finding the right balance between cost, tools, and trust. Instead of chasing the lowest fees, focus on whether the platform truly supports the way you trade.
Pro Tip: Always try a demo account first—real testing is the quickest way to know if a broker’s platform is the right fit for your strategy.
4 Critical Pitfalls to Avoid
- Chasing the Lowest Fees Alone – A broker with rock-bottom commissions but weak execution can cost you more in slippage than you save in fees.
- Ignoring Platform Tools – Without good option chains, Greeks, and strategy builders, you’re flying blind.
- Underestimating Margin Rules – Options margin requirements vary widely; misunderstand them and you could face surprise calls.
- Overlooking Contract-Specific Fees – Exercise, assignment, or exchange fees can eat into profits if you don’t check the fine print.
Pro Tip: Avoid these pitfalls, and you’ll save yourself not just money, but also stress, frustration, and potentially devastating mistakes.
Online Brokers - Users Data
Here at BrokerGuide, we track insights from our own database of traders who have chosen and actively used these options brokers. The data reflects real preferences—ranging from beginners who value easy apps to professionals who demand advanced research and execution.
By analyzing these user patterns, we highlight which brokers consistently attract certain types of traders, helping you match your trading style with the right platform.
Fee Comparison
This section compares trading fees—such as per-contract and/or commission charges—as well as non-trading costs that may affect your bottom line. By looking at how brokers price their options trades side by side, you can spot where you’ll save on commissions without sacrificing platform quality or reliability.
Non-Trading Fees
Non-trading fees include account maintenance charges, deposit or withdrawal fees, wire transfer costs, and the dreaded inactivity fee if you don’t trade for a set period. While some brokers waive these entirely, others may charge enough to eat into your profits over time. Keeping an eye on these fees ensures you don’t pay more than necessary for simply holding an account.
Regulations and Safety Measures
When it comes to choosing a broker, safety should be your first priority. No trading app, no matter how sleek, is worth the risk if your money isn’t properly protected. That’s why regulation is the backbone of broker reliability.
Check Broker Licensing
Always confirm that your broker is regulated by a top-tier authority like the SEC (U.S.), FINRA (U.S.), FCA (U.K.), or ASIC (Australia). Proper licensing ensures brokers follow strict rules designed to protect investors.
Segregated Client Funds
Reputable brokers separate client money from company funds, so your deposits remain safe even if the broker faces financial trouble.
Investor Protection Schemes
Many regulated markets offer protection programs, such as SIPC in the U.S. or FSCS in the U.K., which cover eligible accounts up to a certain limit.
Data Security and Encryption
Beyond regulation, strong brokers invest in cybersecurity—using encryption, two-factor authentication, and fraud monitoring to keep your personal data and funds secure.
Pro tip: A safe broker doesn’t just provide trading tools; it protects your money and your identity. Choosing a broker with strong regulation and security should always come before fees or platform features.
How to Verify Your Broker’s Legitimacy
☑️ Go to the Broker’s Website
Scroll to the footer—legit brokers always list their regulatory body and license number.
☑️ Cross-Check with the Regulator’s Database
Copy the license number and search it directly on the regulator’s website (e.g., SEC, FINRA, FCA, ASIC). If the broker is truly licensed, you’ll see it there.
☑️ Watch for Red Flags
If you can’t find the broker in the official registry, or if the details don’t match, treat it as a warning sign.
Pro tip: Save the regulator’s search page as a bookmark—you’ll be able to check any broker’s legitimacy in seconds.
Comparing the Best Brokers
To cut through the noise, we’ve put together side-by-side snapshots that highlight what really matters: account minimums, deposit and withdrawal methods, and their features. This quick comparison gives you the clarity you need to match a broker with your trading style—whether you’re after cost efficiency, advanced charting, or a straightforward app to get started.
Interactive Brokers
Best for professional options traders managing large portfolios with access to 135+ global markets. The platform’s tiered pricing starts at $0.65 per contract and offers advanced tools for complex multi-leg strategies.
Charles Schwab
Best for investors who want a trusted name with $0 base commissions and $0.65 per options contract. Schwab’s OptionsXpress tools and strong research help both beginners and experienced traders refine their trades.
TradeStation
Best for high-volume options traders seeking low costs, with contracts starting at $0.60 and even lower for active accounts. Its customizable desktop platform offers advanced charting and automated backtesting.
Fidelity
Best for investors who value education and research, with $0 commissions and $0.65 per contract. Fidelity stands out with its deep research library, over 20 third-party providers, and clean platform design.
Moomoo
Best for cost-conscious traders with $0 commissions on stock and ETF options. The app offers advanced charting with 62+ technical indicators while keeping trading accessible for beginners.
Merrill Edge
Best for Bank of America clients who want seamless integration, $0 commissions, and $0.65 per contract. Its tie-in with BofA Preferred Rewards unlocks additional perks and premium research.
Tastytrade
Best for options specialists who want low, transparent pricing at $1 per contract (capped at $10) for opening trades and $0 to close. The platform is designed for active options traders, featuring live shows, strategy tools, and fast execution.
Swissquote
Best for international traders who want access to options on 60+ global exchanges with strong security from a Swiss-based bank. While fees can be higher, the reliability and regulatory backing make it a go-to for global investors.
E*TRADE
Best for casual and intermediate traders, offering $0 commissions and $0.65 per contract (dropping to $0.50 with 30+ trades per quarter). Its Power E*TRADE platform provides excellent strategy tools and pre-built options screeners.
Webull
Best for beginners who want commission-free options trading with a $0 account minimum. Its mobile-first design, paper trading mode, and simplified interface make it easy to get started.
Key Takeaways
- Interactive Brokers and TradeStation stand out for professionals who need global market access, advanced analytics, and highly competitive per-contract fees.
- Charles Schwab and Fidelity deliver trusted full-service platforms with rich education and research, making them great for long-term investors who also trade options.
- Tastytrade and Moomoo shine for low-cost, transparent pricing and intuitive platforms designed with options traders in mind.
- E*TRADE and Webull lower the entry barrier with $0 account minimums, simple tools, and commission-free options for newer traders.
- Merrill Edge and Swissquote appeal to those seeking integrated banking or international exchange access with strong regulatory backing.
Bottom Line: Whether you want rock-bottom fees, beginner-friendly apps, or global market reach, the best options broker for 2025 depends on your trading style and goals.
Why Trust Broker Guide?
When it comes to choosing a stock broker, trust matters. At BrokerGuide, we follow a rigorous, step-by-step process to ensure our reviews are accurate, unbiased, and practical.
Independent Research
We don’t accept broker commissions for rankings. Every review is built on unbiased analysis and weeks of testing.
Hands-On Testing
Our team opens real accounts, funds them, and places trades to see how platforms actually perform in live conditions.
Data-Driven Ratings
From fees and spreads to platform reliability, our ratings come from hard numbers, not marketing claims.
Global Perspective
With coverage of U.S., European, and international brokers, we bring a wide lens to help all types of traders.
Trader-Focused Approach
We combine expert reviews with user feedback from our community database to give you both sides of the story.
"At BrokerGuide, we’re not here to tell you what’s popular—we’re here to show you what actually works. Our goal is simple: cut through the noise, so you can choose a broker with confidence."
How We Score Brokers
We believe rankings are meaningless without transparency. Our scoring system, refined 10,000+ hours of testing, evaluates brokers against 106 objective criteria, grouped into 5 weighted pillars. Each pillar reflects what actual traders prioritize, based on surveys of 20,000+ readers and market gap analyses. Here’s how we turn raw data into actionable insights:
1. Fees & Costs (30%)
Low commissions mean little if hidden fees erode returns.
☑️ We tracked 500+ live trades to measure spread consistency (e.g., Pepperstone’s EUR/USD vs. IG’s).
☑️ Audited non-trading fees such as inactivity penalties, withdrawal costs (eToro’s $5 fee), currency conversions (Oanda’s 0.9% markup).
☑️ Modelled long-term costs. Compared $10,000 portfolio scenarios (e.g., Schwab’s $0 equity fees vs. XTB’s CFD financing charges).
2. Safety & Regulation (25%)
Your capital’s security is non-negotiable.
☑️ Verified licenses with regulators (e.g., FINRA ID 36408 for Interactive Brokers).
☑️ Confirmed fund segregation via bank statements (e.g., Fidelity’s JPMorgan Chase accounts).
☑️ Stress-tested encryption. Attempted breaches on dummy accounts (256-bit SSL minimum).
☑️ Tracked compensation schemes. SIPC ($500k) vs. FSCS (£85k) vs. ASIC’s requirements.
3. Tools & User Experience (20%)
Clunky tools cost time and opportunities.
☑️ We measured platform stability during volatility (e.g., thinkorswim’s crash rate vs. Trading 212’s).
☑️ Rated mobile apps (iOS/Android) for speed, biometric security, and order-fill latency.
☑️ Audited advanced features: Backtesting capacity (SaxoTraderPRO), API reliability (Oanda), AI charting (IG’s ProRealTime).
4. Asset Diversity (15%)
Diversification shouldn’t require 5 brokers.
☑️ Mapped instrument coverage. Stocks (Schwab), forex (Pepperstone), crypto (eToro), bonds (Fidelity).
☑️ Verified market access. Pre-market hours (IBKR), weekend indices (IG), global exchanges (Saxo).
☑️ Checked fractional share support (Trading 212) and micro-lot trading (Oanda).
5. Support & Reliability (10%)
When markets move, slow support loses money.
☑️ Timed response rates. 24/7 chat (Pepperstone: 28s avg), phone (Schwab: 2m 14s), email (XTB: 6h).
☑️ Submitted complex queries. Tax docs (Fidelity), margin errors (IBKR), withdrawal disputes (eToro).
☑️ Monitored outage frequency during earnings/NFP events.
FAQ
What is the best options broker for beginners in 2025?
Webull and Moomoo are popular picks for beginners thanks to $0 commissions, easy-to-use mobile apps, and paper trading features to practice risk-free.
Which broker has the lowest options trading fees?
Tastytrade leads with just $1 per contract (capped at $10) to open and $0 to close, making it one of the most cost-efficient choices.
Can I trade options with less than $500?
Yes—platforms like Webull, Robinhood, and Moomoo have no account minimums, so you can start small and scale as you gain confidence.
Which brokers are best for advanced traders?
Interactive Brokers and TradeStation stand out with advanced charting, backtesting, and automation tools for serious options traders.
Do full-service brokers offer options trading?
Yes—Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Merrill Edge combine options trading with full-service investment platforms, research, and retirement planning.
What’s the safest options broker to use?
All brokers on our list are regulated by top authorities like the SEC, FINRA, or equivalent bodies in Europe, ensuring strong investor protection.
Do options brokers offer demo accounts?
Yes! Brokers like Interactive Brokers, TradeStation, and Webull provide paper trading so you can test strategies without risking real money.
Are international traders supported?
Platforms like Interactive Brokers and Swissquote cater to global clients, offering access to options on multiple international exchanges.
How do commissions work for options trading?
Most brokers charge a per-contract fee (e.g., $0.65 at Schwab or Fidelity), while some like Webull charge $0, lowering entry costs.
Which broker has the best mobile app for trading options?
E*TRADE’s Power app and Webull’s platform are highly rated for mobile options trading, with customizable charts and real-time strategy analysis.
