How to choose a broker
A step-by-step checklist for picking a forex, crypto or stock broker: regulation, costs, funding, platform and risk.
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Trading & investing guides
Plain-English OpenBook guides to choosing a broker, a crypto exchange or a prop firm. Each one explains regulation, costs and risks before you open an account, and our US guides cover the rules that apply to US residents. Educational content only; not investment advice.
Affiliate disclosure: OpenBook may receive compensation from some brokers listed. This does not affect our independent comparison methodology. Each guide shows its own disclosure next to any affiliate links.
Independence: OpenBook is not affiliated with or an official channel of any broker listed.
How we research our guides (editorial policy) · Affiliate disclosure
Getting started
New to trading accounts? Start with how to compare providers safely.
Brokers & forex
Regulation, costs and leverage for currency trading, including the separate rules for US residents.
Best forex brokers compared
What to check before choosing a forex broker (regulation, spreads, leverage and withdrawals), plus our FX shortlist.
United States
US forex brokers: CFTC and NFA rules
For US residents: leverage caps, FIFO, no CFDs, and two NFA-member dealers (OANDA and FOREX.com) with their NFA IDs.
Crypto
Licensing, custody and fees for buying and holding crypto.
Best crypto brokers compared
Regulation, custody, fees and risk checks for buying BTC, ETH and other crypto, plus our crypto shortlist.
United States
Best crypto exchanges in the USA
Coinbase, Kraken and Gemini compared for US residents: licensing, New York access, staking by state, fees and security.
Prop firms
Paid evaluations on simulated accounts: how they work, what they cost and the risks.
United States
Best prop firms in the USA
FTMO US, Topstep and Apex compared: evaluation fees, loss limits, profit splits, payouts and refunds on simulated accounts.
Compare brokers side by side in the broker comparator →
Market pages: EUR/USD, gold, S&P 500, Bitcoin and more →
Guides are general educational information, reviewed against official sources. See Editorial policy, Affiliate disclosure and Risk disclosure.