Brokers With Pre-Market Trading
One of the important aspects to consider is the time of day that you invest and there is a compelling case for pre-market trading. Many like to trade when the market is open and at its most volatile. However, with stocks being more accessible and active than ever before, there is a viable option for some investors looking for returns outside of these hours.
This review of brokers offering pre-market trading serves as a guide for anyone wanting to explore the opportunities and advantages of trading in the pre-market period. This includes an explanation of how it works, an evaluation of the good and bad of trading at this time, and finally tips and strategies to assist you. We have also compiled a list of the best brokers with pre-market trading in 2025.
Brokers With Extended Hours Trading
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1
Skilling80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. -
2
Deriv -
3
eToro61% of retail CFD accounts lose money. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. -
4
CMC Markets70% of retail CFD accounts lose money. -
5
IG -
6
Moomoo
This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category in 2025:
- Skilling - Skilling is a multi-asset broker founded in 2016 and based in Cyprus. The brand offers hundreds of day trading instruments with competitive spreads from 0.1 pips and beginner-friendly platforms. Skilling are also regulated in Europe and beyond with a transparent pricing structure. You can sign up and start trading in three easy steps.
- Deriv - Established in 1999, Deriv is an innovative broker now serving over 2.5 million global clients. The firm offers CFDs, multipliers and more recently accumulators, alongside its proprietary derived products which can't be found elsewhere, providing flexible short-term trading opportunities.
- eToro - eToro is a top-rated multi-asset platform which offers trading services in thousands of CFDs, stocks and cryptoassets. Launched in 2007, the brand has millions of active traders globally and is authorized by tier one regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. The brand is particularly popular for its comprehensive social trading platform. Crypto investments are risky and highly volatile. Tax may apply. Understand the risks here. 61% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
- CMC Markets - Established in 1989, CMC Markets is a respected broker listed on the London Stock Exchange and authorized by several tier-one regulators, including the FCA, ASIC and CIRO. More than 1 million traders from around the world have signed up with the multi-award winning brokerage.
- IG - Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
- Moomoo - Moomoo is an SEC-regulated app-based investment platform that offers a straightforward and affordable way to invest in Chinese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Australian and US stocks, ETFs and other assets. Margin trading is available and the brand offers a zero-deposit account as well as several bonuses.
Skilling
"Skilling maintains its position as a top pick for beginners looking for a competitive zero commission account with direct access to a copy trading feature. It will also serve experienced strategy providers looking to earn commissions, or anyone looking to trade forex during extended hours."
Skilling Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities and Cryptos |
| Regulator | CySEC |
| Platforms | Skilling Trader, MT4, cTrader, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | 1000 SEK |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, SEK, NOK |
Pros
- The Skilling Copy solution is accessible directly from the cTrader web terminal, making it easy for strategy providers to manage their portfolios
- The €100 deposit and zero commissions in the Standard account are accessible for beginners
- Skilling continues to strengthen its investment offering recently introducing weekend forex trading on 7 currency pairs
Cons
- You can only access shares in the Skilling Trader platform and fewer instruments are available overall in the MT4 accounts
- Skilling trails alternatives like IG when it comes to research tools that can help day traders make informed decisions
Deriv
"Deriv is ideal for active traders seeking alternative and unique ways to speculate on global financial markets, from multipliers and accumulator options to its bespoke synthetic indices, which mimic real market movements and are available 24/7, allowing for continuous trading opportunities regardless of market hours."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Deriv Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs |
| Regulator | MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA |
| Platforms | Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $5 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- Although response times trail alternatives in our personal experience, Deriv offers 24/7 support and is one of the few brokers to offer WhatsApp assistance.
- Account funding is a breeze with a very low minimum deposit of $5 and a huge selection of payment options, plus Tether was added to the cashier in 2023.
- After integrating TradingView and adding MT5 web trader, Deriv now offers a first-class selection of charting tools across desktop, web and mobile devices.
Cons
- Although there’s a basic blog, there's little in terms of technical analysis or market reports which could help active traders identify potential opportunities.
- Leverage up to 1:1000 will appeal to traders with a large risk appetite but frustratingly there is no ability to flex the leverage in the account area.
- Apart from the MFSA in the EU, Deriv lacks top-tier regulatory credentials, reducing the level of safeguards like access to investor compensation.
eToro
"eToro's social trading platform leads the pack with a terrific user experience and active community chat that can help beginners find opportunities. There are also competitive fees on thousands of CFDs and real stocks, plus excellent rewards for experienced strategy providers."
eToro Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF |
| Platforms | eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 |
| Minimum Trade | $10 |
| Leverage | 1:30 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- eToro introduced automated crypto staking (except for Ethereum which requires opt-in) providing a route to passive income.
- The broker's services are great for beginners, with commission-free stock trading, a low minimum deposit and an unlimited demo.
- There's a comprehensive online training academy with accessible resources, from bitesize articles to comprehensive courses.
Cons
- There is a $30 minimum withdrawal amount and a $5 fee, which will affect novices with low capital.
- The lack of additional charting platforms like MT4 will reduce the appeal for seasoned day traders accustomed to using third-party software.
- There are no guaranteed stop loss orders which would be a useful risk management feature for beginners.
CMC Markets
"With advanced charting tools and an extensive range of tradable CFDs, including an almost unrivalled selection of currencies and custom indices, CMC Markets provides a fantastic online platform for traders of all levels. "
CMC Markets Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA |
| Platforms | Web, MT4, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SEK, NOK, SGD, PLN |
Pros
- CMC offers excellent pricing, including tight spreads and low trading fees for all but stock CFDs. The Alpha and Price+ schemes also offer perks for active traders with up to 40% discounts on spreads.
- CMC Markets is heavily regulated by reputable financial authorities and maintains its stellar reputation, helping to ensure a secure and trustworthy trading environment.
- The CMC web platform delivers a fantastic user experience with advanced charting tools for day trading and customizable features, catering to both beginners and experienced traders. MT4 (but not MT5) and TradingView (added in 2025) are also supported.
Cons
- The CMC Markets app offers the complete trading package but the design and user experience trails category leaders like eToro.
- An inactivity fee of $10 per month is applied after 12 months of inactivity, which may deter casual investors.
- While CMC offers an above-average suite of assets, there is no support for trading real stocks and UK clients can’t trade cryptocurrencies.
IG
"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform, best-in-class education for beginners, advanced charting tools bolstered by its recent TradingView integration, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
IG Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM |
| Platforms | Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis.
- As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust.
- The proprietary web-based platform continues to caters to traders of all levels, with advanced charting tools and real-time market data useful for day trading, while IG has also added TradingView integration.
Cons
- IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.
- Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges.
- While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients.
Moomoo
"Moomoo remains an excellent choice for new and intermediate stock traders who want to build a diverse investment portfolio. What really stands out is the broker's user-friendly app and the low trading fees."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
Moomoo Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs |
| Regulator | SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC |
| Platforms | Desktop Platform, Mobile App |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | $0 |
| Leverage | 1:2 |
| Account Currencies | USD, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- There are reduced options contract fees from $0.65 to $0
- It is reassuring that Moomoo holds licenses with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), among others
- There is no minimum deposit requirement making the broker accessible for beginners
Cons
- There is no phone or live chat support - common options at most other brokers
- It's a shame that there is no 2 factor authentication (2FA), despite the other security features on offer
- There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
How Does Pre-Market Trading Work?
Trading markets are traditionally open between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:00 pm EST. In the case of pre-market trading, however, early risers can trade as early as 4:00 am, depending on their broker.
Previously, access to the pre-market period was difficult for retail traders, but nowadays it is offered by multiple online brokers and trading platforms.
The actual process involved in trading on the pre-market is similar to investing during open hours. You simply start by choosing what it is you want to trade, next specify any trade conditions, and then finalize the trade with the broker. The nuances are in the strategy you adopt, as the pre-market trading period has distinct characteristics.
Pros And Cons Of Brokers With Pre-Market Trading
Positives
- Quick reaction to overnight news – Investing during the pre-market period gives you a head start on anyone who trades on the open market. This means that any developments which could have major implications for stocks and other assets can be taken advantage of earlier by making use of the pre-market window.
- Access – The extra hours of the pre-market period give you more opportunities to make trades and generate gains. For anyone that has a busy schedule, it might not always be ideal to be limited to the open market hours so having the alternative of trading during the pre-market session can be a big perk.
- Early Start – The pre-market gives a great indication of what trends may occur during regular trading hours. Any stocks and currency pairs which are trading high during the pre-market will often continue similar trends going into the open market and, similarly, stocks trading lower tend to remain so too.
Negatives
- Competition with experienced traders – The pre-market period can be a risky environment for less experienced traders. Many professional traders like to take advantage of this session and will often have better access to information, more capital, and ultra-fast trade executions and tools.
- Price uncertainty – Prices during the pre-market period can be more difficult to predict in comparison to the open market. The values of assets can differ significantly from what they are during regular hours. Slippage can also impact prices.
- Liquidity shortage – With reduced activity during the pre-market session it can be difficult to find available buyers or sellers, making it difficult to convert your assets into cash at short notice. This shortage can also lead to the prices of securities becoming more volatile.
Strategies Explained
Due to the risks involved with the pre-market, it’s important to go into this trading window with an effective trading strategy and reliable data. Daily investments need to be carefully planned and should be executed with thorough research beforehand.
Firstly, it is important to pay attention to big news announcements. One of the key advantages of the pre-market is the early jump you can get on major price moves which trend exponentially after the extra activity during regular hours. Investments made shortly after news which causes big price moves can be an effective way to generate profits.
Economic indicators also provide valuable information to which you should pay attention when setting your trading strategy. These will give a forecast for the expected values of assets and usually set a precedence for how the price will move. The best brokers with pre-market trading offer a range of technical indicators and drawing tools to help traders forecast upcoming price trends.
Brokers With Pre-Market Trading
- WeBull – A broker offering pre-market trading from as early as 4:00 am, a WeBull account gives you plenty of time to trade before the market traditionally generally. The online app has great tools for assisting with research before investing, however the amount of content it provides may be overwhelming for anyone new to investing.
- Fidelity – One of the world’s largest brokers, Fidelity offers its traders to access the pre-market session. The period for this is shorter than some alternatives with hours being between 7:00 am and 8:00 am. Fidelity also offers around-the-clock customer service and is a suitable platform for all levels of investors.
- Charles Schwab – A sensible broker for any kind of investor, Charles Schwab has pre-market hours of 7:00 am to 8:00 am and provides a 24/7 customer support service which is accessible via phone, email and online chat. The brand also complies with all trading regulations in the regions it operates.
- Robinhood – Robinhood is well known for low costs and has an app that allows for standard retail trading and further investing options. The biggest downside is its pre-market period opening at 9:00 am, therefore giving you a very short window before the open market gets underway. In addition, there are multiple negative user reviews of the brand and questionable brokerage practices and trading limits which mean we do not recommend investing with Robinhood. Consider one of the alternative brands listed here instead.
Final Word
The pre-market session is a volatile period of the day which can make it more difficult to predict for beginners. When explored to its fullest advantage, it can be an opportunity to make trades early and get ahead of the competition. These early hours are an important period of the trading day, have an effect on opening prices and setting the stage for what is likely to happen during the traditional market.
Use our list of the top brokers with pre-market trading to get started today.
FAQ
What Hours Count As Pre-Market Trading?
Generally, pre-market hours are between 4:00 am and 9:30 am EST. But depending on your broker, the pre-market hours available for trading will vary, so check to ensure you know the specific hours you can trade with their service.
How Do You Choose Suitable Assets During Pre-Market Trading?
There is not as much activity during the pre-market period so, as you would expect, it is worth choosing assets likely to gain traction with other investors. Paying attention to any news or economic indicators can act as a good guide for choosing suitable investments. Open your brokerage platform and conduct technical and fundamental analysis. The top brokers provide tools to identify upcoming price patterns, alongside the biggest gainers.
What Is The Best Broker With Pre-Market Trading?
There is no one online broker that is best for everyone so it is worth exploring the different options. Pick the right platform for you based on your level of experience and the hours you would like to have access to the market. Also consider which markets you want access to, from New York-listed exchanges to futures listed in London. Check out our comparison of the best brokers for pre-market trading in 2025 here.