Best Brokers with API Access

What Are the Best Brokers With API Trading?

• Minimum deposit required
• Payments can be made using bank transfer, credit cards and PayPal
• Negative balance protection is available
• Trading can be performed via MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrader, Web Trader and mobile trading apps
• Live chat, email and phone support is available
• Not available for individuals in a small number of countries, including those in the US
• Trading is available on forex, indices, commodities and shares

• No minimum deposit is required to open an account
• Payments can be made via bank transfer, credit card and Paypal
• Trading is available on forex, cryptocurrencies, indices, commodities, ETFs and stocks
• Live chat, phone support and email support options are available
• Trading can be performed via Web Trader and a mobile trading app
• Not available for individuals in the US
• No withdrawal fee, and the inactivity fee is comparatively low. This is charged at €10 per month after 12 months of inactivity

• Customer support is available 24/7
• Trading is available for a variety of cryptocurrencies
• Trading fees apply of up to 1.49% for trades and 3.49% for debit card purchases
• Deposits can be made via bank transfer, electronic wallet and credit or debit card
• Trading is available via mobile and web platforms
• Currently available in the US, China, Canada, Singapore, the UK, Hong Kong and South Korea

• Trading is available via MT4, MT5, Web Trader and a mobile trading app
• Relatively low minimum deposit
• Trading is available on forex, indices, cryptocurrencies, stocks, commodities and ETFs
• Payments can be made via credit card, bank transfer and PayPal
• Live chat, email and phone support is available for customers
• No withdrawal fees, but a comparatively high inactivity fee which takes effect after three months of inactivity
• Available for individuals across the globe, including the US, the UK, Europe, South Africa and Australia

• Trading is available on forex, ETFs, stocks, bonds, options, cryptocurrencies, futures, warrants and structured products
• Payments can be made via bank transfer
• Trading is available via web, desktop and mobile trading platforms
• No minimum deposit is required when opening an account
• There are no withdrawal fees or inactivity fees
• Available across the globe, including US, UK, Europe, Asia and Australia

• No minimum deposit
• High level of investor protection available
• Trading is available on stocks and ETFs
• There are no inactivity fees
• Deposits can be made via bank transfer
• Trading is available via web and mobile platforms
• There are no commission charges
• Only available to individuals in the US, although an invite-only program for non-US residents is being trialed
• Customer support available via email

• $0 minimum deposit
• Trading is available on forex, cryptocurrencies, stocks, commodities, indices and ETFs
• Trading can be performed via MT4, Web Trader and a mobile trading app
• Payments can be made via credit cards, direct bank transfer and PayPal
• There are no withdrawal fees, although an inactivity fee of $12 per month comes into effect after 24 months of continuous inactivity
• Operates globally, with offices in 19 countries

• No minimum deposit requirement
• Low trading fees, no withdrawal or inactivity fees
• Trading is available on: stocks, ETFs, forex, funds, bonds, options, futures and cryptocurrencies
• Trading can be performed via the web, mobile and desktop platforms
• Deposits can be made via bank transfer
• Phone support and live chat facilities are available
• US-based broker, also available in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore

• $200 minimum deposit
• Low trading fees and no withdrawal or inactivity fees
• Trading is available on forex, cryptocurrencies and CFD
• Available for individuals across the world, excluding Canada, the US and Israel
• Trading can be performed via the web, mobile and desktop trading platforms
• Deposits can be made using direct bank transfer, credit or debit cards and a wide variety of electronic wallets such as Paypal and Bitcoin Wallet
• Phone support, live chat and email facilities are available
• Negative balance protection is available to reduce loss risks

• Low minimum deposit requirements
• Payments can be made using bank transfer, credit cards and Paypal
• Negative balance protection is available to protect against losses
• Trading can be performed via MT4, MT5, Mac, Web Trader and mobile trading apps
• Live chat, phone support and email support are available
• Not available to individuals in a small number of countries, including the US and Japan
• Trading is available on forex, shares, metals, commodities and indices

• Minimum deposit fees vary. In the UK, the minimum deposit is £500. There is no minimum deposit for individuals in Denmark or Norway
• No withdrawal fees, but an inactivity fee will apply. In the UK, this is £25 after three months of inactivity. For other countries, the inactivity fee can be up to $150 after six months of inactivity
• Deposits can be made via direct bank transfer, credit or debit card
• Trading is available on forex, stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, CFDs, cryptocurrencies and SaxoSelect
• Not available for individuals in the US along with a small number of other countries such as Iran, Cuba and North Korea
• Trading can be performed via the web, mobile and desktop trading platforms
• Phone and email support is available
• Negative balance protection is available for individuals in the EU

Why Do Brokers Use API?

Before considering why brokers may choose to use API, it is first worth considering what API is.

Essentially, API (or Application Programming Interface) is a set of code that sends instructions from one interface to another.

In terms of trading, this usually means that information is transferred from automated trading algorithms to a broker's preferred trading platform.

By using an API, brokers can access real-time updates, which enable them to make accurate and timely investment decisions.

The world of investments is highly time-sensitive, so anything which works to enhance a broker's knowledge and enables faster reactions to market trading can be beneficial.

Who Would Benefit From API Trading?

Anyone can benefit from API trading, although it is particularly useful for individual traders as it creates a new opportunity for investment.

APIs can be used to trade almost anything, so using an API can make the experience faster and, potentially, more successful no matter what you are looking to trade.

You can also use niche API software to create your own personalized trading strategies.

Trading APIs are particularly popular within hedge funds and proprietary trading companies.

This is because they use an algorithm to dictate trading processes. Most cryptocurrency exchanges will also offer API trading.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of API Trading?

Advantages

• Automated Options – APIs can be programmed to do everything automatically, from analyzing the data to carrying out trades.

• Faster Execution Time – Because the data analysis and transfer is automated, it means that decisions can be executed much quicker than they would be if the processes were entirely completed by individuals.

• Flexibility – You can program API to do almost anything that you want it to, with as much or as little human involvement as you want. APIs can also be tailored to specific markets and trading platforms.

• Privacy – API algorithms do not need to be run on a trading platform to be effective. They can be run entirely on a traders computer to maintain maximum levels of privacy.

• Risk Management Features – These features can be built in to ensure that trading stops automatically after a certain amount of loss is recorded or when profits reach a certain figure.

Disadvantages

• Expensive – Designing, programming and maintaining an API can be time-consuming and expensive.

• Programming Skills May Be Required – Building an API isn't simple. It requires specialist knowledge and skills in h2 programming.

• Risk of Hackers – As with anything online, there is a risk that hackers could find their way into the system. This is why it is vital to ensure that you have sufficient security features built-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

If you are looking to invest, then it is important to choose a company that suits your purposes and aims.

Finding one that offers API trading can be a bonus as it offers a reduction in the level of risk involved as well as the opportunity to personalize the trading approach.

Before choosing a company to trade with, it is always vital to research the options available to you, the minimum investment required, and the potential returns.

Always remember, no form of trading comes entirely without risk. Risks can be reduced and planned for but never excluded entirely. You should never trade more than you can afford to lose.