The Audit Framework.
Trust is not given; it is calculated. Our reviews are not opinions—they are audits. Every platform we cover is subjected to the same rigorous, 5-pillar evaluation process.
The 5 Pillars of Evaluation
Security & Trust
WEIGHT: 30%Regulatory licenses (SEC, FINRA), history of hacks, corporate transparency, and insurance coverage (SIPC, FDIC).
Cost Efficiency
WEIGHT: 20%Trading commissions, spreads, non-trading fees (withdrawal, inactivity), and hidden costs like PFOF.
Platform & Tools
WEIGHT: 20%Execution speed, charting capabilities, order type diversity, and API stability.
User Experience
WEIGHT: 15%Account opening process, mobile app performance, ease of navigation, and educational resources.
Customer Support
WEIGHT: 15%Response time (tested live), channel availability, and quality of technical assistance.
The "Affiliate Firewall"
Our editorial team operates independently of our revenue team. Writers do not know the commission rates of the products they review. We link to products we recommend, and we may earn a commission if you sign up, but this never influences the score.
Our Promise
If data is missing, the score suffers. We do not "guess." We do not adjust scores for partners.