Two brokers offer contrasting stock pathways: Admirals blends real shares with CFDs on MT4/MT5, while Stake pursues commission-free real-stock ownership via a proprietary platform. The tension is access and tools.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Admirals if you value 24/5 live chat and phone support along with access to 15 exchanges.
Choose if…
Choose Stake if you want a clean, commission-free real-share platform with no fractional shares and a simple interface.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Admirals | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: Admirals rates 4/5 and Stake rates 3.9/5. Admirals has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Admirals starts from 0.5. Current spread data is not available for Stake. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Admirals requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Stake.
Both Admirals and Stake hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, Admirals provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Admirals lists maximum leverage of 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Admirals charges $6 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Stake are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Admirals has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Stake has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Yes, both Admirals and Stake offer commission-free stock trading according to our data. Keep in mind that commission-free brokers may still charge spread costs, foreign exchange fees, or platform fees — always check the full fee schedule on each broker's website.
Both Admirals and Stake are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
Stake wins for low cost trading with commission-free stock trades.
Admirals leads safety and regulation with FCA, ASIC, CySEC, KNF and UK FSCS protection.
Admirals supports active traders with MT4/MT5 and advanced tools.
Stake appeals to beginners with a simple interface and no minimum account.
Admirals provides broader global access with 15 exchanges.
Stake suits long-term investors with real share ownership and no CFDs.
| 1.1 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 24 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC FCA KNF | ASIC FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Admirals and Stake are closely matched overall, with Admirals offering the clearer edge on exchange access (15 exchanges to Stake's 3).
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker