In this comparison, two brokers target stock investors with different models: one emphasizes platform breadth and trading access, the other focuses on a clean, commission-free ownership experience.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose GO Markets for phone support and short selling.
Choose if…
Choose Stake for commission-free trading and real share ownership.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.5/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $200 | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | GO Markets | 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 | Fail | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: GO Markets rates 3.5/5 and Stake rates 3.9/5. Stake 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.
GO Markets starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Stake. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
GO Markets requires $200. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Stake.
Both GO Markets 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, GO Markets 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.
GO Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
GO Markets charges $5 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.
GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. GO Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Stake has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Stake offers commission-free stock trading while GO Markets does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both GO Markets 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 investing.
GO Markets benefits from dual regulation by ASIC and CySEC.
GO Markets serves active traders with MT4/MT5 and cTrader plus short selling.
Stake wins for beginners with no account minimum and a simple interface.
GO Markets provides broader global access with six exchanges.
Stake wins for long-term investors with real share ownership and dividends.
| 0.5 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC FSC | ASIC FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Stake edges GO Markets on editorial score. Its higher score reflects Stake's commission-free model and real share ownership that GO Markets does not provide.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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