Two brokers compete on pricing models and ownership rights for global equities. Skilling emphasizes regulated CFDs via multiple platforms, while Stake focuses on commission-free real stock investing.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Skilling if you want short selling and advanced charting across multiple platforms.
Choose if…
Choose Stake if you prefer commission-free stock trading with real ownership and no minimum.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 90 days) | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Skilling | 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 | Fail | Fail |
The scores are close: Skilling rates 3.7/5 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.
Skilling starts from 0.7. Current spread data is not available for Stake. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Skilling requires $50. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Stake.
Both Skilling 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, Skilling 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.
Skilling 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.
Skilling supports Skilling Trader, cTrader, MetaTrader 4, while Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Skilling has exclusive access to Skilling Trader and cTrader and MetaTrader 4. Stake has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Stake offers commission-free stock trading while Skilling 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 Skilling 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 because it offers commission-free stock investing.
Stake is recommended for safety and regulation due to FCA licence and FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000.
Skilling wins for active traders with short selling, advanced charting, and multi-platform support.
Stake is best for beginners due to no account minimum and straightforward interface.
Skilling offers access to 10 exchanges versus Stake's 3.
Stake wins for long-term investing by providing real stock ownership and dividends with no CFDs.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 | CySEC FCA FSCA | ASIC FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Skilling Trader cTrader MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Skilling and Stake are closely matched overall. Stake's commission-free trading stands out as the clearest differentiator, while Skilling offers short selling and advanced charting.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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