How CommerciumIQ approaches broker research.
This methodology explains the framework used to organize broker information. It is designed to reduce hype, improve transparency, and help users verify important claims through official sources.
1. Entity first
The same brand can operate through different legal entities in different countries. Research should identify the specific entity, regulator, and account protections where possible.
2. Cost beyond commission
Trading cost includes spreads, currency conversion, platform/data fees, inactivity fees, withdrawal fees, financing, and product-specific charges.
3. Product suitability
A platform can be strong for one product and weak for another. Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, CFDs, crypto, bonds, and registered accounts need separate review.
4. Risk visibility
Margin, leverage, options, futures, CFDs, crypto, and short selling require clear risk documents and warnings, not promotional summaries.
5. User verification
Each research page should send users to official regulator or investor-protection sources where practical.
6. No sold rankings
Affiliate relationships, if used, should never determine research placement or hide disadvantages.
Minimum fields for each broker profile.
| Area | Questions |
|---|---|
| Regulation | Which legal entity? Which regulator? What license number? What investor protection applies? |
| Fees | What are commissions, spreads, FX costs, withdrawal costs, data/platform fees, and financing costs? |
| Products | Which products are available in the user's country and account type? |
| Accounts | Cash, margin, retirement, registered, tax-advantaged, corporate, Islamic/swap-free, or demo? |
| Platform | Web, desktop, mobile, APIs, order types, alerts, charting, and reporting? |
| Risk | Are product disclosures clear and easy to find? |
| Support | What support channels, hours, and languages are offered? |