5 Best Trading Platforms in Panama for 2025

In this guide, we rate, review, and recommend the 5 best online brokers in Panama to buy, sell and trade stocks for beginners.
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Updated on Nov 8, 2024
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Our rankings reveal that the best online broker in Panama is Plus500 .

That recommendation comes from our panel of trading experts, based on what we feel is most important: cost, security, and easy access to international markets.

We frequently test the best trading platforms & online brokers, and survey our Panamanian users to gather their thoughts and feedback on each of the top trading apps in Panama.

Armed with that information we created a final ranking to answer the question: what are the best online brokers in Panama for Panamanian users?

What is the best stock trading app in Panama?

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These are the brokers that we rank as the overall best online trading platforms in Panama. 

We found 10 online brokers for users based in

Plus500 review
4.5
Plus500
Min. Deposit $100
Fees From 2%
No. assets 2800+
Demo account Yes

Plus500 review

CFD service. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorised by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

IG review
4.4
IG Markets
Min. Deposit n/a
Fees Spread only
No. assets 17000+
Demo account Yes

IG review

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

AvaTrade review
4.3
AvaTrade
Min. Deposit $100
Fees From 0.13%
No. assets 500+
Demo account Yes

AvaTrade review

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Top 5 online brokers in Panama, reviewed & compared

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We found 10 online brokers for users based in

1. Plus500. Best for international trading*

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4.5
Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.8%

Fees

2,800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures for the two biggest cryptos, Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

Plus500 has something for all types of crypto trader, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements of $20 for Ether and $100 for Bitcoin make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting. 

For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.

The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website. 

*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

CFD service. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorised by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

2. IG Markets: Best for trusted and transparent trading

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4
Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

From 0.5%

Fees

17,000

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love IG because it’s one of the most established and reputable names in the online trading industry, known for its reliability, comprehensive offerings, and strong regulatory compliance. In the United States, IG recently changed its name to TastyFX and is focused solely on forex trading. 

TastyFX is America’s fastest growing forex brokerage and as you’d expect from a subsidiary of IG, it offers excellent service with a wide selection of tools and features. Not only will you have access to over 80 forex pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY, but you’ll also pay $0 commission and have spreads starting from just 0.8 pips. 

What makes TastyFX stand apart from other US brokers is its excellent bonus schedule. After creating an account you can access up to $10,000 in cash bonuses. You cna also earn up to 15% rebate cashback every month. 

The fees: TastyFX has a clear and easy to understand fee schedule. It is a commission free brokerage and only charges a spread. Spreads are variable and generally lower for more liquid currency pairs. Spreads are as low as 0.8 pips for EUR/USD. Forex markets offer up to 50:1 leverage, or 2% margin requirements, on forex pairs like EUR/USD and USD/CAD.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

3. AvaTrade. Best regulated broker for secure trading

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Avatrade_logo
4
Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.13%

Fees

500

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love AvaTrade because it is a reliable CFD broker, that gives users access to a wide range of markets. As a CFD broker, AvaTrade lets you speculate on the price movements of various currency markets without owning the underlying assets. AvaTrade is a multi asset brokerage firm and includes CFDs for multiple forex pairs including EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and more. 

AvaTrade is also highly regarded for its strong regulatory framework and commitment to security. AvaTrade is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands, which means it must adhere to stringent regulatory standards across the world. 

AvaTrade isn’t just well regulated, it also employs advanced security measures to protect client funds and personal information, including segregated accounts and robust encryption technology. 

The fees: There is no commission on any trading. AvaTrade makes money from the Bid/Ask spread instead. Forex spreads start at 0.7 pips. Positions left overnight are charged a swap fee that varies depending on size. An inactivity fee of £/€/$50 per month is applicable if you don’t log in to your account for three consecutive months.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

4. Exness. Best for tight spreads and a pro-style trading experience.

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4
Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

From $0.2 per lot

Fees

300

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Exness because of its tight spreads, which make it a top choice for traders looking to minimize trading costs and maximize profitability. The brokerage offers some of the most competitive spreads in the industry, especially on markets like crypto. Excess offers 35+ cryptocurrencies via CFDs from various markets including metals, energy, and agriculture.

Its focus on low trading costs is ideal for both newbies and experienced traders looking to trade with minimal overheads. Exness also stands out for its range of trading terminals. It offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the Exness web terminal. There’s also a dedicated mobile app meaning you’ll be able to always access your account. 

Beginners can take advantage of a free demo account or micro-lots for low minimum trades, while more experienced traders can use the hundreds of pre built indicators available on the MetaTrader suite. 

The fees: Standard accounts aren’t charged a commission but are charged through the spread. Spreads start from 0.3 pips on stocks, 1 pip on forex trades, and 7 pips on cryptocurrencies. Overnight fees apply on some assets (exc. swap-free accounts).

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

Exness does not offer services to residents of certain jurisdictions including the USA, Iran, North Korea and others. The content of the website including translations should not be construed as means for solicitation. Investors make their own and independent decisions. Trading in CFDs and generally leveraged products involves substantial risk of loss and you may lose all of your invested capital.

5. FP Markets. Best for low spread & 0-pip trading

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fp markets logo
4
Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

Fees

No. assets

No

Demo account

Overview

We love FP Markets because it uses cutting-edge technology to ensure all forex trades are executed at lightning fast speed. It’s an award-winning broker and offers over 60 currency markets with spreads starting from zero pips and leverage up to 500:1. 

FP Markets has zero restrictions and allows all trading styles, including scalping and running expert advisors. It integrates with the popular MetaTrader 4 platform and has its own technology-driven charting package. For beginners, FP Markets offers a free copy trading service where you can mirror profitable users’ trades directly in your own account. 

The fees:  FP Markets has two account types with different fees for forex trades. Its standard account has zero commission but has spreads starting from 0.9 pips. Its Raw account gives access to its ECN trading platform and charges $3 per side (per lot) for every forex trade. 

Highlights

Pros & Cons

CFDs are derivatives and can be risky; losses can exceed your initial payment and you must be able to meet all margin calls as soon as they are made. When trading CFDs you do not own or have any rights to the CFDs underlying assets.

Which trading app in Panama has the best user reviews?

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As part of our research process we gathered up reviews and feedback from Panamanian users to help us finalise the rankings.

Below is a summary of the feedback and ratings for each platform.

Review source Plus500 rating IG Markets rating AvaTrade rating
Trustpilot 4 4.0 4.7
Google Play Store 4.3 4.3 4.0
App Store 4.1 4.6 4.4
View more > Plus500 > IG Markets > AvaTrade >

Are stock brokers in Panama regulated?

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Yes, online brokers have to be regulated in order to offer share dealing services.

Ideally, you want to find a broker that offers top-tier regulatory protection either through your local regulator, or through another internationally recognised institution. 

The best brokers in Panama are regulated by the Superintendencia de Bancos de Panama (SBP), which provides a license for these firms to operate and governs their actions in order to protect investors.

Use the Superintendencia de Bancos de Panama (SBP) database to check if your favourite online broker is regulated to operate in Panama (each company has a registration number, and you can search this to find out if it’s got a license).

On top of that, many online brokers in Panama are based elsewhere but regulated to operate internationally through institutions such as CySEC (the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission). 

Here are the best online brokers in Panama and where they’re regulated across the world.

Region Plus500 regulators IG Markets regulators AvaTrade regulators
Africa FSA FSCA FSCA
Asia MAS FSA
Australasia ASIC, FMA FMA, ASIC ASIC
Europe FCA, CySEC FCA, BaFin, FINMA CBI, MiFID, CySEC
International DFSA, BMA BVIFSC, FRSA
North America CFTC, NFA
South America
View more > Plus500 > IG Markets > AvaTrade >

How much does it cost to use an online trading platform in Panama?

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It is normally free to sign up to a stock trading platform in Panama.

The main cost comes in the form of trading fees, which depend on the platform and on what you want to trade. Some of the best stock trading apps in Panama offer completely free trading, while others charge a flat fee or commission per trade.

On average, this usually adds up to about 1-2% of your total trade value.

Here’s a comparison of the trading fees across our highest rated Panamanian brokers.

Asset Plus500 fees IG Markets fees AvaTrade fees
Crypto From 2% Spread only
Commodities From 0.04% Spread only
From 0.8%
Index prices From 0.7% Spread only
Stocks From 0.08% From 0.5%
View more > Plus500 > IG Markets > AvaTrade >

Another way an online broker in Panama might charge you is via the spread.

The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset, and effectively serves as a commission the broker is charging you on top of the market price.

The smaller the spread, the better value you’re getting from your broker.

Here’s a comparison of the spreads across the top Panamanian trading platforms.

Product Plus500 spreads IG Markets spreads AvaTrade spreads
Stock CFDs 0.10% 0.10% From 0.13%
ETF CFDs 0.10% 0.10% From 0.13%
Forex CFDs 0.8 pips 0.6 pips From 0.9 pips
Crypto CFDs 2% Variable From 0.15% over market
Index CFDs 0.20% 0.10% From 0.03 over market
Commodity CFDs 0.50% 0.3 pts From $0.0015 over market
View all tradable assets > Plus500 > IG Markets > AvaTrade >

On top of the trading fees and spreads, there may be other charges for using your online broker account.

These can include inactivity fees, where you’re charged if you don’t use your account for a period of time (usually 3-6 months), as well as overnight fees, which only apply if the broker is also a CFD platform, or even an account maintenance fee.

Here’s a look at the types of fees different brokers in Panama charge, to give you a complete picture of the cost of trading with the top brokers in Panama.

Fee Plus500 fees IG Markets fees AvaTrade fees
Trading fees No Yes No
Inactivity fees Yes Yes Yes
Rollover/overnight fees Yes Yes Yes
Withdrawal fees No No No
Spreads Yes Yes Yes
Conversion fees Yes Yes No
View more > Plus500 > IG Markets > AvaTrade >

How much money do I need to start trading?

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Typically, the minimum deposit for each Panamanian broker is the equivalent of $10.

If this is all you can manage: great, and you can get started with that.

But you probably want to start with a larger amount of money, or a plan to add more over time, otherwise it’s going to be difficult to grow your wealth in any significant way.

You don’t need a lot to start, but you do need to invest a reasonable amount of money to generate substantial returns.

A great way to do this is to invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, a concept known as Dollar-Cost Averaging.

This means that you can start with a small investment and the amount you invest can be adjusted depending on your circumstances.

You should also consider the minimum trade size on each platform. This governs the smallest investment you can make, so if you plan to invest small amounts then it is a crucial number to think about.

Compare the minimum and maximum trade sizes for each top broker in Panama right here.

Product Plus500 minimum trade IG Markets minimum trade AvaTrade minimum trade
Stock CFDs $10 From £1 No limit
ETF CFDs $10 From £1 No limit
Forex CFDs 0.01 lots From £1 No limit
Crypto CFDs $0.10 From £1 No limit
Index CFDs $10 From £1 No limit
Commodity CFDs $10 From £1 No limit
View more > Plus500 > IG Markets > AvaTrade >

More about stock trading platforms in Panama

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What products can I trade?

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For most people, the key question is whether you can trade stocks from other countries, as well as Panama. The answer is yes, with some caveats.

Most of the brokers we recommend are global platforms, that offer stocks from around the world (particularly the US market, which is by far the most popular and – in our experience – what you’re likely to be interested in!).

However, there can be limitations. For example, you might have to make deposits in US Dollars in order to trade those stocks or to use the platform, and that’s not always an option.

Your broker might offer currency conversion services, but they can be expensive.

In general though, you certainly can trade global stocks through a Panamanian stock broker. And you often aren’t limited to stocks, there are other options as well – including things like ETFs, which are super simple to buy.

Stocks

  • Panamanian stocks. One investment option is to simply buy and sell stocks that are listed in Panama. Investing in the Panamanian market is normally the most straightforward option for Panamanian residents, as you can buy shares in any company that’s listed on a Panamanian stock exchange.
  • US stocks. Some of the best known companies in the world are listed in the United States. The best online broker in Panama will also let you invest in stocks that are listed on the NYSE or the NASDAQ exchange in the US, but it depends on the legal restrictions in Panama.
  • International stocks. You may also be able to buy shares in companies that are based in the rest of the world. The best international brokers in Panama offer global stocks, but it may be a limited selection. If you want to buy equities from outside Panama or the US, be sure to check those stocks are available through your online broker before you sign up.

ETFs

ETFs (exchange traded funds) are investment funds that pool money together from lots of different investors and use it to track a particular index, like the S&P 500.

This kind of investing has exploded over the last decade. The largest ETF in the world, which invests in the S&P 500 – the famous US index that contains companies like Apple, Tesla, and Alphabet – holds more than half a billion dollars worth of investor money on its own.

If you’ve ever used a round-up investment app like Acorns or Moneybox, they are almost certainly investing in ETFs on your behalf. Many pension schemes use them now as well. This is for two main reasons: they’re simple to use, and they’re cheap.

Even if you can’t invest in every stock from every country, you can usually find an alternative in an ETF that tracks the performance of Panama’s top stock exchanges and indexes. 

Mutual funds

Mutual funds are professionally managed investments. You buy shares in the fund through an investment platform and the manager decides what to invest it in.

Typically, a fund manager chooses a mixture of global stocks, local Panamanian stocks, and ETFs that track global indices from across the world.

Mutual funds and ETFs are similar, but the former are managed by a professional who tries to beat the market, while the latter buy and sell stocks automatically based on a set of fixed criteria.

Typically a mutual fund charges higher management fees every year because of the extra work involved. The best stock broker in Panama should allow you to invest in stocks from Panama, as well as ETFs and mutual funds.

Futures and options

Futures and options contracts involve making an agreement to purchase a stock in the future at an agreed price. They’re favoured by stock traders and can be used as a way of speculating on how you think a company’s price might change in the future.

Other assets

Most trading platforms in Panama offer a variety of assets alongside stocks, funds, and ETFs. With the best Panamanian brokers you can create a diversified portfolio made up of leading global stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and dabble with trading currency pairs and commodities as well.

Compare the assets available with each of the top Panamanian brokers below.

Product Plus500 assets IG Markets assets AvaTrade assets
Stock CFDs 1,800+ 17,000 + 612
ETF CFDs 100+ 61
Forex CFDs 50+ 99 108
Crypto CFDs 40+ 10 20
Index CFDs 20+ 80 + 31
Commodity CFDs 20+ 19
View more > Plus500 > IG Markets > AvaTrade >

Note that all listed instruments on Plus500 are available to trade as CFDs.

You should keep in mind, however, that to invest in other financial products from Panama, you may be better off using a different type of trading platform.

For example, for trading currency pairs you want one of the best forex brokers in Panama, for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the best crypto exchanges in Panama. The best cfd brokers in Panama offer a range of financial assets, including many of the options above.

How to buy stocks in Panama

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Every stock trading app in Panama is designed to help you invest with the minimum of fuss. 

Follow this six step guide to learn how to buy shares online in Panama for the first time.

1. Find a Panamanian trading app

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Compare the best online stock brokers in Panama and choose your favourite from the list at the top of this page.

2. Create an account

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Once you’ve chosen the best broker Panama, set up an account by supplying your email address and password. Fill in personal details like your name and address.

3. Verify the broker account

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Before you use an online trading platform in Panama you need to verify your identity.

Upload a copy of your driving licence or passport to do this. The verification process can take up to 24 hours, but is often much quicker than that.

4. Deposit money into your trading account

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You can make your initial deposit via a card payment, bank transfer, or an alternative payment method.

Many of the best online brokers in Panama accept PayPal and similar e-wallets, but you should check this ahead of time.

5. Search for a stock and place your trade

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Find the stocks you want to trade using their ticker symbol. Enter the details of your trade, and hit ‘buy’ to execute it.

6. Monitor your investment

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Check up on your investment regularly. Use the latest news and stock market research to help you decide when to sell your shares, and lock in a profit or loss.

How we chose the best online trading platform in Panama

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Our reviewing panel is made up of industry experts, including our Director Michael Charalambous, Editor of News, Harsh Vardhan, Editor of Education, James Knight, and long-time trader and Platform Reviewer, Prash Raval. The panel also includes an independent fact checker, Richard Stutely.

We work with many financial experts across the world, and we tap into their expertise to give us an insight into the particular trading environment of each country, and what’s important to users in Panama compared to everywhere else.

All that breaks down into a list of criteria that we use to form a final ranking.

Here are the key factors that played into our final ranking of the best stock brokers in Panama.

  • Fees. We prioritised Panamanian brokers that offer commission-free trading, charge low trading fees, don’t charge deposit or withdrawal fees, and don’t charge any hidden fees.
  • Device availability. An online trading platform that is available across all devices as a mobile app deserves a boost. In a mobile world, you need the best stock trading app in Panama to work across mobile, tablet, and desktop. 
  • Platform security. All services we recommend are regulated by respected financial institutions and provide investor protection in the event that anything goes wrong.
  • Free demo accounts. All the best stockbrokers in Panama should offer the chance to test their service before you pay for it. We gave the brokers with the best demo accounts a boost in our rankings.
  • Access to global markets. International stock brokers in Panama that allow you to invest in global markets, particularly popular ones like the United States, scored well in our reviews.
  • Trading and analysis tools. An online stock broker that offers analysis tools makes it easier to do all your research and trading in one place. Any online broker that offered this convenience scored well.
  • Third-party integrations. You might want to use a piece of downloadable, third-party software like MetaTrader 4, MT5, or cTrader to place your trades. The best trading software in Panama should integrate with these services and those that did so received a higher ranking. 
  • Customer reviews. Finally, we looked into customer reviews, to make sure that we only recommend the best investment platforms in Panama where the majority of Panamanian customers had a positive experience.

Find out more about how we rate, rank, and review platforms.

FAQs

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01

What’s the best broker for beginners in Panama?

02

What’s the best investment platform in Panama?

03

What’s the cheapest online broker Panama with the lowest fees?

04

Which trading app is best in Panama?

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Which investment platform in Panama has the best demo account?

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What’s the safest broker in Panama?

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Is it legal to trade stocks in Panama?


Sources & references

James Knight

James Knight

Editor of Education

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James is the Editor of Education for Invezz, where he covers topics from across the financial world, from the stock market, to cryptocurrency, to macroeconomic markets. His main focus is on improving financial literacy among casual investors. He has been with Invezz since the start of 2021 and has been...