Methodology
How we score brokers
The 5 factors, weights and scoring rubric behind every SafetyScorer score for brokers, on a 0–100 scale where 100 is safest.
Factors and weights
Each factor is scored from 0 to 100 against the rubric below. The overall score is the weighted average, rounded to a whole number.
Investor protection
30% of scoreSegregation of client assets and the compensation scheme behind them (SIPC $500k incl. $250k cash, FSCS £85k, EU ICS €20k+), excess cover, how cash is held. 90+: segregated assets, strong scheme and excess cover. Below 50: weak or no scheme, or unclear custody.
Regulation and oversight
20% of scoreWhich regulators license the entity a customer actually signs up with. 90+: top-tier regulators (SEC/FINRA, FCA, BaFin, ASIC, MAS) for the main entities. Below 50: offshore or light-touch licence for retail clients.
Financial strength
20% of scoreCapital above regulatory minimums, profitability, ownership and size, public filings. 90+: large, profitable, well-capitalised and publicly audited. Below 50: thin capital, losses or opaque ownership.
Conduct record
15% of scoreFines, enforcement actions, outages that blocked trading, and client-harm cases in the last 10 years. 90+: minor issues only. Below 50: major or repeated misconduct.
Account security
15% of scoreLogin security (2FA, passkeys, hardware keys), withdrawal protections, breaches and account-takeover record. 90+: strong 2FA options and no major breach.