RS
Rakuten Securities
3.4 / 5Score: 1 / 2
A Tokyo-based multi-asset powerhouse offering stocks, forex, crypto and more under one roof with zero commissions.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:3
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FSA
Reviewed by Experts Updated 11/2/2026
Rakuten Securities vs Bestinvest: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Rakuten Securities and Bestinvest both offer commission-free trading with no minimum deposit, but they diverge sharply on market access, platform variety, and leverage. Our research gives Rakuten Securities the edge overall, though Bestinvest remains a credible option for UK-focused investors.
B
Bestinvest
3.2 / 5Score: 1 / 2
A long-established London investment platform built for straightforward stock and ETF investing under FCA oversight.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:1
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FCA
Overall Winner
Rakuten Securities
Best for Beginners
Rakuten Securities
Lowest Fees
Rakuten Securities
Top Regulation
Rakuten Securities
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | RS Rakuten Securities | B Bestinvest |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.4 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 1999 | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan | London, UK |
| Regulation | FSA | FCA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | None |
| Max Leverage | 1:3 | 1:1 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MarketSpeed II | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
| Markets Offered | Stocks, Etf, Crypto, Forex, Indices | Stocks, Etf |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Rakuten Securities
$0
Bestinvest
$0
Spreads From
Rakuten Securities
0 pips
Bestinvest
0 pips
Commission
Rakuten Securities
None
Bestinvest
None
Deposit Fees
Rakuten Securities
None
Bestinvest
None
Withdrawal Fees
Rakuten Securities
None
Bestinvest
None
Pros & cons
RS
Rakuten Securities
Pros
- Broader market access across five distinct asset classes
- Higher overall satisfaction rating at 3.4 out of 5
- Supports leverage up to 1:3 for more flexible position sizing
- Three platform choices including a professional-grade terminal
- No minimum deposit required to open an account
- Backed by the well-capitalized Rakuten Group ecosystem
Cons
- Leverage still relatively low compared to some international forex brokers
- Regulated only under FSA, lacking multi-jurisdictional licensing
- Platform interface may feel geared toward Japanese-market conventions for new international users
- Crypto offering may not match dedicated crypto exchanges in depth
B
Bestinvest
Pros
- Long operating history since 1986 builds institutional trust
- Regulated by the highly respected FCA
- No minimum deposit required to start investing
- Transparent fee structure with no hidden deposit or withdrawal costs
- Simple, uncluttered platform suited to new investors
Cons
- Limited to just stocks and ETFs with no forex, crypto, or indices access
- No meaningful leverage offered, capped at 1:1
- Fewer platform options compared to competitors
- Lower overall rating at 3.2 out of 5
- Lacks a dedicated professional-grade trading terminal
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Rakuten Securities
Lowest fees Rakuten Securities
Best regulation Rakuten Securities
Better for beginners Rakuten Securities
Rakuten Securities is our recommended pick in this comparison, earning a 3.4/5 overall rating versus Bestinvest's 3.2/5. Rakuten Securities pulls ahead thanks to broader market coverage spanning stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, and indices, plus a wider platform lineup that includes the proprietary MarketSpeed II terminal. Bestinvest still holds appeal for traders who specifically want FCA oversight or Bestinvest's UK-centric investment platform, but for most traders seeking versatility and value, Rakuten Securities offers the stronger overall package.
Regulation & Safety
Rakuten Securities is regulated by Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA), a strict regulator known for rigorous oversight of brokerage capital requirements and client asset segregation. This gives Japanese and international clients confidence that funds are protected under a well-established legal framework.
Bestinvest, on the other hand, operates under the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), one of the most respected financial regulators globally. The FCA enforces strong investor protection standards, including participation in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for eligible UK clients.
Both regulators are considered tier-1 authorities, so neither broker poses an elevated regulatory risk. The choice here often comes down to jurisdictional preference — traders based in Asia may lean toward FSA oversight, while UK-based investors may prioritize FCA protections.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips and charge no trading commissions, making them competitively priced at first glance. Neither platform charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a meaningful advantage for cost-conscious traders moving funds in and out frequently.
Where the two diverge is in overall market access relative to cost. Rakuten Securities offers a broader range of tradable instruments for the same fee structure, effectively delivering more value per dollar traded.
Minimum deposit requirements are identical at $0 for both brokers, removing barriers to entry for beginner investors. This makes both platforms accessible, but the deeper value proposition still favors Rakuten Securities given its wider scope.
Trading Platforms & Tools
Rakuten Securities supports three platforms: a Proprietary Web interface, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the dedicated MarketSpeed II terminal, which is popular among active traders for its advanced charting and order execution speed.
Bestinvest offers a more streamlined experience with just a Proprietary Web platform and a Proprietary Mobile app. This is sufficient for long-term investors but may feel limited for active traders wanting professional-grade tools.
The extra platform option at Rakuten Securities, particularly MarketSpeed II, gives it a clear edge for traders who value flexibility in how they analyze markets and place trades across devices.
Market Access & Instruments
This is one of the most decisive differentiators in the matchup. Rakuten Securities provides access to stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, and indices — a genuinely diversified offering that suits traders wanting to build a multi-asset portfolio under one account.
Bestinvest, in contrast, focuses narrowly on stocks and ETFs. This is a reasonable fit for traditional buy-and-hold investors but leaves little room for those wanting exposure to forex, crypto, or index derivatives.
Leverage also differs meaningfully: Rakuten Securities offers up to 1:3, while Bestinvest caps out at 1:1 (effectively no leverage). Active or margin-oriented traders will find Rakuten Securities far more accommodating.
Company Background & Trust
Bestinvest has the longer operating history, founded in 1986 in London, giving it nearly four decades of market presence and a well-established reputation among UK retail investors.
Rakuten Securities was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tokyo, backed by the broader Rakuten Group ecosystem, which lends significant financial and technological resources to its brokerage arm.
While Bestinvest's longevity is a point in its favor, Rakuten Securities' backing by a major global conglomerate and its broader product suite suggest strong institutional stability as well.
Our Verdict
Weighing all factors, Rakuten Securities earns the higher overall rating at 3.4/5 compared to Bestinvest's 3.2/5, driven primarily by its broader market selection, extra platform options, and higher available leverage.
Bestinvest remains a sensible choice for conservative, UK-based investors who want straightforward stock and ETF exposure under FCA regulation without the complexity of margin trading or multi-asset platforms.
For traders seeking versatility, more tools, and a one-stop multi-asset brokerage experience, Rakuten Securities is the stronger overall package in 2026.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Rakuten Securities wins overall
Rakuten Securities edges out Bestinvest overall based on our expert rating score.
RS
Highest Rated
Rakuten Securities
3.4 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.4/5).
Rakuten SecuritiesBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Rakuten SecuritiesLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Rakuten SecuritiesStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Rakuten Securities
Frequently asked questions
Yes, based on our independent research, Rakuten Securities achieves a higher overall rating of 3.4 out of 5 compared to Bestinvest's 3.2 out of 5. The gap stems largely from Rakuten Securities' broader market access and additional trading platform options. That said, the better choice still depends on individual priorities like regulatory jurisdiction and asset preferences, so review the full comparison above before deciding.
Both brokers offer spreads starting from 0 pips and charge no commissions, deposit fees, or withdrawal fees, making them equally competitive on headline pricing. However, Rakuten Securities arguably delivers more value because it extends this fee structure across five asset classes instead of just two.
Neither broker requires a minimum deposit, meaning you can open an account with Rakuten Securities or Bestinvest with as little as $0. This makes both platforms highly accessible for beginner investors who want to start small and scale up over time.
Rakuten Securities is regulated by Japan's FSA, while Bestinvest operates under the UK's FCA. Both are considered tier-1 regulators with strong investor protection frameworks, so neither broker carries elevated regulatory risk — the safer option is really a matter of which jurisdiction's protections apply to you.
Rakuten Securities offers three platforms: a Proprietary Web interface, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the advanced MarketSpeed II terminal. Bestinvest offers a simpler setup with just a Proprietary Web platform and a Proprietary Mobile app, which suits straightforward long-term investing.
No, Bestinvest's market offering is limited to stocks and ETFs only, with no forex or crypto access. If multi-asset trading including forex and crypto is important to you, Rakuten Securities is the more suitable choice since it covers five distinct asset classes.
Rakuten Securities offers leverage up to 1:3, while Bestinvest caps leverage at 1:1, effectively meaning no margin trading. Traders who want some flexibility in position sizing will find Rakuten Securities more accommodating, though neither broker offers high leverage by industry standards.
Yes, there is nothing preventing you from opening accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders actually diversify across multiple platforms to take advantage of different market access, platform tools, and regulatory protections.
Bestinvest has the longer track record, having been founded in 1986 in London, giving it nearly 40 years of operating history. Rakuten Securities was founded later in 1999 in Tokyo, though it benefits from the financial backing and technology infrastructure of the broader Rakuten Group.
Both brokers suit beginners thanks to their $0 minimum deposit requirements and commission-free structures, but Rakuten Securities holds a slight edge due to its higher overall rating and broader educational exposure across multiple asset classes. Bestinvest remains a solid, simpler alternative for beginners who only want exposure to stocks and ETFs.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.