RS
Rakuten Securities
3.4 / 5Score: 1 / 2
A two-decade-old Tokyo powerhouse giving traders five asset classes and real leverage under one roof.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:3
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FSA
Reviewed by Experts Updated 11/9/2026
Rakuten Securities vs InvestEngine: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Rakuten Securities and InvestEngine both offer zero-commission trading with no minimum deposit, but they serve very different audiences. Our research gives Rakuten Securities the edge with a 3.4/5 rating versus InvestEngine's 3.2/5, largely thanks to broader market access and higher leverage.
I
InvestEngine
3.2 / 5Score: 1 / 2
A streamlined, FCA-regulated stocks platform built for simplicity-first long-term investors.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:1
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FCA
Our #1 Pick Right Now: AvaTrade
Same category, top-tier regulation, and it's currently accepting new traders.
See What Makes It Different 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 | I InvestEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.4 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 1999 | 2019 |
| 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 |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Rakuten Securities
$0
InvestEngine
$0
Spreads From
Rakuten Securities
0 pips
InvestEngine
0 pips
Commission
Rakuten Securities
None
InvestEngine
None
Deposit Fees
Rakuten Securities
None
InvestEngine
None
Withdrawal Fees
Rakuten Securities
None
InvestEngine
None
Pros & cons
RS
Rakuten Securities
Pros
- Higher overall rating at 3.4/5 compared to its closest rival
- Access to five distinct market categories for genuine diversification
- Higher leverage ceiling of up to 1:3 for more flexible position sizing
- Over two decades of operating history since 1999 builds added trust
- Three platform choices including the professional-grade MarketSpeed II
- No minimum deposit required, making it accessible to new traders
- Zero commission structure with no deposit or withdrawal fees
Cons
- Leverage of 1:3 is still modest compared to some global forex-focused brokers
- FSA regulation may feel less familiar to traders outside Japan
- Three separate platforms could feel fragmented for casual investors
- Primarily geared toward the Japanese retail market in presentation and support
I
InvestEngine
Pros
- FCA regulation offers strong UK-based investor protection
- No minimum deposit makes it accessible to first-time investors
- Simple two-platform setup (web and mobile) suits beginners
- Zero commission trading with no deposit or withdrawal fees
- No-leverage structure acts as a built-in risk management feature
Cons
- Limited to a single market category (Stocks) with no forex, crypto, or indices access
- No leverage offered, capping position sizing flexibility for active traders
- Only two platform options compared to rivals offering more specialized tools
- Shorter operating history since founding in 2019
- Lower overall rating of 3.2/5 in our comparative research
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 top pick in this matchup, earning a 3.4/5 overall rating compared to InvestEngine's 3.2/5. The Tokyo-based broker's wider market coverage across stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, and indices — combined with higher leverage of up to 1:3 and a longer 1999 track record — gives it a clear practical advantage. InvestEngine remains a credible, FCA-regulated alternative for investors who specifically want a simplified, stocks-only platform, but for traders wanting flexibility and depth, Rakuten Securities is the stronger overall package.
Regulation & Safety
Rakuten Securities is regulated by Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA), a strict regulatory body overseeing one of the world's largest retail trading markets. Its 1999 founding date gives it over two decades of operating history, which adds a layer of institutional credibility that newer brokers simply can't match.
InvestEngine, meanwhile, is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), one of the most respected financial watchdogs globally. Despite being founded in 2019, InvestEngine's FCA oversight means client money protections and conduct standards are robust.
Both brokers carry comparable regulatory weight in their respective jurisdictions, so neither can be called objectively unsafe. The choice here often comes down to which regulatory region matters more to you as an investor.
Fees, Spreads & Costs
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips and charge no commission on trades, making them cost-competitive on paper. Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome relief for cost-conscious traders.
Both platforms also share a $0 minimum deposit requirement, making either broker equally accessible to beginners with limited starting capital. On raw headline pricing, it's essentially a tie between the two.
Where Rakuten Securities pulls ahead is in overall value when leverage and market access are factored in, since traders can achieve more with the same capital base. InvestEngine's cost structure is simple and transparent, but its narrower scope limits how that cost-efficiency can be applied.
Platforms & Trading Tools
Rakuten Securities offers three distinct platform options: a Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the dedicated MarketSpeed II terminal, which is popular among active Japanese retail traders for its charting depth and order execution speed.
InvestEngine keeps things simpler with just a Proprietary Web platform and a Proprietary Mobile app. This streamlined approach suits passive investors who don't need advanced charting or multi-asset order tools.
For traders who value flexibility and professional-grade tools, Rakuten Securities' extra platform (MarketSpeed II) is a meaningful differentiator. InvestEngine's simplicity, however, may appeal to those who find multiple platform options overwhelming.
Market Access & Leverage
This is where the gap between the two brokers is most pronounced. Rakuten Securities supports five distinct market categories: Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Forex, and Indices, giving traders genuine cross-asset diversification from a single account.
InvestEngine, by contrast, focuses exclusively on Stocks. This narrow scope is by design, catering to long-term, buy-and-hold investors rather than active multi-asset traders.
Leverage also favors Rakuten Securities, which offers up to 1:3, compared to InvestEngine's 1:1 (no leverage). Active traders seeking amplified exposure will find Rakuten Securities far more accommodating, while conservative investors may actually prefer InvestEngine's no-leverage structure as a built-in risk control.
Company Background & Reputation
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Rakuten Securities has built a long-standing reputation within one of Asia's most mature retail trading ecosystems. Its longevity reflects sustained client trust and operational resilience through multiple market cycles.
InvestEngine is a newer entrant, founded in 2019 and based in London, UK. While its track record is shorter, it has quickly carved out a niche among UK retail investors seeking a straightforward, low-cost stocks platform.
Neither company's background raises red flags, but Rakuten Securities' two-decade head start gives it a slight edge in terms of demonstrated long-term stability.
Our Verdict
Weighing all factors — regulation, fees, platforms, market access, and company history — Rakuten Securities earns the higher overall rating at 3.4/5 versus InvestEngine's 3.2/5. Its broader asset coverage and higher leverage ceiling make it the more versatile choice for most traders.
InvestEngine is not a bad broker by any measure; it's simply built for a different kind of investor, one who wants simplicity, FCA oversight, and a stocks-only focus without leverage temptation. If that describes your goals, InvestEngine remains a solid, trustworthy option.
For everyone else — particularly active or multi-asset traders — Rakuten Securities offers the stronger, more complete 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 InvestEngine 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
Based on our independent research, yes. Rakuten Securities earns a 3.4/5 overall rating compared to InvestEngine's 3.2/5. The gap mainly stems from Rakuten Securities' broader market access and higher leverage, though your ideal choice still depends on whether you prioritize multi-asset flexibility or stocks-only simplicity.
Both brokers are nearly identical on headline costs. Each offers spreads from 0 pips, charges no commission, and has no deposit or withdrawal fees. There isn't a meaningful cost advantage either way on paper.
Neither broker requires a minimum deposit. Both Rakuten Securities and InvestEngine allow you to open an account with $0, making them equally accessible regardless of your starting capital.
Both brokers operate under respected regulators. Rakuten Securities is licensed by Japan's FSA, while InvestEngine operates under the UK's FCA. Both are reputable oversight bodies, so safety comes down to which jurisdiction you trust more rather than one broker being inherently riskier.
Rakuten Securities offers a much wider selection, covering Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Forex, and Indices. InvestEngine is focused exclusively on Stocks, making it better suited to long-term equity investors rather than multi-asset traders.
Rakuten Securities provides three options: a Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the advanced MarketSpeed II terminal. InvestEngine offers two: a Proprietary Web platform and a Proprietary Mobile app, geared toward simpler portfolio management.
Rakuten Securities offers leverage up to 1:3, giving active traders some flexibility in position sizing. InvestEngine offers no leverage (1:1), which suits conservative investors but limits active trading strategies.
Yes, there's nothing stopping you from holding accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many investors actually use Rakuten Securities for multi-asset trading with leverage and InvestEngine for simple, long-term stock portfolio building.
Both brokers are beginner-friendly with no minimum deposit, but for different reasons. InvestEngine's stocks-only, no-leverage design reduces complexity and risk, while Rakuten Securities offers more room to grow into multi-asset and leveraged trading as skills develop.
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.