A rating is only useful when you can see how it was reached. BrokerCheck publishes one methodology for broker reviews and one for prop firm reviews. Each lists the areas that are assessed, what is checked inside every area and what the result does and does not tell you.
How we rate and review brokers
A broker rating combines eight areas into one rating: fees and costs, security and regulation, deposit and withdrawal options, trading platforms, the account opening process, product offerings, customer service, and education and resources. Fees are taken from the broker’s own website and checked for every asset class, the legal background of the company is checked against the regulator that oversees it, and each platform and support channel is tested in person.
Read the full method on How we rate and review brokers.
How we assess prop firms
A prop firm score measures how completely and clearly a firm publishes its terms. It is built from six weighted areas:
- Trading rules, 25% of the score
- Fees and refund terms, 20%
- Reward and payout terms, 20%
- Identity and accountability, 20%
- Platforms and trading conditions, 10%
- Support and complaint information, 5%
The same weights and the same scoring rule apply to every firm. The assessment draws on public documents, such as the firm’s website, help centre and contract terms, and on official company and regulatory registers where they are relevant. A zero records a gap in the documents, not a finding of misconduct, and a relevant official warning about a firm is explained separately and stays visible whatever the score. Read the full method on How we assess prop firms.
What both methodologies share
Both methods keep the criteria public and apply them in the same way to every broker or firm. In the prop firm method, a larger account, higher leverage or a higher payout share earns nothing by itself, and commercial relationships are disclosed separately from the criteria.
Where to go next
See the results of these methods in the broker review hub and the prop firm review hub, or return to the reviews overview. The people who write and check the reviews are introduced on the team page.