What we measure
Which platforms a broker supports (MT4, MT5, cTrader, or proprietary), the order types and automation tools available, and mobile platform parity with desktop.
Breadth vs. depth
Supporting more platforms isn't automatically better - what matters is whether the available platform(s) support the order types, charting, and automation a trader actually needs. We score for fit and depth of tooling, not platform count alone.
Why it carries 20% weight
Platform limitations are a real, ongoing cost even when they don't show up in a fee schedule - weighted equally with execution, below the two factors (spreads, regulation) we treat as most consequential.
How this feeds the rank score
Brokers with broader, more capable platform support score higher on this factor, combined with the other 4 at their published weights for the overall rank.