Lime Financial review
Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Lime Financial suits experienced traders and active day traders who want options and futures on a commission-free basis. Stock trades cost $0 and the account is regulated by FINRA and NFA with SIPC protection, but the account starts at $30,000, so the entry point is the trade-off.
Key facts
- Best for
- Experienced US traders wanting commission-free options and futures with a large starting balance.
- Minimum deposit
- $30,000 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Stock trade fee
- $0 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Markets
- Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Regulators
- FINRA, NFA (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Investor protection
- SIPC up to USD 500,000 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Margin rate
- 12.5% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Platforms
- Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web, Lime Trader Mobile, Lime Direct, Sterling, CQG, TakeProfit (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Account types
- IRA, Roth-IRA, Joint, Corporate (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Lime Trading Corp. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- United States (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2000 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Phone, Help-centre (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Features
- Options, Futures, Demo account, Mobile app
- Pricing model
- Commission-free
- Audience
- Experienced traders, Day traders
- Official website
- lime.co
Apps and profiles
- Elsewhere
- LinkedInXyoutube.com
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 on a commission-free model, so no per-trade charge
- Options and futures are available alongside stocks, etfs and options
- Regulated by FINRA and NFA, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Minimum deposit of $30,000 suits well funded trading accounts
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $30,000 puts Lime Financial beyond most starter accounts, ranking 210 of 213 on this measure
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre with no live chat listed
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free options and futures
- Day traders working across Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web and Lime Trader Mobile
- US accounts holders wanting SIPC protection
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners building a first portfolio, who should look at CFI with a $0 entry point
- Small savers, who should compare Vantage at $5
- Readers wanting forex, CFDs or crypto, which sit outside stocks, etfs and options
How Lime Financial compares
Lime Financial vs Nexo9.1 vs 9.0
9.1 vs 9.4
9.1 vs 8.7
MarketScreener
9.1 vs 9.4
9.1 vs 8.7
9.1 vs 9.0
9.1 vs 9.3
9.1 vs 8.7
9.1 vs 8.6
9.1 vs 9.2Covers stocks, etfs and forex, giving access to asset classes outside Lime Financial's stocks, etfs and options.
9.1 vs 8.7
Kitco
9.1 vs 9.1
9.1 vs 9.0
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Vaulted
wikifolio.com
Intellectia
Winvest
Libertex International
XM VN
Where Lime Financial is available
- Available
- United States
- Licence in United States
- FINRA (11826), checked September 26, 2026
- Licence in United States
- NFA, checked September 26, 2026
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to trade stocks at Lime Financial?+
Stock trades cost $0, and the account runs on a commission-free model. There is no per-trade charge for equities. The catch is the entry requirement: a minimum deposit of $30,000 to open the account.
How much do I need to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $30,000. That is a high bar for a first account, ranking 210 of 213 brands on this comparison. Readers with a smaller starting balance would be better served elsewhere.
Is Lime Financial regulated and is my money protected?+
Lime Trading Corp. is listed with FINRA and NFA in the US. Investor protection stands at SIPC up to USD 500,000. The firm has been operating since 2000 from the US.
Which markets and account types can I use?+
The account covers stocks, etfs and options, with options and futures listed as features alongside a demo account and mobile app. Account types run to ira, roth ira and joint, so retirement and joint accounts are available.
What margin rate applies?+
The margin rate is 12.5%, which is the borrowing rate on leveraged positions. Higher margin reduces the cash needed per trade but adds to the cost of holding a position open.
Which platforms can I trade on?+
Trading runs across Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web and Lime Trader Mobile, so desktop, web and mobile executions are all covered. A demo account is listed as a feature, which helps test an approach before risking capital on options or futures.
Who is Lime Financial built for?+
The stated audience is experienced and day traders, so it targets traders who already know the platforms. Beginners starting a first portfolio will find the $30,000 entry point out of reach and should compare lower minimums.
How can I get help?+
Support runs on email, phone and help centre, so contact is by email or phone alongside a help centre. There is no live chat listed, so time-sensitive questions may be slower to resolve.
Sources
- brokercheck.finra.org/firm/summary/11826 checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Investor protection, Regulators, Licences
- lime.co checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Minimum deposit
“Lime Trader Plus now available at a $30K account minimum”
- lime.co/about-us checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Audience, Founded
“Lime has opened its offerings to sophisticated, independent traders”
- lime.co/contact checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headquarters, Legal entity, Platforms, Support channels
“Headquarters: 450 7th Avenue 31st floor, New York, New York 10123”
- lime.co/faq checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Account types
“Lime Trading Corp. offers the following accounts: Individual, Joint with Rights of Survivorship, Corporate, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA”
- lime.co/pricing checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Features, Margin rate, Markets, Pricing model, Stock trade fee
“Free commission trading does not include options; Lime Trader Mobile; Get Your Free Demo”
Compiled from 7 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Account fee, Inactivity fee, Retail accounts that lose money.
Lime Financial
Experienced US traders wanting commission-free options and futures with a large starting balance.