Who AI recommends, and when it changes.
Data as of Apr 11, 2026 · Based on 27 AI answers · A buyer need in Online Stock & Options Brokers. · See how Parse measures this
Recommendation share
Cobra Trading leads at 33% of AI recommendations; Interactive Brokers follows at 19%.
Why here: Dominates recommendations for hard-to-borrow stocks, praised for specialized locate access and personalized service. · 4 sources
Why here: Frequently cited as best overall for shorting due to massive inventory and low fees, though secondary for hard-to-borrow specifically. · 3 sources
Why here: Recommended for active day traders needing direct market access and hard-to-borrow shares with lower account minimums. · 3 sources
Why here: Paired with Cobra for deep hard-to-borrow inventory, particularly for active day traders requiring DMA. · 3 sources
By platform
Platforms disagree: Cobra Trading leads on Google AI Overviews, Interactive Brokers on ChatGPT.
Buyer needs that sit next to this one in the same market.
For hard-to-borrow short selling, AI assistants consistently direct traders to 
Where a different pick wins:
WebullAI directs beginners to Webull for simpler shorting, bypassing the high account minimums of specialized brokers. · 1 source
TradeZero is highlighted for accessing hard-to-borrow shares without the high minimums required by Cobra Trading. · 2 sources
Interactive BrokersAI points to Interactive Brokers when international stocks and low margin rates are the priority over specialized HTB locate services. · 1 source
LightspeedExperienced short sellers mention Lightspeed for broader locate access on low float stocks. · 2 sources
TradeStationTradeStation is recommended as a good option for traders focused on charting and technical analysis. · 1 source
Interactive BrokersRepresentative prompts behind this market ranking, and how AI tends to answer.
“I want to short a stock. Which broker is best for that?”
AI explains that no single broker fits all, with
