Build Your Own
Brokerage Experience
A complete toolkit for fintech developers to build investment apps, robo-advisors, and trading services on top of Alpaca's brokerage infrastructure.
Start Building Now1. The Integration Journey
Follow our phased process to take your application from concept to a fully live brokerage service.
Sandbox
Sign up for a Broker Dashboard account to get sandbox keys. This environment allows you to build out your integration and test all key API functions without using real money.
Limited Live
Once your app is ready, you'll be granted a production key to test with real money and accounts. The goal is to test, fix bugs, and prepare for a full launch. During this phase, access to your app should be gated (e.g., via invite code).
Live
After completing full due diligence and tech sign-off, your app can go fully live. You can begin onboarding external accounts and offering your brokerage service to the public.
2. Learn the Broker Ecosystem
Understand the core workflows for building a brokerage app.
Onboard and Manage Users
Create fully-featured brokerage accounts for your end-users via the API. Alpaca handles the identity verification (KYC) and account opening process.
- Programmatic account creation
- Built-in KYC and identity verification
- Update contact and suitability information
- View and manage all user accounts from a central dashboard
Broker Dashboard Guide
Develop, test, and scale your fintech app in a secure sandbox environment.
All-in-One Solution
Create your trading app with a full suite of brokerage functionalities at your fingertips.
Built for Scale
Leverage cutting-edge technology designed for growth and reliability.
Developer-First
An intuitive, easy-to-use platform with unlimited sandbox testing.
Self-Serve Guidebook
A step-by-step guide to building your trading app with the Broker API Dashboard.
Create Your Account
Log in to the Broker API Dashboard and personalize it with your team and product details.
Create User Accounts
Understand KYC and use the API to onboard your end-users.
Fund Accounts
Learn how to fund accounts via ACH, wire transfers, and journaling.
Place Trades
Pass orders on behalf of your end-users and manage their lifecycle.
3. Build Core Workflows
Use these examples as a starting point for your own application.
Create a User Account
BeginnerSubmit all the required information to create a new brokerage account for an end-user.
Initiate an ACH Transfer
BeginnerCreate a relationship with a user's bank account and initiate a deposit into their brokerage account.
Place a Trade for a User
IntermediateSubmit a market order for a specific user account by referencing their unique Account ID.
Listen for Events
AdvancedUse Webhooks or Server-Sent Events (SSE) to receive real-time updates on account status, trades, and transfers.
4. Resources & Next Steps
Find helpful links, answers to common questions, and ways to get in touch.
Development Resources
Support
For partnership inquiries, contact our sales team at [email protected]. For technical support, contact [email protected] or use your dedicated Slack channel.