What is the difference between a stop order and a limit order?

Limit and stop orders are often confused with each other as both are pending orders that instruct a broker to open or close a position when an asset’s price reaches a certain level.

Buy limit orders instruct that a position is opened when the market price reaches a level lower than the current price. Sell limit orders instruct that a position is opened when the market price reaches a level that is higher than the current market price. Conversely, buy stop orders are entered above the current market price and sell stops are entered below the current price.

Bear in mind that pending Limit orders are executed with ‘Limit Execution’, meaning you will receive your requested price or better, whereas Stop orders are executed with ‘Market Execution’, meaning that the trade is executed at VWAP.