If you are reading this article, you’re likely having trouble deciding whether Markets.com or eToro is the better Forex trading platform for you. While both platforms generally provide positive user experiences, there are some essential differences to note.
In this Markets.com vs eToro review, we outline the highlights of each trading platform to help you make a more informed decision. We evaluate:
- Features and Platforms
- Available Markets
- Typical Spreads and Fees
- Security and Trust
- Markets.com vs eToro - Verdict
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Headquarters | Israel | United States |
Regulators | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSA | ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA |
Tier 1 Regulator(s)? | ||
Owned by Public Company? | ||
Year Established | 2007 | 2008 |
Execution Type(s) | Market Maker | Market Maker |
Minimum Deposit | $50 - $10,000 | $100 |
Negative Balance Protection | N/A | |
Trading Platform(s) | Proprietary platform | Proprietary platform |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | N/A | 0.7 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 2.2 pips | 1.1 pips |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.05 | $0.05 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $0.45 | $0.30 |
Retail Loss Rate | 74% | 79.90% |
Minimum Raw Spreads | 0.8 pips | Not applicable |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 1.3 pips | 0.6 pips |
Minimum Commission for Forex | $0.00 | Commission-free |
Islamic Account | ||
Signals | ||
US Persons Accepted? | ||
Managed Accounts | ||
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Features and Platforms
| | |
MT4 | ||
MT5 | ||
MT4/MT5 Add-Ons | N/A | |
cTrader | ||
Proprietary Platform | ||
Automated Trading | ||
Social/Copy Trading | N/A | |
DOM? | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Scalping | ||
Hedging | ||
One-Click Trading | ||
OCO Orders | ||
Interest on Margin | ||
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Markets.com caters to investors and traders from its proprietary trading platforms, Marketsi and Marketsx. The MT4/MT5 platforms cater to automated traders. Fourteen trading tools upgrade the trading conditions together with XRay, the personalized financial live stream service. The Investment Strategy Builder allows investors to create customized portfolios while new clients benefit from the in-house research and education. eToro relies on its sub-standard proprietary trading platform and its two social trading solutions, CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios. eToro also became a leading cryptocurrency broker but fails to educate new traders and has no value-added services.
Available Markets
| | |
Currency Pairs | ||
Cryptocurrencies | N/A | |
Commodities | ||
Crude Oil | ||
Gold | ||
Metals | ||
Equity Indices | ||
Stocks (non-CFDs) | ||
Bonds | ||
ETFs | ||
Options | N/A | |
Futures | ||
Synthetics | ||
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Markets.com offers Forex traders 67 currency pairs, 25 cryptocurrency pairs, and 28 commodities. Completing the asset selection are 2,027 equity CFDs, 40 index CFDs, 60 ETFs, 23 in-house themed stock baskets, and four bond CFDs. eToro has notable fewer currency pairs with 49, but the best cryptocurrency selection industry-wide with 93. It also maintains 31 commodities, 2,039 equity CFDs, 13 index CFDs, and 151 ETFs. The overall selection of available markets remains competitive at Markets.com and eToro alike. The former grants more overall balance, while the latter excels in cryptocurrencies. Equity traders will determine both brokers equally appealing.
Typical Spreads and Fees
| | |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | N/A | 0.7 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 2.2 pips | 1.1 pips |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.05 | $0.05 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $0.45 | $0.30 |
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin | $574 | $51.50 |
Minimum Raw Spreads | 0.8 pips | Not applicable |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 1.3 pips | 0.6 pips |
Minimum Commission for Forex | $0.00 | Commission-free |
Deposit Fee | ||
Withdrawal Fee | ||
Inactivity Fee | $10 monthly after 12 monthd | N/A |
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Traders at Markets.com benefit from one of the most competitive commission-free pricing environments among all online brokers. The minimum spread commences from 0.6 pips or $6 per 1.0 standard lot. eToro counters with a minimum mark-up of 1.0 pips and the overall spreads remain higher than at Markets.com and other competitive brokers. Swap rates on leveraged overnight positions apply, and both brokers forward corporate actions like dividends to clients. While eToro levies an unacceptable $5 fee for all withdrawals plus third-party costs, Markets.com does not charge clients for withdrawals, where traders have a distinct pricing advantage.
Security and Trust
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Country of the Regulator | Australia, Cyprus, Seychelles, United Kingdom | Australia, Cyprus, United Kingdom, British Virgin Islands, South Africa |
Name of the Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSA | ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA |
Regulatory License Number | 491139, 109/10, 583263, SD076 | 607305, 092/08, 424008, SIBA/L/14/1067, 46860 |
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Markets.com operates subsidiaries regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), and the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC). A £/€/$1,000,000 excess of loss insurance policy is also available. The owner of Markets.com is a publicly listed UK company and a constituent of the FTSE250. eToro operates with oversight from the UK FCA, the CySEC, and the ASIC, while its US unit is a Money Services Business registered with FinCEN. Negative balance protection applies at both, but Markets.com offers superior protection.
eToro vs Markets.com – Verdict
Markets.com, a subsidiary of UK-based Playtech PLC, delivers a competitive trading environment to investors and traders. Besides deploying two proprietary trading platforms, traders may also opt for the MT4/MT5 trading platforms. Fourteen quality trading tools provide a significant upgrade and ensure clients trade with a competitive edge. Expanding the excellent value-added services are the personalized financial live stream service XRay and the Investment Strategy Builder. One of the most competitive commission-free cost structures delivers another benefit to traders. Completing the market-leading trading environment are quality research and educational sections. eToro offers social traders two options, CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios, and shines with cryptocurrency trading, where it presents the most assets with 93. The rest of the trading environment remains uncompetitive, from the manual-only proprietary trading platform to the elevated trading costs and absence of value-added services. eToro cannot compete with the products and services available at Markets.com.
You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:
- Markets.com vs FP Markets
- Markets.com vs BlackBull
- Markets.com vs FXTM
- eToro vs moomoo
- eToro vs octaFX
- eToro vs Fineco
Markets.com presents two proprietary trading platforms and the MT4/MT5 trading platforms. All of them are superior to the alternative at eToro. The fourteen trading tools and additional products and services at Markets.com set it farther apart from eToro.
