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Markets vs Forex.com

If you are reading this article, you’re likely having trouble deciding whether Forex.com or Markets.com 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 Forex.com vs Markets.com review, we outline the highlights of each trading platform to help you make a more informed decision. We evaluate:

Headquarters
United StatesUnited States
Regulators
ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCAASIC, CFTC, CIMA, CySEC, FCA, FSA, IIROC, NFA
Tier 1 Regulator(s)?
Owned by Public Company?
Year Established
20082001
Execution Type(s)
Market MakerMarket Maker
Minimum Deposit
$100 $100
Negative Balance Protection
N/A
Trading Platform(s)
Proprietary platformMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform, Trading View
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
0.7 pips1.1 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
1.1 pips1.3 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.05 $0.035
Average Trading Cost Gold
$0.30 $0.63
Retail Loss Rate
79.90%73.00%
Minimum Raw Spreads
Not applicable0.0 pips
Minimum Standard Spreads
0.6 pips0.8 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex
Commission-free$5 per $100K
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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Forex.com ranks among the best MT4 brokers per active serves as of April 2019, but unfortunately, only the core MT4 trading platform is available. Forex.com also has its proprietary Web Trading as an alternative for manual traders. In-house research and education enhance the trading environment with a broad-based Forex selection. Markets.com is one of the best-rounded overall brokers, featuring two proprietary trading platforms, one for investors and one for traders, alongside MT4/MT5. Traders will notably benefit from fourteen trading tools, the Investment Strategy Builder and the XRay personalized financial live stream service.

Available Markets

Currency Pairs
Commodities
Crude Oil
Gold
Metals
Equity Indices
Stocks (non-CFDs)
Bonds
N/A
ETFs
Futures
Synthetics
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Forex.com features 84 currency pairs, placing it in the Top 20 and making it an excellent destination for pure Forex traders. Other available markets include eight cryptocurrencies, 33 commodities, 18 index CFDs, and 220+ equity CFDs. Markets.com lists 67 currency pairs, an average choice, but 25 cryptocurrency pairs. Completing the asset selection are 28 commodities 2,027 equity CFDs, 40 index CFDs, 60 ETFs, 23 in-house themed stock baskets, and four bond CFDs. Forex.com and Markets.com provide a balanced choice of available markets, suitable for all types of traders, but the latter maintains a visible edge outside of Forex.

Typical Spreads and Fees

Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
0.7 pips1.1 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
1.1 pips1.3 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.05 $0.035
Average Trading Cost Gold
$0.30 $0.63
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin
$51.50 $60
Minimum Raw Spreads
Not applicable0.0 pips
Minimum Standard Spreads
0.6 pips0.8 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex
Commission-free$5 per $100K
Deposit Fee
Withdrawal Fee
Inactivity Fee
N/A$15 monthly after 12 months
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The commission-free cost structure at Forex.com starts from 0.8 pips with an average of 1.1 pips. It results in costs of $11 per 1.0 standard lots. Active traders will benefit from the DMA account, where a minimum spread of 0.1 pips for a commission of $60 per $1,000,000 in nominal trading volume or $6 per lot awaits. High-frequency traders may reduce costs to $2 per lot. Markets.cm delivers a commission-free offer commencing from 0.6 pips or $6 per lot. Swap rates on leveraged overnight positions apply at Forex.com and Markets.com together with third-party payment processor fees.

Security and Trust

Country of the Regulator
Australia, Cyprus, United Kingdom, British Virgin Islands, South AfricaAustralia, Canada, Cyprus, Japan, Cayman Islands, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States
Name of the Regulator
ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCAASIC, CFTC, CIMA, CySEC, FCA, FSA, IIROC, NFA
Regulatory License Number
607305, 092/08, 424008, SIBA/L/14/1067, 46860 0339826,291, Undisclosed, 446717, 400/21, 25033, 345646, Undisclosed
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Forex.com is part of publicly-listed StoneX, which has a history of regulatory fines. International clients will deal with the UK subsidiary authorized by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Forex.com may redirect clients to StoneX subsidiary CityIndex. Markets.com, owned by Playtech PLC, a publicly-listed UK company and constituent of the FTSE250, has the UK FCA as its primary regulator. Additional oversight exists from 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 also exists.

Markets vs Forex.com – Verdict

Manual traders will find the proprietary Web Trading platform superior to MT4, only available as the out-of-the-box version. One of the best assets remains its educational section. It is a well-designed program, divided into three experience levels plus seven themes. One drawback to consider is the corporate ownership at Forex.com, as StoneX has a history of misconduct and regulatory fines under various names over the past decade. Markets.com presents investors and traders with one of the most secure and trustworthy brokerages globally. Besides the core MT4/MT5 trading platforms, two proprietary alternatives, Marketsi and Marketsx, are available. The commission-free Forex cost structure ranks among the best, offering better value than the most competitive offer at Forex.com. The asset selection and trading tools at Markets.com set it further apart for an overall superior experience.

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Read full Markets Review

FAQs

Is Forex.com or Markets.com safer for Forex and CFDs trading?

Markets.com delivers a safer and more trustworthy choice. Both are part of publicly-listed companies, but Forex.com owner StoneX has a history of misconduct and regulatory fines.

Which trading platform is better: Forex.com or Markets.com?

The proprietary trading platforms, including more than a dozen trading tools, at Markets.com, trump what Forex.com deploys. The core MT4/MT5 is also available at Markets.com versus MT4 at Forex.com.

Does Forex.com or Markets.com offer lower pricing?

Most traders will get superior pricing in the commission-free offer at Markets.com. High-frequency traders may achieve lower costs at Forex.com if they qualify for the volume-based rebate program.

Which is better, Forex.com or Markets.com?

While Forex.com provides Forex traders with a choice to consider, the overall product and services portfolio at Markets.com remains significantly superior. Forex.com takes an edge with education, but Markets.com executes better across all other categories.

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