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

Headquarters
United StatesAustralia
Regulators
ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCAASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA
Tier 1 Regulator(s)?
Owned by Public Company?
Year Established
20082005
Execution Type(s)
Market MakerECN/STP
Minimum Deposit
$100 $100
Negative Balance Protection
N/A
Trading Platform(s)
Proprietary platformMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, Proprietary platform, Web-based
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
0.7 pips1.2 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
1.1 pips1.4 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.05 $0.02
Average Trading Cost Gold
$0.30 $0.16
Retail Loss Rate
79.90%70.70%
Minimum Raw Spreads
Not applicable0.0 pips
Minimum Standard Spreads
0.6 pips1.0 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex
Commission-free$6.00 per Round Lot
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 features two proprietary trading platforms, Marketsi for investors and Marketsx for traders. The Investment Strategy Builder assists investors in creating customized portfolios, while the MT4/MT5 trading platforms cater to automated traders. Fourteen trading tools enhance to core trading environment, and new traders can benefit from quality educational services. FP Markets presents clients upgraded MT4/MT5 trading platforms alongside the proprietary Iress trading platform, which remains geographically restricted. MAM/PAMM accounts enable retail account management, and VPS hosting supports automated traders, while two platforms support social trading plus the integrated functionality in MT4/MT5.

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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Forex traders at Markets.com get 67 currency pairs and 25 cryptocurrency pairs, complemented by 28 commodities. Equity traders have 2,027 equity CFDs, 40 index CFDs, 60 ETFs, 23 in-house themed stock baskets, with four bond CFDs completing the competitive asset selection. FP Markets maintains fewer assets with 60 currency pairs, five cryptocurrency pairs, and ten commodities. MT4/MT5 traders get only 54 equity CFDs and 15 index CFDs. Clients who get access to the Iress trading platform get 10,000+ equities. All traders receive equal treatment at Markets.com, where the available markets present more breadth and an overall superior choice.

Typical Spreads and Fees

Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
0.7 pips1.2 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
1.1 pips1.4 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.05 $0.02
Average Trading Cost Gold
$0.30 $0.16
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin
$51.50 $21.08
Minimum Raw Spreads
Not applicable0.0 pips
Minimum Standard Spreads
0.6 pips1.0 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex
Commission-free$6.00 per Round Lot
Deposit Fee
Withdrawal Fee
Inactivity Fee
N/ANo
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The commission-free Forex cost structure commences with a minimum mark-up of 0.6 pips or $6 per 1.0 standard lot, one of the best ones available. The same offer starts at FP Markets from 1.0 pips or $10 per 1.0 lot. FP Markets also provides a commission-based alternative with raw spreads of 0.0 pips for a commission of $6.00 per round lot, the same as the commission-free Forex offer at Markets.com. Swap rates on leveraged overnight positions apply at both brokers, together with third-party payment processor costs. Market.com and FP Markets forward corporate actions to client portfolios.

Security and Trust

Country of the Regulator
Australia, Cyprus, United Kingdom, British Virgin Islands, South AfricaAustralia, Cyprus, Kenya, South Africa
Name of the Regulator
ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCAASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA
Regulatory License Number
607305, 092/08, 424008, SIBA/L/14/1067, 46860286354, 103, 371/18, 50926
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The primary regulator of Markets.com is the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Additional subsidiaries operated under oversight from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), and the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC). Markets.com also maintains a £/€/$1,000,000 excess of loss insurance policy, and its corporate owner is a publicly listed company on the LSE and a constituent of the FTSE250. FP Markets has licenses from the ASIC and the CySEC, but international traders will deal with the unregulated subsidiary operating from St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Markets vs FP Markets – Verdict

Markets.com established itself as one of the most competitive destinations for investors and traders alike. Two proprietary trading platforms serve clients who favor a manual approach with an excellent alternative to the out-of-the-box MT4/MT5 trading platforms. The asset selection provides a quality mix across numerous sectors, while fourteen trading tools complement the core trading environment. One of the best Forex pricing environments sets this broker farther apart from most competitors. New traders receive a valuable educational tool in XRay, the personalized financial live stream service at Markets.com. FP Markets presents traders with a quality upgrade to MT4/MT5, but the asset selection remains limited unless clients qualify for the geographically restricted Iress trading platform. The commission-free cost structure remains expensive, but the commission-based alternative is competitive. FP Markets offers MAM/PAMM accounts, VPS hosting, and social trading solutions, but Markets.com maintains an overall edge across its trading environment.

You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:

How many Forex pairs and CFDs are available to trade?/b>

Markets.com has 67 currency pairs and 2,000+ CFDs, while FP Markets counters with 60 and 100+ CFDs for all clients versus 10,000+ for Iress.

FAQs

What are the minimum deposits for these brokers?

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The minimum deposit at Markets.com is $250, higher than at many brokers, and $100 at FP Markets, still above the most competitive deposit structures.

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

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Both brokers offer the MT4/MT5 trading platforms, but FP Markets deploys an upgrade package, while Markets.com features superior trading tools. The proprietary alternatives at Markets.com, available to all clients, give it an overall edge, especially considering the geographic restrictions on the Iress trading platform at FP Markets.

How many Forex pairs and CFDs are available to trade?

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Markets.com has 67 currency pairs and 2,000+ CFDs, while FP Markets counters with 60 and 100+ CFDs for all clients versus 10,000+ for Iress.

Which broker is better for beginner traders?

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While both brokers provide educational tools, the XRay personalized financial live stream service at Markets.com results in a better service.