Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Admirals vs ATC Brokers
Where Admirals and ATC Brokers differ
| Compare |  Admirals |  ATC Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $25Lower | $2,000 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals |
| Regulators | FCA, CySEC, ASIC | FCA, CIMA |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:30 | 200:1 |
| Stock trade fee | $0.020 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | €10 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Intl wire USD 40 |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | MT4, MT Pro |
Same on both: Investor protection (FSCS up to GBP 85,000).
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Key differences
- Admirals scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only Admirals offers CySEC, ASIC.
- Regulators: only ATC Brokers offers CIMA.
- Founded is lower at Admirals: 2001 vs 2005.
- Admirals is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Admirals: $25 vs $2,000.
- Markets: only Admirals offers Stocks, ETFs, Bonds.
- Markets: only ATC Brokers offers Metals.
Our verdict on each
Admirals
Admirals suits retail investors who want one account across several markets with UK regulation behind it. Costs sit mid pack: a stock trade fee of $0.02 and an inactivity fee of €10 put it ahead of some rivals and behind cheaper ones.
ATC Brokers
ATC Brokers suits experienced UK and European traders who want a properly regulated account rather than a cheap one to start. The minimum deposit of $2,000 is well above the site median of €4.64, and the firm answers to the FCA in GB and CIMA in Cayman Islands.
Score breakdown
| Area | Admirals | ATC Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8HigherA stock trade fee of $0.02 on a $25 minimum deposit, plus €10 for idling. | 8.2Minimum deposit sits at $2,000 against a site median of €4.64, and a demo account is available. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 8.9 |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.3 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Admirals | ATC Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 27 of 147 | 73 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 25 of 145 | 71 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 21 of 122 | 62 of 122 |
Also worth a look
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $25 for Admirals and $2,000 for ATC Brokers.
ActivTrades reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Admirals | ATC Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced |
| Legal entity | Admirals SC Ltd | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2001Lower | 2005 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Admirals | ATC Brokers | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $25at the median | $2,000highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0.020highest quarter | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | €10above the median | Not confirmed | €2.45 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Admirals
Pros
- Regulated by the FCA in the UK, plus CySEC and ASIC, so UK clients sit under a UK watchdog and client asset rules
- Investor protection stated as FSCS up to GBP 85,000
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex, so forex, CFDs, shares, ETFs, crypto and bonds sit in one place
Cons
- An inactivity fee of €10 applies, and it ranks high at 39 of 56 brands on this measure
- The stock trade fee of $0.02 sits above the site median of €0, and above the commission free model offered by eToro at $0
- The minimum deposit of $25 ranks at 120 of 213, so it is not the cheapest account to open
ATC Brokers
Pros
- Regulated in GB by the FCA under licence 591361 and in KY by CIMA under licence 1448274
- Investor protection of FSCS up to GBP 85,000 on UK-regulated business
- Markets span forex, cfds and crypto
Cons
- A minimum deposit of $2,000 is high next to the site median of €4.64
- A wire transfer costs Intl wire USD 40
- Leverage of 200:1 on retail accounts magnifies losses
Who each suits
Admirals
Who it suits
- UK retail investors who want an FCA regulated account covering shares, ETFs, forex, CFDs, crypto and bonds in one place
- Investors who hold across asset classes and want FSCS up to GBP 85,000 behind the balance
- Traders who can start small on a $25 minimum deposit and trade on a $0.02 stock fee
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a commission free stock deal, where eToro charges $0
- Long term holders who leave a balance untouched, since the inactivity fee runs at €10
- Anyone starting with no money at all, since CFI opens on a minimum deposit of $0 and Vantage on $5
ATC Brokers
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know how much they want to deposit
- UK residents who want the money covered by a UK protection scheme
- Traders who want forex, CFDs, crypto and metals on the same account
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners testing small amounts, who face a high minimum deposit
- Anyone wanting many share and ETF listings, since the market list centres on forex, cfds and crypto
Questions about each
Admirals
What does Admirals charge to trade a stock?+
A stock trade fee of $0.02 applies on trades. That is above the site median of €0, so a reader who deals in shares often should weigh the cost against a commission free alternative before committing.
How much do I need to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $25. The site median across tracked brands is €4.64, and Admirals ranks at 120 of 213 on this measure, so the entry point is accessible without being the lowest available.
ATC Brokers
How much do I need to deposit to start?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000. That is a high starting point, and it sits well above the site median of €4.64. If you want to test the service first, a demo account is available, so you can learn the platform without funding anything.
Who regulates ATC Brokers?+
Regulators are listed as FCA and CIMA. In GB the firm holds FCA licence 591361, and in KY it holds CIMA licence 1448274. Two licences in two jurisdictions means you should confirm which entity your account sits under before you transfer money.
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