Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Admirals vs Markets.com
Where Admirals and Markets.com differ
| Compare |  Admirals |  Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $25Lower | $100 |
| Stock trade fee | $0.020 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | €10 | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread bettingCovers more |
| Regulators | FCA, CySEC, ASIC | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASICCovers more |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:30 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.3.
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers FSCA.
- Markets.com is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Admirals: $25 vs $100.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Markets.com: $0 vs $0.020.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Spread betting.
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.
Markets.com
Markets.com suits retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting under a single account with no commission charged on share dealing. Stock trades carry fees of $0 and the account fee is $0, though the $100 minimum deposit and an inactivity charge of $10 are the figures to weigh.
Score breakdown
| Area | Admirals | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8A stock trade fee of $0.02 on a $25 minimum deposit, plus €10 for idling. | 8.9HigherCommission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.7 | 9.7 |
| Trust | 9.5 | 9.9Higher |
Which one suits you
Pick Admirals if minimum deposit matter most.
Pick Markets.com if trust, stock trade fee, markets, and regulators matter most.
What we checked
Admirals
- beinoptions.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxscouts.ng: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- premiumtrading.co: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxleaders.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- olxforex.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Markets.com
- markets.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wecomparebrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- commodity.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- investingreviews.co.uk: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Admirals | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 64 of 471 | 49 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 27 of 147 | 19 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 25 of 145 | 17 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 21 of 122 | 15 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Admirals | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Admirals SC Ltd | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Founded | 2001 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Admirals | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $25at the median | $100above the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0.020highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4%above the median | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6%above the median | 0.45% |
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
Markets.com
Pros
- Stock trades carry fees of $0 on a commission-free model, so placing a share trade is not chargeable
- The account fee is $0, which ranks Markets.com at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money on and off the account stays cheap
Cons
- An inactivity charge of $10 catches dormant balances, placing Markets.com at 35 of 56 brands on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 is heavy, ranking at 148 of 213 brands, so a smaller opening balance rules it out
- A currency conversion fee of 0.6% sits on top of the commission-free model, so currency trades cost more than the share trades priced at $0
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
Markets.com
Who it suits
- Retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting inside a single account
- Investors who trade often enough to clear the $100 minimum and steer clear of the $10 inactivity charge
- UK residents who want the account run by Finalto Financial Services Limited under the FCA
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone opening with a small balance, since the $100 minimum deposit compares with a site median of €4.64 while CFI takes $0 and Vantage takes $5
- Long term holders of an idle balance, because an inactivity charge of $10 applies
- Traders who mainly want forex and the lowest way in, since CFI and Vantage set minimum deposits at $0 and $5
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.
Markets.com
Does Markets.com charge commission on shares?+
The pricing model is commission-free, and stock trades carry fees of $0 on the trade itself. Currency conversion of 0.6% and an inactivity charge of $10 sit outside that figure, so regular traders should build both into the running cost.
Is there a monthly or annual account fee?+
Fees run $0 on the account, which ranks Markets.com at 1 out of 138 brands on that measure. Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees as well, so funding the account and taking money back out stay clear of extra charges.
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