Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Admirals vs TradeZero
What sets them apart
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0.020 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | €10 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, Options |
| Regulators | FCA, CySEC, ASIC | AFM |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Minimum deposit | $25 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 9% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.59 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | $15 wire transfer out |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | ZeroPro, ZeroFree, ZeroMobile, TZ1, TradingView |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:30 | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Admirals scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only Admirals offers FCA, CySEC, ASIC.
- Regulators: only TradeZero offers AFM.
- Founded is lower at Admirals: 2001 vs 2015.
- Admirals is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Stock trade fee is lower at TradeZero: $0 vs $0.020.
- Markets: only Admirals offers ETFs, Forex, CFDs.
- Markets: only TradeZero offers Options.
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.
TradeZero
TradeZero suits traders who want stocks and options on a single account without a per-trade commission, and the demo account gives beginners a place to practise. Options cost $0.59 a contract, and the account works through desktop, mobile and charting tools.
Score breakdown
| Area | Admirals | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8A stock trade fee of $0.02 on a $25 minimum deposit, plus €10 for idling. | 9.1HigherStock trades cost $0, ranking first of 161 brands on that fee, and the inactivity fee ranks first of 56. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.1 |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 8.6 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Admirals | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Licences and countries
| Country | Admirals | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Not confirmed | |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| Netherlands | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Admirals | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 64 of 471 | 169 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Admirals | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free, Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Admirals SC Ltd | TradeZero Europe B.V. |
| Founded | 2001Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Admirals | TradeZero | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $25at the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0.020highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 9%above the median | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.59below the median | $0.625 |
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
TradeZero
Pros
- Regulated in the Netherlands by AFM, with investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
- Margin positions run at a rate of 9%.
- A demo account and a mobile app are included, so the platform can be learned before funding.
Cons
- Support runs on chat and help centre only.
- A wire transfer out of the account costs $15 wire transfer out.
- The market range is stocks and options, so forex, crypto and metals are not covered.
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
TradeZero
Who it suits
- Traders buying stocks and options who do not want a per-trade commission.
- Beginners who want a demo account and a mobile app before putting money in.
- Day traders who work across several platforms rather than a single terminal.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone after forex, crypto or futures, where eToro covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Traders who want metals and CFDs beside stocks, which Vantage covers with forex, cfds and stocks.
Current offers
TradeZero
Current offer
Bonus
Welcome Offer WELCOME250: 250
with a $250+ deposit during sign-up
Source, checked September 26, 2026
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.
TradeZero
What does TradeZero charge to trade stocks and options?+
Stock trades cost $0 per trade, and options cost $0.59 a contract. The pricing model is described as commission-free and low-fee, so the per-order cost is the main thing to compare. The inactivity fee is $0, so an idle account is not charged.
Is my money protected if something goes wrong?+
The account is provided by TradeZero Europe B.V., which is licensed by AFM in the Netherlands. Investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, so money above that figure sits outside the scheme. Keeping larger balances elsewhere limits what is at stake.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Admirals vs Exness
- Admirals vs Interactive Brokers
- Admirals vs Trading 212
- Admirals vs FP Markets
- Admirals vs VT Markets
- Admirals vs TradeStation
- Admirals vs FXOpen
- Admirals vs Libertex
- Admirals vs LYNX
- Admirals vs Tradier
- Admirals vs Lightspeed Financial
- Admirals vs ATC Brokers
- Admirals vs Global Prime
- Admirals vs LiteFinance
- TradeZero vs ActivTrades
- Admirals vs XTB
- Admirals vs NAGA
- Admirals vs Linxea
- Admirals vs Mintos
- Admirals vs Bitpanda
- TradeZero vs Robinhood
- TradeZero vs Kraken
- Admirals vs EBC Financial Group
- Admirals vs CapTrader
- TradeZero vs Lightyear