Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ATC Brokers vs EC Markets
What sets them apart
| Compare |  ATC Brokers |  EC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | $10Lower |
| Markets | Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, MetalsCovers more |
| Regulators | FCA, CIMA | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | MT4, MT Pro | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App |
| Maximum retail leverage | 200:1 | 1:1000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Intl wire USD 40 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- EC Markets scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only ATC Brokers offers FCA, CIMA.
- Regulators: only EC Markets offers SIPC.
- ATC Brokers is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at EC Markets: $10 vs $2,000.
- Markets: only EC Markets offers Stocks, ETFs.
- Platforms: only ATC Brokers offers MT4, MT Pro.
- Platforms: only EC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App.
- Features: only ATC Brokers offers Demo account.
- Features: only EC Markets offers Mobile app.
Our verdict on each
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.
EC Markets
EC Markets suits active traders who want retail leverage of 1:1000 across forex, CFDs, stocks and crypto in one account. The US entity behind the brand, RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC, sits under SIPC up to USD 500,000, so the safety side is easier to check than with an offshore-only broker.
Score breakdown
| Area | ATC Brokers | EC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.2Minimum deposit sits at $2,000 against a site median of €4.64, and a demo account is available. | 9.0HigherThe $10 minimum deposit sits below the €4.64 site median, so the cost of opening an account is low. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 8.6 |
How they place
| Ranking | ATC Brokers | EC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 73 of 147 | 58 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 71 of 145 | 56 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 62 of 122 | 47 of 122 |
Sources behind this comparison
ATC Brokers
- compareforexbrokers.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- atcbrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokersome.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- fxleaders.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
EC Markets
- ecmarkets.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ATC Brokers | EC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account | Mobile app |
| Audience | Experienced | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
| Founded | 2005 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ATC Brokers | EC Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | $10below the median | $25 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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
EC Markets
Pros
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex, so you are not locked into a single asset class.
- You can trade on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App, with the mobile app listed under mobile app.
Cons
- Retail leverage of 1:1000 magnifies losses, and on the site's forex list 72.13% of retail accounts lose money.
- The $10 entry point sits above CFI's $0 and Vantage's $5, so the cheapest way in is elsewhere.
Who each suits
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
EC Markets
Who it suits
- Active traders who want 1:1000 retail leverage on forex and CFDs
- US-based investors who want protection stated at SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Newcomers who can start at $10 and learn on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, if you want to open an account with no minimum at $0
- Vantage, if the entry deposit matters more than the market list, since it starts at $5
- eToro, if you trade futures, which its market list stocks, etfs and forex covers
Questions about each
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.
EC Markets
What is the minimum deposit at EC Markets?+
The minimum deposit is $10 to fund an account. That sits above the €4.64 site median, so it is a low entry point rather than the lowest one available. Anyone starting small should confirm which account the deposit applies to before adding funds.
Is money held at EC Markets protected?+
Protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000, under the SIPC scheme named in the brand's licences. That figure is the scheme's stated ceiling rather than a promise of returns, and the scheme's own terms set the conditions, so read them before depositing.
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