Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ATC Brokers vs TradeStation
Where ATC Brokers and TradeStation differ
| Compare |  ATC Brokers |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | FCA, CIMA | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Intl wire USD 40 | free deposits |
| Platforms | MT4, MT Pro | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Maximum retail leverage | 200:1 | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.15% |
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Key differences
- TradeStation scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only ATC Brokers offers FCA, CIMA.
- Regulators: only TradeStation offers SIPC.
- Founded is lower at TradeStation: 1982 vs 2005.
- ATC Brokers is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at TradeStation: $0 vs $2,000.
- Markets: only ATC Brokers offers CFDs, Metals.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Stocks, ETFs, Options.
- Platforms: only ATC Brokers offers MT4, MT Pro.
- Platforms: only TradeStation offers TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile.
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.
TradeStation
TradeStation suits experienced traders who want one account spanning stocks, options, futures and forex, and it is headed in the US. Stock trades cost $0, options run $0.50 a contract, deposits are free deposits, and an inactivity fee of $10 applies to dormant accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | ATC Brokers | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.2Minimum deposit sits at $2,000 against a site median of €4.64, and a demo account is available. | 9.2HigherStock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.4HigherOne account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 9.3Higher | 9.2 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | ATC Brokers | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| ETFs | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Metals | Yes | No |
Availability and regulation
| Country | ATC Brokers | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cayman Islands | CIMA 1448274 | Not confirmed |
| United Kingdom | FCA 591361 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
What we checked
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
TradeStation
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- financer.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- nerdwallet.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | ATC Brokers | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 73 of 147 | 44 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 71 of 145 | 42 of 145 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ATC Brokers | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free, Low fees |
| Audience | Experienced | Experienced, Day tradersCovers more |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | 2005 | 1982Lower |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ATC Brokers | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50below the median | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.15%lowest quarter | 3% |
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
TradeStation
Pros
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, so equities, derivatives and bonds trade side by side without extra logins.
- Stock trades cost $0 and deposits are free deposits, so there is nothing extra to fund the account.
- Platforms run from TradeStation desktop, web and mobile, so charts and order tickets travel with you between desk and phone.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies, so a dormant balance keeps being charged rather than left alone.
- Options contracts are charged at $0.50 each, even though the equity model is listed as commission free and low fees.
- Currency conversion costs 0.5%, so trading across currencies adds a cut to the trade price.
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
TradeStation
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know which markets they want to reach and trade them often
- Day traders who need desktop, web and mobile order entry on one and the same account
- Retirement savers who want one account that also carries options, futures and forex markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who trade a single asset class: CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and stops short of the bonds and funds here
- Readers who prefer the eToro route, where stocks, etfs and forex leaves out the bond and fund side of this account
- Readers who want a published entry threshold: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5 against the $0 here
Country by country
| Country | ATC Brokers | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
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.
TradeStation
How much does TradeStation charge to buy shares?+
Stock trades are commission free at $0, and options are charged separately at $0.50 per contract. Currency conversion costs 0.5%, while deposits are free deposits, so the everyday cost of trading sits in the currency line rather than the share price.
Is my money protected at TradeStation?+
TradeStation sits under SIPC in the US, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a member reference of SIPC member 48711. That cover applies to securities held if the firm fails, not to losses on a falling position.
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