Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs Markets.com
Where CapTrader and Markets.com differ
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | $100Lower |
| Stock trade fee | $2 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $0Lower | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread betting |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Options contract fee | €2 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Account fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Markets.com: $100 vs $2,000.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Markets.com: $0 vs $2.
- Inactivity fee is lower at CapTrader: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Options, Futures, Funds.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Spread betting.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4.
- Support channels: only Markets.com offers Email, Phone.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
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 | CapTrader | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 8.9HigherCommission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.7Higher |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.9 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | CapTrader | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 17 of 490 | 40 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 7 of 147 | 16 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 7 of 145 | 14 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 7 of 122 | 13 of 122 |
What each covers
| Markets | CapTrader | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | No | Yes |
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
CapTrader
$96
48 × $2 + 1 × $0
Markets.com
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Markets.com costs $96 less.
Excludes currency conversion fee (not stated by CapTrader). Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | $100above the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $2highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $10above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4%above the median | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6%above the median | 0.4% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
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
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
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
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
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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