Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CFI vs Markets.com
What sets them apart
| Compare |  CFI |  Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $100 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread bettingCovers more |
| Regulators | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, FCA | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66% | 72.4% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit fees | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Platforms | MT5, TradingView, CFI Multi Asset, CFI Trading App | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
Same on both: Investor protection (EU ICS up to EUR 20,000).
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Key differences
- CFI scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.5.
- Regulators: only CFI offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers CySEC, FSCA, ASIC.
- Markets.com is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at CFI: $0 vs $100.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Bonds, Spread betting.
- Platforms: only CFI offers TradingView, CFI Multi Asset, CFI Trading App.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4.
- Features: only Markets.com offers Copy trading, Crypto.
Our verdict on each
CFI
CFI suits traders who want one account covering stocks, etfs and forex on a commission-free model commission free, with a minimum deposit of $0 and a Cyprus entity licensed by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA. Note that 66% of retail accounts lose money, and protection under the EU scheme is limited.
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 | CFI | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7Higher | 8.9Commission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.6 | 9.7Higher |
| Trust | 9.4 | 9.9Higher |
What each covers
| Markets | CFI | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Spread betting | No | Yes |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | CFI | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 34 of 490 | 40 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 12 of 147 | 16 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 10 of 145 | 14 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 11 of 122 | 13 of 122 |
Pick CFI if, pick Markets.com if
Pick CFI if cost and minimum deposit matter most.
Pick Markets.com if trust and markets matter most.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CFI | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, CryptoCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Founded | 1998 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CFI | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $100above the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66%below the median | 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
CFI
Pros
- No minimum deposit, at $0, and No deposit fees, so funding does not cost a fee and the account can open at any size.
- Regulated on both sides of Europe: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA, with the Cyprus entity named as Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd.
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex rather than forcing separate apps per asset class.
Cons
- Protection caps out at EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 on the Cyprus entity, so balances above that sit outside the scheme.
- 66% of retail accounts lose money, which is the risk that matters most for anyone sizing a position.
- Leverage sits alongside shares and ETFs in stocks, etfs and forex, so a single account mixes instruments with very different risk levels.
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
CFI
Who it suits
- People who want stocks, etfs and forex held in one place instead of several broker accounts.
- Traders who prefer the commission-free model commission free and a minimum deposit of $0 over a larger entry threshold.
- Savers who want a Cyprus or UK regulated option, given Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA and the Cyprus licence 179/12.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a wider asset list, since stocks, etfs and forex runs to futures as well and CFI's list is stocks, etfs and forex.
- EU traders who want a rival with a low entry point, such as XTB at €0.
- Traders put off by losses in the retail book, where 66% lose money and the median here is 70.15%.
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
CFI
What is the minimum deposit to open a CFI account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened at any size and a first deposit does not have to clear a threshold. For comparison, Vantage lists $5 and XTB €0. The median minimum across the brands ranked is €4.64, and the highest reaches €26,308.87. CFI places 1 of 213 on that measure.
Does CFI charge commission on trades?+
CFI trades on a commission-free model, commission free, so positions are opened without a per-trade commission charge. The cost of a trade therefore sits in the spread and the market rather than in a commission line. Commission-free models are common in the field, appearing for 69.8% of the brands compared. Low-fee models sit alongside them at 40.5%.
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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