Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ChoiceTrade vs Markets.com
What sets them apart
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $10 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread betting |
| Regulators | SIPC | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite, Mobile Apps | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Options contract fee | $0.40 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($100), Stock trade fee ($0).
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
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only ChoiceTrade offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers CySEC, FCA, FSCA.
- Markets.com is licensed in 3 more countries.
- Account fee is lower at Markets.com: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only ChoiceTrade offers Options.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Platforms: only ChoiceTrade offers ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite, Mobile Apps.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4.
- Support channels: only Markets.com offers Help centre.
Our verdict on each
ChoiceTrade
ChoiceTrade runs commission-free stock and ETF dealing, with an account fee of $10 and a minimum deposit of $100. It suits experienced US traders who want a long-standing, SIPC protected broker and do not mind paying to hold the account. Options cost $0.40 per contract.
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 | ChoiceTrade | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Trade fee of $0 is the cheapest measure, offset by an account fee of $10 and an options fee of $0.40 per contract | 8.9Commission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.0 | 9.7Higher |
| Trust | 8.9 | 9.9Higher |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | ChoiceTrade | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 156 of 471 | 49 of 471 |
What it costs in practice
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
ChoiceTrade
$10
48 × $0 + 1 × $10
Markets.com
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Markets.com costs $10 less.
Excludes currency conversion fee (not stated by ChoiceTrade). Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | ChoiceTrade | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Spread betting | No | Yes |
What we checked
ChoiceTrade
- choicetrade.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Markets.com
- markets.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wecomparebrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- commodity.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- investingreviews.co.uk: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ChoiceTrade | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, CryptoCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Experienced | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more |
| Legal entity | LETSGOTRADE INC | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2000 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ChoiceTrade | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $100above the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $10above the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4%above the median | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6%above the median | 0.45% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
ChoiceTrade
Pros
- Stock trades carry a fee of $0 and rank first among 161 brands on that measure
- Members of SIPC, with protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Trading platforms include ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite and Mobile Apps, so orders can go from desktop to phone
Cons
- An account fee of $10 applies, which ranks 114 of 138 on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 ranks 148 of 213
- The audience is listed as experienced traders, so a first account may feel technical
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
ChoiceTrade
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free stock and ETF dealing on a US account
- Investors who value SIPC protection and a long operating history
- Anyone who wants demo practice before committing real money
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, which charges an account fee of $0
- CFI, which takes a minimum deposit of $0
- Vantage, whose minimum deposit is $5
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
Country by country
| Country | ChoiceTrade | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
ChoiceTrade
What does it cost to trade stocks at ChoiceTrade?+
Stock dealing is commission free, with a trade fee of $0. That is the measure on which the brand ranks 1 of 161, so trading itself adds nothing to the cost of a position.
Is there an account fee or minimum deposit?+
Yes. The account fee is $10 and the minimum deposit is $100. On account fee the brand ranks 114 of 138, so this is where it costs more than cheaper rivals.
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.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Markets.com vs Afranga
- Markets.com vs Nectaro
- ChoiceTrade vs quantfury
- ChoiceTrade vs Public
- ChoiceTrade vs Lightspeed Financial
- ChoiceTrade vs Capital.com
- ChoiceTrade vs Finhabits
- ChoiceTrade vs Totality
- ChoiceTrade vs Spreadex
- ChoiceTrade vs Zacks Trade
- ChoiceTrade vs Freetrade
- ChoiceTrade vs Firstrade
- ChoiceTrade vs TradeStation
- ChoiceTrade vs Mitrade
- ChoiceTrade vs Trade Nation
- ChoiceTrade vs IG
- ChoiceTrade vs Charles Schwab
- ChoiceTrade vs Saxo
- Markets.com vs ActivTrades
- Markets.com vs XTB
- Markets.com vs NAGA
- ChoiceTrade vs eToro
- Markets.com vs bunq
- ChoiceTrade vs Robinhood
- ChoiceTrade vs Kraken
- Markets.com vs EBC Financial Group
- ChoiceTrade vs Traders Place
- ChoiceTrade vs CapTrader
- Markets.com vs willbe