Updated September 30, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
cTrader vs MarketXLS
Where cTrader and MarketXLS differ
| Compare |  cTrader |  MarketXLS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $19Lower | $70 |
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Tool type | Charting | Screener, Charting, Research, Portfolio tracker, Market dataCovers more |
| Markets | Forex, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, FundsCovers more |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Web, iOS, AndroidCovers more | Windows, Mac, Web |
| Money-back period | 14 days | 30 daysHigher |
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Key differences
- MarketXLS scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Money-back period is higher at MarketXLS: 30 days vs 14 days.
- Price from is lower at cTrader: $19 vs $70.
- Free plan: only cTrader.
- Markets: only MarketXLS offers Stocks, ETFs, Funds.
- Platforms: only cTrader offers iOS, Android.
- Support channels: only cTrader offers Email.
- Support channels: only MarketXLS offers Chat, Phone.
- Tool type: only MarketXLS offers Screener, Research, Portfolio tracker.
- Pricing model: only cTrader offers Free plan.
Our verdict on each
cTrader
cTrader suits traders who want a charting workspace for forex and crypto and will use it on more than one device. Entry price of $19 sits below GeVestor at €24.95, and a free plan keeps the first look free. A 14 day money back window softens the switch.
MarketXLS
MarketXLS suits active spreadsheet investors who want screening, charting and portfolio tracking tied to live data across stocks, ETFs and forex. Pricing starts at $70 with support across chat, phone and help centre, and the package earns an offer mark of 9.8.
Score breakdown
| Area | cTrader | MarketXLS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4HigherEntry price of $19 and a free plan, with a 14 day money back window. | 8.3Entry sits at $70 with cover across stocks, ETFs and forex. |
| Offer | 9.5Charting tool covering forex and crypto across Windows, Mac and Web. | 9.8HigherToolkit spans screener, charting and research with access via Windows, Mac and Web. |
| Trust | 8.1Runs as cTrader Ltd from CY, with email, help centre and community for queries. | 9.0HigherProvider is MarketXLS Limited with refund cover of 30 days. |
Side by side, item by item
| Tool type | cTrader | MarketXLS |
|---|---|---|
| Screener | No | Yes |
| Charting | Yes | Yes |
| Research | No | Yes |
| Portfolio tracker | No | Yes |
| Market data | No | Yes |
| Markets | cTrader | MarketXLS |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| ETFs | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | cTrader | MarketXLS |
|---|---|---|
| Investing research tools | 3 of 34 | 8 of 34 |
Sources behind this comparison
cTrader
- ctrader.com: 8 facts, checked September 30, 2026
- help.ctrader.com: 2 facts, checked September 30, 2026
MarketXLS
- marketxls.com: 11 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | cTrader | MarketXLS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free plan | Free trial |
| Legal entity | cTrader Ltd | MarketXLS Limited |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Ireland |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2016 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Chat, Phone, Help centre, Community |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | cTrader | MarketXLS | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $19below the median | $70highest quarter | $29 |
| Money-back period | 14 dayslowest quarter | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 13 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
cTrader
Pros
- A free plan lets you learn the charting workspace before any payment.
- Price starts at $19, under €24.95 for GeVestor.
- Charts cover forex and crypto on Windows, Mac and Web, so a study can move between devices without losing the layout.
Cons
- A free plan is a testing tier, not the full picture: the paid price starts at $19.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no phone line listed.
- Markets are limited to forex and crypto, so shares and bonds sit outside the charting scope.
MarketXLS
Pros
- Covers stocks, ETFs and forex, giving equity, fund, currency and crypto context in a common place
- Toolkit spans screener, charting and research, useful where screening and tracking sit beside research
- Runs across Windows, Mac and Web, so access is not tied to a single device route
Cons
- There is no free plan, so ongoing access depends on paid cover at $70
- Cover centres on stocks, ETFs and forex, so derivatives and bond specialists may look elsewhere
- Value depends on comfort with Windows, Mac and Web, since setup is tied to those routes
Who each suits
cTrader
Who it suits
- Traders who want charting rather than a screen of company research.
- Readers who work across Windows, Mac and Web and need the same charts on desktop and mobile.
- Beginners who want to try a platform at no cost before paying $19.
Who should look elsewhere
- People after share research, since The Oxford Club covers stocks instead.
- Readers who want a phone line, as cTrader offers email, help centre and community.
MarketXLS
Who it suits
- Investors who screen stocks and ETFs then track positions using screener, charting and research
- Spreadsheet users who want access across Windows, Mac and Web with help via chat, phone and help centre
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want a free plan may prefer The Oxford Club, which retains free plan access
- Readers chasing the lowest entry price may prefer LemurTrade, which starts at $9 against $70
- Readers wanting newsletter style guidance in German may prefer GeVestor, which starts at €24.95
Current offers
cTrader
Current offer
First period offer
$50 off your first purchase: USD 50 off first purchase
Sign up required; applies to the first purchase in cTrader Store
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Questions about each
cTrader
What does cTrader cost to start?+
The paid offer starts at $19. That sits below GeVestor at €24.95 and above LemurTrade at $9, so it lands in the middle of the three on entry price. The 14 day money back window in the terms of use gives a short route back after paying.
Is there a free plan on cTrader?+
Yes. A free plan is available, and the model listed is the free plan tier. Many readers use it to test the charting tools on Windows, Mac and Web before paying $19. It is the quickest way to see whether the workspace suits how you follow forex and crypto.
MarketXLS
How much does MarketXLS cost to start?+
MarketXLS lists entry pricing at $70. There is no free plan, so continued access means paid cover. The trial route under free trial lets readers check fit before committing to a plan.
Does MarketXLS offer a free plan?+
There is no free plan in place. Access continues through paid cover starting at $70. Readers who need a no cost route may prefer an alternative that retains free plan access.