Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
EBC Financial Group vs Markets.com
What sets them apart
| Compare |  EBC Financial Group |  Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50Lower | $100 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread bettingCovers more |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, EBC mobile app | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:500 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only EBC Financial Group offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers CySEC, FCA, FSCA.
- Markets.com is licensed in 3 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at EBC Financial Group: $50 vs $100.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Bonds, Spread betting.
- Platforms: only EBC Financial Group offers EBC mobile app.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App.
- Features: only Markets.com offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
EBC Financial Group
EBC Financial Group suits UK traders who want a single account covering forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs and crypto, held with a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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 | EBC Financial Group | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Entry amount of $50 against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage, with retail leverage up to 1:500. | 8.9HigherCommission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.4 | 9.7Higher |
| Trust | 9.1 | 9.9Higher |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | EBC Financial Group | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Spread betting | No | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | EBC Financial Group | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 16 of 490 | 40 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 6 of 147 | 16 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 6 of 145 | 14 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 6 of 122 | 13 of 122 |
| Copy trading platforms | 3 of 37 | 4 of 37 |
If neither fits
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $50 for EBC Financial Group and $100 for Markets.com.
ActivTrades reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | EBC Financial Group | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, CryptoCovers more |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1994 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EBC Financial Group | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50above 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 | 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
EBC Financial Group
Pros
- Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under licence 927552
- One account covers stocks, etfs and forex without needing a second firm
- Platforms in MT4, MT5 and EBC mobile app cover both MetaTrader terminals plus the EBC mobile app
Cons
- Retail leverage runs to 1:500, so a modest balance can be lost quickly
- The entry amount of $50 is above $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage
- Bonds, funds and futures are not among its stocks, etfs and forex
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
EBC Financial Group
Who it suits
- UK residents who want an account with a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority
- Traders who want forex, CFDs and crypto handled in the same place
- Copy trading users, since demo account, copy trading and mobile app lists it
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, whose minimum deposit is $0, if you want a smaller starting balance
- Vantage, at $5, is another option for a lighter entry
- eToro, whose markets reach stocks, etfs and forex, for anyone also wanting bonds, funds or futures
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
EBC Financial Group
How much do I need to deposit to start?+
The minimum deposit is $50. For comparison, CFI lists $0 and Vantage lists $5, and the median minimum deposit across brands on the site is €4.64. That sits at the higher end of the field, so check it against the balance you intend to hold.
Is my money protected if something goes wrong?+
Yes. EBC Financial Group is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and holds licence 927552. Eligible deposits are covered to the limit stated in the FSCS up to GBP 85,000 scheme, and that protection sits with the regulated entity rather than the brand name.
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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