Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
EC Markets vs Kraken
Where EC Markets and Kraken differ
| Compare |  EC Markets |  Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $1Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, Futures |
| Regulators | SIPC | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:1000 | Up to 10x |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 |
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
- Kraken scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only EC Markets offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority.
- Kraken is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Kraken: $1 vs $10.
- Markets: only EC Markets offers CFDs, Metals.
- Markets: only Kraken offers Futures.
- Platforms: only EC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App.
- Platforms: only Kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
- Features: only Kraken offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
EC Markets
EC Markets suits active traders who want retail leverage of 1:1000 across forex, CFDs, stocks and crypto in one account. The US entity behind the brand, RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC, sits under SIPC up to USD 500,000, so the safety side is easier to check than with an offshore-only broker.
Kraken
Kraken suits beginners and experienced investors who want stocks, ETFs and crypto together through app and desktop access. Stock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1 and funding terms shown as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 for cost planning across small balance accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | EC Markets | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0The $10 minimum deposit sits below the €4.64 site median, so the cost of opening an account is low. | 9.3HigherStock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 9.0Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex accessed through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop. |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.3HigherRegisters cite 1010381 and 31000270997766. |
Feature by feature
| Markets | EC Markets | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Metals | Yes | No |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | EC Markets | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 138 of 471 | 21 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | EC Markets | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Crypto, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EC Markets | Kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10below the median | $1below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
EC Markets
Pros
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex, so you are not locked into a single asset class.
- You can trade on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App, with the mobile app listed under mobile app.
Cons
- Retail leverage of 1:1000 magnifies losses, and on the site's forex list 72.13% of retail accounts lose money.
- The $10 entry point sits above CFI's $0 and Vantage's $5, so the cheapest way in is elsewhere.
Kraken
Pros
- Stock trades priced at $0 within a model shown as commission free.
- Entry at $1, below $50 at eToro for smaller starting balances.
- Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex, pairing stocks and ETFs with crypto and futures.
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only, without phone or live chat help found at many rivals.
- Card funding terms run Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, which adds cost next to bank transfer options.
- Entry at $1 sits above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB for tight budgets.
Who each suits
EC Markets
Who it suits
- Active traders who want 1:1000 retail leverage on forex and CFDs
- US-based investors who want protection stated at SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Newcomers who can start at $10 and learn on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, if you want to open an account with no minimum at $0
- Vantage, if the entry deposit matters more than the market list, since it starts at $5
- eToro, if you trade futures, which its market list stocks, etfs and forex covers
Kraken
Who it suits
- You want stocks plus crypto in stocks, ETFs and forex in a single login rather than an equity only account at XTB.
- You want app led dealing through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop with modest entry at $1 rather than higher entry at eToro at $50.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want phone or chat help rather than help centre only, consider XTB or ActivTrades for wider contact choice.
- You want the lowest cash entry rather than $1, consider ActivTrades at $0 or XTB at €0.
Questions about each
EC Markets
What is the minimum deposit at EC Markets?+
The minimum deposit is $10 to fund an account. That sits above the €4.64 site median, so it is a low entry point rather than the lowest one available. Anyone starting small should confirm which account the deposit applies to before adding funds.
Is money held at EC Markets protected?+
Protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000, under the SIPC scheme named in the brand's licences. That figure is the scheme's stated ceiling rather than a promise of returns, and the scheme's own terms set the conditions, so read them before depositing.
Kraken
What does Kraken charge for stock trades+
Stock dealing is priced at $0 and Kraken describes its model as commission free. Bank funding is framed separately as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, so card use adds cost while bank transfer terms remain distinct. Check the fee schedule before placing orders.
What is the minimum deposit to open an account+
Account entry is set at $1. That level sits below $50 at eToro, yet above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB. It keeps starting balances modest while leaving room for funding charges.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Kraken vs Nexo
- Kraken vs Afranga
- Kraken vs Nectaro
- EC Markets vs Exness
- EC Markets vs Swissquote
- EC Markets vs VT Markets
- EC Markets vs Hfm Partners
- EC Markets vs Vantage Markets
- EC Markets vs Lightspeed Financial
- EC Markets vs Trade Nation
- EC Markets vs FXCM
- EC Markets vs Saxo
- EC Markets vs LMAX Exchange
- EC Markets vs IG
- EC Markets vs Stash
- EC Markets vs CFI
- EC Markets vs Alpari
- EC Markets vs Capital.com
- EC Markets vs ActivTrades
- Kraken vs DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank)
- EC Markets vs XTB
- Kraken vs bunq
- Kraken vs Mintos
- EC Markets vs Bitpanda
- Kraken vs Robinhood
- Kraken vs willbe
- EC Markets vs BlackBull Markets