Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
EC Markets vs LMAX Exchange
What sets them apart
| Compare |  EC Markets |  LMAX Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10Lower | $1,000 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, MetalsCovers more | Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | SIPC | FCA, CySEC |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App | LMAX Global, MetaTrader4 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 67.64% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | No deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:1000 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- EC Markets scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only EC Markets offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only LMAX Exchange offers FCA, CySEC.
- LMAX Exchange is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at EC Markets: $10 vs $1,000.
- Markets: only EC Markets offers Stocks, ETFs, Metals.
- Platforms: only EC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App.
- Platforms: only LMAX Exchange offers LMAX Global, MetaTrader4.
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.
LMAX Exchange
LMAX Exchange suits experienced traders who want a regulated exchange rather than a casual platform. Fees on moving money are nil, and FSCS up to GBP 85,000 covers eligible claims, but the $1,000 entry requirement is high for a first account.
Score breakdown
| Area | EC Markets | LMAX Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0HigherThe $10 minimum deposit sits below the €4.64 site median, so the cost of opening an account is low. | 8.2Minimum deposit of $1,000 sits well above the $0 entry point, though No deposit or withdrawal fees adds nothing on funding. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 8.9 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.2Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | EC Markets | LMAX Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 58 of 147 | 77 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 56 of 145 | 75 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 47 of 122 | 65 of 122 |
Choosing between them
Pick EC Markets if cost, offer, minimum deposit, and markets matter most.
Pick LMAX Exchange if trust matter most.
Also worth a look
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $10 for EC Markets and $1,000 for LMAX Exchange.
ActivTrades reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | EC Markets | LMAX Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2010 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone, Chat |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EC Markets | LMAX Exchange | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10below the median | $1,000highest quarter | $25 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 67.64%below the median | 72.05% |
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.
LMAX Exchange
Pros
- No deposit or withdrawal fees, so funding an account costs nothing to arrange
- Regulated by the FCA in GB and CySEC in Cyprus, with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 behind eligible claims
- Trades on forex, cfds and crypto through the LMAX Global platform or MetaTrader4
Cons
- The $1,000 minimum is well above the $0 entry point
- forex, cfds and crypto covers forex, cfds and crypto only, so it suits active traders rather than investors
- Support runs on phone and chat only
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
LMAX Exchange
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know the markets listed
- Anyone who values a regulated exchange structure over a low starting deposit
- Traders who want phone and chat access for account questions
Who should look elsewhere
- First time traders, who face a high entry point compared with CFI at $0
- Share buyers, since forex, cfds and crypto does not include stocks and eToro covers stocks, etfs and forex
- Traders wanting crypto only, because Vantage opens at $5
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.
LMAX Exchange
What is the minimum deposit at LMAX Exchange?+
The minimum deposit is $1,000. That sits far above the $0 entry point at CFI, so traders building a first balance should check the amount they can commit before opening.
Are there fees for depositing or withdrawing?+
No. No deposit or withdrawal fees means funding and pulling money out does not cost an extra charge. That keeps the cost of running an account to the trading side rather than the cash movements.
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