Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
FOREX.com vs Lime Financial
FOREX.com vs Lime Financial: the differences
| Compare |  FOREX.com |  Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100Lower | $30,000 |
| Markets | Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures |
| Regulators | FCA, NFA/CFTC, ASIC | FINRA, NFA |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 74% | Not confirmed |
| EUR/USD spread | 1.2% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 12.5% |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web, Lime Trader Mobile, Lime Direct, Sterling, CQG, TakeProfit |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint, Corporate |
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Key differences
- Regulators: only FOREX.com offers FCA, NFA/CFTC, ASIC.
- Regulators: only Lime Financial offers FINRA, NFA.
- FOREX.com is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at FOREX.com: $100 vs $30,000.
- Markets: only FOREX.com offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Lime Financial offers Stocks, ETFs, Options.
- Features: only FOREX.com offers Crypto.
- Features: only Lime Financial offers Options, Futures.
Our verdict on each
FOREX.com
FOREX.com suits UK retail traders who want one commission-free account covering forex, CFDs and crypto under a named UK regulator. The trade-off is the price of entry: a $100 minimum deposit sits well above the €4.64 median across the brands compared here.
Lime Financial
Lime Financial suits experienced traders and active day traders who want options and futures on a commission-free basis. Stock trades cost $0 and the account is regulated by FINRA and NFA with SIPC protection, but the account starts at $30,000, so the entry point is the trade-off.
Score breakdown
| Area | FOREX.com | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.3Commission-free pricing with a 1.2% EUR/USD spread, though the $100 minimum deposit is steep against the €4.64 site median. | 8.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, but opening requires $30,000, well past the €4.64 site median. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 9.8Higher | 9.4 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | FOREX.com | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| United States | FINRA 11826 | |
| Australia | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
If neither fits
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $100 for FOREX.com and $30,000 for Lime Financial.
ActivTrades reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | FOREX.com | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Mobile app | Options, Futures, Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Lime Trading Corp. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2000 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | FOREX.com | Lime Financial | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $30,000highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 74%above the median | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| EUR/USD spread | 1.2%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.65% |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 12.5%highest quarter | 8.75% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
FOREX.com
Pros
- Commission-free pricing means the 1.2% EUR/USD spread is the cost you can actually see before you trade
- Regulated in the UK by the FCA, in the US by the NFA/CFTC and in Australia by the ASIC
- UK clients have investor protection of FSCS up to GBP 85,000 behind the firm
Cons
- The $100 minimum deposit sits above $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage, so entry is the main hurdle
- Retail accounts lose money at 74%, above the 70.15% median for the brands compared here
- The range stops at forex, CFDs and crypto, without the shares, ETFs and futures that appear in stocks, etfs and forex
Lime Financial
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 on a commission-free model, so no per-trade charge
- Options and futures are available alongside stocks, etfs and options
- Regulated by FINRA and NFA, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $30,000 puts Lime Financial beyond most starter accounts, ranking 210 of 213 on this measure
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre with no live chat listed
Who each suits
FOREX.com
Who it suits
- UK retail traders who want one commission-free account across forex, CFDs and crypto
- Traders who want a demo account to size up the platform before funding the $100 deposit
- People who put weight on a named UK regulator and FSCS up to GBP 85,000
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone starting with a small sum, since CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5 against a $100 entry here
- Share and ETF investors, because eToro's range runs to stocks, etfs and forex
Lime Financial
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free options and futures
- Day traders working across Lime Trader, Lime Trader Web and Lime Trader Mobile
- US accounts holders wanting SIPC protection
Who should look elsewhere
- Beginners building a first portfolio, who should look at CFI with a $0 entry point
- Small savers, who should compare Vantage at $5
- Readers wanting forex, CFDs or crypto, which sit outside stocks, etfs and options
Country by country
| Country | FOREX.com | Lime Financial |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
FOREX.com
What does it cost to trade forex on FOREX.com?+
Pricing is commission-free, so the cost sits in the spread rather than a separate deal charge. The euro against the dollar carries a spread of 1.2%, and that figure is the one to watch if you trade often or in size. The commission-free model runs across the account, not on one pair alone.
How much do I need to deposit to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $100. That is a clear step up from the €4.64 median across the brands compared here, and well above $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage. Plan the funding before you open, because the threshold applies at the account level.
Lime Financial
What does it cost to trade stocks at Lime Financial?+
Stock trades cost $0, and the account runs on a commission-free model. There is no per-trade charge for equities. The catch is the entry requirement: a minimum deposit of $30,000 to open the account.
How much do I need to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $30,000. That is a high bar for a first account, ranking 210 of 213 brands on this comparison. Readers with a smaller starting balance would be better served elsewhere.
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