Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
FOREX.com vs Markets.com
What sets them apart
| Compare |  FOREX.com |  Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread bettingCovers more |
| Regulators | FCA, NFA/CFTC, ASIC | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 74% | 72.4% |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| EUR/USD spread | 1.2% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($100).
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
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.1.
- Regulators: only FOREX.com offers NFA/CFTC.
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers CySEC, FSCA.
- Markets.com is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Stocks, ETFs, Bonds.
- Features: only Markets.com offers Copy trading.
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.
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 | FOREX.com | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 8.9HigherCommission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.7Higher |
| Trust | 9.8 | 9.9Higher |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | FOREX.com | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ||
| United Kingdom | FCA 481853 | |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| South Africa | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | FOREX.com | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 48 of 147 | 19 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 46 of 145 | 17 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 39 of 122 | 15 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | FOREX.com | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Mobile app | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, CryptoCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | FOREX.com | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $100above the median | $25 |
| 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 | 74%above the median | 72.4%above the median | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6%above the median | 0.45% |
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
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
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
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
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.
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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