Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
FXOpen vs Smartbroker
FXOpen vs Smartbroker: the differences
| Compare |  FXOpen |  Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | €0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Funds, Metals |
| Regulators | CySEC, FCA | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) |
| Platforms | TickTrader, MT4, MT5 | Web, App |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 60% | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.25% |
Same on both: Investor protection (EU ICS up to EUR 20,000).
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Key differences
- Smartbroker scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Regulators: only FXOpen offers CySEC, FCA.
- Regulators: only Smartbroker offers Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
- FXOpen is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only FXOpen offers Forex, CFDs.
- Markets: only Smartbroker offers Bonds, Funds, Metals.
- Platforms: only FXOpen offers TickTrader, MT4, MT5.
- Platforms: only Smartbroker offers Web, App.
- Features: only FXOpen offers Demo account.
Our verdict on each
FXOpen
FXOpen suits traders who want one account spanning forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs and crypto under FCA and CySEC oversight, with investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000. The minimum deposit of $100 is the catch, placing it well above the site median of €4.64 and above Vantage at $5.
Smartbroker
Smartbroker runs a European brokerage with a €0 account fee and a €0 minimum deposit, which puts it at 1 on the site for deposit levels. It suits investors who want stocks, ETFs, funds and crypto in one account and would rather not pay a monthly charge.
Score breakdown
| Area | FXOpen | Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5 | 9.5Higher |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 9.2Low-fees model across stocks, etfs and crypto, supervised by BaFin and Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and reachable on email, phone and help centre. |
| Trust | 9.5 | 9.5 |
How they place
| Ranking | FXOpen | Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 114 of 471 | 60 of 471 |
Licences and countries
| Country | FXOpen | Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| Germany | Not confirmed | Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) MiCA CASP 391200N0BYCZF2F43264 |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
What we checked
FXOpen
- fxopen.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- scribd.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- topforextradingbrokers.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Smartbroker
- smartbrokerplus.de: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | FXOpen | Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Crypto, Mobile appCovers more | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Low fees |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Smartbroker AG |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Germany |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | FXOpen | Smartbroker | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0at the median | €0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 60%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 2.25%below the median | 3% |
Median across 52 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
FXOpen
Pros
- One account covers stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs and crypto, all listed under stocks, etfs and forex.
- Regulated by CySEC and FCA, so the UK operation sits under the FCA and the Cyprus operation under CySEC.
- Investor protection is stated at EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 for eligible claims.
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $100 is far above the site median of €4.64.
- On minimum deposit FXOpen ranks 148 of 213 brands compared.
- The cost score is 2.7 and the overall score is 2.7, so value is the weak side.
Smartbroker
Pros
- Account fee of €0, matching the $0 account fee at eToro and sitting at 1 among 138 brands on account fee.
- Nothing to pay to open, with a minimum deposit of €0 against a site median of €4.64.
- One account covers stocks, etfs and crypto.
Cons
- Protection is limited to what the scheme pays, listed as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, so larger balances rely on your own holdings.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre only, with no live chat listed.
- Markets stop at stocks, etfs and crypto, with no forex, options or futures listed.
Who each suits
FXOpen
Who it suits
- Traders who want forex and CFDs next to stocks, ETFs and crypto in a single account.
- UK and EU residents who want a broker listed with CySEC and FCA and a stated protection scheme.
- Users of TickTrader, MT4 or MT5 who want a demo account before committing money.
Who should look elsewhere
- Newcomers starting with a small amount: CFI asks a minimum deposit of $0.
- Traders who want futures in the market list: eToro covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Anyone wanting a lower entry point: Vantage takes $5 against FXOpen's $100.
Smartbroker
Who it suits
- European investors who want a German-regulated account holding stocks, etfs and crypto under one roof.
- Anyone with spare cash to park while they decide, with 2.25% on the daily deposit account.
- People who trade away from a desk, since access runs through Web and App.
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage, if you would rather start against a published floor of $5 than an open entry of €0.
- eToro, if your trading runs past the stocks, etfs and crypto list here and you want to weigh its range against Smartbroker's.
- Anyone holding a large cash balance, since protection is listed as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Country by country
| Country | FXOpen | Smartbroker |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | No | Yes |
Questions about each
FXOpen
What is the minimum deposit at FXOpen?+
The minimum deposit is $100. That is well above the site median of €4.64 and places FXOpen at 148 of 213 brands compared on this measure. Anyone starting with a small balance is better served by a lower entry point elsewhere.
Who regulates FXOpen?+
FXOpen lists CySEC and FCA. The Cyprus entity is supervised by CySEC and the UK entity by the FCA, so UK customers sit under the UK regulator while EU customers sit under the Cyprus one. The listed protection scheme is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Smartbroker
What does Smartbroker charge to hold an account?+
The account fee is €0, so there is no monthly charge for keeping the account open. Entry is also open, with a minimum deposit of €0. Trading costs still apply on individual orders, and the pricing page is where per-trade charges are set out.
Is my money protected at Smartbroker?+
Smartbroker is regulated by BaFin and Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), and the listed investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000. The German regulator supervises the firm, while the compensation scheme pays out on eligible balances up to the stated limit.