Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Global Prime vs Kraken
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Global Prime |  Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, Futures |
| Regulators | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), 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 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $0 deposit fees | Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:1000 | Up to 10x |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.1% | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Joint, Corporate | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Global Prime scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only Global Prime offers Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), SIPC.
- Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority.
- Global Prime is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Global Prime: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only Global Prime offers CFDs, Metals.
- Markets: only Kraken offers Futures.
- Platforms: only Global Prime offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Platforms: only Kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
- Features: only Global Prime offers Demo account.
Our verdict on each
Global Prime
Global Prime is a low-cost broker for traders who already work in a standard terminal and want shares, forex and CFDs in one place. A minimum deposit of $0 and a listed EUR/USD spread of 0.1% keep the running costs down, though leverage of 1:1000 is not for beginners.
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 | Global Prime | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7Higher | 9.3Stock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1. |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 9.0Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex accessed through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop. |
| Trust | 9.4Higher | 9.3Registers cite 1010381 and 31000270997766. |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Global Prime | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Metals | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | Global Prime | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 55 of 471 | 21 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Global Prime | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Crypto | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free, Low feesCovers more | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | TD PRIME SERVICES LLC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Australia | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2010 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Global Prime | Kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $1below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.1%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 0.65% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Global Prime
Pros
- Regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and SIPC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and SIPC), so the money sits in a regulated structure.
- One account covers stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs, crypto and metals (stocks, etfs and forex) on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 (MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5).
- A demo account is offered, so you can test the terminals before funding, and pricing comes in commission free and low fees variants.
Cons
- Account types run to joint and corporate only, with no ISA, SIPP or IRA listed, so tax wrappers sit elsewhere.
- Leverage of 1:1000 magnifies losses as much as gains, so oversized positions hurt quickly.
- SIPC cover attaches to TD PRIME SERVICES LLC, the US entity, while the brand sits in Australia, so the entity on your account matters.
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
Global Prime
Who it suits
- Traders who already work in MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 and want one account for shares, forex, CFDs and crypto.
- Anyone testing a platform first, since a demo account is offered and both joint and corporate accounts sit in the range (joint and corporate).
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for beginners: leverage of 1:1000 turns a wrong position into a fast loss, and the platforms are MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 rather than a simplified app.
- Not for futures traders: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, which adds futures that the Global Prime markets list leaves out.
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
Global Prime
What will it cost me to get started?+
The minimum deposit is $0 and the published deposit charge is $0 deposit fees. What you pay afterwards depends on the account model you pick, either commission-free or low-fee (commission free and low fees), and on the spread you trade through, with an EUR/USD spread of 0.1% listed.
How is my money protected?+
Global Prime is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), and it appears on the SIPC membership list. The listed investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000. That cover belongs to the US entity, so check the legal entity named on your account before you fund it.
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.
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