Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
M1 vs Spreadex
Where M1 and Spreadex differ
| Compare |  M1 |  Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | £0 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | £0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Options, Spread betting |
| Regulators | SIPC | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), UK Gambling Commission |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 61% |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
| Margin rate | 5.9% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free deposits and withdrawals |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web, Mobile |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Up to 50% of portfolio value | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 3.35% | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Spreadex scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only M1 offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Spreadex offers Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), UK Gambling Commission.
- Founded is lower at Spreadex: 1999 vs 2015.
- Markets: only M1 offers ETFs, Crypto.
- Markets: only Spreadex offers Forex, CFDs, Options.
- Support channels: only Spreadex offers Phone.
- Features: only M1 offers Crypto, Fractional shares.
- Pricing model: only Spreadex offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
M1
M1 is a low-cost brokerage built for retirement savers and small investors who want shares, ETFs and crypto in a single account. Stock trades run at $0 and it places 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, though the managed portfolios want $10,000 to start.
Spreadex
Spreadex suits UK traders who want to deal shares without a trade commission, with the same account carrying forex, CFDs, options and spread betting. Regulated in the UK with FSCS investor protection, it ranks 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, which sit at £0.
Score breakdown
| Area | M1 | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5Higher | 9.4The minimum deposit is £0, inactivity is $0 and the EUR/USD spread is 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.0Costs carry the offer: 0% management fee, $0 stock trades and a $0 minimum deposit. | 9.1Higher |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.4Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | M1 | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 145 of 471 | 82 of 471 |
Licences and countries
| Country | M1 | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 69670 | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for M1: 1. Additional countries for Spreadex: 1.
What each covers
| Markets | M1 | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | No | Yes |
What we checked
M1
- m1.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- millennialmoneyman.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- thecollegeinvestor.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- bestroboadvisors.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Spreadex
- spreadex.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forexsuggest.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxempire.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxscouts.com.au: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- topbrokers.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | M1 | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Legal entity | M1 FINANCE LLC | Spreadex Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2015 | 1999Lower |
| Support channels | Help centre | Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | M1 | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | $10,000 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash, Crypto | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | M1 | Spreadex | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 61%lowest quarter | 72.05% |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.6%below the median | 0.65% |
| Margin rate | 5.9%below the median | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
| Interest on cash | 3.35%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 47 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
M1
Pros
- Placing 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, so an account opens without a funding hurdle.
- Placing 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, with a stock trade costing $0.
- Uninvested cash earns 3.35%, and Pie portfolios mix etf, cash and crypto.
Cons
- Margin borrowing at 5.9% can cost more over a held position than the $0 trade fee saves.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or live chat listed.
- Managed portfolios want $10,000 to start, well above the $0 brokerage entry point.
Spreadex
Pros
- Shares cost £0 to buy and sell, and the pricing model is commission free and low fees.
- A single account covers stocks, forex and cfds, so shares, forex, CFDs, options and spread betting sit side by side.
- Trading runs on Web and Mobile platforms, and a mobile app is part of the feature set.
Cons
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, with no live chat or email listed.
- The risk warning puts 61% of retail accounts losing money.
- The market list runs stocks, forex and cfds, with no crypto, funds or bond offering.
Who each suits
M1
Who it suits
- Self-directed investors who want to trade shares and ETFs without a per-trade charge.
- Retirement savers, since accounts include ira, roth ira and joint.
- People who want crypto alongside equities in the same account, under stocks, etfs and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who need forex, CFDs or futures, since eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and M1 stops at stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Readers who want a wider asset list in the same app, because CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Managed portfolio buyers starting below $10,000, a floor that sits well above the $5 deposit Vantage asks to open an account.
Spreadex
Who it suits
- UK residents who want to deal shares without a per-trade commission.
- Traders who want forex, CFDs, options and spread betting in the same account.
- Anyone who values a long operating history: Spreadex has run from the UK since 1999.
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage, for anyone who prefers a stated minimum deposit of $5 to a free entry.
- CFI, whose minimum deposit is quoted in dollars at $0.
- Anyone who wants live chat or email support, because Spreadex lists phone and help centre only.
Country by country
| Country | M1 | Spreadex |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
M1
What does it cost to trade shares at M1?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the account opens with a $0 minimum deposit, so there is no per-trade commission and no funding hurdle. The running cost sits in the spread and in currency conversion when shares priced in dollars are bought. Margin borrowing is charged at 5.9% and is the line most likely to run up a bill.
Is my money protected at M1?+
Protection runs through the scheme listed as SIPC, with cover stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000. It is the only regulator on file, so there is a single scheme to claim against and a single register to check. The membership record reads SIPC member 69670. The stated figure is a ceiling on the payout, not a stand-in for the balance itself.
Spreadex
What does it cost to deal shares on Spreadex?+
Stock trades are £0, and the pricing model is listed as commission free and low fees. Spreadex ranks 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, so share dealing sits at the cheaper end of what brokers charge.
Is there a minimum deposit at Spreadex?+
The minimum deposit is £0, so an account can be opened and funded with a small balance. Spreadex ranks 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, worth weighing against brokers that ask for a starter amount.