This comparison pits eToro and ThinkMarkets, two contrasting approaches to crypto trading: genuine asset ownership and social features versus regulated CFDs.
eToro outperforms ThinkMarkets in overall score and real crypto ownership, with staking, while ThinkMarkets remains CFD-only.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose eToro if…
Choose eToro if you want real crypto ownership with 100+ coins, staking, and social trading via CopyTrader.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want CFD access via MT4/MT5 and ThinkTrader, with no minimum deposit.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
ThinkMarkets provides FSCS protection and client money safeguards.
ThinkMarkets charges comparatively lower fees for crypto CFDs.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.4/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 1 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 7.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | eToro | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Pass | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
eToro rates 4.4/5 versus 3.8/5 for ThinkMarkets. eToro edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ThinkMarkets lists a lower spread from 0.4, compared with eToro's 1. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while eToro requires at least $50. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both eToro and ThinkMarkets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
eToro offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus ThinkMarkets's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for eToro are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
ThinkMarkets scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
eToro offers staking while ThinkMarkets does not according to our data. Staking lets you earn passive yield on your crypto holdings directly through the exchange. Check eToro's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
eToro offers staking and yield-earning options while ThinkMarkets does not, making eToro the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
Equally matched for DeFi and Web3 access.
| N/A |
| 1.1 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple PayGoogle Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | USD 5 per withdrawal | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CNB CMVM AMF FSRA FSA Seychelles Finanstilsynet HCMC CySEC Finanstilsynet ASF MFSA Finansinspektionen FSC MNB KNF CMA | FCA ASIC FSCA JFSA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | Yes | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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