Skilling and ThinkMarkets face off in a crypto CFD comparison, testing platform choices, regulation, and support. The balance hinges on the value placed on more coins versus client service.
Skilling and ThinkMarkets are closely matched, with ThinkMarkets' 24/5 live chat and phone support as the clearest differentiator.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you want a larger crypto selection (40+) and CySEC regulation with investor protection.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you value 24/5 live chat and phone support, plus FCA/ASIC regulation and no minimum deposit on standard accounts.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
ThinkMarkets wins for security due to FCA/ASIC regulation and client money protections.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0.7 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 | Skilling | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Skilling rates 3.7/5 and ThinkMarkets rates 3.8/5. ThinkMarkets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
ThinkMarkets lists a lower spread from 0.4, compared with Skilling's 0.7. 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 Skilling requires at least $50. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both Skilling 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.
Skilling 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 Skilling 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.
Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Skilling has exclusive access to cTrader and Skilling Trader. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
Fees are equally matched for both brokers.
Neither offers DeFi or Web3 features.
| N/A |
| 1.1 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 90 days) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA CySEC | FCA ASIC FSCA JFSA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | 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 3.7 / 5
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