A head-to-head comparison of AMarkets and Deriv across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
SVG FSA-regulated broker with genuine ECN conditions on MT4, MT5, and cTrader, a well-regarded PAMM system, and an established following in Russia, Ukraine, and Central Asia.
Veteran retail broker with MFSA, VFSC, FSC BVI, and LFSA licensing, best known for synthetic indices - volatility-simulated instruments that trade around the clock - alongside a standard forex and CFD offering.
Deriv edges ahead with a score of 4.1/5 vs AMarkets's 3.8/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
AMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.5 pips for Deriv, reducing trading costs.
Deriv has a stronger safety profile: segregated funds, negative balance protection.
AMarkets has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Deriv offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, a proprietary platform.
Deriv edges out AMarkets with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 3.8/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.4 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Founded | 2007 | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Birkirkara, Malta |
| Min deposit | $100 | $5 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0.5 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 3000:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | SVGFSA | FSC BVI VFSC LFSA MFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit AMarkets | Visit Deriv |
Pros
MT4, MT5, and cTrader all available
Competitive $6 round-turn ECN commission
Mature PAMM platform with full performance transparency
No inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Synthetic indices trade 24/7 - unique offering unavailable at mainstream brokers
Very low $5 minimum deposit
Multi-platform: DTrader, MT5, Deriv X, SmartTrader
MFSA (Malta/EU) licensing for European clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Cons
SVG FSA registration only - no meaningful retail investor protection
No EU or Tier 1 licensed entity
Very high leverage (3000:1) is a risk amplifier
No top-tier regulatory licence
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
Cons
Synthetic indices are proprietary instruments, not conventional regulated assets
Regulatory quality varies significantly by entity (MFSA vs VFSC/FSC BVI)
Customer support can be slow during peak periods
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AMarkets | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Deriv ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 3.8/5 for AMarkets. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; AMarkets and Deriv may each suit different trader profiles.
AMarkets offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Deriv's spreads from 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Deriv has a lower minimum deposit of $5, while AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes Deriv more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
AMarkets is regulated by SVGFSA. Deriv is regulated by FSC BVI, VFSC. Always confirm a broker's current regulatory status before opening an account.
For beginners: Deriv has a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry; Deriv offers negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
AMarkets offers maximum leverage of 3000:1, while Deriv offers up to 1000:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
AMarkets charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
AMarkets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and Deriv offers MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade; both support MetaTrader 5; AMarkets exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, cTrader; Deriv exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade.
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