AMarkets and InstaForex square off on platform access, pricing transparency, and fund safety. The tension centers on regulation depth versus cost.
AMarkets and InstaForex are closely matched, but AMarkets holds client funds in segregated accounts, unlike InstaForex.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose AMarkets if…
Choose AMarkets if you want MT4/MT5 and cTrader access with raw spreads and segregated client funds.
Choose InstaForex if…
Choose InstaForex if you prefer MT4 access with a very low minimum deposit and a wide partner network.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
AMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 1.00 pips for InstaForex, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.4 / 5▲ | 3.2 / 5 |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AMarkets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| 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 | Fail |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: AMarkets rates 3.8/5 and InstaForex rates 3.6/5. AMarkets 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.
AMarkets starts from 0 pips, tighter than InstaForex's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
InstaForex has $1, while AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes InstaForex more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
AMarkets is regulated by SVGFSA. InstaForex is regulated by FSC BVI, CySEC. Confirm a broker's current regulatory status on the relevant regulator's public register before opening an account.
For beginners, InstaForex requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry. Both brokers otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each brokers's site.
AMarkets lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, while InstaForex lists up to 1000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AMarkets charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for InstaForex are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
AMarkets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while InstaForex supports MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5.
InstaForex benefits from CySEC oversight.
AMarkets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.4 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 3.3 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2007 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Road Town, British Virgin Islands |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | $1▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 3,000:1▲ higher | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | SVGFSA | FSC BVI CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
17+ years in operation, extensive track record
Cent accounts for micro-lot trading from $1
Very low minimum deposit
Large partner and IB network across Asia and CIS
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
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
FSC BVI only, offshore licence, limited investor protection
Spreads not competitive with ECN brokers
Platform limited to MT4, no MT5, cTrader, or proprietary option
Service quality reviews are mixed on independent forums
No top-tier regulatory licence
Client funds not segregated
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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