Two brokers collide on regulation, platforms, and cost. One relies on a US-regulated, proprietary platform; the other offers MT4/MT5 and cTrader with raw spreads.
TradeStation edges AMarkets on overall score due to FINRA/NFA regulation and a mature proprietary platform. AMarkets remains competitive with MT4/MT5 and cTrader plus raw spreads and $6/lot ECN commissions.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose AMarkets if…
Choose AMarkets if you want MT4/MT5 and cTrader with no inactivity fee.
Choose TradeStation if…
Choose TradeStation if you want FINRA/NFA regulation and a proprietary platform with deep backtesting.
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 TradeStation, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.4 / 5 | 4.8 / 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 | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Fail |
TradeStation rates 4.3/5 versus 3.8/5 for AMarkets. TradeStation edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
AMarkets starts from 0 pips, tighter than TradeStation's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
TradeStation has no minimum deposit, while AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes TradeStation more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
TradeStation holds top-tier regulation (FINRA, NFA), providing stronger investor protections. AMarkets may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
TradeStation stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AMarkets lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, while TradeStation lists up to 50:1. 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 TradeStation are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
AMarkets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while TradeStation supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. TradeStation has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
TradeStation wins for safety and regulation due to FINRA/NFA oversight and investor compensation scheme coverage.
TradeStation wins for active traders due to mature proprietary platform and deep backtesting ecosystem.
AMarkets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
AMarkets wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5 and cTrader availability.
TradeStation wins for beginners due to protections and a regulated US framework.
TradeStation wins for instrument variety with 10,000 tradable instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 1982 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Plantation, Florida, United States |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 3,000:1 | 50:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $25/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | SVGFSA | FINRA NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| 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
40+ years of operation, one of the longest track records in US retail trading
EasyLanguage strategy platform with the deepest retail backtesting ecosystem
Equities, futures, options, and forex from one account
FINRA and NFA regulated, highest US retail standards
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
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
Forex is secondary to the equities/futures offering, not an ECN-first FX desk
50:1 leverage cap under US Dodd-Frank rules
US clients only, not available to international traders
Desktop platform has a steep learning curve
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Support available in limited languages
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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