Two brokers square off on regulation, costs, and platforms. The tension centers on instrument breadth versus platform flexibility.
ATFX leads easyMarkets on the editorial score 4.2 vs 3.9, reflecting stronger regulation and a larger instrument universe.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ATFX if…
Choose ATFX for broader instrument coverage and multi-regulatory oversight.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you value fixed spreads with no slippage and a low $25 minimum deposit.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
easyMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.70 pips vs 1.80 pips for ATFX, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
Pros
FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), and FSCA (SA) licensing
300+ instruments including ETF CFDs and bond CFDs
FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients
No minimum deposit, no inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ATFX | easyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | 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 | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ATFX rates 4.2/5 and easyMarkets rates 3.9/5. ATFX 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.
easyMarkets starts from 0.7 pips, tighter than ATFX's 1.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ATFX has no minimum deposit, while easyMarkets requires at least $25. This makes ATFX more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ATFX and easyMarkets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: ATFX has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ATFX lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while easyMarkets lists up to 400:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ATFX supports MetaTrader 4, while easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. easyMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
ATFX wins for safety and regulation due to FCA licensing alongside CySEC and FSCA.
EasyMarkets wins for active traders with MT4/MT5 and a proprietary platform offering choice.
easyMarkets is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.70 pips.
easyMarkets wins with MT4, MT5, and proprietary platform options.
ATFX wins for beginners due to $0 minimum deposit and clear pricing.
ATFX wins instrument variety with 300 instruments versus 200.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2017 | 2001 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $25 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1.8 pips | 0.7 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 400:1 | 400:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | 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 | ASIC CNV HCMC CySEC MNB |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
Fixed spreads with no-slippage guarantee on web platform
Unique dealCancellation feature to undo losing trades
Very low $25 minimum deposit
CySEC, ASIC regulated
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
MT4 only, no MT5, cTrader, or proprietary platform
Standard spreads from 1.8 pips are not ECN-competitive
Relatively young broker, founded 2017
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
Cons
Fixed spreads are wider than ECN variable spread accounts
Proprietary platform feels dated compared to MT4/MT5
Limited research tools
Limited charting capabilities
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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