In this comparison, ATFX and Markets.com face off over regulation breadth, pricing structures, and platform ecosystems, highlighting divergent strategies for risk and opportunity.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose ATFX if you want MT4 for forex with no minimum deposit and high leverage up to 400:1.
Choose if…
Choose Markets.com if you want MT4 and MT5 plus a proprietary platform and a large instrument pool.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 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 | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 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 Markets.com rates 4/5. 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.
Markets.com starts from 0.6 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 Markets.com requires at least $25. This makes ATFX more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ATFX and Markets.com 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 Markets.com lists up to 30:1. 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 Markets.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Markets.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 5.
Markets.com offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 1.80 pips for ATFX, reducing trading costs.
Markets.com wins for safety and regulation with four regulators including ASIC.
Markets.com wins for active traders with MT4/MT5 access and 2,200+ instruments.
Markets.com is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.60 pips.
Markets.com leads platform choice with MT4, MT5 and a proprietary platform.
Markets.com wins for instrument variety with 2,200+ instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 3.9 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2017 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $25 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1.8 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 400:1▲ higher | 30:1 |
|---|
| 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 | CySEC FCA FSCA | ASIC CySEC FCA FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
|---|
| 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
CySEC, FCA, ASIC, and FSCA four-jurisdiction regulation
$25 minimum deposit - lowest among brokers with this regulatory stack
2,200+ instruments including shares CFDs
FSCS protection (UK) and ICF compensation (EU)
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
Advanced charting tools included
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
Spread-only pricing, no raw ECN account
Research tools limited, no analyst reports or stock screener
Not available to US clients
Platform analytical depth below Saxo or IG
ATFX edges Markets.com on the editorial score (4.2 vs 4.0) and customer support. Markets.com offers a broader instrument range with 2,200+ instruments.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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