This comparison pits BlackBull Markets against tastytrade, weighing trust, costs, and platform ecosystems. The tension centers on regulation, pricing, and available platforms as traders weigh options.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose BlackBull Markets if you value MT4/MT5 and cTrader access. You also get 24/5 live chat and raw spreads.
Choose if…
Choose tastytrade if you want a proprietary options platform. You also benefit from investor compensation and US regulation.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
Pros
Supports all three major platforms: MT4, MT5, and cTrader
Regulated under FSC, well-established for offshore clients
No minimum deposit on standard account
Good for Asia-Pacific timezone traders
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | BlackBull Markets | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: BlackBull Markets rates 4.1/5 and tastytrade rates 4.3/5. tastytrade 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.
BlackBull Markets starts from 0 pips. Current spread data is not available for tastytrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date pricing.
Neither BlackBull Markets nor tastytrade requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both BlackBull Markets and tastytrade 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, BlackBull Markets provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
BlackBull Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
tastytrade charges $1 per lot, lower than BlackBull Markets's $6 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
BlackBull Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, DXtrade, MetaTrader 4, while tastytrade supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. BlackBull Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and DXtrade and MetaTrader 4. tastytrade has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
BlackBull Markets offers spreads from 0.00 pips.
tastytrade wins for investor compensation and US regulation.
BlackBull Markets wins with high leverage and raw spreads.
BlackBull Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available.
BlackBull Markets wins with MT4/MT5 and cTrader availability.
BlackBullet Markets is more beginner-friendly with familiar platforms.
BlackBull Markets wins on instrument variety with 26000 assets.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.7 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 2017 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | N/A |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $1/lot▼ lower |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | N/A |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FMA | CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView DXtrade MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Options commissions capped at $10/leg, major cost advantage for traders who size up
$0 to open options trades; $1/contract to close
Platform built natively for options: IVR, Greeks, curve tool, and multi-leg management all first-class
Futures and futures options on the same account as equity derivatives
No PFOF on options, exchange-routed for best execution
Part of IG Group (LSE-listed), institutional governance and financial stability
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Phone support available
Cons
ECN commission of $6/lot round-turn is above some peers
Customer support timezone is NZ-centric
Brand recognition outside APAC is limited
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Cons
US-only, no international accounts
Options-first interface has a steep learning curve for equity-focused traders
No live chat support, phone and email only
Minimal fundamental research tools; no stock screener or analyst reports
Mobile app less appropriate for entering complex multi-leg strategies than the desktop platform
No negative balance protection
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Support available in limited languages
tastytrade edges BlackBull Markets on editorial score due to 4.3 vs 4.1.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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