A head-to-head comparison of Deriv and FXTM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Veteran retail broker with MFSA, VFSC, FSC BVI, and LFSA licensing, best known for synthetic indices - volatility-simulated instruments that trade around the clock - alongside a standard forex and CFD offering.
CySEC and FCA-regulated broker with broad emerging-market reach, strong copy trading via MyFXBook integration, and a low $10 minimum deposit that makes it accessible to first-time traders.
FXTM edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs Deriv's 4.1/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Deriv offers tighter spreads from 0.5 pips vs 1.5 pips for FXTM, reducing trading costs.
FXTM has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Both brokers offer equivalent trading costs across spreads, commissions, and account types.
Deriv offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, a proprietary platform.
FXTM edges out Deriv with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1999 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Birkirkara, Malta | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 1.5 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 1000:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | VFSC LFSA FSC BVI MFSA | FCA FSCA CySEC FSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Deriv | Visit FXTM |
Pros
Synthetic indices trade 24/7 - unique offering unavailable at mainstream brokers
Very low $5 minimum deposit
Multi-platform: DTrader, MT5, Deriv X, SmartTrader
MFSA (Malta/EU) licensing for European clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
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
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Low $10 minimum deposit on Micro accounts
Strong copy trading via FXTM Invest platform
Extensive education - webinars, video courses, and market analysis
Multilingual support in 20+ languages
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Cons
Synthetic indices are proprietary instruments, not conventional regulated assets
Regulatory quality varies significantly by entity (MFSA vs VFSC/FSC BVI)
Customer support can be slow during peak periods
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
Cons
Standard account spreads are not ECN-competitive
Platform choice limited to MT4 and MT5
Mauritius FSC entity offers less investor protection than FCA/CySEC
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Deriv | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, FXTM ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5 for Deriv. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Deriv and FXTM may each suit different trader profiles.
Deriv offers tighter spreads starting from 0.5 pips, compared to FXTM's spreads from 1.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Deriv has a lower minimum deposit of $5, while FXTM requires at least $10. This makes Deriv more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
FXTM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. Deriv may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
For beginners: Deriv has a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Deriv offers maximum leverage of 1000:1, while FXTM offers up to 1000:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade and FXTM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 5; Deriv exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade; FXTM exclusively offers MetaTrader 4.
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