This matchup pits regulation strength and platform breadth against pricing structure and instrument breadth. It hints at where active traders should focus their attention as the verdict approaches.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose FP Markets if you want true ECN pricing with $6/lot commission. You also gain cTrader and IRESS for share CFDs and benefit from ASIC and CySEC regulation.
Choose if…
Choose Markets.com if you prefer a low entry barrier with a $25 minimum deposit and a large instrument pool spanning equities and forex. You also gain a proprietary trading platform alongside MT4/MT5 and coverage from four regulators.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Pros
True ECN pricing from 0.0 pips + $6 round-turn commission
Supports MT4, MT5, and cTrader, all three major platforms
IRESS platform for direct-access share CFD trading
Strong ASIC and CySEC regulation
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FP Markets | 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 | Pass | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
FP Markets rates 4.5/5 versus 4/5 for Markets.com. FP Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
FP Markets starts from 0 pips, tighter than Markets.com's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Markets.com has $25, while FP Markets requires at least $100. This makes Markets.com more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FP Markets 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: Markets.com requires a lower minimum deposit ($25), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FP Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
FP Markets charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Markets.com are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
FP Markets supports IRESS, TradingView, cTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Markets.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Both provide MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. FP Markets has exclusive access to IRESS and TradingView and cTrader. Markets.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
FP Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.60 pips for Markets.com, reducing trading costs.
Markets.com wins for safety and regulation with four regulators including FCA and FSCA.
FP Markets wins for active traders with ECN pricing and a large instrument universe.
FP Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
FP Markets wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS.
Markets.com is best for beginners with a low $25 minimum deposit.
FP Markets wins for instrument variety with about 10,000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2005 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | $25▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1▲ higher | 30:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC | ASIC CySEC FCA FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | IRESS TradingView cTrader MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Advanced charting tools included
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
IRESS platform has a monthly fee for lower-volume traders
Customer support primarily oriented toward Australian trading hours
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
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
FP Markets edges Markets.com on editorial score, thanks to stronger regulation and broader platform support.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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