This matchup pits FP Markets against Skilling on regulation, pricing, and platforms. Regulators and cost structures pull in different directions, creating a clear tension for traders.
FP Markets edges Skilling on editorial score due to true ECN pricing and broader instrument access.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose FP Markets if…
FP Markets: Choose FP Markets if you want true ECN pricing from 0.0 pips plus $6/lot and broad instrument access. You also get phone support and MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS. Skilling: Choose Skilling if you want a modern proprietary Skilling Trader and access to cTrader with raw spreads from 0.0 pips. No phone support is offered.
Choose if…
FP Markets: Choose FP Markets if you want true ECN pricing from 0.0 pips plus $6/lot and broad instrument access. You also get phone support and MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS. Skilling: Choose Skilling if you want a modern proprietary Skilling Trader and access to cTrader with raw spreads from 0.0 pips. No phone support is offered.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FP Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.70 pips for Skilling, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.1/ 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 | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: FP Markets rates 4.5/5 and Skilling rates 4.1/5. FP Markets 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.
FP Markets starts from 0 pips, tighter than Skilling's 0.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Both FP Markets and Skilling require a minimum deposit of $100 to open a live trading account.
Both FP Markets and Skilling 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
FP Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while Skilling lists up to 500:1. 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 Skilling are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
FP Markets supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 4. FP Markets has exclusive access to IRESS and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView. Skilling has exclusive access to Skilling Trader.
Equally matched for safety and regulation; both hold top-tier licenses and segregated funds.
FP Markets wins for active traders with true ECN pricing and broad instrument access.
FP Markets is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
FP Markets offers the broadest platform mix with MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS.
Skilling is best for beginners due to a clean, modern UX and user-friendly onboarding.
FP Markets leads in instrument variety with 10,000 tradable assets.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2005 | 2016 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Valletta, Malta |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $10/month (after 90 days) |
|---|
| 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 | FSCA FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | cTrader Skilling Trader MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| 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
Clean modern Skilling Trader platform, excellent UX for new-to-intermediate traders
cTrader available with raw spreads from 0.0 pips
CySEC and FCA regulation with EU and UK investor protections
Growing Latin American presence with local-language support
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
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
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
Newer broker, less track record than IG or Pepperstone
Product range narrower than multi-asset brokers
No phone support
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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