In this head-to-head, FP Markets and tastytrade clash on regulation, costs, and platforms. The matchup exposes clear tensions between broad platform access and a specialized US options focus.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose FP Markets if you want true ECN pricing with $6 round-turn per lot. You gain MT4, MT5, and cTrader access.
Choose if…
Choose tastytrade if you want US options trading with capped commissions and a platform built for multi-leg strategies.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 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 | 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) | 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 | 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: FP Markets rates 4.5/5 and tastytrade rates 4.3/5. 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. Current spread data is not available for tastytrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date pricing.
tastytrade has no minimum deposit, while FP Markets requires at least $100. This makes tastytrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FP 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, two factors stand out: tastytrade has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and FP Markets provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FP 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 FP Markets's $6 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
FP Markets supports IRESS, cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while tastytrade supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. FP Markets has exclusive access to IRESS and cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. tastytrade has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
FP Markets offers spreads from 0.00 pips.
FP Markets leads for regulation with ASIC and CySEC oversight and segregated funds.
FP Markets suits active traders with ECN pricing and broad platform availability.
FP Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available.
FP Markets offers MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView and IRESS for diverse platforms.
tastytrade offers a $0 minimum deposit, lowering the entry barrier.
FP Markets offers access to about 10000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.7 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2005 | 2017 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| 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 cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC | CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | IRESS cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| 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
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
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
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
FP Markets edges tastytrade on the editorial score, driven by stronger regulation and broader platform support.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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