Two brokers compete on regulation, pricing, and platform design. FXOpen leans ECN with MT4/MT5 and cTrader, while tastytrade centers on a proprietary options focused platform and broader instrument coverage.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose FXOpen if you want MT4/MT5 and cTrader access with raw spreads and a $3/lot ECN commission.
Choose if…
Choose tastytrade if you want a proprietary options focused platform with no PFOF and exchange routed execution.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Pros
FCA, CySEC, and ASIC triple regulation
$3 round-turn ECN commission, one of the lowest in retail forex
Early cTrader adopter with mature integration
MT4, MT5, and cTrader all available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXOpen | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: FXOpen rates 4.2/5 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.
FXOpen 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 FXOpen requires at least $100. This makes tastytrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXOpen 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 FXOpen provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FXOpen 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 FXOpen's $3 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
FXOpen supports cTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while tastytrade supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. FXOpen has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. tastytrade has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
FXOpen offers spreads from 0.00 pips.
Equally matched: both have multiple regulators and segregated funds.
FXOpen is best for active traders because of raw spreads and ECN pricing.
FXOpen is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available.
FXOpen offers MT4/MT5 and cTrader, offering broader platform choice.
tastytrade is best for beginners thanks to an educational platform and intuitive options focus.
tastytrade leads with about 10,000 instruments versus FXOpen's 700.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.7 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2003 | 2017 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | N/A |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $3/lot | $1/lot▼ lower |
|---|
| 0.3 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | N/A |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerCrypto | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerCrypto | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC FCA | CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | 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
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
$100 minimum deposit on ECN accounts
Less brand recognition than larger competitors
Customer support coverage narrower than global tier-1 brokers
No proprietary platform
No phone support
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
FXOpen and tastytrade are closely matched overall, but instrument variety is the single clearest differentiator, with tastytrade offering far more instruments.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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