FXTM and InstaForex face off in a regulatory and cost-focused showdown. The tension centers on trust and protection versus entry level access.
FXTM edges InstaForex on trust and regulation, with top-tier oversight, segregated client funds, and transparent pricing.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose FXTM if…
Choose FXTM if you want broad MT4 and MT5 access, a low $10 minimum, and funds held in segregated accounts under strong regulation.
Choose InstaForex if…
Choose InstaForex if you prefer MT4-only trading with a very low entry fee, starting at $1, and a wide network of partners across Asia and the CIS.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
InstaForex offers tighter spreads from 1.00 pips vs 1.50 pips for FXTM, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.2 / 5 |
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)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXTM | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
FXTM rates 4.2/5 versus 3.6/5 for InstaForex. FXTM edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
InstaForex starts from 1 pips, tighter than FXTM's 1.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
InstaForex has $1, while FXTM requires at least $10. This makes InstaForex more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
FXTM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. InstaForex may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, two factors stand out: InstaForex requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and FXTM provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FXTM lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while InstaForex lists up to 1000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
FXTM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while InstaForex supports MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. FXTM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
FXTM wins for safety and regulation due to top-tier regulators and segregated funds.
FXTM wins for active traders with MT4/MT5 access and raw spreads.
FXTM is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available.
InstaForex wins for beginners with a $1 minimum and micro-lot friendly accounts.
FXTM wins for instrument variety with about 600 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5▲ | 3.4 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.3 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2007 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Road Town, British Virgin Islands |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $10 | $1▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1.5 pips | 1 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA CySEC FSC | FSC BVI CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Pros
17+ years in operation, extensive track record
Cent accounts for micro-lot trading from $1
Very low minimum deposit
Large partner and IB network across Asia and CIS
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer 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
Cons
FSC BVI only, offshore licence, limited investor protection
Spreads not competitive with ECN brokers
Platform limited to MT4, no MT5, cTrader, or proprietary option
Service quality reviews are mixed on independent forums
No top-tier regulatory licence
Client funds not segregated
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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