Two brokers challenge each other across regulation, fees and platforms, creating tension between ECN pricing and a modern proprietary platform.
GO Markets and Skilling are closely matched; the clearest differentiator is phone support, with GO Markets offering phone support while Skilling does not.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose GO Markets if…
Choose GO Markets if you value phone support and ASIC regulation. You also gain true ECN pricing with three platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader) and $5 per lot commissions, plus segregated client funds and negative balance protection.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you want a modern proprietary platform and access to 1,000 instruments. You also benefit from FCA and CySEC regulation with EU and UK investor protections, alongside cTrader and MT4 support.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
GO Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.70 pips for Skilling, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
Pros
True ECN execution with three platform options
ASIC-regulated with a clean Australian track record since 2006
Competitive $5 round-turn ECN commission
Good for Australia and Asia-Pacific timezone traders
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | GO 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: GO Markets rates 4/5 and Skilling rates 4.1/5. Skilling 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.
GO 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.
Skilling has $100, while GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes Skilling more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both GO 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, two factors stand out: Skilling requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
GO 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.
GO Markets charges $5 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Skilling are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 4. GO Markets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. Skilling has exclusive access to Skilling Trader.
Equally matched; both protect client funds with segregated accounts and multi-jurisdiction regulation.
GO Markets suits active traders with true ECN execution and $5/lot commission.
GO Markets is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Skilling wins for platform choice with a proprietary platform alongside MT4 and cTrader.
GO Markets is best for beginners thanks to ASIC regulation and accessible support.
Skilling offers the widest instrument variety with 1,000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2016 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia | Valletta, Malta |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $200 | $100▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $5/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.5 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 cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC FSC | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 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
$200 minimum deposit is higher than many ECN peers
Less brand recognition outside Australia and Asia-Pacific
CySEC entity is offshore for non-AU clients
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 / 5
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