Two brokers clash over regulation depth, pricing transparency, and platform availability. The matchup tests which offers clearer costs and stronger oversight.
Tickmill outperforms InstaForex overall, due to stronger FCA/CySEC/FSCA regulation and transparent pricing.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose InstaForex if…
Choose InstaForex if you want the very low $1 minimum deposit and MT4-only trading.
Choose Tickmill if…
Choose Tickmill if you want MT4 and MT5 access, a $6/lot Pro commission, and strong FCA, CySEC, FSCA regulation.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Tickmill offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 1.00 pips for InstaForex, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | InstaForex | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Fail | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Tickmill rates 4.3/5 versus 3.6/5 for InstaForex. Tickmill edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Tickmill starts from 0 pips, tighter than InstaForex's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
InstaForex has $1, while Tickmill requires at least $100. This makes InstaForex more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Tickmill 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 Tickmill provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
InstaForex lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while Tickmill 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.
Tickmill charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for InstaForex are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
InstaForex supports MetaTrader 4, while Tickmill supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Tickmill has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
Tickmill wins safety and regulation with FCA, CySEC, FSCA oversight and segregated funds.
Tickmill wins for active traders due to MT4/MT5 access and advanced charting.
Tickmill is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Tickmill wins for platform choice with MT4 and MT5 on offer.
InstaForex wins for beginners with a $1 minimum deposit and cent accounts.
Tickmill wins for instrument variety with 600 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.4 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.3 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.5 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2014 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Road Town, British Virgin Islands | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $1▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC BVI CySEC | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Mobile trading app available
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Industry-low commission of $6 round-turn on Pro account
Strong FCA, CySEC, and FSCA regulatory coverage
No dealing desk on Pro and Raw accounts
Negative balance protection for retail clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
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
Cons
No cTrader support
Limited asset classes compared to multi-asset peers
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker