Two CySEC-regulated brokers are contrasted on platform options, instrument breadth, and pricing. The tension centers on platform choice, regulatory protections, and market reach.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Markets.com if you value four-regulator oversight and strong EU protections, plus client funds held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection. You also access 2,200+ instruments and a proprietary platform with advanced charting and fast execution.
Choose if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you prefer MT4/MT5 access with an ECN Zero account offering from 0.0 pips and an $8 per lot commission. You also benefit from a long track record, segregated funds, and CySEC protections, plus MT4/MT5 mobile apps.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Pros
CySEC, FCA, ASIC, and FSCA four-jurisdiction regulation
$25 minimum deposit - lowest among brokers with this regulatory stack
2,200+ instruments including shares CFDs
FSCS protection (UK) and ICF compensation (EU)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Markets.com | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Markets.com and Windsor Brokers share the same editorial score of 4/5. One concrete differentiator: Markets.com requires a lower minimum deposit.
Windsor Brokers starts from 0 pips, tighter than Markets.com's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Markets.com has $25, while Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes Markets.com more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Markets.com holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, CySEC, FCA), providing stronger investor protections. Windsor Brokers 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: Markets.com requires a lower minimum deposit ($25), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Markets.com lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Markets.com are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Markets.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Markets.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.60 pips for Markets.com, reducing trading costs.
Markets.com wins for safety & regulation with four regulators and broad EU protections.
Windsor Brokers is best for active traders due to MT4/MT5 with ECN Zero and $8/lot.
Windsor Brokers is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Markets.com wins for platform choice with a proprietary platform plus MT4/MT5.
Markets.com is better for beginners due to the lower $25 minimum deposit.
Markets.com offers far more instruments, 2,200+ versus Windsor's 200.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 1988 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Nicosia, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $25▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.8 pips |
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC FCA FSCA | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
35+ years of continuous operation, one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
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
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Spread-only pricing, no raw ECN account
Research tools limited, no analyst reports or stock screener
Not available to US clients
Platform analytical depth below Saxo or IG
Cons
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5, no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
Markets.com and Windsor Brokers are closely matched, but Markets.com offers a vastly larger instrument universe (2,200+ vs 200).
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
Score 4 / 5
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