Two brokers clash over regulation, costs, and platform reach. The showdown contrasts MIFX's domestic Indonesian licenses with ThinkMarkets' global oversight and vast instrument universe.
ThinkMarkets edges MIFX on overall score, reflecting 4.2 to 3.8. It also benefits from stronger regulation, negative balance protection, and a far larger instrument universe.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose MIFX if…
Choose MIFX if you value domestic regulation and a low entry deposit. You also gain IDR-denominated accounts and local bank transfers.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want global regulation and broad instrument access. You also get negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ThinkMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.40 pips vs 1.50 pips for MIFX, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
Pros
Over 20 years of operation as an Indonesian-licensed broker
Holds both BAPPEBTI and OJK licences, full domestic regulatory compliance
Supports local Indonesian bank transfers for deposits and withdrawals
IDR account denomination avoids currency conversion costs
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | MIFX | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: MIFX rates 3.8/5 and ThinkMarkets rates 4.2/5. ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets starts from 0.4 pips, tighter than MIFX's 1.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while MIFX requires at least $30. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
ThinkMarkets holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, FSCA), providing stronger investor protections. MIFX 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.
ThinkMarkets stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
MIFX lists maximum leverage of 100:1, while ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for MIFX are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
MIFX supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView.
ThinkMarkets has multi-jurisdictional regulation (FCA/ASIC/FSCA/JFSA) and segregated funds, offering stronger safety.
ThinkMarkets offers broad instrument access and advanced charting.
ThinkMarkets is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.40 pips.
ThinkMarkets provides MT4/MT5, TradingView, and proprietary apps.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2003 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Jakarta, Indonesia | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $30 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1.5 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 1.1 pips |
| Max Leverage | 100:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | BAPPEBTI OJK | FCA ASIC FSCA JFSA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Pros
No minimum deposit on standard ThinkForex account
ThinkTrader proprietary app is well-reviewed for mobile trading
JFSA regulation for Japanese clients
Strong multi-region regulatory coverage
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
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
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Only available to Indonesian residents, no international clients
Limited asset classes compared to international brokers
Leverage capped at 100:1 under BAPPEBTI rules
No top-tier regulatory licence
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
Limited charting capabilities
Support available in limited languages
Cons
ThinkZero account requires $500 minimum deposit
Standard account is spread-only and not competitive for scalpers
Not available to US residents
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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