Two established forex brokers are pitted against each other on regulation, pricing, and platform options. The clash tests whether zero deposit flexibility or low commissions better serve active traders.
OANDA edges Tickmill on editorial score and broader regulatory coverage. Its 4.6/5 score plus NFA, FCA, ASIC oversight underpin the win.
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 OANDA, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.4 / 5 |
Pros
Available to US residents (NFA-registered)
Best-in-class research and economic data
No minimum deposit
MT4, MT5 and proprietary platforms
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | OANDA | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | 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 | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: OANDA rates 4.6/5 and Tickmill rates 4.3/5. OANDA 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.
Tickmill starts from 0 pips, tighter than OANDA's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
OANDA has no minimum deposit, while Tickmill requires at least $100. This makes OANDA more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both OANDA and Tickmill 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: OANDA has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
OANDA lists maximum leverage of 50:1, 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 OANDA are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
OANDA supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Tickmill supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. OANDA has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
OANDA wins for safety and regulation due to NFA, FCA, ASIC oversight and segregated funds.
Tickmill wins for active traders with low commissions and high leverage up to 1000:1.
Tickmill is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
OANDA wins for platform choice with MT4, MT5 and a proprietary Web/Mobile platform.
OANDA is best for beginners due to zero deposit and strong research.
Tickmill wins for instrument variety with about 600 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1996 | 2014 |
|---|
| Headquarters | New York, United States | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 50:1▲ higher | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free for ACH | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CBI CMF NFA | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
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
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
Spreads slightly wider than ECN-style brokers
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
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 4.3 / 5
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