Two brokers clash over regulation, pricing, and platform breadth. The tension hinges on platform access and instrument options, inviting readers to weigh the trade-offs.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Spreadex if you want FCA-regulated UK spread betting with TradingView in-browser charting.
Choose if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want MT4/MT5 access, raw spreads, and broad regulatory coverage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Pros
FCA-regulated (190941) UK spread betting on 10,000+ financial markets
TradingView integration for browser-based charting and order execution
UK capital gains tax-free profits on spread bets under current HMRC rules
Unique dual financial and sports spread betting from one FCA account
No minimum deposit and no commission on spread bets
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Spreadex | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Spreadex rates 4/5 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 Spreadex's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither Spreadex nor ThinkMarkets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both Spreadex and ThinkMarkets 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Spreadex lists maximum leverage of 30:1, 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 Spreadex are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Spreadex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, while ThinkMarkets supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
ThinkMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.40 pips vs 0.60 pips for Spreadex, reducing trading costs.
ThinkMarkets wins due to broader regulation coverage (FCA, ASIC, FSCA, JFSA) beyond Spreadex's FCA-only setup.
ThinkMarkets wins for active traders with MT4/MT5 access and raw spreads.
ThinkMarkets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.40 pips.
ThinkMarkets offers MT4/MT5, TradingView, and proprietary tools for diverse platforms.
ThinkMarkets provides 24/5 live chat and multilingual support for new traders.
Spreadex wins for instrument variety with about 10,000 options.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | St Albans, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 1.1 pips |
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA | ASIC JFSA FCA FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView | Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
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
UK residents only - no international client access
No MT4 or MT5 available
Research tools minimal
Not suitable for traders who need raw ECN execution
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
No 24/5 live chat
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
ThinkMarkets edges Spreadex on the editorial score, driven by MT4/MT5 presence, raw spreads, and broader multi-region regulation. Spreadex remains FCA-regulated UK spread betting focused with no MT4/MT5 and no raw spreads.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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