Two longstanding players collide over regulation, platform design, and cost. The battle pits a US options specialist against a broader MT4/MT5 offering.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose tastytrade if you want an options-focused platform with multi-leg management and capped commissions. You gain strong regulatory signals from top-tier oversight and no PFOF on options.
Choose if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you want MT4/MT5 access and a long operating track record. You also benefit from 24/5 live chat support and negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Pros
Options commissions capped at $10/leg, major cost advantage for traders who size up
$0 to open options trades; $1/contract to close
Platform built natively for options: IVR, Greeks, curve tool, and multi-leg management all first-class
Futures and futures options on the same account as equity derivatives
No PFOF on options, exchange-routed for best execution
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | tastytrade | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | 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 | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: tastytrade rates 4.3/5 and Windsor Brokers rates 4/5. tastytrade 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.
Windsor Brokers starts from 0 pips. Current spread data is not available for tastytrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date pricing.
tastytrade has no minimum deposit, while Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes tastytrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
tastytrade holds top-tier regulation (CFTC, NFA), 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: tastytrade has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and Windsor Brokers provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Windsor Brokers lists maximum leverage of 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
tastytrade charges $1 per lot, lower than Windsor Brokers's $8 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
tastytrade supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. tastytrade has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Windsor Brokers has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Windsor Brokers offers spreads from 0.00 pips.
tastytrade wins for safety & regulation due to top-tier oversight and segregated client funds.
tastytrade wins for active traders with capped options costs and an options-focused platform.
Windsor Brokers is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available.
Windsor Brokers wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5 availability.
tastytrade is best for beginners due to zero minimum deposit.
tastytrade leads instrument variety with about 10,000 offerings.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.7 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2017 | 1988 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Nicosia, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | N/A | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $1/lot▼ lower | $8/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.8 pips |
| Max Leverage | N/A | 500:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferWire transferACH | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferWire transferACH | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | CFTC NFA | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Part of IG Group (LSE-listed), institutional governance and financial stability
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
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
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
US-only, no international accounts
Options-first interface has a steep learning curve for equity-focused traders
No live chat support, phone and email only
Minimal fundamental research tools; no stock screener or analyst reports
Mobile app less appropriate for entering complex multi-leg strategies than the desktop platform
No negative balance protection
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Support available in limited languages
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
tastytrade edges Windsor Brokers on overall editorial score and regulatory standing, supported by a proprietary options platform and stronger top-tier regulator signals. Windsor offers MT4/MT5 access and a smaller instrument universe but remains solid on cost and safety features.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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