ThinkMarkets and Trade Nation square off on regulation, pricing, and platforms. The axis of tension revolves around platform breadth, instrument count, and fee models.
ThinkMarkets and Trade Nation are closely matched overall; ThinkMarkets offers MT4/MT5 and raw spreads, while Trade Nation lacks MT5 and uses fixed spreads.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want MT4/MT5 and a large instrument universe.
Choose Trade Nation if…
Choose Trade Nation if you prefer fixed spreads and a no minimum deposit.
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 0.60 pips for Trade Nation, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
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)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ThinkMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| 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: ThinkMarkets rates 4.2/5 and Trade Nation rates 4.1/5. 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 Trade Nation's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither ThinkMarkets nor Trade Nation requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ThinkMarkets and Trade Nation 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.
ThinkMarkets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while Trade Nation 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 Trade Nation are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Trade Nation supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView.
ThinkMarkets is best for safety & regulation due to broader multi-region oversight and segregated client funds.
ThinkMarkets wins for active traders thanks to 4000 instruments and raw spreads access.
ThinkMarkets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.40 pips.
ThinkMarkets wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5, TradingView and ThinkTrader.
Trade Nation wins for beginners due to zero minimum deposit and fixed spreads.
ThinkMarkets wins for instrument variety with around 4000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2010 | 2014 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.4 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 1.1 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC FSCA JFSA | FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Pros
Fixed spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission
No minimum deposit and no inactivity fee
Strong FCA and ASIC multi-region regulation
Simple, transparent cost structure ideal for cost-conscious traders
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
ThinkZero account requires $500 minimum deposit
Standard account is spread-only and not competitive for scalpers
Not available to US residents
Cons
Limited asset classes, no stocks or ETF CFDs
Proprietary platform is basic compared to MT4/MT5
Fixed spreads widen significantly during major news events
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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