A head-to-head comparison of ThinkMarkets and Windsor Brokers across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
No minimum deposit on standard account, a highly rated ThinkTrader mobile app, and JFSA regulation for Japanese clients.
One of the longest-operating CySEC-regulated brokers, offering standard and ECN accounts on MT4 and MT5 - a solid EU retail offering backed by a track record few Cyprus-based competitors can match.
ThinkMarkets edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs Windsor Brokers's 4/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.4 pips for ThinkMarkets, reducing trading costs.
ThinkMarkets has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Both brokers offer equivalent trading costs across spreads, commissions, and account types.
ThinkMarkets offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, a proprietary platform.
ThinkMarkets edges out Windsor Brokers with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2010 | 1988 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.4 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $8/lot |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA FSCA ASIC JFSA | FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit ThinkMarkets | Visit Windsor Brokers |
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
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
ThinkZero account requires $500 minimum deposit
Standard account is spread-only and not competitive for scalpers
Not available to US residents
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ThinkMarkets | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | 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 | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, ThinkMarkets ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 4/5 for Windsor Brokers. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; ThinkMarkets and Windsor Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to ThinkMarkets's spreads from 0.4 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ThinkMarkets has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
ThinkMarkets holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, ASIC), providing stronger investor protections. Windsor Brokers may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
For beginners: ThinkMarkets has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
ThinkMarkets offers maximum leverage of 500:1, while Windsor Brokers offers up to 500:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 per lot, lower than Windsor Brokers's $8 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView and Windsor Brokers offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; ThinkMarkets exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView.
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