Two regulated forex brokers face off in a cost and platform showdown. The tension hinges on price transparency and platform choice.
Tickmill edges Trade Nation on the editorial score due to broader regulation coverage and lower Pro-account commissions.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Tickmill if…
Choose Tickmill if you want MT4/MT5 access with industry-low $6/lot commission on Pro accounts and strong regulator coverage.
Choose Trade Nation if…
Choose Trade Nation if you prefer fixed spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission and a proprietary platform alongside MT4.
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 0.60 pips for Trade Nation, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Tickmill | 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 | Fail | 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: Tickmill rates 4.3/5 and Trade Nation rates 4.1/5. Tickmill 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 Trade Nation's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Trade Nation has no minimum deposit, while Tickmill requires at least $100. This makes Trade Nation more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Tickmill 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, two factors stand out: Trade Nation 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.
Tickmill lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, 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.
Tickmill charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Trade Nation are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Tickmill supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Trade Nation supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Tickmill has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. Trade Nation has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Tickmill wins for safety and regulation with FCA, CySEC, and FSCA oversight.
Tickmill suits active traders with low $6/lot commissions and MT4/MT5 access.
Tickmill is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Tickmill offers MT5 alongside MT4, expanding platform options.
Trade Nation wins instrument variety with 1000 assets.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 2014 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| 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 FSCA CySEC | FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
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
No cTrader support
Limited asset classes compared to multi-asset peers
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
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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