In this stock CFD showdown, AMarkets and ThinkMarkets duel on regulation, exchange access, and safety nets, leaving readers to weigh risk versus scope.
ThinkMarkets has the higher editorial score and stronger regulatory framework. AMarkets operates under offshore SVG/FSA regulation and lacks compensation and negative balance protection, while ThinkMarkets offers top-tier regulation plus these protections.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose AMarkets if…
Choose AMarkets if you want ECN pricing on stock CFDs. It offers a broad CFD range with high leverage under offshore SVG/FSA regulation.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you value top-tier regulation and strong safety nets. It provides access to 12 exchanges, a proprietary platform, and negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
ThinkMarkets is regulated by FCA and ASIC, providing stronger oversight.
| Editorial score | 3.2/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.4 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AMarkets | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
ThinkMarkets rates 3.8/5 versus 3.2/5 for AMarkets. ThinkMarkets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
AMarkets lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with ThinkMarkets's 0.4. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
ThinkMarkets holds top-tier regulation (FSCA, JFSA, FCA), providing stronger investor protections. AMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AMarkets lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, while ThinkMarkets lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AMarkets charges $6 per trade, lower than ThinkMarkets's $7 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
AMarkets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
Neither AMarkets nor ThinkMarkets is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
ThinkMarkets scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
ThinkMarkets' ThinkTrader and ThinkCopy appeal to active equity traders.
ThinkMarkets lowers entry barriers with a zero deposit requirement.
ThinkMarkets covers 12 exchanges, AMarkets covers 4.
ThinkMarkets offers zero minimum deposit, reducing entry cost.
Equally matched as neither offers fractional shares or DRIP features.
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| 1.1 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SVGFSA | FSCA JFSA FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.2 / 5
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