AMarkets and TradeStation face off in a stocks-focused comparison, juxtaposing offshore CFDs with high leverage against US-regulated real stocks and advanced tools.
TradeStation leads overall with FINRA/NFA regulation and the higher editorial score versus AMarkets' SVG/FSA framework.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose AMarkets if…
Choose AMarkets if you value 24/5 live chat support. You gain multilingual access and offshore CFDs.
Choose TradeStation if…
Choose TradeStation if you prefer US regulation and real stock ownership. You also access extended hours trading and advanced research tools.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
TradeStation offers commission-free trading, reducing per-trade costs compared with AMarkets.
| Editorial score | 3.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AMarkets | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
TradeStation rates 4/5 versus 3.2/5 for AMarkets. TradeStation edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
AMarkets lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with TradeStation's 1. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
TradeStation has no minimum deposit, while AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes TradeStation more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
TradeStation holds top-tier regulation (FINRA, NFA), 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.
For beginners, TradeStation has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely. Both brokers otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each brokers's site.
AMarkets lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, while TradeStation lists up to 50:1. 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 on commission-based accounts. Commission details for TradeStation are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. 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 TradeStation supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. TradeStation has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
TradeStation offers commission-free stock trading while AMarkets does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
TradeStation 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.
TradeStation wins for safety and regulation with FINRA/NFA oversight and SIPC protection.
TradeStation is best for long-term investors due to real stock ownership and fractional shares.
TradeStation enables active traders with EasyLanguage and backtesting.
AMarkets suits beginners with copy trading and familiar MT4 MT5 platforms.
AMarkets offers access to 4 exchanges, supporting broader global reach.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $25/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SVGFSA | FINRA NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.2 / 5
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