Two brokers vie for credibility with different platform strengths and exchange access. This matchup weighs regulation, platform quality, and global stock coverage.
Skilling edges easyMarkets on the editorial score, reflecting higher trust/regulation, platforms, and support.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you value 24/5 live chat and phone support.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you want broader exchange access.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Skilling has FCA oversight in addition to CySEC, enhancing regulatory credibility.
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $25▼ lower | $50 |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 90 days) |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | easyMarkets | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: easyMarkets rates 3.4/5 and Skilling rates 3.7/5. Skilling 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.
Both easyMarkets and Skilling start from the same spread of 0.7. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
easyMarkets has $25, while Skilling requires at least $50. This makes easyMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both easyMarkets and Skilling 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: easyMarkets requires a lower minimum deposit ($25), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
easyMarkets lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while Skilling 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.
easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. easyMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile. Skilling has exclusive access to cTrader and Skilling Trader.
Neither easyMarkets nor Skilling 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.
Both easyMarkets and Skilling are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
easyMarkets offers up to 400:1 leverage for active traders.
Skilling provides access to 10 exchanges, more than easyMarkets.
easyMarkets offers fixed spreads and a low $25 minimum deposit.
Equally matched for long-term features, as neither offers fractional shares or DRIP.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 | CNV ASIC HCMC CySEC MNB | FSCA FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | cTrader Skilling Trader MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker