Both brokers sit at regulation and equity access for active traders. The axis of tension pits research capabilities against exchange coverage, inviting a closer look at strengths and tradeoffs.
Forex.com and ThinkMarkets are closely matched; ThinkMarkets offers broader exchange access (12 vs 8), while Forex.com provides built-in research tools.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you value built-in research tools and a US-regulated, multi-platform share CFD experience.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want access to more exchanges and strong mobile trading with ThinkTrader.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Forex.com benefits from multiple major regulators including NFA, CFTC, and FCA.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Forex.com | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Forex.com rates 3.9/5 and ThinkMarkets rates 3.8/5. Forex.com 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.
ThinkMarkets lists tighter spreads from 0.4, compared with Forex.com'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.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while Forex.com requires at least $100. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Forex.com and ThinkMarkets 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: ThinkMarkets 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.
Forex.com lists maximum leverage of 20:1, 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.
Both Forex.com and ThinkMarkets charge the same commission of $7 per trade on applicable accounts. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to TradingView.
Neither Forex.com 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.
Both Forex.com and ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets offers 3,000+ share CFDs and ThinkTrader for mobile trading.
ThinkMarkets accommodates beginners with a $0 minimum deposit.
ThinkMarkets covers 12 exchanges, more than Forex.com’s 8.
ThinkMarkets offers a $0 minimum deposit, reducing entry costs.
Equally matched.
| 1.7 pips |
| 1.1 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity fee | $15/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | 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 | FCA ASIC MAS IIROC CFTC NFA | FCA ASIC FSCA JFSA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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