This matchup pits a regulated CFD broker against a commission free stock platform, highlighting differences in fees, ownership, and regulatory protections.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
FXTM: Choose FXTM if you want phone support and access to short selling. Stake: Choose Stake if you want commission-free trading and real share ownership.
Choose if…
FXTM: Choose FXTM if you want phone support and access to short selling. Stake: Choose Stake if you want commission-free trading and real share ownership.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | N/A |
| Spreads from | 1.5 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXTM | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: FXTM rates 3.7/5 and Stake rates 3.9/5. Stake 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.
FXTM starts from 1.5. Current spread data is not available for Stake. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
FXTM requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Stake.
Both FXTM and Stake 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, FXTM provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
FXTM lists maximum leverage of 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
FXTM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. FXTM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Stake has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Stake offers commission-free stock trading while FXTM 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.
Both FXTM and Stake 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.
Stake wins for low cost trading because it offers commission-free US, AU, and UK stock trades.
Stake wins safety & regulation with FCA licensing and FSCS protection for UK clients.
FXTM wins for active traders with MT4/MT5 access and six exchanges.
Stake wins for beginners with no account minimum and simple interface.
Stake wins for long-term investors due to real share ownership and no CFDs.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | CySEC FCA FSCA FSC | ASIC FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
FXTM and Stake are closely matched overall, with Stake's commission free trading serving as the clearest differentiator.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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