This stock-focused comparison pits FXTM's share CFDs against TradeStation's real equity trading. The tension centers on ownership, regulatory footprint, and platform depth.
TradeStation wins on editorial score and provides real stock ownership with SIPC protection, while FXTM offers share CFDs only.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose FXTM if…
Choose FXTM if you value strong regulation with CySEC and FCA oversight and you want access to FXTM Invest copy trading. You also gain exposure to 180+ share CFDs and multilingual support across 35+ languages.
Choose TradeStation if…
Choose TradeStation if you want real stock ownership with SIPC protection under SEC/FINRA oversight. You also access EasyLanguage for automated equity strategies and backtesting, plus deep market data and a platform optimized for US-regulated equity trading.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
TradeStation is better for low-cost trading due to commission-free trading.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 1.5 pips | 1 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $25/month (after 12 months) |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXTM | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: FXTM rates 3.7/5 and TradeStation rates 4/5. TradeStation 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.
TradeStation lists tighter spreads from 1, compared with FXTM's 1.5. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Neither FXTM nor TradeStation requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both FXTM and TradeStation 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, 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.
FXTM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while TradeStation supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. FXTM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. TradeStation has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
TradeStation 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 TradeStation 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.
FXTM benefits from CySEC and FCA oversight.
TradeStation wins for long-term investors with real stock ownership and SIPC protection.
TradeStation is best for active traders thanks to EasyLanguage and backtesting.
FXTM is better for beginners due to copy trading and multilingual support.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | 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 | FCA FSCA CySEC FSC | FINRA NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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