Two brokers face off on regulation, platform choice, and cost for equity CFDs. One leans on dual regulation and broad platform options, while the other emphasizes a proprietary trading platform.
Skilling edges GO Markets on editorial score and product mix, with more exchanges and a proprietary platform.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose GO Markets if…
Choose GO Markets if you want phone support and access to six exchanges, plus a $200 minimum deposit.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you value a proprietary platform and broader exchange access, with a $50 minimum deposit.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Skilling is best for safety and regulation due to FCA and FSCA oversight and investor compensation.
| Editorial score | 3.5/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $200 | $50▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | GO Markets | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: GO Markets rates 3.5/5 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.
GO Markets lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Skilling's 0.7. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Skilling has $50, while GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes Skilling more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both GO Markets 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: Skilling requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
GO Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
GO Markets charges $5 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Skilling 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.
GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 4. GO Markets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. Skilling has exclusive access to Skilling Trader.
Neither GO Markets 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 GO Markets 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.
Skilling supports active traders with Skilling Trader and no inactivity fee.
Skilling offers broader global market access with 10 exchanges.
GO Markets provides cost advantages with transparent ECN spreads on share CFDs.
Equally matched for long-term investors; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.5 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 90 days) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | 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 | ASIC CySEC FSC | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | cTrader Skilling Trader MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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