Skilling and ThinkMarkets clash on regulation, platform breadth, and stock access. The tension centers on service reach versus market coverage.
ThinkMarkets and Skilling are closely matched, with ThinkMarkets edging ahead on exchange coverage.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you value a clean Skilling Trader experience with cTrader for algo equity CFDs. You also benefit from no inactivity fee on active accounts.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want broader exchange access and versatile platforms, including MT4/MT5 and ThinkTrader. You also gain social copying with ThinkCopy.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
ThinkMarkets leads on regulation with FCA, ASIC, FSCA, and JFSA compared to Skilling's CySEC.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Skilling | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Skilling rates 3.7/5 and ThinkMarkets rates 3.8/5. ThinkMarkets 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 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.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while Skilling requires at least $50. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Skilling 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.
Skilling 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.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 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.
Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Skilling has exclusive access to cTrader and Skilling Trader. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
Neither Skilling 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 Skilling 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 wins for active traders, with MT4/MT5, ThinkTrader, and ThinkCopy.
ThinkMarkets offers a $0 min deposit and ThinkCopy to assist newcomers.
ThinkMarkets provides broader access with 12 exchanges versus Skilling's 10.
Equally matched, as both have identical Fees & Spreads scores.
Equally matched; neither offers long-term features like fractional shares or DRIP.
| N/A |
| 1.1 pips |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 90 days) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | 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 | FCA FSCA CySEC | FCA ASIC FSCA JFSA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader Skilling Trader MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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