Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Markets.com vs ATFX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing the regulatory strength of Markets.com and ATFX, it's evident that both online brokers have established a solid foundation for investor trust, though they differ in certain aspects. Founded in 1999, Markets.com holds three Tier-1 licenses, symbolizing a high level of reliability. It's demonstrated in its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93, placing it in the highly trusted category. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, Markets.com showcases a strong commitment to regulatory compliance.
Conversely, ATFX, founded in 2017, also stands out with four Tier-1 licenses, indicating a substantial regulatory backbone. Its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 85 places the broker in the trusted category. Like Markets.com, ATFX is neither publicly traded nor a bank. However, it diversifies its regulatory presence with two Tier-2 licenses, offering an added layer of trust for its clients.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When considering online brokers Markets.com and ATFX, understanding their commissions and fees is crucial. Markets.com offers a platform without average spread data, which might make it less transparent for potential investors evaluating cost-effectiveness. Despite this, it achieves a 3.5-star rating for its overall commissions and fees structure. In terms of industry positioning, Markets.com is ranked 50th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
ATFX, on the other hand, also lacks average spread data, presenting similar challenges for those trying to gauge its precise fee impact. Rated slightly lower with a 3-star score for commissions and fees, ATFX sits at the 60th position in the ForexBrokers.com rankings out of 63 brokers. This ranking indicates a less competitive position compared to Markets.com.
In summary, while both brokers share a lack of available average spread data, Markets.com maintains a better overall rating and ranking, suggesting a potentially more favorable fees structure compared to ATFX. Investors should consider these factors when choosing between the two brokers.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the investment options offered by Markets.com and ATFX, both platforms provide forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, catering to traders interested in currency pairs. Markets.com stands out with a diverse selection, offering 2179 tradeable symbols across its platform, whereas ATFX offers 150 symbols. Specifically, in terms of forex pairs, Markets.com provides 57 options, while ATFX offers 44. Neither broker, however, allows clients to purchase exchange-traded securities directly from U.S. or international exchanges. Similarly, both brokers provide cryptocurrency trading, but only through derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies.
Copy trading is a feature available on both Markets.com and ATFX, appealing to investors who might prefer to mimic the strategies of seasoned traders. Markets.com and ATFX are rated 4 stars and 3.5 stars, respectively, for their range of investment options. Additionally, according to ForexBrokers.com rankings, Markets.com is placed at #29 out of 63 brokers, demonstrating a relatively stronger offering in investment variety compared to ATFX, which is ranked #57. This makes Markets.com a more favorable choice for those seeking a broader spectrum of trading opportunities.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing trading platforms and tools, Markets.com and ATFX both offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing new traders to practice without financial risk. Markets.com stands out with its proprietary platform developed in-house, while ATFX relies on established third-party platforms. Both brokers provide Windows-based desktop applications and web-based platforms, as well as support for popular tools like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). However, neither broker offers integrations with DupliTrade or ZuluTrade for copy trading, though they both support this feature by other means. ATFX offers a more extensive range of drawing tools for charting, with 15 available compared to Markets.com's 4, and also allows users to trade directly from a stock chart, a feature not offered by Markets.com.
In terms of watch list customization, ATFX provides an edge with 7 fields for personalization, one more than Markets.com. Despite these differences, Markets.com has a slightly better user rating, scoring 4 out of 5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, compared to ATFX’s 3.5 stars. Furthermore, Markets.com ranks significantly higher, at #27, in ForexBrokers.com's assessment of 63 brokers, while ATFX is positioned much lower at #62. This suggests a stronger overall offering from Markets.com in terms of trading platform experience and tool richness, though users seeking specific features like chart trading and a broader array of drawing tools may prefer ATFX.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Markets.com and ATFX both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users. Traders using either app can receive stock and forex price alerts and create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, a key advantage of the Markets.com app is that it syncs watchlist symbols with the client’s online account, ensuring that changes are reflected in both the app and desktop versions. In contrast, ATFX does not offer this feature, which might be important for traders who want seamless transitions between their mobile and desktop platforms.
When it comes to technical charting features, ATFX offers 7 technical studies for its mobile app, compared to the basic options available with Markets.com’s MT4 platform. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines, but ATFX offers the advantage of viewing multiple time frames and auto-saving drawings, which are absent in the Markets.com app. Despite these differences, Markets.com scores higher overall, with a 4-star rating compared to ATFX’s 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, Markets.com stands at #33 for mobile trading apps among 63 brokers, while ATFX ranks #63, indicating a generally more favorable reception for Markets.com in the trading app market.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 7 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing market research offerings between Markets.com and ATFX, several differences become apparent. Both platforms provide daily market commentary and maintain an economic calendar to keep clients informed of global news events. Markets.com stands out with its provision of forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, offering traders a critical edge with reliable information. Moreover, it provides a sentiment-based trading tool, enabling users to see the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments.
While ATFX falls short of Markets.com in terms of accessing top-tier forex news, it shines by offering technical analysis and fundamental research tools through Autochartist and Trading Central, which are not available on Markets.com. Despite these tools, ATFX is rated slightly lower, at 3 stars, compared to Markets.com's 4-star rating for research. This distinction is further reflected in their rankings on ForexBrokers.com, where Markets.com holds the 17th position among 63 brokers, while ATFX ranks 54th. Overall, traders aiming for comprehensive news sources might favor Markets.com, while those seeking powerful analysis tools could lean towards ATFX.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, Markets.com and ATFX offer distinct advantages. ATFX provides a wealth of resources by offering over 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, making it a valuable choice for anyone new to trading. Meanwhile, Markets.com excels by hosting monthly educational webinars, which can be particularly beneficial for learning in a live setting, although they lack a searchable archive of these sessions. For beginners seeking guidance through video content, both brokers are equipped with at least 10 videos on beginner trading topics, catering to those who prefer learning visually.
For those looking to deepen their trading knowledge, Markets.com stands out by offering advanced educational videos, while ATFX does not. Additionally, ATFX benefits beginners with an investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms, a feature absent at Markets.com. Despite these differences, Markets.com ranks slightly lower at #34 compared to ATFX's #28 position in ForexBrokers.com's education category. Nevertheless, based on user reviews, Markets.com takes the lead concerning educational quality, earning a four-star rating over ATFX’s three stars.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Markets.com is better than ATFX. Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
Thanks to its web-based MarketsX platform, Markets.com is easy to use and new trader friendly. However, Markets.com is pricey and lacks the feature-rich trading tools required to compete with the best trading platforms.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 |
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Both Markets.com and ATFX do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both provide options to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Markets.com and ATFX provide robust payment options, allowing users to deposit or withdraw funds using Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires; however, neither platform supports ACH, SEPA transfers, or PayPal.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Markets.com | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) | |||
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| Regulation | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 7 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Markets.com | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | No | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review |
| Overall | Markets.com | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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