Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs BlackBull Markets, 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.
FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets are two popular online brokers with distinct regulatory standings. FOREX.com, established in 1999, holds a prominent position in the financial markets with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating it is highly trusted. As a publicly traded entity, it carries 7 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, testament to its extensive regulatory compliance. In contrast, BlackBull Markets, which was founded in 2014, is a privately held broker with a Trust Score of 78, categorized as having average risk. It holds 1 Tier-1 license but does not have any Tier-2 licenses. Neither of the brokers operates as a bank.
For those considering trading with either platform, it is notable that FOREX.com's publicly traded status and comprehensive regulatory licenses make it a secure choice according to industry standards. BlackBull Markets, while newer and carrying fewer licenses, provides a viable option for traders who are willing to engage with a broker that still meets average trust benchmarks. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on individual comfort levels with trust scores and regulatory assurances.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets, both brokers achieve a strong rating of 4.5 stars. However, they cater to different trading preferences and needs. FOREX.com offers various execution methods and account types, with a focus on market maker execution. While its standard account in the U.S. has average spreads of 1.4 pips on the EUR/USD, its RAW account features significantly lower spreads of 0.13 pips, though it includes a per-trade commission. For non-U.S. traders, FOREX.com provides competitive spreads averaging 0.74 for the EUR/USD. It's ranked #13 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its commissions and fees.
BlackBull Markets, on the other hand, provides trading costs that are about average but vary across its three account types. Its Prime account is favored for its low average spread of 0.16 pips on the EUR/USD, leading to an all-in cost of 0.76 pips when including the per-side commission. This account requires a $2,000 minimum deposit. The Standard account offers commission-free trading with higher spreads, while the ECN Institutional account targets active traders with a minimum deposit of $20,000 and lower commission rates. BlackBull Markets holds the #18 position in the commissions and fees category amongst 63 brokers.
In summary, while both brokers provide competitive trading conditions, FOREX.com stands out for its detailed execution statistics and various account offerings tailored for both casual traders and high-volume traders. Meanwhile, BlackBull Markets is ideal for those preferring lower spreads and are willing to meet higher deposit requirements for certain accounts. Both brokers offer advantageous options depending on individual trading strategies and financial capabilities.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.71 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.71 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets regarding their range of investment options, both platforms offer forex trading either as CFDs or spot contracts. However, BlackBull Markets takes the lead with an impressive 26,000 tradeable symbols compared to FOREX.com's 5,500. Although FOREX.com offers a slightly higher number of tradeable forex pairs, with 80 pairs available over BlackBull’s 72, the latter excels by providing access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges. This means BlackBull Markets clients can directly purchase stocks like Apple or Vodafone, unlike those using FOREX.com.
For those interested in cryptocurrency investments, both brokers allow trading through derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies. Additionally, BlackBull Markets stands out with its copy trading feature, which is not available at FOREX.com. Despite these differences, both brokers received a five-star rating for their range of investments. In ForexBrokers.com's rankings, BlackBull Markets is slightly ahead, placed at #6, while FOREX.com follows closely at #7 among 63 brokers. This slight lead demonstrates BlackBull's broader array of investment possibilities, setting it apart as a more versatile option for diversified trading.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 the trading platforms and tools of FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets, traders will find both brokers provide a wide range of features tailored for different levels of trading experience. FOREX.com stands out with its proprietary trading platform, along with support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. It also impresses with extensive charting tools, offering 239 drawing options, and provides a robust environment for in-depth market analysis, earning it a 5-star rating and a #7 ranking among 63 brokers for trading platforms and tools. Meanwhile, BlackBull Markets supports the ever-popular MT4 and MT5 offerings and provides copy trading, a feature missing from FOREX.com. BlackBull Markets also supports ZuluTrade for social trading enthusiasts. Still, the broker has fewer charting tools with 60 drawing options and modest watch list capabilities with 6 columns, contributing to its 4-star rating and #29 ranking.
Both brokers offer simulated trading accounts, enabling beginners to practice trading without financial risk. For traders who prefer browser-based platforms, both FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets offer web-based solutions, along with Windows-based desktop platforms for those who favor downloadable software. While FOREX.com does not offer social trading options like copy trading, which allows users to mimic the trades of more experienced traders, BlackBull Markets fills this gap with its offerings in this space, making it an appealing choice for traders interested in social trading strategies. Ultimately, both brokers cater to different trading needs, with FOREX.com excelling in in-house platform development and detailed analysis features, while BlackBull Markets shines in social trading options.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When considering mobile trading apps, both FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets offer convenient solutions for traders. Both platforms provide iPhone and Android apps, enabling you to trade on-the-go with ease. They each support notifications for stock or forex price changes and synchronize watchlists across devices, ensuring that updates made in the app reflect in your online account too. In terms of charting, FOREX.com steps ahead by offering 88 technical studies, significantly higher than BlackBull's 30, providing more in-depth analysis options. Both apps allow you to draw trendlines and view various time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday, helping traders customize their analysis. Additionally, any drawings made on the charts are auto-saved, adding convenience for users.
For creating watchlists with real-time quotes, both mobile apps offer this feature, which is a valuable tool for active traders keeping a close eye on market movements. However, user ratings and industry rankings tell a tale of distinction. FOREX.com's mobile app receives a top score of 5 stars, ranking an impressive 3rd out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, BlackBull Markets earns a 4-star rating, placing it at rank 31 in the same category. This suggests that while both platforms provide excellent mobile trading capabilities, FOREX.com might deliver a slightly more refined experience according to users and industry experts.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When evaluating the market research options at FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets, both platforms provide valuable insights with their daily market commentaries. However, FOREX.com takes the lead by offering forex news from prominent sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas BlackBull Markets does not include news from such top-tier providers. In terms of analysis tools, FOREX.com offers Trading Central's technical analytics, while BlackBull Markets equips its users with tools from Autochartist.
Both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools to better inform trading strategies and maintain comprehensive economic calendars to track critical global news events. Despite lacking some specialized tools from providers like TipRanks or Acuity Trading, FOREX.com excels with a research rating of 4.5 stars and ranks 9th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. By comparison, BlackBull Markets garners a 4-star rating and ranks 18th, making FOREX.com a slightly stronger contender for those prioritizing research capabilities.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| 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 looking to dive into the world of forex and CFDs, both FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets offer a variety of tools to help users gain a better understanding. Both platforms provide over ten educational pieces like articles, videos, and archived webinars dedicated to these topics, ensuring newcomers have ample material to jumpstart their learning. They also host online educational webinars each month and archive these sessions for future reference, allowing users to learn at their own pace. When it comes to educational videos, beginners will find a dedicated series of over ten videos on each platform, covering essential trading topics. Furthermore, both brokers offer an investor dictionary with an extensive list of over 50 investing term definitions, providing users with a handy resource for unfamiliar terms.
Despite these similarities, there's a slight difference in the education quality ratings: FOREX.com scores 4.5 stars, while BlackBull Markets earns 4 stars. Additionally, in the competitive ranking by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com stands out at an impressive #4 out of 63 brokers in the education category, whereas BlackBull Markets holds the #29 spot. This distinction might indicate that users find FOREX.com's educational offerings to be a bit more comprehensive or user-friendly. Whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your trading knowledge, both platforms offer valuable resources, but FOREX.com may have the edge if educational resources are a top priority for you.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FOREX.com is better than BlackBull Markets. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
While both FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, they each provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, catering to traders interested in this asset class without holding the physical coins.
When comparing online brokers, FOREX.com offers more diverse funding options, including ACH, SEPA, PayPal, and traditional methods like Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while BlackBull Markets supports deposits and withdrawals via Visa, Mastercard, bank wires, and Skrill but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.71 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.71 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FOREX.com Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill