Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of StoneX Trading 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.
StoneX Trading is the stronger choice on trust and regulation when compared with BlackBull Markets. Founded in 1983 and listed on a stock exchange, StoneX Trading is not a bank, but it holds 7 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, giving it a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, which falls in the highly trusted range. BlackBull Markets, founded in 2014, is also not a bank and is not publicly traded. It holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses, with a Trust Score of 77, which places it in the average risk category.
For traders who put safety and regulation first, StoneX Trading stands out as the more established and highly regulated broker. BlackBull Markets may still appeal to some users, but its shorter track record, lack of public listing, and lower Trust Score make it the less trusted option by comparison.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 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 |
StoneX Trading and BlackBull Markets both earn 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but they suit different types of traders. StoneX Trading is ranked #16 out of 36 brokers for this category, and its pricing on CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products is generally in line with the industry average. For the best rates, traders should use StoneX Trading’s own platforms or MetaTrader. Its average EUR/USD spread was 0.74 pips in July 2023, which is competitive but not quite as low as the top forex brokers.
BlackBull Markets is ranked higher at #9 out of 36 brokers, while also holding a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees. Its pricing depends on the account type you choose. The Standard account has no commission and no minimum deposit, but spreads are wider. The Prime account has lower spreads and is better for active traders, with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.16 and an all-in cost of about 0.76 pips after commission. The ECN Institutional account is aimed at larger traders and offers even lower commissions.
In simple terms, StoneX Trading is a solid middle-of-the-road choice for low-cost access across several product types, while BlackBull Markets offers more flexible pricing and slightly stronger value for active forex traders, especially on the Prime and ECN accounts. StoneX also offers active trader rebates for high-volume clients in the U.K. and Australia, while BlackBull’s lower-spread accounts may appeal more to traders who want tighter pricing from the start.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.4 | 1.16 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.9 | 0.76 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing StoneX Trading and BlackBull Markets for range of investments, both brokers give traders access to forex as either a CFD or spot contract, plus copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs. Each is also rated 5 stars for Range of Investments. StoneX Trading offers 13,500 tradeable symbols and 66 forex pairs, while BlackBull Markets offers a larger selection with 26,000 tradeable symbols and 72 forex pairs.
The biggest difference is in share trading. BlackBull Markets lets clients buy actual exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as U.S.-listed and London-listed shares, while StoneX Trading does not offer these direct stock purchases. For traders looking for the wider market selection, BlackBull Markets ranks slightly higher at #7 out of 36 brokers for Range of Investments, compared with StoneX Trading at #8.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 72 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
StoneX Trading and BlackBull Markets both give traders a wide range of platform choices, including free demo accounts, Windows desktop software, web-based platforms, copy trading, MetaTrader 4, and the ability to trade directly from charts. Both brokers also make it easy for beginners and active traders alike to test strategies before risking real money. StoneX Trading stands out with its own in-house platform, while BlackBull Markets does not offer a proprietary platform.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, BlackBull Markets adds MetaTrader 5, which StoneX Trading does not support, giving BlackBull users one extra option for charting and order handling. Even so, StoneX Trading scores higher overall in this category, with a 4.5-star rating and a #11 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with BlackBull Markets at 4 stars and #25. For traders comparing StoneX Trading vs. BlackBull Markets, the main difference is that StoneX offers its own platform and a slightly stronger overall tools rating, while BlackBull offers MT5 as an added choice.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 109 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
StoneX Trading and BlackBull Markets both provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts, watchlist syncing, trendline drawing, and automatic saving for chart drawings. This means either broker gives traders the core mobile tools they need to monitor markets and manage trades on the go. For everyday use, the two apps share the same main features, so mobile access is not a deciding factor between them.
The biggest difference is in charting depth and overall app ratings. StoneX Trading offers 88 technical studies in its mobile app, compared with 30 at BlackBull Markets, giving StoneX users more chart analysis options. StoneX Trading also earns a higher mobile app score at 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 36 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #28. For traders who want a stronger mobile charting experience, StoneX Trading has the edge.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
StoneX Trading and BlackBull Markets both provide daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positioning, and an economic calendar for tracking upcoming global news events. Each broker also earns a strong 4.5 out of 5 stars for research, so both offer a solid starting point for traders who want regular market updates and planning tools.
The main difference is in the depth and source of their research. StoneX Trading stands out with forex news from top-tier outlets like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, plus Trading Central tools for technical and fundamental analysis. BlackBull Markets does not offer those news feeds or Trading Central, but it does include Autochartist, which can help traders spot possible chart patterns and trade ideas. In ForexBrokers.com’s research rankings, StoneX Trading places higher at #10 out of 36 brokers, while BlackBull Markets ranks #17.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
StoneX Trading and BlackBull Markets both give beginners plenty of ways to learn, with each offering forex and CFDs education, monthly online client webinars, at least 10 beginner trading videos, and at least 10 advanced videos for more experienced traders. In other words, both brokers make it easy for new traders to get started and keep learning as their skills grow.
That said, StoneX Trading has the edge in overall education quality and standing. Both brokers are rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education, but StoneX Trading ranks #9 out of 36 brokers in the Education category at ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets ranks #24. For beginners looking for a broker with stronger educational resources and a higher education ranking, StoneX Trading comes out ahead.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that StoneX Trading is better than BlackBull Markets. StoneX Trading finished with an overall rank of #8, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #22.
Backed by StoneX Group and formerly named City Index, StoneX Trading is a trusted brand known for its versatile trading platforms, excellent mobile app, diverse market research, and extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 77 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
StoneX Trading and BlackBull Markets both let traders access cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither broker offers the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency, making them similar choices for clients seeking crypto derivative trading rather than direct coin ownership.
StoneX Trading and BlackBull Markets both support ACH or SEPA transfers and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but StoneX Trading also offers PayPal while BlackBull Markets supports Skrill instead, making each broker’s funding options slightly different for online trading clients.
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 | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | StoneX Trading Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 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) | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.4 | 1.16 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.9 | 0.76 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 109 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | StoneX Trading Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | StoneX Trading | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | StoneX Trading Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
IG
FOREX.com
CMC Markets
XTB
eToro
Capital.com
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill