Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of eToro vs Markets.com, 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.
Founded in 2007, eToro is a highly trusted online broker with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96 out of 99, indicating a very secure platform for traders. It is publicly traded, enhancing its transparency and visibility on financial markets. While not a bank, eToro holds 3 Tier-1 licenses, the most secure regulatory licenses available, along with 1 Tier-2 license, making it an appealing choice for risk-conscious investors.
In contrast, Markets.com has been providing services since 1999 and holds a Trust Score of 93 out of 99, also positioning it as a highly trusted broker. Despite not being publicly traded, Markets.com matches eToro in regulatory strength with 3 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2 licenses. Both platforms offer a secure trading environment, yet eToro edges out with its public trading status and slightly higher trust rating.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing eToro and Markets.com in terms of commissions and fees, eToro stands out with a typical variable spread of 1 pip on the EUR/USD currency pair. This spread is slightly above the industry average. Retail traders often choose eToro not for its spreads, but for its compelling social copy trading features. In addition, eToro provides a VIP Club, with membership tiers ranging from Silver to Diamond for accounts with balances between $5,000 and $250,000. Benefits of the VIP Club include access to Trading Central, reduced withdrawal and deposit fees, and a dedicated account manager.
Conversely, Markets.com lacks available average spread data, making it challenging to directly evaluate its cost competitiveness. This lack of transparency could affect traders trying to assess the potential costs associated with their trades. While Markets.com might offer other appealing features, its unclear fee structure may necessitate additional investigation for those prioritizing cost-effectiveness.
Regarding their ratings, eToro receives a commendable 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, placing it at #22 out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, Markets.com earns a rating of 3.5 stars and ranks at #50 in the same category. These rankings reinforce eToro's stronger position in terms of cost-associated features compared to Markets.com.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 eToro and Markets.com for their range of investment opportunities, eToro stands out as the more versatile platform. With a staggering 5,461 tradeable symbols, it offers a broader selection than Markets.com's 2,179 symbols. Both platforms provide the ability to trade forex as CFDs with eToro featuring 55 forex pairs and Markets.com offering slightly more at 57. However, where eToro truly excels is in its offering of exchange traded securities, allowing investors to purchase shares directly on both U.S. and international exchanges, something Markets.com does not provide. Moreover, eToro allows users to buy actual cryptocurrencies directly in addition to derivatives, while Markets.com limits users to cryptocurrency derivatives only.
Both platforms support copy trading, giving investors the ability to mimic the trades of experienced traders. Nevertheless, eToro's extensive investment options have earned it a stellar five-star rating for its range of investments, compared to Markets.com's four-star rating. Additionally, according to ForexBrokers.com, eToro is ranked 10th out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category, whereas Markets.com ranks 29th. For those seeking a wider array of investment possibilities, eToro provides a more comprehensive experience, making it an appealing choice for investors looking to diversify their portfolio.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 57 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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.
Both eToro and Markets.com offer traders a range of features and tools through their proprietary platforms. While both brokers provide a free virtual demo account for practice, eToro and Markets.com diverge in their technical offerings. eToro is accessible via a web-based platform without a Windows desktop download, whereas Markets.com offers both a web-based platform and a Windows-based desktop download option. For those interested in copying trades, eToro shines with its well-integrated copy trading feature, comparable to what Markets.com offers. However, when it comes to supporting popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, Markets.com has the upper hand, as eToro does not offer these options.
In terms of customization and charting capabilities, eToro offers 161 drawing tools compared to Markets.com's 4, although neither platform supports trading directly from stock charts. Both platforms provide six columns for watch lists, making it easier to track investments. When it comes to ratings for their platforms and tools, eToro scores slightly higher, with 4.5 stars out of 5, and ranks 8th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Markets.com holds a 4-star rating and is placed at the 27th position. Overall, eToro's platform may appeal more to web-based users, while Markets.com attracts those who prefer a desktop experience and MetaTrader integration.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of eToro and Markets.com, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android, ensuring cross-platform accessibility. Both apps provide essential features like stock and forex price alerts and watchlist syncing. eToro sets itself apart by offering a comprehensive selection of 104 technical studies for charting, whereas Markets.com relies on default settings from MT4 and offers no additional studies in its proprietary app. However, Markets.com allows users to draw trendlines on charts—a feature not available in eToro's app. On the flip side, eToro supports viewing multiple time frames within a chart, which is a capability lacking in the Markets.com app.
Both eToro and Markets.com allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes through their mobile apps. However, neither app currently auto-saves drawings on charts. In terms of user feedback, eToro emerges as a slightly more favorable choice, garnering a 4.5-star rating and securing the #10 spot in the ForexBrokers.com's Mobile Trading Apps category out of 63 brokers. Markets.com, while still competitive, holds a 4-star rating and ranks at #33. Ultimately, if technical charting tools and flexible time frame views are priority, eToro may cater more effectively to those needs, while Markets.com's ability to draw trendlines could be a decisive feature for certain traders.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of online brokers eToro and Markets.com, both platforms provide valuable resources, such as daily market commentary and economic calendars to help traders stay informed about global financial events. However, differences become apparent in some specific tools and partnerships each broker provides. eToro stands out with its access to Trading Central's technical analysis tools and market research from TipRanks, making it a more comprehensive choice for traders seeking a deeper insight into market trends. On the other hand, Markets.com offers forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, providing users with timely and credible information directly from the leading voices in the financial news industry.
Overall, both platforms have their strengths, with eToro rated 4.5 stars for research, placing it at #13 in ForexBrokers.com rankings, while Markets.com earns a respectable 4 stars and is ranked #17. Whether a trader prefers eToro's focus on technical tools and third-party insights from TipRanks, or Markets.com's emphasis on high-quality forex news, each broker delivers well-rounded environments suitable for informed trading decisions, catering to the bespoke needs of individual traders.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | 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, eToro and Markets.com differ in their offerings. eToro stands out with a broad range of materials dedicated to forex and CFD trading, including over ten educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. It also hosts online webinars monthly, which are archived for easy access and reference. Beginners will find a wealth of resources, including ten specific videos tailored to novices and a comprehensive investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms. This robust educational framework contributes to eToro's high educational rating of 4.5 stars and a top-five ranking in ForexBrokers.com's educational category.
On the other hand, Markets.com provides a solid platform for beginners but does not match eToro's breadth in certain areas. While it offers monthly webinars and beginner-level videos on trading topics, it lacks a substantial collection of materials focused specifically on forex and CFDs, and does not provide a searchable archive of recorded webinars. Moreover, the absence of an extensive investor dictionary means beginners may have to seek additional resources for comprehensive definitions. Despite these gaps, Markets.com still garners a respectable 4-star rating for education and secures the 34th spot in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, making it a viable choice for new traders seeking foundational learning experiences.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that eToro is better than Markets.com. eToro finished with an overall rank of #9, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
eToro is a winner for its easy-to-use copy-trading platform, where traders can copy the trades of experienced investors – or receive exclusive perks for sharing their own trading strategies.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 93 |
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eToro allows users to buy actual cryptocurrencies as well as cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Markets.com only offers the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, not the actual digital currencies.
eToro offers versatile deposit and withdrawal options including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, while Markets.com supports Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not offer ACH or 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 | eToro | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
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| Regulation | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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) | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 57 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 104 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | No |
| Research | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | eToro | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | eToro Review |
| Overall | eToro | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
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