Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com 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.
FOREX.com and Markets.com, both established in 1999, are prominent online brokers, but they differ in terms of trust scores and regulatory licenses. FOREX.com is publicly listed, while Markets.com is not, which could offer an added layer of confidence for some investors. Neither broker operates as a bank. When it comes to regulatory standing, FOREX.com holds a significant advantage with seven Tier-1 licenses, recognized as highly trusted, compared to the three held by Markets.com. Both brokers maintain one Tier-2 license, which is deemed trusted by ForexBrokers.com.
In terms of trustworthiness, according to ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com boasts the highest possible Trust Score of 99 out of 99, indicating an extremely trustworthy status. Markets.com, with a Trust Score of 93, is also highly rated but falls slightly behind FOREX.com. This comparison highlights FOREX.com’s strong regulatory position and market reputation, which might appeal to traders looking for a highly trusted online trading platform.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees, FOREX.com earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #14 of 63 brokers, while Markets.com scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #51 of 63. In short, FOREX.com offers clearer pricing options and published data that make costs easier to gauge, whereas Markets.com provides less visibility into average trading costs.
FOREX.com’s Standard account typically carries wider spreads in the U.S. (about 1.4 pips on EUR/USD, July 2023), though average EUR/USD spreads outside the U.S. were lower at 0.74 in July 2023. The newer RAW account replaces the old DMA model and features very low typical spreads (around 0.13 pips on EUR/USD, February 2024) plus a commission of $7 per standard lot ($3.50 per side). That commission adds about 0.7 pips, putting the all-in cost near 0.83 pips before any rebates. Volume-based rebates range from $2 to $9 per million, and while very high-volume traders can drive costs down further, U.S. clients trading under $50 million per month may find the Standard and RAW accounts end up similarly priced overall.
For Markets.com, average spread data is not available, which makes direct cost comparisons harder. Based on our scoring, its 3.5/5 rating and #51/63 ranking suggest mid-to-higher pricing relative to peers. If transparent average spreads, clear commission terms, and active-trader rebates matter to you, FOREX.com provides more detail and flexibility for evaluating your total trading costs.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FOREX.com offers a wider range of investments than Markets.com. FOREX.com lists 5,500 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs, compared with Markets.com’s 2,179 symbols and 57 pairs. Both brokers support forex trading (available as CFDs or spot, depending on your location) and both provide cryptocurrency trading via CFDs. Neither broker supports buying actual crypto or exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international stock exchanges.
Markets.com includes copy trading, while FOREX.com does not. For Range of Investments, ForexBrokers.com rates FOREX.com at 5 stars (ranked 7th of 63) and Markets.com at 4 stars (ranked 30th). If you want the broadest selection of markets and currency pairs, FOREX.com stands out; if copy trading matters, Markets.com has that feature.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 57 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
FOREX.com and Markets.com both check key boxes for platform choice and ease of access. Each broker offers a free demo account for simulated (paper) trading, along with an in-house proprietary platform, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform. If you prefer third-party software, both support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), giving traders familiar charting and order types across devices.
Key differences show up in tools and ratings. Markets.com includes copy trading, while FOREX.com does not. On the flip side, FOREX.com lets you place trades directly from charts, whereas Markets.com does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, FOREX.com scores 5 stars and ranks #7 out of 63 brokers; Markets.com earns 4 stars and ranks #27. If chart trading and higher-rated tools matter most, FOREX.com stands out. If you value built-in copy trading, Markets.com is the pick.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 89 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing FOREX.com vs Markets.com for mobile trading, both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, and watchlist syncing between mobile and web. For charting, FOREX.com stands out with 88 built-in technical studies in its app, while the Markets.com app doesn’t include indicators; if you use Markets.com via MetaTrader 4 (MT4), you’ll get MT4’s standard indicators instead. Both apps let you draw trendlines, but only FOREX.com auto-saves your chart drawings so they’re there the next time you log in.
Ratings and rankings back up these differences: ForexBrokers.com rates FOREX.com’s mobile app 5 stars and ranks it #3 out of 63 brokers, while Markets.com earns 4 stars and ranks #34. If you want deeper, on-the-go charting with saved drawings, FOREX.com is the stronger pick. If you primarily use MT4 and don’t need built-in indicators in the broker’s app, Markets.com can still fit the bill.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of FOREX.com and Markets.com, both platforms provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from respected sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed with timely insights. Both brokers also offer a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments, helping users gauge market trends effectively. Additionally, each platform includes an economic calendar to keep traders updated on significant global events impacting markets.
However, FOREX.com sets itself apart by offering comprehensive research tools from Trading Central, which Markets.com does not provide. This gives FOREX.com an edge with more specialized technical analysis options. As a result, FOREX.com is rated 4.5 stars for research and ranks 9th among 63 brokers, while Markets.com garners a 4-star rating, holding the 17th position. These ratings highlight the slight advantage FOREX.com has in delivering detailed market analysis resources.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| 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.
If you’re new to trading, both FOREX.com and Markets.com deliver plenty of forex and CFD education. Each meets the benchmark of at least 10 educational pieces and offers articles, videos, and archived webinars. Both brokers run client webinars at least once per month, and each provides 10+ beginner-focused videos to help you learn core trading concepts in plain language.
As you progress, both also offer 10+ advanced videos. According to ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com earns a 4.5/5 Education rating and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers, while Markets.com scores 4/5 and ranks #34. In short, beginners can learn effectively on either platform, but those seeking a higher-rated education experience may lean toward FOREX.com.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 FOREX.com is better than Markets.com. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
In this comparison of online brokers FOREX.com vs Markets.com, neither offers the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both support trading cryptocurrency CFDs, providing crypto exposure via derivatives rather than direct coin ownership.
Comparing online brokers for payments, FOREX.com supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers for deposits and withdrawals, while Markets.com lacks ACH/SEPA and PayPal but does support Skrill and bank wires (Visa/Mastercard availability not specified).
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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 57 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 89 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill