Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FP Markets vs ThinkMarkets, 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.
FP Markets and ThinkMarkets are two online brokers offering various services to investors and traders. Founded in 2005, FP Markets holds 2 highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and 1 trusted Tier-2 license. In comparison, ThinkMarkets, established in 2010, boasts 5 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, highlighting a broader regulatory coverage. Neither FP Markets nor ThinkMarkets are publicly traded or operate as banks. However, their regulatory backgrounds provide insight into their reliability, with FP Markets holding a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 89, categorizing it as trusted, and ThinkMarkets scoring 92, indicating a high level of trust.
In summary, while both companies exhibit substantial regulatory credentials, ThinkMarkets has more Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses, reflecting strong compliance with financial authorities. This aligns with ThinkMarkets' slightly higher trust score, suggesting it may offer a marginally more secure choice for those prioritizing stringent regulatory standards in their online broker selection. Nevertheless, both brokers have established themselves as reputable players in the industry.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2005 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
FP Markets stands out in the realm of online trading for its highly competitive pricing structures, especially through its MetaTrader and cTrader platforms. Traders globally find its commission-based ECN account particularly appealing due to its cost-effectiveness, which contributed to FP Markets receiving Best in Class honors for Commissions and Fees in the 2024 Annual Awards. The broker’s Iress ViewPoint option, although more costly and aimed at active, high-balance traders, provides Direct Market Access with full depth of book advantages. FP Markets' Raw ECN account presents attractive spreads averaging 0.1 pips, while its Standard account is less economical, with higher spreads of about 1.1 pips for EUR/USD.
FP Markets' Iress platform in Australia offers several account types, starting with a minimum deposit requirement for the Standard, Platinum, and Premier accounts, each with escalating costs and benefits. While a Premier account or substantial monthly commission spend negates platform and data fees, the Iress Investor Account provides a lower-cost entry-point, albeit with limited functionality and no default streaming data. FP Markets shines with a 5-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking 6th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
In comparison, ThinkMarkets receives a 4-star rating for its commissions and fees, placing it at 47th among the same 63 brokers. Details on its average spread data are not readily available, making direct cost comparisons more challenging. While ThinkMarkets offers competitive offerings, it lacks the same accolades and detailed nuances in pricing options seen with FP Markets, making FP Markets arguably the more attractive option for cost-conscious traders.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 AUD | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 1.1 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | 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 it comes to the breadth of investment options, FP Markets and ThinkMarkets both emerge as strong contenders. FP Markets offers an impressive selection, with 10,000 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs available, all presented through CFDs or spot contracts. ThinkMarkets offers 4,000 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs, also available as CFDs or spot contracts. While neither broker facilitates the direct purchase of U.S. exchange-traded securities or actual cryptocurrencies, they both provide avenues for trading cryptocurrency derivatives. Additionally, both FP Markets and ThinkMarkets support copy trading, making them appealing to investors seeking diversified strategies.
Though each platform brings unique advantages, FP Markets and ThinkMarkets share a similar quality in their range of offerings, each receiving a 4.5-star rating for the variety of investments accessible. However, FP Markets holds a slight edge over ThinkMarkets in rankings, securing the 18th position compared to ThinkMarkets' 22nd place out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. While FP Markets leads with more forex pairs and tradeable symbols, ThinkMarkets stands out by providing access to international exchange-traded securities, broadening the possibilities for global investments.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10000 | 4000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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 the trading platforms and tools of FP Markets and ThinkMarkets, both brokers offer a variety of options designed to meet traders' needs. Both FP Markets and ThinkMarkets provide simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, making it easy for beginners to practice. Each broker features a proprietary platform along with popular options like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Traders can access their accounts through Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based interfaces. Additionally, both allow for copy trading and offer the convenience of trading directly from stock charts. While neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, traders have a good selection of tools at their disposal.
In terms of specific features, FP Markets provides 17 drawing tools for charting compared to ThinkMarkets' 15, and while the number of technical indicators isn't specified, the brokers are overall well-equipped for chart analysis. On the other hand, ThinkMarkets leads with 15 columns for watch lists, against FP Markets' 7. Both brokers are similarly rated with 4 stars for their trading platforms and tools, yet FP Markets takes a slight edge in rankings, placed 23rd out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while ThinkMarkets lands at the 28th spot. This suggests that while both brokers offer comprehensive trading environments, FP Markets may have a slight advantage in usability and features according to these rankings.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 17 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 15 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When choosing between FP Markets and ThinkMarkets for their mobile trading apps, both brokers offer solid options for traders on the go. FP Markets and ThinkMarkets provide apps for both iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility across popular platforms. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines on charts, view multiple time frames, and receive stock or forex price alerts, enhancing the trading experience. However, neither broker currently supports watchlist symbol syncing between their mobile apps and online accounts. This means changes made on one platform do not automatically update on the other.
FP Markets offers the MetaTrader (Default) option for technical studies on charts, while ThinkMarkets provides a more extensive selection with 94 technical studies available. Users looking for robust charting features may find ThinkMarkets appealing. Both apps allow for creating watchlists with real-time quotes and auto-save drawings made on charts, offering convenience and efficiency. FP Markets and ThinkMarkets receive similar praise, with both rated four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, FP Markets edges out slightly, coming in at #18, while ThinkMarkets is ranked #20 out of 63 brokers.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | MetaTrader (Default) | 94 |
| 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 comparing the market research offerings of FP Markets and ThinkMarkets, both brokers provide essential tools such as daily market commentary and access to forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. While both platforms have excellent resources for staying updated with daily financial movements, FP Markets stands out with additional technical analysis tools from Trading Central and Autochartist, which are notably absent in ThinkMarkets' lineup. Furthermore, both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars, giving traders a comprehensive overview of market conditions and upcoming global events.
FP Markets and ThinkMarkets have differences in their overall research toolsets and subsequent ratings. FP Markets scores slightly better with a four-star rating, compared to the 3.5-star rating of ThinkMarkets, positioning them higher in industry rankings. Specifically, FP Markets is ranked 25th among 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's Research category, while ThinkMarkets holds the 50th spot. ThinkMarkets does feature tools from Acuity Trading, like Signal Centre, adding value for users interested in specific research features not offered by FP Markets. Overall, traders seeking a wider array of technical analysis tools may find FP Markets more appealing, while those interested in Acuity Trading resources could consider ThinkMarkets.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both FP Markets and ThinkMarkets cater to the needs of new traders by providing a variety of learning materials. Each offers at least 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. They both conduct regular webinars, giving clients the opportunity to learn in real-time, and maintain a searchable archive of these sessions for future reference. For visually inclined learners, both platforms offer numerous beginner-focused videos that cover essential trading topics. Advanced traders also have access to specialized videos tailored to their needs, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience for all levels of expertise. In addition, both brokers provide an investor dictionary, helping users familiarize themselves with over 50 investing terms.
However, when considering the overall rating and ranking in the education category, FP Markets holds a slight edge. Rated at 4 stars, it stands at #23 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, showcasing commendable educational support. In comparison, ThinkMarkets, with a rating of 3.5 stars, is ranked at #52. This indicates that while both brokers offer substantial educational resources, FP Markets might provide a slightly more comprehensive educational platform for those eager to deepen their trading knowledge.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 FP Markets is better than ThinkMarkets. FP Markets finished with an overall rank of #19, while ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27.
FP Markets shines as a low-cost broker for trading forex and CFDs – as long as you use the MetaTrader platform. The Iress platform suite offers well over 9,000 tradeable symbols, but it’s mostly a share trading platform – and is generally a much pricier option.
| Feature |
FP Markets
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ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 89 | 92 |
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Both FP Markets and ThinkMarkets provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allow the purchase of actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
FP Markets and ThinkMarkets both support Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire transactions for funding and withdrawing account funds, but only FP Markets offers PayPal as an additional option, while neither broker provides ACH or SEPA transfer facilities.
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 | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 89 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FP Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Regulation | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 89 | 92 | |
| Year Founded | 2005 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10000 | 4000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 1.1 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 AUD | $50 | |
| 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 | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 15 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 17 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | MetaTrader (Default) | 94 | |
| 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 | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FP Markets Review |
| Overall | FP Markets | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 89 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FP Markets Review |
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