Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ThinkMarkets vs GBE brokers, 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.
When comparing ThinkMarkets and GBE brokers, investors will find crucial differences in their regulatory standings. Founded in 2010, ThinkMarkets holds a higher ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 92, which classifies it as highly trusted. With five Tier-1 licenses, ThinkMarkets demonstrates a strong commitment to regulatory compliance. In addition, ThinkMarkets maintains two Tier-2 licenses, further ensuring its reputation as a reliable broker. Although not publicly traded or a bank, ThinkMarkets' regulatory adherence positions it as a preferred choice for many traders seeking security.
In contrast, GBE brokers was established in 2013 and carries a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 71, placing it within the average risk category. It has obtained one Tier-1 license but holds no Tier-2 licenses, suggesting a less expansive regulatory backing compared to ThinkMarkets. Like ThinkMarkets, GBE brokers is neither publicly traded nor a bank. These factors should be carefully considered by potential investors who prioritize trust and regulation when choosing an online broker.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2013 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When comparing ThinkMarkets and GBE brokers on commissions and fees, both stand out with commendable ratings. ThinkMarkets scores a solid 4 out of 5 stars in this category, reflecting its competitive edge in keeping costs manageable for traders. However, exact average spread data isn't provided, which might be a point to consider for users prioritizing transparency in fee structures. Despite this, ThinkMarkets ranks at #47 among 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com, in the Commissions and Fees category.
GBE brokers also earn a 4 out of 5 stars rating for commissions and fees, indicating they are equally adept at offering cost-effective trading experiences. Similar to ThinkMarkets, specific average spread data isn't detailed, which may require potential clients to conduct additional research if spread transparency is crucial to them. GBE brokers distinguish themselves further with a higher position, ranking #37 out of 63 brokers as measured by ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, both ThinkMarkets and GBE brokers offer competitive fee structures, each earning 4-star ratings for their commissions and fees. GBE brokers, however, edge ahead in rank, sitting at #37 compared to ThinkMarkets' #47. While neither broker provides detailed average spread figures, they remain strong contenders for traders seeking reasonable and valuable cost management.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| 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 considering the variety of investments available, ThinkMarkets and GBE Brokers both cater to forex trading enthusiasts with the option to trade forex as Contracts for Difference (CFDs) or spot contracts. ThinkMarkets offers a wider selection overall, featuring 4,000 tradeable symbols compared to GBE Brokers' 500. While GBE Brokers provides more extensive forex pair options, totaling 71 compared to ThinkMarkets' 46, ThinkMarkets sets itself apart by including international exchange-traded securities, such as Vodafone shares, while neither platform offers U.S. exchange-traded securities. Additionally, both brokers support copy trading and trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
While both ThinkMarkets and GBE Brokers provide appealing features, ThinkMarkets generally outperforms, earning a 4.5-star rating for its range of investments, with GBE Brokers trailing at 3.5 stars. In the ForexBrokers.com rankings, ThinkMarkets holds a solid #22 position out of 63 brokers, compared to GBE Brokers, which is ranked #44. This suggests that those seeking diverse investment opportunities might find ThinkMarkets more suitable for their needs.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 71 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
ThinkMarkets and GBE Brokers both offer attractive options for traders when it comes to their trading platforms and tools, with each providing a virtual demo account, suitable for beginner practice. ThinkMarkets distinguishes itself by offering a proprietary platform, an advantage for those looking for unique, tailored trading experiences. Both brokers provide access to popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, ensuring broad functionality for users preferring these well-known environments. For traders interested in browser-based trading, both ThinkMarkets and GBE Brokers deliver competent web-based platforms; similarly, desktop users are catered to with Windows-based options. Both firms also support copy trading, a feature that appeals to those eager to follow experienced traders' strategies.
Charting enthusiasts will find similarities between the two as both offer 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from charts, though GBE Brokers falls short of ThinkMarkets in watchlist customization, offering only seven columns compared to the 15 available at ThinkMarkets. Despite these differences, both brokers receive a solid 4-star rating for their platforms and tools, though ThinkMarkets ranks higher overall, positioned at 28 out of 63 on ForexBrokers.com, while GBE Brokers sits at 57. This ranking highlights ThinkMarkets as a competitive choice for those prioritizing comprehensive tools and greater customization capabilities in their trading experience.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both ThinkMarkets and GBE Brokers cater to iPhone and Android users. Enthusiasts of stock and forex trading can enjoy price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts with both apps. While neither app supports watchlist symbol syncing between mobile and online accounts, they do allow for the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. ThinkMarkets stands out with more extensive charting capabilities, boasting 94 technical studies compared to GBE's 30. Both apps allow users to view stock charts in multiple time frames, such as daily or weekly intervals, and will auto-save any drawings made on these charts for future reference.
Although rated equally at four out of five stars for mobile trading, ThinkMarkets holds a higher position in rankings by ForexBrokers.com at #20 compared to GBE Brokers' #57 out of 63 brokers. This suggests that while both apps offer similar basic functionalities, ThinkMarkets may offer a more comprehensive experience overall, especially for traders looking for advanced charting features.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | 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.
ThinkMarkets and GBE Brokers both provide daily market commentary and offer sentiment-based trading tools to help traders gauge market moods. ThinkMarkets sets itself apart by delivering forex news sourced from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed with high-quality information. Additionally, ThinkMarkets enhances the trading experience with research tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, which is not available with GBE Brokers. Moreover, both brokers provide economic calendars to keep traders aware of significant global events.
Despite these offerings, there are areas where neither broker excels, such as the lack of technical analysis tools from Autochartist and Trading Central. However, ThinkMarkets earns a slightly higher research rating of 3.5 stars, compared to GBE Brokers' 3 stars. When ranked among 63 brokers, ThinkMarkets holds the 50th spot in the Research category, whereas GBE Brokers is positioned at 62nd, indicating a notable difference in their research capabilities. Whether you seek in-depth forex news or reliable research tools in your trading arsenal, ThinkMarkets may offer a more comprehensive package for the research-focused investor.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, ThinkMarkets and GBE Brokers present two distinct offerings. ThinkMarkets stands out with its extensive educational content, boasting over ten pieces that focus on forex and CFDs. It provides monthly educational webinars and has a library of recorded sessions that clients can search through at any time. For those just starting out, ThinkMarkets also offers more than ten beginner-friendly videos on trading, alongside an advanced collection for more experienced traders. Completing their educational suite, ThinkMarkets includes an investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms to better equip new traders.
Conversely, GBE Brokers falls short in providing comprehensive resources for beginners. This broker does not meet the minimum number of educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs and lacks regular online client webinars and an archive of recorded sessions. GBE Brokers also does not offer a significant collection of beginner or advanced trading videos, nor does it feature an investor dictionary with an extensive list of terms. Reflecting these shortcomings, ThinkMarkets is rated 3.5 stars for education, placing it at #52 out of 63 brokers, while GBE Brokers has a 3-star rating, ranking at #63.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 ThinkMarkets is better than GBE brokers. ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #57.
ThinkMarkets has multiple regulatory license and offers a proprietary trading platform, as well as the entire MetaTrader suite. The broker has made progress in key areas, such as research and education, and the range of markets available, although trails behind the best brokers in these categories.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 92 | 71 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
ThinkMarkets and GBE Brokers both provide options for purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives, yet neither broker facilitates the purchase of actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
In comparing online brokers ThinkMarkets and GBE brokers, GBE brokers stands out by offering ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal for account deposits and withdrawals, whereas ThinkMarkets does not offer these options, though both brokers provide Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire 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 | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 92 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Regulation | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2013 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 94 | 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 | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | ThinkMarkets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 92 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill
