Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill vs Questrade, 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.
Tickmill and Questrade, both private and non-banking entities, cater to online trading enthusiasts, offering various services. Founded in 2014, Tickmill has earned its place in the market by securing two Tier-1 licenses, known for high trust, alongside two Tier-2 licenses, indicating a strong level of reliability. Sharing a comparable trust profile, Questrade, established earlier in 2000, holds two Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its commitment to maintaining a trusted trading environment.
Both brokers boast a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86 out of 99, categorizing them within a 'trusted' range. This suggests that either platform is a viable option for traders seeking a dependable online broker. Despite not being listed on any stock exchange, their regulatory standings and trust scores suggest a mutual dedication to secure and reliable trading conditions.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2000 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Tickmill and Questrade, Tickmill emerges as a strong contender for traders seeking cost-effective trading options. Tickmill offers two distinct account types: the Classic account, which is commission-free but has higher average spreads starting at 1.76 pips, and the Raw account, where traders pay a $3 commission per side. The Raw account boasts typical spreads of 0.11 pips for EUR/USD, leading to a total all-in cost of 0.71 pips. With a minimum deposit of only $100, Tickmill’s Raw account provides access to competitive spreads and budget-friendly trading, earning it a 5-star rating and a commendable #4 rank out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
In contrast, Questrade charges a considerably steeper spread of 1.9 pips on the EUR/USD, which is above the industry average. This higher cost structure contributes to its 3-star rating and a lower rank of #58 out of 63 brokers in the same category. For traders focused on minimizing trading expenses, this places Questrade at a disadvantage compared to Tickmill.
Overall, Tickmill is highly regarded for its low average spreads and relatively modest commission structure, making it a preferred choice for active traders, despite a recent increase in the per-trade commission for its Raw account. Meanwhile, Questrade's higher spreads could potentially negate trading profits for those sensitive to cost, making Tickmill the more economical selection between the two.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to comparing the range of investment options between Tickmill and Questrade, both online brokers offer a variety of choices, but they cater to different investor needs. Tickmill provides a wider selection of tradeable symbols with 725 options and offers copy trading, which might appeal to beginners interested in mimicking experienced traders. The broker is particularly strong in forex trading, providing 63 tradeable forex pairs and the option to trade forex as both a CFD and a spot contract. Additionally, Tickmill offers investment in cryptocurrency derivatives. However, it falls short when it comes to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, such as buying actual shares of companies like Apple or Vodafone, which it does not support.
On the other hand, Questrade shines in offering a comprehensive range of investment options with a strong focus on traditional equities. It allows investors to buy exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, providing access to a variety of stock options, including well-known companies. Questrade also supports forex trading with 110 tradeable forex pairs and offers the opportunity to trade forex as a CFD or spot contract. While it does not provide copy trading, it does offer cryptocurrency derivatives. Overall, Questrade is rated higher for its range of investments, scoring 5 stars compared to Tickmill’s 3.5 stars, and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, showing its strength in catering to traders looking for a diverse suite of investment options.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 641 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 110 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When evaluating trading platforms and tools, both Tickmill and Questrade cater to traders seeking a mix of features and accessibility, each offering unique strengths. Tickmill impresses with its inclusion of MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, supporting a familiar interface for many seasoned traders. Although it lacks a proprietary platform, Tickmill provides both a Windows-based desktop version and a web-based platform, along with copy trading options—a feature not available with Questrade. Additionally, Tickmill offers a virtual demo account to practice without risk, and you can trade directly from stock charts. While its charting tools include 15 drawing options, it has fewer watch list columns than Questrade.
Questrade, on the other hand, offers a proprietary platform developed in-house, catering to traders who prefer an all-in-one experience. This option also includes a Windows-based and web-based platform, but lacks support for MetaTrader 4 or 5, limiting choices for those who favor these platforms. Questrade does not offer copy trading but introduces DupliTrade integration; however, like Tickmill, it does not support ZuluTrade. Chart enthusiasts may appreciate Questrade's 20 drawing tools and its extensive 52 watch list columns. Additionally, you can trade directly from charts in both brokers' offerings. Both brokers have received a commendable 4-star rating for trading platforms and tools, with Tickmill slightly leading in ranking by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 64 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 52 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Tickmill and Questrade offer convenient mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users, ensuring that you can manage your investments on the go. Both apps allow users to receive stock and forex price alerts to stay updated on market movements. However, Questrade has an edge with seamless watchlist syncing between its mobile app and the online account, making it easier for users to keep track of changes in their portfolios across different devices. On the other hand, while Tickmill offers 30 technical studies for charting, Questrade tops that with 64, providing more analytical tools for traders.
Both services enable users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on their charts, ensuring flexible and diverse analysis options. They also support auto-saving of chart drawings, which helps maintain continuity in your trading analysis. Real-time quote watchlists are available on both apps, allowing for efficient tracking. Rated equally with four stars for their mobile trading apps, Tickmill is ranked slightly higher at #32 as compared to Questrade's #34 by ForexBrokers.com, indicating a comparable overall user experience.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 64 |
| 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 market research tools offered by Tickmill and Questrade, Tickmill stands out with its daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Additionally, Tickmill provides a sentiment-based trading tool, shows a ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs, and equips traders with research tools from Acuity Trading, including Signal Centre. An economic calendar is also available for tracking global news events. Though Questrade lacks daily commentary and high-profile forex news, it makes up for it with technical analysis tools from companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, and includes research offerings from TipRanks, along with the shared economic calendar.
On the rating front, Tickmill edges out Questrade with a four-star rating for research, compared to Questrade’s 3.5 stars. In the ForexBrokers.com ranking for research, Tickmill's offerings place them 22nd among 63 brokers, demonstrating their stronger focus on providing comprehensive market insights. Meanwhile, Questrade holds the 51st spot, reflecting a more moderate approach in their research capabilities. Both brokers present significant strengths and weaknesses that suit different trading needs, making the choice largely dependent on individual preferences and research requirements.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| 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, both Tickmill and Questrade provide over 10 pieces of educational content focusing on forex or CFDs, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, Tickmill differs by offering monthly online educational webinars, while Questrade does not. For those who prefer learning from past sessions, both brokers provide access to a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars.
Both brokers cater to novice traders by supplying at least 10 beginner-friendly educational videos, yet Tickmill goes a step further by also offering 10 advanced educational videos for more seasoned traders, unlike Questrade. Additionally, Tickmill provides an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, a resource that Questrade lacks. Overall, Tickmill earns a 4-star rating for education and ranks 15th out of 63 brokers, in contrast to Questrade's 3.5-star rating and 36th place ranking.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Tickmill is better than Questrade. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while Questrade finished with an overall rank of #32.
Tickmill is a run-of-the-mill MetaTrader broker that offers a limited selection of tradeable securities. The broker does offer very competitive commission-based pricing for professionals through its VIP and Pro accounts.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 86 | 86 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Tickmill and Questrade do not offer the option to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but each provides the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both Tickmill and Questrade provide options for depositing and withdrawing funds through Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, Tickmill additionally supports PayPal and Skrill, whereas Questrade does not offer these options, and neither platform supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Questrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2000 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 641 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 110 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). |
| Cost | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 52 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 64 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 64 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill Review | Questrade Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Questrade Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill