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 | 1.70 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 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.
Tickmill and Questrade both provide opportunities for forex trading as either CFDs or spot contracts, allowing investors access to the forex market. Tickmill offers 637 tradeable symbols, while Questrade offers slightly more with 641. Notably, when it comes to forex pairs, Questrade offers a larger selection, enabling access to 110 pairs compared to Tickmill's 63. While both brokers provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
Questrade stands out by offering clients the opportunity to invest directly in U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, such as Apple and Vodafone shares, an option not available with Tickmill. However, Tickmill does provide copy trading capabilities, a feature that Questrade does not offer. In terms of rating, Tickmill scores 3.5 stars for its range of investments and is ranked #42 by ForexBrokers.com, whereas Questrade is rated 5 stars and holds a more favorable position at #11.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 637 | 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.
Tickmill and Questrade both offer a range of trading platforms and tools suitable for various trader needs. Tickmill allows users to experience simulated trading through a free virtual demo account and provides Windows-based desktop, web-based platforms, and popular options like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Additionally, Tickmill supports copy trading, enabling traders to mimic experienced investors' strategies. However, it lacks an in-house developed platform and services like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade. On the charting front, Tickmill offers 9 drawing tools and 7 columns for customizing watch lists, with the option to trade directly from stock charts.
Questrade, on the other hand, stands out with its proprietary platform, designed specifically to cater to its user base, alongside offering simulated trading. Like Tickmill, Questrade also provides both Windows-based desktop and web-based trading platforms, although it does not support MT4 or MT5. It does provide DupliTrade for those interested in third-party tool integration and offers an extensive 20 drawing tools for charting, alongside offering 52 columns to personalize watch lists. Both brokers enable trading directly from stock charts and are rated 4 stars for their platforms and tools, with Tickmill ranked slightly higher at #29 compared to Questrade's #34 in the ForexBrokers.com platform assessment.
| 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) | 91 | 64 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 9 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 52 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Tickmill and Questrade, both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps with essential trading features like price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and access to multiple time frames on stock or forex charts. Each platform allows users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, and both apps auto-save chart drawings, making real-time adjustments seamless. Tickmill and Questrade both offer competitive charting experiences, although Questrade stands out with 64 technical studies compared to Tickmill's 30.
One notable difference is in watchlist symbol syncing. Questrade provides seamless syncing between the mobile app and an online account, while Tickmill does not. Both apps received a four-star rating in mobile trading. However, when ranked by ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers, Tickmill holds a slightly higher position at #29 compared to Questrade’s #34. These factors may guide traders in choosing between the two, depending on their preference for charting capabilities or ease of access across devices.
| 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.
Tickmill and Questrade each bring distinct strengths to the table for those seeking online broker services. Tickmill stands out by offering daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, providing traders with a global perspective. They also have a sentiment-based trading tool that highlights long or short positions across currencies and other instruments. Additionally, Tickmill provides research tools from Acuity Trading and offers a comprehensive economic calendar for keeping an eye on global news events. On the other hand, while Questrade does not offer daily commentary or a sentiment-based tool, it does provide research support through Autochartist and Trading Central, along with market research from TipRanks, all of which cater to the needs of traders who prioritize technical analysis and research support.
When it comes to ratings, Tickmill earns a research rating of 4 out of 5 stars, reflecting its comprehensive market insights and tools. It ranks 21st in research among 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Questrade holds a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars for research and ranks 51st on the same list. Both brokers offer an economic calendar for keeping track of global events, aiding traders in making informed decisions. However, depending on whether you prefer detailed market commentary and sentiment tools, or technical analysis features, Tickmill and Questrade each have their unique advantages.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | |
| 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
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Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 86 |
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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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Tickmill | Questrade | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Questrade Review |
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| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 |
| Investments | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 637 | 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 | 1.70 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 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) | 91 | 64 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 9 | 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 | ||
| 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Questrade Review |
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