Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill vs TopFX, 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 TopFX are both online brokerage firms, yet they exhibit notable differences in terms of regulatory standing and trust scores. Founded in 2014, Tickmill has built a solid reputation with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86, categorizing it as a trusted broker. In terms of regulation, Tickmill holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, offering a strong level of oversight and assurance to its clients. Unlike many financial institutions, Tickmill is not publicly traded nor is it a bank, making its regulatory licenses a key component of its credibility.
TopFX, established in 2010, has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 67, which places it in the high-risk category. The brokerage holds one Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses, which indicates a lower level of regulatory backing compared to Tickmill. Like its counterpart, TopFX is neither publicly traded nor a banking institution. Potential investors should consider these regulatory differences when choosing between the two, especially given the varying degrees of trust and oversight each broker institution has earned.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing Tickmill and TopFX in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers display competitive offerings, yet subtle differences may influence a trader's choice. Tickmill provides two main account options: the commission-free Classic account and the Raw account, which has a new commission structure of $3 per side or $6 per standard lot due to recent changes. Despite the increase, Tickmill remains highly attractive for active traders, with its low average spreads and overall costs after commissions factored in. The Classic account differs by operating entirely on bid/ask spreads, where average spreads are wider at 1.76 pips as of August 2023. Tickmill records typical spreads for the EUR/USD as low as 0.11 pips on its Raw account, with an all-in cost reaching about 0.71 pips after the commission.
Conversely, TopFX offers two account types compatible with MetaTrader and cTrader: the ZERO account, which is spread-only, and the RAW account, which is commission-based. The RAW account imposes a commission of 2.75 EUR per side, making for a total cost of around 0.88 pips, when adding the 0.33 pip average spread for the EUR/USD. This places TopFX's commission-based account costs roughly at the industry average. While the ZERO account avoids commissions, it features higher average spreads of 1.03 pips for EUR/USD, potentially offering a simpler but costlier per-trade choice.
In terms of ratings, Tickmill stands out with 5 stars, ranked 4th among 63 brokers for its favorable commissions and fees. TopFX, on the other hand, garners a 4-star rating and ranks 40th, indicating a solid yet less competitive fee structure compared to Tickmill. The choice between the two will depend largely on traders' preferences for account types and cost sensitivities.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | Depends on payment method |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.03 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 0.88 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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.
Tickmill and TopFX both offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, meeting the needs of forex traders seeking flexibility. Tickmill stands out slightly with 725 tradeable symbols compared to TopFX's 655, giving traders a broader selection of options. When it comes to forex pairs, Tickmill also holds a slight edge with 63 pairs, whereas TopFX offers 60. Both brokers, however, do not provide access to exchange-traded securities or the ability to purchase shares directly on either U.S. or international exchanges.
For those interested in social trading, both Tickmill and TopFX offer copy trading services, an appealing feature for those looking to mirror successful trading strategies. While neither broker supports buying actual physical cryptocurrency, they both provide the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives. Rated equally with 3.5 stars for their range of investment options, Tickmill and TopFX rank closely in industry evaluations, with Tickmill positioned at #42 and TopFX at #46 out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 655 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 60 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by Tickmill and TopFX, both brokers provide a range of features catering to traders of all levels. Both Tickmill and TopFX offer free demo accounts, allowing users to practice with virtual funds before committing real money. While neither broker develops proprietary platforms, they both support popular options like MetaTrader 4. Tickmill extends its services with MetaTrader 5, offering slightly more advanced features, whereas TopFX does not offer MT5. Both brokers provide Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based trading platforms, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for traders operating on different devices.
Both Tickmill and TopFX provide comprehensive features such as copy trading and the ability to trade directly from stock charts, enhancing the overall trading experience. Each broker offers 15 drawing tools for chart analysis and configurable watch lists with seven columns. However, neither supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, tools popular for automating trades. In terms of rankings, Tickmill is rated slightly higher at 32nd compared to TopFX's 45th place out of 63 brokers for their trading platforms and tools on ForexBrokers.com. Both platforms, however, receive solid four-star ratings, reflecting their efficiency and reliability in the trading community.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | No |
| 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 | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Tickmill and TopFX provide comprehensive mobile trading apps available for both iPhone and Android users. These platforms cater to the needs of traders by offering features such as stock and forex price alerts, charting capabilities with up to 30 technical studies, and the ability to draw trendlines. Additionally, traders can view stock or forex charts in multiple time frames, like daily, weekly, or intraday, and any drawings made on charts are automatically saved. Creating a watchlist with real-time quotes is simple with each app, although both platforms do not support watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and the online account.
In terms of performance, both Tickmill and TopFX mobile apps receive a solid rating of four out of five stars. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill ranks higher at #32 out of 63 broker apps, while TopFX is positioned at #51, suggesting a slight edge for Tickmill. Both apps serve their purpose well but bear in mind that individual user preferences and specific trading needs can influence the ultimate choice between the two.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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.
When it comes to market research, Tickmill provides a comprehensive experience with daily market commentary unavailable from TopFX. Both brokers offer forex news updates from respected sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, TopFX takes the lead by integrating technical analysis tools from Autochartist and Trading Central, which are not available with Tickmill. Meanwhile, Tickmill delivers unique insights with sentiment-based trading tools and resources from Acuity Trading, including the Signal Centre, which TopFX does not provide.
Both brokerage firms offer an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global news. Tickmill stands out with a higher 4-star rating and is ranked as the 22nd best in research out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, TopFX holds a 3-star rating and ranks 60th, highlighting Tickmill's stronger position in the research category. This detailed comparison should assist traders in making an informed choice based on their research needs and priorities.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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, Tickmill and TopFX clearly differ in their offerings. Tickmill provides a wealth of educational content with over ten articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. In addition, they host monthly online educational webinars and offer a searchable archive of past recordings. Beginners will benefit from their extensive collection of educational videos tailored for those just starting their trading journey, alongside advanced resources for more seasoned traders. Tickmill also offers an investor dictionary with definitions of over fifty investing terms, making it easier for newcomers to get acquainted with trading jargon. These comprehensive educational resources contribute to their impressive rating of four stars in the education category. According to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill ranks 15th out of 63 brokers for education.
On the other hand, TopFX falls short in providing adequate educational resources for beginners. They do not meet the minimum requirement of ten educational materials centered on forex or CFDs, nor do they offer monthly webinars or archived recordings for clients to revisit. Furthermore, TopFX lacks beginner-focused videos and an investor dictionary, which could leave newcomers seeking additional guidance. Due to these limitations, they receive a lower rating of three stars for education and rank 61st out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Ultimately, for those starting out with an emphasis on education, Tickmill appears to be the more resourceful choice.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill is better than TopFX. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while TopFX finished with an overall rank of #62.
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
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 67 |
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Both Tickmill and TopFX do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the ability to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Tickmill and TopFX offer multiple methods for depositing and withdrawing account funds, including PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither 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 | TopFX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | TopFX Review |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 67 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 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 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 655 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 60 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.03 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 0.88 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | Depends on payment method | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | No | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 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 | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | 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 | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | TopFX Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | TopFX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | TopFX Review |
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