Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ThinkMarkets vs ATFX, 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.
ThinkMarkets and ATFX, both prominent players in the online brokerage industry, offer different levels of trust and licensing. Established in 2010, ThinkMarkets holds five Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust. In comparison, ATFX, founded in 2017, is authorized with four Tier-1 licenses. This sets the stage for examining their respective Trust Score ratings by ForexBrokers.com. ThinkMarkets scores a commendable 92, placing it in the highly trusted bracket, while ATFX scores an 85, also considered trustworthy but slightly lower in comparison.
Neither ThinkMarkets nor ATFX is a publicly traded company, nor are they banks. Both brokers additionally maintain two Tier-2 licenses each, which are considered trusted. These licensing credentials and trust rankings demonstrate a significant level of regulatory oversight and reliability for both firms, although ThinkMarkets edges ahead with a stronger Trust Score and an additional Tier-1 license.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of ThinkMarkets and ATFX, ThinkMarkets generally comes out with a higher rating. ThinkMarkets is rated 4 out of 5 stars, placing it 48th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com in this category. While specific average spread data isn't available, ThinkMarkets typically receives favorable reviews for its fee structure.
In contrast, ATFX has a slightly lower rating of 3 out of 5 stars. It ranks 59th out of 62 brokers in terms of commissions and fees, based on ForexBrokers.com's analysis. Like ThinkMarkets, ATFX also does not have specific average spread data available, but its relative ranking suggests higher fees or less favorable commission structures compared to some of its peers.
When choosing between ThinkMarkets and ATFX, potential investors may want to consider these rankings and ratings as one aspect of their decision-making process, keeping in mind the implications of the commission and fee structures on their overall trading costs.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
If you’re comparing ThinkMarkets and ATFX for their investment offerings, it’s clear that ThinkMarkets provides a more comprehensive selection. With an impressive array of 4,000 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs, ThinkMarkets outshines ATFX's offerings of just 150 tradeable symbols and 44 forex pairs. Both platforms provide forex trading as a CFD or spot contract and offer cryptocurrency derivatives; however, neither platform allows for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Another point of similarity is their support for copy trading, a popular feature for many investors.
When it comes to investing in securities, ThinkMarkets offers a slight edge by allowing access to exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, while ATFX does not offer this feature. Neither broker provides direct access to U.S. exchange-traded securities like Apple. In expert rankings, ThinkMarkets receives a respectable 4.5 stars for its range of investments, compared to ATFX’s 3.5 stars. This is reflected in their overall rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where ThinkMarkets is positioned at #21 out of 62 brokers, whereas ATFX stands further down at #57.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 44 |
| 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 ATFX both provide traders with the convenience of simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, offering a vital component for users to practice and hone their skills without risk. When it comes to proprietary trading platforms, ThinkMarkets has developed its own in-house platform, distinguishing itself from ATFX, which does not offer a proprietary option. Both brokers cater to various trading preferences by providing Windows-based desktop platforms and accessible web-based platforms, ensuring versatility in how users can engage with the markets. Additionally, both firms support the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, appealing to traders familiar with these widely-used platforms. Copy trading is available with both brokers as well, providing further flexibility for users looking to replicate the strategies of successful traders.
In terms of charting tools and customizability, both ThinkMarkets and ATFX offer 15 drawing tools. However, ThinkMarkets provides more comprehensive watch list customization with 15 columns compared to ATFX's 7. This difference is reflected in their star ratings and rankings; ThinkMarkets receives 4 stars and ranks 27th out of 62 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while ATFX garners 3.5 stars and stands at 61st. These rankings indicate that while both brokers facilitate a comprehensive trading experience, ThinkMarkets offers a slightly more enriched platform environment with its additional features and customization options.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 comparing the mobile trading apps offered by ThinkMarkets and ATFX, both platforms provide apps for iPhone and Android devices. They include features like stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts, alongside viewing multiple time frames. Both also allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes and auto-save for chart drawings. However, they lack the functionality to sync watchlists between the mobile app and the client's online account, which means changes made in one location do not automatically update in the other.
In terms of technical analysis, ThinkMarkets significantly outshines ATFX by providing 94 different technical studies within its app compared to ATFX's 7. This enhanced capability, along with other functionalities, contributes to ThinkMarkets receiving a higher mobile trading app rating of 4 stars, whereas ATFX is rated at 3.5 stars. Moreover, when ranked among 62 brokers, ThinkMarkets is positioned at #20 while ATFX is at #62. This distinction underscores ThinkMarkets' stronger reputation and more comprehensive app features for traders on the go.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | 7 |
| 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.
Both ThinkMarkets and ATFX provide daily market commentary, keeping traders informed with timely updates. However, ThinkMarkets takes a step further by delivering forex news from premium sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature ATFX lacks. When it comes to technical and fundamental research tools, ATFX has an edge by offering resources from providers like Autochartist and Trading Central, which are not available with ThinkMarkets. Furthermore, ThinkMarkets enhances its market analysis with a sentiment-based trading tool, providing insights into trading positions across various currency pairs, a tool not available with ATFX. ThinkMarkets also utilizes research tools from Acuity Trading like Signal Centre, whereas ATFX does not.
Both platforms offer an economic calendar to track global economic events, ensuring traders stay informed of vital market movements. From an expert rating perspective, ThinkMarkets is rated 3.5 stars for its research offerings, slightly ahead of ATFX's 3 stars. Moreover, within a comparison of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, ThinkMarkets ranks #50, placing it above ATFX at #54. This suggests that while both brokers offer essential market commentary and economic updates, ThinkMarkets might be preferred for those seeking advanced news feeds and sentiment analysis tools, while ATFX stands out for its technical analysis capabilities.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| 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 beginner traders, both ThinkMarkets and ATFX provide essential materials to get started with forex and CFDs. Each broker offers more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, ThinkMarkets has an edge by hosting monthly online webinars. These live sessions can be an invaluable resource for those who learn better in real-time environments, and ThinkMarkets also supports its users with a searchable archive of past webinars, something that ATFX also offers.
If you are a beginner seeking video resources, both brokers will meet your needs with more than ten beginner-focused trading videos. ThinkMarkets offers additional value for experienced traders with over ten advanced trading videos, a feature missing in ATFX's educational repertoire. Additionally, both brokers provide comprehensive investor dictionaries, containing definitions of more than 50 investing terms. Despite ThinkMarkets having slightly higher user ratings for education, ATFX is ranked better overall in the education category among competitors. This might be a factor to ponder on, depending on your priorities as a new trader.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that ThinkMarkets is better than ATFX. ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
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
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 85 |
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Both ThinkMarkets and ATFX do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers, both ThinkMarkets and ATFX do not support ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal for depositing or withdrawing funds, but they both offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for financial transactions.
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 | ThinkMarkets | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | ATFX | |
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| Regulation | ThinkMarkets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | ThinkMarkets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 44 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 | ThinkMarkets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ThinkMarkets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | ThinkMarkets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
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| Overall | ThinkMarkets | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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