Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs BlackBull Markets, 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.
FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets are two popular online brokers with distinct regulatory standings. FOREX.com, established in 1999, holds a prominent position in the financial markets with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating it is highly trusted. As a publicly traded entity, it carries 7 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, testament to its extensive regulatory compliance. In contrast, BlackBull Markets, which was founded in 2014, is a privately held broker with a Trust Score of 78, categorized as having average risk. It holds 1 Tier-1 license but does not have any Tier-2 licenses. Neither of the brokers operates as a bank.
For those considering trading with either platform, it is notable that FOREX.com's publicly traded status and comprehensive regulatory licenses make it a secure choice according to industry standards. BlackBull Markets, while newer and carrying fewer licenses, provides a viable option for traders who are willing to engage with a broker that still meets average trust benchmarks. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on individual comfort levels with trust scores and regulatory assurances.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When considering commissions and fees, both FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets offer traders competitive choices with distinct cost structures tailored to different trading needs. FOREX.com, which is rated 4.5 stars and ranked 13th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, provides multiple account types. In the U.S., its Standard account is the only option for MetaTrader clients, with average spreads at 1.4 pips on the EUR/USD, which is higher than industry norms. Alternatively, FOREX.com’s RAW Spread account gives access to lower spreads and volume-based rebates for active traders, especially appealing for those trading outside the U.S. with average spreads as low as 0.13 pips plus commissions.
BlackBull Markets, also rated 4.5 stars and ranked 19th out of 62 brokers, delivers average trading costs with a tiered account approach. The Standard account is commission-free but comes with higher spreads, making it ideal for beginner traders. Their Prime account, which is considered a solid choice with lower spreads of 0.16 pips on the EUR/USD, includes a commission of $6 per lot traded. Active traders may also benefit from the ECN Institutional account, intended for those with deposits exceeding $20,000 and offering lower commission rates of $4 per lot.
Choosing between FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets largely depends on individual trading preferences and volume. While FOREX.com provides a more comprehensive platform suite with benefits for high-volume traders in their RAW account, BlackBull Markets offers a straightforward commission structure with options for traders of varying expertise through their tiered accounts. Each broker provides competitive features that cater to different segments of the market, making both viable options depending on your individual trading needs.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.76 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.76 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the range of investment options, both FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets emerge as strong contenders. FOREX.com offers forex trading as both a CFD and spot contract and provides access to 5,500 tradeable symbols, including an impressive 91 forex pairs. While it does allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, it lacks exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges and does not support copy trading. Despite these limitations, FOREX.com receives a commendable five-star rating for its range of investments and holds the #7 spot in its category according to ForexBrokers.com.
BlackBull Markets also shines with forex trading available as a CFD and spot contract, bringing a significant collection of 26,000 tradeable symbols to the table. However, it offers slightly fewer forex pairs, totaling 72. Importantly, BlackBull Markets excels by providing access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as the option to purchase shares in major companies like Apple and Vodafone. Additionally, the platform supports copy trading and allows trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. BlackBull Markets shares a five-star rating for its range of investments and is ranked slightly higher at #6 by ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its broad array of trading opportunities.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 evaluating trading platforms and tools, FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets each bring unique strengths to the table. FOREX.com stands out with its proprietary platform that offers a rich set of features, including a Windows-based desktop application and a web-based trading option. Users have access to a comprehensive suite of tools, boasting 239 drawing tools for charting and a watch list that supports 20 columns. While FOREX.com does not support copy trading or platforms like ZuluTrade, it does provide a seamless trading experience directly from stock charts, making it a favored choice by users, earning a 5-star rating and a #7 rank for trading platforms and tools by ForexBrokers.com.
BlackBull Markets, while lacking an in-house developed trading platform, supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, and includes options like ZuluTrade for those interested in copy trading. Their trading tools include a Windows-based desktop download and a web-based option, with the ability to trade directly from charts, appealing to traders who value flexibility. However, the offering of 60 drawing tools and a watch list with six columns might seem limited compared to FOREX.com. Despite these limitations, BlackBull Markets still achieves a respectable 4-star rating and stands at #28 in the ForexBrokers.com ranking for trading platforms and tools, highlighting its value for specific trading needs.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets provide convenient mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, with features designed to enhance the trading experience. Both platforms offer stock and forex price alerts, allowing traders to stay informed on market movements. Users can sync their watchlists across devices, ensuring seamless transitions between mobile and online accounts. With the capability to draw trendlines and switch between different time frames on charts, both apps provide essential tools for technical analysis. Each app also autosaves drawings on charts and allows the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, helping traders keep track of their investments efficiently.
When it comes to technical studies, FOREX.com significantly outpaces BlackBull Markets, offering 88 studies compared to 30. This difference may appeal to traders who rely heavily on in-depth technical analysis. FOREX.com also enjoys higher user ratings and ranks third among 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, BlackBull Markets holds a solid four-star rating and is placed 30th in the same category. These distinctions highlight FOREX.com as a standout option for those prioritizing mobile trading capabilities with extensive technical analysis tools. However, both platforms provide solid options for taking your trading on the go.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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 evaluating market research offerings between FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets, both platforms deliver daily market commentary to keep traders informed. However, FOREX.com stands out by providing forex news updates from respected sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which BlackBull Markets does not. In terms of analytical tools, BlackBull Markets leverages resources like Autochartist to assist with technical analysis, whereas FOREX.com uses Trading Central but not Autochartist. Additionally, both brokers supply sentiment-based trading tools and comprehensive economic calendars to aid traders in decision-making.
Looking at overall research quality, users rate FOREX.com higher with a 4.5-star rating, ranking it 9th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for research capabilities. In comparison, BlackBull Markets achieves a respectable 4-star rating, placing it at 18th in the same category. Neither platform currently offers research collaborations with TipRanks or Acuity Trading, indicating areas for potential growth and improvement in their research amenities. Overall, FOREX.com slightly edges out BlackBull Markets in terms of providing diversified and top-tier market research tools and insights.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets both offer a rich variety of educational resources tailored for beginners keen to delve into forex or CFD trading. Each broker provides more than 10 educational materials, such as articles, videos, and recorded webinars, focused on these investment topics. Monthly webinars are available from both platforms, ensuring that clients remain up-to-date with evolving trading strategies. Furthermore, these webinars are conveniently archived, allowing traders to access past sessions whenever they need a refresher. Beginners are particularly supported with at least 10 detailed videos from each broker, aimed specifically at introducing novices to the trading realm.
In addition to beginner resources, advanced trading videos are also available from both FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets for those with more experience seeking to hone their skills. Both provide an investor dictionary, including definitions of over 50 trading terms, aiding traders in navigating the sometimes complex world of forex trading. Despite these similarities, there's a notable difference in their educational rankings; FOREX.com is rated 4.5 stars for education resources and ranks 4th among 62 brokers, whereas BlackBull Markets has a slightly lower rating of 4 stars, placing it 29th. This suggests that while both brokers offer comprehensive educational tools, FOREX.com's resources are perceived to be slightly more effective in educating its clients, according to user ratings.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 FOREX.com is better than BlackBull Markets. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 |
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While both FOREX.com and BlackBull Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, they each provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, catering to traders interested in this asset class without holding the physical coins.
When comparing online brokers, FOREX.com offers more diverse funding options, including ACH, SEPA, PayPal, and traditional methods like Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while BlackBull Markets supports deposits and withdrawals via Visa, Mastercard, bank wires, and Skrill but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal 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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
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| Review | FOREX.com Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.76 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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 | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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