Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill 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.
Tickmill and BlackBull Markets are both online brokers founded in 2014, neither of which are publicly traded or operate as banks. When it comes to trust and regulatory compliance, Tickmill holds an advantage with two Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a high level of credibility. Additionally, Tickmill possesses two Tier-2 licenses, which further bolster its regulatory standing. On the other hand, BlackBull Markets holds only one Tier-1 license, indicating a different level of oversight and regulation compared to its competitor.
According to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill has earned a Trust Score of 86 out of 99, meaning it is considered a trusted broker. In comparison, BlackBull Markets holds a Trust Score of 78, suggesting an average risk level as per the established ratings. For traders and investors seeking a broker with reliable regulatory credentials, these ratings and licenses offer a clear differentiation between the two platforms.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2014 |
| 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 the commissions and fees of Tickmill and BlackBull Markets, there are distinct differences worth noting. Tickmill, awarded a 5-star rating and ranked #4 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees, offers two main accounts: Classic and Raw. The Classic account is commission-free but incurs higher spreads, averaging 1.76 pips as of August 2023. Meanwhile, the Raw account, a replacement for the Pro account, has an updated commission structure of $3 per side, translating to $6 per standard lot. It boasts lower average spreads of 0.11 pips for the EUR/USD, resulting in an all-in cost of 0.71 pips. This competitive pricing makes it a top choice for active traders despite the commission increase, with a low entry point of $100 and attractive conditions for algorithmic trading.
BlackBull Markets, with a 4.5-star rating and ranked #18 by ForexBrokers.com, presents a tiered account structure. The Standard account is commission-free, requiring no minimum deposit but featuring higher spreads. The Prime account, preferred by many, offers lower spreads of 0.16 for the EUR/USD, equal to a total trading cost of 0.76 pips when the $6 round turn commission per standard lot is included. This account has a minimum deposit requirement of $2,000. BlackBull's ECN Institutional account caters to more serious traders who can deposit at least $20,000, offering an even reduced commission of $2 per side, or $4 per round turn.
Both brokers have carved out distinct niches for themselves. Tickmill stands out for its value in low-cost, actively traded accounts with its Raw offering. BlackBull Markets, conversely, provides flexible account options to suit varying trader needs, from beginners to more advanced users looking to commit substantial capital for lower trading costs.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 0.71 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 0.71 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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.
When considering the available range of investments, BlackBull Markets stands out compared to Tickmill. BlackBull Markets offers an impressive 26,000 tradeable symbols, including 72 forex pairs, which gives traders a broad spectrum to choose from. Additionally, BlackBull Markets provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to buy stocks like Apple and Vodafone directly. On the other hand, Tickmill offers 725 tradeable symbols and 63 forex pairs, but it does not provide the option to trade in exchange-traded securities directly on the U.S. or international markets.
Both platforms offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and they also provide the capability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies. Moreover, each broker supports copy trading, allowing traders to mirror the actions of more experienced investors. However, when it comes to the range of investments, Tickmill is rated 3.5 stars and ranked #42 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, whereas BlackBull Markets holds a 5-star rating and is ranked #6, indicating superior variety and options in their investment offerings.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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.
Both Tickmill and BlackBull Markets provide traders with a comprehensive suite of trading platforms and tools, ensuring flexibility and convenience. Both brokers offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without risking their capital. Neither company offers a proprietary platform, but they both provide Windows-based desktop download and web-based trading platforms. Copy trading is supported on both platforms, and traders can access MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), two of the most popular trading platforms worldwide. However, BlackBull Markets sets itself apart by offering the popular ZuluTrade service, which is absent from Tickmill's offerings. It's important to note that neither broker provides access to DupliTrade.
In terms of charting tools, both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, though the number of drawing tools differs significantly. Tickmill offers 15 drawing tools, while BlackBull Markets provides 60. When it comes to watch lists, Tickmill offers seven columns or fields compared to BlackBull's six. Despite these differences, both brokers receive a strong rating of four out of five stars for their platforms and tools according to user reviews. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, BlackBull Markets ranks slightly higher at #29 compared to Tickmill's #32 out of a total of 62 brokers, indicating a minor edge in this category.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When deciding between the mobile trading apps of Tickmill and BlackBull Markets, both offer solid options for traders, supporting both iPhone and Android devices. They each allow users to set price alerts for stocks or forex and provide the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. In addition, both apps include 30 technical studies for charting and enable users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, with the added convenience of auto-saving chart drawings.
However, one significant difference worth noting is that BlackBull Markets provides the added advantage of watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and the client’s online account, a feature not available with Tickmill. Despite this, both platforms received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. According to ForexBrokers.com, BlackBull Markets slightly outranks Tickmill, holding the 31st position compared to Tickmill’s 32nd out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| 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 comparing the market research offerings of Tickmill and BlackBull Markets, both brokers provide daily market commentary, helping traders stay informed about the latest developments. However, Tickmill stands out by delivering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature not offered by BlackBull Markets. On the other hand, BlackBull Markets takes the lead by integrating tools from Autochartist, providing technical analysis and fundamental research that Tickmill does not. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools, allowing users to view the ratio of long and short positions across currency pairs.
While neither broker offers market research from TipRanks, Tickmill impresses with additional research tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, which are not available with BlackBull Markets. Both brokers supply economic calendars, enabling traders to track global news events affecting various economies. Rated four out of five stars for research, both Tickmill and BlackBull Markets deliver strong research services. However, when ranked by ForexBrokers.com, BlackBull Markets is positioned slightly higher at #18 compared to Tickmill's #22 in the research category.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| 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, both Tickmill and BlackBull Markets are equipped to guide newcomers through the world of forex and CFDs trading. They both offer a wide selection of educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, ensuring that beginners have at least ten resources to learn from. Each platform provides online webinars held monthly, which are a great way for clients to engage in live learning and ask questions in real time. Additionally, these webinars are archived and searchable, making it easy to revisit and reinforce any concepts. Beginner traders will find substantial support through at least ten educational videos tailored specifically for them on both platforms.
Tickmill and BlackBull Markets also accommodate the needs of more experienced traders by offering at least ten advanced educational videos. Both brokers feature investor dictionaries that define over 50 investing terms, helping traders familiarize themselves with essential jargon. Despite these similarities in educational offerings, there is a notable distinction in their rankings; Tickmill is rated 15th for education among 62 brokers, while BlackBull Markets holds the 29th position. Nonetheless, each broker provides a comprehensive learning environment that earns them a commendable four-star rating for education, catering well to the needs of both novice and seasoned traders.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 Tickmill is better than BlackBull Markets. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
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
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 78 |
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Both Tickmill and BlackBull Markets provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither offers the ability to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
When comparing Tickmill and BlackBull Markets, neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers, but Tickmill stands out by allowing PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, while both brokers support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions for account funding.
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 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Tickmill | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Tickmill | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 0.71 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 0.71 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 | Tickmill | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Tickmill | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Tickmill | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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