Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs Markets.com, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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FOREX.com and Markets.com, both established in 1999, are prominent online brokers, but they differ in terms of trust scores and regulatory licenses. FOREX.com is publicly listed, while Markets.com is not, which could offer an added layer of confidence for some investors. Neither broker operates as a bank. When it comes to regulatory standing, FOREX.com holds a significant advantage with seven Tier-1 licenses, recognized as highly trusted, compared to the three held by Markets.com. Both brokers maintain one Tier-2 license, which is deemed trusted by ForexBrokers.com.
In terms of trustworthiness, according to ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com boasts the highest possible Trust Score of 99 out of 99, indicating an extremely trustworthy status. Markets.com, with a Trust Score of 93, is also highly rated but falls slightly behind FOREX.com. This comparison highlights FOREX.com’s strong regulatory position and market reputation, which might appeal to traders looking for a highly trusted online trading platform.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of FOREX.com and Markets.com, FOREX.com stands out for its diverse execution methods and account types. Rated 4.5 stars and ranked 13th out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees, FOREX.com offers a range of options, including the Standard account and a newly introduced RAW Spread account. The Standard account, particularly for U.S. clients trading on MetaTrader, has higher average spreads at about 1.4 pips for EUR/USD. However, the RAW account, which offers lower spreads starting at 0.13 pips, is commission-based and provides rebates for high-volume traders.
For those trading in significant volumes, FOREX.com's RAW Spread account could be especially appealing. The base commission on this account is $7 per Standard lot, with volume-based rebates available. These rebates can reach up to $9 per million at the highest tier, making it cost-effective for very active traders who transact more than $50 million monthly. Overall, FOREX.com's pricing structure is competitive, especially outside the U.S., where spreads averaged 0.74 for the EUR/USD in July 2023.
In contrast, Markets.com, rated at 3.5 stars and ranked 49th in the same category, does not provide average spread data, making a direct fee comparison challenging. Without transparent fee metrics like those offered by FOREX.com, Markets.com presents less information for potential investors looking to analyze cost efficiency. This lack of data may affect its appeal to traders who prioritize clear and competitive pricing information. Ultimately, FOREX.com offers a more comprehensive and transparent fee structure alongside higher ratings and ranks, suggesting better value for traders considering overall trading costs.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| 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 variety of investments, FOREX.com and Markets.com both provide their users with substantial opportunities. FOREX.com stands out by offering a selection of 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 91 forex pairs, making it a top choice for those seeking extensive options. Markets.com, while offering fewer symbols with 2,179 available, still provides a solid selection of 57 forex pairs. Both platforms offer forex trading as a Contract for Difference (CFD) or spot contract, but neither supports direct investment in exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges.
In terms of cryptocurrency, both brokers allow trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. One distinct feature of Markets.com is the availability of copy trading, which is not offered by FOREX.com. Despite these differences, FOREX.com earns a higher rating for its range of investments, receiving a full 5-star rating and ranking seventh among 62 brokers. Markets.com is rated with 4 stars and ranks 29th, reflecting its competitive yet narrower investment offerings.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 57 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| 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.
Both FOREX.com and Markets.com offer traders access to a variety of trading platforms and tools with each providing a free virtual demo account to try out their services without financial risk. They both have developed proprietary platforms, and support for Windows-based desktop downloads, as well as convenient browser-based trading options. A key distinction between the two is in copy trading; Markets.com offers this feature while FOREX.com does not. Both brokers support popular trading platforms MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, but neither has integrated DupliTrade or ZuluTrade into their platforms.
When comparing charting capabilities, FOREX.com significantly exceeds Markets.com with 239 drawing tools compared to just four at Markets.com, also allowing trades directly from stock charts, a feature absent on Markets.com. When it comes to watch list customization, FOREX.com provides 20 columns to tailor, while Markets.com offers six. Overall, in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, FOREX.com receives a 5-star rating and ranks 7th out of 62 on ForexBrokers.com, indicating a strong lead over Markets.com, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks 26th.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both FOREX.com and Markets.com offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android devices, ensuring that traders can access the market on the go. Both platforms allow users to set up stock and forex price alerts and provide watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring a seamless experience between devices. However, FOREX.com edges ahead with advanced charting tools, offering 88 technical studies compared to Markets.com's default on MT4 and none on its dedicated app. Both apps allow drawing trendlines, but FOREX.com offers the ability to view multiple time frames on charts, a feature that Markets.com lacks. Additionally, FOREX.com’s app automatically saves chart drawings, enhancing usability for traders who prefer technical analysis. Both apps support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes.
When it comes to user ratings, FOREX.com is highly praised with a 5-star rating, significantly outshining Markets.com, which holds a 4-star rating. These ratings are corroborated by ForexBrokers.com, where FOREX.com is ranked impressively at third place out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category. Markets.com, on the other hand, ranks 33rd, indicating a noticeable difference in user satisfaction and overall app functionality. For those who prioritize comprehensive charting tools and seamless mobile trading, FOREX.com appears to be the superior choice.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both FOREX.com and Markets.com offer valuable market research tools and insights that cater to traders looking to stay informed. Each platform provides daily market commentary and reliable forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. Both brokers include sentiment-based trading tools, allowing users to gauge the market atmosphere by showing the ratio of long or short positions across different currency pairs. Additionally, they both feature comprehensive economic calendars that showcase current and upcoming global events, crucial for traders keeping an eye on market-moving news.
When it comes to more specialized research tools, there's a notable difference between the two. FOREX.com offers advanced technical analysis capabilities through Trading Central, unlike Markets.com, which does not use this feature. Neither broker provides tools from Autochartist or Acuity Trading, and market research from TipRanks is also not available on either platform. In terms of overall ranking and user satisfaction, FOREX.com scores slightly higher with a 4.5-star rating and is ranked 9th out of 62 brokers in the Research category by ForexBrokers.com, while Markets.com has a 4-star rating and is ranked 17th. Consequently, FOREX.com might be a better choice for traders prioritizing advanced research tools and higher industry recognition.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| 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.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, FOREX.com and Markets.com present different offerings. FOREX.com provides a rich array of learning materials that cater to those interested in forex or CFDs. This broker offers more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. They also host live webinars at least once a month and maintain a searchable archive of these sessions for easy access. For novices, FOREX.com delivers over ten beginner-friendly videos to help navigate the world of trading, as well as a comprehensive investor dictionary featuring over 50 investing terms. This dedication to education is reflected in their 4.5-star rating and an impressive fourth-place rank out of 62 brokers for educational services.
On the other hand, Markets.com provides beginners with fewer resources focused on forex and CFDs, lacking the minimum ten educational pieces dedicated to these topics. They do, however, conduct monthly online educational webinars but without an archive for past sessions. Like FOREX.com, Markets.com offers more than ten starter videos covering essential trading concepts for those new to the market. However, they fall short in providing an extensive investor dictionary. With an educational rating of 4 stars and a 34th place in the education category among 62 brokers, Markets.com presents a more limited educational platform compared to FOREX.com.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 Markets.com. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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Both FOREX.com and Markets.com allow investors to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency.
FOREX.com and Markets.com both support Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing account funds, with FOREX.com also offering ACH, SEPA, and PayPal, while Markets.com uniquely allows Skrill transactions without providing options for ACH, SEPA, or PayPal.
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 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 57 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
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