Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs Tickmill, 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 Tickmill are both well-regarded online brokers, but they differ significantly when it comes to their regulatory standings and trust scores. Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is a publicly traded entity, which adds a layer of transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, Tickmill, established in 2014, remains privately owned. Neither broker operates as a bank. However, FOREX.com shines in regulatory compliance with seven Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, earning it the highest possible Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating it is highly trusted.
In contrast, Tickmill holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, granting it a Trust Score of 86, which still ranks the broker as trusted but below the highest echelon. These distinctions offer potential traders a clear picture of the regulatory trust each broker commands, significantly helping them make informed decisions suited to their risk tolerance and transparency preferences.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of FOREX.com and Tickmill, traders will find different advantages with each broker. FOREX.com, despite being among the top choices for market maker brokers, tends to have slightly higher fees compared to the industry average in the United States. The Standard account, for instance, has average spreads of 1.4 pips on the EUR/USD for U.S. clients. The newer RAW Spread account presents lower spreads of around 0.13 pips, complemented by a commission of $7 per standard lot, adding approximately 0.7 pips to the typical spread. For very high-volume traders pushing trades over $2 billion per month, the effective spreads make FOREX.com competitive with options like Tickmill. FOREX.com has a rating of 4.5 stars and is ranked #13 for commissions and fees by ForexBrokers.com.
Tickmill appeals strongly to active traders with its Raw account, which has recently introduced a commission structure of $6 per standard lot. This account is celebrated for its low spreads, with the EUR/USD commonly at 0.11 pips. Even after accounting for the total commission cost translating to 0.71 pips, Tickmill maintains a leading position due to its effective all-in cost. Meanwhile, Tickmill's Classic account is commission-free, though with higher spreads averaging 1.76 pips as of August 2023. Ranked #4 by ForexBrokers.com and holding a perfect 5-star rating for commissions and fees, Tickmill offers competitive pricing for traders seeking low-cost spread opportunities.
Both FOREX.com and Tickmill cater to different trading preferences and budgets. FOREX.com suits traders who appreciate robust platforms and various account tiers, whereas Tickmill's competitive pricing and accessibility with a minimum deposit of $100 make it a consistently popular choice for active traders. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual trading habits and specific needs regarding spreads and commission costs.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.51 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.31 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 comparing the range of investments between FOREX.com and Tickmill, it's clear that both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. FOREX.com stands out with an impressive 5,500 tradeable symbols and 91 forex pairs, surpassing Tickmill's offering of 725 tradeable symbols and 63 forex pairs. Neither broker provides access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning clients cannot directly buy stocks like Apple or Vodafone. However, both platforms allow traders to engage in cryptocurrency derivatives, though they don't offer the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
Tickmill differentiates itself by supporting copy trading, which FOREX.com does not offer. Despite this, FOREX.com earns a higher rating for its range of investments, receiving 5 stars, and ranks 7th out of 62 brokers. In contrast, Tickmill is rated 3.5 stars and ranks 42nd. For investors prioritizing a wide array of tradeable symbols and forex pairs, FOREX.com appears to be the more comprehensive choice. However, those interested in social trading features might consider Tickmill's copy trading support.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 725 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 63 |
| 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.
FOREX.com and Tickmill both provide traders with useful platforms and tools, though they cater to different trading styles and preferences. For those interested in exploring risk-free trading, both brokers offer simulated trading through free demo accounts. When it comes to proprietary platforms, FOREX.com stands out with its in-house developed platform, whereas Tickmill does not offer a proprietary option. Both brokers support Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based trading, giving users multiple access points. Additionally, FOREX.com and Tickmill offer access to popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). However, Tickmill provides an extra feature with copy trading, unlike FOREX.com.
Charting capabilities are a key differentiator between the two brokers. FOREX.com offers a wide array of 239 drawing tools compared to Tickmill's 15, giving traders more options for technical analysis. When it comes to watch lists, FOREX.com also provides more extensive options with 20 columns, while Tickmill offers 7. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, enhancing convenience. For overall trading platforms and tools, FOREX.com earns a higher rating with 5 stars, ranked #7 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill has a 4-star rating and ranks #32. This makes FOREX.com a potentially better choice for traders seeking advanced charting and a proprietary trading platform.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of FOREX.com and Tickmill, both offer apps for iPhone and Android, providing a versatile platform for trading on the go. Both apps allow users to receive stock or forex price alerts, ensuring traders stay informed of market changes in real-time. However, a key difference lies in the ability to sync watchlists across devices; FOREX.com offers seamless syncing between its mobile app and online account, a feature Tickmill lacks. FOREX.com also stands out with its comprehensive charting capabilities, offering 88 technical studies compared to Tickmill's 30, giving traders more tools for analysis.
Both mobile apps allow users to draw trendlines and view various time frames, enhancing their ability to analyze market trends. Additionally, the apps auto-save any drawings made on charts, so users don't lose their work. Creating watchlists with real-time quotes is a feature available in both apps, ensuring traders can maintain focus on their selected instruments. Despite these similarities, FOREX.com is favored by users and experts alike. It boasts a 5-star rating and holds the #3 spot in ForexBrokers.com's ranking of mobile trading apps out of 62 brokers. In comparison, Tickmill, with a 4-star rating, ranks at #31, suggesting FOREX.com might be the better choice for those seeking top-tier mobile trading functionality.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| 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 comparing the market research offerings of FOREX.com and Tickmill, both brokers provide solid daily market commentary and forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, when it comes to technical analysis tools, FOREX.com has an edge with access to Trading Central's tools, which are not available with Tickmill. Both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools that reveal traders' long or short positions across different currency pairs, ensuring their clients have a clear view of market trends.
FOREX.com and Tickmill both feature comprehensive economic calendars that keep traders updated on global news events. However, Tickmill distinguishes itself by offering research tools from Acuity Trading, which are not present in FOREX.com's lineup. In terms of overall research quality, ForexBrokers.com rates FOREX.com slightly higher at 4.5 stars, compared to Tickmill's 4 stars. Additionally, FOREX.com ranks ninth among 62 brokers for research capabilities, while Tickmill holds the 21st position, highlighting FOREX.com's stronger emphasis in this area.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both FOREX.com and Tickmill provide extensive educational resources suited for beginners interested in trading Forex or CFDs. They each offer a range of learning materials, including over 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, both platforms conduct online webinars for clients at least once a month. Eager learners can take advantage of their searchable archives of previously recorded webinars and access a variety of videos aimed explicitly at beginner traders to enhance their basic understanding of trading concepts. Additionally, each broker provides more advanced educational videos for those looking to deepen their expertise.
For users who value in-depth learning, both FOREX.com and Tickmill deliver educational content that includes an investor dictionary with over 50 terms, helping users familiarize themselves with essential trading terminology. However, when it comes to ratings, FOREX.com holds a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating compared to Tickmill’s 4-star rating. In a ranking by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com stands at the 4th position out of 62 brokers in the Education category, whereas Tickmill ranks 15th. Whether choosing FOREX.com or Tickmill, beginners will find a wealth of resources to help them start their trading journey.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22.
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
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
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Both FOREX.com and Tickmill do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
FOREX.com provides a wider range of fund transfer options for account deposits and withdrawals, including ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, while Tickmill, though it also supports PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, bank wires, and uniquely Skrill, notably lacks ACH and SEPA transfer 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 | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Tickmill | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 725 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 63 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.51 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.31 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Tickmill Review |
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