Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of OANDA vs Markets.com, 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.
Founded in 1996, OANDA is a well-established online broker, securing a high Trust Score of 93 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. Despite not being a publicly traded company or a bank, OANDA holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a status of high trustworthiness. This places OANDA among the most trusted brokers in the industry, offering customers confidence in its regulatory standing.
Markets.com, established in 1999, matches OANDA's high Trust Score of 93, indicating a similarly strong reputation in the forex trading community. Although it is neither publicly traded nor a bank, Markets.com holds three Tier-1 licenses, as well as one Tier-2 license, signaling a solid trust factor. These licenses underscore Markets.com's commitment to maintaining a reliable and dependable trading environment for its users.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
OANDA and Markets.com are two online brokers with distinct approaches to commissions and fees. OANDA tends to have higher forex trading costs, primarily due to its high effective spreads across default and core pricing. Although OANDA is not considered a discount broker, it offers the advantage of automated execution across all its accounts. The spread for OANDA averages 1.61 pips on the EUR/USD pair with default pricing, which is similar to brokers like FOREX.com but higher than firms that offer sub-pip spreads. For traders opting for core pricing, OANDA charges a commission of $5 per $100,000 worth of currency, typically resulting in a slightly better overall cost compared to its commission-free option.
In contrast, Markets.com does not provide average spread data, potentially making it challenging for traders to gauge its fee competitiveness. Both brokers offer unique advantages; OANDA reduces the minimum trade size to 1 unit and provides rebates to active traders in certain jurisdictions through its Elite Trader program. Transparency in pricing is a focus for OANDA, which regularly publishes average spreads, albeit without specific time frames for comparison.
OANDA receives 4 out of 5 stars for its commissions and fees, ranking 34th out of 62 brokers in the category, according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Markets.com garners a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars and ranks 49th. This suggests that while OANDA may have higher costs, its overall offer in terms of transparency and execution techniques possibly gives it a slight edge over Markets.com in this comparison.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.61 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.61 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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 comparing OANDA and Markets.com based on their range of investments, both platforms offer forex trading as both CFDs and spot contracts, catering to traders interested in diverse forex options. OANDA stands out with an impressive 3,928 tradeable symbols, including 68 forex pairs, which is slightly broader than Markets.com's offering of 2,179 tradeable symbols and 57 forex pairs. However, neither platform provides exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning you won't be able to purchase individual stocks such as Apple or Vodafone directly.
Both OANDA and Markets.com support copy trading, allowing clients to mimic the strategies of successful traders. Where they differ is in cryptocurrency offerings; OANDA provides the capability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, while Markets.com only offers cryptocurrency derivatives. Despite these differences, both brokers have been rated 4 stars for their range of investments by ForexBrokers.com, with OANDA ranked slightly higher at #27 compared to Markets.com's #29 out of 62 brokers.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3928 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 68 | 57 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 choosing an online trading platform, both OANDA and Markets.com provide traders with a variety of options. Each broker offers a free demo account for a risk-free practice environment and has developed proprietary platforms. Traders can access their platforms through Windows-based desktop applications or web-based browsers, providing flexibility in how they trade. Both OANDA and Markets.com support popular third-party tools like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, catering to traders familiar with these industry standards. Copy trading is available with each broker, though neither supports DuoTrade or ZuluTrade. In terms of charting capabilities, OANDA stands out with significantly more drawing tools, though both offer the possibility to trade directly from the charts. While the two brokers provide six columns for watch lists, OANDA offers a better overall charting experience, contributing to its higher ranking in trading tools and platforms.
The capabilities of each broker are reflected in their ratings and rankings. Both OANDA and Markets.com receive a commendable four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. However, there is a noticeable difference in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, with OANDA positioned at #16 compared to Markets.com at #26 out of 62 brokers. This disparity highlights OANDA’s edge in platform versatility and charting tools, which could be crucial for traders seeking a comprehensive trading experience. Ultimately, while both brokers provide solid options for trading, OANDA may offer a slight advantage for those prioritizing detailed charting and overall platform flexibility.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | 81 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 431 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both OANDA and Markets.com offer apps for iPhone and Android users, allowing traders to manage their portfolios on the go. Both platforms provide essential features such as stock and forex price alerts and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, enhancing the overall trading experience. However, there are notable differences that might influence your choice depending on specific needs. OANDA stands out with extensive charting capabilities, offering 30 technical studies along with the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames like daily, weekly, or intraday. Additionally, OANDA's app automatically saves chart drawings, which is not available in Markets.com. While Markets.com offers watchlist symbol syncing for seamless integration between mobile and online accounts, this feature is not available with OANDA.
In terms of overall satisfaction, OANDA's mobile trading app shines with a 5-star rating, reflecting its comprehensive set of features tailored for serious traders. The app's performance has also earned it a high ranking of #7 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Markets.com secures a 4-star rating, ranking #33 in the same category, offering a decent mobile trading solution but lacking some advanced features that might be crucial for experienced traders.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | (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 OANDA and Markets.com provide traders with a wealth of information through daily market commentary and top-tier forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. While both brokers supply these fundamental updates, OANDA distinguishes itself by offering a technical analysis tool from Autochartist, which is absent in Markets.com. On the other hand, neither broker currently partners with Trading Central or TipRanks nor do they incorporate research tools from Acuity Trading. For those interested in gauging market sentiment, each platform includes sentiment-based trading tools that provide insights into the long and short positions on various instruments, helping traders understand current market moods.
OANDA and Markets.com each feature an economic calendar that showcases current and upcoming global news events, ensuring traders stay informed about significant market movements. However, OANDA shines brighter in overall research capabilities, earning a 5-star rating compared to Markets.com's 4 stars. This superior rating is further highlighted by OANDA's impressive 5th place ranking out of 62 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's Research category, notably higher than Markets.com, which ranks at 17th. As a result, traders looking for an edge in research insights and tools may find OANDA more aligned with their needs.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | 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 available to beginners in the world of online trading, OANDA stands out significantly compared to Markets.com. OANDA provides a comprehensive range of over 10 educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, dedicated to forex and CFDs education. Additionally, they maintain a searchable archive of past webinars, offering consistent learning opportunities. Markets.com lacks a similar breadth of resources focused strictly on forex or CFDs education, though they do offer monthly educational webinars too. Both platforms provide over 10 beginner educational videos, but OANDA complements this with a helpful investor dictionary of over 50 trading terms, further aiding beginners in understanding essential concepts.
In terms of orientation towards skill levels, both OANDA and Markets.com offer more than 10 advanced educational videos, catering to experienced traders. Despite these similarities, OANDA is rated 5 stars for education, underscoring their stronger focus on providing rich educational content. In comparison, Markets.com earns 4 stars, falling short in certain areas like the lack of an investor dictionary and an archive of recorded webinars. Consequently, OANDA ranks 22nd in the education category among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Markets.com is positioned at 34th, reflecting OANDA's more substantial commitment to trading education for beginners and beyond.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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 OANDA is better than Markets.com. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #12, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.
| Feature |
OANDA
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Markets.com
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 93 | 93 |
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When comparing online brokers OANDA and Markets.com in terms of cryptocurrency offerings, OANDA allows the purchase of actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives, while Markets.com only offers cryptocurrency derivatives and does not provide the option to buy the actual cryptocurrency.
OANDA provides multiple fund transfer options, including ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while Markets.com offers Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal for deposits or withdrawals.
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 | OANDA | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review |
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| Regulation | OANDA | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | OANDA | 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) | OANDA | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | OANDA | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3928 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 68 | 57 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | OANDA | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.61 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.61 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | OANDA | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | OANDA | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | OANDA | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 81 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 431 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | OANDA | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | (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 | OANDA | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | OANDA | 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 | OANDA | 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 | OANDA Review |
| Overall | OANDA | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review |
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