Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Markets.com vs ThinkMarkets, 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.
When comparing the online brokers Markets.com and ThinkMarkets, both possess distinguished trust scores and regulatory endorsements. Markets.com, established in 1999, boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93. It holds three Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted, and one Tier-2 license, indicating a solid regulatory standing. Despite its long-standing presence, Markets.com remains privately held and is not a bank as per the brokerage industry standards.
On the other hand, ThinkMarkets, founded in 2010, carries a slightly lower Trust Score of 92 on ForexBrokers.com but surpasses Markets.com in the number of Tier-1 licenses, holding five. Additionally, it has two Tier-2 licenses. While also privately owned and not a bank, ThinkMarkets' extensive license portfolio provides good safety assurances to its users. Both platforms demonstrate high levels of trust and reliability, appealing to a wide range of investors.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
When comparing Markets.com and ThinkMarkets, both online brokers offer their services with distinct pricing structures in the realm of commissions and fees. Markets.com provides a competitive set of fees, although precise data on their average spreads isn't available. The broker has received a rating of 3.5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked 49th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, ThinkMarkets delivers a slightly more favorable pricing structure, earning it a 4-star rating for commissions and fees. Like Markets.com, average spread data for ThinkMarkets isn't provided. Nonetheless, it secures a better ranking at 48th out of 62 brokers in the same category, according to ForexBrokers.com.
Based on these ratings and rankings, ThinkMarkets appears to offer a more cost-effective option for traders concerned about commissions and fees, although both brokers are notable in their own right.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.1 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
Markets.com and ThinkMarkets are both reputable online brokers, offering forex trading in the form of CFDs or spot contracts. When it comes to tradeable symbols, ThinkMarkets takes the lead with 4,000 options compared to Markets.com's 2,179. However, Markets.com offers a slightly broader selection of forex pairs, with 57 available compared to ThinkMarkets' 46. Neither broker allows for the purchase of exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, and both offer cryptocurrency investment through derivatives rather than actual digital coins. They each provide copy trading features, making them accessible to newcomers and seasoned investors alike.
ThinkMarkets has a distinct edge by enabling the purchase of exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, a service Markets.com does not provide. This advantage is reflected in their ratings, with ThinkMarkets earning 4.5 stars for its range of investments, surpassing Markets.com's 4 stars. On ForexBrokers.com, ThinkMarkets secures the 21st spot out of 62 brokers for investment range, ahead of Markets.com, which ranks 29th. Both platforms cater to diverse trading needs, but ThinkMarkets offers a wider variety of investment opportunities, which could be a deciding factor for investors prioritizing range and flexibility.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 4000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of Markets.com and ThinkMarkets, both brokers offer a similar range of features that cater to traders of all levels. Each platform provides a complimentary virtual demo account, allowing new users to familiarize themselves with the system risk-free. They also boast proprietary platforms developed in-house, along with the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 options, ensuring access to a wide array of trading strategies. Both Markets.com and ThinkMarkets support Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based browser platforms, making it easy for you to trade regardless of your preferred interface. In addition, copy trading is available through both brokers, although third-party platforms like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade are absent from their offerings.
While Markets.com and ThinkMarkets both provide rich trading experiences, there are a few differences worth noting. ThinkMarkets offers 15 drawing tools compared to Markets.com's four, providing a more comprehensive suite for chart analysis. Additionally, ThinkMarkets allows direct trading from stock charts, a feature not supported by Markets.com. For those who value watchlist customization, ThinkMarkets provides 15 fields for watch lists, significantly more than Markets.com's six. Despite these differences, both brokers earn a solid four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, with Markets.com slightly outranking ThinkMarkets in ForexBrokers.com's category rankings by one position. Overall, both platforms serve traders well, though your preference may come down to specific tools or features that align with your trading approach.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 15 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Markets.com and ThinkMarkets provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, allowing traders to receive stock or forex price alerts on the go. While both platforms offer the convenience of creating watchlists with real-time quotes, only Markets.com supports watchlist symbol syncing. This feature lets users seamlessly sync changes between the mobile app and the online account. When it comes to technical studies within their mobile apps, ThinkMarkets offers a substantial variety with 94 options, whereas Markets.com relies on the default setup of MT4, without additional studies on its main app. Both brokers allow users to draw trendlines on charts, a useful feature for analyzing market trends. However, only ThinkMarkets offers the ability to view multiple time frames and automatically save chart drawings, providing more flexibility for technical analysis.
In terms of user ratings, both Markets.com and ThinkMarkets receive commendable scores of 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. However, when considering the ForexBrokers.com rankings out of 62 brokers, ThinkMarkets secures a better position at #20, compared to Markets.com’s ranking at #33. While both mobile apps offer solid trading experiences, ThinkMarkets provides a more comprehensive toolset for technical analysis, making it a more versatile choice for traders focused on charting and analysis functionality.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 94 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Markets.com and ThinkMarkets both offer comprehensive market research options for traders. They provide daily market commentary and essential forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Additionally, both brokers make use of sentiment-based trading tools, which display the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments, and offer economic calendars to keep traders informed about global news events. However, neither Markets.com nor ThinkMarkets include tools from Autochartist or Trading Central in their research offerings. While they both share these common features, ThinkMarkets stands out by providing tools from Acuity Trading, such as the Signal Centre, a feature not available with Markets.com.
In terms of ratings, Markets.com edges ahead with a research rating of 4 stars compared to ThinkMarkets' 3.5 stars, reflecting a higher overall evaluation of their offerings. According to ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com is ranked 17th out of 62 brokers for research, offering a more favored position over ThinkMarkets, which holds the 50th spot. Despite these differences, both platforms support traders with valuable commentary and analysis, although the specific tools and resources they provide vary.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | 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.
When comparing the educational resources available to beginners, Markets.com and ThinkMarkets provide distinct offerings. Markets.com excels with its regular online webinars aimed at educating clients, providing a steady stream of learning opportunities, yet it lacks a searchable archive for those past sessions. Moreover, it impressively offers more than 10 beginner videos tailored to those new to trading as well as advanced videos for seasoned traders. Despite its engaging video content, Markets.com falls short by not providing educational materials specifically focused on forex or CFDs and does not offer an investor dictionary, which means beginners might miss out on essential definitions.
On the other hand, ThinkMarkets also hosts regular webinars for its users, and they can explore a searchable archive of these sessions to revisit past topics. In addition to offering a comprehensive collection of educational content, ThinkMarkets provides more than 10 beginner and advanced videos covering a wide spectrum of trading subjects. It stands out by providing an investor dictionary with over 50 key investing terms, which can be particularly beneficial for those needing to familiarize themselves with trading jargon. ThinkMarkets also offers extensive educational content specifically focused on forex or CFDs, making it a valuable resource for beginners looking to dive deeper into these areas. Despite some of these advantages, ThinkMarkets receives a slightly lower education rating compared to Markets.com.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Markets.com is better than ThinkMarkets. Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23, while ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27.
Thanks to its web-based MarketsX platform, Markets.com is easy to use and new trader friendly. However, Markets.com is pricey and lacks the feature-rich trading tools required to compete with the best trading platforms.
| Feature |
Markets.com
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ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 92 |
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Both Markets.com and ThinkMarkets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Markets.com and ThinkMarkets do not support ACH, SEPA, and PayPal for deposits or withdrawals, but they do offer Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options for managing account funds.
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 | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Regulation | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 92 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 4000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| 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 | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.1 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 15 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 94 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | No | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review |
| Overall | Markets.com | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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