Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill vs Questrade, 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 Questrade, both private and non-banking entities, cater to online trading enthusiasts, offering various services. Founded in 2014, Tickmill has earned its place in the market by securing two Tier-1 licenses, known for high trust, alongside two Tier-2 licenses, indicating a strong level of reliability. Sharing a comparable trust profile, Questrade, established earlier in 2000, holds two Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its commitment to maintaining a trusted trading environment.
Both brokers boast a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86 out of 99, categorizing them within a 'trusted' range. This suggests that either platform is a viable option for traders seeking a dependable online broker. Despite not being listed on any stock exchange, their regulatory standings and trust scores suggest a mutual dedication to secure and reliable trading conditions.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2000 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing online brokers Tickmill and Questrade in terms of commissions and fees, Tickmill comes across as the more attractive option for active traders. Tickmill offers two distinct accounts: the commission-free Classic account and the Raw account. The Classic account operates solely on the bid/ask spread, with an average spread of 1.76 pips as of August 2023, which is relatively high. On the other hand, the Raw account, which replaced the Pro account, offers significantly lower spreads with a new commission structure of $3 per side or $6 per standard lot. Typical spreads for the Raw account are as low as 0.11 pips for EUR/USD pairs, bringing the total cost to 0.71 pips, even after factoring in the commission. Despite the increase in commissions, Tickmill maintains its appeal with a low minimum deposit of $100 and versatile execution policies, earning a five-star rating in the commissions and fees category and ranking fourth out of 62 brokers.
In contrast, Questrade's fees offer less competitive pricing. The target spread for the EUR/USD pair stands at 1.9 pips, which is considered steep compared to the industry average. While it may serve as a serviceable platform for some traders, particularly those who aren't trading in high volumes, its offerings don’t measure up as favorably in terms of costs for more intensive trading activity. Questrade receives a three-star rating for commissions and fees, placing it at the 57th position out of 62 brokers, indicating that it might not be the optimal choice for traders who prioritize lower costs in their trading strategy.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Tickmill and Questrade are both reputable online brokers offering forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. Tickmill provides access to 725 tradeable symbols, including 63 forex pairs. On the other hand, Questrade offers slightly fewer tradeable symbols at 641 but has a broader selection of 110 forex pairs. While both brokers allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, neither offers the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies.
When it comes to exchange-traded securities, Questrade stands out as a strong choice for investors interested in U.S. and international stocks, such as Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, Tickmill does not provide direct access to these markets. However, Tickmill offers copy trading, potentially appealing to those interested in mirroring successful trades from experienced investors—a feature Questrade lacks. Overall, in evaluating the range of investments, Questrade holds a superior rating of 5 stars and ranks 11th among 62 brokers, while Tickmill is rated at 3.5 stars and ranks 42nd. This makes Questrade a more comprehensive option for investors seeking diverse investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 641 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 110 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Both Tickmill and Questrade provide traders with a range of platform options, but they present distinct differences in their offerings. Tickmill supports MetaTrader 4 and 5, renowned for their comprehensive trading features but does not have a proprietary platform, whereas Questrade stands out with its unique in-house trading platform. Both brokers offer a web-based trading option and a Windows-based desktop download, ensuring flexible access for users. Simulated trading accounts are accessible through both brokers, allowing users to hone their trading skills without financial risk. When it comes to copy trading, Tickmill takes the lead, providing this option while Questrade does not, though Questrade offers DupliTrade, which is absent from Tickmill's services.
In terms of charting tools, Tickmill delivers 15 drawing instruments, while Questrade enriches its platform with 20. Both platforms support trading directly from a stock chart, which caters to traders seeking seamless execution of trades. Watch list customization is more detailed with Questrade, featuring 52 columns, compared to Tickmill's 7. Despite these variations, both received a four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, with Tickmill slightly ahead in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, positioned at 32 out of 62, while Questrade is placed at 34. This makes both brokers worthy contenders, depending on the specific features that traders prioritize most.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 64 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 52 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Tickmill and Questrade both offer versatile mobile trading apps that cater to iPhone and Android users. Each app supports stock and forex price alerts, trendline drawing, and multiple time frame views for detailed analysis. Both platforms also provide users the capability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, a notable difference is in watchlist syncing; Questrade excels here, offering seamless synchronization between mobile and online accounts, a feature missing in Tickmill’s app.
When it comes to technical studies, Questrade stands out by offering 64 charting studies compared to Tickmill’s 30, providing a richer analysis toolkit. Both apps feature auto-save for chart drawings, enhancing user convenience. Despite these variances, both platforms achieve an equal rating of four stars for their mobile trading experiences. Interestingly, Tickmill ranks higher at #31 compared to Questrade’s #34 in the ForexBrokers.com ranking of 62 brokers, demonstrating slight differences in the overall user experience and functionality.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 64 |
| 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 it comes to market research, Tickmill stands out with its strong offerings, providing daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Tickmill enhances its research toolbox with a sentiment-based trading feature that gives traders insight into market position ratios. It also offers research tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, and an economic calendar showcasing global news events. This comprehensive suite of resources earns Tickmill a solid 4-star rating in research and places it at rank #21 out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
Questrade, while offering valuable tools, lacks some of the daily insights found with Tickmill. It does not provide daily market commentary or access to prominent forex news. However, Questrade does feature a range of technical tools, offering analysis from Autochartist and Trading Central. Furthermore, it includes market research from TipRanks and an economic calendar to keep traders informed on world events. With these features, Questrade receives a rating of 3.5 stars for research, ranking at #51 by ForexBrokers.com. While both platforms have unique strengths, Tickmill might appeal more to those seeking frequent, detailed updates and sentiment-based insights.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| 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, Tickmill stands out with a comprehensive suite of offerings. This online broker provides more than 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and webinars. Tickmill also holds online educational webinars for clients every month, with a searchable archive for those looking to catch up on past sessions. Additionally, the broker offers an impressive range of videos specifically tailored for both beginner and advanced traders, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. For those new to investing, Tickmill includes an investor dictionary with over 50 terms, making complex trading concepts easier to understand. With a rating of 4 stars for education and a ranking of 15 out of 62 brokers in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill provides a robust platform for learning.
Questrade also offers a solid selection of educational materials for beginner traders. Like Tickmill, it provides more than 10 resources centered on forex and CFDs. However, Questrade does not currently offer monthly educational webinars, which might limit interactive learning opportunities. The broker maintains a searchable archive of past webinars and provides over 10 beginner-focused educational videos, ensuring foundational trading knowledge is easily accessible. However, advanced educational video content and an investor dictionary with 50 terms are not included in their offerings. With a 3.5-star rating for education and ranking 36 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, Questrade is a viable option, though it might not have the same breadth of educational tools as Tickmill for those looking to dive deeper into advanced topics.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Tickmill is better than Questrade. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while Questrade finished with an overall rank of #32.
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
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Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 86 |
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Both Tickmill and Questrade do not offer the option to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but each provides the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both Tickmill and Questrade provide options for depositing and withdrawing funds through Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, Tickmill additionally supports PayPal and Skrill, whereas Questrade does not offer these options, and neither platform supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | Questrade | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Questrade Review |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2000 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 641 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 110 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). |
| Cost | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 52 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 64 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 64 | |
| 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 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Tickmill | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Questrade Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | Questrade | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Questrade Review |
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