Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill vs TopFX, 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 TopFX are both online brokerage firms, yet they exhibit notable differences in terms of regulatory standing and trust scores. Founded in 2014, Tickmill has built a solid reputation with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86, categorizing it as a trusted broker. In terms of regulation, Tickmill holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, offering a strong level of oversight and assurance to its clients. Unlike many financial institutions, Tickmill is not publicly traded nor is it a bank, making its regulatory licenses a key component of its credibility.
TopFX, established in 2010, has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 67, which places it in the high-risk category. The brokerage holds one Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses, which indicates a lower level of regulatory backing compared to Tickmill. Like its counterpart, TopFX is neither publicly traded nor a banking institution. Potential investors should consider these regulatory differences when choosing between the two, especially given the varying degrees of trust and oversight each broker institution has earned.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing online brokers Tickmill and TopFX, it's clear that both adopt different strategies in managing commissions and fees, suited to various trading needs. Tickmill ranks #4 out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees, earning a commendable five-star rating. They offer two types of accounts: the Classic account, which is commission-free, albeit with higher spreads of 1.76 pips, and the Raw account. The Raw account charges a $3 per side commission ($6 per standard lot) and presents a more competitive environment for traders with lower spreads at 0.11 pips for EUR/USD, culminating in an approximate all-in cost of 0.71 pips after including commission—ideal for active traders.
TopFX, on the other hand, provides their ZERO and RAW accounts to cater to varying trader preferences. The RAW account is commission-based and charges 2.75 EUR per side, or 5.50 per round turn per lot, with an all-in cost of around 0.88 pips for EUR/USD, aligning with industry averages. Meanwhile, their ZERO account is commission-free but has higher average spreads of 1.03 pips. Although offering competitive rates, TopFX holds a four-star rating and ranks #40, lower than Tickmill, indicating that while it presents good options, it may not offer the same level of value particularly for those focused on fee efficiency.
Ultimately, while both brokers offer credible options depending on trader preferences, Tickmill's structured commission plan on the Raw account may present a more attractive package for traders aiming to minimize their all-in costs, despite the recent fee increase. Conversely, TopFX might appeal to those prioritizing a commission-free trading model via its ZERO account, albeit at the expense of increased spread costs.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | Depends on payment method |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.03 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 0.88 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Tickmill and TopFX both offer opportunities for forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, providing traders ample choices when it comes to foreign exchange. Tickmill offers an impressive 725 tradeable symbols, slightly surpassing TopFX’s offering of 655 symbols. In terms of forex pairs, Tickmill again has a slight edge with 63 pairs compared to TopFX’s 60. Neither of these brokers offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning traders cannot buy shares directly in companies like Apple or Vodafone through them.
For those interested in cryptocurrencies, both Tickmill and TopFX allow trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, but not the actual cryptocurrencies themselves. An attractive feature of both brokers is the availability of copy trading, allowing traders to mimic the strategies of more experienced investors. Though Tickmill and TopFX both have been rated 3.5 stars out of five for their range of investments, Tickmill ranks slightly higher at #42 in the category on ForexBrokers.com, in comparison to TopFX’s rank of #46 among 62 brokers. This makes them relatively equal in offerings, with only minor differences in the variety of products available.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 655 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 60 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| 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.
Tickmill and TopFX are both notable online brokers that cater to traders seeking efficient trading platforms and tools. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, enabling traders to practice with paper trading before committing real funds. While neither offers a proprietary platform, they both support Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based trading platforms. Each broker also provides access to the popular MetaTrader 4 platform. However, only Tickmill extends its offering to include MetaTrader 5, providing a slight edge for those seeking advanced trading features.
Copy trading enthusiasts will find both Tickmill and TopFX supportive of this functionality. They each supply a set of 15 drawing tools for charting and allow trades to be executed directly from stock charts, enhancing the analytical processes for traders. Watch list customization is also similar, with both brokers supporting up to seven columns. When examining the ratings, both Tickmill and TopFX earn four stars in Trading Platforms and Tools. However, Tickmill is ranked slightly higher at #32 compared to TopFX's #44 by ForexBrokers.com out of 62 brokers, indicating a marginally better reception from expert reviews in this category.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Tickmill and TopFX offer comprehensive mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users. These apps cater to the needs of traders by providing essential features like stock or forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and viewing different time frames such as daily, weekly, or intraday. Each app includes 30 technical studies for charting, which helps traders make informed decisions. Additionally, both platforms allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, although neither offers watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and online accounts.
While Tickmill and TopFX are rated equally with four stars for their mobile trading apps, there is a noticeable difference in their rankings according to ForexBrokers.com. Tickmill is ranked higher at 31st out of 62 brokers, whereas TopFX is placed at 51st, suggesting a more favorable user experience for Tickmill app users. Both apps automatically save chart drawings, maintaining ease of access and continuity for traders on the move. Overall, both brokers deliver quality mobile trading experiences, but Tickmill seems to have a slight edge in overall rankings.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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 Tickmill and TopFX, Tickmill comes out ahead with daily market commentary, while this is not available with TopFX. Both brokers provide forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, Tickmill offers an exclusive sentiment-based trading tool and research tools from Acuity Trading, enhancing its research capabilities. In contrast, TopFX provides technical and fundamental analysis tools from Autochartist and Trading Central, which are not available with Tickmill. Neither broker offers market research from TipRanks. Both offer an economic calendar for monitoring global news events, providing essential insights for traders.
Tickmill receives a higher research rating of 4 stars, compared to TopFX's 3-star rating. Moreover, Tickmill is ranked 21st out of 62 brokers for its research offerings by ForexBrokers.com, while TopFX holds the 59th position. This suggests that Tickmill may offer a more comprehensive research experience, potentially giving traders an edge in market analysis and decision-making.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners entering the world of trading, educational resources can be a critical factor in selecting an online broker. Tickmill stands out as a strong choice for those seeking comprehensive learning materials. It offers a wide variety of educational content, including more than ten articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. Furthermore, Tickmill provides online educational webinars at least once a month, along with a searchable archive of past webinars, ensuring you have plenty of opportunities to learn at your own pace. In addition, beginners can benefit from over ten videos that cover essential trading topics, making Tickmill a go-to source for building your foundational knowledge.
In comparison, TopFX appears to offer more limited resources for novice traders. It does not meet the criteria of providing at least ten educational pieces dedicated to forex or CFDs. Moreover, TopFX falls short in offering recurring monthly webinars and does not maintain a searchable archive of previous sessions. There is also a lack of dedicated beginner videos and an investor dictionary, which could make the learning curve steeper for those new to trading. Overall, Tickmill receives a 4-star rating for its educational offerings, ranking 15th out of 62 brokers, while TopFX is rated with 3 stars and ranks significantly lower at 60th. This data suggests that Tickmill might be the better choice for traders prioritizing education.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 TopFX. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while TopFX finished with an overall rank of #61.
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
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 67 |
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Both Tickmill and TopFX do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the ability to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Tickmill and TopFX offer multiple methods for depositing and withdrawing account funds, including PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither 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 | TopFX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | TopFX Review |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 67 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 655 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 60 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| 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 | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.03 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 0.88 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | Depends on payment method | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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 | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Tickmill | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | TopFX Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | TopFX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | TopFX Review |
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