ACY Securities
Squared Financial
ACY Securities vs Squared Financial
A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.
ACY Securities and Squared Financial are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. ACY Securities, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, is regulated by ASIC and offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips with a minimum deposit of $50. Squared Financial, established in 2005 in Limassol, Cyprus, holds licenses from CySEC with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $250 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, ACY Securities scored 7.6/10 overall compared to Squared Financial's 7.1/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Squared Financial holds its own with overall value, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.
Key Differences at a Glance
- 📊
ACY Securities scores 7.6/10 overall vs 7.1/10 for Squared Financial — a 0.5-point difference.
- 💵
ACY Securities requires just $50 to start, while Squared Financial needs $250 — ACY Securities is 5x more accessible.
- 📈
ACY Securities offers 2,200+ instruments vs 400+ at Squared Financial — a massive gap in market coverage.
- ⚡
The biggest gap is in Trading Costs: ACY Securities scores 8.5 vs 7.0 for Squared Financial — a 1.5-point difference.
Our Verdict
ACY Securities
Score: 7.6/10 · Wins 5 categories- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- Responsive customer support matters to you
- You want access to a wider range of instruments
Squared Financial
Score: 7.1/10 · Wins 0 categories- You prefer Squared Financial's trading environment overall
ACY Securities takes the lead with an overall score of 7.6/10 compared to 7.1/10, winning in 5 out of 8 scoring categories. ACY Securities stands out for lower trading costs and superior education resources, while Squared Financial remains a solid alternative.
Detailed Verdict
After testing both brokers with real accounts, ACY Securities comes out ahead with a 7.6/10 overall rating, winning 5 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Trading Costs where it scores 8.5/10. ACY Securities holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Squared Financial is not without merit — it scores 7.1/10 overall and excels in Platforms & Tools (7.5/10). For a complete breakdown, read our full ACY Securities review and Squared Financial review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.
Score Breakdown
ACY Securities wins by 1.5 points
ACY Securities wins by 0.5 points
ACY Securities wins by 0.5 points
ACY Securities wins by 0.5 points
ACY Securities wins by 1.0 points
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7.6/10 ✓ | 7.1/10 |
| Min Deposit Lower is better | $50 ✓ | $250 |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Spreads From | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 |
| Regulation | ASIC | CySEC |
| Founded Older track record highlighted | 2011 | 2005 ✓ |
| Markets | 2,200+ ✓ | 400+ |
Fees & Costs
When it comes to trading costs, ACY Securities has the edge with a score of 8.5/10 versus 7/10 for Squared Financial. ACY Securities offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips, while Squared Financial starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at ACY Securities is $50, compared to $250 at Squared Financial. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.
Trading Platforms
ACY Securities scores 7.5/10 for platforms compared to 7.5/10 for Squared Financial. ACY Securities provides MT4, MT5, while Squared Financial offers MT4, MT5. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.
Regulation & Safety
Regulation is crucial for fund safety. ACY Securities is regulated by ASIC (Tier 1), while Squared Financial holds licenses from CySEC (Tier 1). ACY Securities scores 7.5/10 and Squared Financial scores 7.5/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.
Education & Research
For learning resources, ACY Securities leads with 7/10 compared to 6.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. ACY Securities and Squared Financial both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.
Customer Support
ACY Securities offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 7.5/10, while Squared Financial provides 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 7/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.
Deposit & Withdrawal
ACY Securities scores 7.5/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while Squared Financial scores 7/10. ACY Securities accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Crypto, and Squared Financial supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. ACY Securities requires a minimum deposit of $50 versus $250 for Squared Financial. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.
Which Broker Is Right for You?
Choose ACY Securities if you...
- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- Responsive customer support matters to you
- You want access to a wider range of instruments
Choose Squared Financial if you...
- You prefer Squared Financial's trading environment overall
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACY Securities better than Squared Financial?
ACY Securities scores higher overall (7.6/10 vs 7.1/10), winning 5 of 8 categories. However, Squared Financial remains competitive. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.
Which has lower fees, ACY Securities or Squared Financial?
ACY Securities scores higher for trading costs. ACY Securities offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a $50 minimum deposit, while Squared Financial starts from 0.0 pips with $250 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.
Is ACY Securities safe to trade with?
ACY Securities is regulated by ASIC and scores 7.5/10 for regulation. Squared Financial is regulated by CySEC with a score of 7.5/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.
Which has better trading platforms, ACY Securities or Squared Financial?
ACY Securities scores 7.5/10 for platforms. ACY Securities offers MT4, MT5, while Squared Financial provides MT4, MT5. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.
What's the minimum deposit for ACY Securities vs Squared Financial?
ACY Securities requires a minimum deposit of $50, while Squared Financial requires $250. ACY Securities has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.
Ready to Start Trading?
Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.