Kraken vs ThinkMarkets

• 📊

  Kraken scores 8.3/10 overall vs 8.3/10 for ThinkMarkets — a 0.0-point difference.

• 🛡️

  ThinkMarkets holds Tier 1 regulation (ASIC, FCA, CySEC) offering stronger investor protection than Kraken's Unrated status.

• 📈

  ThinkMarkets offers 4,000+ instruments vs 250+ at Kraken — a massive gap in market coverage.

• 🖥️

  Kraken runs on Kraken Platform, Kraken Pro, Kraken App, while ThinkMarkets uses MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

After testing both brokers with real accounts, Kraken comes out ahead with a 8.3/10 overall rating, winning 2 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Platforms & Tools where it scores 8.5/10. Kraken holds Unrated regulation, though traders should verify the specific entity and jurisdiction covering their account. ThinkMarkets is not without merit — it scores 8.3/10 overall and excels in Regulation & Trust (9.0/10), winning 2 categories. Traders who value stronger regulation or better customer support may find ThinkMarkets the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full Kraken review and ThinkMarkets review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Read Kraken Review → Read ThinkMarkets Review →

When it comes to trading costs, Kraken has the edge with a score of 8/10 versus 8/10 for ThinkMarkets. Kraken offers spreads starting from 0.1%, while ThinkMarkets starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at Kraken is $0, compared to $0 at ThinkMarkets. 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.

Kraken scores 8.5/10 for platforms compared to 8.5/10 for ThinkMarkets. Kraken provides Kraken Platform, Kraken Pro, Kraken App, while ThinkMarkets offers MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader. 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 is crucial for fund safety. Kraken is regulated by FCA (UK), FinCEN (USA), AUSTRAC (AUS), MAS (SG) (Unrated), while ThinkMarkets holds licenses from ASIC, FCA, CySEC (Tier 1). Kraken scores 8.5/10 and ThinkMarkets scores 9/10 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.

For learning resources, Kraken leads with 7.5/10 compared to 7.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Kraken and ThinkMarkets 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.

Kraken offers 24/7 Live Chat, Email and scores 7.5/10, while ThinkMarkets provides 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 8/10. 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.

Kraken scores 8/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while ThinkMarkets scores 8/10. Kraken accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Crypto Deposits, and ThinkMarkets supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Kraken requires a minimum deposit of $0 versus $0 for ThinkMarkets. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.